A Perfect Stranger

A Perfect Stranger
Jenna Ryan

P.I. Damon Marlowe always found his man–or, in this case, his woman.Tracking down Darcy Nolan at his client's request was a piece of cake for the ex-cop. But there was something about this assignment that didn't sit right with him. When the attractive blonde was attacked, put into danger by his unwitting exposure, Marlowe told himself he had no choice but to flush out her would-be killer. After all, he had compromised the cover of a protected witness to a crime.But was it the guilt that drove him…or a deeper emotion he'd long since buried? Try as he might, Darcy roused feelings he'd rather deny. But for Marlowe, the motive didn't matter. The killer was making his move, and now Darcy was his to protect….

She’d fought the paranoid feeling when she’d entered the house.…

The alarm had been on, and Marlowe had thoroughly searched the place. But when he came back downstairs, she sensed a change in him. He kept his eyes on hers and his expression even.

It fascinated her how a stare could hypnotize her. She couldn’t have dragged her eyes from his if she wanted to. Couldn’t have stopped him from backing her into the corner and bracing his hands on either side of her head.

Good thing she didn’t want to stop any part of this.

Desire balled in her stomach. Hunger clawed through her veins. Heat flowed over her skin. All from a mere touch.

He inclined his head slowly, still holding her gaze, but even when she felt his breath on her lips, he didn’t kiss her. Instead, he wrapped his fingers around her nape and whispered the words she never wanted to hear.

“There’s someone in the house.”

A Perfect Stranger

Jenna Ryan

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

To the seven angels:

Sheena, Maya, Mystique, Salem, Serena,

Mandalay and Scarlett.

Love you all.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jenna Ryan started making up stories before she could read or write. Growing up, romance alone always had a strong appeal, but romantic suspense was the perfect fit. She tried out a number of different careers, including modeling, interior design and travel, but writing has always been her one true love. That and her longtime partner, Rod.

Inspired from book to book by her sister Kathy, she lives in a rural setting fifteen minutes from the city of Victoria, British Columbia. It’s taken a lot of years, but she’s finally slowed the frantic pace and adopted a West Coast mindset. Stay active, stay healthy, keep it simple. Enjoy the ride, enjoy the read. All of that works for her, but what she continues to enjoy most is writing stories she loves. She also loves reader feedback. E-mail her at jacquigoff@shaw.ca (mailto:jacquigoff@shaw.ca) or visit Jenna Ryan on Facebook.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Darcy Nolan— A photojournalist, she was forced to go into hiding after she helped send a drug lord to prison.

Damon Marlowe— The ex-cop turned P.I. has a dark past and no reason to care about the woman he’s just exposed. But he does.

Vince Macos— With his father in prison, has the drug lord’s son sent a killer after Darcy?

Valentino Reade— A Philadelphia cop in desperate need of money.

Elaine Holland— Darcy’s editor wants that big story, and Darcy could be it.

Trace Grogan— Unpopular, untrustworthy and low, he works with and wants Darcy.

Hannah Brewster— She runs a boarding house and has more secrets than people might suspect.

Cristian Turner— Hannah’s nephew arrived in town the day Darcy was first attacked.

John Hancock— The creepy boarding house tenant spends a lot of time watching Darcy.

Contents

Prologue (#u723e2c52-4950-5402-9fd1-e2b07216fa1d)

Chapter One (#u5c6edf84-5552-5e83-ac6e-6c690f2c7bd6)

Chapter Two (#ud57fc30d-304d-5c7b-baea-ed8e32704ab7)

Chapter Three (#u56fb00e9-92e2-57e3-892d-6caa8c12a95d)

Chapter Four (#u499f4b84-5506-5f31-a99d-46157c982253)

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)

Prologue