Run Rabbit Run

by Kate Johnson

  ‘And landed on a bullet?’

  ‘You think you’re the only one running around getting shot at?’ he said mulishly.

  ‘What happened?’

  ‘Well, I got shot,’ he said, as if it was obvious.

  I’d have shoved him in the shoulder for that, if it didn’t look as though I might rupture something.

  ‘But – when? And how, why? And why isn’t it covered up? Did you even see a doctor? There should be a dressing on this, you should be wearing a sling –’

  ‘The sling annoyed the hell out of me,’ Luke said.

  ‘Oh, come on. Do you have any idea how dangerous this could be? I mean, the bullet could have chipped a bone, could have torn an artery, that’s your main axillary artery right there in the shoulder, if that’s damaged you could lose the use of your arm, and all the nerve damage …’

  He stared at me.

  ‘You have to be careful,’ I stressed, because he could have been killed or maimed; my beautiful precious Luke. He was too important to lose.

  ‘Since when did you learn about axillary arteries?’ he said, looking at me as if I’d grown a second head.

  ‘Since I spent a lot of time in the hospital last year,’ I said. Also since I watched several episodes of Scrubs and Grey’s Anatomy on the flight home. But I didn’t mention that.

  I laid my head on his good shoulder and carefully put my arms around him. He held onto me, stroked my hair, kissed my temple. And suddenly a great wave of emotion swept over me, even stronger than the grief that had nearly drowned me. I loved this man, this beautiful, contrary, brilliant, stubborn, angry, gentle man. Loved him fiercely, desperately. Loved him too much to let anything come between us. To contemplate losing him, losing what we had.

  A man like this, a love like this, was far too rare to throw away in a fit of conscience.

  ‘You have to be careful,’ I repeated, ‘because I love you.’

  Luke pressed his cheek against my forehead. ‘Pot, have you met Kettle? You’re both black.’

  ‘Hey, I was on the run. I had MI5 after me. And a psychopathic killer. I think I did pretty well, considering.’

  ‘A sprained ankle, a second-degree burn and a gunshot wound to the arm,’ Luke said. ‘That’s doing well?’

  ‘It’s really just a graze,’ I said. ‘And how do you know about the gunshot wound?’ Currently, it was covered by the sleeve of my top.

  ‘I’m in military intelligence,’ Luke said, slowly and deliberately for the benefit of his idiot girlfriend. ‘Occasionally we read reports about stuff. Where do you think I’ve been all day?’

  ‘You could have come to see me instead of reading about me,’ I said, a tad sulkily.

  ‘That’s what I said,’ Luke replied, and the weariness in his voice tugged at my heart.

  We sat together like that for a while, curled together on the sofa. On the floor, Tammy prowled about, hunting for dust bunnies and finding none. I wondered if my mother had been in and tidied up. The place did look suspiciously clean.

  Luke stroked my cheek with one gentle finger. ‘You have to be careful, too,’ he said. He took my hand, stared for a moment at the ring there, and kissed my fingers softly.

  ‘Well, I will be from now on. No more murder or armed robbery. Promise.’

  ‘I mean it, Soph. I’ve been in hell this past month. I didn’t know where you were or if you were safe, I had no idea if that Jack guy was going to turn out to be a maniac and try to kill you or shag you –’

  I winced, and Luke saw it. ‘Sorry,’ he said. ‘I really am sorry about Jack. But – and I don’t care how this sounds – you have no idea how glad I was to hear he was dead.’

  ‘Luke!’

  ‘Because all I knew was that only one person was left alive in that place, and I …’

  He broke off suddenly, and gripped me very tight. Against my hair he muttered, ‘I was so frightened it wasn’t you. I thought you might be dead, I thought … Sophie, I can’t lose you.’

  I tilted my head up. Luke’s eyes were damp. His lip trembled. I reached up and cupped his cheek, the fine line of his jaw against my palm, my thumb stroking his magnificent cheekbone. Gently, because he’d been hurt.

