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BIG thanks to Lauren Perry for coming to me with her gorgeous photography. You were right—it IS Derek and Melissa! And to Steven Novak, my faithful cover designer. You ROCK!

Thanks to Natalie and Love Between the Sheets for always making my cover reveals and release days so successful. Thanks to Mandie “Google Queen” Jones for keeping me sane and being the greatest PA ever. Hugs to Chrissy Badder for loving my guys and helping me promote them. Squeezes to Ilona Knight-Townsel for running the Alexander-Knight Files. Every single one of you is an asset, and I appreciate you so much.

One of the great things about being a writer is meeting new reader friends. I’ve got so many great “Keepers,” who see me through my moments of frustration, nerves, and fun brainstorming. (Yay!) Huge hugs and thanks to you guys. I love your comments, teasers, and feedback, but most of all your enthusiasm. You keep me going!

To all the bloggers who help me—enormous hugs and thanks. Indie authors would be hard-pressed to find new readers without you. You provide a real service, and I hope you know how much I appreciate every one of you, big and small.

Most of all, I have to thank my readers, new and old, who love this series, who love Derek and Melissa, and who send me sweet notes telling me how excited you are or how a story touched you or helped you. You are what it’s all about.

Thank you.

* * *

Exclusive Sneak Peek

One to Protect

(Derek & Melissa)

© TLM Productions, 2014

“Special Skills”

Derek

Only two hours have passed since I told Melissa goodbye, and already that tightness is creeping across my chest. It’s a mixture of anger and needing her in my sight where I know she’s safe.

She didn’t press the subject, but all weekend I could tell she wanted to know what I was working on, what was “bothering me.”

Damn Nikki. If I weren’t so pleased by the luscious surprise of finding Mel waiting for me half-nude in my condo Friday night, I’d reprimand her for keeping tabs on me. I don’t need an office manager who doubles as my mother, or who reports my behavior back to my aunt—or my fiancée.

Now, sitting at my desk remembering, the only thing strong enough to spoil the afterglow of our weekend is this new case... and her old scar. That damn silver line, a constant reminder of what that fucker did to her. Even worse, it reminds me he’s still out there walking around free.

In my line of work, I know how those assholes are. They all have some fucked up notion their victims belong to them—only them. My fist is clenched on the desktop, and I focus on relaxing it.

Sloan will pay for what he did to Mel. I intend to make sure of it, but she’s right. Letting him spoil our present gives him too much power. I’d rather put that aside, in my “To Do” file, and focus on my weekend with my little family—sheer red lingerie, loads of sex, and nonstop affection—hell, I should have a shitty week more often.

Shitty week...

I turn to my computer and stare at the report on the screen. As much as Mel wants to know, I can’t bring myself to tell her what I’m investigating. It’s not that I want to hide my work from her. She could probably help solve half the cases on my desk. I don’t want her to be afraid, and I don’t have a reason to make her worry yet.

Patrick’s in Wilmington watching over her for me, being the guard he is when I’m not there, and I’ve got tabs on Sloan. We’ll know if he leaves the city or makes any threatening moves. Privately, I wish he would. Nothing would make me happier than taking him out in an act of self-defense. With his record, not a jury in the world would convict.

Nikki snaps me out of my reflections. “I’m headed to the coffee shop. Can I get you anything?” She’s standing at the door in one of her usual, too-tight wrap-dresses.

It takes me back to her first day here, assigned by my aunt Sue’s temp agency. I was still grieving Allison. Three years had passed since my first wife died, but time didn’t matter. I didn’t want a replacement wife or a girlfriend or an outlet or anything, and the idea that my aunt might’ve selected this woman for any of those reasons got under my

skin like nothing else. I didn’t need help getting over my wife. I had no intention of getting over her ever, and Nikki’s appearance pissed me off.

The reality is, despite her former, inappropriate assertions that I needed to “get laid,” she never once made a pass at me. She’d actually seemed more interested in Stuart, my first partner and Patrick’s older brother.

I suppose after all this time I should put the past behind us. It doesn’t make sense anymore now that I have Melissa. Everything has changed.

She’s waiting, and I exhale. “No. Thank you.” The departure from my usual, impatient tone makes her pause, and I continue. “You’re always thoughtful, Nikki. I appreciate it.”

Her mouth drops open and then quickly closes. “I’m... um... well.” She stops stammering, pokes her lips out duck-face style, then nods. “Okay, then. You’re welcome.”

Turning on a stiletto heel, she heads out of the office, and I grin. That may be the first time I’ve had Nikki at a loss for words.