by Dawn Ryder
“You don’t want anything different.” Thais reached up and pressed her own hand over her lips. She was letting her feelings out.
She mustn’t.
“You,” he rasped out, “are something I’d tried very hard not to think about.”
The common ground between them was strangely alluring. Like a haven she might enter if she was willing to take the risk.
Don’t kid yourself … he’s not the sort of man a girl domesticates … he will always roam …
“Ye’re hiding behind your badge, Thais,” he muttered, his voice dipping down into a timbre that touched off a shiver inside her. “Label me as ye will but I’m more honest than you are.”
Dunn pushed back, moving several paces away from her. “I want more from this relationship than professional interaction.” His eyes flashed with hunger. “Much, much more. But I’m not going to overwhelm you. It’s partners with full knowledge of what we’re getting into or nothing.”
He meant it.
And loathed it as much as she did.
Thais watched his jaw clamp tight with frustration before he turned and gave her a view of his back while he left the suite. She stayed against the wall for a long moment, needing the support as she ordered herself to stay where she was.
It was the last thing she truly wanted.
Also by Dawn Ryder
Dangerous to Know
Dare You to Run
Deep Into Trouble
Take to the Limit
“Sexy, rugged, and explosive, the Unbroken Heroes series is a scorching hot read. If you like your alphas hard and hot look no further than Dawn Ryder!”
—#1 New York Times bestselling author Lora Leigh
“Action-packed, steamy and intense!”
—Fresh Fiction on Take to the Limit
“Sensual, hot and good amount of humor, Ryder tells a tale with heart pounding suspense, a swoon worthy romance.” —Tome Tender on Take to the Limit
“Sexy and provocative.”
—Publishers Weekly on Deep Into Trouble
“An engaging and enthralling tale … captivating and compelling … Dare You To Run is a passionate and impressive addition to Dawn Ryder’s Unbroken Heroes; a must-read for fans of romantic suspense and military heroes.” —The Reading Cafe on Dare You to Run
“A heart-stopping roller-coaster ride.”
—Publishers Weekly on Dangerous to Know
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dawn Ryder is the contemporary romance pen name of a bestselling author of historical romances—her official naughty inner child. She is commercially published in mass market and trade paper, and digi-first published with trade paper releases. She is hugely committed to her career as an author, as well as to other authors and to her readership. She lives in Southern California. Visit her online at www.dawnryder.com, or sign up for email updates here.
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CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Excerpt: Don’t Look Back
Also by Dawn Ryder
Praise for Dawn Ryder
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
CLOSE TO THE EDGE
Copyright © 2018 by Dawn Ryder.
Excerpt from Don’t Look Back Copyright © 2018 by Dawn Ryder.
Jacket photograph: man © Ysbrand Cosijn/Fotolia
All rights reserved.
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eISBN: 978-1-250-13273-4
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St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / March 2018
St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.