  ‘You won’t lose me,’ I said, and vowed there and then that he’d never know what had happened between me and Jack. That it, like stealing credit cards and leaving hotels without paying, was stupid and reckless and the product of a month’s insanity that nearly destroyed me. That it, like everything else heaped upon my soul right now, was in the past, and could only have consequences if I let it.

  ‘I love you,’ Luke said, and my heart squeezed. ‘I love you so much.’

  I kissed him then, touched my lips to his and licked into his mouth. Breathed in his scent, tasted him. Captured the feel of him against my skin. All these sensations, all these memories I’d been trying so hard to keep alive, came flooding back and I lost myself in the tide.

  ‘God, I’ve missed you,’ Luke said, and I kissed him again. ‘Even if you are insane,’ he went on between kisses, ‘and reckless,’ another kiss, ‘and you’ve taken ten years off my life in the last three days alone.’

  ‘Don’t forget how your family hates me,’ I added.

  ‘Weirdly, they seem to be coming round.’

  I stared at him. ‘I get accused of murder and then they decide they like me?’

  ‘I didn’t say they were sane.’ He nuzzled my neck. ‘I think my grandmother even expects us to get married.’

  ‘Well, that’s a stupid idea. Your grandmother is mad,’ I told him, and he stilled for a second. I cursed myself. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean –’

  ‘No, you’re right. It would be ridiculous to marry you just to keep tabs on you. Besides,’ he kissed my ear, ‘it’s not as though I’ve got to get you up the aisle to get you into bed.’

  ‘Am I that easy?’ I said lightly.

  ‘You’ve never put up a lot of resistance to me.’

  ‘Yes, but who could?’ I said, and regretted it when Luke grinned wickedly.

  His hands were creeping up under my top, and somehow I’d ended up straddling him, my whole body pressed against him. His shirt was unfastened, and through the thin cotton of my top I could feel the heat of him burning through. Every hormone I had surged into life and I arched against him, in what turned out to be exactly the wrong spot. Luke winced.

  ‘We should probably stop,’ I said reluctantly.

  ‘Absolutely not.’

  ‘I mean, it can’t be a good idea. You’re …’ I waved at his violently discoloured shoulder, ‘and I’m …’ I waved at my bandaged wrist.

  My attempt to put some distance between us was immediately curtailed by Luke’s hand on my waist.

  ‘Don’t care,’ he said, beginning to kiss my neck in a manner that was extremely distracting.

  ‘It’s just that, well, right now … I mean, physically … can you?’

  He sat back, regarded me with strident disbelief. ‘Sophie, I have a black eye and bruised ribs and a gunshot wound and there’s barely half-an-inch of me that doesn’t ache, but that really hurt.’

  ‘I’m actually trying to be considerate here, Mr Axillary Artery.’

  ‘Well, don’t be.’ He pulled me back against him. ‘Think of it as kissing me better, but in a really big way.’

  ‘You are so incorrigible,’ I said.

  ‘That’s me.’ He tugged at my top. ‘You’re looking at a desperate man here.’

  ‘Well, maybe I’m not in the mood,’ I said, just to mess with him. I was so in the mood I couldn’t think of anything else. ‘Maybe I just need time.’

  Luke’s face fell. It was actually pretty comical.

  ‘Okay, I think that’s enough time,’ I said, and he actually thumped my shoulder.

  ‘You are in so much trouble,’ he said, wrestling me down onto the sofa, and I laughed with pure giddy happiness.

  ‘Must be a Tuesday.’

  About the Author

  Kate Johnson i
s a prolific writer of romantic and paranormal fiction. She is a self-confessed fan of Terry Pratchett, whose fantasy fiction has inspired her to write her own books. Kate worked in an airport and a laboratory before escaping to write fiction full time. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and has previously published short stories in the UK and romantic mysteries in the US. She’s a previous winner of the WisRWA’s Silver Quill and Passionate Ink’s Passionate Plume award.

  Kate’s UK debut, The UnTied Kingdom, is shortlisted for the 2012 RoNA Contemporary Romantic Novel Category Award.

