Tailspin. Lori Foster

      TAILSPIN

      In this smoldering fan-favorite tale from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster, lumberyard owner Buck Boswell prides himself on his way with women—but his prickly neighbor Sadie Harte seems immune to his charms. Is she really as aloof as she acts, or can Buck convince her to take a chance on the guy next door?

       Praise for New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster

      “Foster hits every note (or power chord) of the true alpha male hero…a compelling read from start to finish.”

      —Publishers Weekly on Bare It All

      “A sexy, believable roller coaster of action and romance.”

      —Kirkus Reviews on Run the Risk

      “Bestseller Foster…has an amazing ability to capture a man’s emotions and lust with sizzling sex scenes and meld it with a strong woman’s point of view.”

      —Publishers Weekly on A Perfect Storm

      “Foster rounds out her searing trilogy with a story that tilts toward the sizzling and sexy side of the genre.”

      —RT Book Reviews on Savor the Danger

      “The fast-paced thriller keeps these well-developed characters moving.… Foster’s series will continue to garner fans with this exciting installment.”

      —Publishers Weekly on Trace of Fever

      “Steamy, edgy, and taut.”

      —Library Journal on When You Dare

      “Intense, edgy and hot. Lori Foster delivers everything you’re looking for in a romance.”

      —New York Times bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz on Hard to Handle

      Dear Reader,

      I’m so excited that Harlequin HQN is reissuing one of my favorite short stories. Readers often tell me that they laugh while reading my books. But when writing them, I’m never sure if the content is as funny as I intend it to be or not.

      In Uncovered, I know it’s funny—because I still laugh just thinking about it. Once you read it, you’ll know what I mean—and I’m certain you’ll sympathize with the heroine even while cheering her on.

      In Tailspin you’ll meet my little fur baby, Tootsie—renamed Tish for the purposes of the story. She’s my adorable little Chihuahua—now my only doggie, since Brock passed away (you met Brock, aka Butch, in Riley)—and she rules the house with her very tiny paw. All the cats love her, and bow to her demands. When we first got Tootsie, she was exactly like the dog in this story...right down to her fascination with bugs.

      An Honorable Man is unrelated to the other stories, but given my love, gratitude and respect for the military, it’s also a favorite.

      I very much hope you enjoy the stories as much as I enjoyed writing them.

      To catch up on all my books, be sure to check my website, www.lorifoster.com!

      All my best,

      Tailspin

       Lori Foster

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      Contents

       Cover

       Back Cover Text

Praise

Dear Reader

       Title Page

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

       CHAPTER THREE

       CHAPTER FOUR

       CHAPTER FIVE

       Extract

       Copyright

       CHAPTER ONE

      IT WAS BARELY SIX O’CLOCK on a cloudy Saturday morning in Chester, Ohio. The sun struggled to shine without much success as Buck Boswell finished brushing his teeth, then splashed his unshaven face with cold water. Saturday mornings were meant for sleeping in, preferably with a soft, warm female. But for the next couple of weekends, that was out.

      Butch, the little Chihuahua he’d been roped into babysitting for two weeks, was causing a ruckus. For a four-pound dog, he made a lot of noise.

      Butch had already been out to do his business—the reason Buck was up so early on a vacation day—so he should have been curled up on his blankets, back to dreaming blissful doggie dreams. For the two days Buck had minded Butch so far, that’d been his routine: up at dawn, out for his morning constitutional, back to bed.

      Unfortunately, Buck couldn’t do the same. Once Butch woke him, getting back to sleep proved impossible. He was starting his vacation by keeping the hours of his grandpa instead of those of a thriving bachelor.

      It sucked.

      Riley, one of his best friends, had asked Buck to sit the dog so he and his wife, Regina, could take a cruise. But Riley hadn’t mentioned that Butch rose with the roosters, only to nap again afterward.

      Owning his own lumberyard and working sixty-hour weeks as a result hadn’t allowed Buck much time to bond with pets. Free time was spent with his friends, his family and a selection of very nice females. Not animals.

      But since he was the only bachelor left in their close circle of friends, the duty fell on him. And despite his lack of familiarity with furry creatures, he and Butch got along well enough.

      So what had upset Butch enough to cause that mournful sound?

      Concerned, Buck dried his face and dropped his towel. Because he slept in the nude, he’d had to pull on underwear when Butch had first awoken him. In the dark, he’d chosen monkey-print boxers given to him as a joke by Ethan’s wife, Rosie. He hadn’t bothered to put anything more on yet, so he cautiously poked his head around the corner to see what had Butch riled.

      The dog sat at the French doors at the back of Buck’s apartment, staring out at the shadowy yard.

      “Hey, bud, what’s the deal?”

      Butch cast him a quick worried look, then went back to staring. Buck