Under Lock And Key

Sylvie Kurtz

Литагент HarperCollins EUR

SHACKLED HEARTOn a stormy Texas night, Tyler Blackwell awoke from a car crash to find himself in a castle dungeon, bound under lock and key by an ephemeral jailer with haunting eyes and virginal flesh that begged for a man's touch. Mysterious Melissa Carnes–the woman Tyler had been sent undercover to defend from a deadly enemy intent on destroying her life–was more tempting to Tyler than any assignment. And being her "prisoner" had its advantages. But could Tyler penetrate the cold stone wall Melissa had built around her heart before the past emerged like the grim reaper to sentence them both to life terms…?

“Tyler, when you look at me, what do you see?”

Once the question was out, Melissa held her breath, not quite sure she wanted a response.

“I see pain. I see courage. I see strength.”

Emptiness, yearning, whistled through her, making her sway. “Do you see a woman?”

“Yes.” He placed his hand over her heart. Something in her sighed.

“I want to know…” Brashly she stepped forward and pressed her lips to his, lingering, absorbing the long slow shiver that went through her. She felt her blood heat. “I want to know…” she murmured against his lips. “I need—”

“Melissa…”

“I need—” Hot tears squeezed between her closed eyelids.

He kissed the line of tears, making them gush faster.

“Please, Tyler…” She wasn’t sure if she was asking him to stop or to continue.

“I promise not to hurt you,” he said between drugging kisses that made her weak.

“It’s already too late for that,” she whispered as she pressed herself closer to him….

Dear Harlequin Intrigue Reader,

Spring is in the air…and so is mystery. And just as always, Harlequin Intrigue has a spectacular lineup of breathtaking romantic suspense for you to enjoy.

Continuing her oh-so-sexy HEROES INC. trilogy, Susan Kearney brings us Defending the Heiress—which should say it all. As if anyone wouldn’t want to be personally protected by a hunk!

Veteran Harlequin Intrigue author Caroline Burnes has crafted a super Southern gothic miniseries. THE LEGEND OF BLACKTHORN has everything—skeletons in the closet, a cast of unique characters and even a handsome masked phantom who rides a black stallion. And can he kiss! Rider in the Mist is the first of two classic tales.

The Cradle Mission by Rita Herron is another installment in her NIGHTHAWK ISLAND series. This time a cop has to protect his dead brother’s baby and the beautiful woman left to care for the child. But why is someone dead set on rocking the cradle…?

Finally, Sylvie Kurtz leads us down into one woman’s horror—so deep, she’s all but unreachable…until she meets and trusts one man to lead her out of the darkness in Under Lock and Key.

We hope you savor all four titles and return again next month for more exciting stories.

Sincerely,

Denise O’Sullivan

Senior Editor

Harlequin Intrigue

Under Lock and Key

Sylvie Kurtz

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

For Chuck, who loves me—ugly side and all

A Special Thanks to:

Susan Amann at the Wadleigh Memorial Library and Kelly at Dr. Chatson’s office (Nashua Plastic Surgery) for their help with research. Mary Jernigan for sharing her experience.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Flying an eight-hour solo cross-country in a Piper Arrow with only the airplane’s crackling radio and a large bag of M&M’s for company, Sylvie Kurtz realized a pilot’s life wasn’t for her. The stories zooming in and out of her mind proved more entertaining than the flight itself. Not a quitter, she finished her pilot’s course and earned her commercial license and instrument rating.

Since then, she has traded in her wings for a keyboard, where she lets her imagination soar to create fictional adventures that explore the power of love and the thrill of suspense. When not writing, she enjoys the outdoors with her husband and two children, quilt making, photography and reading whatever catches her interest.

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