Book Details

Warner Books
Paperback, May 2004, ISBN: 0-446-51152-8

Warner Books
Hardcover, August 2003, ISBN: 0-446-61055-0

Warner Books
Audio, August 2003, Chivers Sound Library

Microsoft Reader,
E-book, Adobe Reader, August 2003

Wheeler Publishing,
Large print,  ISBN: 1-587-24517-5

Chapter One (scene)

Chase ordered a Miller Draft and took in the scenery which consisted of a pool table, a small scarred dance floor, varied beer signs hanging on old paneled walls and not much else. Until the door opened and she walked inside, a vision in a dress so pink, so short, so bare it ought to be illegal.

No matter what his brother thought, Chase wasn't a monk. He'd just kept his social life discreet in deference to his father-like status, and over the years the habit stuck. Most recently, he'd hooked up with Cindy Dixon who lived in Hampshire, the next town over. They were friends who'd begun sleeping together when the whim struck, neither wanting to be indiscriminate in this day and age. The arrangement satisfied Chase physically, but no longer inspired him, so he wasn't surprised when this sexy siren captured his attention.

Russet-colored hair cascaded past her shoulders in thick waves, making him itch to run his fingers through the unruly strands. Chase tightened his grip around the bottle and let out a slow groan. One glance and he wanted to know her. All of her.

"She's a hot number, alright." The bartender swiped the counter down with his rag. "Don't think I've seen her in here before. I'd remember if I had."

Chase wouldn't be forgetting her any time soon. The combination of sultry sexiness in her appearance and the inherent vulnerability in her expression as she settled in beside him made one heck of an impression.

"What can I get you?" the bartender asked, leaning across the expanse of the bar, too close in Chase's biased opinion.

"Hmm." She pursed her lips as she thought. "Scotch straight up."

Chase cocked an eyebrow, surprised. He'd have voted for a Cosmopolitan or a white wine Spritzer.

"You sure about that?" the bartender asked. "A big drink like that doesn't mix well with a little thing like you."

She squared her shoulders, clearly offended. "Last I heard the customer was always right," she said in a haughty tone more due a blueblood or politician than the sprite she appeared to be.

Chase grinned. Obviously he could add gumption to her list of attributes.

"It's your choice," the bartender replied. "Just don't say I didn't warn you when I have to confiscate your car keys."

"Then it's a good thing I took the Metro," she shot back.

"Point to the lady." Chase laughed.

"Thank you," she said, without bothering to look his way. The bartender placed the glass filled with amber liquid in front of her. "Remember I warned you." He headed for a new round of customers at the end of the bar.

She stared at the contents a moment before lifting the glass for an experimental sniff and wrinkled her nose. "Still smells as vile as the last time I tasted it," she said to herself.

Chase laughed. Again. Twice in a matter of minutes. A record for him. A testament to the staid life he lived and a tribute to this woman's effect on him. He was beyond intrigued. "Then why order it?" he asked her.

"Heavy duty stuff for a heavy duty night." She shrugged but didn't lift her stare from the glass.

Chase wasn't insulted. Her preoccupation was obvious and from her words, so was her pain.

"Bartender? Give me the same," Chase said when the other man glanced over.

"What are you doing?" she asked, surprised.

"Joining you. It's unhealthy to drink alone." She looked his way at last and a burst of raw sexual energy exploded inside him, knocking him off balance.

Apparently he wasn't alone because gratitude and a helluva lot more flickered in her golden gaze. He thought he'd been prepared, but it had been too damn long since he'd felt anything beyond the ordinary for any woman or any thing. Since stepping off the plane in D.C. a few short hours ago, the world had opened up for him, offering myriad possibilities. He wanted her to be one of them.