Emilie Rose - Starting with June

Resisting June may be his toughest job

Investigating small-town police corruption has never been on former Marine Sam Rivers’s radar. Still, taking this assignment gives him the opportunity to figure out what’s next after his medical discharge. The task should be a straightforward one. That is, until he meets Deputy June Jones. Almost instantly the warm, sexy woman occupies his thoughts. For a man who craves solitude, suddenly he can’t get enough of her.

He also can’t forget his reason for being in Quincey, North Carolina. As his investigation progresses, it threatens his secret relationship with June. But can he turn his back on all the love and hope she offers?

“Forget it, Rivers. Now go. Please.”

Sam watched June, not responding. Finally, she spoke again. “Leave me with a little pride, and let me pretend I didn’t just make a fool of myself.”

She pushed the door again, but when he held his position, she threw up her hands and retreated inside. A smart man would let her go.

“June, let me explain.”

She angled a hesitant, wounded gaze over her shoulder. “I’m mature enough to take no for an answer, Rivers. But it’s time you left.”

The cool and clearly false bravado in June’s tone only made Sam feel worse. Damn, she was tough. She could have begged, cried, thrown a tantrum or slammed the door on him. He would have expected, and knew how to handle, any of those reactions. Instead, she acted with dignity.

This was one firefight he wouldn’t win no matter what he did.

Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author Dedication 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 CHAPTER FIFTEEN CHAPTER SIXTEEN CHAPTER SEVENTEEN Extract Copyright ,

Writing this letter is bittersweet. While I get to share the story of one of my favorite heroines, I’m also saying goodbye to Quincey—a town that has become like my second home.

Deputy June waited patiently in the background of my previous two Quincey stories, but it wasn’t until an accident forced hardcore Marine Sam Rivers to question everything he knew about himself that I discovered why June refused to get out of my head. Despite Sam’s repeated efforts to push her away, she’s determined to help him become the man he was meant to be—whether or not he wants her assistance. And in June, Sam finds the one woman he considers his equal.

There are times in our lives when we or someone we love needs a June—someone with a positive, persistent, kick-butt attitude and the life experience to help us through a rough patch. I hope you enjoy watching a woman who is everybody’s champion take on a man determined to stand alone.

Emilie Rose

Starting with June

Emilie Rose

www.millsandboon.co.uk

USA TODAY bestselling author and RITA® Award finalist EMILIE ROSElives in North Carolina with her own romance hero. Writing is her third career. She’s managed a medical office and a home day care—neither offered half as much satisfaction as plot­ting happy endings. Her hobbies include gardening, fishing and cooking. Visit her website, emilierose.com, or email her at EmilieRoseC@aol.com.

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In loving memory of my mother-in-law.

I wish I’d met her sooner.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Resisting June may be his toughest job Investigating small-town police corruption has never been on former Marine Sam Rivers’s radar. Still, taking this assignment gives him the opportunity to figure out what’s next after his medical discharge. The task should be a straightforward one. That is, until he meets Deputy June Jones. Almost instantly the warm, sexy woman occupies his thoughts. For a man who craves solitude, suddenly he can’t get enough of her. He also can’t forget his reason for being in Quincey, North Carolina. As his investigation progresses, it threatens his secret relationship with June. But can he turn his back on all the love and hope she offers?

Introduction “Forget it, Rivers. Now go. Please.” Sam watched June, not responding. Finally, she spoke again. “Leave me with a little pride, and let me pretend I didn’t just make a fool of myself.” She pushed the door again, but when he held his position, she threw up her hands and retreated inside. A smart man would let her go. “June, let me explain.” She angled a hesitant, wounded gaze over her shoulder. “I’m mature enough to take no for an answer, Rivers. But it’s time you left.” The cool and clearly false bravado in June’s tone only made Sam feel worse. Damn, she was tough. She could have begged, cried, thrown a tantrum or slammed the door on him. He would have expected, and knew how to handle, any of those reactions. Instead, she acted with dignity. This was one firefight he wouldn’t win no matter what he did.

Dear Reader Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author Dedication 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 CHAPTER FIFTEEN CHAPTER SIXTEEN CHAPTER SEVENTEEN Extract Copyright , Writing this letter is bittersweet. While I get to share the story of one of my favorite heroines, I’m also saying goodbye to Quincey—a town that has become like my second home. Deputy June waited patiently in the background of my previous two Quincey stories, but it wasn’t until an accident forced hardcore Marine Sam Rivers to question everything he knew about himself that I discovered why June refused to get out of my head. Despite Sam’s repeated efforts to push her away, she’s determined to help him become the man he was meant to be—whether or not he wants her assistance. And in June, Sam finds the one woman he considers his equal. There are times in our lives when we or someone we love needs a June—someone with a positive, persistent, kick-butt attitude and the life experience to help us through a rough patch. I hope you enjoy watching a woman who is everybody’s champion take on a man determined to stand alone. Emilie Rose

Title Page Starting with June Emilie Rose www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author USA TODAY bestselling author and RITA® Award finalist EMILIE ROSE lives in North Carolina with her own romance hero. Writing is her third career. She’s managed a medical office and a home day care—neither offered half as much satisfaction as plot­ting happy endings. Her hobbies include gardening, fishing and cooking. Visit her website, emilierose.com , or email her at EmilieRoseC@aol.com.

Dedication In loving memory of my mother-in-law. I wish I’d met her sooner.

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

CHAPTER FIFTEEN