A Better Man. Emilie Rose

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      Time to show them what he’s made of

      Roth Sterling is a straight shooter, a guy you want on your side. As a soldier, he defended his country. As a cop, he upholds the law. For a kid who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, he’s done well for himself. Now he’s back in his hometown, only this time, he’s the new police chief.

      He’s in for a few surprises, however. Piper Hamilton—the girl he loved—still has the power to move him. And they are tied together thanks to the son he didn’t know he had. Roth is determined to do right by Piper, whatever it takes. Even if it means becoming the one thing he never thought to be—a family man.

      Roth had loved Piper

      More than he’d ever loved anyone. And yet he’d hurt her. Deliberately. Not with his fists—his father’s modus operandi—but with his actions, his words.

      Through sheer willpower he lowered his hand even though every cell in his body urged him to wrap Piper in his arms, to take her mouth, to lose himself inside her body and let her inflame him. Let her soothe him.

      Piper had always been able to take away the ugliness of his life with her sweet smiles, her gentle touch, her sexy-as-hell laugh and her belief that he was a better man than his father. Being with her had made him feel whole, complete, normal. Too bad he hadn’t been able to return the favor.

      He took a backward step before he forgot what was good for him. And her. Before he forgot his fragile promise to keep his distance and do the right thing by her.

      He had a plan. He just had to find the fortitude to stick to it.

      No matter the temptation.

      And, damn, it wasn’t going to be nearly as easy as he’d thought it would be.

      Dear Reader,

      I love it when research for a book takes me to a new place. For Roth Sterling’s story I made multiple trips to Quantico, Virginia, the marine base featured in so many novels, movies and TV shows. The base is home to one of the scout sniper schools, and it was nothing like I expected. Yes, Quantico contains all the official buildings and military supply stores and training grounds I’ve read about, but that’s where my preconceptions ended.

      The first thing you’ll notice when you roll through Quantico’s front gate is the lush forest surrounding you. The Potomac River winds through the landscape and the curving road takes you past several beautiful postcard-worthy vistas. Lily pads float in small coves and ponds. Deer, groundhogs and other critters I can’t name are as plentiful and nearly as bold as the marines who work and train there. The animals don’t flinch as explosions of C-4, bangalore torpedoes and machine-gun fire rent the air. Deer are reported to graze near the targets on the FBI shooting range and duck fill the river and creeks.

      Quantico contains a golf course, numerous neighborhoods and multiple elementary schools. Quantico, referred to as “The Beast,” is both a serene paradise (to this untrained eye) and the training ground of some of this country’s bravest warriors. The contradictions blew me away and guaranteed I’d make a return trip to see what other surprises the base has in store.

      Happy reading!

      Emilie Rose

      P.S. I love to hear from readers! Contact me through my website at www.emilierose.com.

      A Better Man

      Emilie Rose

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      ABOUT THE AUTHOR

      Bestselling Harlequin author and RITA® Award finalist Emilie Rose lives in her native North Carolina with her four sons and two adopted mutts. Writing is her third (and hopefully her last) career. She’s managed a medical office and run a home day care, neither of which offers half as much satisfaction as plotting happy endings. Her hobbies include gardening and cooking (especially cheesecake). She’s a rabid country music fan because she can find an entire book in almost any song. She is currently working her way through her own “bucket list,” which includes learning to ride a Harley. This is her first Harlequin Superromance book. Visit her website, www.emilierose.com, or email her at [email protected]. Letters can be mailed to P.O. Box 20145, Raleigh, NC 27619.

      To the men and women who serve our country,

      allowing us the freedom to read and write what we choose.

      Contents

       CHAPTER ONE

       CHAPTER TWO

       CHAPTER THREE

       CHAPTER FOUR

       CHAPTER FIVE

       CHAPTER SIX

       CHAPTER SEVEN

       CHAPTER EIGHT

       CHAPTER NINE

       CHAPTER TEN

       CHAPTER ELEVEN

       CHAPTER TWELVE

       CHAPTER THIRTEEN

       CHAPTER FOURTEEN

       CHAPTER FIFTEEN

       CHAPTER SIXTEEN

       CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

       CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

       CHAPTER NINETEEN

       CHAPTER TWENTY

       EXCERPT

      CHAPTER ONE

      ROTH STERLING HAD sworn he’d never set foot in the godforsaken hellhole of Quincey, North Carolina, again. But twelve years after his escape, here he stood, eating those bitter words.

      The town held too many memories. Most of them bad. But what choice did he have with his murderous bastard of a father due to be paroled from prison in two months?

      He opened the door of his new apartment, stepped inside and shoved the key into his pocket. He had limited time to convince his mother not to allow the animal who’d beaten her for fifteen years back into her life. Better yet, Roth would persuade her to divorce the man and take out a restraining order. But even if she did, could the town’s five-officer team enforce it?

      Maybe. Maybe not.

      Restraining orders tended to be useless if the one being