Extreme Measures. Brenda Harlen

      “How long do you figure it will be before we end up in bed together again?”

      The sheer arrogance of Colin’s question should have annoyed her, but his words—and the images they evoked—sent a quick thrill through her. But she couldn’t let him kiss her again, because if he did, she knew she’d be lost.

      “You…uh…really need to go,” she said, just a little breathlessly.

      Then his lips were on hers and all thoughts of further protest evaporated.

      This was crazy. It was wrong. He wouldn’t stay in town for the long term. He never did. Maybe he’d come back occasionally now that he knew about Carly, but she couldn’t hope for any more than that. He’d already broken her heart once before. She could not—would not—give him that power over her again.

      Dear Reader,

      As always, Silhouette Intimate Moments is coming your way with six fabulously exciting romances this month, starting with bestselling Merline Lovelace, who always has The Right Stuff. This month she concludes her latest miniseries, TO PROTECT AND DEFEND, and you’ll definitely want to be there for what promises to be a slam-bang finale.

      Next, pay another visit to HEARTBREAK CANYON, where award winner Marilyn Pappano knows One True Thing: that the love between Cassidy McRae and Jace Barnett is meant to be, despite the lies she’s forced to tell. Lyn Stone begins a wonderful new miniseries with Down to the Wire. Follow DEA agent Joe Corda to South America, where he falls in love—and so will you, with all the SPECIAL OPS. Brenda Harlen proves that sometimes Extreme Measures are the only way to convince your once-and-only love—and the child you never knew!—that this time you’re home to stay. When Darkness Calls, Caridad Piñeiro’s hero comes out to…slay? Not exactly, but he is a vampire, and just the kind of bad boy to win the heart of an FBI agent with a taste for danger. Finally, let new author Diana Duncan introduce you to a Bulletproof Bride, who quickly comes to realize that her kidnapper is not what he seems—and is a far better match than the fiancé she was just about to marry.

      Enjoy them all—and come back next month for more of the best and most exciting romance reading around, right here in Silhouette Intimate Moments.

      Yours,

      Leslie J. Wainger

      Executive Editor

      Extreme Measures

      Brenda Harlen

      

www.millsandboon.co.uk

      BRENDA HARLEN

      grew up in a small town surrounded by books and imaginary friends. Although she always dreamed of being a writer, she chose to follow a more traditional career path first. After two years of practicing as an attorney (including an appearance in front of the Supreme Court of Canada), she gave up her “real” job to be a mom and try her hand at writing books. Three years, five manuscripts and another baby later, she sold her first book—an RWA Golden Heart Winner—to Silhouette.

      Brenda lives in southern Ontario with her real-life husband/hero, two heroes-in-training and two neurotic dogs. She is still surrounded by books (“too many books,” according to her children) and imaginary friends, but she also enjoys communicating with “real” people. Readers can contact Brenda by e-mail at [email protected] or by snail mail c/o Silhouette Books, 233 Broadway, Suite 1001, New York, NY 10279.

      For Angela Muirhead (aka “Joanie”) Because our friendship started a long time ago at a hockey game.

      And with thanks to:

      My brother, Jim, for stories and insights from the dressing room.

      My husband, Neill, for research on explosives…and other things.

      And Leslie Wainger and Susan Litman, for giving this story a chance, and helping to make it better.

      Contents

      Chapter 1

      Chapter 2

      Chapter 3

      Chapter 4

      Chapter 5

      Chapter 6

      Chapter 7

      Chapter 8

      Chapter 9

      Chapter 10

      Chapter 11

      Chapter 12

      Chapter 13

      Chapter 14

      Chapter 15

      Chapter 16

      Chapter 17

      Chapter 18

      Chapter 1

      Colin McIver was back and Nikki Gordon was probably the only person in all of Fairweather, Pennsylvania, who wasn’t thrilled about the return of the hometown hero. Of course, no one else had the questionable privilege of being his ex-wife.

      Why was he back?

      She crossed the parking lot of the sports’ injuries clinic, scanning the article in the local newspaper she’d swiped from the staff room.

      Why now?

      “Hello, Nicole.”

      She stopped in her tracks, her eyes still fixed on the paper in her hand although the tiny black letters blurred together. She knew that voice. It didn’t matter that she hadn’t heard it in over five years, she’d recognize it anywhere—that deep, warm tone with the underlying sensuality that still caused tingles of anticipation to dance over her skin.

      But even if she hadn’t recognized the voice, she would still have known it was him. He was the only person who ever called her Nicole, and just the sound of her name on his lips was enough to bring the memories flooding back. Memories she’d tried for so long to forget.

      Her heart thudded heavily in her chest, but she glanced up with forced nonchalance into familiar deep green eyes. His dark hair was cut short, his square jaw freshly shaven, his lips tipped up at the corners. His shoulders looked as broad as she remembered, the cotton shirt he wore stretched over his powerful muscles. His waist was still trim, his denim-clad legs long and lean.

      He bore the usual scars of an athlete. The slightly crooked nose that had been broken three times, the small scar that slashed through one thick eyebrow, and the barely noticeable chip in his front tooth. Yet he was still the most devastatingly handsome man she’d ever met.

      It had been more than five years since she’d seen him, and she hadn’t forgotten a single detail.

      “Hello, Colin.”

      He smiled at her, a slow, curving of the lips that caused her pulse to trip, then race.

      “You look good,” he said, his eyes skimming over her. “You’ve cut your hair.”

      Nikki laughed and self-consciously tucked an errant strand behind her ear. She’d had hair that fell to her waist when she and Colin were married, and he’d loved to comb his fingers through it, spread it out over the pillow—

      She thrust the painfully sweet memory aside. “A long time ago.”

      He tilted his head. “I like it.”

      “What are you doing here, Colin?”

      “Here—in Fairweather? Or here—here?”

      “Both.”

      “I’m here—” he indicated the physical space beside