Tough Justice by Tee O’Fallon – a Review

Posted on March 27, 2022 by Barb

Tough Justice by Tee O’Fallon – a Review

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Description:
It should have been a routine investigation. Instead, DEA K-9 agent Adam “Deck” Decker watches in horror as one Denver hospital seems to be Ground Zero for overdoses of a new drug. Now Deck can only hope a certain icy, green-eyed ER doctor will help him and his canine partner track down the deadly source.

Dr. Tori Sampson has her reasons for not trusting federal agents, especially ones working for the DEA. But the rash of overdoses—including a heartbreaking case involving a teen—is alarmingly high. And the new opioid is not only extremely dangerous, it defies all the usual medical treatments. So Tori has a choice: work with the big, brawny, and annoyingly hot DEA agent…or watch more innocent people die.

Tori’s the only person who can help Deck break the case, and they’ll need to trust each other, no matter how high the tension and attraction sizzling between them runs. But with every question answered, they realize there’s something more behind these typical teen overdoses. There’s a pattern here, and a pattern can only suggest one thing. There’s a killer on the loose.

Review:

Tough Justice begins with Dr. Tori Sampson dealing with yet another overdose victim in her emergency room. This time, it happened to be a “member of service”, which tells them is a police officer, firefighter or EMS injured on duty. While working on the DEA officer, who was exposed to the deadly drug while serving a warrant, Tori takes charge and order everyone out of the treatment room. Agent Adam Decker, aka Deck, refused to leave until Tori promised she’d do her best.

Deck has a huge mistrust of doctors, just as Tori has a DEEP dislike and mistrust of DEA agents. Due to the number of overdose cases that is happening in their city, the two of them embark on a mission to figure out where the drug is coming from and to save as many as they can. What they don’t count on is how close to home it actually hits.

Tough Justice is another wonderfully written suspenseful tale by Tee O’Fallon that truly draws you in from the very beginning. Both characters are relatable and believable. Once each of their back stories are revealed, it makes you root for them even more.

The chemistry between Tori and Deck is palpable pretty early on. It just takes them a minute to let go of their long-held prejudices. The secondary characters are well written too and leave you wanting more. No one, in my humble opinion, writes law enforcement/suspense/romance as well as O’Fallon. And, when you add K-9 officers? Get out! LOL!!! You love the dogs as much as you love the humans in her tales! The detail with which she tells her stories is incomparable and I can’t wait for the next installment.

If you’re a fan of the genre, you’ll never, ever, go wrong with one of her books. Well done, Tee O’Fallon!!! Very, very well done!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

Serve ‘N’ Protect by Tee O’Fallon – a Review

Posted on September 23, 2021 by Barb

Serve ‘N’ Protect by Tee O’Fallon – a Review

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Description:
Ambushed and left for dead, U.S. Secret Service K-9 Officer Markus York is on the mend and laying low in a safe house while his team tracks down his attacker. But Markus isn’t good at sitting still. Even with his K-9, Ghost, for company, he gets restless and decides now is the perfect time to do some repairs around the house…and inadvertently tears open his wounds.

Fresh out of a bad relationship that ended after a car accident left her with limited mobility, freelance accountant Cassidy Morgan has sworn off men. At least, that’s the plan. Until a frantically barking dog leads her to a neighbor’s house where she finds a mysterious man out cold and bleeding on the floor…and mumbling things like “no, they’ll find me” when she tries to call an ambulance.

Yeah, that’s not at all concerning.

Despite Markus’s surly attitude, Cassidy senses there’s something else at work beneath his rugged, keep-your-distance exterior. Whatever it is, it’s sexy as hell.

With someone still trying to kill him, Markus doesn’t want an innocent to get hurt, let alone take care of him.

If only his dog wasn’t crazy in love with her.

If only the chemistry between Markus and Cassidy didn’t explode whenever they were in the same room.

If only Cassidy wasn’t a target now, too.

Review:

Serve ‘N’ Protect begins with Cassidy Morgan decorating her home for Christmas and thinking she may have gone a smidge overboard. She had always loved Christmas and this one would be different for so many reasons. Lucky to be alive after a horrific accident, she has fought to put her life back together again, both personally and professionally. As she sat working on her laptop, she heard a continuous barking outside and found a beautiful dog outside that kept running towards her neighbor’s home. When she saw that a window had been broken, she grabbed her phone and followed the dog.

