Playing Dirty. Susan Andersen

      

      Reviewers love New York Times and USA TODAY

      bestselling author

      Susan Andersen

      “A smart, arousing, spirited escapade

       that is graced with a gentle mystery, a vulnerable,

       resilient heroine, and a worthy, wounded hero

       and served up with empathy and a humorous flair.”

      —Library Journal on Burning Up

      “[A] fast-paced, charming romance

       with plenty of heat and cool dialogue.”

      —RT Book Reviews on Burning Up

      “A sexy, feel-good contemporary romance…

       Palpable escalating sexual tension between the pair,

       a dangerous criminal on the loose and a cast of

       well-developed secondary characters make this a winner.”

      —Publishers Weekly on Bending the Rules

      “Snappy and sexy… Upbeat and fun, with a touch of danger

       and passion, this is a great summer read.”

      —RT Book Reviews on Coming Undone

      “Lovers of romance, passion and laughs

       should go all in for this one.”

      —Publishers Weekly on Just for Kicks

      “Andersen again injects magic into a story that would be

       clichéd in another’s hands, delivering warm, vulnerable

       characters in a touching yet suspenseful read.”

      —Publishers Weekly on Skintight, starred review

      “A classic plot line receives a fresh, fun treatment…

       Well-developed secondary characters add depth to this

       zesty novel, placing it a level beyond most of its competition.”

      —Publishers Weekly on Hot & Bothered

      Ava’s Taco Soup

      1 lb ground turkey

      1 onion, chopped

      1 green bell pepper, chopped

      1 large bag frozen mixed veggies (cook’s choice)

      2 cans diced tomatoes & green chilies (such as RoTel)

      2 cans diced tomatoes

      1 can black beans

      1 can white beans

      2 packages taco seasoning or ½ cup Costco taco seasoning

      1 cup red wine

      1 cup/can chicken or vegetable broth

      Brown turkey, onions and peppers and toss in a large Crock-Pot. Add rest of the ingredients and simmer all day long. Leftovers can be frozen in ziplock baggies for on-the-go individual servings.

       Playing Dirty

      Susan Andersen

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      MILLS & BOON

       Before you start reading, why not sign up?

      Thank you for downloading this Mills & Boon book. If you want to hear about exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions, sign up to our email newsletter today!

       SIGN ME UP!

      Or simply visit

      signup.millsandboon.co.uk

      Mills & Boon emails are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send you.

      This is dedicated to my little corner

       of the immense Facebook community—

      especially the ladies (and occasional gent)

       of the SusanAndersenFanPage. You make me laugh,

       make me think and—I gotta tell ya—make me

       feel much more important than I actually am.

       Your collective willingness to open up pieces of your lives

       to my voracious curiosity just knocks my socks off.

       You all rock.

      —Susan

      ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

      I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Virginia Bogert of

       Laughing Dog Productions for the fabulous information

       and peeks into the world of a working documentary

       producer. I so appreciate all the time you gave me,

       your wonderful ideas and your patience

       with my many questions.

      I hope I did your information justice,

       but if any inaccuracies arise, they are solely mine.

      CONTENTS

      PROLOGUE

      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

      CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

      CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

      CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

      CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

      EPILOGUE

       PROLOGUE

      Dear Diary,

      I didn’t know you could feel such pain and still live.

      Country Day School, Upper School building

       Thirteen years ago

      AVA SPENCER DANCED down the hallway toward the cafeteria, her hips slowly swiveling and her plump shoulders grooving to the Goo Goo Dolls’ rendition of “Iris” playing in her head. She supposed she could’ve picked something faster, but hey. She was in the moment, feeling good.

      Really, really good.

      “Ava! Wait up!”

      Glancing behind her, she saw her two best friends hustling around a group of stragglers who, like her, were running late for second lunch. The music in her head shut down as she waited for them to catch