First Temptation

by Joan Swan

 Genre: Contemporary Romance

Box Set Name: “Wicked Firsts” – 6 novellas from 6 bestselling authors

Publisher: The Indie Six, LLC

Pub Date: August 19, 2013

Length: 120,000 words (total collection)

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Counterterrorist agent Taft Walker is up for the challenge of posing as an adult store owner with a new female undercover partner who is also a sex-toy virgin. At least until he sees the real woman beneath her tough façade.

Border Patrol Agent Zoe Brooks is ready to get off the front lines. She’s willing to tolerate a swaggering partner like Taft for a new opportunity. But she’s not prepared for the way he understands her deepest, sexiest desires.

Outside, the sky was dark, but Zoe still handed out fliers to gather spectators for her bright idea. They’d brought in another agent to pose as a cashier for the “event,” and she busily rang up sales at the register.

Taft glanced at his watch.

It was about time for the show to start.

“Hey, Honcho?” Dalton’s voice came over Taft’s earpiece. The other agent was positioned outside the store near Zoe. “Got some interesting action here.”

“I’m listening.”

“Our fringe players just showed up,” Dalton said, indicating Cantos and Vasquez. “Brooks is chatting them up now.”

“And the interesting part?”

“They’re…not alone.” Dalton hesitated, and Taft waited with clenched teeth and fists. “I’m trying to get a better view, but I’m pretty damned sure they’ve got the target with them.”

“Fuck.” Taft dropped his arms. His brain immediately searched for alternative plans. They hadn’t expected Picasso tonight. “What kind of security has he got with him?”

“Three beefy bouncer types. He’s wearing shades and a fedora, but…I’m pretty sure…”

Taft pushed off the wall. Alarm heated him from the inside out. He focused in on Zoe through the window again, but it was hard to see her with all the people milling around.

“Call three of the six guys in from the perimeter. And call in for backup.”

Taft made his way through the store toward two other agents, a man and a woman posing as a couple.

“Are we taking him now, Honcho?”

Dalton had dubbed Taft Honcho, short for head honcho. “Not unless it goes to shit. Way too many civilians here. I’ll call the boss, then come out to get her.”

“Copy that,” Dalton returned.

Taft paused before he reached the agents where he could see Zoe out the window and dialed Rio on his cell. She stood with her back toward Taft, encircled by men. And even though the body language of the group was loose and easy, even though the men were smiling and chuckling as Zoe spoke and gestured, Taft’s muscles tensed.

He forced his mind to imagine her as any other female partner. Or another male partner who happened to be small in stature. He couldn’t say the nerves were truly equal. He had to admit there was a personal element to his concern. But he felt better knowing he would still be acting just as cautiously even if it weren’t Zoe. Neither of them could afford to be weak in the heat of things.

“What’s up?” Rio answered.

“The target’s here with three bodyguards.”

“That was fast.”

“Too fast. We’re not prepared. Zoe’s idea was a little too popular. This place is packed. We don’t have enough men or enough of a plan to take him now. I need a team to follow him when he leaves.”

“Hold on.”

Rio got on another phone and ordered an undercover team to rendezvous at the mall with Taft’s agents to tail Picasso, then returned to Taft’s call.

“You got it,” Rio said. “This could work out even better. If we can follow him to where they’ve got him stashed, we can take him there. Keep your eye on him and hold tight. I’ve alerted SWAT.”

Taft pocketed his phone, released a long breath, and approached the agents. The woman, Aurora, had discovered a portable vibrator disguised as a tube of lipstick and was checking the vibration strengths against her palm.

“This is nifty,” she said to Taft when he stopped.

“A good seller too,” he said, still searching for a decent view of Zoe. “Listen, the target’s here.” Both agents instantly focused on Taft. “I don’t know if he’s going to come in, but he’s got muscle with him. I’ve called in guys from the perimeter and backup. But we’re in defense mode, got it? Nothing is going down here tonight. Too many people.”

Both agents nodded.

“I’m going to bring Brooks in and get this party started.”

Meet Author Joan Swan:

USA Today Bestselling Author Joan Swan writes sexy romantic suspense for Kensington (Phoenix Rising Series) and independently (Covert Affairs Series).  She also works as a sonographer at a top medical facility in San Francisco and lives in magnificent wine country on the central coast of California with her husband and two daughters.

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About the WICKED FIRSTS Box Set:

Six New York Times and USA Today Bestselling authors bring you six all-new contemporary and super sexy suspense stories of first loves, first attractions, first temptations, first times and first obsessions.

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