Book Snippets; Six Angels (Book 5)

[Angelic nurse, Elizabeth Anderson, has a new boarder, Michael Moreland, who was injured in an accident. She has no idea he is really Special Agent Keegan Tanner, an FBI undercover agent who has been placed in her home so that he can recuperate from the car accident that almost took his life while remaining hidden from the ruthless organization he'd been investigating.]

Lizzy hurried around the kitchen, doing up dishes, taking out some ground beef to thaw, cleaning up a sticky spot on the floor, the whole time thinking about Michael Moreland. Not used to being close to a man other than her husband, she couldn't place the feelings that crept up her spine and had the hairs at the nape of her neck standing on end. He looked at her in that very male, very primitive kind of way, heating her blood and doubling her respiration.

She wasn't stupid. Of course what she was feeling was lust. It was a new thing to her, though. The love that she'd shared with Bradley was sweet and wholesome and heavenly. Now, there was a man in her home who was nothing like Bradley, not in any way, and he was causing feelings she'd never experienced. She wasn't afraid of him. She was excited by him. She was a nurse. She understood a body's need for release. And it had been a very long time since she'd had sex so that would explain her reaction to him, besides the fact that he was extremely good looking.

His dark hair, and darker eyes gave him a dangerous look. But when he smiled, which he hardly ever did, not that she could blame him right now, it showed a boyish character and that one adorable dimple. His body was banded with lean muscle. Who couldn't resist that broad muscular chest and six pack abs? His one thigh was thick and strong. They'd have to work on regaining muscle in the other leg when it became weight bearing.

Pushing her thoughts to what had to be done, she went to check on the children. Rose and Violet were almost dressed but needed help with their shoes. Daisy and Lily were still rummaging through their drawers. There wasn't much to choose from. Just about all their clothes were hand-me-downs. Lizzy knelt down and helped them decide between pink or lime green pants and shirts with flowers or shirts with butterflies. The green pants and butterfly shirts won out. Once they were dressed, teeth cleaned, faces washed and hair brushed, she led them to Mr. Moreland's room.

She knocked softly and pushed the door open. He'd fallen back to sleep, the newspaper spread out across his chest. Quietly, she moved toward the bed and reached for the paper. The moment she touched it his hand snapped out, trapping her wrist in an iron grasp.

She gasped. His eyes opened and bore deep into hers, violence and rage barely contained.

"I, uh, was just moving the newspaper," she tried to explain.

A look of confusion crossed his features, then his eyes widened. He glanced down at his hand holding her wrist and let go immediately. "I'm sorry, I must've dozed off. You startled me."

She swallowed, rubbing her wrist.

"Do me a favor and don't sneak up on me. Ever."

"Okay," she agreed quickly and meekly.

He felt instantly sorry. Damn, he hadn't meant to scare her. He watched her as she straightened her shoulders and put on a brave front.

"I thought you might like to meet the girls," she explained. "But I can come back another time if you prefer."

"No. Please, introduce me to the girls. I'm sorry I snapped at you."

She drew a breath and blew it out. "Okay. Well, this is Rose and this is Violet. They're twins as you can see."

"Hello Rose and Violet," he said softly, noting their blue eyes were large with apprehension.

"How old are you?" he asked, trying to put them at ease.

"We're four," they answered in unison.

He chuckled.

Lizzy immediately looked up at the pleasant sound. Her eyes met his. He actually smiled.

"And who are these two?" he asked, snapping her out of her shock.

"Um, this is Lily and this is Daisy. They're three."

"Well hi there, Lily and Daisy," he said, his eyes twinkling.

Lizzy was captivated by the sight.

"Lily's shy," Daisy said. "She won't talk. But I will. I'm not shy."