KRISTI GOLD - Dr. Destiny

Not the way Cassie tasted, cool and sweet and tempting. Not the way she melted into him, fitting so perfectly against him.

He moved away from her, breathing raggedly. “I don’t know what made me do that. We’re friends—unless I’ve screwed that up.”

“You’ll only do that if you tell me I’m a lousy kisser. Then I’ll have to beat you over the head.”

She should have done that to him a minute ago, Brendan thought. Knocked some sense into him. “I’d say on a scale from one to ten, your kissing rates—” he narrowed his eyes “—about a twenty.”

Cassie smiled. “You’ve saved yourself from a terrible fate. For now.”

Brendan wondered what fate would bring the next time they met. The next time, he might not be able to stop with a kiss.…

Dear Reader,

Celebrate the rites of spring with six new passionate, powerful and provocative love stories from Silhouette Desire!

Reader favorite Anne Marie Winston’s Billionaire Bachelors: Stone, our March MAN OF THE MONTH, is a classic marriage-of-convenience story, in which an overpowering attraction threatens a platonic arrangement. And don’t miss the third title in Desire’s glamorous in-line continuity DYNASTIES: THE CONNELLYS, The Sheikh Takes a Bride by Caroline Cross, as sparks fly between a sexy-as-sin sheikh and a feisty princess.

In Wild About a Texan by Jan Hudson, the heroine falls for a playboy millionaire with a dark secret. Her Lone Star Protector by Peggy Moreland continues the TEXAS CATTLEMAN’S CLUB: THE LAST BACHELOR series, as an unlikely love blossoms between a florist and a jaded private eye.

A night of passion produces major complications for a doctor and the social worker now carrying his child in Dr. Destiny, the final title in Kristi Gold’s miniseries MARRYING AN M.D. And an ex-marine who discovers he’s heir to a royal throne must choose between his kingdom and the woman he loves in Kathryn Jensen’s The Secret Prince.

Kick back, relax and treat yourself to all six of these sexy new Desire romances!

Enjoy!

Joan Marlow Golan

Senior Editor, Silhouette Desire

www.millsandboon.co.uk

began her romance-writing career at the tender age of twelve, when she and her sister spun romantic yarns involving a childhood friend and a popular talk-show host. Since that time, she’s given up celebrity heroes for her favorite types of men, doctors and cowboys, as her husband is both. An avid sports fan, she attends football and baseball games in her spare time. She resides on a small ranch in central Texas with her three children and retired neurosurgeon husband, along with various livestock ranging from Texas longhorn cattle to spoiled yet talented equines. At one time she competed in regional and national Appaloosa horse shows as a nonpro, but she gave up riding for writing and turned the “reins” over to her youngest daughter. She attributes much of her success to her sister, Kim, who encouraged her in her writing, even during the tough times. When she’s not in her office writing her current book, she’s dreaming about it. Readers may contact Kristi at P.O. Box 11292, Robinson, TX 76116.

To my mom, Jean, a heroine in her own right.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Epilogue

Adonis disguised as a doctor, and he was standing at Cassandra Allen’s office door.

Cassie gave all her attention to Brendan O’Connor as he strode into the room, pulled back a chair and collapsed onto it. His ruffled brown hair indicated he’d had a hectic day. So did his eyes, a rich green-blue to match his scrubs. They changed like a chameleon to suit his attire, and sometimes to suit his mood. He was a chameleon, although most would not believe that of the calm, collected miracle worker. But Cassie knew better.

Even though she considered Brendan a good friend and an expert neonatologist, Cassie couldn’t ignore her awareness of the man. Most women who came in contact with the doctor couldn’t help but fall a little bit in love with him. She was no exception.

Flipping the case file closed, Cassie tapped her pen on the desk and said with mock exasperation, ‘‘Okay, so what did I do that brought you all the way down here?’’

His slow grin caused Cassie’s heartbeat to accelerate. ‘‘Nothing wrong. Just wanted to tell you how well I thought you handled the Kinsey couple today.’’

Cassie shrugged off the compliment. ‘‘That’s what social work’s all about. Besides, they’re nice kids.’’

His smile faded. ‘‘Kids having kids. Give ’em a six-pack of beer and a case of hormones then look what happens. Premature twins.’’

She took a sip of too-cold, too-strong coffee and winced. Bad stuff, but the only thing she had available at the moment to wet her dry mouth. ‘‘At least the Kinseys have a good support system.’’ And at least the new babies had two parents who seemed to love them, something Cassie had never really known. ‘‘No money to speak of, but I’m working on that.’’

‘‘No high school diploma, either.’’ Scooting back the chair, Brendan propped his heels on the edge of the desk, crossed his ankles and laced his hands on his abdomen. ‘‘I make these sick babies well, then I send them home to God-only-knows-what.’’

Cassie had known Brendan on a personal level for over six months now, had worked with him on several cases as one of San Antonio Memorial’s staff social workers, yet she had rarely heard him criticize his patients’ parents.

Although he was incredibly hard to read at times, she had gotten good at sensing when something bothered him. And this evening, something was bothering him. Badly. ‘‘What’s really the problem, Brendan?’’

His gaze zipped from his folded hands to her. ‘‘What do you mean?’’

‘‘Come on. It’s me you’re talking to. Cassie the clairvoyant, remember?’’ She smiled at the label he had personally given her when she’d accurately assessed his frame of mind on more than one occasion. Lately he hadn’t even tried to hide his feelings, perhaps because he’d grown comfortable with her. Exactly what friendship was all about, and Cassie valued his friendship more each passing day.

She allowed him a few moments of silence. With Brendan, she had learned not to push. Eventually he would come clean without any persuasion on her part, if luck prevailed.

His sigh came out rough, frustrated. A hint of sadness passed over his expression, clouding his eyes. ‘‘I don’t think the Neely baby’s going to make it.’’

Cassie struggled for something consoling to say. Something that might lessen his pain. ‘‘Mrs. Neely delivered at what, twenty-nine weeks?’’

‘‘Twenty-seven. The baby’s a little over two pounds with too many problems.’’ He sat in silence for a few moments, his torment almost palpable. ‘‘Sometimes I wonder why I do this.’’

So did Cassie, but Brendan had never been forthcoming with that information. It wasn’t the first time she’d seen him worried about one of his patients. In fact, it troubled Cassie that at times he seemed to worry too much. Not that he readily revealed his concern.

Despite the stress, something drove him. Something personal, she suspected. She had never asked, and he’d never even hinted at his reasons for subjecting himself to such a high-pressure field.