Liam pulled her against him again. She belonged there, felt so right fitted to him. “He meant for coming back to us. For keeping us a family.”
“That wasn’t difficult, either.” She gave him a smile. “You’re wrong about where I belong, Liam. This is the kind of family I had before my brother died, one of warmth and laughter, of knowing the house was full every night. It’s what I’ve been looking for in the last decade or so, even when I didn’t know it.” Kim looked up at him, her blue eyes full of love. “I belong right here. With you.”
She’d break his heart all right. Or maybe she’d finally heal it. Liam pulled her close, his lips meeting hers.
Damn, kissing the human way was good. How could he have never liked it before?
Because he’d never done it with Kim before.
Kim caught his lower lip between her teeth, and Liam felt the front of his jeans get unbearably tight. He murmured in her ear, “Do you think we can make it upstairs?”
“I’m all for trying.” Her gaze turned sultry. “Besides, they’re shouting so much, they’ll cover up all the noise I plan to make.”
Liam squeezed her, growling. “I love you, woman.”
“Good to know.”
They did make it past the mob and up the stairs. Dylan saw them go, but he only smiled quietly and turned away.
The door closed, the lock locked. Clothes came off, and Liam had Kim naked against him. His heart was whole, his brain clear, and his body melting with desire. Kim’s smile put him over the top.
“Love you, Liam,” she whispered.
“Always,” Liam said brokenly. “I’ll love you forever.”
They had strong, bed-shaking, wet, and sweaty sex that drowned out even the revelry downstairs.
Liam’s brother, nephew, friends, and every member of his clan never let them hear the end of it.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Special thanks go to Theresa A. and Kerrie D., two defense attorneys extraordinaire who answered my many questions in minute detail. They helped me understand how a defense attorney spends her days and what kinds of challenges a female in the field might experience. I am extremely grateful to them for their time and knowledge; any errors in the book are mine. Also many thanks to my editor, Leah, who once again didn’t flinch when I presented her with my idea for a brand-new world. Working with her is always the greatest pleasure.
Praise
CRITICS RAVE FOR USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR JENNIFER ASHLEY!
IMMORTALS: THE RECKONING
“The eighth and final book in this sexy paranormal series, Immortals: The Reckoning, joins all three multi-talented authors Jennifer Ashley, Joy Nash and Robin T. Popp for three riveting stories of super hot heroes and heroines.”
—A Romance Review
IMMORTALS: THE REDEEMING
“Tain’s story is powerful, sensual and extremely exciting. The magical paranormal world created with the Immortal series is phenomenal. Absolutely fabulous!”
—Fresh Fiction
IMMORTALS: THE GATHERING
“With excellent style and passion, she gathers the plot threads and weaves them into a spell-binding climax.”
—RT Book Reviews
IMMORTALS: THE CALLING
“Deftly mixing dangerous adventure, dark magic, and a surfeit of scorching chemistry between her hero and heroine, Ashley creates an addictively readable romance, the first in a marvelously original new paranormal series that is bound to cast its own bewitching spell over readers.”
—Booklist
MORE PRAISE FOR RITA AWARD WINNER JENNIFER ASHLEY!
THE MADNESS OF LORD IAN MACKENZIE
“Mysterious, heartfelt, sensitive and sensual…two big thumbs up.”
—Barbara Vey, Publishers Weekly
HIGHLANDER EVER AFTER
“The always inventive Ashley continues to refine her magic-steeped Regency Nvengaria series, and in this sexy romance, she gets it exactly right.”
—Booklist
THE MAD, BAD DUKE
“Ashley has hit her stride, and her vibrant voice reverberates through a humorous, smart, sexy romance with just enough ingenious paranormal overtones to hook you and keep you captivated. Best of all, you’ll believe in the magic that is true love.”
—RT Book Reviews
PENELOPE & PRINCE CHARMING
“The magic of Ashley’s latest is in not only the spell-binding plotline but also her impressive writing style and engaging characters involved in a grand adventure. This is a very special, highly satisfying read.”
—RT Book Reviews
CONFESSIONS OF A LINGERIE ADDICT
“Confessions of a Lingerie Addict is a truly addicting book; I could not put it down. It has humor, romance, and scenes so HOT that I had to turn on the air conditioner.”
—Romance Junkies
THE CARE & FEEDING OF PIRATES
“Wit combines perfectly with sizzling sensuality and exhilarating adventure…Ashley has fine-tuned the pirate romance with her rapier storytelling talents.”
—RT Book Reviews
THE PIRATE HUNTER
“Readers who relish deliciously tortured heroes and spirited heroines who can give as good as they get will find much to savor in the latest bracing mix of sexy romance and treacherous intrigue from the consistently satisfying Ashley.”
—Booklist
THE PIRATE NEXT DOOR
“A witty and splendidly magical romance.”
—Booklist
PERILS OF THE HEART
“An incredible first novel that has everything a reader could ask for and more with a story so well told, it’s one not to be missed.”
—Romance Reviews Today
Other books by Jennifer Ashley:
A CHRISTMAS BALL (Anthology)
THE MADNESS OF LORD IAN MACKENZIE JUST ONE SIP (Anthology)
CHRISTMAS CARDS FROM THE EDGE (Anthology)
CONFESSIONS OF A LINGERIE ADDICT
PERILS OF THE HEART
The Immortals Series:
THE RECKONING (Anthology)
THE REDEEMING
THE GATHERING
THE CALLING
The Nvengarian Series:
HIGHLANDER EVER AFTER
THE MAD, BAD DUKE
PENELOPE & PRINCE CHARMING
The Pirate Series:
THE CARE & FEEDING OF PIRATES
THE PIRATE HUNTER
THE PIRATE NEXT DOOR
Copyright
A LEISURE BOOK®
February 2010
Published by
Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc.
200 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
Copyright © 2010 by Jennifer Ashley
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.
E-ISBN: 978-1-4285-0803-3
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