Ace of Spades
by Sandra Owens
Series: Aces & Eights, #3
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Release Date: February 6, 218
Two FBI agents struggle with desire in the shadow of a killer, in the third installment of Aces & Eights.
Nate Gentry has been a rock for his two younger brothers since the day their mom walked out and left them with their abusive father. Now that they’ve grown up, he’s watched Alex and Court fall in love and settle down. But Nate isn’t made for romance. He keeps his relationships casual. And getting casual with his partner is a fantasy he can’t shake…
Taylor Collins has feelings for Nate, too—and though they run hot, her best friend on the team is strictly off limits. Until a spark in his eyes says, Go for it. But reaching out could prove to be a bad move now that they’re working closer together than ever, and on the most dangerous case of their careers.
An investigation into a brutal series of murders is stirring up bad memories for Taylor, and neither she nor Nate can imagine how close to home it’s going to hit. When it does, Nate will risk everything—including his heart—to keep Taylor safe.
Taylor was trained to observe, and observe she did. Why else would he be squirming in his chair if she weren’t making him hot and bothered? She swallowed a smile. “Just putting it out there. If you were like any other man, I could be all coy”—she fluttered her eyelashes—“and girlie.” Ah, the ghost of a smile, there and then gone, flitted across his face.
“Please don’t ever go all girlie on me.”
“I wouldn’t know how if my life depended on it. Give me one good reason we shouldn’t give in to this thing between us? And don’t say you’re afraid of screwing up our friendship.” She believed that was a part of it, but there was more to his reticence than that.
“Isn’t that a good enough reason? It’s one you should be worried about.”
“But I’m not. It’s chemistry, Nate, nothing more. We’re consenting adults, intelligent, and all that. There’s no reason we can’t enjoy each other for however long we want and still be friends when it’s over.” And yes, she was saying what she thought he wanted to hear. If she told him she loved him, he’d probably ask for a transfer to the other side of the world. She waited, watching him spin his beer bottle, sensing that she was finally going to find out why he’d always held back.
He lifted his eyes to hers. “What if you fall in love with me? I’ll never marry, and I won’t ever change my mind about that.”
“Not a problem, but why not? What if you do eventually meet someone and fall in love?” And that would kill her.
“Please don’t ever go all girlie on me.”
“I wouldn’t know how if my life depended on it. Give me one good reason we shouldn’t give in to this thing between us? And don’t say you’re afraid of screwing up our friendship.” She believed that was a part of it, but there was more to his reticence than that.
“Isn’t that a good enough reason? It’s one you should be worried about.”
“But I’m not. It’s chemistry, Nate, nothing more. We’re consenting adults, intelligent, and all that. There’s no reason we can’t enjoy each other for however long we want and still be friends when it’s over.” And yes, she was saying what she thought he wanted to hear. If she told him she loved him, he’d probably ask for a transfer to the other side of the world. She waited, watching him spin his beer bottle, sensing that she was finally going to find out why he’d always held back.
He lifted his eyes to hers. “What if you fall in love with me? I’ll never marry, and I won’t ever change my mind about that.”
“Not a problem, but why not? What if you do eventually meet someone and fall in love?” And that would kill her.
Barnes & Noble (Paperback)
Barnes & Noble (paperback)
Sandra is a member of Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll and a 2013 Golden Heart® Finalist for her contemporary romance, CRAZY FOR HER. In addition to her contemporary romantic suspense novels, she writes Regency stories.
Email: sandra@sandra-owens.com
Thank you for featuring Ace of Spades!
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