Cassidy knew her neighbor was out of the country, so when the dog was “insisting” that she go inside, she used the hidden key to see what was going on inside that had the dog so upset. That’s when she found a man, who was not her neighbor, laying on the floor next to a ladder.

Markus York, and his K-9, Ghost, had come to his friend’s house to recoup after being ambushed and left for dead. He was supposed to be taking it easy, so how hard could it be to change a lightbulb? The next thing he knew, a strange woman was pulling out her phone while talking to herself and Ghost saying she was calling 911, which was the last thing that needed to happen. Once Cassidy made him a believer that he was either going in her car or an ambulance to the emergency room, he relented and let her help him to her car. He knew he was supposed to lay low until they figured out who had tried to kill him, but he also couldn’t bleed out while waiting.

Once Markus was attended to at the emergency room, someone took a shot at them in the parking lot. He called the police, anonymously, to report what had happened and went back to his friend’s house. Eventually, his commanding officer and friends (also in law enforcement) make it there and Cassidy is offered the job of taking care of Markus to make sure he doesn’t overdo anything. Not only does she need the money, but she feels like Markus needs someone to look after him. However, once someone comes after Cassidy more than once, Markus knows he’s not the only one in trouble.

Serve ‘N’ Protect is another wonderfully written story from Tee O’Fallon. All three characters (Markus, Cassidy and Ghost!) are written well and relatable. The world that O’Fallon has built with this series pulls you in immediately and makes you reluctant to leave once the story is over. I loved Cassidy and her determination to not only recover from her accident, but to thrive. Markus is surly, with good reason, but eventually comes around. The chemistry between the two of them is amazing and leaves you wanting more. I also loved the intrigue and the real-life problems they both were dealing with. The secondary characters are intriguing, most of which we have met in previous books of the series. If you are a fan of the genre, you will never go wrong with one of O’Fallon’s books. Well done, Tee O’Fallon! Very, very, very well done!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

Trap ‘N’ Trace by Tee O’Fallon – a Review

Posted on June 20, 2020 by Barb

Trap ‘N’ Trace by Tee O’Fallon – a Review

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Description:
For wealthy socialite Katrina Vandenburg, business meetings and charity galas are all part of her orderly, structured world—one that gets blown to hell after finding two dead bodies in the same day. The police think she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. FBI Special Agent Dayne Andrews thinks otherwise. Dayne and his K-9, Remy, are tracking a cold-blooded killer, and that trail…leads straight to Kat.

Kat and her rescue shelter—the Canine Haven—are the only common denominators between the murders, and Dayne is convinced she’s dead center in the killer’s sights. Protecting her will test every ounce of his steely resolve. She’s the most intriguing woman he’s ever met. And everything he shouldn’t want. Too bad neither of them seem to have gotten the memo.

And they need to focus on catching a killer now more than ever. Because if Dayne and Remy fail in their mission, nothing will stand between Kat and the killer’s deadly blade.

Each book in the Federal K-9 series is STANDALONE:
* Lock ‘N’ Load
* Armed ‘N’ Ready
* Dark ‘N’ Deadly
* Trap ‘N’ Trace

Review:

Trap ‘N’ Trace begins with Katrina Vandenburg trying to return a puppy, Angus, that had been found wandering around her rescue shelter. She had called the number on the tag the previous night and the following morning, but no one had answered. As she enters the office of the owner, it takes just a few seconds for her to know something is wrong. When she finds a woman’s dead body in the office she immediately leaves the building to call 911.

The authorities show up, as does FBI Special Agent Dayne Andrews and his K-9, Remy. Dayne had met Katrina once before, through mutual friends, and that meeting had not gone very well. Once Katrina had been interviewed by the authorities, Dayne takes a personal interest in the case due to the fact that the murdered woman was a former agent.

Later, Kat drives down to her shelter to get Angus more food. When she enters, the lights are off, which she finds strange. She yells for her friend and employee, Amy, to no avail. As she enters another part of the shelter, she sees Amy lying on the floor. She is surprised even more when a man wearing a black ski mask attacks her and demands to know where “it” is.

Dayne and Remy arrive at the shelter to take some of Angus’ things (that were given to him by the murdered former agent’s husband) when he hears a woman’s screams. He draws his gun and gives Remy the command to find the intruder. Dayne soon finds Kat leaned up against a wall moaning and calls for backup. She tells him what happened and to help Amy, only it’s too late. He finds Amy dead and knows two things: these murders are connected and he will protect Kat with all that he has.