  For more information visit: www.katejohnson.co.uk

  More Choc Lit

  from Kate Johnson:

  The UnTied Kingdom

  Shortlisted for the 2012 RoNA Contemporary Romantic Novel Category Award

  The portal to an alternate world was the start of all her troubles – or was it?

  When Eve Carpenter lands with a splash in the Thames, it’s not the London or England she’s used to. No one has a telephone or knows what a computer is. England’s a third-world country and Princess Di is still alive. But worst of all, everyone thinks Eve’s a spy.

  Including Major Harker who has his own problems. His sworn enemy is looking for a promotion. The General wants him to undertake some ridiculous mission to capture a computer, which Harker vaguely envisions running wild somewhere in Yorkshire. Turns out the best person to help him is Eve.

  She claims to be a popstar. Harker doesn’t know what a popstar is, although he suspects it’s a fancy foreign word for ‘spy’. Eve knows all about computers, and electricity. Eve is dangerous. There’s every possibility she’s mad.

  And Harker is falling in love with her

  Visit www.choc-lit.com for more details including the first two chapters and reviews.

  Find out more and purchase in the kindle store (http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-UnTied-Kingdom-ebook/dp/B004URV5SA/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1310468725&sr=1-4)

  More from Choc Lit

  If you loved Kate’s story, you’ll enjoy the rest of our selection:

  Highland Storms

  Christina Courtenay

  Who can you trust?

  Betrayed by his brother and his childhood love, Brice Kinross needs a fresh start. So he welcomes the opportunity to leave Sweden for the Scottish Highlands to take over the family estate.

  But there’s trouble afoot at Rosyth in 1754 and Brice finds himself unwelcome. The estate’s in ruin and money is disappearing. He discovers an ally in Marsaili Buchanan, the beautiful redheaded housekeeper, but can he trust her?

  Marsaili is determined to build a good life. She works hard at being a housekeeper and harder still at avoiding men who want to take advantage of her. But she’s irresistibly drawn to the new clan chief, even though he’s made it plain he doesn’t want to be shackled to anyone.

  And the young laird has more than romance on his mind. His investigations are stirring up an enemy. Someone who will stop at nothing to get what he wants – including Marsaili – even if that means destroying Brice’s life forever …

  Sequel to Trade Winds

  Visit www.choc-lit.com for more details including the first two chapters and reviews.

  Find out more and purchase in the kindle store (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Highland-Storms-ebook/dp/B00629ZK0I/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324113600&sr=1-2)

  The Silver Locket

  Margaret James

  Winner of CataNetwork Reviewers’ Choice Award for Single Titles 2010

  If life is cheap, how much is love worth?

  It’s 1914 and young Rose Courtenay has a decision to make. Please her wealthy parents by marrying the man of their choice – or play her part in the war effort?

  The chance to escape proves irresistible and Rose becomes a nurse. Working in France, she meets Lieutenant Alex Denham, a dark figure from her past. He’s the last man in the world she’d get involved with – especially now he’s married.

  But in wartime nothing is as it seems. Alex’s marriage is a sham and Rose is the only woman he’s ever wanted. As he recovers from his wounds, he sets out to win her trust. His gift of a silver locket is a far cry from the luxuries she’s left behind.

  What value will she put on his love?

  First novel in the trilogy

  Visit www.choc-lit.com for more details including the first two chapters and reviews.

  Find out more and purchase in the kindle store (http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Silver-Locket-ebook/dp/B004D4ZYTQ/ref=sr_1_6?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1310468725&sr=1-6)

  Persuade Me

  Juliet Archer

  When it comes to love, Anna Elliot is stuck in the past. No one can compare to Rick Wentworth, the man she gave up ten years ago at the insistence of her disapproving family. What if she’s missed her only chance for real happiness?

  Since Anna broke his heart, Rick has moved on – or so he thinks. Out in Australia, he’s worked hard to build a successful career – and a solid wall around his feelings.

  The words ‘forgive and forget’ aren’t in Rick’s vocabulary. The word ‘regret’ is definitely in Anna’s. So, when they meet again on his book tour of England, it’s an opportunity for closure.

