One Secret Night

The morning after brings dangerous consequences in Jennifer Morey’s next Ivy Avengers romance

After stumbling into the cross fire of a black ops mission, Autumn Ivy is saved by a dark, sexy hero—and swept away for a night to remember. Weeks later, she discovers her secret lover is soon to be a secret daddy, but what’s more shocking is when Autumn tracks her mystery man right into the path of a killer.

Part of a famous Hollywood family, Autumn comes with paparazzi who threaten Raith De Matteis’s hidden identity. But it’s Autumn’s news that puts the lone-wolf agent in jeopardy. Now more than his client is at risk. This time it’s his woman…and his baby.

“Do you have a badge?” she asked him.

“I never bring it when I work undercover.”

Autumn had no reason not to believe him. He’d just saved her. “What now?”

“I’m going to get you to your room safely.”

Was that all? Did she hope there’d be more? The elevator stopped and they stepped out. She realized she’d never see him again after this.

“I could come in for a little while,” he said.

Why did strange new men appeal to her so much? Strange new masculine men. Good-looking men. This was a dangerous habit….

His green eyes never left hers when they entered the room.

“I bet you’re a really good agent.”

“Among other things,” he murmured as he leaned in to kiss her.

She closed her eyes to sweet sensation while a faint inner voice cautioned, Don’t do it.

She didn’t listen.

Dear Reader,

For this story, I wanted a strong, sexy, mysterious hero. He had to be tough, a little bit of a lawbreaker and a loner. But principled. Meet Raith De Matteis. His flaws are all wrapped around his relationship with his estranged father. It’s an emotional reunion—one I won’t give away here!

The second oldest daughter of a famous movie producer, Autumn Ivy’s brave independence is just what Raith needs. She pushes him with his father and helps him grow as a man. A good thing, too, since the secret she’s keeping will change his life forever.

Welcome to the third story of the Ivy Avenger’s miniseries, where two independent hearts learn that solitude won’t keep the press away—or their love.

Jennifer Morey

One Secret Night

Jennifer Morey

JENNIFER MOREY

A two-time 2009 RITA® Award nominee and a Golden Quill winner for Best First Book for The Secret Soldier, Jennifer Morey writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense. Project manager par jour, she works for the space systems segment of a satellite imagery and information company. She lives in sunny Denver, Colorado. She can be reached through her website, www.jennifermorey.com, and on Facebook.

For Allie, my new baby girl, a beautiful, sweet, five-year-old rescued Australian Shepherd. She’s discovered how much fun being a dog can be and no longer shies away from the strange, boxy thing that I type with and always put on my lap.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

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

Extract

Copyright

Chapter 1

One of Hollywood’s favorite heartbreakers had just spent the day being an ordinary tourist in distressed-denim jeans. Being normal rejuvenated Autumn Ivy. Here, she was no longer a spectacle. Here, she could escape the ridiculous extravaganza over the last man to fall prey to her flirtation. All of that had fallen away with the sights of Iceland’s spectacular southern coastline.

Autumn entered the hotel, almost regretting the day had come to an end.

The guide had taken her and the other tourists in the group through villages, Skaftafell National Park and the Skogafoss waterfall. Most memorable was the boat ride in the Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon. The boat could also drive on land. She’d taken pictures of icebergs covered in volcanic ash floating out to sea and gorges and valleys of the enormous Vatnajokull glacier. Everything about this day had been perfect. Everything except the jeans.

Slinging her purse from left shoulder to right hip, her waterproof hiking boots touched soundlessly on the tiled floor as she headed for the elevators. Her long, light red hair swung in a tight ponytail. It was around seven and she’d stopped for dinner on the way back to the hotel. She couldn’t wait to soak in the Jacuzzi in her room and put on a pretty nightgown. Maybe she’d do her nails.

A man with a shaved head waited at the elevators. His gray eyes followed her movements as she stopped a few feet from him to wait. He’d already pressed the button. Thin and over six feet tall, he looked to be in his late thirties. The way he kept watching her made her uneasy. It was almost ten at night and there weren’t many people in the lobby.

Another man approached. This one drew her eye much more notably. A couple of inches taller than the shaved-head man, his body was sculpted with muscle. Autumn feasted on the sight of him. Dressed all in black, from his sturdy leather boots and cargo pants to the long-sleeved Under Armour shirt with a quarter zip, he had black hair that was far above his shoulders but thick. His green eyes glowed like lanterns and zeroed in on her. Dark stubble added to his manly appearance. So did the way he moved, smooth and sure. The platform of his chest and bulging arms oozed testosterone, but the bulge of his crotch stirred her curiosity most.