by Jane Graves
Sometimes he cocked his head and narrowed his eyes and looked at Bernie when she wasn’t aware he was doing it, just to see if there was an actual woman in there somewhere. Occasionally he got a glimpse of one, but it was like seeing something fleeting on the periphery of his vision that was there one second and gone the next.
He wondered what she did with all the money she made working for him, because it sure didn’t go toward nice clothes or a decent apartment. She wore discount-store clothes and lived in a mediocre complex in east Plano full of questionable people. Not that it wasn’t safe for Bernie. Somebody would have to have a death wish to mess with her. Aside from paying somebody to hack into her bank account or personal email, Jeremy didn’t have any way of finding out much more, and hell would freeze over before she offered any personal information of her own accord.
Her professional history, though, was a different story. He might show the world a cavalier attitude, but he never hired anyone without vetting that person from top to bottom. As bodyguards went, Bernie was the best of the best. Ex-military, she was a top-notch marksman and a martial arts expert. She had observational skills out the wazoo. And Jeremy had no doubt she could be lethal if the situation ever warranted it.
Still, she was a woman, and every once in a while he imagined what would happen if he sent her for a day at one of those stupidly expensive spas, then took her to Neiman’s and sprang for the works. Just for fun. Just to see the result. Of course, if he ever actually suggested such a thing, he’d probably end up as one more notch on her Q-Tip.
“I’m heading for the bar,” Jeremy said. “Can I interest you in a glass of outrageously expensive champagne? I have to recoup my twelve thousand somehow.”
“You know I don’t drink on the job.”
“Do you drink ever? Or smoke, or park illegally, or spit gum on the sidewalk? What do you do for fun, anyway?”
“I am having fun,” she deadpanned. “Can’t you tell?”
“Lighten up, Bernie. This is friendly territory. Not much chance of a kidnapping attempt around here.”
Bernie’s laserlike eyes zeroed in on something across the room. “I’m not so sure about that.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Do you know that woman?” Bernie asked. “The one by the buffet table in the silver sequined skirt up to her ass?”
Jeremy turned to look at the woman in question, who turned out to be the same women he’d seen as he was coming into the hotel. She was indeed showing a few more inches of thigh than the average woman here tonight. Bernie didn’t seem to approve, but—funny thing—he didn’t object in the least.
Did he know her? No. Was he going to get to know her? Absolutely. Before this evening was out, he intended to get to know her very, very well.
“Never seen her before tonight,” he said.
“I have. A couple of times in the past few days. She may be following you. She was outside the gates to your house two days ago, and on the street in front of Rodolpho’s yesterday when you were having lunch with Phil Brandenberg. And she’s barely taken her eyes off you tonight.”
Jeremy smiled. “Ah, women… they just can’t seem to control themselves around me, can they?”
“There is a chance she’s just a groupie. She probably saw the article they did on you in Dallas After Dark and she’s hoping to snag a handsome millionaire.”
“So you think I’m handsome, do you?”
“I’m just quoting the article.”
“Well, if it’s in print, it must be true.”
“Right. Dallas After Dark. Journalism at its finest.” Bernie continued to eye the girl, then shook her head grimly. “There’s something fishy about her. She doesn’t belong here. She’s dressed too slutty. And she’s standing alone.”
“Maybe you’re right,” Jeremy said. “Maybe I should check her out. Get closer to her. Infiltrate her evil plot.”
“You’re not taking this seriously.”
“Now, that’s where you’re wrong. I’m very, very serious about taking her home with me.” He glanced back at the woman. “And look at that. I don’t even have to go on the hunt. The prey is coming to me.”
Contents
Front Cover Image
Welcome
Dedication
Preview Black Ties and Lullabies
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
The Dish
About the Author
Books by Jane Graves
Buckle up for Sexy Fun with Hot Wheels and High Heels
Copyright
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jane Graves began writing stories at the age of five, and she hasn’t stopped since. She’s a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, where she earned a B.A. in Journalism in the Professional Writing program. The author of fifteen novels, Jane is a six-time finalist for Romance Writers of America’s Rita Award, the industry’s highest honor, and is the recipient of two National Readers’ Choice Awards, the Booksellers’ Best Award, and the Golden Quill. She lives in Texas with her daughter and her husband of twenty-five years.
You can visit Jane’s website at www.janegraves.com, or write to her at [email protected]. She’d love to hear from you!
BOOKS BY JANE GRAVES
Hot Wheels and High Heels
Tall Tales and Wedding Veils
Black Ties and Lullabies
BUCKLE UP FOR SEXY FUN WITH HOT WHEELS AND HIGH HEELS
“A delightful, funny read with a unique twist as a former trophy wife discovers herself, and true love, in the most unexpected place. A total winner!”
—Susan Mallery, USA Today bestselling author of The Marcelli Princess
“Jane Graves is a pro at blending romance and comedy . . .
Hot Wheels and High Heels is a delightful story packed with heated romantic tension, colorful characters, and a fast-paced story line that keeps the reader hooked.”
—RoundtableReviews.com
“Absolutely hilarious! . . . Jane Graves has done an outstanding job with this book.”
—RomanceReaderatHeart.com
“An interesting and fun novel with plenty of fascinating characters, this story starts fast and doesn’t lose momentum.”
—Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine
“Hot Wheels and High Heels draws you in, then blasts off! Fasten your seatbelt for a fun, rollicking ride!”
—Stephanie Bond, author of the Body Movers series
“[Jane] Graves writes with charming wit. Her characters make you smile and the situations her heroine, Darcy, faces will make you howl with laughter . . . an entertaining and delightful read.”
—Armchairinterviews.com
“Funny as can be and I had a blast reading it . . . it’s on my short list of best romances for 2007 . . . a delight in any season.”
—AllAboutRomance.com
“This book is . . . a woman’s self-discovery while she learns what’s really important in the world. The author does a fantastic job at her characterization of Darcy . . . hilarious . . .
The last page of this book was turned with a true sense of contentment.”
—ARomanceReview.com
“Fans will enjoy the antics of the high-heeled Darcy as she sasses her way into the heart of stark loner John who, though he knows she is not his style, loves her spunk; so will readers.”
&n
bsp; —Midwest Book Review
Copyright
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Copyright © 2008 by Jane Graves
Black Ties and Lullabies copyright © 2011 by Jane Graves.
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
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First eBook Edition: June 2008
ISBN: 978-0-446-53779-7