Linc gave a ragged sigh, as if a huge load had been lifted from him. “Good,” he said roughly, taking her into his arms. “Because I didn’t know what I was going to do if you said no.”
She gave a soft laugh, feeling deliciously giddy with joy. “You wouldn’t have given up that easily, if I know you.”
He grinned and kissed her hair. “You got that right, little cat. I’d have pursued you—”
“And badgered me.”
“Hey, that’s unfair!”
“And browbeat me.”
“How can you say those kinds of things? I’m a nice guy.”
She gave him a playful jab in the ribs. “You conceited male animal.” Suddenly, she frowned. “Why on earth did you put an engagement ring in a tackle box?”
His grin widened. “I thought I’d hook you on marriage. I know I’m not the biggest fish in the pond, the wealthiest or even the most successful. I guess I’m sort of like that turtle—not what you might have expected.”
Brie closed her eyes. “You were unexpected,” she began quietly. “As far as success or wealth, that doesn’t matter to me, Linc. I love you for yourself.”
He nodded, at a loss for words—for once.
Brie opened her eyes, her fingers wrapping around his solid arms. “Linc?”
“Yes?”
“I’m not going back to haz-mat work.”
He sat very still. “All right. I understand. We all have our limits, Brie. Don’t feel ashamed.”
“I don’t. I’m twenty-nine, Linc. Professionally, I’m pleased with what I’ve done and accomplished. I’ve suddenly discovered I want to settle down and make home-cooked meals every day. I want children.”
“At least two.” Linc turned Brie to face him, and he thought how young and beautiful she looked. “And since the desk job Cramer promised me has come through, it’ll be no more undercover work for me. I’ll be punching the clock in Canton, Ohio, from nine to five every day and have weekends off. How does that sound?”
Relief shone in her eyes. “Wonderful. That means you won’t be risking your life anymore, either.”
“Neither of us will. Believe me, it’s a big load off my mind, little cat. You were good at your job, but I’d have lived in absolute hell wondering day in and day out if you were safe.”
Tears blurred Brie’s vision. “We’ll just risk our lives with one another.”
He smiled. “You’re all the challenge and excitement I’ll ever need.”
* * * * *
Black Hawk pilot Sarah Benson is known for her risky flights to save lives and SEAL Ethan Quinn is just one more mission. But when she needs rescuing, it’s Ethan who infiltrates enemy territory, and her heart. Read on for a sneak peek of RISK TAKER by Lindsay McKenna, available February 2013 from Harlequin Romantic Suspense.
* * *
Sarah sat with Ethan, watching him gulp down his meal as if he were starved. She forced herself to eat because she knew it was going to be a long day. When he finally slowed down, she narrowed her eyes and held his gaze.
“You’ve been writing those poems and putting them under my tent flap. Haven’t you?” Her heart thudded because if she was wrong, she would feel foolish. Ethan stared at her as if stunned. And then a ruddy flush rose up his neck and swept across his face. For once, he was speechless.
“How did you know?”
“I was awake the first time you pulled the tent flap open to put the envelope inside it,” she said, still tense, unsure of why he was writing such beautiful poetry to her.
“Oh…”
He looked so crestfallen. “What? You’re a SEAL and you got caught in stealth mode?” A grin nudged at one corner of her mouth.
“I thought…I knew it was a risk. I was running late.…I had wanted to finish the poem and get the first stanza to you, but things went haywire at the HQ. I had to drop what I was doing and attend to other things. I didn’t get back to it until after dawn.” Ethan shook his head and gave her an apologetic look. “I meant it as a surprise. Something I hoped would make you happy after getting the crap beat out of you by that Army sergeant. I didn’t want you to think all men were like that guy who attacked you.”
Her heart warmed. This time, Sarah allowed it to fully embrace her. “Is that why you wrote me the poem?”
