Seducing the Accomplice

“Hmph. A friend. What are those?” She turned away, her sarcasm truer than she probably realized.

“Someone you can trust.”

That brought her gaze back to his. “Meaning you?”

It was half challenge and half flirtation. He found the combination intriguing. He also found her intriguing. Why, he couldn’t say just yet, but he wondered if she’d picked up on it, too.

“I wouldn’t leave my girlfriend anywhere, no matter where I was with her, or how much I didn’t like her,” he said.

“No,” she said, contemplating him. “I don’t suppose you would.”

“Have you eaten anything?”

“Are you asking me to have dinner with you?”

“What if I was?”

“I’d have to be honest and tell you I’ve already eaten.”

“Then my only other option is to offer to walk you to your room.”

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Dear Reader,

Seducing the Accomplice came about after writing Odelia Frank’s story, Special Ops Affair (April 2011). You’ll recall Calan Friese, the ex-Delta soldier wrongly suspected of murder and arms dealing with a terrorist. He’s a man who’s endured too much loss and is driven by vengeance. Now he’s back as TES’s newest operative.

My favorite part of writing this story was the research. I loved reading about Albania with all its exotic and diversified beauty and history. I also had the pleasure of spending time with a woman who spends most of her time sailing with her husband. When I contacted her, she had written a blog about their sail to the Adriatic Sea, which included a stop in Albania. Between my research and her insight, I gained a fantastic view of the country.

I hope you agree this is a stellar addition to the miniseries, and that I’ve hit my mark and given you a satisfying read.

Happy reading!

Jennie

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 du jour, she works for the space systems segment of a satellite imagery and information company and lives in sunny Denver, Colorado. She can be reached through her website, www.jennifermorey.com, and on Facebook—[email protected].

To Barb Sprenger (www.sailbigsky.com)

for helping me visualize Albania and allowing me to add flavor and detail to this story. She also taught me a thing or two about navigating a yacht. My correspondence with her was invaluable, and she is an acquaintance I will keep.

My agent, Maureen Walters,

for all she’s done for me. Keyren Gerlach, whose edits always bring my stories together. All my friends and family for their continued support, and to those who’ve read and proofed my manuscripts. Laura Leonard and Julie Dodds, thank you for taking the time. Special thanks to Susan LeDoux for all the productive brainstorming sessions. And Jackie, my twin, I’m glad I have you along with me for this journey.

And even if I don’t say it, as always, to Mom.

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

Could a man be too much of a gentleman? Until today, Sadie Mancini wouldn’t have thought catering to a woman’s needs could be overdone. Her boyfriend had proven her wrong. Somewhere between sailing the Dodecanese islands and arriving in Albania, he’d lost his appeal. He was too conservative, too worried about impressions and impropriety. Fastidious. Fickle. Fake. She’d never thought of herself as a woman who needed a “real man” for a partner, but after spending a sexless week with Adam Khral, she had to reconsider.

Leaving the bathroom stall, she went to the sink to wash her hands. The unfortunate part was that he seemed to really like her. After docking his yacht in Durres, they’d had fun sightseeing all day, and he’d even laughed when she spilled wine on his pants during dinner. The laughter could have been faked, but it was rare that she found a man who accepted her the way she was. She wasn’t high maintenance, temperamental or mean—she just hadn’t found her niche yet, a place where she fit in. When you were the daughter of a rich man, it wasn’t easy finding genuine friends. At least, it wasn’t for her.

Why did this constantly happen to her? She always realized too late when things were going south. Now she was stuck with Adam in Tirana for the night, and then she’d have to get back on his yacht to cruise home. Timing never worked in her favor. When things fell apart, they fell apart at the worst possible time.

Tidying her sometimes too thick, long black hair, Sadie opened the bathroom door and stepped out into the hotel restaurant, preparing herself for another week with a man she didn’t want. She should have spent more time with him back home. Maybe then she could have spared them both.