Trap ‘N’ Trace is another outstanding addition to O’Fallon’s Federal K-9 series. The characters are very well written and relatable. Kat comes from money, which Dayne had prejudged her for. When he became her protector and moved into her house, it didn’t take very long for both of their walls to come down. Their attraction, although not immediate, was quick to grow. The chemistry between the two of them is palpable, as is their love of dogs. Kat has been a little too trusting of a lot of people in her life, but after the murders, she, at Dayne’s urging, starts reevaluating certain relationships, only to realize that he was right. Of course, there are some misunderstandings along the way, but as the danger grows, so do their feelings. I absolutely love the world that O’Fallon has built with this series. If you like your romance with some intrigue, some amazing dogs and a lot of steam, you will never go wrong with her stories. Well done, Tee O’Fallon!!!!!! Very, very well done! I can’t wait for the next one!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

Dark ‘N’ Deadly by Tee O’Fallon – a Review

Posted on October 25, 2019 by Barb

Dark ‘N’ Deadly by Tee O’Fallon – a Review

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Description:
ATF Special Agent Eric Miller and his explosives detecting K-9, Tiger, pull over a truck, the contents of which are explosive. Literally. More shocking, the driver is the kid brother of a woman he left behind. One who still haunts his days and his nights.

They’d never so much as kissed, but Tess McTavish never forgot the handsome, dangerous agent who vanished in a shroud of mystery. Now the last thing she needs is an ATF agent with his own agenda. Doesn’t matter that Tess and her brother are innocent. If Eric learns the truth of their past, they’ll never be free.

Eric’s drive for revenge against the man who targeted him and his colleagues in a deadly explosion still burns hot inside him. Another bomb is about to be detonated and he’s sure there’s a connection between that man…and Tess’s family. But Eric and Tiger will do everything they can to protect the woman he’s falling for from what’s coming…

Each book in the Federal K-9 series is STANDALONE:
* Lock ‘N’ Load
* Armed ‘N’ Ready
* Dark ‘N’ Deadly

Review:

Dark ‘N’ Deadly begins with Tess McTavish receiving a cryptic phone call from her little brother, Jesse, saying the words she had prayed for “……….I want out………”. When Jesse had to abruptly end the call, Tess had no idea what would happen next.

Eric Miller was driving with his K-9 officer, Tiger, when a truck in front of him lost it’s truck bed’s cap. Eric turned on his lights to pull the guy over, but the driver had other ideas. Eric gave chase and the driver finally pulled over. When the tag came back as bogus, he knew something was off. As he approached the vehicle, there were other signs that put him on alert and let him know that he was pulling over a “sovereign citizen”, who happened to be hauling two partial drums of ammonium nitrate that sovereigns use to blow things up. The driver then left his vehicle and ran, but Tiger gave chase and apprehended the guy pretty quickly. Once Eric learned the boy’s name was Jesse McTavish, he couldn’t believe it. The resemblance to Tess was unmistakable, but he had no idea how much his life was about to change.

When Tess arrived at the station, she couldn’t help but wonder why it had to be Eric Miller who had pulled her brother over. She did know one thing……..she would do whatever she had to to get her brother out of the nightmare she had ran from so many years ago. When she gets to talk to Jesse, they come up with a sort of plan for how Jesse would answer the questions that they both knew would be asked of him. Eric comes into the room to begin and is not really prepared for seeing Tess again, but he reigns in those ‘old’ feelings and begins. It doesn’t take long for him to catch on to the fact that Tess is signaling Jesse. Wondering what they are hiding, he soon realizes that Jesse is just a pawn in a bigger plot and that the kid really had no idea how much trouble he could be in. When Jesse agrees to help them find out who is behind the shipment, Tess is uneasy, because she knows down to her toes that once Eric finds out who they are related to, all bets will be off.

Dark ‘N’ Deadly is an amazing story. The world that O’Fallon has built with this series is unparalleled. The characters she writes about are rich and complex and leave you wanting more. Tess’ backstory is one of isolation and abuse. Once you read why she had to leave her brother behind, your heart will break. Eric didn’t have as bad of a childhood as Tess and Jesse, but it shaped his life in a way that left him craving control. What hit him even harder was his team being killed during an op. The chemistry between Tess and Eric is palpable. The building suspense keeps you turning the pages faster, but it’s their interactions, both intimate and just their every day rapport, that endears them to the reader. The secondary characters, some of whom we’ve met in previous books, are well written and only add to the story. Once again, O’Fallon has written a truly amazing story that will leave you cheering. I can’t wait for the next installment. Well done, Tee O’Fallon!!!! Very, very, very well done!!

