I must be dreaming.
The strange man in Brooke Cavanaugh’s dream pierced her with his angry stare. Closing her eyes, she tried to make him disappear.
The uncomfortable lump resting against her hip roused her further out of her prescription-drug induced slumber. Awareness gradually surrounded her, sending a loud ring through her ears. She stretched the aches out of her limbs, and her arms bumped into an object above her head. Her fuzzy mind tried to recall what surface she’d rested upon. It certainly wasn’t a soft bed. Her stiff muscles were positioned on some type of cushion with a texture like leather. Groggily, she tried to remember why in heaven’s name she would sleep on leather.
Her memory returned in broken pieces – a wedding rehearsal she hadn’t wanted to attend, a reoccurring migraine, and two instead of one-prescription pills had caused her to slip from the boring proceedings of the rehearsal to seek refuge in her sister’s car.
Yawning, sh
Justin watched Brooke enter the kitchen, and he couldn’t help but take careful note of her beauty from head to toe. He guessed her to be in her early twenties, and despite her bulky coat, she had quite a slender figure. Her hips were small, and her legs were nicely shaped. The few moments he’d held her, he couldn’t believe how well she fit into his arms.Curse him for thinking this way, especially when he had more important matters to worry about. He strode to the hearth and stretched his hands forward, welcoming the heat.“Shoot.” She slammed the phone down. “I don’t know why Tiffany isn’t answering her phone. She must be busy with the wedding rehearsal. What time is it anyway?”He glanced at his wristwatch. “Seven-thirty.”She sighed. “Then she’s probably at the dinner the family had arranged. But it doesn’t explain why she’s not answering her cell.”H
Justin balanced the food and six-pack of soda in his hands, opened the cabin door, and stepped inside. With his hip he pushed the door closed, then he stomped the excess snow from his boots before placing the items on the rectangular-shaped coffee table. His attention moved to Brooke sitting on the floor, switching stations on the big screen TV.He hadn’t been outside that long, but the cool temperature had subdued his system and his logical thinking returned. Letting his anger settle, he inwardly cursed Brooke for being here. Although a stupid mistake, she may have inadvertently put herself in danger, too. If the man searching for him found Brooke, he might not hesitate to kill her. Tony Pierpont was a ruthless man. He wouldn’t let anything get in the way of something he wanted.If, by chance, the killer didn’t find them here, Justin was still in trouble. Having a woman this beautiful in his presence wasn’t good, either. The only logical plan w
Finding the man she’d planned to ruin wasn’t easy.The Country Club’s lounge was packed with people tonight. Nicole Adkins rolled her eyes. Great. Perhaps she wouldn’t have to worry about this after all.Nicole shook the negative thoughts out of her head. She would do this. It was the only way, and she was desperate to put a stop to Mick Remington.She blinked several times, trying to get her vision adjusted to the room’s dim lighting. It was imperative that she find her man. Well, Mick Remington wasn’t exactly her man, but he was the only man she was after tonight.She glanced down at her black, short-sleeve mini-dress with a keyhole neckline collar that hugged her petite figure. With a groan, she tugged at the hem of her dress that ended three-inches above her knee. Her grandfather had purchased this dress for her five years ago, but she’d never had the occasion to wear it.Tonight was certainly not the right occasion, either, but wearing something so daring would get the billionair
From over at the bar, Kent’s phone chirped, and Nicole swung her gaze in his direction. He pulled it from his pocket and answered it. As Nicole focused on the four cowboys, Kent’s gaze met hers as he talked to Mary. He gave Nicole a nod.Everything was set just as they’d planned.Nicole’s heart pounded so hard, it threatened to bruise a rib or two. Maybe, break one. This was it. It was now or never.Taking a deep breath for courage, she ran moist palms over her dress to help dry her skin faster. She also tried to pull the hem of the dress down to cover more of her bare legs, but the material wouldn’t budge. On shaky three-inch high-heels, she headed toward Mick Remington’s table, keeping her focus on the back of his brown head of hair and wide shoulders.With each step, she clenched her jaw a little tighter. How could she act sweet and docile toward him when she loathed the very ground he slithered upon? What if he found her attractive? He’d want to touch her. The very thought of bein
Being this close to him made Nicole’s body go berserk, but it was more than that. She didn’t know why he acted so considerate. Tycoons like Mick Remington didn’t have a thoughtful bone in their bodies. Unless… maybe he had too much to drink tonight already. She hadn’t detected the strong odor of alcohol on his breath, so she dismissed that thought. From her new vantage point in the booth, she could see him a little better – at least his body. He wasn’t wearing the Armani suit she’d expected. Instead, he wore a loose long-sleeve buttoned blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. As she slid her gaze down farther, black Wranglers hugged his lean waist and muscular legs. She couldn’t see his feet, but she bet he wore boots, too. Strange, but he didn’t resemble the jerk she’d believed from the rumors she’d heard. Mick motioned to the waitress who hustled to their table, wearing a come-get-me look in her eyes that were surrounded by long, thick – fake – eyelashes. Inwardly, N
“You surprise me, Nicole.”She peered into his dark eyes, wishing she could see their true color. The tabloid magazines said they were gray, but the dim lighting didn’t allow her to see. “Why do I surprise you?”“Because you know how to make a Colorado Bulldog.”She shrugged. “It’s my grandfather’s favorite drink.” Just as the words flew from her mouth, she quickly snapped her lips together. She couldn’t say anything that would connect her to James Adkins. In fact, she needed to get Mick talking about his business and the real reason he was here.“It’s not a popular drink.” He withdrew one hand from her leg and rested it on the table. “I don’t order it very often, but I thought tonight called for an out-of-the-ordinary creation.”She swallowed the cotton forming in her throat again. He wanted to make something out of tonight, just as she did. She hoped she could pull it off without him suspecting her true purpose. But she must! Mary was correct when she told her this was Nicole's miss
Mick Remington lifted his drink to his mouth while keeping his gaze on the incredibly beautiful woman. He’d seen his share of pretty women, but there was something about Nicole that held his interest. He liked the way she looked at him as if he was her rescuer. It was refreshing to be someone’s hero for a change, instead of the ruthless villain. However, he couldn’t stop the doubts from sneaking into his mind. After all, this was James Adkins’ granddaughter. Mick had seen a picture of her on her grandfather’s desk a couple of years ago when Mick had visited James. Nicole’s enchanting green eyes had haunted his dreams for several months afterward. And now… her grandfather was ill and his company was in trouble. Although Mick wanted nothing to do with the Remington empire – especially their reputation – he forced himself to work beside his father just to learn the ropes. He hadn’t spent any time with his father while growing up, and as an adult Mick was determined to become as success
Nicole slowly raised her head, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw the journalist sneak a peek their way as he raised his cell phone. Immediately, Mick knew the man was trying to take a picture. Without another thought, Mick quickly pressed his mouth against Nicole’s to keep that from happening, blocking the man from seeing her.She sucked in a quick breath and her body stiffened. But he couldn’t let her break the kiss. Not until the bald guy exited his floor.Mick’s arm crept up her slender back to her neck, bringing her closer. He moved his lips with hers, gently pecking, and then nibbling before caressing his lips against hers, but taking it very slowly. Soon, her body relaxed, and it didn’t take long before her mouth participated.Heat shot throughout him like he’d just touched an electric current. The rhythm of his heartbeat quickened, as did the urgency flowing through every nerve in his body. It amazed him that this woman’s kiss could give him that reaction. He was helples