Aidan and Eve—Darby—would end up married and starting a family, he imagined. Considering one child of an Enforcer had already been delivered and a second was on the way, in the White House at that, Medical might have to set up an entire new section dedicated to studying the offspring. No, he amended succinctly. Not on his watch. There were some aspects of life no one, no matter the reasoning, had a right to touch.
He opened the door to his office and stepped inside, ready to play sounding board. As he closed the door behind him, his gaze lit on the back of a blond head. The woman sat in one of the chairs flanking his desk with her back turned to him. That she didn’t bother to turn around annoyed him. He was the boss and deserved a little respect. He tried unsuccessfully to think who on his staff had shoulder-length blond hair.
Before he could come up with a face or name, the woman stood and turned toward him.
Remarkably it was Angela…his ex-wife.
“Richard,” she said humbly, more humbly than he’d known her to be in more than a decade. “I’ve been thinking,” she went on, those lovely blue eyes settling on his, her hands sliding into the pockets of her trench coat, “that maybe we should try again.”
He snapped his gaping mouth shut and grappled for his voice. What the hell? He’d made that suggestion over a year ago. He’d even felt stupid afterwards when she shunned his offer. Was this some sort of trick? What had changed her mind? His first instinct was to go on the defensive, but he had to give her the benefit of the doubt. She deserved that much. And, God, she looked good. He searched for the right words to say…but rational thought eluded him.
She sighed when he remained silent. “I know I’ve been unreasonable, but the truth is…I miss you.” She said the last with a vulnerability that startled him. He blinked, certain he’d imagined it.
“I’m lonely and I miss you. I need you in my life.” A spark of defiance glittered to life in her eyes. “I still think this place is your damned mistress,” she stated more forcefully with a quick glance around his office. “But…” She tilted her chin up with mounting determination. “But I can live with that as long as I’m your wife and you come home to me at night.”
“Angela, I…” This was everything he’d dreamed of hearing from her. But what if he said the wrong thing…made her change her mind. “I never wanted to lose you.”
“Then let’s forget about the past,” she urged, a genuine smile trembling across her lips. “Let’s start fresh.” As he watched, she shouldered out of the trench coat. She was nude beneath…her body just as beautiful as it had been all those years ago the first time he’d made love to her…the night he’d fallen completely in love with her.
He swallowed at the lump in his throat…somehow he made it to the desk, landed right between those luscious legs. She kissed him hard on the mouth, he groaned with the pleasure of it.
“Are you glad to see me, baby?” she murmured in his ear.
He fumbled for his phone, pressed the intercom button. “Cancel my appointments for the afternoon,” he ordered, then turned his full attention back to the woman who’d just blown his mind completely…who’d just made his every fantasy come true. “Tell me I’m not dreaming,” he murmured, unable to take in enough of her. His eyes couldn’t move fast enough, his brain couldn’t comprehend—she was so beautiful and she was offering to be his again.
She grabbed him by the necktie and pulled him to her. “You’re not dreaming. I was wrong. It just took me a while to realize it. Now let me show you how much I want you.” In a preview that hardened every muscle in his body, she traced a path around his mouth, along his jawline with that talented tongue.
He kissed that luscious mouth. “Why don’t I show you first?” Before she could argue, he showed her over and over again. On the desk. On the floor. Against the wall. He might be pushing the far side of fifty but he wasn’t dead.
When they both gasped for breath, he kissed the woman he loved and smiled.
He’d gotten a second chance.
He didn’t intend to screw it up this time…she would never lack for his attention.
“Is that clear enough?” he asked when she’d come for the umpteenth time.
“Oh, baby,” she said on a delicious sigh, “I’ve missed you. Come home with me and I’ll take my turn.” She trailed a red-tipped nail along his still fully aroused length.
“Gladly,” he assured her. He would take her home and never again would he consider this place his home. Home was where the woman who loved him—the woman he loved—lived.
A sappy grin cut across his face. He had a brand-new motto: saving the world began at home.
Look for Debra Webb’s next
Harlequin Intrigue,
URBAN SENSATION, coming in August.
Then in October look for Debra Webb’s
COLBY CONSPIRACY from
Signature Select.
COMING NEXT MONTH
Be enthralled, moved, thrilled, delighted…and satisfied by exceptional reads from outstanding authors and well-loved series.
Come back every two weeks for newly released selections in eight varied categories offering stories that appeal to every taste and mood.
Have a great time!
