One To Win

He let her slip away once...

Detective Fiona Reed lives a life far from the privilege of her family’s vast media empire. But forging her own path came at a cost, and an invitation to her family’s estate in the Hamptons is just the thing to help Fiona heal from her emotionally draining job. When sensual Leo Starks returns to her life, he’s no longer an intern, but now a brilliant lawyer who reawakens her deepest desires.

Ever since his fling with Fiona, Leo has been secretly in love with the beautiful officer of the law. Yet he can’t let his feelings for her wreak havoc with the job he’s been hired to do. But when a shocking revelation threatens to engulf the Meadows clan in scandal, can Leo protect the woman he’s determined to fight for?

“It takes effort to know someone.”

“Then, give me a chance.” She tucked in the ragged edges of her pride. “Please give me a second chance.”

“One day at a time.”

“Can’t ask for anything more,” Fiona said, knowing that her heart wanted more.

He offered his hand. “Friends.”

“To lovers.” She shook his hand, afraid that he would withdraw and tuck it behind his back.

“You’re quite persuasive.”

“We don’t have too many days here. Figured that if you wouldn’t persuade me, then it’s up to me.”

“Yeah? Go ahead. Persuade.”

Fiona didn’t waste another second. She slipped her hands around Leo’s neck and tiptoed to reach his mouth.

One kiss. One mouth pressed against the other. That was all it was.

Except when she kissed Leo, she wanted more. She desired him.

Breathe.

Once more she reacquainted her lips with his beautiful, wide mouth, tracing its bold curves. Celebrating its masculine lines.

As if touched by magic, time stood still.

Dear Reader,

With each story in The Meadows Family series, I fall in love with this family all over again. It’s Fiona’s turn to decide what is important in her life. I hope you enjoy this romantic journey that strums on the heartstrings and invites you to fall for this winning couple.

At the time of writing this, the announcement of David Bowie’s death had hit the airwaves. A true pioneer and participant of life and music was gone. But one of the most memorable parts of his life was his love for Iman and the beautiful courtship of his soul mate that led to their marriage.

The power of love is magical, lasting and transformative.

I hope you also feel the magic with One to Win.

Peace,

Michelle

www.millsandboon.co.uk

MICHELLE MONKOU became a world traveler at the age of three, when she left her birthplace of London, England, and moved to Guyana, South America. She then moved to the US as a young teen. Michelle was nominated for the 2003 Emma Award for Favorite New Author, and continues to write romances with complex characters and intricate plots. Visit her website for further information at www.michellemonkou.com or contact her at [email protected].

To the readers who started on this journey with me since 2002, who’ve stuck with me with die-hard loyalty and who may just have joined the ride—thank you with all my heart.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Carly Silver for your editorial assistance and helping make the story shine.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Copyright

Chapter 1

“Budget cuts!” Detective Fiona Reed couldn’t believe what she’d heard.

Frustration pumped anger through her veins. Her pulse pounded, accenting the soaring beat of her temper. Words bubbled up and pushed against the verbal barrier that kept her civil and respectable.

“Watch your step,” Captain Baxter warned, “before you spew words that you can’t pull back.” His glare sparred with hers and won.

“Sir, this budget cut is...is...plain stupid. We can’t get our job done with fewer hours—no overtime is nonsense. That’s just dumb. Most of the victims who are listed as missing in our case files are minors. Cuts along the support staff? We need more help. It’s not rocket science, what we need to solve these cases. And it’s definitely not about the counselor’s sound bites harping on government waste and effective management.” Her voice had escalated probably beyond the walls of the captain’s closed office. Oh, well—it wasn’t the first time that she’d delivered a vehement one-way pitch here.

“Your area isn’t the only one affected.” Baxter ran a hand over his bald head. His haggard features spoke volumes as to his own misery as the messenger. “Every area, department, everything, has been whittled down. It’s how things are now. We all have to deal with it. That means you, as a team player.” He stabbed at the space between them. His thick black eyebrows drew down over his fierce gaze.

Fiona heard the words. She listened to the message, but none of it satisfied her. None of it deflated her irritation. The Missing Persons Unit of Essex County, New York, needed more than the three detectives and two clerks assigned to it. The shortage in manpower had almost cost the lives of a set of twins who were habitual runaways, but had thankfully been found. Working around the clock wasn’t the exception. Day, night and the seconds in between, Fiona had followed every lead to track the sisters. The fifty dollars she had to pay here and there to get information came out of her pocket. Whatever it took to find any of these kids, she’d try.