Showdown at Shadow Junction. Joanna Wayne
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“I think it’s time for the second kiss.”
His good judgment vanished as Jade’s arms wrapped around his neck. He captured her lips with his and he was done for. The thrill sent blood rushing to his head, making him dizzy with desire.
He leaned against the door frame and pulled her against him as the kiss deepened. Her lips opened and the taste of her rocked his soul. When his lungs ached from lack of air, he held her even tighter, nibbling her lips and then trailing her neck with kisses. Fighting not to explode, he finally came to his senses.
She was tipsy, vulnerable, her life mired in uncertainty. A kiss was one thing. But making love would take things to a new level, good or bad, that would leave no room for going back.
He couldn’t risk it, not with her life in his hands.
Showdown at
Shadow Junction
Joanna Wayne
JOANNA WAYNE began her professional writing career in 1994. Now, more than fifty published books later, Joanna has gained a worldwide following with her cutting-edge romantic suspense and Texas family series such as Sons of Troy Ledger and the Big “D” Dads series. Joanna currently resides in a small community north of Houston, Texas, with her husband. You may write to Joanna at PO Box 852, Montgomery, Texas 77356, USA, or connect with her at www.joannawayne.com.
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To my family, who keep me grounded; my friends, who keep me entertained and sane; and to my fantastic editor, Denise Zaza, who lets me keep creating Texas ranching families like the Daltons.
Love and thanks to all.
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
“This is the crown of my collection, the surprise revelation I promised for my final US showing.”
Jade Dalton stared in awe at the necklace. A cascade of flawless diamonds, separated by pure green emeralds dangled from Quaid Vaquero’s fingertips.
“It’s magnificent. It’s...” She paused. “Mere words cannot do it justice.”
“I’m glad you’re impressed. It took over a year to find the perfect gems, almost three hundred of them, hand cut and set in platinum.”
“I’m afraid to even ask the price,” Jade said.
Quaid smiled. “Two twenty-five. No price bickering. I won’t part with it for anyone who doesn’t appreciate not only its quality but its beauty and artistic value.”
“Two hundred twenty-five thousand?”
He smiled as if amused by her naiveté. “Two hundred twenty-five million, my sweet.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“Not at all.”
“Now you’re scaring me. What on earth are you doing with this in your hotel suite? I need to call someone from security immediately. I think Officer Reggie Lassiter is in charge tonight. He’ll make sure this is placed in the showroom where he and his security detail can guard it.”
“Relax. No one knows it’s here but the two of us. Besides, it’s well insured.”
“Still, this isn’t wise, Mr. Vaquero. Had you mentioned this to me, I would never have approved it. Neither would Reggie. And if I were your insurance provider, I would be in a state of pure panic.”
“A piece such as this is created to be worn by an equally beautiful woman, not locked away. And not to change the subject, but you’ve worked closely with me for two weeks now. Don’t you think it’s time you start calling me Quaid?”
“Quaid it is. But I work for you, not with you. And as your event planner, I am very nervous now.”
“I can tell.” He put a hand to the small of her back and nudged her toward a full-length tilt mirror. The mirror support and frame were dark polished wood and, like everything else in his luxury suite, looked antique and no doubt far more expensive than it actually was.
“Look at yourself,” Quaid urged. “I’ve never seen you this flustered.”
Her nerves were edgy and with good reason. People didn’t just walk around a New York hotel with a two-hundred-million-dollar-plus necklace in their pocket. Her ex-stepfather number three had worked as a hotel food manager. He’d told her plenty of stories about professional hotel thieves robbing guests, though admittedly, this was usually when they were out of their room. But you never knew when thieves would become emboldened.