AIM FOR THE HEART
Silhouette Intimate Moments #1258
November, 2003
ISBN 0-373-27328
A dangerous beginning with an uncertain future...
 

Her orders had come straight from the Pentagon--safeguard Dr. Hawk Lemay at all costs.  The renowned expert on nuclear fusion was on the verge of a breakthrough that could change the power balance of the world, and he was being targeted by an assassin. 

Emotional attachments had never interfered with Captain Sarah Fox's sworn duty before, but this bodyguard assignment had its...obstacles.  For the strikingly handsome scientist was as determined to protect Sarah as she was to protect him, and she had no ammunition to fight the brilliant gaze that shot straight through her heart.

     Hawk leaned down to bring his face level with Sarah's.  "What's wrong?  And don't tell me it's nothing."
     There was no point lying--even someone who wasn't as intelligent as Hawkins Lemay would be able to see she was in pain.  "I took a round during my previous mission," she said.  "My body armor stopped the bullet but the impact dislocated my left shoulder."
     He lifted his hand to her shoulder.  He didn't touch her.  He held his fingers a breath above her coat, then caught a stray lock of her hair and tucked it behind her ear.
     The gesture was so unexpected, so...tender, it took Sarah a moment before she could continue.  "There was some bruising so the joint is still sensitive, but I assure you it won't interfere with my ability to do my duty."
     He dropped his hand.  "You hit me with your left shoulder when you knocked me down.  You reinjured it because of me."
     "My comfort is immaterial.  My duty is to protect you."
     "My God, you don't even know me."
     He was wrong, she thought.  She knew every fact about Dr. Hawkins Lemay that could be gathered by Army Intelligence.  The background file she'd assembled had been impressively thick. 
     His credentials as a scientist were beyond repute, his accomplishments in the field of particle physics were astounding.  At only thiry-five, he was the world's leading expert on nuclear fusion, respected by his colleagues, courted by foreign governments and amibitious businessmen alike...and considered important enough by the American government to warrant personal protection.  Major Redinger's orders had come straight from the Pentagon.
     Still, there were things the file hadn't told her.  She'd known Lemay was six foot two, 198 pounds, physically fit because of his daily jogging, but she hadn't known how gracefully he moved, or how long and tanned his fingers were, or how the battered, brown leather jacket he wore creaked subtly with his motions and smelled so deliciously of fresh air and man...
     "You're the man I've been assigned to protect, Dr. Lemay," she said.  "That's really all I need to know."  She stretched past him to start the elevator.  It began its ascent with a jerk.  Lemay reached out to steady her, but she ignored him and took a quick step sideways.
     He picked up her suitcase.  His voice was low and tense.  "I'm sorry I hurt you.  Would it help to put ice on your shoulder?"
     "No problem.  I'll be fine."
     "Who were you protecting that time?"
     She kept her attention on the passing floors.  "Excuse me?"
     "When you were shot?"
     "It was a hostage rescue.  A seven-year-old boy."
     "Since when does the Army do hostage rescue... Ah.  I should have seen it."  His voice took on a curl of interest.  "Hostage rescue, bodyguard detail.  You're no ordinary soldier, you're with Delta Force."
     His insight didn't surprise her.  After all, he was a genius.  "Yes, sir.  Here's our floor.  Stay back until I check the corridor."  She opened the gate with one hand and slipped her gun from her pocket with the other.  She held up her palm, motioning Lemay to remain where he was, then stepped out of the elevator.  When she assured herself the way was clear, she glanced behind her.
     She had half expected him to defy her order and follow her, but he was still standing by the elevator, her suitcase tucked under one arm as if it weighed nothing.  His jacket gaped open, exposing a wrinkled denim shirt.  The lighting in the corridor was subdued, yet the shadows couldn't hide the sharp glint in his gaze.
     The striking blue eyes he'd inherited from Cynthia Hawkins, his New England mother.  The midnight-black hair and strong bone structure had been passed down from Pascal Lemay, his Cajun father.  Those were facts she had known since she'd memorized his face from the photograph in his background file.
     But that photo hadn't shown that gleam in his eyes.  It was a glimpse of the power that dwelled behind the distinctive features, a hint of Dr. Hawkins Lemay's awesome intellect.
     He held her gaze as he closed the distance between them.  His big body moved with the careless ease of a predator, another fact that wasn't contained in his file.  He paused in front of her, once more filling her senses with the scent of leather and man.  "Tell me the truth, Captain Fox," he said.  "What's the real reason you're here?" .....

AIM FOR THE HEART
by Ingrid Weaver
Silhouette Intimate Moments #1258
November, 2003
ISBN 037327328