  But memories intrude – the pure sensuality of what they once shared, the pain of parting … And she has to deal with another man from her past, while his celebrity status makes him the focus of unwanted attention.

  With Anna’s image-obsessed family still ready to interfere and Rick poised to return to Australia, can she persuade him to risk his heart again?

  This contemporary re-telling of Jane Austen’s last completed novel is the second book in Juliet Archer’s Darcy & Friends series, offering fresh insights into the hearts and minds of Austen’s irresistible heroes.

  Visit www.choc-lit.com for more details including the first two chapters and reviews.

  Find out more and purchase in the kindle store (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Persuade-Me-Darcy-Friends-ebook/dp/B005NIXSLW/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324113798&sr=1-1)

  Please don’t stop the music

  Jane Lovering

  How much can you hide?

  Jemima Hutton is determined to build a successful new life and keep her past a dark secret. Trouble is, her jewellery business looks set to fail – until enigmatic Ben Davies offers to stock her handmade belt buckles in his guitar shop and things start looking up, on all fronts.

  But Ben has secrets too. When Jemima finds out he used to be the front man of hugely successful Indie rock band Willow Down, she wants to know more. Why did he desert the band on their US tour? Why is he now a semi-recluse?

  And the curiosity is mutual – which means that her own secret is no longer safe …

  Visit www.choc-lit.com for more details including the first two chapters and reviews.

  Find out more and purchase in the kindle store (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Please-Dont-Stop-Music-ebook/dp/B004LROOFK/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1310468725&sr=1-2)

  Turning the Tide

  Christine Stovell

  All’s fair in love and war? Depends on who’s making the rules.

  Harry Watling has spent the past five years keeping her father’s boat yard afloat, despite its dying clientele. Now all she wants to do is enjoy the peace and quiet of her sleepy backwater.

  So when property developer Matthew Corrigan wants to turn the boat yard into an upmarket housing complex for his exotic new restaurant, it’s like declaring war.

  And the odds seem to be stacked in Matthew’s favour. He’s got the colourful locals on board, his hard-to-please girlfriend is warming to the idea and he has the means to force Harry’s hand. Meanwhile, Harry has to fight not just his plans but also her feelings for the man himself.

  Then a family secret from the past creates heartbreak for Harry, and neither of them is prepared for what happens next …

  Visit www.choc-lit.com for more details including the first two chapters and reviews.

  Find out
more and purchase in the kindle store (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Turning-The-Tide-ebook/dp/B003Y8XQOC/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1310468725&sr=1-3)

  Love & Freedom

  Sue Moorcroft

  Winner of the Festival of Romance Best Romantic Read Award 2011

  New start, new love.

  That’s what Honor Sontag needs after her life falls apart, leaving her reputation in tatters and her head all over the place. So she flees her native America and heads for Brighton, England.

  Honor’s hoping for a much-deserved break and the chance to find the mother who abandoned her as a baby. What she gets is an entanglement with a mysterious male whose family seems to have a finger in every pot in town.

  Martyn Mayfair has sworn off women with strings attached, but is irresistibly drawn to Honor, the American who keeps popping up in his life. All he wants is an uncomplicated relationship built on honesty, but Honor’s past threatens to undermine everything. Then secrets about her mother start to spill out …

  Honor has to make an agonising choice. Will she live up to her dutiful name and please others? Or will she choose freedom?

  Visit www.choc-lit.com for more details including the first two chapters and reviews.

  Find out more and purchase in the kindle store (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-Freedom-ebook/dp/B00564A0RS/ref=sr_1_11?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1310468725&sr=1-11)

  Never Coming Home

  Evonne Wareham

  All she has left is hope.

  When Kaz Elmore is told her five-year-old daughter Jamie has died in a car crash, she struggles to accept that she’ll never see her little girl again. Then a stranger comes into her life offering the most dangerous substance in the world: hope.

  Devlin, a security consultant and witness to the terrible accident scene, inadvertently reveals that Kaz’s daughter might not have been the girl in the car after all.

  What if Jamie is still alive? With no evidence, the police aren’t interested, so Devlin and Kaz have little choice but to investigate themselves.