Shadow of Sin by Parker Kincade
Book #2 in
The Martin Family companion series
Release date: November 6th, 2013
A man determined to protect her…
Caleb Martin is no stranger to hazardous situations. He's seen enough bloodshed to last two lifetimes. When an innocent evening takes a dangerous turn, Caleb takes matters into his own hands. If she wants his help, it’s his rules, his way. Period.
A woman who won’t be controlled…
When it comes to relationships, Samantha keeps things casual, unassuming. Safe. Caleb Martin is far from safe. His ‘my way or the highway’ attitude pushes all the wrong buttons, and she’d sworn no man would have that kind of power over her again.
A hunger that won’t be denied…
Protecting Samantha from the man that stalks her shouldn't test his patience—or his control—but her smart mouth and hot Irish temper stoke the fuel of his desire. She is pure sin—a distraction he doesn’t need, a temptation he can’t resist.
Despite their animosity, Caleb has starred in her fantasies for years. His ruthless sensuality proves to be more potent than she ever imagined. As Caleb masters her body, Samantha must keep a tight grip her heart.
Amanda shoved
a bag into his arms and before he could blink, wormed her way past him. Caleb
followed her to the kitchen and set the bag on the counter.
“What’s all
this?” It looked like she’d brought enough food to feed an army.
She craned her
neck, clearly looking for something. “You missed Sunday dinner and I didn’t
want you to starve.”
He bit back a smile. She’d have to look a
little harder if she was going to find Samantha, who was currently taking a
shower in his bathroom. He was sure it was the last place his dear baby sister
would imagine her to be.
Amanda slid
onto a stool and crossed her arms over her chest. Her long blonde hair, secured
in a ponytail, made her look like the little girl he remembered. Her eyes,
though—her eyes betrayed that look of innocence. Behind the shimmering emerald
burned knowledge of pain and loss. Things he’d wished he could’ve protected her
from. Should’ve protected her from.
Hers were the
same eyes that stared back at him when he looked into the mirror. Their father
had been the one with the blue eyes. Their father, and Alec.
And when
Amanda looked at him like that, as if she were trying to figure him out, she
looked so much like their mother it made his gut clench.
“And yet, I’m
able to feed myself every other day of the week.” Caleb’s mouth watered at the
spread she’d brought. Containers of fried chicken—his favorite—mashed potatoes,
and pan gravy made him groan with pleasure. Yes, he could cook. And yes, he fed
himself just fine, but there was nothing better than his sister’s home cooking.
Something else she’d inherited from their mother.
“Cut the shit,
Cay. Where’s Sam? I know how you two get. Is she okay?”
“How we get?”
Her lips
pursed as she considered him. His fierce little cherub. “Did you kill her?”
Caleb fought
to school his expression and nodded somberly. “I did. Then, I dumped her in the
lake. Of course, I had to weigh her feet down with cinder blocks first, her
being so light and all. Wouldn’t do to have her floating around for someone to
find, right? You want some chicken?” He held the container out to her. “No?” he
shrugged. “More for me.”
“Not funny,
Cay.”
He laughed.
“Well, what did you expect me to say? Of course I didn’t kill her. In fact,
I’ve been the perfect gentleman.” Unless, of course, she counted the time he’d
pushed Samantha’s head into his lap and buried himself in her mouth. Or the
time he’d shoved his fingers into her wet heat and brought her to
climax—twice—while he’d feasted on her breasts. Or the time —
“What is that
look? What’s going on around here?”
Caleb shoved
his libido back into neutral. He was pretty sure Alec knew he’d been sleeping with
Samantha, but his sex life wasn’t up for discussion with Amanda.
The last few
days had been a revelation. He was relaxed, at ease in his own skin for the
first time in a long while. He almost felt … content.
It was
Samantha.
Buried deep in
the heaven of her body, Caleb could almost see himself through her eyes. And he
liked what he saw.
A man worthy
of a woman as smart and intelligent as her. A man who could protect and take
care of her. And that’s exactly what he would do.
He hadn’t been
there when his parents had died. He couldn’t help Amanda with her grief once
he’d returned home. He’d lost his men in Columbia, almost lost Amanda last
year. He’d failed so many people in his life.
He would not
fail Samantha.
Each time he’d
gotten up at night, Samantha had been there. No amount of encouraging or
browbeating would get her to leave him alone. And lord knew he’d tried. But,
instead of letting him work out his frustration on the treadmill, she’d
challenge him to a video boxing match and go until he couldn’t hold his arms
up, or she’d coax him back to bed, giving her body to him until they fell from
exhaustion. Alec had been right about one thing; the woman had more stamina
than most of the Marines he’d worked with.
She didn’t
pry, didn’t bombard him with a thousand questions, or expect him to talk.
She waved off
his gruff moods and refocused his attention.
And he was
utterly amazed by her.
He could feel
his life changing even as he lived it. All because of one sexy redhead.
Samantha was fiercely independent and challenged him at every turn. But, when
he got her naked, holy fuck, she’d shown him a side of her he hadn’t known
existed. A soft, sensual side that drove him crazy.
