HEAT by CA Harms
Series: Montgomery Men #2 (Standalone)
Genre: Contemporary Romance
— SYNOPSIS —
Beckett Montgomery is a well-known detective in the New York area. He takes his job seriously and has little time for anything else.
But when he’s called to Shanelle Kramer’s apartment after she’s frightened by an intruder in the middle of the night, he finds himself getting a little too involved. He can’t seem to let go of the image of the beautiful, scared blonde sitting at the end of her couch in those tiny shorts and that even tinier tank top.
It was his job to keep her safe. His job to find the man stalking her.
But Beckett is finding it next to impossible to keep this case strictly professional.
Maybe just one taste would end his addiction for Shanelle.
But one taste was just a tease….
He needed more.
Because the Heat between them was just too hot to resist.
— EXCERPT —
The moment she lifted her gaze, I swear I felt the floor shift beneath my feet and my stomach grew weak momentarily.
It was her, the woman from the club that night. The one I’d thought of often ever since she walked away from me that night and though I barely knew her I swear I felt the loss.
She looked so confident then, but now she looked so delicate and frail. The scared look in her eyes made my stomach feel hollow. It was a strange feeling, really. Over the years on the job, I’ve looked into the eyes of a terrified woman so many times. I’ve listened to them explain their fears and describe the terror they lived through, and watched them break in front of me. But I’ve never felt the kind of things I did now.
I wanted to find the asshole that had placed her in this state and strangle the life out of him.
“It’s you,” she whispered. I was surprised she recognized me in her current state of mind. Our initial meeting was so brief it probably couldn’t even be called an introduction. “Beckett,” she whispered, and I took a seat before her. “Right?” I nodded and ignored the curious looks of those around us. “Yes,” I replied as she continued to stare at me. “Beckett’s right. Detective Montgomery, actually,” I clarified and her eyes widened just a bit.
Her lip trembled even though I could tell she was attempting to appear strong. I wanted to take her into my arms and hold her close. I wanted to whisper that she was safe now, but I refrained. Fuck, I had never had this type of battle when it came to my job. Putting my emotions aside had never been a problem until now.
“There was someone here,” she said, staring me in the eyes with a look of determination. “I saw him. He just stood there in the doorway watching me. And I was so scared to move because I had no idea what he wanted. I wanted him to leave, but he stood there, watching and waiting, I don't even know for what.” She took in a deep breath. “I’ve never felt that kind of fear before.”
I allowed her a few moments to just breathe before I began my own series of questions, doing my best to sound supportive and genuine.
“I know it was dark, but was there anything about him you recognized?” She shook her head. “Could you tell if he had short hair, long hair?”
“He wore a hat. A baseball cap,” she clarified.
“Did he say anything? Do anything that you remember?”
She shook her head again.
“Did he turn in the doorway, was there any lighting illuminating the room that gave you the chance to see his side profile?” Another shake of her head left us with no answers. Tears rolled along her cheeks, and my chest ached. “It’s okay,” I assured her as I placed my hand on her forearm. “I’m gonna take a look around,” I said as I began to stand, and panic took over her features.
There was something greatly satisfying about the fact that she didn't like the idea of me leaving her. “Just a quick scan,” I assured her as I stood. “I’m not leaving. I promise you, you’re safe with me.”
She gave a quick nod before she wrapped her arms around herself and sank back into the couch, as if she were attempting to hide from this evening’s events.
As I moved from her living room to her bedroom, I looked for any clue that may help us solve this puzzle. Each time I looked to her, she was watching me, and that satisfied feeling returned again.
I’d never wanted to be any woman’s savior. I just woke up every day and fought the bad guys because I fucking loved the rush.
But tonight felt different. Knowing that she was looking at me as her hero felt deeply gratifying.
I wanted to be the one to saved her. I wanted to take down the man who’d terrorized her and give her back her freedom. And damn if I didn't want her to keep looking at me just like she was now.
Like I was her hero.
— ABOUT THE AUTHOR: CA HARMS —
A little about me. Let’s see where to start.
I love HEA stories, as long as they come packing a little heat. I need some excitement, some angst, and moments that make me fan my face are always good too. I am an Illinois girl, born and raised. Simple and true, it honestly doesn’t take much to make me happy. I love the little things; they truly mean the most. I may have a slight addiction to my new Keurig—oh my, that thing is a godsend. And so fast too. I have two children who truly are my very best friends, and their faces never fail to put a smile on my face. I have been married to my husband for sixteen years, and even though at times I want to beat him with a stick, I would never change the years we have had. We have learned and fallen, only to pick each other up, dust off the ache, and help each other make it right.
I am one of those authors that adore my fans. I love to hear from you. After all, it is because of each one of you that I continue to write. I look forward to your feedback.
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