Roxanne St. Claire - When the Earth Moves

He had no reason to deny her his signature. Surely he didn’t want the responsibility of a ten-month-old baby.

“What will happen if I don’t?”

A child’s world, and Jo’s, would collapse again. “You will.”

“What will happen if I do?”

“I’ll leave. I promise never to darken your doorstep again.”

A slow smile revealed straight white teeth. “Then I’m going to take every possible minute I’ve got.” He leaned right into her ear and whispered, “And you’d like my doorstep. You’re welcome to darken it anytime.”

Every feminine cell in her body betrayed her, dancing to attention and making her tingle. The very thought of what he was suggesting made her legs feel a little weak. Great. Just great, Jo. She hadn’t counted on having to fight herself to get what she wanted.

Dear Reader,

Thank you for choosing Silhouette Desire. As always, we have a fabulous array of stories for you to enjoy, starting with Just a Taste by Bronwyn Jameson, the latest installment in our DYNASTIES: THE ASHTONS continuity series. This tale of forbidden attraction between two romance-wary souls will leave you breathless and wanting more from this wonderful author— who will have a brand-new miniseries of her own, PRINCES OF THE OUTBACK, out later this year.

The terrific Annette Broadrick is back with another book in her CRENSHAWS OF TEXAS series. Double Identity is an engrossing page-turner about seduction and lies…you know, all that good stuff! Susan Crosby continues her BEHIND CLOSED DOORS series with Rules of Attraction, the first of three brand-new stories set in the world of very private investigations. Roxanne St. Claire brings us a fabulous McGrath brother hero caught in an unexpected situation, in When the Earth Moves. Rochelle Alers’s THE BLACKSTONES OF VIRGINIA series wraps up with Beyond Business, a story in which the Blackstone patriarch gets involved in a surprise romance with his new—and very pregnant—assistant. And last but certainly not least, the engaging Amy Jo Cousins is back this month with Sleeping Arrangements, a terms-of-the-will story not to be missed.

Here’s hoping you enjoy all six of our selections this month. And, in the months to come, look for Maureen Child’s THREE-WAY WAGER series and a brand-new installment of our infamous TEXAS CATTLEMAN’S CLUB.

Happy reading!

Melissa Jeglinski

Senior Editor

Silhouette Desire

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began writing romance fiction in 1999 after nearly two decades as a public relations and marketing executive. Retiring from business to pursue a lifelong dream of writing romance is one of the most rewarding accomplishments in her life. The others are her happy marriage to a real-life hero and the daily joys of raising two young children. Roxanne writes mainstream romantic suspense, contemporary romance and women’s fiction. Her work has received numerous awards, including the prestigious Heart to Heart Award, the Golden Opportunity Award and the Gateway Award. An active member of the Romance Writers of America, Roxanne lives in Florida and currently writes—and raises children—full-time. She loves to hear from readers through e-mail at roxannestc@aol.com and snail mail at P.O. Box 372909, Satellite Beach, FL 32937. Visit her Web site at www.roxannestclaire.com.

While writing this book, I had the opportunity to “meet” a group of talented, spirited writers who participated in an eHarlequin.com Writing Round Robin. The project was designed for me to teach about craft and encourage aspiring writers…but I was the one who learned, and discovered a source of constant support and friendship.

This book is dedicated to the gang in the Hood, with much love and loyalty.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Epilogue

Cameron McGrath never missed the first pitch of a Yankee game. He considered it low class, bad luck and downright disrespectful to a near-holy tradition. So when the receptionist announced that a woman waited in the main lobby of Futura Investments and insisted on seeing him, he swallowed a colorful curse.

“I don’t have any more appointments today, Jen.” To be certain, he flipped open his PDA and checked the calendar. Of course he wouldn’t schedule anything past six on a game night. Especially when the Yankees were playing Boston. “Who’s she with?”

“Uh, she’s alone.”

He smiled, and silently forgave the young girl’s mistake. Jen had personality and charm, and that’s why she was out front. “Did she say what company she’s with? One of our clients? Or is it some kind of sales call?”

No doubt it was. Since he’d taken over as the top attorney at Futura Investments, it seemed he spent far too little time practicing law and way too much time overseeing the legal department. He hadn’t gotten dual graduate degrees in law and business to baby-sit junior lawyers and make decisions on office equipment, although it seemed he’d done a lot of both lately.

“She’s not with any company, Mr. McGrath.” The receptionist lowered her voice. “I think this is personal. I mean—she looks like someone, like maybe she’s…she looks personal.”

Personal? Amanda? She could be relentless when ignored. It had only been a week since he’d called her— or was it two? Geez. He’d been perfectly honest from the beginning of their short relationship, but that didn’t stop any marriage-starved Manhattan woman who had her sights set on a new last name. His.

He glanced at his watch. He’d take her along to the game. At least he wouldn’t be late and she’d count it as a date. “Tell her I’ll be out in a minute. Hope she’s dressed for a game.”

Jen’s laugh sounded more like surprise than humor. “I guess it depends on what you’re playing.”

With Amanda, he’d place his bets on a short leather skirt, a skimpy but painfully expensive top, and heels as high as the Chrysler Building. He smiled. She could be relentless, all right. And sometimes that worked in everyone’s favor.

The smile was still on his face as he loosened his tie and turned the corner toward the Futura lobby, ready to greet the former model he’d met at a fund-raiser two months earlier.

But as he glanced through the glass doors of the reception area, he froze midstep and slack-jawed.