When We Met. Сьюзен Мэллери

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      New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery invites you back to Fool’s Gold, where a newcomer to town might finally meet the man she never knew she needed…

      Angel Whittaker earned his scars the hard way, but the scars that can’t be seen are the ones that haunt him the most. Since he moved to Fool’s Gold, California, he’s cobbled together a life for himself as a bodyguard trainer. If he’s not exactly happy, at least his heart is safe.

      Working with pro-football superstars taught tough-talking PR woman Taryn Crawford one thing—she can go toe-to-toe with any man. But then dark, dangerous former Special Ops Angel targets her for seduction…and challenges her to resist his tempting kisses.

      Even in four-inch heels, Taryn never backs down. Unless, somehow, Angel can convince her that surrender might feel even better than victory.

      Praise for New York Times bestselling author

      Susan Mallery

      “This book is a dynamite read filled with humor, compassion and sexy sizzle.”

      —RT Book Reviews on Three Little Words, Top Pick!

      “Both smile and tear inducing.

      Mallery is one of a kind.”

      —RT Book Reviews on Two of a Kind, Top Pick!

      “Mallery delivers another engaging romance

      in magical Fool’s Gold.”

      —Kirkus Reviews on Just One Kiss

      “In her second Blackberry Island novel, Mallery has again created an engrossing tale of emotional growth and the healing power of friendship as these three ‘sisters’ meet life’s challenges.”

      —Library Journal on Three Sisters

      “The wildly popular and prolific Mallery

      can always be counted on to tell an engaging story

      of modern romance.”

      —Booklist on Summer Nights

      “Mallery infuses her story with eccentricity, gentle humor, and small-town shenanigans, and readers...

      will enjoy the connection between Heidi and Rafe.”

      —Publishers Weekly on Summer Days

      “Romance novels don’t get much better than Mallery’s expert blend of emotional nuance,

      humor and superb storytelling.”

      —Booklist

      “Susan Mallery is one of my favorites.”

      —#1 New York Times bestselling author

      Debbie Macomber

      When We Met

      Susan Mallery

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      There are few things in this world that are as amazing as my readers. I’ll admit there are plentyof wonderful miracles, but on the amazing front, my readers win, hands down. Here’s an example.

      For five years, Fool’s Gold has been “The Land of Happy Endings.” For story reasons, I decided to make a change. When you read this book, you’ll see why. I hope you think the circumstances are as funny as I do. But I wasn’t feeling especially brilliant that week and couldn’t seem to come up with anything remotely workable. So I asked for help on Facebook—as I often do—and my amazing readers came through with fabulous suggestions for a new slogan.

      The most amazing one came from Crystal B. So this book is dedicated to her. For being brilliant and lovely. Thank you, Crystal. And Mayor Marsha thanks you, too!

      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

       Extract

      CHAPTER ONE

      “WE BOTH KNOW where this is going.”

      Taryn Crawford glanced up at the man standing by her table and ignored the rush of anticipation when she saw who he was. He was tall, with broad shoulders and gray eyes. But the most compelling feature—the one she would guess people pretended didn’t exist—was the scar on his neck. As if someone had once tried to slit his throat. Taryn idly wondered what had happened to the person who failed.

      She supposed there were plenty of women who would be intimidated by the man in front of her. The sheer volume of muscle he had might make someone apprehensive. Not her, of course. When in doubt she put on a power suit and killer heels. If those failed her, she would simply work harder than anyone else. Whatever it took to win. Sure, there was a price, but she was okay with that.

      Which was why she was able to stare coolly back and ask, “Do we?”

      One corner of his mouth curved slightly in a sort of half smile. “Sure, but if you’re more comfortable pretending we don’t, I can make that work, too.”

      “A challenge. Intriguing. You don’t expect that to be enough to make me defensive so I start saying more than I had planned, do you?” She made sure she was plenty relaxed in her chair. She would guess the man was paying as much attention to her body language as her words. Maybe more. She hoped he wouldn’t make things easy. She was tired of easy.

      “I would hate for you to be disappointed,” she murmured.

      The smile turned genuine. “I’d hate that, too.” He pulled out the chair opposite hers. “May I?”

      She nodded. He