Surprise Partners

Surprise Partners
GINA WILKINS

COURTSHIP OF CONVENIENCEThey were neighbors. Friends. Acquaintances, actually. And about all shy, intense Lydia McKinley and smooth, ambitious Scott Pearson had in common was zero tolerance for romance–and two matchmaking sisters bombarding them with blind dates. Still, why not join forces to outmaneuver their siblings?The strategy? Don protective camouflage. Pose as sweethearts at social occasions. A hug here, a kiss there, and they'd barricade themselves against a barrage of misguided matchmaking. But who knew their casual contact would trigger such explosive embraces? That their convenient courtship would plunge them headlong into a minefield of most convenient desire?

“I want you, Lydia.”

Knowing Scott felt that way had been disconcerting enough; hearing him actually say the words staggered Lydia. “Scott—”

“You need time,” he said.

She needed time. She needed distance. She needed perspective. God help her, she needed him.

Lydia nodded. “I have to think about this,” she whispered. “Before it goes any further—I have to think.”

“I know. You aren’t comfortable acting on impulse. You have to decide first if the benefits are worth the risks. I can wait until you’ve come up with the answer, but I hope you’ll decide to give it a try,” Scott said.

It shook her even more that he seemed to understand her so well. And that he seemed to be making no effort to change what he knew about her. She was more accustomed to impatience and frustration from men who had wanted her before. Which made Scott all the more difficult to resist….

Dear Reader,

With spring in the air, there’s no better way to herald the season and continue to celebrate Silhouette’s 20th Anniversary year than with an exhilarating month of romance from Special Edition!

Kicking off a great lineup is Beginning with Baby, a heartwarming THAT’S MY BABY! story by rising star Christie Ridgway. Longtime Special Edition favorite Susan Mallery turns up the heat in The Sheik’s Kidnapped Bride, the first book in her new DESERT ROGUES series. And popular author Laurie Paige wraps up the SO MANY BABIES miniseries with Make Way for Babies!, a poignant reunion romance in which a set of newborn twins unwittingly plays Cupid!

Beloved author Gina Wilkins weaves a sensuous modern love story about two career-minded people who are unexpectedly swept away by desire in Surprise Partners. In Her Wildest Wedding Dreams from veteran author Celeste Hamilton, a sheltered woman finds the passion of a lifetime in a rugged rancher’s arms. And finally, Carol Finch brings every woman’s fantasy to life with an irresistible millionaire hero in her compelling novel Soul Mates.

It’s a gripping month of reading in Special Edition. Enjoy!

All the best,

Karen Taylor Richman

Senior Editor

Surprise Partners

Gina Wilkins

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

For Courtney, my own microbiologist. Thanks for the help. And for Kerry and David, who help out in their own ways.

Books by Gina Wilkins

Silhouette Special Edition

The Father Next Door #1082

* (#litres_trial_promo) It Could Happen To You #1119

Valentine Baby #1153

† (#litres_trial_promo) Her Very Own Family #1243

† (#litres_trial_promo) That First Special Kiss #1269

Surprise Partners #1318

Previously published as Gina Ferris

Silhouette Special Edition

Healing Sympathy #496

Lady Beware #549

In from the Rain #677

Prodigal Father #711

§ (#litres_trial_promo) Full of Grace #793

§ (#litres_trial_promo) Hardworking Man #806

§ (#litres_trial_promo) Fair and Wise #819

§ (#litres_trial_promo) Far To Go #862

§ (#litres_trial_promo) Loving and Giving #879

Babies on Board #913

Previously published as Gina Ferris Wilkins

Silhouette Special Edition

‡ (#litres_trial_promo) A Man for Mom #955

‡ (#litres_trial_promo) A Match for Celia #967

‡ (#litres_trial_promo) A Home for Adam #980

‡ (#litres_trial_promo) Cody’s Fiancée #1006

Silhouette Books

Mother’s Day Collection 1995

Three Mothers and a Cradle