Semper Paratus. Always ready.
Years ago, Coast Guard rescue swimmer Dylan Holt left Kodiak, Alaska, with his heart in pieces. He thought Nolee Arnauyq and her mouthwatering curves were behind himâuntil heâs sent to rescue the crew of a capsizing boat...including Nolee. And Dylan is definitely not ready for the too-familiar way his body aches at seeing her again.
Noleeâs always gone after what she wanted, and to hell with the risks. Now sheâs a rookie ship captain taking on the deadly waters of the Bering Sea. But out on these treacherous waters, thereâs no way to avoid the sizzling sexual tension between themâor the dangerous pull of emotions that could leave both their hearts lost at sea...
How she wanted him...
âWeâre older now,â Nolee whispered.
âWiser.â One eyebrow rose. Dylanâs hands settled on the outside of her knees and skimmed their way up her thighs, pausing on her hips.
âWe wonât make the same mistakes we made before.â
âSo youâre saying...â
The force of her need for him shook the fingers she slid up his biceps. What would it feel like to have this officer obey her every wicked whim? If she was in charge, surely she wouldnât be as vulnerable...in danger...of giving him everything, including her heart.
âI canât fight this, Dylan.â The fire heâd ignited inside her two weeks ago, the one that continued to smolder, could no longer be contained. The sensual flames licking over her flesh confirmed her assessment. âIf we keep things physical only, we can indulge a little while youâre here.â Her eyes dipped to his hard, handsome mouth.
âWe shouldnât waste the time we have left together.â
Dear Reader,
The wintry Bering Sea has never seen such a heat wave as when Nolee Arnauyq reunites with her first love, USCG rescue swimmer POV 1 Dylan Holt...and ends up igniting a relationship thatâs too hot to handle!
Rookie crab-fishing boat captain Nolee has a lot to prove on her first season at the wheel. She doesnât want to be saved, thank you very much, yet professional rescuer Dylan has an aggravating habit of showing up just at the rightâor wrongâmoment. She canât turn down his offer to help when an accident leaves her short-handed on deck, yet how can she focus on scoring a big catch when sheâs wondering if it might be Dylan she wants to net most of all?
If youâre a fan of the Discovery Channelâs Deadliest Catch series like me, youâre sure to love this high-stakes, steamy adrenaline rush of a romance aboard Noleeâs vessel, the Pacific Dawn. Visit me at karenrock.com to learn more about my future releases or to let me know what you think of this book. Iâd love to hear from you!
Happy reading!
Karen Rock
KAREN ROCK is an award-winning young adult and adult contemporary author. She holds a masterâs degree in English and worked as an ELA instructor before becoming a full-time author. Most recently, her Harlequin Heartwarming novels have won the 2015 National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award and the 2015 Booksellersâ Best Award. When sheâs not writing, Karen loves scouring estate sales, cooking and hiking. She lives in the Adirondack Mountain region with her husband, daughter and Cavalier King Charles spaniels. Visit her at karenrock.com.
To the USCG sea and air rescuers and the badass crab crews and captains who risk their lives every day on the treacherous Bering Sea. Your bold, adventurous lives are an inspiration. Special thanks to USCG commander Bill Friday, as well as the Time Banditâs captain, Jonathan Hillstrand, and his fiancée, Sheryl, for their patient help in fact-checking. I never could have done it without you!
1
âWATCH OUT ON the bow!â Captain Nolee Arnauyq hollered into the mic of her crab-fishing boat, her heart beating every which way.
Below the wheelhouse, brightly clad deckhands scrambled for cover as gale-force winds whipped the Bering Sea, hurtling waves at the Pacific Sun. âMove it!â she yelled over the PA system.
The last manâs yellow slicker disappeared under the overhang just as another wave smashed the rail. It pummeled the wooden deck and metal gear, sweeping high across Noleeâs windows, obliterating her view of the black day.
Come on. Come on...
Her fingers tightened on the throttle as the vessel pitched in twenty-foot swells, buffeted by forty-five-knot winds. She peered through the streaming water. Despite the frigid late December temperature, the air inside the wheelhouse pressed, warm and humid. A trickle of sweat wound down her cheek. The weather maps hadnât predicted the massive winter storm would jog this far west.
Focus.
Grab crab. Get your men home safe.
If the tempest dragged the deckhands overboard, she wouldnât be able to locate them fast enough. Paralyzing hypothermia would take hold within minutes, death in five to ten.