Jan Schliesman - Protecting His Brother's Bride

Dalton dropped the handcuffs and kicked them across the floor to her. “Put those on.”

“A frequent fantasy of yours?” Kira had been aiming for a sarcastic tone and instead, the words came out breathy. Like an invitation.

“Definitely.” His raised eyebrow spoke volumes and she balanced on the thin line between anger and appreciation. He was good. Scratch that. He was very bad, and he knew it.

“I meant, use them on your friend. We need to get out of here before the fire closes in.”

“And if I refuse?” She swiped her cheek across her forearm and stifled a groan when her skin burned from the action.

“Then you deserve each other,” he drawled. His warped sense of humor added to his raw appeal. Laughter and looks were a dangerous combination.

His silky brown eyes slid down her body and then to the gun in her hand.

“You’re making me nervous. How about a truce?”

Protecting

His Brother’s

Bride

Jan Schliesman

www.millsandboon.co.uk

JAN SCHLIESMANbecame addicted to Mills & Boon® novels in high school, often swapping bags of books with her girlfriends. Shortly afterward, Mr Wonderful walked into her life, and it was love at first sight. At least for her. It took a few months for him to realise that she was mowing the grass in tight spandex to get him to notice her. They married and started a family and she became a stay-at-home mum. Not as much time to read meant Mills & Boon® Desire™ books were her new best friend, especially when they started including wineglasses in the monthly shipment. After their son was diagnosed with autism, it was also vitally important that somebody, somewhere, was getting a happy ending. She returned to college in pursuit of an English degree, but working as a police dispatcher provided too many story ideas. The Romantic Suspense line became her new love, and a degree in criminal justice followed many years later.

Most days you’ll find Jan listening to love stories and helping couples choose the perfect engagement ring. Most late nights she’s in her office, getting new words on the page. Born and raised in Iowa, she’s the mother of three semi-grown children. Jan lives in Kansas with the man she still calls Mr Wonderful. Find her on Facebook, follow her on Twitter or check out her website at www.janschliesman.com.

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Sixteen years ago I drove sixty miles on a Thursday night to attend a Heart of Iowa Fiction Authors meeting. I brought along ten single-spaced pages of my manuscript, which I’d printed on lavender paper. No one laughed at me. I received nothing but encouragement and amazing advice. Thank you, Roxanne Rustand, Kylie Brant and Cindy Gerard for being such great roomies at the conference and for including me in all your fun.

When we moved to Kansas nearly six years ago, I connected with a critique partner, Sarah Cannon. We kept each other going when it might have been easier to give up. And thank goodness we didn’t give up, because 2014 was the year we both sold manuscripts to Mills & Boon. It’s been an exciting ride and one that wouldn’t have been possible for either one of us without the unwavering support of Mills & Boon® Intrigue author Angi Morgan. Besides being my toughest critic, she’s also my best friend. I am lucky beyond measure to have her in my life.

Contents

Cover

Introduction Dalton dropped the handcuffs and kicked them across the floor to her. “Put those on.” “A frequent fantasy of yours?” Kira had been aiming for a sarcastic tone and instead, the words came out breathy. Like an invitation. “Definitely.” His raised eyebrow spoke volumes and she balanced on the thin line between anger and appreciation. He was good. Scratch that. He was very bad, and he knew it. “I meant, use them on your friend. We need to get out of here before the fire closes in.” “And if I refuse?” She swiped her cheek across her forearm and stifled a groan when her skin burned from the action. “Then you deserve each other,” he drawled. His warped sense of humor added to his raw appeal. Laughter and looks were a dangerous combination. His silky brown eyes slid down her body and then to the gun in her hand. “You’re making me nervous. How about a truce?”

Title Page Protecting His Brother’s Bride Jan Schliesman www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author JAN SCHLIESMAN became addicted to Mills & Boon® novels in high school, often swapping bags of books with her girlfriends. Shortly afterward, Mr Wonderful walked into her life, and it was love at first sight. At least for her. It took a few months for him to realise that she was mowing the grass in tight spandex to get him to notice her. They married and started a family and she became a stay-at-home mum. Not as much time to read meant Mills & Boon® Desire™ books were her new best friend, especially when they started including wineglasses in the monthly shipment. After their son was diagnosed with autism, it was also vitally important that somebody, somewhere, was getting a happy ending. She returned to college in pursuit of an English degree, but working as a police dispatcher provided too many story ideas. The Romantic Suspense line became her new love, and a degree in criminal justice followed many years later. Most days you’ll find Jan listening to love stories and helping couples choose the perfect engagement ring. Most late nights she’s in her office, getting new words on the page. Born and raised in Iowa, she’s the mother of three semi-grown children. Jan lives in Kansas with the man she still calls Mr Wonderful. Find her on Facebook, follow her on Twitter or check out her website at www.janschliesman.com .

Dedication Sixteen years ago I drove sixty miles on a Thursday night to attend a Heart of Iowa Fiction Authors meeting. I brought along ten single-spaced pages of my manuscript, which I’d printed on lavender paper. No one laughed at me. I received nothing but encouragement and amazing advice. Thank you, Roxanne Rustand, Kylie Brant and Cindy Gerard for being such great roomies at the conference and for including me in all your fun. When we moved to Kansas nearly six years ago, I connected with a critique partner, Sarah Cannon. We kept each other going when it might have been easier to give up. And thank goodness we didn’t give up, because 2014 was the year we both sold manuscripts to Mills & Boon. It’s been an exciting ride and one that wouldn’t have been possible for either one of us without the unwavering support of Mills & Boon® Intrigue author Angi Morgan. Besides being my toughest critic, she’s also my best friend. I am lucky beyond measure to have her in my life.

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Prologue

“I am not a criminal,” Kira Kincaid announced to the female FBI agent who watched her every move. On the contrary, Kira was an upstanding example of citizenship. “I never even drive over the speed limit.” The fact that she didn’t own a car was inconsequential.