Sophia Sasson - The Sergeant's Temptation

Is he protecting her from the enemy...or himself?

Sergeant Alessa Parrino is one of the toughest soldiers in her unit. But does she have what it takes to fight her growing attraction to Lieutenant Luke Williams, her CO? If she falls for a superior officer, her career is over. And the army is all she’s got. Working closely with Luke on a covert mission overseas isn’t helping. His caring, compassion and piercing blue eyes are weakening her resolve by the hour. But this is Alessa’s last chance to prove herself and earn the promotion she desperately needs. She can’t let his charms distract her from her goals, no matter how much she longs to let down her guard...

A cold dread seeped into Alessa’s bones.

This was how it had started with Aidan. Personal favors that seemed innocuous, part of the job, even. But the mistake she’d made with Aidan was that she’d let him get too close. Forgotten the fact that she was an enlisted soldier and he was a commissioned officer, which meant they couldn’t even be friends. She wouldn’t do that with Luke.

Luke stood and she followed suit, getting ready to salute him the way she would any other superior officer. But he extended his hand and she automatically took it.

“We wear civilian clothes in this unit. No saluting. From now on, we’re colleagues, perhaps even friends.”

She looked into his ocean-blue eyes. I can’t be friends with you. That would be dangerous. Her career couldn’t withstand one more rumor of an improper relationship with a superior officer.

Dear Reader,

There are no words to describe the extraordinary sacrifice given by those who serve in the armed forces. It’s not just the physical danger they face on our behalf, but the considerable sacrifice of their families and loved ones. This book is about the tough choices service members often face in their personal lives. While workplace romance is mainstream for most people, it is not for military personnel. For good reason, relationships during active duty are off-limits for soldiers, who can face serious consequences for falling in love with the wrong person.

This book is also about the heroines of the military. I know a lot of tough women. As a former paramedic, I appreciate how difficult it can be for a woman in a male-dominated field, and the crushing pressure to constantly prove that you can do the job well. Alessa Parrino is in the impossible situation of choosing between the one thing she’s needed all her life (love) and the only thing she’s ever had (the army).

I hope you enjoy Alessa’s journey; it’s one that many of us face when choosing between what our hearts desire and what our circumstances allow.

To get free book extras, visit my website, sophiasasson.com. I love hearing from readers, so please find me on Twitter ( @SophiaSasson) or Facebook ( SophiaSassonAuthor) or email me at readers@sophiasasson.com.

Enjoy!

Sophia Sasson

The Sergeant’s Temptation

Sophia Sasson

www.millsandboon.co.uk

SOPHIA SASSON puts her childhood habit of daydreaming to good use by writing stories she hopes will give you hope and make you laugh, cry and possibly snort tea from your nose. She was born in Bombay, India, and has lived in the Canary Islands, Spain and Toronto, Canada. Currently she calls the madness of Washington, DC, home. She’s the author of the Welcome to Bellhaven and the State of the Union series. She loves to read, travel to exotic locations in the name of research, bake, explore water sports and watch foreign movies. Hearing from readers makes her day. Contact her through sophiasasson.com.

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To those who serve our country in the military. Words cannot express the gratitude we owe you.

Acknowledgments

This book, and the entire State of the Union series, would not happen without my awesome editor Claire Caldwell. Thank you for our brainstorming sessions.

A huge thank-you to my husband, who puts up with me disappearing into the writing abyss. And my critique partner, Jayne Evans, who deals with my writing crises.

Most of all, thank you to my readers. Your reviews, emails and letters keep me writing.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Acknowledgments

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

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

CHAPTER THIRTY

Extract

Copyright

CHAPTER ONE

“I’LL TAKE HER.”

Luke Williams couldn’t get his eyes off the petite soldier who was fighting a man more than twice her size. It was better than any mixed martial arts match he’d ever seen on TV. He was standing outside the Plexiglas window of a ten-foot by ten-foot cube that had been designed to train soldiers in hand-to-hand combat. Except Sergeant Alessa Parrino didn’t need any training; she was literally kicking his best man to the floor. This one wasn’t made from the typical army mold.

“Oh, no you won’t, Lieutenant.”

Luke turned to his commanding officer, Colonel Michael McBride. “I thought the last unit member was my call.”

“It is. You’re just not hiring her.”

Luke bit the inside of his cheek, keeping his voice neutral and friendly. “You have a concern, sir?”

The colonel raised his bushy gray eyebrows. “Have you read her file?”

Luke knew why the colonel was asking if Luke really wanted Alessa Parrino for his unit.

“Why did you let her apply and go through the test?”

“So I could check the box that we gave equal opportunity for this unit. You know how it is these days.”

“A woman could be an asset for us.” Luke said evenly. He’d worked with McBride long enough to realize the old man still wasn’t used to the idea that the army was letting women into special ops.

“I don’t see how. You get injured on the field, that hundred-and-thirty-pound girl isn’t gonna carry your two hundred and twenty pounds to safety.”

Luke watched Parrino extend her hand to the fallen soldier to help him up. Bad move. Rodgers was one of his dirtiest fighters; that was why Luke had used him for this exercise. All the other unit members had been handpicked by Luke’s predecessor. Luke wanted the open position to be filled by someone of his choosing, a member who would be loyal to him. He needed someone on the inside to help him with what he planned.