Caught in the sights of a
killer, David and Miranda fight for life—and the chance to
love again.
Miranda Raines thinks she has found a safe haven in Oxford,
England, until Scotland Yard DCI David French knocks on her
door with terrifying news. Her ex-husband, a convicted
murderer, has escaped from prison and he's coming for her.
Miranda, who for years has harbored a secret love for the
driven Chief Inspector, has no choice but to trust him. She
just hopes she can guard her own heart at least as well as
he guards her.
After
thwarting her ex's first attack, David spirits Miranda and
her young son out of England and the three of them end up on
the run across Europe. David has no intention of falling in
love again, but with each passing day Miranda awakens
passions he thought long dead.
Could
this be their forever love? With a killer on their trail,
they may not live long enough to find out.
**This
is a previously published title and is revised with
additional scenes.
5 Angels
"fun
to travel along with them and see them fight the growing
attraction they both felt."
"...the characters are strong and the treachery realistic.
The author also provides some nice touches of humor, making the
reader truly care about her characters."
The following review is for the version released in 2002.
"The
dialogue is witty. The plot is well-constructed and
believable. The action is constant with enough tension to keep the reader's
interest throughout....Truly a delight to read."
Reviewer: Barbara Buhrer at www.wordmuseum.com
Note: Review site no longer available.
Electronic Available
Samhain Publishing,
November 2, 2007 e-ISBN 1-59998-686-8;
Print ISBN: 978-1-599998-950-6
SETTING: Small Pensione in San Remo, Italy.
This excerpt PG 13
BACKGROUND: DCI David French has taken
Miranda (Randi) Raines and her son Jamie on a dangerous
hop-scotch across Europe. They’re on the run from her ex, a
murderous arms dealer, who has escaped from a British prison and
vowed revenge toward her and the chief inspector. Their enforced
proximity has brought Randi and David closer, but tonight
there’s one small problem.
☺
David unlocked the door and walked into
their room. To his surprise, Miranda had taken up residence in
the armchair. “I thought you’d be asleep.”
“No, you take the bed. You haven’t had a
decent night’s sleep in nearly a week. I had a long nap this
afternoon.”
He shook his head. “I can’t sleep in the bed
and know you’re trying to sleep in a chair.”
“It was good enough for you last night. It’s
good enough for me tonight. Women’s Lib, you know.”
“Sorry, I just can’t.”
She unwound from her cramped position and
walked toward him, a guarded expression in her eyes.
“There is only one other solution,” he
suggested.
“Which is?”
“If we sleep like spoons, we’ll all fit. And
it’s only for a few hours.”
Like spoons? The very thought of her
spooned in his arms did wonders for his heart rate. How in
blazes would he ever think he would be able to sleep like that?
“S-spoons?” Slowly she slid into the middle
portion of the bed, scooping a sleeping Jamie up in her arms,
then patted the portion of the bed behind her. “Like this?
You’re insane. I can’t sleep that close to you.”
“Sure you can. Pretend like I’m your brother
and we’re on a camping trip.”
“You don’t look like any of my brothers and
my imagination doesn’t stretch that far.”
“Come on. It won’t be that bad. That way we
can both get some rest.”
Lord, how he wanted to lie next to her. And
her eagerness certainly was baffling and encouraging at the same
time. How would he ever manage to not embarrass the two of them?
Perhaps, if he kept his clothes on, it would help. He sat down
on the side of the bed and kicked off his shoes.
“There’s plenty of room,” she said with a shy
smile.
“Compared to what? A coffin?”
The woman had the temerity to snigger.
“I wasn’t joking,” he protested.
“Of course, you weren’t.”
“Grr.” He turned around and into position
directly behind her, who, for some unknown reason, decided to
wriggle into his portion of the bed. “You’re taking some of my
space.”
“No, just getting comfortable,” she replied,
giving a wiggle of her hips which connected with his groin.
He swore under his breath as his groin
responded without his permission, straining against the
confinement of his jeans. Lord, how he wanted her. She was
actually teasing him. Why? Surely she had to know the effect she
had on him.
“G’night.”
He groaned. “Good night, Miranda.”
His erection hardened further. Surely she had
to be aware.
The sound of her breathing quickened. She was
aware.
“Sorry,” he muttered, his own heart beat
hammering in his chest. Could she feel that too?
She twisted a bit and looked at him over her
shoulder. “It’s not your fault. The bed’s so small and we’re
just so c-close. I’ll go back to the chair.” She tried to rise,
but he restrained her.
“No,” he rasped. “Stay, please. I want to
feel your body next to mine. Wanting you is driving me crazy.”
He levered up on his elbow, leaned forward and touched her neck
softly with his lips.
A sharp intake of breath.
“I won’t hurt you. I would never—”
“I know.” Her breath came in ragged gasps.
“But we can’t. Jamie.”
“Come with me.”
Randi eased from the bed, dazed by the heat
of her body’s response to David’s. She placed her hand in his
and followed him into the bathroom and shut the door behind
them.
“Now,” David said, lowering his lips to hers,
and a blaze of desire ripped through her body weakening her
knees. She backed away and gazed up into his eyes. The night
light she’d thought to include for Jamie gave off just enough
light for her to see the look of surprise on his face.
“Am I moving too fast?” David groaned. “We
don’t have to do anything, but I’m dying of wanting you.”
“I need to catch my breath.” She clung to his
body, her legs still limp as worn out fiddle strings. She
trusted him, was already in love with him. Could she—should
she—give into a single night of lust?
“I won’t hurt you. I’m not Stefan.”
“I know.” She buried her face in his chest
and inhaled his male scent. His erection was rigid and pressed
firmly against her belly.
“I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do.
You can go back to bed—I’ll die—but you can.”
She giggled. “No pressure?” She gazed up at
him and smiled. “I wouldn’t want to be responsible for your
death.” Her heart banged against her chest wall like a cymbalist
gone mad. Was she dreaming? Was she really about to make love
with David?
