Just for Today...

Just for Today...
Emmie Dark

Jess Alexander doesn’t have one-night stands with the best man at a co-worker’s wedding.But thirty-five-year-old divorcée Jess is definitely in a rut that a night of reckless passion with a younger man might just break. And what better candidate than criminally good looking Sean Paterson? Being with Sean is exhilarating. And it’s clear that just one night isn’t nearly enough…for either of them.But where could this relationship possibly go? Expecting anything more than a good time from Sean is a one way ticket to heartbreak. Despite her better judgement, Jess can’t walk away from whatever this is…not yet.

She’s not that kind of girl!

Veterinarian Jess Alexander doesn’t have one-night stands with the best man at a coworker’s wedding. But thirtysomething divorcée Jess is definitely in a rut that a night of reckless passion with a younger man just might break. And what better candidate than criminally good-looking Sean Paterson?

Being with Sean is exhilarating. But where could this relationship possibly go? Expecting anything more than a good time from Sean is a one-way ticket to heartbreak. Against her better judgment, Jess can’t walk away from whatever this is…not yet.

“You want to go on a date?”

“Sure, why not?” Sean gave Jess a gentle shove on the arm. “I get company and you get a chance to remember what it’s like to be dating. Kind of a practice run. Courage, remember, Jess?”

“Oh, well, but…I couldn’t…” she stumbled. Her fingers went to her mouth and she bit a fingernail before seeming to realize what she was doing and clasping her hands firmly in her lap.

“Come on, what are you scared of?”

“I’m not scared.”

Suddenly, Sean saw his chance. “Bo-oo-ok, bok, bok.” He did his best chicken imitation, complete with flapping elbows.

Jess rolled her eyes in an expression he was now familiar with.

“I’m not scared,” she repeated.

Sean did a few more “boks” for good measure.

She shook her head and smiled. “You’re being stupid.”

“I’m not the only one.”

Dear Reader,

I hope you enjoy reading this book half as much I enjoyed writing it! There was so much fun research involved.

To start with, a very friendly and helpful neighborhood vet kindly assisted me with some of the veterinary details to help me make Jess’s world feel real. As did many of my dog-loving friends, who took delight in sharing their pets’ tales of misadventure. I have to say researching the world of injured dogs and dog shelters was less fun (and occasionally tear-inducing), but there were many positive, wonderful happy endings there, too.

Building Sean’s world was a little like stepping into a parallel dimension—one I’m very glad to have discovered. It wasn’t exactly hard work, going to conventions and playing on Twitter to see how Sean might interact with his fans and build his following. And once again I met some lovely people, willing to share their passions and experiences. But I do have to admit, it wasn’t like I really needed to do much research: I’ve soaked up plenty of fan-style experience in my years as an eager fan girl of all sorts of things from pop music to TV shows. It’s great fun being a fan of something and part of the community it generates.

Jess and Sean are at very different stages in their lives when they meet, but they’re both in need of something only the other can give them. I hope you like the journey they go through that involves dogs, Twitter, comic books, cosplay and one very red vintage muscle car called Desdemona.

I’d love to hear from you. Visit me at www.emmiedark.com (http://www.emmiedark.com).

Cheers,

Emmie Dark

Just for Today…

Emmie Dark

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

After years of writing press releases, employee news-letters and speeches for CEOs and politicians—none of which included any kind of kissing—Emmie Dark finally took to her laptop to write what she wanted to write. She was both amazed and delighted to discover that what came out were sexy, noble heroes who found themselves crossing paths with strong, but perhaps slightly damaged, heroines. And plenty of kissing. Emmie lives in Melbourne, Australia, and she likes red lipstick, chardonnay, sunshine, driving fast, rose-scented soap and a really good cup of tea.

To my wonderfully loving, encouraging and patient family: Mum, Dad, Chris and Georgina, and Neil, Kerryn, Steve, Gemma, Stephanie, Michelle, Nick and Oliver. Love you all.

Contents

Chapter One (#u7734dcfe-f8ba-53cc-b0af-7848e77ecd8e)

Chapter Two (#u931fdbc9-09c5-5b10-84ea-51f6bfc443fb)

Chapter Three (#u99b2c7ed-f5de-54ef-97bf-ff00095a5cf0)

Chapter Four (#u00f97749-7795-5816-9347-d79f88a9f0fc)

Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eighteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)