State Of Emergency. Cassie Miles

      “I don’t want to sleep with you,” Emily said

      But did she? From the first moment she’d laid eyes on Jordan, she had found him attractive. “If you lay one hand on me, I’ll—”

      “I won’t touch you, Emily.” He straightened his spine. In spite of the lingering trail dust and the prison-issue denims, Jordan exuded the dignity of an honorable man. “You have my word as a gentleman.”

      “Who do think you are? Rhett Butler?”

      The right corner of his mouth quirked in a grin. “At your service, Miss Scarlett. Get in,” Jordan said.

      Emily crawled inside, and the warmth of the lightweight sleeping bag snuggled around her. When Jordan joined her inside the bag, there was barely room to move. She couldn’t escape without waking him. And she wasn’t altogether sure she wanted to leave him.

      It had been years since she’d been intimate with a man, and she’d forgotten how pleasant it was to lie close to a large masculine body. Tempting fate, she wriggled against him. His breath whispered deep and slow, echoing the rhythm of his heart. His natural male fragrance mingled with the fragrance of her soap. “Jordan?”

      He was silent, already sound asleep. True to his word as a gentleman. Damn it.

      Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,

      Welcome to a brand-new year of exciting romance and edge-of-your-seat suspense. We at Harlequin Intrigue are thrilled to renew our commitment to you, our loyal readers, to provide variety and outstanding romantic suspense—each and every month.

      To get things started right, veteran Harlequin Intrigue author Cassie Miles kicks off a two-book miniseries with State of Emergency. The COLORADO SEARCH AND RESCUE group features tough emergency personnel reared in the shadows of the rugged Rocky Mountains. Who wouldn’t want to be stranded with a western-born hunk trained to protect and serve?

      Speaking of hunks, Debra Webb serves up a giant of a man in Solitary Soldier, the next installment in her COLBY AGENCY series. And you know what they say about the bigger they come the harder they fall…. Well, it goes double for this wounded hero.

      Ann Voss Peterson takes us to the darkest part of a serial killer’s world in Accessory to Marriage. The second time around could prove to be the last—permanently—for both the hero and heroine in this gripping thriller.

      Finally, please welcome Delores Fossen to the line. She joins us with a moving story of forced artificial insemination, which unites two strangers who unwittingly become parents…and eventually a family. Do not miss His Child for an emotional read.

      Be sure to let us know how we’re doing; we love to hear from our readers! And Happy New Year from all of us at Harlequin Intrigue.

      Sincerely,

      Denise O’Sullivan

      Associate Senior Editor

      Harlequin Intrigue

      State of Emergency

      Cassie Miles

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      ABOUT THE AUTHOR

      Cassie Mlles lives in Denver, one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, with the traffic jams to prove it. She belongs to the film society and enjoys artsy subtitled cinema almost as much as movies where stuff blows up. Her favorite entertainment is urban, ranging from sports to museum exhibits to coffeehouse espresso. Yet she never loses sight of the Rocky Mountains through the kitchen window.

      Books by Cassie Miles

      HARLEQUIN INTRIGUE

      122—HIDE AND SEEK

      150—HANDLE WITH CARE

      237—HEARTBREAK HOTEL

      269—ARE YOU LONESOME TONIGHT?

      285—DON’T BE CRUEL

      320—MYSTERIOUS VOWS*

      332—THE SUSPECT GROOM*

      363—THE IMPOSTER

      381—RULE BREAKER

      391—GUARDED MOMENTS

      402—A NEW YEAR’S CONVICTION

      443—A REAL ANGEL

      449—FORGET ME NOT

      521—FATHER, LOVER, BODYGUARD**

      529—THE SAFE HOSTAGE**

      584—UNDERCOVER PROTECTOR

      645—STATE OF EMERGENCY†

      CAST OF CHARACTERS

      Emily Foster—The former emergency-room nurse seeks solitude and peace in the Colorado mountains where she works for Search and Rescue.

      Jordan Shane—The Florida-based computer chip manufacturer, arrested and accused of murdering his estranged wife, makes a daring escape and is on the run.

      Lynette Afton-Shane—The Aspen jet-setter and owner of two ski lodges is shot before she can divorce Jordan.

      Brian Afton—Lynette’s brother inherits the bulk of her estate when she dies.

      Sean Madigan—The professional skier who lives in the guest house on Lynette’s estate had an intense relationship with the deceased.

      Deputy Ed Cooper—Sloppy police work leads to his downfall when he slides off a cliff.

      Deputy Frank Kreiger—The overzealous law enforcement officer secretly loved Lynette and wants her murderer punished.

      Dr. Spence Cannon—The local doctor, a good friend for Emily, also works for Search and Rescue.

      Pookie—The golden retriever puppy is neither a watchdog nor a detective, but he helps solve the crime.

      To Rosie. Hi, Mom!

      Contents

       Prologue

       Chapter One

       Chapter Two

       Chapter Three

       Chapter Four

       Chapter Five

       Chapter Six

       Chapter Seven

       Chapter Eight

       Chapter Nine

       Chapter Ten