Christine Pacheco - Lovers Only

Praise for Christine Pacheco Praise for Christine Pacheco “Reading Chris Pacheco is like sitting in a balmy breeze under a banyan tree and savoring your favorite drink. Her books take me away to my favorite escape. She’s sure to please.” —Bestselling author Debbie Macomber “A sure delight!” —Bestselling writer Barbara Boswell “I Carried My Bride Across The Threshold,” Clay said softly. Cat’s breath seemed frozen. “I need to give her a kiss to welcome her home. Slow and soft, Cat? Or with the passion that built inside me during the months you weren’t in my house, the months you weren’t in my bed?” Her mind ordered her to run. Her heart held her firmly in place. “It’s your choice. But know one thing. I’m going to kiss you. And it won’t be a kiss you’ll forget anytime soon.” Letter to Reader Dear Reader, Happy Valentine’s Day! This season of love is so exciting for us here at Silhouette Desire that we decided to create a special cover treatment for each of this month’s love stories—just to show how much this very romantic holiday means to us. And what a fabulous group of books we have for you! Let’s start with Joan Elliott Pickart’s MAN OF THE MONTH, Texas Moon. It’s romantic and wonderful—and has a terrific hero! The romance continues with Cindy Gerard’s sensuous A Bride for Abel Greene, the next in her NORTHERN LIGHTS BRIDES series, and also with Elizabeth Bevarly’s Roxy and the Rich Man, which launches her new miniseries about siblings who were separated at birth, THE FAMILY McCORMICK. Christine Pacheco is up next with Lovers Only, an emotional and compelling reunion story. And Metsy Hingle’s dramatic writing style shines through in her latest, Lovechild. It’s always a special moment when a writer reaches her 25the book milestone—and that’s just what Rita Rainville has done in the humorous and delightful Western. City Girls Need Not Apply. Silhouette Desire—where you will always find the very best love stories! Enjoy them all.... Senior Editor Please address questions and book requests to: Silhouette Readar Service U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269 Canadian: P.O. Box 609. Fort Erie, Ont. L2A 5X3 About the Author About the Author CHRISTINE PACHECO considers herself lucky to have married her real-life hero, Jared. They live in Colorado with their two children, a boy and a girl. Christine remembers always wanting to be a writer. She even talked her elementary school librarian into publishing her books. She notes always preferring romances because they’re about that special moment when dreams are possible and the future is magical. You can write to Christine at P.O. Box 448, Eastlake, CO 80614. Title Page Lovers Only Christine Pacheco www.millsandboon.co.uk Dedication For my mother, whose belief in me was real and tangible. Mom, my heartfelt thanks for helping me believe I could achieve my dreams. And for Whitney and Raymond, you two are special gifts! Of course, Jared, this is for you, too. Whatever I am, it’s because of your support. Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Epilogue Copyright

Praise for Christine Pacheco

“Reading Chris Pacheco is like sitting in a balmy breeze under a banyan tree and savoring your favorite drink. Her books take me away to my favorite escape. She’s sure to please.”

—Bestselling author Debbie Macomber

“A sure delight!”

—Bestselling writer Barbara Boswell

“I Carried My Bride Across The Threshold,”

Clay said softly.

Cat’s breath seemed frozen.

“I need to give her a kiss to welcome her home. Slow and soft, Cat? Or with the passion that built inside me during the months you weren’t in my house, the months you weren’t in my bed?”

Her mind ordered her to run. Her heart held her firmly in place.

“It’s your choice. But know one thing. I’m going to kiss you. And it won’t be a kiss you’ll forget anytime soon.”

Dear Reader,

Happy Valentine’s Day! This season of love is so exciting for us here at Silhouette Desire that we decided to create a special cover treatment for each of this month’s love stories—just to show how much this very romantic holiday means to us.

And what a fabulous group of books we have for you! Let’s start with Joan Elliott Pickart’s MAN OF THE MONTH, Texas Moon. It’s romantic and wonderful—and has a terrific hero!

The romance continues with Cindy Gerard’s sensuous A Bride for Abel Greene, the next in her NORTHERN LIGHTS BRIDES series, and also with Elizabeth Bevarly’s Roxy and the Rich Man, which launches her new miniseries about siblings who were separated at birth, THE FAMILY McCORMICK.

Christine Pacheco is up next with Lovers Only, an emotional and compelling reunion story. And Metsy Hingle’s dramatic writing style shines through in her latest, Lovechild.

It’s always a special moment when a writer reaches her 25the book milestone—and that’s just what Rita Rainville has done in the humorous and delightful Western. City Girls Need Not Apply.

Silhouette Desire—where you will always find the very best love stories! Enjoy them all....

Senior Editor

Please address questions and book requests to:

Silhouette Readar Service

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

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

About the Author

CHRISTINE PACHECOconsiders herself lucky to have married her real-life hero, Jared. They live in Colorado with their two children, a boy and a girl.

Christine remembers always wanting to be a writer. She even talked her elementary school librarian into publishing her books. She notes always preferring romances because they’re about that special moment when dreams are possible and the future is magical.

You can write to Christine at P.O. Box 448, Eastlake, CO 80614.

Lovers Only

Christine Pacheco

www.millsandboon.co.uk

For my mother, whose belief in me was real and tangible. Mom, my heartfelt thanks for helping me believe I could achieve my dreams.

And for Whitney and Raymond, you two are special gifts! Of course, Jared, this is for you, too. Whatever I am, it’s because of your support.

One

Ripping paper broke the silence.

In stunned amazement, Catherine looked across at Clay. No one breathed. No one spoke.

Catherine’s heartbeat tripled its already fast tempo, and a lump lodged in her throat. Oh, Lord. Not now. Not now when things were so very close to being over.

Freedom hovered just moments beyond her reach.

Jagged legal documents fluttered to the floor.

Clay slammed his fist on the shiny cherry-wood conference table, marring the perfect gloss.

Catherine jumped. Couldn’t find a word.

“I’ve changed my mind,” Clay clipped, rising to his feet in a single, fluid motion. His hands gripped the table’s edge, and his body radiated tension.

Catherine’s shoulders sagged.

“Now see here, Mr. Landon—” her attorney began.

“No,” Clay interrupted softly. Dangerously.

How many times in the past years had Catherine heard that tone? Not as often as in the early part of their marriage, but enough to recognize the careful control with which he held his anger in check.

“No,” he repeated. “You see here. Catherine is still my wife.” With that, he broke gazes with her attorney and fixed glacial blue eyes on her—the opponent.

She shivered, despite the sun streaming through the window.

For a moment she thought she detected a softening in Clay’s expression. And something more. Perhaps a hint of hurt?