Katie Reus - Targeted

“You don’t have anything to apologize for,” Jack said, his voice rough with emotion.

“Yes, I do. You were going to war and I know you had that ring for me and . . . I was horrible . Everything I said to you—” Her voice broke off as a tear escaped.

“ Stop. You were seventeen, hurting, and dealing with being raped. I never held what you said against you. I might have hated myself, but never you.”

Her throat was tight with so many years of regret, but now it seemed they were getting a second chance. Or she prayed they were. “So what do we do now?”

A slow, seductive smile spread across Jack’s face. “Whatever we want. I quit my job.”

Her eyes widened at his admission. “You love what you do.”

“No. I love you . This is all I’ve ever known, Sophie. I want . . . Hell, I don’t know what I want. I never thought much about it until you were back in my life. The only thing I do know is that I want to come home to you every night and wake up to your face every morning. Everything else, we’ll figure out together.”

She opened her mouth to protest, but he held a finger to her lips.

“I’ll give it a year. If I’m miserable, I’ll find a job in some sort of law enforcement, but I’m not going back to this kind of lifestyle.”

“This is a big decision to make so suddenly.” Despite her protest, joy pulsed through her at the thought of starting a life with him.

“This is the easiest decision I’ve ever made.”

The sincerity in his voice slammed through her. Smiling to herself that they’d been lucky enough to get a second chance against all odds, she leaned forward and touched her lips to his.

The kiss was tentative at first, and then his animalistic side took over. Their lips and tongues collided in a hungry frenzy. She wrapped her arms around his neck, threading her fingers through his hair, until a loud slam pulled them apart. They both turned at the sound.

Wesley shook his head and stepped past them. “I didn’t leave the two of you alone so you could go at it on the floor of my office.”

Sophie fought the heat she felt creeping up her cheeks. Jack, however, was completely unfazed.

In one swoop he gathered the rest of her things, shoved them in her purse, and took her hand before standing. “Don’t worry, we’re getting out of here.”

With her hand clasped in Jack’s, Sophie’s heart swelled to ridiculous proportions. They were both jobless and she had no clue what the future held, but this was the happiest she’d been in her entire life.

One year later

Sophie glanced up as the bell to her and Jack’s shop jingled. A dark-haired man with a full beard and mustache walked in. He wore a Rusty T-shirt, board shorts, and flip-flops.

He looked harmless enough, but she was thankful she had the counter as a barrier between them. “Are you interested in renting a Jet Ski or chartering one of our boats?”

Glancing around, the man cleared his throat and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Actually I was wondering if you guys were hiring.”

Instinctively she glanced out the open window. Jack was busy tying up two of the Jet Skis a couple of college students had just returned. “We’re not hiring right now, but in the next three months we’re looking to. Do you want to fill out an application?”

He nodded enthusiastically, so she pulled out the standard form and slid it across the counter. In any other place it would be inappropriate to wear board shorts while looking for a job, but life was a lot more laid-back in the Keys.

As the man left the store, the phone rang. She grabbed it on the second ring. “Island Rentals, how can I help you?”

“Sophie?”

“Uh, yes?” She pressed a hand to her stomach at Wesley’s voice. They hadn’t heard from him in almost six months. The last time he called, he’d tried to convince Jack to come back to work. She was still pretty pissed about that. “What do you want?”

He chuckled lightly. “Don’t worry, I’m not calling to bug Jack. I’m calling to ask you a favor. My niece is going to the Keys for spring break with a couple friends and I wanted to know if you could cut her a deal for some Jet Skis one afternoon.”

“That won’t be a problem. Does she need a place to stay?” They had a small guesthouse above their garage, as most houses in Key West did. It gave guests, and them, complete privacy. Not that they’d had any guests except Hannah. And she’d stayed in their house.

“No, she’s staying with friends, but if you could keep an eye out for her, I’d appreciate it.”

“Just e-mail Jack all the information on her and we’ll watch out for her.”

“Thanks.”

As soon as they disconnected, Jack walked in. His face broke into a relaxed smile when they made eye contact. Something he seemed to be doing more and more every day. “You about ready to take lunch, babe?”

“Yes—I’m starving.” She grabbed her purse and rounded the counter.

Before she’d taken two steps, Jack grasped her hips and pulled her close, holding on to her as if his life depended on it. Tingles shot down to her toes as he ran his tongue over hers in erotic strokes.

When he pulled away she immediately missed his touch. “What was that for?”

“I think we should take lunch at the house.” His words were a seductive growl and let her know exactly what he had in mind for “lunch.”

“Sounds good to me.” Somehow she managed to rasp out the words, though it was hard to even find her voice. A year later and he still made her knees weak with just one look.

For the first time in her life she knew exactly where she belonged. In Jack’s arms was the only place she wanted to be.

Even though writing is a solitary profession, getting a book published takes an amazing team and I’m grateful to have so many wonderful people to support me. First, thanks to my editor, Danielle Perez, for pushing me to make this the best book possible. I’d also like to thank Christina Brower, Courtney Landi, Katie Anderson, and the rest of the team at NAL for all their behind-the-scenes work. Publishing a book truly is a team effort. I’m also very thankful to my agent extraordinaire, Jill Marsal, for always being in my corner.

Kari Walker, Laura Wright, Cynthia Eden, and Carolyn Crane, I’d be lost without you ladies! I’m lucky to call you friends. Another great big thank-you for my husband, sister, and parents, who have always supported my decision to become a writer—long before I actually finished that first book. For my readers, you guys are amazing and I hope you love this new series as much as I do! Your e-mail and kind words mean more than you’ll ever know. Last, but never least, I’m grateful to God for so many wonderful opportunities and never-ending support.

Maria Cervantes grasped the interior door handle of the SUV limo as her family’s regular driver took what would hopefully be the last sharp turn of the night. Either he’d forgotten how to drive or she was sicker than she’d realized. Every little bump in the road made her afraid she’d puke. After being laid up in bed with flulike symptoms for five days and missing work for a week straight—something she’d never done before—she’d been positive she had kicked the nasty stomach bug this morning. Now she wasn’t so sure.

Nausea roiled in her stomach and she swallowed hard, forcing the sickness back down. Just a few hours, she reminded herself. That was all she had to get through; then she could go back home and pass out.