Lori Foster: Caught in the Act

Del tightened her hands on the edge of the counter. “The media claims I do it because I like writing about heroes, about guys who can win against all odds, and setting myself up as a heroine.”

“Are you?”

“No.” It was difficult to think with him so close. “And look who’s talking! A man who deliberately takes a bullet in the back for a stranger.”

His eyes, when they met hers, were dark, intense. “I couldn’t bear the thought of that bullet hurting your soft skin,” he whispered. He pressed his face into her throat and held her in a tender, possessive way that made her heart rap hard.

“I don’t need you to protect me,” she said.

“Tough. We’ve forged a bond, you and I.” Tangling his hand in her hair, he tipped her head back.

“What does that mean?” She found it hard to breathe with him watching her as if he could see her soul.

“It means you’re mine now.”

Dear Reader,

When Mick Dawson first appeared in Beguiled, he was a sixteen-year-old stud with a grown-up’s sense of responsibility and a heart begging for love. I loved him, and many of you must have, too, based on the number of letters I received asking for Mick’s story.

Now, in Caught in the Act, Mick is all grown up, still very much a stud and, yep, he’s still looking for love, whether he realizes it or not. Of course, I had just the right woman for him! Between me and Mick’s two friends Zack and Josh (pretty hunky heroes themselves), we gave Mick everything he deserved—and more. Poor Mick didn’t stand a chance.

I hope you enjoy reading Caught in the Act as much as I enjoyed writing it.

And be sure to check back next month for Treat Her Right, Zack’s story, Harlequin Temptation #852, and then again in November to see what Josh has gotten into in Mr. November, Harelquin Temptation #856.

Happy reading!

Lori Foster

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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I want to give a very special thanks to

Officer LaDon Laney,

who exemplifies the types of heroes I enjoy writing about.

While helping me with my research, Officer Laney

spoke of his family, his community, his co-workers

and his job with admirable love and respect.

His help was invaluable to me.

And to Kathy McCutter for medical assistance,

and Lynda Sue Cooper for answering “cop” questions.

You’re all wonderful!

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

RAIN DRUBBED THE WINDOW sluggishly, but Mick Dawson could still see out, still see all the different people milling around with colorful umbrellas and hats. He was so intent on watching for her he listened to the conversation with only half an ear. But then, half an ear was the most required when his friends got started on that particular topic.

“See that gorgeous blonde?” Josh Marshall said, deliberately baiting as usual. “The one who just came in? She’s wearing a push-up bra.”

“Is that right?” Zack Grange kept his tone dry. “How can you tell?”

“I know women.” Josh’s reply held an overdose of world-weary cynicism. “And I especially know women’s breasts.” He added, “At your age, I’d think you would, too.”

“Yeah, and at your age,” Zack retorted, “I’d have thought you’d outgrown your adolescent obsessions.”

The three of them sat in the corner booth at Marco’s, a casual Italian restaurant they’d first discovered five years ago. It was central to where they each worked, in the downtown area.

They came often, more so every year, it seemed, until now they met almost daily for lunch and often for dinner, too. None of them was married. Josh remained a confirmed bachelor, Zack was now a widower and Mick…well, Mick hadn’t met the right woman. His criteria were strict, but to his mind, marriage was forever. He’d seen the worst quite often, marriages made in hell and sustained with sarcasm and cheating and drink. He’d also witnessed that elusive best, unions overflowing with love and trust and support. No way would he settle for less than what he knew could and should be.

Because of their different jobs—each of them stressful—and their lack of romantic ties, meeting at Marco’s was about as close to a domestic routine as the three men ever saw.

The restaurant served as a place for celebration—a promotion, a new house, whatever came up that seemed celebration worthy. They also commiserated with each other there, as when Zack’s young wife had died and he’d wanted to retreat from life, not seeing anyone, not doing anything except coddling his little girl. Or after Mick had gotten shot in the leg and missed several weeks of work, making him edgy.

Mick’s life was all darkness and threats and caution. Ugly. Except here at Marco’s, and with the people he trusted—his two friends, his family.

No one else. At least, not yet.

No woman had ever snagged his attention long enough to build a trust, certainly never for anything serious. Until now.

Now he was intrigued.

“Mick, tell this fool that breasts don’t lift to the sun like a flower.” Josh laughed at his own jest. “If they’re damn near touching her chin, she’s wearing a push-up bra.”

Mick glanced at Zack and grinned. “Josh is an idiot where women are concerned—including his insane fascination with breasts, which, I agree, he should have outgrown years ago.”

Josh shook his head in a pitying way. “Men do not outgrow their fascination with breasts. You two are just weird.”

“A real woman,” Mick told him, “would chew you up and spit you out.”

“A real woman?” Zack asked, feigning confusion. “You mean someone with an IQ higher than ten? Why would Josh date anyone smarter than he is?”

Josh said, “Ha-ha. You’re just jealous.” He grinned and added, “Besides, the ladies have better things to do with their mouths when they’re around me. Chewing is definitely out.”

All three men laughed. “So,” Josh said, “if you two abnormal specimens aren’t turned on by a woman’s breasts—which should be soft and natural, not shoved heavenward—then what does do it for you?”

Mick groaned. “Didn’t we have this discussion back in high school?”

“Yeah, but it’s still interesting.”

“Bellies,” Zack blurted.

Josh raised a brow. “Excuse me?”

For the moment, Mick felt content to just listen.

“I love a woman’s belly.” Zack leaned back, smiling to himself. “Not all muscled up the way some women want to do these days. Just a nice soft smooth woman’s belly.” He nodded, confirming his own conclusions. “Very sexy.”

Josh considered that, then nodded, too. “Okay, I’ll give you that one. Bellies are hot. But not belly button rings.”