Stolen Treasures
Uncharted waters, unlikely love: Sail into danger and desire in this modern-day pirates,
enemies-to-lovers story.
In the thrilling world of high-stakes adventure and unexpected romance, Claire Saunders and Dion Gaetani embark on an enforced journey that will test their limits and challenge their hearts.
Determined to leave her troubled past behind, the last thing Claire needs is a band of pirates wreaking havoc in San Diego. But fate has other plans. Against her will, she becomes a passenger aboard a schooner at sea, entangled in a dangerous covert operation. As she sails farther away from home, her absence could shatter everything she has worked so hard to build.
Dion, a seasoned and guilt-ridden agent, can’t believe he’s been paired with a civilian. To make matters worse, she’s a woman—an unwanted complication he doesn’t need. Haunted by a past mission gone wrong, he must now navigate the treacherous waters of capturing a rogue band of pirates. With the stakes higher than ever, Dion’s own boat, the Treasure, becomes the irresistible bait.
Forced to work in close quarters, Claire and Dion must confront their fears, trust each other, and face the undeniable desire that simmers beneath the surface. As danger looms and their mission intensifies, they discover that sometimes love can be found in the most unexpected of circumstances.
This first in the Tropical Persuasions series is an enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity romance that features a schooner with a mind of its own and betrayal and intrigue on the high seas.
~EXCERPT~
Finally, after a third hail, a head appeared above her, slowly followed by a body hard to ignore. Tanned, muscular legs gave way to khaki cut-offs, complete with frayed ends. The t-shirt was modern but dirt-smudged and tight enough to show off an impressive chest and arms. Further up, longish, dark hair, scruffy stubble, and unreadable eyes completed the illusion. He looked like a pirate.
Claire glanced up at the mast, half expecting to see the infamous Jolly Roger flying there.
He didn’t say a word, and she felt her cheeks flare with heat as he observed her. Using her clipboard as a fan, Claire let her brain delude her into believing the warmth seeping slowly through her body was weather related.
That’s when he raised a leg to place a sandaled foot on the boat’s railing, flexing well-defined muscles. The tempo of her fanning increased.
Yes, this guy could easily pass for a pirate. One of those old time swashbucklers who stole their women away to ravage them in the privacy of the captain’s quarters. Tall, dark and…scowling? Wait a minute. That wasn’t the way the fairytale went, was it?
Struggling to regain some composure, she adjusted her sunglasses and dug deep to remember why she stood here.
“I’m afraid you’re not supposed to be here.”
He just stared at her. That’s all. No response, no raised eyebrow. Nothing, damn it.
“Did you hear me?”
“Yes.”
She quickly suppressed the small shiver that trailed down her back. “Well, then?”
“Where is it you think I’m not supposed to be?”
“Here!” she said, pointing at the dock for effect.
He simply stared at her again. She stiffened. She had a long to-do list today and, muscled or not, this sailor stood directly in her path.
“You need to move this boat.”
“No. I don’t,” he replied casually.
“What?” She tried very hard not to shriek.
“I said, ‘No, I don’t.'” He turned away and disappeared as if the conversation was over.
Claire’s mouth dropped open. Instinct overrode thought as she hurried to the gangplank. She struggled to quickly navigate the steep angle and halfway up, tripped.
That figures. Limping now, she chose to ignore the standard “permission to come aboard” courtesy and kept going until she caught up to him.
As she took a moment to consider him, something began to thread its way around her anger. He was taller than her, but not too tall.
Danger oozed from him in waves of intimidation. His eyes weren’t just dark. They were like deep night, black, distant, and dispassionate. His mouth was the opposite of unemotional, however. Nothing more than thin lines showed, and Claire faltered.
He really did resemble a pirate, even more so up close. She glanced back and realized how far she’d have to run if escape became necessary.
“Permission to come aboard granted,” he said with slow, smooth precision.
For information about Pirate’s Promise, book 2 in the Tropical Persuasions series, click here.