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eBook Category: Erotica
eBook Description: When Dr. Ryan Wade proposes a marriage of convenience, Tara Mason believes she understands exactly what she's getting herself in to. Neither love nor passion were supposed to be part of the package deal, but when passion flares one freezing winter night, can love be far behind? Rating: Contains sexual content.

eBook Publisher: New Concepts Publishing, Published: 2005
Fictionwise Release Date: September 2005

153 Reader Ratings: Great Good OK Poor

Available eBook Formats [MultiFormat - What's this?]: Adobe Acrobat (PDF) [894 KB], eReader (PDB) [176 KB], Palm Doc (PDB) [163 KB], Rocket/REB1100 (RB) [145 KB], Microsoft Reader (LIT) [149 KB] - PocketPC 1.0+ Compatible, Franklin eBookMan (FUB) [195 KB], hiebook (KML) [406 KB], Sony Reader (LRF) [219 KB], iSilo (PDB) [134 KB], Mobipocket (PRC) [168 KB], Kindle Compatible (MOBI) [206 KB], OEBFF Format (IMP) [210 KB]
Words: 50406
Reading time: 144-201 min.
Microsoft Reader (LIT) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Format:  Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
All Other formats: Printing DISABLED, Read-aloud DISABLED
ISBN: 1-58608-592-1

Tara anxiously twisted her hands as she once again paced the floor of the spacious lounge. Up and down. Up and down. What the hell was she doing here, she thought for the umpteenth time? Alone, in this lonely house in the wilds of the High Country. I must be mad! I should never have accepted this job. What if this Doctor Wade doesn't return? What if he doesn't actually exist? She gave a nervous laugh as her imagination began to run riot and she thought about the predicament in which she had placed herself.

The telephone's shrill ring caused her to jump violently and she grabbed it, relief flooding through her. Thank God! Human contact. "Tara Mason speaking," she breathed into the receiver.

"Are you having an affair with my husband?" The woman's voice was sharp and very much to the point.

"Pardon?" Tara pressed the phone to her ear, her mind racing.

The voice continued, "Oh, don't worry too much. I've got used to all of Ryan's little dalliances over the years." The voice now sounded faintly amused.

Tara tightened her grip on the receiver. Ryan? That was Doctor Wade's first name, she was sure. Could this be his wife? Swallowing hard she said, "I'm sorry but you've made a dreadful mistake. I've just started here--I'm Doctor Wade's new nurse."

"I'm sure you are," the voice continued, still reflecting amusement but with an underlying thread of heavy sarcasm. "Well, Nurse whoever you are, just pass this message to my beloved husband, wherever he might be. Tell him I'm getting married again and I'm suing for sole custody of my children."

The phone slammed down in Tara's ear making her flinch. Damn, what have I walked into? She must be an ex-wife or she wouldn't be talking about marrying again! Tara's mental bitch-monitor was doing acrobats.

Turning, she stared around the comfortable room, made welcoming by the dancing reflections of the red flames from a cosy fire. It wasn't the opulence she was used to in her father's home, but it reflected the security she desperately sought. Tara had felt safe for the first time in ages when the housekeeper Molly, had welcomed her earlier.

But now she thought about the implications of the comments made by the doctor's ex-wife and almost guiltily began to plait her luxurious, waist-length hair winding it around her head in a no-nonsense coil. Frowning at her reflection in the mirror over the fire place, she delved into her bag for her face-hiding glasses. That was better. She had never considered herself a beauty, even though her doting father had told her so, but she definitely hid behind a protective appearance now. She looked down at her old favourite jumper, well-worn jeans and strong walking shoes. It was hardly the slick city image she was used to presenting to the world!

Tara clenched her hands, wondering about her new boss and his wife's attack on his character. She needed this job. She had little money left in her account and needed to stay hidden from Tony and be allowed to grieve for her father in peace.

She held her breath. The only sound was the ticking from the large clock on the mantelpiece and the occasional crackle of wood burning in the fire. Where was the mysterious Doctor Wade? The housekeeper's last words had been "Just make yourself at home, love. The doctor won't be long." But that was over two hours ago!

Tara was about to go to her bedroom and start unpacking when the front door burst open. She jumped as it slammed against the wall with a loud crash. A gust of wind whirled around her legs as she lifted her head to stare at the imposing man framed in the doorway. He wore a long cloak protecting him against the chill autumn air. In one arm he cradled a crying baby, while the other was wrapped around a whimpering child clinging to his thigh. The man glared at Tara, causing her to draw back in alarm.

"Who the hell are you and what are you doing in my house?" The words were hurled at her with suspicion grimly etched across his stern, darkly handsome features. Tara hesitated as her eyes met his. This man was magnetic and dangerous.

"I'm Tara Mason." Tara's throat tightened. How ridiculous! She wasn't going to be intimidated by this overpowering man. "Your new nurse," she added firmly.

A look of astonishment crossed his face and then just as quickly disappeared as he moved forward with the children, kicking the door shut behind him.

"Take Ben, will you?" he said, holding the screaming child out to her so that she automatically stepped forward, taking him in her arms. "He's hungry and tired, that's all," he explained, as if to apologise for the baby's yelling.

"Shall I make up a bottle for him?" Tara smiled at the little girl who instantly hid behind her father's coat and then shyly peeked out.

"There's one ready in the fridge. I have to see to my daughter. She's running a temperature." He lifted the little girl in his arms and Tara noticed for the first time how flushed she was, her eyes over-bright with fever as she clung to her father's dark hair, her small hot cheek pressed against his.

Tara rocked Ben in her arms and his crying subsided as he chewed vigorously against his chubby fist. "It's all right. I'll see to Ben," she said, but Ryan was already walking along the passage to the bedroom area, the child still in his arms.

What an introduction. He had hardly acknowledged her presence. Tara shrugged. She couldn't blame him, since he was trying to cope with two tiny children who both needed attention, she thought as she fed and calmed the baby.

A cold shiver shot along Tara's spine as she felt his presence and looked up to see him studying her, an unreadable expression on his face.