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’Tis the season—for love!
Holing up in her isolated cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains is just what Lauren Gaines needs to get over a nasty divorce. But the blizzard that snows her in brings an unexpected surprise: a hunky stranger who shows up on Christmas Eve.
Spending the holidays alone in his North Carolina getaway could be the break high-powered businessman Colton Riley needs from his fast-track life. Until a storm strands him without power…and lands him on the doorstep of his knockout next-door neighbor. Instant attraction leads to a night of sweet lovemaking. Little by little, Colton starts earning Lauren’s fragile trust.
Then life throws him a curve that he never saw coming—one that could cost him a future with the Raleigh beauty. Or will the new year be filled with love’s sweet promise?
“There is no one special in my life,”
he assured her.
She was looking at him suspiciously. “I won’t be a party to some other woman getting hurt over infidelity.”
“Scout’s honor,” he said with a straight face.
She seemed to be satisfied with his answer. “Okay, then. What happens here stays here.”
“Done,” he promised.
“You can’t tell anyone about our hooking up tonight. No one at all.”
“Understood,” he wholeheartedly agreed. “That goes for you, too. Not even your girlfriends.”
“Not even your boys,” she countered.
“Not even your priest,” he said.
“Not even God,” she said with a smile.
“I think He already knows,” said Colton as he backed her against the wall and planted a sensual, bone-melting kiss on her sweet mouth.
Their bodies pressed closer and warmth ensued shortly afterward. By some silent consensus they agreed that this seduction would be slow and deliberate. When they came up for air from that first kiss, their eyes met and they smiled. It was confirmed: they were a good fit.
JANICE SIMS
is the author of twenty-two novels and has had stories included in nine anthologies. She is the recipient of an Emma Award for her novel Desert Heat and two Romance in Color awards: an Award of Excellence for her novel For Keeps and a Best Novella award for her short story in the anthology A Very Special Love. She has been nominated for a Career Achievement Award by RT Book Reviews and her novel Temptation’s Song was nominated for Best Kimani Romance Series in 2010 by RT Book Reviews. A longtime member of Romance Writers of America, she lives in Central Florida with her family.
This Winter Night
Janice Sims
MILLS & BOON
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Dear Reader,
This Winter Night is the first book in a new series. I wondered what effect a domineering mother would have on her five daughters. She believes her influence helped produce an architect, a zoologist, an accountant, a psychotherapist and a helicopter pilot. But was it at the detriment of personal relationships? It will take a special kind of man to reach the hearts of the Gaines sisters. I hope you enjoy Lauren’s story and will look for Desiree’s, Petra’s, Amina’s and Meghan’s stories in the near future.
If, after reading This Winter Night, you’d like to send me a message, you can email me at [email protected] or visit my website, www.janicesims.com. You can also find me on Facebook.
If you’re not online, you can write me at P.O. Box 811, Mascotte, FL 34753-0811.
Best,
Janice Sims
Thanks to my usual support team: Shannon Criss for her editorial expertise; Maria Ribas and the rest of the staff at Harlequin who make writing a pleasure; Sha-Shana Crichton for ensuring I have interesting work to keep me busy; and my family for their love and encouragement.
Contents
Chapter 1
Colton Riley knew a fool when he saw one. At that moment, he happened to be looking at the fool in his rearview mirror. What had he been thinking? He had driven to the Great Smoky Mountains in the midst of winter without first checking a weather report.
It was snowing so aggressively visibility was practically nonexistent. If not for GPS, he would have gotten lost, even though he’d traveled this route many times before.
He put the SUV in Park as he pulled in front of the cabin with its headlights trained on the porch. He hadn’t been there in a long time but he knew there was a spare set of keys somewhere in the car. After a quick search he found them in the glove compartment, zipped his jacket all the way up to his chin and got out of the vehicle.
The fierce north wind whipped snow in his face. The temperature, which had dipped drastically since he’d left Raleigh, North Carolina, for Bryson City, a little town near the Tennessee