(Personal note: Very early in the book, O’Fallon tells about an event in West Memphis, Arkansas where two policemen were killed by sovereign citizens. My ex-husband, and the father of my children, was a cop in West Memphis for over 20 years. I personally knew both officers who were killed. One ate supper at my table so many times when he was training so many years ago. My girls, and our entire community, were devastated over those deaths. The schools were on lockdown and we watched the actions play out on live tv at my office that day. My oldest was home, and was maybe 75 yards from where the literal shoot out happened once the perps were located. I called to make sure she had the doors locked and could literally hear the gunshots as the situation came to an end. It was terrifying having to tell my daughter to get down in case a stray bullet from a high powered rifle came towards our home. Every year, on the anniversary of their deaths, our community still mourns their loss.)

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

Armed N’ Ready (Federal K-9 #2) by Tee O’Fallon-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

Posted on February 28, 2019 by Sandy

Armed N’ Ready (Federal K-9 #2) by Tee O’Fallon -Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 19, 2019

Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Nick Houston is as tough as they come, and he and his K-9, Saxon, are hot on the trail of a major illegal gun dealer. But his best lead—the beautiful owner of the Dog Park Café, Andi Hardt––is not cooperating. Doesn’t matter how sexy she is, or that his dog seems to be in love with her. She’s a suspect and he won’t cross that line. Ever.

Andi Hardt sank everything into her dream business—the Dog Park Café, a restaurant catering to dogs as much as people. Now everything is in jeopardy because of one extremely frustrating, incredibly hot state trooper. Like it or not, she’s in Nick’s crosshairs, and he’s calling the shots. Her only option: cooperate, or lose everything she’s worked so hard for.

Nick and Andi are catapulted straight into the danger zone, forcing them to make life-altering choices, and face their desires. Risking his life for Andi is the easy part. Risking his heart is the toughest assignment Nick will face.

•••••••••

REVIEW: Armed ‘N’ Ready begins with Andi Hardt giving her dog, Stray, a bath, or shower, as it were. One minute everything is fine and then the next minute, someone barges into the bathroom who is large and very intimidating. So is the huge black shepherd with him. Andi is convinced she is about to be attacked, until she notices the guy has on a police uniform, as does his dog, Saxon. How can housesitting for one of her best friends go so very wrong?

Sgt. Nick Houston is a little stunned to find Andi in the house where they are serving a warrant. He knew who she was immediately, due to surveillance. What he wasn’t prepared for was finding her bathing her dog in a tiny bikini and her being so feisty. Once he assures her that she will be fine, the female officer enters the room so that Nick can leave and Andi can get dressed.

Once downstairs, the officers tell Andi the reason for the search warrant: her friend, Joe, is laundering money for some illegal run dealers. Once Andi realizes the seriousness of the situation, she reluctantly agrees to help in any way with the investigation, as does Nick.
As they set their plan into motion, both Andi and Nick find themselves wondering ‘what if’ concerning the other one. Both have been hurt deeply in the past, which leaves them both in denial. However, when Andi’s life is threatened, Nick kicks things into overdrive to try and bring Joe in and protect Andi. Secrets are revealed and a misunderstanding threatens to derail everything, but when Andi’s life is threatened once again, Nick knows he has to save her, at all costs.

Armed ‘N’ Ready is a great pulse-pounding addition to the Federal K-9 series. Both main characters are very well written and I love the world that O’Fallon has built. Andi’s backstory endears hear to the reader, but it’s Nick’s story that will draw you in. Both have loved and lost, but in horribly different ways. I love the two of them together. Their chemistry is off the charts. The secondary characters are well written and add to all of that the fact that the dogs are great characters as well, and you’ve got a story that keeps you turning the pages. Even though this is the second in a series, this one, as well as the first, can be read as standalones. But, I don’t know why you would want to. 😉 I can’t wait for the next. Well done, Tee O’Fallon! Very, very well done!

