Semper Paratus. Always ready.
Years ago, Coast Guard rescue swimmer Dylan Holt left Kodiak, Alaska, with his heart in pieces. He thought Nolee Arnauyq and her mouthwatering curves were behind him—until he’s sent to rescue the crew of a capsizing boat...including Nolee. And Dylan is definitely not ready for the too-familiar way his body aches at seeing her again.
Nolee’s always gone after what she wanted, and to hell with the risks. Now she’s a rookie ship captain taking on the deadly waters of the Bering Sea. But out on these treacherous waters, there’s no way to avoid the sizzling sexual tension between them—or the dangerous pull of emotions that could leave both their hearts lost at sea...
How she wanted him...
“We’re older now,” Nolee whispered.
“Wiser.” One eyebrow rose. Dylan’s hands settled on the outside of her knees and skimmed their way up her thighs, pausing on her hips.
“We won’t make the same mistakes we made before.”
“So you’re saying...”
The force of her need for him shook the fingers she slid up his biceps. What would it feel like to have this officer obey her every wicked whim? If she was in charge, surely she wouldn’t be as vulnerable...in danger...of giving him everything, including her heart.
“I can’t fight this, Dylan.” The fire he’d ignited inside her two weeks ago, the one that continued to smolder, could no longer be contained. The sensual flames licking over her flesh confirmed her assessment. “If we keep things physical only, we can indulge a little while you’re here.” Her eyes dipped to his hard, handsome mouth.
“We shouldn’t waste the time we have left together.”
The wintry Bering Sea has never seen such a heat wave as when Nolee Arnauyq reunites with her first love, USCG rescue swimmer POV 1 Dylan Holt...and ends up igniting a relationship that’s too hot to handle!
Rookie crab-fishing boat captain Nolee has a lot to prove on her first season at the wheel. She doesn’t want to be saved, thank you very much, yet professional rescuer Dylan has an aggravating habit of showing up just at the right—or wrong—moment. She can’t turn down his offer to help when an accident leaves her short-handed on deck, yet how can she focus on scoring a big catch when she’s wondering if it might be Dylan she wants to net most of all?
If you’re a fan of the Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch series like me, you’re sure to love this high-stakes, steamy adrenaline rush of a romance aboard Nolee’s vessel, the Pacific Dawn. Visit me at karenrock.com to learn more about my future releases or to let me know what you think of this book. I’d love to hear from you!
Happy reading!
Karen Rock
His Last Defense
Karen Rock
KAREN ROCK is an award-winning young adult and adult contemporary author. She holds a master’s degree in English and worked as an ELA instructor before becoming a full-time author. Most recently, her Harlequin Heartwarming novels have won the 2015 National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award and the 2015 Booksellers’ Best Award. When she’s not writing, Karen loves scouring estate sales, cooking and hiking. She lives in the Adirondack Mountain region with her husband, daughter and Cavalier King Charles spaniels. Visit her at karenrock.com.
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To the USCG sea and air rescuers and the badass crab crews and captains who risk their lives every day on the treacherous Bering Sea. Your bold, adventurous lives are an inspiration. Special thanks to USCG commander Bill Friday, as well as the Time Bandit’s captain, Jonathan Hillstrand, and his fiancée, Sheryl, for their patient help in fact-checking. I never could have done it without you!
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