AVAILABLE NOW
Showcase
Enthralling stories by the brightest stars in women’s fiction—from MIRA Books, and big romances that sweep you away—from HQN Books
KILLER TAKES ALL by Erica Spindler, MIRA (psychological thriller)
BEFORE SUNRISE by Diana Palmer (contemporary romance)
DARK SKY by Carla Neggers, MIRA (romantic suspense)
50 HARBOR STREET by Debbie Macomber, MIRA (women’s fiction)
GHOST WALK by Heather Graham, MIRA (paranormal mystery)
Sexy Reads
Powerful, provocative tales full of heat and passion—from Harlequin Blaze, Silhouette Desire and Harlequin Presents
THE ITALIAN’S STOLEN BRIDE by Emma Darcy, Harlequin Presents
UNCONTROLLABLE by Susan Kearney, Harlequin Blaze
WHATEVER RILEY WANTS by Maureen Child, Silhouette Desire
SEXY ALL OVER by Jamie Sobrato, Harlequin Blaze
HOT TO THE TOUCH by Jennifer Greene, Silhouette Desire
TALKING ABOUT SEX…by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Harlequin Blaze
Romantic Suspense
Danger…romance…adventure…suspense! Stories that will take your breath away—from Harlequin Intrigue and Silhouette Intimate Moments
MAN OF HER DREAMS by Debra Webb, Harlequin Intrigue
LOVING THE LONE WOLF by Ingrid Weaver, Silhouette Intimate Moments
GHOST HORSE by Patricia Rosemoor, Harlequin Intrigue
SUSPICIOUS by Heather Graham, Silhouette Intimate Moments
RIDER ON FIRE by Sharon Sala, Silhouette Intimate Moments
Inspirational
Stories of faith, hope and love that warm the heart and nourish the soul—from Steeple Hill Love Inspired and compelling suspense—from Love Inspired Suspense
LOVING FEELINGS by Gail Gaymer Martin, Steeple Hill Love Inspired
FOR THE TWINS’ SAKE by Jillian Hart, Steeple Hill Love Inspired
NOTE OF PERIL by Hannah Alexander, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense
UNDER COVER OF DARKNESS by Elizabeth White, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense
WINDINGO TWILIGHT by Colleen Rhoads, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense
MILLION DOLLAR DILEMMA by Judy Baer, Steeple Hill Café
STORM CLOUDS by Cheryl Wolverton, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense
Women’s Fiction
Books that celebrate the “next” stage of women’s lives…because every life has a second chapter! From Harlequin Next
THERE’S ALWAYS PLAN B by Susan Mallery, Harlequin Next
RIGGS PARK by Ellyn Bache, Harlequin, Next
CUTTING THROUGH by Joan Hohl, Harlequin Next
THE ME I USED TO BE by Jenn
ifer Archer, Harlequin Next
CUTTING THROUGH by Joan Hohl, Harlequin Next
Women’s Action Adventure
Strong, sexy, savvy heroines who save the day…and always get their man. From Silhouette Bombshell
ONCE A THIEF by Michele Hauf, Silhouette Bombshell
HOT PURSUIT by Kathryn Jensen, Silhouette Bombshell
DEVIL’S BARGAIN by Rachel Caine, Silhouette Bombshell
THE GOLDEN GIRL by Erica Orloff, Silhouette Bombshell
Chick Lit
Women’s fiction with attitude, these humorous, edgy, hip stories celebrate life’s little curves…From Red Dress Ink
WITH OR WITHOUT YOU by Carole Matthews, Red Dress Ink
KILLER SUMMER by Lynda Curnyn, Red Dress Ink
DO THEY WEAR HIGH HEELS IN HEAVEN? By Erica Orloff, Red Dress Ink
Fantasy/Science Fiction
Powerful, magical tales, vivid characters and richly imagined worlds from the first imprint solely dedicated to female focused fantasy—Luna Books
THE DESTINED QUEEN by Deborah Hale, LUNA
URBAN SHAMAN by C.E. Murphy, LUNA
POISON STUDY by Maria V. Snyder, LUNA
ON SALE OCTOBER 1ST
Showcase
Enthralling stories by the brightest stars in women’s fiction—from MIRA Books, and big romances that sweep you away—from HQN Books
Romantic Suspense
Danger…romance…adventure…suspense! Stories that will take your breath away—from Harlequin Intrigue and Silhouette Intimate Moments
SECURITY MEASURES by Joanna Wayne, Harlequin Intrigue
Inspirational
Stories of faith, hope and love that warm the heart and nourish the soul—from Steeple Hill Love Inspired and compelling suspense—from Love Inspired Suspense
DIE BEFORE NIGHTFALL by Shirlee McCoy, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense
Women’s Fiction
Books that celebrate the “next” stage of women’s lives…because every life has a second chapter! From Harlequin Next
PELICAN BAY by Charlotte Douglas, Harlequin Next
Fantasy/Science Fiction
Powerful, magical tales, vivid characters and richly imagined worlds from the first imprint solely dedicated to female focused fantasy—Luna Books
IN STONE’S CLASP by Christie Golden, LUNA
ON SALE OCTOBER 15TH
Sexy Reads
Powerful, provocative tales full of heat and passion—from Harlequin Blaze, Silhouette Desire and Harlequin Presents
THE TYCOON’S TROPHY WIFE by Miranda Lee, Harlequin Presents
Inspirational
Stories of faith, hope and love that warm the heart and nourish the soul—from Steeple Hill Love Inspired and compelling suspense—from Love Inspired Suspense
DECK THE HALLS by Arlene James, Steeple Hill Love Inspired
Women’s Action Adventure
Strong, sexy, savvy heroines who save the day…and always get their man. From Silhouette Bombshell
FLAWLESS by Michele Hauf, Silhouette Bombshell
Chic Lit
Women’s fiction with attitude, these humorous, edgy, hip stories celebrate life’s little curves…From Red Dress Ink
THE NIGHT I GOT LUCKY by Laura Caldwell, Red Dress Ink