“Gabriel.”
Son of a bitch, she knew his name. He slammed the letter on the sand as two bare feet with bright red toes planted themselves next to him. “Look, lady, I—”
“Like the angel.”
That wasn’t an English accent. That was…natural, flat, and Midwestern.
His blood turned to ice and drained from his head into a cold pool of disbelief in his gut. He was hearing things again. She didn’t even remotely resemble Isadora. She was taller, leaner, colder. Blond-haired and brown-eyed, no chestnut curls and grass-green eyes.
Gabe looked up, completely off-balance and almost unable to breathe again, but when he did, another whiff of her fragrance tortured him. “Do I know you?” he asked.
She just gave him a Mona Lisa smile that said everything…and nothing.
He started to push up, but she held out her hand to stop him, opened it, and dropped a hotel card key in his lap.
Without a word, she walked away.
He sat there in stunned, speechless silence until his gaze dropped to the letter on his lap.
When that day comes, you may not question me. You may not doubt me. And you may not recognize me.
What did she mean by that? He couldn’t acknowledge her…or he literally couldn’t recognize her?
How the hell was he supposed to know her then? He stood, peering into the darkness to see the blonde’s shadow disappear in the direction of the villa called Rockrose.
Everything spun out of control, making his head light with hope that she lived…and fear that his imagination was working overtime.
Who was she? A shameless stranger who wanted his body? Or the woman he loved?
Maybe she could be both.
* * *
Watch for Gabriel Rossi’s unforgettable love story…
Barefoot with a Bad Boy
Coming in early 2016!
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Books Set in Barefoot Bay
The Barefoot Bay Billionaires
Secrets on the Sand (ALWAYS FREE!)
Seduction on the Sand
Scandal on the Sand
The Barefoot Bay Brides
Barefoot in White (ALWAYS FREE!)
Barefoot in Lace
Barefoot in Pearls
Barefoot Bay Undercover
Barefoot Bound (prequel)
Barefoot with a Bodyguard
Barefoot with a Stranger
Barefoot with a Bad Boy
Acknowledgments
I received some special help on this fictional side trip to Cuba! Muchas gracias to Michel Mendez (and his beautiful wife, Eileen) who assisted me with first-hand knowledge of Cuba, including the geography and layout of Cairabién and the municipal. And huge writer-sister hugs to Maria Geraci, who patiently vetted every word of Spanish. (Read her books—they are fantastic!!)
As always, major props to the whole team of professionals who work with me on every book. In addition to my amazing editor, Kristi Yanta, I’m corrected by a brilliant copyeditor, Joyce Lamb; dressed by a talented cover artist, Kim Killion; perfected by a detail-oriented formatter, Amy Atwell; and supported by a tireless assistant, Maria Connor. And, of course, I’m loved by a street team beyond compare. (Join the Rocki Roadies on Facebook if you enjoy my books! We have a blast and they get secret scenes and book info!)
Lastly, love and gratitude to my family, most especially my dear husband, Rich, who helps with the details on cooking and airplanes and guns because he’s my personal Renaissance Man.
About the Author
Published since 2003, Roxanne St. Claire is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than forty romance and suspense novels. She has written several popular series, including Barefoot Bay, the Guardian Angelinos, and the Bullet Catchers.
In addition to being a six-time nominee and one-time winner of the prestigious RITA™ Award for the best in romance writing, Roxanne’s novels have won the National Reader’s Choice Award for best romantic suspense three times, as well as the Daphne du Maurier Award, the HOLT Medallion, the Maggie, Booksellers Best, Book Buyers Best, the Award of Excellence, and many others.
She lives in Florida with her husband, and still attempts to run the lives of her teenage daughter and 20-something son. She loves dogs, books, chocolate, and wine, but not always in that order.
www.roxannestclaire.com
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Barefoot with a Stranger
Copyright © 2015 South Street Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-9908607-4-7
This novel is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real locales are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
All rights to reproduction of this work are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without prior written permission from the copyright owner. Thank you for respecting the copyright. For permission or information on foreign, audio, or other rights, contact the author, [email protected]
COVER ART: The Killion Group, Inc.
DIGITAL FORMATTING: Author E.M.S.
Table of Contents
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
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Epilogue
Books Set in Barefoot Bay
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Copyright
Table of Contents
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
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Epilogue
Books Set in Barefoot Bay
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Copyright
ends
Barefoot With A Stranger Page 29
