Impetuous. Lori Foster

      Dear Reader,

      How exciting to have my very first published book reissued for a special Harlequin 60th anniversary celebration. I look back on that first book, published in the mid-nineties, with a mix of elation and angst. I’ve had many changes in my career since then, but those early days taught me so much. Like how to persevere, and how rewarding it is to reach a goal.

      Not many know this, but I wrote over a five-year period, completing ten novels before finally landing that first sale. I can’t say I was ready to give up, because above all, writers write. But I did get plenty frustrated—and with each rejection, I grew more determined to live my dream.

      For years I had tried to find my niche, at the same time tempering the level of sensuality in my books to match what I thought publishers wanted. It wasn’t until I decided to write the book strictly for me, as sexy as I liked to read them, as emotional as I wanted the characters to be, as different from anything else I’d seen, that I got that oh-so-important phone call that all struggling authors wait for.

      I can’t describe how wonderful it was to learn that Harlequin Books liked the same things I did, that they valued individuality in authors with strong voices. I wrote more than twenty books for Harlequin, and one of my most popular series, THE BUCKHORN BROTHERS, is published with them. Harlequin, and all their readers, will always hold a very special place in my heart. You let me be me, you let me write the books I love and you helped me grow into a better author.

      I hope Impetuous, my first book, stands the test of time so that you can enjoy it as much now as I did when I wrote it.

      From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

      Lori Foster

      www.lorifoster.com

      www.llfoster.com

      Praise for New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster

      “Author Lori Foster gifts us with a diverting tale of a fiery attraction that overcomes mistrust and deceit.”

      —Romantic Times BOOK reviews on Impetuous

      “A Lori Foster book is like a glass of good champagne—sexy and sparkling!”

      —New York Times bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz

      “Lori Foster delivers the goods.”

      —Publishers Weekly

      “You can pick up any Lori Foster book and know you’re in for a good time.”

      —New York Times bestselling author Linda Howard

      “Lori Foster is a funny, steamy, guaranteed good read.”

      —New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Lowell

      “A master at creating likable characters and placing them in situations that tug at the heart and set your pulse racing.”

      —Romance Reviews Today

      “The best thing about Lori Foster is her characters. She gives them hopes, dreams, problems and love. Her series are so much fun to read because she makes you feel like you’re visiting family with each and every book.”

      —Kathy Boswell, Romantic Times BOOK reviews

      “Foster outwrites most of her peers.”

      —Library Journal

      “When it comes to delivering sexy and sensual romance, author Lori Foster is in a class by herself.”

      —Romantic Times BOOK reviews

      Impetuous

      Lori Foster

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      Contents

       Chapter 1

       Chapter 2

       Chapter 3

       Chapter 4

       Chapter 5

       Chapter 6

       Chapter 7

       Chapter 8

       Chapter 9

       Chapter 10

       Chapter 11

      1

      ”YOU CAN’T BE a coward forever.”

      Carlie chuckled, despite her nervousness. “Quit pushing, Bren. You’re not going to provoke me into rushing out into the party dressed like this.”

      “Rushing? You’re already ten minutes late.” She had parked in the back of the house, away from the main flow of human traffic entering the party. Small, twinkling lights surrounded the pool and pool house, even though the weather was too brisk for swimming.

      “And that’s your fault. What were you thinking, to pick me a costume that was so…so…” Carlie couldn’t quite find the words to describe the skimpy harem outfit her best friend had chosen for her. If she had to go to Brenda’s stupid Halloween party at all, she would have preferred to be a pumpkin or a witch. Anything that was less revealing.

      “So…what? You look fantastic. What’s wrong with that? I want you to have fun tonight. I want you to loosen up a little and try socializing. Talk to people.”

      “You mean men, don’t you?” Carlie shook her head. “I’m not a hermit, Bren. I have my students and more than enough school activities to keep me busy.” Then she glanced down at herself. “What were you thinking?”

      “You said you didn’t have time to pick out an outfit yourself.” Brenda lifted one shoulder in a halfhearted shrug. “Besides, you make a very sexy harem girl. All the single men here tonight will drool. It’ll do you good to realize how attractive you can be when you aren’t hiding behind those hideous suits.”

      Carlie winced. She was feeling far from attractive. Exhibited, displayed and downright exposed was more accurate. She was pretty certain she looked ridiculous more than anything else. “Which single men, exactly, did you invite?”

      Brenda waved her hand in dismissal. “You’ve met almost everyone, I think. Some of Jason’s associates, a few neighbors, friends… Tyler.”

      Carlie went perfectly still for a heartbeat, then frowned at Brenda. “Tyler Ramsey at a costume party? I didn’t think your notorious brother-in-law would bother with something so—”

      “Don’t make fun of my party, Carlie.”

      “I wasn’t. I just thought fancy banquets were more his speed.” Carlie couldn’t imagine Tyler dressed in a costume. He always seemed so…suave. And he always had a very sophisticated, very elegant woman on his arm.

      “Tyler came because Jason asked him, and he would never let his brother down. You know how close they are.” Brenda shook her head and added, “You know, you and Tyler actually have a few things in common.”

      Carlie