New Release April 1, 2014
EVIDENCE OF TRUST
Colorado Trust Series Book 1
Trust makes all the difference when love and danger collide
Having grown up under the excessive expectations of her CEO
father, Brittany Lucas is as resistant to authority as the mustang she’s
training for her boss. It’s a fault that lands her in more danger than she
bargains for while camping in the back-country of the Rocky Mountain
National Park
Ranger Joel Morgan is used to having the upper hand in all
his cases—until he runs into the headstrong blond while investigating
disturbing incidents of poaching in the park. Brittany ’s imprudent lie of omission awakens
ghosts in his past, making the sizzling attraction between them unwelcome.
As he searches for evidence he can trust her, the monster
mutilating wildlife turns his sights on Brittany, and Joel discovers he’ll do
whatever it takes to protect her—even give his own life.
EXCERPT:
The scrape of a chair reached her ears, then the office door
swung open on Casey’s invitation for Joel to join them for a drink.
She stooped for her camera bag as he replied, “I can stay
for one beer.”
Her heart thudded and a tingle surged through her nerve
ends. Damn it. Where the hell was the line when she needed it?
“All done?” Casey asked as he flipped off the office light.
“Yes. But I’m pretty tired, so I think I’m going to pass on
the bar tonight. Tell the girls I’ll see them tomorrow.”
“Aw, come on, it’s still early.”
She shook her head with an apologetic smile as they stepped
outside. While he locked up, she removed the SD card from her camera and
extended it to Joel without meeting his gaze. “Here. I’ll stop by the station
to pick this up tomorrow.”
Casey gave him a light slap on the back as he walked past. “I'll
see you over there.”
She tracked his progress with a narrowed gaze, then shifted
her attention back to Joel, who hadn’t taken the card yet. The overhead light
cast his face in shadow. Dark stubble on his jaw added to the effect, making it
hard to gauge his mood as he stood next to where Nobel waited patiently at the
hitching rail.
She waggled her hand impatiently. “You want the pictures or not?”
He finally reached for the little card and his fingers
brushed hers, supercharging the tingle of anticipation lingering throughout her
body.
Pulling
her hand away, she funneled her frustration into her words. “I don’t appreciate
you telling Casey to babysit me.”
“You heard that.”
“Of course I heard that. I heard you the first time up at
camp, so what’s the point of saying something to him?”
“Because, while you hear what I say, you don’t seem to
listen very well.” He slipped the media card into the front pocket of his faded
jeans. “I highly suggest you listen
to this: either you follow my rules, or I’ll revoke Highland’s riding access.”
After what she’d seen, she had no intentions of camping
alone until the guy was caught, but his threat caught her off guard. “You
wouldn’t.”
“Try me.”
“That’s blackmail.”
His gaze held steady on hers. “Whatever it takes.”
“Why do you even care? It’s not like we’re friends.” Oh,
God, why couldn’t she just keep her mouth shut?
“My duty is not only to protect the animals in the park, but
people as well.”
So, she was nothing but duty. Great. At least he had no trouble locating the stupid
little imaginary line. She swallowed past the lump forming in her throat and
tried to come up with a reply to show she didn’t give a damn how he categorized
her.
Something shifted in his eyes. Light seemed to collect in
the gold flecks around his irises. They softened—no, heated.
He took a step closer. “You really want to know why we can’t
be friends, Brittany?”
She wanted to say no, but her voice wouldn’t work. Wanted to
back up, but her feet wouldn’t move. His voice had lowered to a sensual,
mesmerizing pitch that held her rooted to the spot while he closed the remaining
distance between them.
“You are frustrating as all hell and drive me nuts.”
Nothing like the truth to break the spell. Now she could
move. Except when she took a step backward, the hitching rail brought her up
short. Next thing she knew, Joel had braced a hand on either side of her,
caging her in the circle of his arms.
“You don’t like me. Fine, I get it.”
“Do you?” he asked softly. “Really?”
She thought she did—until he leaned in as if he was going to
kiss her.
“Yes,” she said quickly, wishing her voice hadn’t come out so
breathless. As if she wanted his mouth on hers. She raised her hands between
them, but hesitated to press her palms against the soft cotton covering his muscled
chest. “The feeling’s mutual, by the way. And I don’t want to be friends anymore,
anyway.”
The barest hint of a smile curved his lips. “Good.”
Then he brought his hands to her face, threaded his fingers
in her hair, and tilted her head for a full-on, passion-infused kiss that
scrambled her brain and left her aching for all of him. Confusion was incinerated
by desire and any thought of resisting went up in smoke.
She wound her arms around his neck, reveling in the hot
glide of his tongue against hers. He lowered one arm to slip beneath her
unzipped jacket and drew her tight against the hard length of his body. Even
with the layers of clothing between them, his heat warmed her to the core. He
smelled like the mountains, and tasted better than her favorite chocolate
dessert. Yes, kissing him was definitely better than dessert.
Their labored breath sounded extraordinarily loud in the
quiet night, joined only by the soft nicker of a horse directly to her left. Nobel. Joel pulled back just enough to
lean his forehead against hers, one hand still cupping the back of her neck. She
opened her eyes to see his were still closed.
“Maybe that wasn’t such a good idea,” he whispered.
For a moment, they simply breathed. Quick, shallow breaths barely
filled her oxygen-starved lungs. Her inhale matched his exhale, moving their
bodies together as one as she contemplated his statement. His grip tightened on
her neck and he dipped down for one last, too-brief taste. This time, when he
pulled away, she lost the heat of his entire body.
All he said before he swung into the saddle was, “Tell Fuller
I changed my mind.”
~*~
“This book grabbed me
from the beginning and I couldn't put it down. I loved Britt and Joel! I loved
the action and the suspense and of course the romance!!” ~ Angie, Amazon
reviewer
**For those who started the Colorado Trust Series in 2011**
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