Sean

Sean
Donna Kauffman

Judge Laurel Patrick blamed it on the lush island paradise of St. Thomas.Why else would she make love to a virtual stranger? Laurel wanted Sean Gannon as much as he wanted her. The chemistry was irresistibly powerful, their passion intense. Then reality unexpectedly intruded on Laurel, forcing her to leave the island–without a chance to explain to Sean…or even say goodbye.Sean's gut instinct as a U.S. marshal is telling him something isn't right. Once back in the States, he confronts Laurel–and sees the hunted look in her eyes, the fear she can't hide. Sean ignores Laurel's attempts to protect him by pushing him away. The woman he loves is in danger, and he isn't going anywhere….

“We haven’t done the talking part yet,” Sean said

“We will…” Laurel rose up on her toes, took his face in her hands and kissed him. No gentle peck, no teasing come-on. She flat out kissed him. A heartbeat later he was kissing her back.

Sean pushed his hips against hers. “Damn, I still don’t even know you.”

“I don’t know you, either. So explain why this feels like one of the rightest things I’ve ever done.” Laurel laughed a little. “God, I hope I don’t feel like an idiot for saying that come morning.”

Sean leaned in and kissed her, only gently this time. “I don’t want any regrets,” he murmured. Although he already knew he’d have a boatload. Not for making love to her. No, never. He was going to regret not having more time with her here on the island. Time to get past making love…and falling into it.

Dear Reader,

I was thrilled to hear that the Men of Courage anthology was so well received that our editors wanted each of us to write a spin-off story. Brett, my hero from “Buried!,” has a great set of siblings that I was dying to write about. But none so much as his older brother, U.S. marshal Sean Gannon. Of course, given Sean’s dedication to job and country, he’d probably have preferred me to leave him alone. All the more reason to complicate things for him!

So I put a damsel in distress directly in his path, one he wasn’t going to be able to walk away from. The problem? Laurel Patrick is the type of woman who prefers to solve her own problems, thank you. Did I mention she was a district court judge? Sean suspects she’s in more trouble than she can handle…and he’s not backing off. Sparks fly, pulses pound, passion flares. All the ingredients I love best!

I hope you enjoy Sean and Laurel’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Happy reading,

Donna Kauffman

Books by Donna Kauffman

HARLEQUIN TEMPTATION

828—WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

846—HEAT OF THE NIGHT

874—CARRIED AWAY

HARLEQUIN BLAZE

18—HER SECRET THRILL

46—HIS PRIVATE PLEASURE

69—AGAINST THE ODDS

Sean

Donna Kauffman

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

This book is for Mark, Mitch, Spence & Brandon

My own personal heroes.

Contents

Chapter 1 (#ude9b52d2-7cf3-590e-be10-e2b7b62e9180)

Chapter 2 (#u22aabc8a-1198-5513-ae82-fbac6441e3fa)

Chapter 3 (#u5abe501a-d603-58c0-ad93-b08d8460c76e)

Chapter 4 (#u68bf2de4-c00c-5d02-b52e-ba117462181b)

Chapter 5 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 6 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 7 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 8 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 9 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 10 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 11 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 12 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 13 (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 14 (#litres_trial_promo)

1

“WHO’D HAVE THOUGHT I’d be the first one of the Gannon men to tie the knot, eh?” Brett Gannon slung an arm around his older brother’s shoulders and tipped back the last of a beer.

Sean grinned and finished his beer in one long pull. “Well, Clay is too busy dating his way through the University of Louisiana’s cheerleading squad. And I knew it wasn’t going to be me.”

“Yeah, you’re already married. How is the Marshals Service treating you anyway?” he teased. “Still exciting as those early days, when the romance was fresh? Can we expect the pitter-patter of little agents’ feet anytime soon?”

Sean just grinned. “Yep, just as soon as I get through with my next class out at Beauregard. I’m sure my recruits are all going to make me very proud.” His grin widened. “Or die trying.”

Brett winced. “Glad I don’t have to impress you.”

Sean looked across the yard at Haley, at how happy she was. “You already have,” he said quite seriously. He grinned when Brett gave him a surprised look. “But I will admit I thought you’d play a much wider field first.”

Brett shot him his trademark cheeky grin. “In the end, it’s just more green grass.”