Caught in the Act. Samantha Hunter

       “Are you going to join me or do you want to stay there and watch?” Gina asked.

      “I thought you wanted dinner?” Mason’s voice was rough.

      “I changed my mind. I want you. Now,” purred Gina, wondering at this unabashedly sexy persona she had unearthed.

       It was the mask, the clothes … it was just make-believe.

      “You’ll get no arguments from me,” he said, crossing the room purposefully. Her heart clenched a little when she thought she saw his hands shake ever so slightly as he started to undo the buttons on his shirt.

      He was that affected by her?

      She sat up, sliding her legs over the side of the bed. “Let me.” Though her own hands trembled, too, she quickly undid the buttons and pushed the shirt hastily over his shoulders, sitting back to enjoy what she’d only had a glimpse of the night before.

      “You’re gorgeous,” she said against the warm skin of his stomach while she undid his slacks, only to discover he wore nothing underneath.

      Oh, wow, she thought to herself.

      How would she ever walk away from this perfect man … and how could she carry out her plan when she wanted him so desperately?

      Dear Reader,

      This was my first experience writing with three authors where we had to link our books on a common theme—the idea of how a wrong costume can help you find your real self. Luckily, I had great writers to work with, and it was incredible fun. Halloween is also one of my favorite times of year, and I knew as soon as we were talking costumes that I wanted to write a book based on that special day.

      Caught in the Act was inspired by a line from Buffy. As such, I enjoyed playing with the idea that no one is who they appear to be on the surface. The theme of how make-believe can bring us closer to what’s real is a fantasy that Gina and Mason explore to the fullest while their lives are changing around them. I hope you enjoy their adventure.

      When Halloween comes maybe don a mask or a costume that will bring you a little closer to your secret self. If you do, drop me a note and let me know through e-mail, or at my website or blog (you can also find me on Twitter!) I look forward to hearing from you.

      About the Author

      SAMANTHA HUNTER lives in Syracuse, New York, where she writes full-time for Blaze. When she’s not plotting her next story, Sam likes to work in her garden, quilt, cook, read and spend time with her husband and their dogs. Most days you can find Sam chatting on the Blaze boards at eHarlequin.com, or you can check out what’s new, enter contests, or drop her a note at her website, www.samanthahunter.com.

       Caught in the Act

      Samantha Hunter

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      To Karen, Tawny and Lisa—we did it!

      To Natasha, Kathryn and Brenda,

      for helping us do it.

      Special thanks to Merri Crawford and Valerie Parv

      for coming up with the great title for this book!

      Special thanks also to Larissa Ione and Bryan, who

      generously offered their expertise concerning Coast

      Guard response to distress calls.

       Prologue

      JOSIE HAD TRIED EVERYTHING to get Tom the delivery guy off her mind, but nothing was working. She had to get his attention, to find out if he was really interested in her.

      She searched frantically for something to put on before he showed up. There weren’t many costumes left in the shop due to heavy Halloween ordering, but her eyes settled on a pleated cheerleader skirt. She grabbed the blue pom-poms and buttoned the skirt as she heard the telltale rumble of the big delivery truck arriving.

      Bouncing out to the front of the shop, she watched appreciatively as Tom approached the door, wheeling in several crates of new costumes.

      Yes, he was hot, she thought, watching how he pushed the door open with his very perfect butt. He swung around with a smile, which widened, catching her staring.

      “Hey, Josie. Nice outfit. I always wonder what new costume you’ll be wearing. Is it a job requirement?”

      “No, I just like wearing the costumes sometimes.” Especially when you visit, she added silently. “Kinda dorky, huh?”

      His eyes slid appreciatively over her legs and the short, pleated skirt. “Not from where I’m standing.”

      “Oh,” was all she could say, pleased enough to give a little hop and wave her pom-poms at him. They laughed.

      “Should I leave these boxes here, or take them around to the back?”

      “You can leave them there. I’m all alone today, so I have to check them in here.”

      “No boss around?”

      “Just me. She’s on partial bed rest. So, I’m taking a lot of hours.”

      “Busy season for that.”

      “Yeah.”

      She was treated to a few more minutes of watching him unload the crates and then pick up the ones by the counter. As he worked, she watched, feeling helpless as he turned to go. What now?

      “Well, I guess I—“

      “Oh! I completely forgot one package,” she interrupted urgently. “An order that just came in this morning—can you wait a few minutes until I pack it?”

      He looked apprehensive for a split second—she knew he was on a tight schedule—but then he smiled widely. “Sure, why not?”

      “Great,” she said, beaming at him. “I can get you a soda from the fridge in the office if you want one, you know, for while you wait,” she offered.

      “That would be great. It’s freakin’ hot out there for October. Going to be a toasty All Hallows’ Eve.”

      “Yeah, it’s hot all right,” she said under her breath, holding his gaze. “Uh, I’ll be right back.”

      She returned with the beverage and the outgoing package—at least that part wasn’t a lie. Grabbing a packing envelope for the box from the other side of the counter, she caught Tom with his eyes glued to her backside this time.

      “That soda okay?” she asked innocently.

      “Fine,” he answered, not even looking apologetic for peeking. A shiver ran over her skin. The good kind. Heat flushed through her body, her fingers fumbling the job.

      “Tom, I was wondering,” she said softly, giving up on the task and turning to face him.

      “Yes, Josie?”

      “I just, uh … I mean, I wondered,” she stuttered, trying to work up the nerve to ask him if he’d want to go out with her sometime. He leaned in even closer, his mouth very, very near to hers.

      “What are you wondering?” he asked, and she could feel his breath against her lips. He smelled so good. Sun and sweat and fresh laundry … the uniform was crisp and clean, and her hand came up reflexively to rest on his chest.

      He was going to kiss her. Her eyes fluttered shut, waiting for contact as if her life depended on it.

      “Josie! What’s going on? Tom?” Carol’s voice had Josie flying backward, tripping over a box and nearly falling, but Tom pitched forward,