crime lab to meet Lieutenant Diarmid Redwolf while researching her next book. She’s lusted after “Delicious Diarmid” from afar for a long time, but meeting him sets her body on fire. It doesn’t take long for Mikaela to discover there’s more to Diarmid than meets the eye.
Diarmid has bad guys to catch, but meeting the voluptuous author has him wanting to catch her instead. His shapeshifter blood recognizes his True Mate and he wants her in his arms. Now. But with a cold-blooded serial killer on the loose, Diarmid has one shot at his future and he will not fail. Because this time, the killer wants Mikaela.
Previously Published. Revised and updated.
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An Excerpt From: PROTECT AND DEFEND
Copyright © FRANCESCA HAWLEY, 2009, 2017
All Rights Reserved, Francesca Hawley Romance
“I am perfectly capable of getting out of a vehicle myself.”
“Indulge me.” Diarmid grabbed his garbage, shoving the SUV door open.
He stalked around the vehicle where Miki waited for him. She didn’t know why she waited, but she did. He opened her door and lifted her to the ground. He grabbed her garbage along with his and she moved out of the way so he could close the door. He stopped at the back of the SUV to grab his kit then headed for the front entrance. Miki ran to keep up as he crossed the street. He slowed to accommodate her shorter legs and from that moment on, she didn’t have to run anymore.
“Sorry,” he muttered.
“No problem.” She glanced at his kit. “You weren’t kidding about keeping it stocked were you?”
“No, Mikaela, I wasn’t.” Diarmid raised a red-gold brow at her as his lips twisted into a wicked smile. “I keep my weapon clean and ready for use whenever it’s needed too. You’re welcome to inspect it at length if you’d like.”
Miki blushed a fiery red from his suggestive banter, almost tripping up the stairs as they climbed the steps to the entrance.
“Yeah. Um… Right. I’ll take your word for it, Diarmid.” Miki could almost visualize his weapon ready for use and had to look away when he chuckled at her as he pulled open the entry door to allow her to precede him.
“Too bad. I was looking forward to showing it to you.”
His gravelly voice sent chills down her spine making her clit throb in response. Damn him, he was enjoying this. She stopped to slug him in the shoulder before breezing past him through the doors. His laughter echoed behind her.
Half a dozen cops stared at her as if she had two heads when Diarmid followed her inside. He tossed the garbage into a trash can, motioning her toward the elevators. Miki sucked down the last of her shake and threw it away. She glanced around the lobby. Miki had the impression the cops in view wondered how she was still alive after whacking him. She raised her brows at one or two of them. They looked away, pretending they had other business to conduct. She shook her head.
“Do they think you’re a god or something?” Miki asked curiously after the elevator doors closed behind them.
“No, but I do outrank them.”
“Your rank wasn’t the reason they looked at me like I’d just taken my life in my hands by smacking you, though I think you will admit you deserved it.”
Miki turned to him. Diarmid pressed the stop button, set his kit on the floor and stalked her into the corner of the elevator.
“All I did was offer to let you inspect my weapon.”
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