Click HERE for Vickie’s review of LOCK N LOAD

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Vickie K

She finished setting a table at the far end of the deck, then paused to look into the dog run. Her profile was to him, and he could see a smile forming on her lips, but it was short-lived. Slowly, she turned, searching the tables she hadn’t gotten to yet, and he understood what she was looking for. Him. Dogs like Saxon were distinctive in size and color. There was only one of him within at least a several-hundred-mile radius, and wherever Saxon was, Nick was.
When she finally found him, her eyes narrowed to slits and her lips compressed into a thin line. With the tray still in her hand, she took a deep breath and headed straight to his table with long, determined strides.
So much for their little truce yesterday afternoon. She had to know something was up.
“Good morning,” he said when she came to stand beside his outstretched legs. From the irritated gleam in her eyes, he thought she might dump the tray over his head.
She set down the tray and crossed her arms. “What are you doing here?”
A light breeze brought with it her scent, all flowery and pretty. No matter how much hewished otherwise, he couldn’t deny it. Something about her torqued every one of his senses.
“Can’t a guy get some relaxation while he’s watching his dog play?” He locked his hands behind his head and looked up at her.
“I have no doubt this is not a social call. For you or your partner.” She jerked her head to the dog run.
“And you accused me of being overly suspicious?” He clucked his tongue. He was beginning to enjoy this. “Now who’s being suspicious?”
Her lips compressed into an even thinner line. “I’m not stupid, Sgt. Houston.” She yanked out the chair next to his, then sat and leaned into his personal space. With her blue eyes and sun-kissed complexion, she was just as lovely as he remembered. “I know you want something. You said you don’t deal in bullshit, so how about doing me the courtesy of getting to the real reason you’re here.”
“Fine.” He unlocked his hands from behind his head and leaned in until their faces were only inches apart. Bad idea. This close and his senses were more than going into overdrive—they were sparking with ignition.
Her sweet scent was in his nose and lungs. Her warm breath fanned his face like a gentle caress.
The job, he reminded himself.
He hadn’t acted since college, but he could do it, and he wouldn’t fail.
Showtime. Act I, Scene I, starring Nick Houston.
“Until Joe Myer shows up, I’m your new bartender.”

Tee O’Fallon has been a federal agent for twenty-two years, giving her hands-on experience in the field of law enforcement that she combines with her love of romantic suspense. Tee’s job affords her the unique opportunity to work with the heroic and sexy men in law enforcement on a daily basis. For Tee, research is the easy part!

Tee O’Fallon is the author of the Federal K-9 Series and the NYPD Blue & Gold Series. Tee has been a federal agent for twenty-three years, and is now a police investigator, giving her hands-on experience in the field of law enforcement that she combines with her love of romantic suspense. Tee’s job affords her the unique opportunity to work with the heroic men and women in law enforcement on a daily basis. When not writing, Tee enjoys cooking, gardening, chocolate, lychee martinis, and all creatures canine. Tee enjoys hearing from readers and can be contacted here where you can also Sign up for Tee’s newsletters and contests!

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Lock N Load (Federal K-9 #1) by Tee O’Fallon-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

Posted on June 1, 2018 by Sandy

Lock ‘N Load (Federal K-9 #1) by Tee O’Fallon-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

LOCK ‘N LOAD
Federal K-9 #1
by Tee O’Fallon
Release Date: May 28, 2018
Genre: adult, contemporary, romantic, suspense

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play / iBooks /

Crack CIA analyst Trista Gold is a whiz with the computer, but not so much with people. She hides behind her job, analyzing Top Secret code and making recommendations on national security. She doesn’t need a man in her life. But she will, very soon…

CIA K-9 officer Sgt. Matt Connors suspects that beneath Trista’s uptight appearance, there’s a sexy woman itching to cut loose. But he doesn’t dare act on his attraction. He’s a loner and always will be. Keeping away from Trista is a must-do directive. Until he doesn’t have a choice…

During a routine assignment, Trista stumbles across a cryptic exchange. She doesn’t think much of it…until someone tries to murder her—twice. Both times, Matt had been there to save her. But now she has to hide. And her new bodyguard, Matt, and his K-9 are the only hope she has against the powerful forces that want her dead.

