His arm snaked around her waist and he dragged her to him, his mouth dropping to hers
The darkness was so intense she couldnt see his features, could only feel him, the unfamiliar hardness of his body. She tried to push him away, but he only deepened the kiss, holding her to him as if he never wanted to let her go, as if hed been waiting for her, needing her. Suddenly he seemed so different.
She lost herself in his kiss, stirred by an intensity shed never felt before at his unexpected ardor. It was as if theyd never touched before.
And then she knew.
He was someone else.
The Masked Man B.J. Daniels
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A former award-winning journalist, B.J. had thirty-six short stories published before she wrote and sold her first romantic suspense, Odd Man Out, which was later nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award for Best First Book and Best Harlequin Intrigue.
B.J. lives in Bozeman with her husband, Parker, two springer spaniels, Zoey and Scout, and an irascible tomcat named Jeff. She is a member of the Bozeman Writers Group and Romance Writers of America. To contact her, write: P.O. Box 183, Bozeman, MT59771.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
MacKenzie CooperThe private investigator is lured into more than murder.
Trevor ForesterHe wants it all, including Inspiration Island and Jill Lawsonand he has lied, cheated and stolen to get them. No wonder someone wants him dead.
Nathaniel PierceHe has everything money can buyand then some. But when his most prized possessions are stolen, he will do anything to get them back.
Heddy and Alistair ForesterThey thought they were doing the right thing, raising their son Trevor to appreciate the finer things in life.
Rachel WellsShe was finally going to get what she deserved.
Shane RamseyMacs nephew has always gotten into trouble, but this time hes in way over his head.
Arnie EvansTrevor Foresters best friend did whatever Trevor told him to. Now hes paying the price.
This book is for Travis Ness,
who came into our lives on a prayerand now believes in love at first sight. Montana born, he loves our annual summer weekend at Flathead Lake. He also loves my daughter, and we love him.
Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Epilogue
Prologue
Yes. Long blond hair, sun-kissed bare limbs, sixteen, seventeen tops. She wore a pink T-shirt that hugged her small breasts and navy shorts that exposed slim, coltish legs and, as he stopped the car beside her, he saw that she had The Look.
He was a sucker for The Look. That cool, confident conviction that her life was only just beginning, that she would live forever, that nothing would harm her. It was a look that came only with youth.
Hey, he said as he rolled down the passenger-side window and leaned over to smile at her. Where ya headed?
She stepped closer, bending at the waist to look in at him. Bigfork?
Her sweet scent rushed in with the warm summer night. Raspberry, he thought, one of his favorites. She hooked a hand over the open window frame. Her fingernails were painted a pale pink. He really liked that. On her slim, tanned wrist a tiny silver charm bracelet with a perfect little silver heart tinkled softly.
He could hardly contain himself. Hop in, Im going that way. You must be in Bigfork working for the summer. He didnt want to make the mistake of trying to pick up a local girl again.
She nodded, stepped closer.
It always came down to a few crucial seconds.
She glanced at his car, then at him again.
In her blue eyes he saw that instant of uncertainty that could saveor destroyher.
Seconds. Life or death. He loved this part.
Thanks, she said and reached for the door handle. Aint no big, bad wolf here.
He smiled. All teeth.
Chapter One
Trevor had stood her up again. Only this time it was for his parents anniversary masquerade party. This time she was dressed as Scarlett OHara and feeling foolish as she waited in a far wing of the house, alone. This time was going to be the last time.
I cant marry this man. Im breaking off the engagement. The words echoed in the dark, empty room. Tonight.
She watched the approaching thunderstorm move across the lake and waited for the aftershock of her decision. She had expected to feel something other thanrelief. Certainly more regret.
She didnt.
This far down the east wing of the Foresters massive lake house the sounds of the ongoing party were muted. That was one of the reasons she had come down here. To get away from all the merriment and the reminder that she was alone, the engagement ring on her finger feeling suddenly too tight. The ache in her heart too familiar.
She ached for something she wasnt even sure existed except maybe in the movies.
You act like you expect fireworks, maybe the earth to move? Really, Jill, you are such a fool, Trevor had said when shed tried to voice her concerns the last time shed seen him.
Well, she certainly felt like a fool tonight, she thought. She had hardly seen Trevor since hed asked her to marry him, but when hed called, hed promised that tonight would be different. After all, it was his parents thirty-fifth anniversary, and summer was almost over, another season gone.