Susan Mallery - Husband By The Hour

Hannah Pace needed a pretend husband—fast! She lied to her long—lost mother about being married, and now she had to produce the groom. So she hired hometown bad boy Nick Archer. Though he wasn’t every mother’s dream, he sure was Hannah’s hottest fantasy….

Trouble was, Nick relished the part a bit too much. Dizzying kisses, heated glances, tender touches. Minute by minute, Nick’s paid performance was feeling all too real. And soon Hannah wanted him to be a husband for life….

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“W-What are you doing?” Hannah gasped.

As she’d reached for her mascara, Nick had pulled off his T-shirt. Now she stared, openmouthed, at his bare-chested reflection in the bathroom mirror.

Nick’s expression was carefully blank. “We don’t have much time before we meet your mother. I was going to shower so we wouldn’t be late. Unless, of course, I’m bothering you.”

Hannah forced herself to concentrate on darkening her eyelashes. If her hired husband didn’t mind getting naked in front of her, she refused to mind watching. “Be my guest.”

She calmly reminded herself that she knew what the male form looked like.

Which didn’t stop her from nearly poking herself in the eye when Nick dropped his briefs.

Heat rippled through her belly, making her thighs quake.

Dressed, Nick Archer was handsome enough to take her bream away.

Naked…he was borderline illegal!

Dedication Dedication Author Note PRAISE FOR SUSAN MALLERY 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 Epilogue Extract About the Author Copyright

To my readers—with heartfelt thanks for the wonderful support

Author Note Author Note PRAISE FOR SUSAN MALLERY 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 Epilogue Extract About the Author Copyright

Dear Reader,

May is a time of roses, romance…and Silhouette Special Edition! Spring is in full bloom, and love is in the air for all to enjoy. And our lineup for this month reflects the wonder of spring. Our THAT SPECIAL WOMAN! title, Husband by the Hour, is a delightful spin-off of Susan Mallery’s HOMETOWN HEARTBREAKERS series. It’s the story of a lady cop finding her family…as well as discovering true love! And Joan Elliott Pickart continues her FAMILY MEN series this month with the frolicking Texas Dawn —the tale of a spirited career girl and a traditional Texas cowboy.

Not to be missed is Tracy Sinclair’s warm and tender Please Take Care of Willie. This book is the conclusion to Tracy’s CUPID’s LITTLE HELPERS series about matchmaking kids. And speaking of kids… The Lady and the Sheriff is Sharon De Vita’s latest heartwarming installment of her SILVER CREEK COUNTY miniseries. This story features Louie, the kid who won readers’ hearts!

May is also the month that celebrates Mother’s Day. Cheryl Reavis has written a story that is sure to delight readers. Her FAMILY BLESSINGS series continues with Mother To Be. This story is about what happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object…and deep, abiding love results.

Finally, we round off the month by welcoming historical author Barbara Benedict to Silhouette Special Edition. She makes her contemporary debut with the lighthearted Rings, Roses…and Romance.

I hope you have a wonderful month of May!

Sincerely,

Tara Gavin,

Senior Editor

Please address questions and book requests to:

Silhouette Reader Service

U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269

Canadian: P.O. Box 609, Fort Erie, Ont. L2A 5X3

PRAISE FOR SUSAN MALLERY PRAISE FOR SUSAN MALLERY 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 Epilogue Extract About the Author Copyright :

“Susan Mallery dazzles. Her stories are unforgettable. Her fans are legion. If you haven’t read her yet, you must!”

—bestselling author Suzanne Forster

* * * * * *

“Ms. Mallery treats the reader to wonderful characters with a gift for snappy dialogue, splashes of humor and the ability to love and learn.”

—Romantic Times

* * * * * *

“Ms. Mallery’s characters are superbly portrayed—there is no way you can remain uninvolved….”

—Rendezvous

* * * * * *

“…Susan Mallery is a star on the rise.”

—author Kathleen Kane

* * * * * *

HOMETOWN HEARTBREAKERS: These heartstoppin’ hunks are rugged, ready and able to steal your heart….

Table of Contents

Cover

Back Cover Copy Hannah Pace needed a pretend husband—fast! She lied to her long—lost mother about being married, and now she had to produce the groom. So she hired hometown bad boy Nick Archer. Though he wasn’t every mother’s dream, he sure was Hannah’s hottest fantasy…. Trouble was, Nick relished the part a bit too much. Dizzying kisses, heated glances, tender touches. Minute by minute, Nick’s paid performance was feeling all too real. And soon Hannah wanted him to be a husband for life….

Title Page Husband by the Hour Susan Mallery www.millsandboon.co.uk

Dedication Dedication Dedication Author Note PRAISE FOR SUSAN MALLERY 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 Epilogue Extract About the Author Copyright To my readers—with heartfelt thanks for the wonderful support

Author Note Author Note Author Note PRAISE FOR SUSAN MALLERY 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 Epilogue Extract About the Author Copyright Dear Reader, May is a time of roses, romance…and Silhouette Special Edition! Spring is in full bloom, and love is in the air for all to enjoy. And our lineup for this month reflects the wonder of spring. Our THAT SPECIAL WOMAN! title, Husband by the Hour, is a delightful spin-off of Susan Mallery’s HOMETOWN HEARTBREAKERS series. It’s the story of a lady cop finding her family…as well as discovering true love! And Joan Elliott Pickart continues her FAMILY MEN series this month with the frolicking Texas Dawn —the tale of a spirited career girl and a traditional Texas cowboy. Not to be missed is Tracy Sinclair’s warm and tender Please Take Care of Willie. This book is the conclusion to Tracy’s CUPID’s LITTLE HELPERS series about matchmaking kids. And speaking of kids… The Lady and the Sheriff is Sharon De Vita’s latest heartwarming installment of her SILVER CREEK COUNTY miniseries. This story features Louie, the kid who won readers’ hearts! May is also the month that celebrates Mother’s Day. Cheryl Reavis has written a story that is sure to delight readers. Her FAMILY BLESSINGS series continues with Mother To Be. This story is about what happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object…and deep, abiding love results. Finally, we round off the month by welcoming historical author Barbara Benedict to Silhouette Special Edition. She makes her contemporary debut with the lighthearted Rings, Roses…and Romance. I hope you have a wonderful month of May! Sincerely, Tara Gavin, Senior Editor Please address questions and book requests to: Silhouette Reader Service U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269 Canadian: P.O. Box 609, Fort Erie, Ont. L2A 5X3