Labor Day Blog Hop–Woman on the Run

UPDATE:  The winners from my individual blog are:  ARC of Claimed = Ragan Cornell.  Signed copies of Fated = Becky Ward and Christine Hundelt Hirth.  CONGRATS!

The winner from the overall blog hop is:  Laura Dunks

Hello and welcome to the Labor Day Blog Hop!  I thought I’d write a scene from a picture.  Besides the prizes I’m giving away on the entire hop, I’ll give away two signed copies of FATED and one signed ARC of CLAIMED to randomly chosen commenters on my blog.  Comment about anything.  Tell me if you liked the scene, or what you’re doing for Labor Day, or just say hi.  🙂  You have until late on Sept. 5th to enter.  If you’ve fallen off the blog, just click on the “Hard at Work” blog hop photo to jump back on. 

ALSO:  The Darker Temptations scavenger hunt is still going on for the rest of the day-click on the link for directions to win great prizes!

WOMAN on the RUN:

It was ironic he’d caught her on Labor Day. A national holiday most people took as a day
of rest.  Ronan never rested.  Lucy had known he’d find her…it was just a matter of time.

Time was up.

In fact, time pretty much stopped.  The lantern’s golden glow dimmed to a light haze.  Music receded.  Even the boisterous college guys at the bar seemed to quiet.

The second he grabbed her hands, the world narrowed to him.  Even though it was futile, she tried to yank  back.  “Let go or I’ll scream.” 

He smiled, his gaze dropping to her mouth.  “You know I like it when you scream.”

Jackass.  Heat flushed through her as memories clouded her mind.  Ronan, in the shower, steam and sex.  The man kissed like a god.  And he just got better from that point.  “I’m fairly sure I don’t remember.”  Yeah, right.

The scent of man washed over her as he stepped even closer, heating her entire front.  His grip tightened and raised her skirt. “Maybe I should remind you.”

Low, gravelly, his voice slammed need into her abdomen.  “Leave me be, Ronan.”

“You told me to hunt you.  Consider yourself caught.”

She stiffened.  “I did not.  I never said to hunt me.” 

His eyes warmed in equal parts amusement and warning.  “You said it was either the jewels or you…that I could only pursue one path.  Here I am.”

Her breath caught in her throat.  The man chased treasure like a dragon…he was made for the quest.  When the information on the rare yellow diamonds came in, she’d known he’d head straight for the last known location and forget to come home.  So she’d emailed him her goodbye.  Or her challenge, depending how one choose to look at the situation.  “You were overseas.”

“Yes.  It took me a week to catch your trail.” 

“You chose me?”  Confusion had her clearing her throat.  She’d known he’d eventually seek her…after he found the diamonds.  “I mean, first?”

“Of course.”  One dark eyebrow rose.  “You’re everything.  I believe I’ve been more than clear on that point.”

Romantic words, yet he sounded seriously pissed.  “Yeah.  Until you left me behind last time to go searching.”  For five months, they’d had to text and email.  They were supposed to treasure hunt together.

“The last quest was for the government and had nothing to do with treasure.  It was blood, death, and futility.”  His gaze hardened to a look she’d never seen before.  “You don’t know me very well if you thought I’d put you in that situation.”

She did understand.  His protectiveness had never bothered her before.  But five months was a long time.  “So.  What now?”

“Well…now I was thinking about how a yellow diamond would make a perfect jewel for an engagement ring.  If we can find one, that is.  What do you think?”

The world finally stopped tilting.  Her world finally calmed.  She smiled.  “So, is that a proposal?”

His grin shoved the shadows out of his blue eyes.  “Yes.  From now on, all hunting is done together.  I promise.  What do you say?”

Warmth and love settled in her solar plexus.  The man was just too much.  She leaned up to brush his lips with hers.  “Well, now.  It turns out I have a lead on the diamonds and am supposed to meet a source in an hour.  As to the proposal…I accept.”

So, leave a comment below for more chances to win.  Now, if you haven’t commented on my blog before, it takes awhile for a new comment to show up.  So no worries…I’ll get it in time.  Also, I may be camping without internet service, so I won’t be able to respond to comments until next week.  But thanks so much for stopping by!  🙂