Caught in the Act

Caught in the Act
Lori Foster

Mick Dawson, undercover cop.He's got his hands full with a pushy broad who claims she's just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Except all the perps seem to know everything there is to know about her. Who're you going to believe? Only one way to find out. Get real close.Del Piper, mystery writer.She's as confused as he is, but mostly because he's got the sweetest smile, when he smiles. Still, he's sticking with her twenty-four/seven–is this love or duty? Is he her protector or her captor?

“Why do you do this crazy stuff, Delilah?” Mick demanded.

Del tightened her hands on the edge of the counter. “The media claims I do it because I like writing about heroes, about guys who can win against all odds, and setting myself up as a heroine.”

“Are you?”

“No.” It was difficult to think with him so close. “And look who’s talking! A man who deliberately takes a bullet in the back for a stranger.”

His eyes, when they met hers, were dark, intense. “I couldn’t bear the thought of that bullet hurting your soft skin,” he whispered. He pressed his face into her throat and held her in a tender, possessive way that made her heart rap hard.

“I don’t need you to protect me,” she said.

“Tough. We’ve forged a bond, you and I.” Tangling his hand in her hair, he tipped her head back.

“What does that mean?” She found it hard to breathe with him watching her as if he could see her soul.

“It means you’re mine now.”

Dear Reader,

When Mick Dawson first appeared in Beguiled, he was a sixteen-year-old stud with a grown-up’s sense of responsibility and a heart begging for love. I loved him, and many of you must have, too, based on the number of letters I received asking for Mick’s story.

Now, in Caught in the Act, Mick is all grown up, still very much a stud and, yep, he’s still looking for love, whether he realizes it or not. Of course, I had just the right woman for him! Between me and Mick’s two friends Zack and Josh (pretty hunky heroes themselves), we gave Mick everything he deserved—and more. Poor Mick didn’t stand a chance.

I hope you enjoy reading Caught in the Act as much as I enjoyed writing it.

And be sure to check back next month for Treat Her Right, Zack’s story, Harlequin Temptation #852, and then again in November to see what Josh has gotten into in Mr. November, Harelquin Temptation #856.

Happy reading!

Lori Foster

Caught in the Act

Lori Foster

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

I want to give a very special thanks to

Officer LaDon Laney,

who exemplifies the types of heroes I enjoy writing about.

While helping me with my research, Officer Laney

spoke of his family, his community, his co-workers

and his job with admirable love and respect.

His help was invaluable to me.

And to Kathy McCutter for medical assistance,

and Lynda Sue Cooper for answering “cop” questions.

You’re all wonderful!

Contents

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER ONE

RAIN DRUBBED THE WINDOW sluggishly, but Mick Dawson could still see out, still see all the different people milling around with colorful umbrellas and hats. He was so intent on watching for her he listened to the conversation with only half an ear. But then, half an ear was the most required when his friends got started on that particular topic.

“See that gorgeous blonde?” Josh Marshall said, deliberately baiting as usual. “The one who just came in? She’s wearing a push-up bra.”

“Is that right?” Zack Grange kept his tone dry. “How can you tell?”