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Category: Romance/Suspense/Thriller
Description: Elle Parson wins $10 million in the Texas Two-Step Lottery and her life immediately turns to crap. First someone almost steals her purse containing the ticket. Then, she unwittingly mucks up a police undercover operation to catch the Houston Marauder, a psychopath who has already abducted, raped and murdered three women. Then things turn much worse.
eBook Publisher: Cobblestone Press, 2008
eBookwise Release Date: August 2008

2 Reader Ratings:

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Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [199 KB]
Words: 45521
Reading time: 130-182 min.

"Elle is feisty, self assured, and unwilling to just sit back and let the world pound on her. She has fought tooth and nail to drag herself up to where she is barely above the water and then the lottery win seems like the answer to her prayers, or is it? Elle has to decide if money makes the woman or if money is just a handy tool. Nick Damato is one hot detective and the chemistry between him and Elle is blistering. But Elle also brings out his stubborn, protective nature too. I enjoyed the interaction between these two strong personalities and watching them struggle to figure out what is going on and who is after Elle. The action starts right at the beginning and the suspense builds right up to the conclusion of the story. Are you looking for an entertaining romantic suspense with strong characters, a murderous bad guy, and lots of chemistry? Then you'll like Pay Dirt." Steph B., Romance Studio, 4 Hearts

"The mystery is solved with a few unique twists, and the erotic scenes are extremely well written. Author Reid keeps the reader interested and involved as she spins this riveting tale." Sphinx Minx, Literary Nymphs, 4 Nymphs

"We could check into a hotel and go first thing in the morning. Then you can cash in the winnings, and we'd still make it back into town before I need to be at the Galleria."

Elle felt her breath catch in her throat. Check into a hotel together? The idea was more enticing than she wanted to admit. "Nick, that's a little fast if you're suggesting what I think you're suggesting."

"I'm not suggesting. I'm saying I want to spend the night with you. Preferably with you in my bed and underneath me."

Elle choked on her bite of sandwich. She covered her mouth, coughing as blood raced through her veins. She continued coughing until Nick patted her on the back. Then she laughed.

"You all right?"

Elle finally stopped coughing long enough to take a drink of her sweet tea. She knew she should stand up, grab her bag, and get out of here. That's what a lady would do. The desire his words sent surging through her, however, did not make her want to get up and leave. They made her want to get up, pack up the food they had left and take it with them straight to Austin. Her cheeks burned.

"I'm fine." She cleared her throat. "The next time you plan to proposition me, though, would you give me a little warning first?"

"Whatever you say." Nick's mouth curved into that wide grin she found so appealing. Appealing and dangerous.

Elle stared into the black lenses of his sunglasses. "I think you're nuts. I think you're coming onto me as a little entertainment for yourself, and I think it's insulting."

Nick shook his head. "No, you don't."

Elle wanted to argue, wanted to tell him to shove off, but she couldn't make the words come. He was right, of course. Every one of her arguments sounded so right, so proper, but every one was a lie and the farthest thing from her true desires.

"I'll tell you what I think," Nick continued. "I think we can get this food to go, and we'll have plenty of time to talk about why you don't mean a word of it as we drive to Austin."

Drive with him to a hotel? Stay in a room with him? Was she actually considering this? Elle shook her head, forcing sanity back into her thoughts. "Nick, I appreciate what you did for me, I really do. And I, well, I liked kissing you. But..."

Nick took her hands into his. "But you don't know me. You don't know anything about me other than I'm a detective, and I liked holding you in my arms."

Elle nodded and held her breath. "Yes."

He squeezed her hands, gently stroking her fingers with his thumbs. The heat from his touch traveled up her arms and along her limbs to settle low in her belly. She ignored the people sitting around them, the food in front of them, and the fact that she didn't know him at all. The heat from his touch obliterated even her ability to breathe.

Sliding his fingers up her arm to her cheek, he cupped her face. "I can tell you some more things I like. I like kissing you. I like the idea of driving with you to Austin, touching you, telling you about myself and learning about you. We can take it slowly; get separate hotel rooms, if that's what you want. But it isn't what you want, and it's not what I want. We can play games, or I can make love to you all night until you scream my name."

Recklessness overcame her as his words swirled around her, and his thumbs pressed the soft skin below her ear.

"What do you say? Are we ready to get this food to go?" Nick raised his hand and motioned to the waiter. Her skin continued to tingle where he'd touched her.