“Describe This Dream Lover,”
Duke said, teasing himself with the idea of her voice painting sensual images.
Cami smiled widely and closed her eyes. “This man of mine is a white knight of old. He’s fought hard in battle and lost everything dear to him, but he craves ties to the land and the future. He sees me in his future. He sees past my surface to the passionate woman underneath. The woman I’ve always longed to be. He unlocks me from my slumber as surely as Prince Charming awakened Sleeping Beauty with one pure kiss.”
Duke stared down at Cami. Her eyes were closed, her head tipped back and her body pressed to his. He realized she must be a virgin. Only a woman who’d never shared her body with a man would expect a pure kiss to awaken her desire. Only a woman as sweet as Cami would share the fantasy of her soul with him. And it moved him.
But could it move him to marriage…?
Dear Reader,
Welcome to Silhouette Desire, the ultimate treat for Valentine’s Day—we promise you will find six passionate, powerful and provocative romances every month! And here’s what you can indulge yourself with this February….
The fabulous Peggy Moreland brings you February’s MAN OF THE MONTH, The Way to a Rancher’s Heart. You’ll be enticed by this gruff widowed rancher who must let down his guard for the sake of a younger woman.
The exciting Desire miniseries TEXAS CATTLEMAN’S CLUB: LONE STAR JEWELS continues with World’s Most Eligible Texan by Sara Orwig. A world-weary diplomat finds love—and fatherhood—after making a Plain Jane schoolteacher pregnant with his child.
Kathryn Jensen’s The American Earl is an office romance featuring the son of a British earl who falls for his American employee. In Overnight Cinderella by Katherine Garbera, an ugly-duckling heroine transforms herself into a swan to win the love of an alpha male. Kate Little tells the story of a wealthy bachelor captivated by the woman he was trying to protect his younger brother from in The Millionaire Takes a Bride. And Kristi Gold offers His Sheltering Arms, in which a macho ex-cop finds love with the woman he protects.
Make this Valentine’s Day extra-special by spoiling yourself with all six of these alluring Desire titles!
Enjoy!
Joan Marlow Golan
Senior Editor, Silhouette Desire
Overnight Cinderella
Katherine Garbera
KATHERINE GARBERA
wrote her first novel to prove to herself she could do it, and was hooked on writing. Exploring the nuances of the male/female relationship fascinates her, and she loves developing characters who have to stretch and grow. She is a past recipient of the Georgia Romance Writers’ Maggie Award and a member of Romance Writers of America. When she is not writing, Katherine spends her time with her husband of ten years and their two children. She loves to hear from her readers; you can write to her at P.O. Box 1806, Davenport, FL 33836.
For Danielle Smith and Linda Beardsley. Thanks for the
shared laughter, love, memories, clothes and opinions. The best part of growing up was having you both as my sisters. I’m so glad I wasn’t an only child!
Acknowledgments:
Thanks to Jennifer Nauss, who helped me find the gold
in the dross even when it was buried very deep! I’d also like to thank all of the different critique partners I’ve had since I started writing. Each of you has given me something as different and unique as you are. You have my sincere appreciation, since I know I do not produce very clean copy. Sue Weldon, Ruth Owen, Freddie Martin, Mary Louise Wells and Mary Jane Carroll.
Lastly, I want to thank my husband for his unending
support and my kids for being so excited whenever Mommy sells a book—even though they don’t know what that means.
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
Epilogue
One
“Hold the elevator,” a soft feminine voice called.
Duke Merchon reached out and blocked the doors from closing. The woman who entered was short, not even clearing his breastbone. Her dress, a busy print of colors and shapes, hung loosely on her frame. Intelligent brown eyes glanced up at him from behind a pair of horn-rims. Though there was nothing spectacular about her, she radiated frenetic energy.
“Thanks.” She flashed him a quirky grin. “I’m late as it is and since I’m on my way to meet with the big cheese, I didn’t think I should wait for the next elevator.”
“Floor?”
“Fourteen, please.”
Duke leaned against the back wall and watched as she worked the crowded elevator. In spite of the smothering Atlanta heat, she smiled at everyone and made breezy small talk. He found himself thinking of an ice-cream cone on a stifling summer’s day.
Slowly the elevator emptied until only the two of them remained. On ten, the doors closed but the car didn’t move. Duke waited. One of the tasks of his team was to ensure the safety of the inhabitants of the executive level. While his security force didn’t monitor the elevators constantly, they made sure company policies were observed whenever they rode in them.
“Aren’t you getting off here?” she asked, switching her leather case to her right hand.
“No, my office is on twelve.”
She smiled and tilted her head to one side. “I’m going to have to trust you.”
She then leaned forward and punched in the code to access the upper levels. How could she trust him? he wondered. They’d only just met. In fact, as head of security he ought to have her hauled in for interrogation. He hit the stop button.
“Sir?”
“Miss, there’s a company policy against entering the code to reach the upper levels without identifying the people traveling in the car.”
“Cami Jones, normally research librarian but for the next three months, event coordinator.”
Her name was vaguely familiar; they’d be working together soon. He wanted to smile at the way she’d said it. As if she were uncomfortable with her new role. “Duke Merchon, vice president of security.”
“Oh, no.”
“Oh, yes.”
With great drama she dropped her leather case and offered up her wrists to him. “Cart me away.”
He bit the inside of his lip to keep from laughing. Something about this woman made him want to smile. But smiling invited friendliness and friendliness led to connections and bonds. And bonds led to tragedy. He