Breaking All the Rules

February 2006
Silhouette Intimate Moments #1406
ISBN: 0-373-27476-9

Finalist in the Daphne du Maurier Contest

| Reviews | Excerpt |

Bad boy ATSA operative Simon Byrne avoids relationships because everyone always leaves, and he won’t set himself up for the pain, but his latest assignment pairs him with the one woman who makes alone feel lonely. 

By-the-book Tech Officer Janna Harris wants to stay uninvolved because she won’t let another man control her life the way her dead husband did, but working with her old friend Simon arouses unwanted feelings and threatens to expose her hidden pain.

To stop an international criminal, the two must go undercover to a private Caribbean island. Which is more dangerous, their quarry or being alone together on a yacht?

Reviews

"With the constant suspense added to the profound emotions of the main characters, Susan Vaughan has written an outstanding love story. BREAKING ALL THE RULES is a tension-filled story where emotions and danger often collide."  --Cataromance.com

 "...love story mixed with an air of mystery that left this reader sitting on the edge of her seat to find out what would happen next....a tale with compelling characters and an energetic plot that will leave you breathless."  -- RomanceJunkies.com

  "While trying to prove Janna innocent of her husband’s treason, Simon falls in love with her. Secrets are revealed, the past is resolved and a terrorist threat is thwarted. Vaughan delivers a fast-paced novel featuring a highly emotional background story.”
--Romantic Times Book Club

 "Believable characters and an extremely adventurous plot keep you entertained while the romance and dialogue keep you hooked.  A definite keeper.” 
 --CoffeeTimeRomance.com

"Danger, secrets, lies, and romance are all evident in Susan Vaughan's BREAKING ALL THE RULES. Simon is the perfect hero...and Janna is the perfect heroine. A woman who's been through much and turned out stronger for it. Grab your copy of Ms. Vaughan's latest release today."  --Sinclair Reid, Romance Reviews Today

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Excerpt

For the next several days, Simon and Janna studied and plotted their operation. CIA spy satellites provided detailed photographs of Roszca’s compound. Operatives found the builder and decorator in Jamaica and sent drawings that aided Janna in designing surveillance equipment. 

Simon researched Wharton’s habits and dealings further to support his cover story as the arms buyer’s man. “Wharton” had told Roszca his man was arriving a week early for preliminary talks. Then Wharton would participate later by satellite phone. Since the rogue American’s paranoia and attention to detail were well known, Roszca accepted the story.

Janna’s cover was simple. She was a “boat-bunny,” one of many anonymous females who hopped from yacht to yacht as cook, crew and/or “companion.” Her job of monitoring their eyes and ears meant remaining on the Horizon when Simon went ashore to meet with their quarry. 

Simon breathed easier once Raines agreed to that rule.

Janna would breathe easier once Simon’s yachting lessons ended. 

With only a few days to go until their lift-off for Guantanamo, she watched as he slowed the twin 700 hp, V-drive engines. With his weed-whacked hair and bristly jaw, and sitting on the well-cushioned helm seat in his torn cut-offs, Simon resembled a pirate more than a legitimate yacht owner. He wore a Pirates of the Caribbean T-shirt and a boyish grin that she tried and failed not to respond to.

Once Raines had finalized their assignment, Simon had stifled his objections. Thank goodness. And he’d said nothing about her shameful lapse in professionalism. Flirting with the AD had been a mistake in judgment. And unnecessary. Raines had given her the assignment because of her expertise, not her sexy eyes. 

Sexy eyes she would continue to hide. Today behind sunglasses. 

Keeping her independence meant sticking to her rules. Only professional contacts with men meant less chance of endangering her goals, less chance of panic reactions that would leak her shame. This mission could threaten that secrecy, but she had to know. And she had to prove herself.

She watched as Simon slowed the powerful engines.

Open water navigation wasn’t his problem. He still needed practice docking the 60-foot cruiser. Rather than take a chance with her uncle’s yacht or his boat slip, they were using a couple of orange buoys as a target for docking. 

Dented and drowned buoys at this point.

On the third try, he approached too fast. Again.

“Simon, think of it as taking a horse into his stall. You wouldn’t canter or trot in. You’d slow him to a walk.” She tried to keep her voice calm, patient, but her jaw clenched.

“Got it.”

She held her breath as he jockeyed the engines into reverse and applied the bowthruster. He turned the wheel. The Horizon eased closer to the two buoys. Closer. 

Then the orange cones disappeared beneath the broad hull.

“Damn,” Simon said without heat. “Thought I had her that time.” 

Janna sighed, but couldn’t help but smile at his unrelenting good cheer. “Me too. You’re getting better. But that’s enough for today.”

“Sweet.” He shrugged. “Docking’s the least of our problems. Anchoring off shore is more secure where we’re going anyway. Easier for you to stay under Roszca’s radar.”

Simon gave her the helm and watched as she expertly maneuvered for him to retrieve the buoys. As she steered the yacht back toward the Annapolis marina, he relaxed on the companion seat beside her. He savored the ocean’s salty air and her profile--thick eyelashes that nearly brushed the sunglass lenses and full mouth pursed in concentration. Thanks to sultry May weather, white shorts showed off her long, tanned legs. 

“I agree on the safety issue,” she said, chewing her lip, “but you still ought to be able to dock her. Who knows what we’ll face.”

So right. And he wanted her kept out of danger as much as possible. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep practicing.” 

Janna nodded absently as the Bay Marina hove into view. A forest of bobbing masts and flying bridges spread across the sunlit water and into the docks. And beyond, the brick façade and dome of the state capitol building dominated the quaint old town. Slowing to the required 5 mph no-wake speed in the harbor, she brought them toward the boat slip.

“You’re a good teacher, Q. I know a great place right on the Severn River. I’ll spring for soft-shell crabs and beer on the way home.”

“Thanks, Simon. I’d like that, but I’ll pay my way.” She tilted her head. Pushing her sunglasses up on her head, she studied him oddly. “My showing you about the boat doesn’t bother you?”

“Bother me? Why should it?”

A pink flush crept up her cheeks. “I mean, having a woman know more than you. That doesn’t threaten you...your...um?”

He burst out laughing. “Threaten my male ego, you mean? No way. I’m fine with anything you can do better than me. Your geek brain fascinates me.” And turns me on as much as your witchy eyes and perfect butt. But he couldn’t say that aloud.

“Good. I didn’t want a problem hovering between us.”

“We have plenty of other problems. Our biggest is the hole in our strategy. I have no idea how to trick Roszca into leaving that island so ATSA can nab him.”

“Fast thinking on your feet is what you’re known for. Something will come up after we get to Isla Alta.”

“Yeah, maybe. But Raines wants a plan now.” 

Janna slowed the engine and applied the bowthrusters as she jockeyed the boat into its narrow space.

Simon observed with admiration. He did want to do that. Speed and power thrilled big time, but finesse could also bring a major rush. He knew that from horse training. 

And sex. 

A grin curved his lips, but he stifled his libido as her strange concern came back to him. “Janna, did Gabe have a problem with your intelligence?”

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