Ethan pushed his tray aside, then folded his hands, never more serious. “I’ve always been attracted to you, Sarah. I wanted to get to know you, but I didn’t know how. I didn’t want to hit on you like every other guy was doing. I knew you hated it, and I don’t blame you. And just getting to hold you…carry you…to the E.R., I went crazy trying to figure out a nonthreatening way to reach you.”
“Then why didn’t you sign your name? It was a good thing I saw you, Ethan. I would have, for sure, thought it was the pilots in my squadron playing another dirty trick on me.”
“I didn’t think—”
“You didn’t know what I’ve been up against in the squadron…the tricks…”
“I’m sorry, Sarah.” Ethan searched her eyes. “Do…you like the poem so far? Or do you want me to stop sending them to you?”
Sarah had never seen a man be as vulnerable as Ethan was being with her right now. She knew he was unguarded, no game face, but authentic and honest. “I loved the poem, Ethan. I love receiving them. They’re like new life being breathed into me when I read the lines.” She quirked her mouth and looked away, a war raging inside her. “I so wanted to believe you. I knew you were writing about how you saw me. And—” she swallowed, her voice hoarse “—I loved how you saw me because that’s not the way I see myself.…”
* * *
Don’t miss RISK TAKER by Lindsay McKenna, available February 2013 from Harlequin Romantic Suspense.
Copyright © 2014 by Lindsay McKenna
Lindsay McKenna is proud to have served her country in the U.S. Navy as an aerographer’s mate third class—also known as a weather forecaster. She was a pioneer of the military romance subgenre and loves to combine heart-pounding action with soulful and poignant romance. True to her military roots, she is the originator of the long-running and reader-favorite Morgan’s Mercenaries series. She does extensive hands-on research, including flying in aircraft such as a P3-B Orion sub-hunter and a B-52 bomber. She was the first romance writer to sign her books in the Pentagon bookstore. Today, she has created a new military romantic suspense series, Shadow Warriors, which features romantic and action-packed tales about U.S. Navy SEALs. Visit her online at:
www.LindsayMcKenna.com
www.twitter.com/lindsaymckenna
www.facebook.com/eileen.nauman
Also available from Lindsay McKenna and HQN Books
Down Range
High Country Rebel
The Loner
The Defender
The Wrangler
The Last Cowboy
Deadly Silence
Deadly Identity
Shadows from the Past
Dangerous Prey
Heart of the Storm
Beyond the Limit
Silent Witness
Enemy Mine
Firstborn
Morgan’s Honor
Morgan’s Legacy
An Honorable Woman
Selected books by Lindsay McKenna
Harlequin Romantic Suspense
@His Duty to Protect #1691
@Beyond Valor #1739
Course of Action/“Out of Harm’s Way” #1775
Silhouette Romantic Suspense
Love Me Before Dawn #44
^Protecting His Own #1184
Mission: Christmas/“The Christmas Wild Bunch” #1535
@His Woman in Command #1599
@Operation: Forbidden #1647
Silhouette Nocturne
*Unforgiven #1
*Dark Truth #20
*The Quest #33
Time Raiders: The Seeker #69
*Reunion #85
*The Adversary #87
*Guardian #89
Trai
ned to kill, but built for love…
From New York Times bestselling author
LINDSAY McKENNA
Captain Morgan Boland is at the top of her game, as is navy SEAL Jake Ramsay, her former lover Then a military computer selects them to partner in a special op. The mission can’t be compromised by their personal history—and they have truckloads of it.
But the Afghan assignment might provide the discipline they need to finally get it together—outside the bedroom, that is. A lot has happened over the two years since they last went their separate ways. And there’s way more to Morgan than Jake has ever given her credit for…
Available now!
www.LindsayMcKenna.com
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ISBN: 978-1-4603-1782-2
COME GENTLE THE DAWN
Copyright © 1989 by Lindsay McKenna
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Silhouette Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
® and TM are trademarks of Harlequin Books S.A., used under license. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.
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^Morgan’s Mercenaries
@Black Jaguar Squadron
*Warriors for the Light
Come Gentle the Dawn Page 21
