SWEET REVENGE
by Rebecca Zanetti
(June 24, 2014; Forever Mass Market: $8.00)
The One Man She Can't Have
Matt Dean was born to fight . . . and kill. A member of a secret black-ops military unit, he and his brothers were genetically engineered by the government to be the perfect soldiers with an expiration date. Now, with time running out, he's gone rogue in a relentless quest for the one person who can save them. His mission leads him to Charmed, Idaho . . . and to a beautiful woman with eyes like emeralds and a body made for pleasure.
The One Woman He Can't Resist
Laney Jacobs knows the mysterious, handsome stranger is trouble from the moment he walks into her bar, looking for a job. She's spent years running from her own past-the last thing she needs is a romantic entanglement. But Matt's strong arms offer her protection and his gentle touch promises passion unlike anything she's ever known. As lethal forces surround them, revealing explosive secrets about Matt's past and putting everything-and everyone-he holds dear in danger, can he save them all before time runs out?
“You know you work for me, right?”
“Listen, lady”—red spiraled across
his high cheekbones—“you hired me to bounce problems, which I can’t do if your
sweet ass is in the way.”
Was that a fact? She took a deep
breath and settled on the only solution other
than kicking him in the shin. “You’re fired.”
Both of his eyebrows shot up.
“Excuse me?”
Satisfaction tilted her chin. Not
much probably surprised Matt Dean. “You’re fired.” As an exit line, it nailed
the situation. Unfortunately, the toned soldier stood between her and the door.
Just who the hell did he think he was? “Now move your sweet ass.”
He slipped his hands into his
pockets and leaned back against the door. As a move, it was intimidating. “Why
am I fired?”
“You leave much to be desired as an
employee.” She eyed him, assessing the situation. Nope. The guy might be
commanding, but she wasn’t scared. He wouldn’t hurt her. “All you’ve done since
being hired is flirt with customers, order me around, and kiss me.”
His chin lowered. “Which of those items
is pissing you off the most?”
She narrowed her eyes as heat
spiraled through her abdomen. “You can flirt with any dumb bimbo you want, and
frankly, the kisses were all right. But ordering me around? Not a chance.”
“All right? The kisses were all right?”
Figured the man would focus on
that. She forced herself to lift a shoulder. “Eh.”
His cheek creased, and his eyes
warmed. “Maybe we should try again, then. See if I can do better.”
“No.” The spit in her mouth dried
up. She hadn’t meant to challenge him… had she? “I don’t, ah, kiss fired
employees.”
“So that leaves Smitty.” Matt
grinned.
“Very funny.” The tension slowly
drained from her muscles in response to his instant humor.
He exhaled slowly. “Listen, I’m
sorry if I scared you.”
“You didn’t.”
“I’m also sorry if I was too
bossy.” He rubbed a hand through his hair. “It’s just, after being in combat,
orders come naturally. Seeing you, somebody so small near danger… well, it hits
triggers. All sorts of triggers.”
She could handle him bossy or
charming. But sweet and honest? She shook her head and gestured toward his hard
body. “You’re just… too much.”
He chuckled. “If you give me
another chance, I promise I’ll tone it down. All of it.”
She’d be a fool to let this guy get
close, but she knew better than to make a snap decision based on one moment or
one emotion.
She studied him. Earnest eyes,
relaxed shoulders, apologetic half smile. If he was working her, he was damn
good at it.
Yeah, she liked him. Not only the
look of him, but the self-effacing humor and ease of saying he was wrong. Most
Alpha guys like him never admitted to being wrong. He’d had no problem with it.
Plus, she needed a bouncer, and he
could certainly bounce. The tickle at the nape of her neck promised something
bad was coming, and facing it with a guy who wanted to protect her? Probably
not a bad idea, so long as he understood the rules. While she wanted to
convince herself she was making a business decision, there was no doubt her
feelings for him went beyond personal. But she could handle her own emotions.
“Fine. One more chance, but if you order me around again, you’re out of here.”
“Fair enough.” He opened the door.
Heat brushed her as she moved past
him. “If I ever get lost in a snowstorm, I hope you’re there,” she muttered
under her breath. The guy cascaded warmth.
“Huh?” Matt asked as he shut the
door.
“Nothing.” She shook her head and
headed back to the bar to get to work. What would life be like if she could
flirt a little and even hope for a future? One with a husband and even kids?
But there were no kids in her future.
She plastered on a smile and began
helping Smitty with drinks. The weekend chef manned the kitchen to prepare bar
food, so she didn’t need to cook that night.
The evening slid into closing time,
and she shut the outside door with a sigh of relief. As usual, she
double-checked the door locks and extra stoppers placed into the floor. The
bikers had filled her till as well as the tip jars. “It was a good night.” She
smiled as she tossed a bar rag toward Smitty.
He caught it and grinned, lines
fanning out from his bloodshot eyes. “Cleanup was quick. Ready for inventory?”
“No.” She jerked her head toward
the kitchen. “We’re done for the night and will do inventory another time. Go
home and get some rest since tomorrow night will be busier than tonight,
probably.”
He finished wiping down the bar.
“You do look tired, boss. Feeling all right?”
“I’m fine.” The flush filling her
face resulted from Matt’s loping in from the kitchen and not from any illness.
“I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.”
“Good enough.” Smitty nodded to
Matt on his way out. “Night, all.”
“Night.” Matt crossed broad arms.
“Did I hear something about inventory?”
“Yes. I’ve got it.” She reached
under the bar for a notebook. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
His smile was slow and way too
sexy. “We could get it done in half the time if we worked together.”
Well, at least he’d stopped issuing
orders. She studied him for a moment. While she felt like she could sleep for a
week, he looked up for running a few miles. Her eyes were gritty and her neck
already ached, promising a headache would soon arrive. With her efforts in
becoming part of the town and trying to learn how to make friends, she’d been
working on accepting assistance and not being so alone. She really could use
the help tonight, stubbornness aside. “Okay. Follow me to the storeroom.”
A small room with a sexy ex-marine
after midnight? What could possibly go wrong?
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti has worked as an art curator, Senate aide, lawyer, college professor, and a hearing examiner - only to culminate it all in stories about Alpha males and the women who claim them. She is a member of RWA, has won awards for her works throughout the industry, and has a journalism degree with a poly sci emphasis from Pepperdine University as well as a Juris Doctorate from the University of Idaho.
Growing up amid the glorious backdrops and winter wonderlands of the Pacific Northwest has given Rebecca fantastic scenery and adventures to weave into her stories. She resides in the wild north with her husband, children, and extended family who inspire her every day-or at the very least give her plenty of characters to write about.
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