••••••••••••

REVIEW: Lock ‘N’ Load begins with Trista Gold heading to work on a day like any other day. As she is waiting in line to go through the metal detector, a teenager from a tour group bolts and knocks her down. The security guards grab the kid and Sgt. Matt Connors, a CIA K-9 officer, assists Trista, making sure she is uninjured. Trista, of course, has noticed Matt before, but she doesn’t understand why he is always so detached. After all, who would want to talk to a “dowdy” young woman like herself……………

Sgt. Matt Connors has always wondered about Trista Gold and why she attempts to hide beneath very modest clothing. But, that’s all it is for him: wondering. He’s never really had a girlfriend and doesn’t deem himself worthy of a minute’s happiness. His best friend was killed 20 years ago, and it was all Matt’s fault……

As Trista is searching the dark web, using a program she developed that keeps her hidden, she finds who she’s looking for. While spying on the message exchange between her target and an unknown, something happens to cause her “dark curtain” to fail and she’s discovered in the chatroom. Her target exits immediately, leaving Trista wondering what in the world happened. Little did she know that that one blip would change the rest of her life.

Lock ‘N’ Load is a fun, and at times, emotional read. Yes, there’s instant attraction between the two main characters. Yes, there is a tigress hidden under those dowdy clothes. However, there is a building sexual tension between the two of them that was nicely written and made it a bit more believable. Trista, even though she’s a genius, is a bit naïve when it comes to the danger she finds herself in. Matt has blamed himself for his best friend’s death for so long, he doesn’t know how to feel anything else. Guarding Trista changes all of that. When someone tries multiple times to kill her, he knows that Trista makes him feel things he’s never felt. Once he realizes that he DOES want to be happy, and takes the steps to make that happen, you will fall head over heels for him. The two of them do not get an immediate HEA. They actually have to work for it like two adults. Add to all of this the secondary characters, Matt’s friends and fellow K-9 officers, and you’ve got yourself one hell of a romance. The dogs are a bonus! This is the first I’ve read by this author, but I guarantee, it won’t be the last. Well done, Tee O’Fallon! Very well done!

Review by Vickie

Copy supplied for review

“Are you all right?”
Trista jerked her head around to find Sgt. Connors crouching on the floor beside her, his face only inches from hers, his incredibly broad shoulders blocking out all else. Big brown eyes pinned her and she couldn’t tear her gaze away. No, his eyes were more like cocoa, coffee and caramel all rolled into one. Yummy.
The look he continued to give her was intense. His dark brows drew together as he searched her face, as if looking for injuries.
“Are you all right?” he repeated, frowning. Actually, it was more of a scowl.
Yes, she wanted to say. But her throat was clogged again, and no matter how much she tried, her lips wouldn’t move.
She took a deep breath, praying it would kick her brain into gear. It didn’t. The only thing it did, was send his sexy, way-too-appealing aftershave directly to her lungs and her brain.
Say something, stupid.
“I—” She swallowed. Lord, she’d thought he was good looking before, but this close …OMG. She might not be able to speak to certain men, but that didn’t mean her libido was dead. For a man, he was utterly stunning. In a tough, rugged kind of way.
“Do you think you can get up?” Sgt. Connors held out an enormously large, incredibly strong-looking hand. “Let me help you.”
Now staring stupidly into his eyes, she placed her hand in his, noting several thick scars on his hands and forearms. As he began pulling her to her feet, an inhuman snort ruffled her hair.
A large brown and black muzzle thrust its way into her peripheral vision. Trista gasped and scrambled in the opposite direction—straight into Sgt. Connors’ hard chest.
Her pulse pounded. Her body trembled a she took in quick breaths. The dog stared at her steadily from amber-gold eyes, a shade lighter than Sgt. Connors’.
She tried pushing herself farther from the dog, but not only weren’t her sensible shoes gaining traction on the shiny granite floor, but Sgt. Connors’ body was an immovable mountain of muscle.
Still holding her hand, he hugged her tighter against his body, wrapping his other arm around her waist. “It’s okay…” His deep voice rumbled in her ear. “Sedni.” In response to his command, the dog sat. “Sheba won’t hurt you. She’s here to protect you.”
“I d-doubt that.” Cynophobia—fear of dogs—was something she’d lived with since she was six years old.
He gave a slight tug and pulled her to her feet. Blood rushed to her head and she wavered, instinctively putting out a hand for balance. Her fingers contacted the center of his chest. His shirt felt odd, and it occurred to her that he was wearing a protective vest under his uniform. That, and he smelled really, really good. Like cedar, leather, and dark rum all rolled into one intoxicating scent.