“Run!” I pick up speed and yank on her wrist.

She stumbles in those ridiculous shoes. “Wait!”

No time for that. I wrap my arm around her waist, lift her against my side, and haul ass for safety. Another bullet whizzes by, where Sophie stood just moments ago.

Then we’re around the corner. We’re safe—for now. We can’t stay long, but we can regroup and strategize for a minute or two. Hopefully, it’s enough.

I press my back to the wall, panting, and lower her to her feet in front of me before flipping our positions and blocking her from any other possible threat.

“You okay?”

More screaming fills the streets. Sirens roar close to the scene. She presses a hand to her chest, struggling to catch her breath. “I-I’m not hurt.”

She doesn’t try to claim that she isn’t terrified out of her mind. I know she is.

“Are you familiar with this area?”

“Not really. I’m from DFW, but never spent much time in Arlington.”

Damn. I’m not familiar with this chunk of the city, either.

We’ve got to get out of this alley—and this fucking vicinity—fast. Then we need a safe location without anyone knowing where Sophie is hiding. Only then can I figure out who wants her dead and why.

I scan our surroundings and come up with an idea. “Take off your dress.”

“What?” There’s a whole lot of hell no crossing her face.

She probably thinks I’m propositioning her. To be honest, in a less dangerous situation, if she was willing, I’d be more than game. Sophie may have been a pretty girl who burst on the music scene when she was still in pigtails, but she’s a hella beautiful woman now. I certainly wouldn’t turn her down. But that’s not why I’m asking her to disrobe.

“Your red spangly dress is a bright, shiny target to this shooter.”

“Oh.” She frowns. “But I can’t run around naked.”

As much as I might like the view, she’s right. Everyone has a camera on their cell phones these days, and she doesn’t need that kind of exposure. Hell, we’re lucky that everyone is too busy running for their lives to notice us tucked into this narrow alley.

I yank my T-shirt from my waistband and tug it over my head, leaving my torso covered in a thin wifebeater. The T-shirt is damp with my sweat and it smells like me, but that’s all I’ve got to give her. “Put this on.”

Sophie takes the shirt from my hand, her gaze glued to mine. “Where am I supposed to change?”

But she knows the answer; I see it on her face.

“I’ll block you.” After all, she’s tiny. I’m pretty big. We’ll make it work. “But we don’t have time for modesty.”

She hesitates an instant, then drops one strap of her low, scoop-necked dress down her arm, followed by the other. As she does, one thing becomes obvious: Sophie Larsen isn’t wearing a bra.

I start to sweat again, and this time it has nothing to do with heat or danger.

Holy shit.

5 Smoking Hot Stars! “Sexy, seductive, action-packed with a great storyline. This is the perfect read for a chilly fall night.” – Marie’s Tempting Reads

5 Stars! “…Explosively HOT! This quick read is suspenseful, dramatic and steamy.” – Amazon Reviewer

5 Stars! “Oh so good! Filled with high emotions and an even higher lust factor, this book was awesome.” The Overflowing Bookcase

5 Stars! “Hot and entertaining! I could not put this book down.” – Amazon Reviewer

5 Stars! “Swoons! A wonderful story that I truly enjoyed. It provided an escape from everything, allowing me a couple hours away.” – Amazon Reviewer

5 Stars! “Hot stuff! Ms. Black’s Forbidden Confessions series is fun and very entertaining. This book is one of my favorites in the series.” – Goodreads Reviewer

Sexy! “A sexy as sin novella…full of romance, love, action and yes, sex.: – TaSTy WordGasms

5 Stars! “This is one of my favorites of the series and it is H.O.T!” – Amazon Reviewer

Sexy, Insta-love romance read! “It’s a sizzling, sexy, complex, intense, short yet jam-packed romance read that brings all the drama and angst, excitement and the chemistry.” – Goodreads Reviewer

5 Stars! “A fantastic book, I was hooked from page one.” – Goodreads Reviewer

5 Stars! “There are lots of twists and turns trying to find out whodunit. A short sexy and suspenseful read with a happy ending.” – Amazon Reviewer