Freefall to Desire. Kayla Perrin

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      Tearing his lips from hers, he rasped,

      “If you don’t want this, stop it now.”

      In response, Brianne gyrated her pelvis against him and kissed the underside of his jaw.

      Alex groaned in pleasure, and Brianne felt a surge of power. There was something completely thrilling about knowing that she could seduce a man like Alex.

      He was tall, dark and handsome—and she was tired of trying to deny that there was something between them.

      As she continued to kiss his jawline, creating what she knew was a path of wonderful sensations all the way to his ear, he gripped her behind and squeezed the flesh. When his finger slipped beneath the edge of her panties, a jolt of heat went straight to her center.

      Suddenly, she was being eased onto her back, the sheets were being kicked aside and then Alex was on top of her. Every nerve ending in her body was on fire. Her breathing was ragged as he stared down at her. And she saw the obvious lust in his eyes.

      But not just lust. There was something else there. Something tender. Surely she wasn’t imagining it.

      “Make love to me,” she whispered.

      Dear Reader,

      After Island Fantasy, many of you asked me to write a story for Shayna’s sister, Brianne. I’m pleased to tell you that I have, and Freefall to Desire is the result.

      If you’ve enjoyed reading my stories over the years, you’ll know that I often infuse elements of intrigue into my books. I love the heightened emotions of a romance combined with intrigue. Because when the world around the characters is falling apart and they’re most vulnerable, they’re often more likely to let go and seize love in an unguarded way. It’s spontaneous and raw and thrilling!

      I knew before I set out to write Brianne’s story that I wanted there to be an unsolved mystery in the book. One that would force her to work closely with someone from her past and one that would give her a second chance at love. So when Brianne, who has guarded her heart since losing her fiancé, suddenly finds herself in love’s grip—especially when she least expects it—it is sweeter and more intense than anything she has ever experienced. Because this time, it’s real.

      Please let me know how you enjoyed Brianne and Alex’s story by emailing me at [email protected] or by contacting me on Facebook or Twitter. Up next will be Selena’s story, a friend of Brianne’s you’ll meet briefly in this book. I plan to continue writing stories that feature friends and family of my characters, because I know how much you love them.

      Until next time,

      Kayla

      About the Author

       KAYLA PERRIN

      has been writing since the age of thirteen and once entertained the idea of becoming a teacher. Instead she has become a USA TODAY and Essence bestselling author of dozens of mainstream and romance novels. She has been recognized for her talent, including twice winning Romance Writers of America’s Top Ten Favorite Books of the Year Award and the Career Achievement Award for multicultural romance from RT Book Reviews. Kayla lives with her daughter in Ontario, Canada. Visit Kayla at www.KaylaPerrin.com.

      Freefall TO DESIRE

      Kayla Perrin

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      This book is dedicated to Lady Sharon.

      Talented fashion designer. Dedicated mother.

      Great friend. I admire how you’re going after your dreams, making them a reality. And proving that it’s never too late. God bless you, my friend!

       Prologue

      Brianne Kenyon held her breath, her eyes locking with Alex Thorpe’s the moment he stepped into the lobby. For two long hours she had been waiting for his return, praying every second of that time for the best possible outcome. But one look at the defeated expression on his face and she knew that the news was not good.

      She rose from the sofa where she and her sister, Shayna, had been sitting and waiting by the cozy fireplace—but nothing about their visit to British Columbia was cozy.

      “Nothing?” she asked Alex as he reached her. “No sign of him?”

      He ran a hand over his head, emitting a groan of frustration. “Brianne, I’m sorry.”

      “But how can that be possible?” she asked. “There has to be something. Some sign of him on the mountain.”

      “The Rockies are vast, Brianne,” Alex explained. “He could be anywhere.”

      Brianne stared at Alex, willing him to say something that would give her hope. Not the spiel she’d heard from the Canadian authorities over the last five days.

      “But,” he continued, then stopped.

      “But what?” Brianne asked quickly. She felt her sister slip her arm around her waist, offering support. “There is something. What is it?”

      “It… it’s not good.”

      Brianne’s stomach sank. She felt nauseous. But she had to know. Good or bad. “Tell me.”

      “The search team…they found something,” Alex explained slowly. “Carter’s jacket. It was torn…and … bloody.”

      “It might not be Carter’s,” Brianne said without hesitation.

      “It was. After I described to them what Carter was wearing that day, they were able to identify the jacket as his. And the moment they showed it to me, I confirmed it.” Alex paused. “It’s bad enough to be out there in this weather, but without a jacket?” His statement hung in the air, heavy and ominous.

      Brianne’s brain tried to process the news. She couldn’t speak.

      “What are you saying?” Shayna asked. “Do the authorities think that Carter—”

      “They don’t want to jump to conclusions,” Alex interjected. “But at the very least, they figure Carter’s hurt. The blood could mean that he fell … or that he was attacked by an animal.”

      “What kind of animal?” Shayna asked.

      Brianne moved away from her sister then, stepping in the direction of the fire. But it did nothing to warm her. She felt cold from the inside out.

      “A wolf,” Alex said. “Maybe a cougar.”

      A cougar? God help her. Brianne’s knees buckled then, and she faltered. But strong arms wrapped around her waist before she could collapse onto the floor.

      Alex held her up. “Brianne, are you okay?”

      A wolf. Maybe a cougar… No, she wasn’t okay. “Brianne?”

      Brianne broke down and cried. Cried at the reality that her fiancé was lost in the middle of the Rockies, left to fend for himself in horrendous conditions.

      In six days he hadn’t turned up. Five days of searching had produced no sign of him—until now.

       A wolf. Maybe a cougar…

      “Damn, Brianne. I hate this.” Alex cradled her head against his chest. She gripped his arms, holding on to him as she rode through the turbulent emotional wave.

      After about two minutes, she shook her head and eased backward. “No. I won’t believe that he’s anything other than okay. Carter is strong. You know how strong he is. He’s got to be fine.”

      “Brianne—”