The Bodyguard's Assignment. Amanda Stevens

      

      He took her wrist and placed the handcuff around it.

      He expected her to put up a fight, but instead, she lay back on the bed. He placed a knee on the bed, leaning over her to fasten the other handcuff to the iron railing of the headboard.

      “I’m sorry,” he said softly. “I’m only doing this because I can’t trust you not to bolt. I meant what I said earlier. It’s dangerous out there. You can get seriously hurt on this mountain. I can’t allow that to happen.”

      “No,” she whispered. “We can’t have you botching an assignment, can we?”

      “Stop it, Grace. I know what you’re doing, and it won’t work.”

      “Then why are you still here?”

      She had a good point. If he had half a brain, he’d move away from her, now, before he remembered the sweetness of her lips, the silkiness of her skin—

      Who was he trying to kid? He didn’t have to remember, because he’d never forgotten anything about Grace’s lovemaking. The way she kissed. The way she touched him. The way she moved against him…

      Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,

      Harlequin Intrigue has such an amazing selection this month, you won’t be able to choose—so indulge and buy all four titles!

      We’re proud to present an exciting new multi-author miniseries, TEXAS CONFIDENTIAL. By day they’re cowboys; by night they’re specialized government operatives. Men bound by love, loyalty and the law—they’ve vowed to keep their missions and identities confidential.…Amanda Stevens kicks off the series with The Bodyguard’s Assignment (#581).

      Ruth Glick writing as Rebecca York has added another outstanding 43 LIGHT STREET story to her credits with Amanda’s Child (#582). When sexy Matt Forester kidnapped Amanda Barnwell from her Wyoming ranch, he swore he was only protecting her. But with her unborn baby’s life at stake, could Amanda trust her alluring captor?

      We’re thrilled to bring you Safe By His Side (#583) by brand-new author Debra Webb. This SECRET IDENTITY story is her first ever Intrigue and we’re sure you’ll love it and her as much as we do. Debra has created The Colby Agency—for the most private of investigations—and agent Jack Raine—a man to die for!

      In Undercover Protector (#584) by Cassie Miles, policewoman Annie Callahan’s engagement to Michael Slade wasn’t going to lead to the altar. Michael’s job was to protect Annie from a deadly stalker. But nothing would protect Michael from heartbreak if he failed.…

      Sincerely,

      Denise O’Sullivan

      Associate Senior Editor

      Harlequin Intrigue

      The Bodyguard’s Assignment

      Amanda Stevens

       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.

      ABOUT THE AUTHOR

      Amanda Stevens has written over twenty novels of romantic suspense. Her books have appeared on several bestseller lists, and she has won Reviewer’s Choice and Career Achievement in Romantic/Mystery awards from Romantic Times Magazine. She resides in Cypress, Texas, with her husband, her son and daughter and their two cats.

      Books by Amanda Stevens

      HARLEQUIN INTRIGUE

      373—STRANGER IN PARADISE

      388—A BABY’S CRY

      397—A MAN OF SECRETS

      430—THE SECOND MRS. MALONE

      453—THE HERO’S SON*

      458—THE BROTHER’S WIFE*

      462—THE LONG-LOST HEIR*

      489—SOMEBODY’S BABY

      511—LOVER, STRANGER

      549—THE LITTLEST WITNESS**

      553—SECRET ADMIRER**

      557—FORBIDDEN LOVER**

      581—THE BODYGUARD’S ASSIGNMENT

      HARLEQUIN BOOKS

      2-in-1 Harlequin 50^th Anniversary Collection

      HER SECRET PAST

      The Confidential Agent’s Pledge

      I hereby swear to uphold the law

      to the best of my ability; to maintain the

      level of integrity of this agency by my

      compassion for victims, loyalty to my

      brothers and courage under fire.

      And above all, to hold all information and

      identities in the strictest confidence….

      CAST OF CHARACTERS

      Brady Morgan—An agent for the elite Texas Confidential. His assignment is to protect Grace Drummond at any cost—but can he save her life without compromising his heart?

      Grace Drummond—She’s running for her life, and the only person who can save her is the man she once betrayed.

      Lester Kane—A Dallas drug dealer, he murdered a man in cold blood, and now he will stop at nothing to eliminate the witnesses.

      Stephen Rialto—A ruthless businessman pursued by Texas Confidential, he has ties to the Calderone drug cartel.

      Helen Parks—Grace’s best friend, she warned Grace not to go after a story connecting Lester Kane to Calderone.

      Burt Gordon—Grace’s boss at the newspaper. Would he sell her out for the sake of a story?

      John Kruger—A Department of Public Safety agent who is working closely with Texas Confidential on this case.

      Mitchell Forbes—The head of operations of Texas Confidential.

      Angeline Drummond—Grace’s ailing mother has become an innocent pawn in a very dangerous game.

      Contents

       Prologue

       Chapter One