Good Girls Don't

Good Girls Don't
Victoria Dahl

Too much of a good thing… With her long ponytail and sparkling green eyes, Tessa Donovan looks more like the girl next door than a businesswoman – or a heartbreaker. Which may explain why Detective Luke Asher barely notices her when he arrives to investigate a break-in at her family’s brewery. He’s got his own problems – starting with the fact that his partner Simone is pregnant and everyone thinks he's the father.Tessa has her hands full, too. Her brother’s playboy ways may be threatening the business, and the tension could tear her tight-knit family apart. In fact, the only thing that could unite the Donovan boys is seeing a man come after their “baby” sister. Especially a man like Luke Asher. But Tessa sees past the rumors to the man beneath. He’s not who people think he is – and neither is she.

Praise for novels ofUSA TODAYbestselling author

VICTORIA

DAHL

‘Dahl smartly wraps up a winning tale full of endearing oddballs, light mystery and plenty of innuendo and passion.’

—Publishers Weekly on Talk Me Down

‘Sassy and smokingly sexy, Talk Me Down is one delicious joyride of a book.’

—New York Times bestselling author Connie Brockway

‘Sparkling, special and oh so sexy—Victoria Dahl is a special treat!’

—New York Times bestselling author Carly Phillips on Talk Me Down

‘Lead Me On will have you begging for a re-read even as the story ends.’

—Romance Junkies

‘[A] hands-down winner, a sensual story filled with memorable characters.’

—Booklist on Start Me Up

‘Dahl has spun a scorching tale about what can happen in the blink of an eye and what we can do to change our lives.’

—RT Book Reviews, 4 stars, on Start Me Up

Also available fromVictoria Dahl

CRAZY FOR LOVE

LEAD ME ON

START ME UP

TALK ME DOWN

And watch for more titles coming soon!

BAD BOYS DO

REAL MEN WILL

Good Girls Don’t

Victoria Dahl

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

This book is for Anne and RaeAnne,

because I couldn’t have written it without them.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

There are a great number of people who contribute to the well-being of this author during the course of a book. My family, of course, who makes sacrifices for the sake of romance every day. Thanks for loving me no matter what. My agent, Amy, who’s always on my side. And my editor, Tara, who performs gracefully under huge amounts of pressure, along with the whole team at MIRA. Thank you.

As always, Jennifer Echols was there for me as a true friend, a cheerleader and a stern taskmaster. She is a constant in my life and I couldn’t do this without her.

I also want to thank the wonderful women of the Peeners, who provide advice, support and filthy jokes, as needed.

RaeAnne Thayne and Nicole Jordan are the greatest brainstorming partners in the world and, without them, this series would still be ten lines scribbled in a notebook. Thank you.

Of course, the whole basis of this book is balanced upon the wonderful inspiration of micro-breweries everywhere. You taught me how to like beer and I love you.

Most importantly, thank you to my readers. You are my inspiration and you make it all worthwhile.

And one last special thank you to all my wonderful new friends on Twitter. You kept me company while I wrote this book, although you failed spectacularly at keeping me on track.

CHAPTER ONE

TESSA DONOVAN STARED across the parking lot of Donovan Brothers Brewery, mesmerized by the flashes and swirls of blue and red across the gray brick of the building. She couldn’t help but stare. The police lights were so at odds with the birdsong and pale sunlight of the early-morning hour.

Her brother Jamie stood between the two cop cars parked at haphazard angles near the back door. He wore a dazed expression, probably because he’d never met an early morning willingly.

She stalked across the parking lot and grabbed her brother by the collar of his rumpled T-shirt.

“Hey!” he protested.

Tessa pulled him closer, tugging him down until they were nose to nose. “James Francis Donovan,” she whispered, “what have you done?”

“What are you talking about?” Jamie asked, sounding just outraged enough that Tessa almost believed him for a second. But only for a second.

She twisted his collar tighter. “Spill it.”

“Come on, Tessa.” He yanked away from her grip and waved an angry hand at the police cars. “You’re not accusing me of having something to do with the robbery, I hope? I set the alarm, I locked the doors. This is not my fault.”

Tessa ran a suspicious eye down her brother’s body. He looked like he always did. Tall and handsome and laid-back. His jeans were worn out by a thousand washings, his T-shirt faded to cloudy gray. His light brown hair was sleep-tousled, but that was nothing new. Unfortunately, neither was the guilty shift of his eyes when she looked into them.

“Damn it, Jamie.”

“Tessa—”