Texas Wild. Brenda Jackson

      

      Praise for New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Brenda Jackson

      “Brenda Jackson writes romance that sizzles and characters you fall in love with.”

      —New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Lori Foster

      “Jackson’s trademark ability to weave multiple characters and side stories together makes shocking truths all the more exciting.”

      —Publishers Weekly

      “There is no getting away from the sex appeal and charm of Jackson’s Westmoreland family.”

      —RT Book Reviews on Feeling the Heat

      “Jackson’s characters are wonderful, strong, colorful and hot enough to burn the pages.”

      —RT Book Reviews on Westmoreland’s Way

      “The kind of sizzling, heart-tugging story

      Brenda Jackson is famous for.”

      —RT Book Reviews on Spencer’s Forbidden Passion

      “This is entertainment at its best.”

      —RT Book Reviews on Star of His Heart

      Dear Readers,

      I introduced Rico Claiborne in my seventh Westmoreland novel, The Chase is On, as the brother to my heroine, Jessica Claiborne. And you met him again in A Durango Affair as the brother of Savannah Claiborne, the heroine in that novel. Your e-mails began pouring in requesting that I write Rico’s story. I put him on my “To Do” list until I thought I had the perfect heroine. Someone who was worthy of his heart.

      I found her in Megan Westmoreland.

      Texas Wild is Megan and Rico’s story as they join forces in search of information about the patriarch of the Denver Westmorelands, Raphel. Their journey takes them from the mountains of Denver to the plains of Texas where the heat they encounter is blazing and wild—and is mainly for each other.

      It’s time to get to know Rico, up close and personal, in a love story that will leave you breathless and tempt you to get wild.

      Happy reading!

       Brenda Jackson

      About the Author

      BRENDA JACKSON is a die “heart” romantic who married her childhood sweetheart and still proudly wears the “going steady” ring he gave her when she was fifteen. Because she believes in the power of love, Brenda’s stories always have happy endings. In her real-life love story, Brenda and her husband of forty years live in Jacksonville, Florida, and have two sons.

      A New York Times bestselling author of more than seventy-five romance titles, Brenda is a recent retiree who now divides her time between family, writing and traveling with Gerald. You may write to Brenda at PO Box 28267, Jacksonville, Florida 32226, USA, by e-mail at [email protected] or visit her website, www.brendajackson.net.

      Texas Wild

      Brenda Jackson

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      MILLS & BOON

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      To Gerald Jackson, Sr. My one and only. My everything. Happy 40th Anniversary!!

      To my readers who asked for Rico Claiborne’s story, Texas Wild is especially for you!

      To my Heavenly Father. How Great Thou Art.

      Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would increase abundantly.

      —Job 8:7

      Prologue

       A beautiful June day

      “OMG, who’s the latecomer to the wedding?”

      “Don’t know, but I’m glad he made it to the reception.”

      “Look at that body.”

      “Look at that walk.”

      “He should come with a warning sign that says Extremely Hot.”

      Several ladies in the wedding party whispered among themselves, and all eyes were trained on the tall, ultra handsome man who’d approached the group of West more land male cousins across the room. The reception for Micah Westmoreland’s wedding to Kalina Daniels was in full swing on the grounds of Micah Manor, but every female in attendance was looking at one particular male.

      The man who’d just arrived.

      “For crying out loud, will someone please tell me who he is?” Vickie Morrow, a good friend of Kalina’s, pleaded in a low voice. She looked over at Megan Westmoreland. “Most of the good-looking men here are related to you in some way, so tell us. Is he another Westmoreland cousin?”

      Megan was checking out the man just as thoroughly as all the other women were. “No, he’s no kin of mine. I’ve never seen him before,” she said. She hadn’t seen the full view yet, either, just his profile, but even that was impressive—he had handsome features, a deep tan and silky straight hair that brushed against the collar of his suit. He was both well dressed and good-looking.

      “Yes, he definitely is one fine specimen of a man and is probably some Hollywood friend of my cousins, since he seems to know them.”

      “Well, I want to be around when the introductions are made,” Marla Ford, another friend of Kalina’s, leaned over and whispered in Megan’s ear. “Make that happen.”

      Megan laughed. “I’ll see what I can do.”

      “Hey, don’t look now, ladies, but he’s turned this way and is looking over here,” Marla said. “In fact, Megan, your brother Zane is pointing out one of us to him … and I hope it’s me.” Seconds later, Marla said in a disappointed voice, “It’s you, Megan.”

      Marla had to be mistaken. Why would Zane point her out to that man?

      “Yeah, look how the hottie is checking you out,” Vickie whispered to Megan. “It’s like the rest of us don’t even exist. Lordy, I do declare. I wish some man would look at me that way.”

      Megan met the stranger’s gaze. Everyone was right. He was concentrated solely on her. And the moment their eyes connected, something happened. It was as if heat transmitted from his look was burning her skin, flaming her blood, scorching her all over. She’d never felt anything so powerful in her life.

      Instant attraction.

      Her heart pounded like crazy, and she shivered as everything and everyone around her seemed to fade into the background … everything except for the sound of the soft music from the orchestra