Sara Jane Stone - Search and Seduce

“Mexican it is.” Amy led Mark back into the kennel’s central hall. “But I need to finish up a few things first. Check with the guys. I’ll come find you in an hour.”

Mark nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”

He headed for the exit, his hands shoved in his pockets. She had a lot to do before dinner, but she didn’t move until the door closed behind him. It felt good, seeing him in the flesh instead of on a screen. And the fact that he, of all people, understood what she was trying to do here—that meant so much.

Amy turned and moved toward the sound of hammers pounding, planning to tell the Benton brothers to call it quits for the day But she stopped out of sight of where the brothers were working and closed her eyes. She felt Jango sit by her side and press up against her leg. Reaching down, she touched the dog’s head.

Part of her still felt married and that even the smallest hint of desire was a betrayal. But Darren was gone. And eighteen months was a long time. Moving forward—she was allowed to want that, wasn’t she?

“I’ve waited,” she whispered. “For so long.”

In high school, she’d waited for Darren to notice her. After that she’d waited for him to ask her out and, later, marry her. Then she’d waited three hundred days out of every year for him to come home.

She’d put her dream business on hold because Darren wasn’t ready to quit his SEAL team. After his death, she’d waited for the grief to fade, knowing only time would help her heal. And it had. But now, after spending the past twelve years in a holding pattern, she was done waiting.

Jango turned his head up, licking the palm of her hand. “Even if I am ready to put myself out there and start dating, Mark isn’t the guy,” she whispered.

Yes, he was gorgeous—especially with his shirt off. But that didn’t change the fact that he’d been her husband’s best friend.

4 Contents Cover Back Cover Text Subject: Air Force Pararescue Jumper Mark Rhodes Mission: To be the man she needs...and wants! It’s taken Amy Benton eighteen months to move on after her SEAL husband’s death. Now she’s nearly realized her dream of breeding and training military war dogs. Unfortunately, no one sees her as anything other than “the grieving widow.” Her ambitions, determination, even her longing for a man’s touch are invisible to everyone...except the man she can’t have. Pararescue Jumper Mark Rhodes has always been there for his best friend’s widow. But lately, there’s been a growing awareness between them... And when he comes home to help open her training facility, the heat between them is impossible to resist. But is Amy willing to risk her heart on another soldier who may never come home? Introduction Can’t resist a sexy military hero? Then you’ll love our Uniformly Hot! miniseries. Mills & Boon Blaze’s bestselling miniseries continues with more irresistible heroes from all branches of the armed forces. Don’t miss WICKED SECRETS by Anne Marsh April 2015 A SEAL’S PLEASURE by Tawny Weber May 2015 FEVERED NIGHTS by Jillian Burns June 2015 Dear Reader Title Page Search and Seduce Sara Jane Stone www.millsandboon.co.uk About the Author SARA JANE STONE lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her very supportive real-life hero, two lively young children and a lazy Burmese cat. When she is not finger painting with the kids, she loves writing sexy stories featuring military heroes (and heroines!), reading sexy contemporary romance and chatting with her readers. Visit her online at sarajanestone.com , and become a fan of Sara Jane Stone on Facebook. Dedication For my Facebook friends and fans. Thank you for helping me name the puppies! This one is for you and I hope to see you online again soon. And to my husband, I love you! Prologue 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Epilogue Extract Copyright

FOR THE FIRST TIME in months, Amy felt full. Enchiladas, chips, guacamole—she’d devoured all of it while discussing her plans for the kennel. Mark sat opposite her, listening and occasionally surveying the restaurant.

Amy studied the collar of his button-down shirt peeking out from underneath his sweater. When had he started wearing dress shirts? He’d always been a T-shirt kind of guy. Maybe a sweatshirt or flannel in the colder months. Nothing that drew attention. And in Heart’s Landing a button-down in a place where no one dressed for dinner was bound to make people look twice. She’d already caught half a dozen diners, mostly women, glancing their way.

Or maybe it had nothing to do with his shirt. At six-four, Mark towered over most men. A sweater and dress shirt didn’t exactly hide his broad chest and powerful arms. Of course, she’d seen those muscles stripped bare...

She pushed the thought away and tried to focus on the here and now.

“You look nice.” She waved at his collar. “Fancy shirt.”

Mark shrugged. “I travel light, especially when I know I won’t be back long. And I wanted to look decent for your opening.”

Back , not home . Didn’t he still consider Heart’s Landing home? If not here, where? His words sank in further. He was leaving again soon. She’d known that from day one. Mark had a month’s leave at most, and he hadn’t said how much of that time he planned to spend in Oregon. But still, hearing him say it thrust her into the past. She’d hated the goodbyes, could still feel the dread.

“You could wear your dress uniform,” she said, scraping the last of the guacamole from the bowl even though her appetite had vanished.

“I will if you’d prefer. But I figured you already had Gabe walking around in his navy whites. Plus Luke and T.J. in their dress uniforms.”

And Mark had always been more comfortable in the background. In high school, he’d been a star on the football team—and an attractive one with his wavy brown hair and rich brown eyes. He’d drawn half the cheerleading squad’s attention. Yet, he’d always hung back.

“Wear whatever you’re comfortable in. I’m just glad you’re here.” She polished off her last chip and pushed the bowl away.

“You were hungry. We could always order another.”

“I can’t eat another bite. But if you want more, go ahead.”

Mark shook his head, his eyes darting to the door and back. She wanted to reassure him that nothing bad was likely to happen in their quiet little town. But she suspected he already knew that.

“How does it feel to be here?” she asked gently. “The transition from Afghanistan to a sleepy town in the middle of nowhere has to be a culture shock.”

“Like I’ve walked into the past,” he said grimly.

“Not much changes here,” she acknowledged. “Mrs. Marlowe is still running the general store. And half of the people in town head over to Tall Pines to drink and dance every night. Not that I go much, but Eloise drags me in every so often. Most people haven’t changed since high school, just aged a bit, gotten married and had babies.”

She was rambling on and on, but she wanted to lighten the mood. If Mark needed to talk, of course she’d listen. He’d been there for her in the early months, first in person and later through the computer screen. But she’d rather close the door to heavy conversation, at least for one night.

Mark smiled. “I think you’ve thrown Heart’s Landing a curveball with your kennel.”

And just like that, the door slammed shut. “Everyone in town...they’ve been very supportive.”

“Your passion for those dogs is contagious. They feel that and want to be a part of what you’re doing.”

Amy cocked her head, studying him. “You really mean that, don’t you?”

“That you’re a passionate woman? Yes.”

Amy laughed. That comment was pure Mark. If she hadn’t known him since elementary school, she would have thought he was flirting with her.