Tempting Faith
From New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery comes a fan-favorite story that walks the fine line between love…and danger. When a smuggler’s prize lands on her doorstep, big-cat sanctuary owner Faith Newlin doesn’t expect any problems—not from the two white tiger cubs…or the mysterious government agent sent to protect them. She knows better than to get attached, though sometimes an instinct is too strong to ignore. Agent Cort Hollenbeck has dedicated his life to fighting the good fight. He never gets too close, especially while on assignment. But when terrifying blanks in his memory force him to face his deepest fears, he must trust in a woman who walks on the wild side…and captures his heart. Tempting Faith is part of a duet by Susan Mallery along with her book The Only Way Out.
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From New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery comes a fan-favorite story that walks the fine line between love…and danger.
When a smuggler’s prize lands on her doorstep, big-cat sanctuary owner Faith Newlin doesn’t expect any problems—not from the two white tiger cubs…or the mysterious government agent sent to protect them. She knows better than to get attached, though sometimes an instinct is too strong to ignore.
Agent Cort Hollenbeck has dedicated his life to fighting the good fight. He never gets too close, especially while on assignment. But when terrifying blanks in his memory force him to face his deepest fears, he must trust in a woman who walks on the wild side…and captures his heart.
Tempting Faith is part of a duet by Susan Mallery along with her book The Only Way Out.
Something hot flared to life.
Faith wanted to respond, but she was afraid.
He held her forearms tightly. “I am not one of your cats,” he said.
“I know.”
“I don’t think you do.”
“Why does it matter?” she asked desperately.
“What are you hiding from?”
Part of her noted he hadn’t answered her question, so she wouldn’t answer his. She knew exactly what she was hiding from. Him. Pretending he was just like one of her cats made him safe. It was dangerous to think of Cort as a man, because he tempted Faith. He made her think of family and forever, and she’d learned long ago that she didn’t have what it took to inspire a man to want either.
His grip on her loosened, and she jerked away. She thrust a bandage at him. “Here. Finish it yourself.” Then she fled the room.
SUSAN MALLERY
is a USA TODAY bestselling author of over eighty romances. Her combination of humor, emotion and just-plain-sexy has made her a reader favorite. Susan makes her home in Washington state, where the whole rain thing is highly exaggerated and there’s plenty of coffee to help her meet her deadlines. Visit her Web site at www.SusanMallery.com.
To Stephanie, without whom a chair would have no emotional significance and “putting a finer point”on something would simply mean sharpening a pencil.
Your instincts and insights have added clarity and depth to my writing, while your humor, intelligence and sensitivity have greatly enriched my life.
Here’s to all the good things to come.
Contents
“You need the extra security.”
Faith Newlin shook her head and smiled. “Are you trying to convince me or yourself?”
“Maybe both.”
“I’m already convinced. If you think I need the protection—” She shrugged. “I’m hardly going to argue. After all, you’re the expert. What did that last promotion make you? Head spy?”
Jeff Markum, the chief of a division in an agency whose name Faith had never been told, grinned. “That’s Mr. Head Spy to you.”
“Give a man a promotion and it goes straight to his—” she paused for effect “—head.”
“Watch it, Faith.” He pointed at the badge hanging from a chain around her neck. “I could have your security clearance pulled in a second. Then where would you be?”
“Back home where I belong.” She laughed. “Don’t try threatening me, Jeff. You’re the one who arranged for me to be here today. I’m pleased to know your agency trusts me, but if you want me to go back home, I’d be happy to.” She grabbed the ID badge and started to release the chain.
“Don’t leave yet.” He pushed off the wall of the small observation room. “Let me go explain the situation to him.”
Faith raised one hand and touched the two-way glass that allowed her to see into a hospital room, but didn’t allow the patient to see her. “He doesn’t know?”
Jeff shook his head. “Even though you need the extra protection, I was afraid you would fight me on this.” He held up his hand to stop her interruption. “I know you think I’m overreacting. Maybe you’re right. But there’s this knot in my gut. I have a bad feeling about the whole thing. I want to keep you safe.”
She looked up at the man towering over her. He had the easy good looks of a California surfer, but behind his deep blue eyes lurked the mind of a computer and the temper of an injured panther. Faith knew she should be intimidated by Jeff, but she’d known him too long. She trusted him—and the knot in his gut.
“It’s your call,” she said.
She turned back to the two-way mirror. This was no ordinary hospital. No mothers-to-be came here to give birth, no child had broken bones set. This secret facility, concealed behind high fences and guards with dogs that attacked on command, catered to those without identities. Shadowy figures who lived in the dark, who disappeared at will and carried out elaborate operations in places with names she couldn’t pronounce.
“He’s not like one of those wounded strays you take in, Faith. He’s the best I’ve got, but he’s damned dangerous, too. Be careful.”
Faith glanced at her companion. “Because he knows fifty ways to kill me with his bare hands? Give me a break, Jeff. Use the scare tactics on your green recruits. They’ll impress easier.”
