Meant to Be

She's running from her past, he's unsure about his future. Maybe together they can figure out what was MEANT TO BE... Officer Garrett Jamison is at the lowest point in his life. He's lost faith in his ability as a police officer after unwittingly setting his sister up with a dirty cop. Garrett ended up getting shot, and his sister's son kidnapped right out of his own bed. He takes a leave from the force, in need of some time to make a decision about his future. Too bad he can't get a decent night's sleep thanks to his sexy new neighbor and her howling cat. Jessica McGovern moves halfway across the country to start a new life in Green Bay, Wisconsin after her ex-husband is convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the death of their young son. Her new neighbor is as infuriating as he is handsome, but when her ex is released from prison early and shows up in town, Jessica discovers she's never needed anyone more. Excerpt: He just wanted to get to know the obstinate woman... "I'm a pretty good listener, Jess. And anything you tell me would be strictly confidential. You have my word." She looked up at him with those big blue eyes, and the temptation to pull her into his arms nearly overpowered him. Their earlier kiss had been cut short, and he hadn't been able to think about much since. "There's nothing to tell," she insisted. "I got married too young, and he turned out to be a total loser. End of story." Having hoped she would open up to him, Garrett felt a surprising sense of disappointment. "Fine. If that's the way you want it, I won't push." He swiped his fingers through his hair. "Your business is your business." "Finally," she said with a playful roll of her eyes. "Listen, it's been great fun and all, but I have to get up early for work. So, if you wouldn't mind..." She gestured toward the door. Garrett shook his head and chuckled. "Woman, you are hell on a man's ego." "Somehow, I think you'll live." "Well?" He stood up and motioned her forward. "Aren't you going to send me off with a good night kiss?" She let out a delicate snort. "You act as if we're dating or something. Hell, we just got past our mutual dislike of each other." "Is 'mutual dislike' what you were feeling when you wrapped your arms and legs around me in the kitchen?" he asked, annoyed by her casual attitude. "Because it's definitely not what I was feeling." "I see your ego isn't as delicate as you thought it was." Garrett reached down, grasped both her hands, and hauled her to her feet. He gazed down at her, holding her tight against him with one hand, while the other worked the ponytail holder from her hair. Gently, he finger-combed the silky blonde tendrils away from her face while gazing down at her lips, fighting the urge to kiss her breathless. "The hell with it," he whispered, losing the battle, and took her mouth with fierce possession. Jessica melted into him without hesitation. She wrapped her arms around his neck and slanted her mouth beneath his, meeting the thrust of his tongue with a sexy little moan. Garrett had to use every bit of his self-control to keep from stripping her naked and taking her right there on the floor. He wanted to taste every inch of her, make her burn for him, hunger for him. And she could deny it 'til the cows came home, but the way she responded to him was all the proof he needed--Jessica wanted him just as much.