She’d given
him everything. He knew it. He felt it.
He just didn’t
know what to do about it.
He didn’t know
if it was about him, or if it was just … her. Samantha wasn’t one to do
anything half-assed. Did she treat all her lovers the same?
Christ.
Thinking about her with another man made his knuckles itch for a fight.
“Caleb!”
Amanda slammed her palms on the counter.
Desperate for
something to do with his hands, Caleb stacked the containers with the intention
of putting them in the fridge. “Jesus, kitten. Chill out. Samantha’s fine.
She’s in the shower.” Washing all traces of him from her delicious body.
Temporarily.
“How are you
doing?” She indicated to the discoloration on his arm.
“Nothing to
worry about. I’ve had worse.” Much, much worse. “We’re both fine, I give you my
word.”
“Thank you,
Cay.”
The sincerity
in her voice pulled on his heart. “Thank me for what?”
“For looking
out for Sam. You set aside your feelings because you know she’s important to
me.” She shrugged. “I appreciate it, that’s all.”
His mouth
tugged into a frown. Samantha had said the same thing. Regardless of what had
happened in the past, his reasons for keeping Samantha safe had nothing to do
with Amanda.
“I can take
her off your hands now,” Amanda continued. “She can come stay with me and Joe.”
Over his dead
body.
“She’s not
some dog you have custody of.” His irritation grew. “You make it sound as if
her staying with me is the worst possible thing for her. I doubt she’d share
your opinion. No. She stays, for now. She’s safe here.”
Amanda looked
as if he’d insulted her. “She’ll be safe with us.”
“As safe as
you were?” he barked.
Blood reddened
her cheeks. “That’s not fair, Caleb. What happened to me last year has nothing
to do with this. And let me remind you, I did a pretty good job of taking care
of myself before Joe got there.”
“Hey, hey.
What’s all the yelling about?”
“Sam!” Amanda
jumped up and hugged Samantha tight.
“Can’t.
Breathe. Wanna ease up a little?”
Samantha met
his gaze and mouthed, “What’s this?”
“She was
worried I’d killed you.”
Samantha
laughed and pulled out of Amanda’s embrace. “Aw, come on now. You know I’m
irresistible. All it took was a little forced co-habitation and a lasagna to
convince Caleb to put up with me.”
“It was a damn
good lasagna,” Caleb confirmed, watching the women closely.
Amanda
snorted. “Be that as it may, I want you to come stay with me.”
He bit his
tongue. Telling Samantha she couldn’t go would be the fastest way to get her to
leave. She had to make her own decision. And if she made the wrong one, well,
then he’d pack a bag and go with her.
Either way, he
wasn’t leaving her side. Samantha may want to believe their association had an
expiration date, but the more he thought about it, the more he thought it was a
crock of shit.
They’d never
be able to avoid each other, and he’d never be able to sit back and watch
another man touch her. It was as simple as that. He wasn’t sure where that left
them, but he sure as hell wouldn’t find out if she took off with Amanda.
“I’d like you
to stay,” he said. “But of course, it’s your decision.”
Samantha cut
him a glance. “Actually, for once, I agree. We made a deal, and I’ll stick to
my end of it. I love you, Amanda, but I need to stay here a while longer.”
It chapped his
ass that she’d brought up that stupid deal they’d made, but if that’s what she
needed to justify staying with him, then so be it. He’d address her little
comment about needing to stay here later.
Amanda’s gaze
darted back and forth between them. “Why don’t we go have some lunch and talk about
it?”
Caleb shook
his head. “I don’t like the idea of you two out there alone right now.”
“Yeah?” Amanda
shot back at him. “Well, get over it. Sam and I need to talk.”
“I am going a
little stir crazy, and lunch sounds great.”
“You don’t
have a phone.” He felt obligated to point out she’d have no way to contact him
if something happened.
She squared
off with him and he felt a familiar stirring in his pants as she planted her
hands on her hips.
“Well, whose
fault is that?” Her gaze softened slightly. “You can’t keep me locked up
forever, Caleb.”
Why did she
keep acting like staying with him was such a hardship?
Amanda grabbed
Samantha’s arm and dragged her toward the door. “We’ll be fine, Caleb. Joe’s
waiting downstairs and will be with us the whole time.”
“See? Nothing
to worry about.” Samantha winked and blew him a last minute kiss over her
shoulder as they walked out. “Later, horseman.”
Caleb stared
at the door and wondered—not for the first time where those two were
concerned—what in the hell had just happened.
Parker Kincade is an award-winning erotic romance author of The Martin Family Series. Her first novel, One Night Stand, won the category of Best Erotic Romance in the Celtic Hearts Romance Writers Golden Claddagh contest and was named finalist in the Romance Writers of America/Passionate Ink Stroke of Midnight contest.
Parker lives in the southern United States with her husband, children and beloved boxer sidekick. She loves reading, playing golf, spending time with her family and friends, ice cream from the ice cream truck, taking her dog to the park and watching old musicals.
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