Marie Ferrarella - Cavanaugh In The Rough

A crime-scene investigator and a gorgeous cop must track down a serial killer in USA TODAY bestselling author Marie Ferrarella’s explosive new novel!

For Susannah Quinn, heartbreakingly handsome detective Christian Cavanaugh O’Bannon is trouble that she doesn’t need. Still, her CSI instincts tell her a serial killer’s on the loose, so she agrees to work this case with Chris through long days—and even hotter nights. But his reckless charm is allowing him perilously close to her darkest secrets.

Going by the book has never been freewheeling Chris’s style, so an unofficial partnership with Susannah is just what he needs to stop a vicious murderer in his tracks. While he struggles to win the beautiful blonde’s trust, mutual desire puts them both in harm’s way...

“You must think I’m crazy,” Suzie whispered.

Chris shook his head. “Nope, don’t think that, either.”

She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She still felt as if she was coming undone. “I must look like a mess.”

“Not possible,” he told her, taking out his handkerchief. Very carefully, his eyes on hers, he began to wipe away the tears from her cheeks. “See,” he murmured, “better already.”

Before he knew exactly how it happened, Chris found himself lowering his mouth to Suzie’s and kissing her. Kissing away her pain.

With what felt like the last ounce of his strength, Chris put his hands on her shoulders and drew her away from him.

“Suzie,” he cautioned. “You don’t want to do this.”

She felt bewildered and not a little stunned, as if she was being pulled in two different directions at once. “I don’t?”

“I mean, you don’t want to do something you’re going to regret.”

“Then don’t make me regret it,” she whispered, taking hold of the front of Chris’s shirt and pulling him to her...

* * *

Be sure to check out the next books

in this exciting series:

Cavanaugh Justice—Where Aurora’s finest

are always in action

Cavanaugh in the Rough

Marie Ferrarella

www.millsandboon.co.uk

USA TODAY bestselling and RITA® Award–winning author MARIE FERRARELLA has written more than two–hundred–and–fifty books for Mills & Boon, some under the name Marie Nicole. Her romances are beloved by fans worldwide. Visit her website, www.marieferrarella.com.

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To

Susan Kyser Frank

For Always Having

Such Great Things to Say.

This One’s For You

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A crime-scene investigator and a gorgeous cop must track down a serial killer in USA TODAY bestselling author Marie Ferrarella’s explosive new novel! For Susannah Quinn, heartbreakingly handsome detective Christian Cavanaugh O’Bannon is trouble that she doesn’t need. Still, her CSI instincts tell her a serial killer’s on the loose, so she agrees to work this case with Chris through long days—and even hotter nights. But his reckless charm is allowing him perilously close to her darkest secrets. Going by the book has never been freewheeling Chris’s style, so an unofficial partnership with Susannah is just what he needs to stop a vicious murderer in his tracks. While he struggles to win the beautiful blonde’s trust, mutual desire puts them both in harm’s way...

Introduction “You must think I’m crazy,” Suzie whispered. Chris shook his head. “Nope, don’t think that, either.” She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She still felt as if she was coming undone. “I must look like a mess.” “Not possible,” he told her, taking out his handkerchief. Very carefully, his eyes on hers, he began to wipe away the tears from her cheeks. “See,” he murmured, “better already.” Before he knew exactly how it happened, Chris found himself lowering his mouth to Suzie’s and kissing her. Kissing away her pain. With what felt like the last ounce of his strength, Chris put his hands on her shoulders and drew her away from him. “Suzie,” he cautioned. “You don’t want to do this.” She felt bewildered and not a little stunned, as if she was being pulled in two different directions at once. “I don’t?” “I mean, you don’t want to do something you’re going to regret.” “Then don’t make me regret it,” she whispered, taking hold of the front of Chris’s shirt and pulling him to her... * * * Be sure to check out the next books in this exciting series: Cavanaugh Justice—Where Aurora’s finest are always in action

Title Page Cavanaugh in the Rough Marie Ferrarella www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author USA TODAY bestselling and RITA® Award–winning author MARIE FERRARELLA has written more than two–hundred–and–fifty books for Mills & Boon, some under the name Marie Nicole. Her romances are beloved by fans worldwide. Visit her website, www.marieferrarella.com .

Dedication To Susan Kyser Frank For Always Having Such Great Things to Say. This One’s For You

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

Epilogue

Extract

Extract

Copyright

Prologue

A host of thoughts, mostly fragmented, were playing ping-pong in Detective Christian Cavanaugh O’Bannon’s head as he drove to work. He was just a tad punchy, having gotten virtually no sleep. His goal was to go in early so that he could leave early and get his life back on track.

For now, that was the plan.

Last night’s revelry was still clinging to him like the light scent of expensive perfume that sold by the fraction of an ounce. Perfume worn by the woman he’d been trying to corner at the party he’d attended. She’d been friendly and warm, and just when he thought he was finally getting somewhere, he’d turned around and she was gone.

He’d stuck around, thinking their paths would cross again, but they hadn’t. There’d been other single women there, just as attractive in their own way, but somehow he couldn’t work up the enthusiasm about any of them the way he had about the one who “got away.”

Consequently, he was still somewhat frustrated, as well as just the slightest bit slow, rather than energized, the latter being his usual state.

This was why he’d almost missed them. Missed the two boys, barely in their teens, running as if one of those zombie creatures was after them.

What caught Chris’s attention, other than the fact that the teens were all but flying, was that the two looked paler than vanilla ice cream buried beneath a three-day snowfall.

Intrigued and definitely curious, Chris stopped going over just what had gone wrong with his fail-safe strategy last night, and became instantly alert and focused on what was happening right now.