Five Fun Facts - Sandy Sullivan

1. I've been told by another author that Justin Wilder is the most arrogant, egotistical, sexy character she's ever read.

2. I had to giggle every time Justin and Katrina sparred words while I wrote this piece.

3. The car Katrina drives is my husbands dream car.

4. I had to pick the brain of my husband and my daughter for research information concerning the Air Force and fighter jets. My daughter did sheet metal for these airplanes while she was stationed in Las Vegas.

5. During final edits, one editors comment was 'nice' when she read the line, "The pain shooting through her brain made her want to claw her eyes out and throw them across the room."


Blurb:

Katrina Jamieson didn't have time for a man in her life, much less a cowboy.She's not about to give up her career as a fighter pilot for anything. Zipping amongst the clouds at 40,000 ft is her dream and being the best pilot the Force has ever seen, encompasses her days.

Justin Wilder, cattle rancher and all around gorgeous hunk, doesn't need the feisty Katrina in the middle of his
world. He does just fine, thank you very much, taking care of his cows and building his ranch, but he can't seem to forget her after she slams her brand new, Mustang GT 500 KR into the side of his truck.

When their worlds collide, sparks fly and these two are so hot, skin sizzles when they touch. Can their attraction stand the test of time or will it burn out faster than the afterburners on her jet?


Excerpt

“Mind if I cut in?” The deep voice of the other man cut into their conversation. Mark smiled and stepped back as she frowned, but allowed Justin to wrap his arm around her waist and take her hand in his. The tingle of awareness rippled across her arms, sending goose bumps skittering across her flesh.

Trying to think of small talk, she asked, “So you raise cattle, Mr. Wilder?”

He chuckled, flashing those devastating dimples, and she sucked in a ragged breath. “I have a few head and dabble in selling them.”

Nervously flipping a curl over her shoulder, she said, “Well, you must be good at it if Mark is involved. He doesn’t mess around.”

“How long have you known Mark?”

“Most of my life.” Swaying to the soft music with him like this sent heat right between her legs. The warmth of her hand grasped within his palm sent electricity zinging down her spine. It’s been way too long since I’ve been with a man if I’m getting horny just dancing with one. “How long have you known him?”

“Oh, about five years now. I’m surprised I’ve never seen you two together before tonight.”

“I was in Iraq until about two months ago. I don’t always attend functions like these with him.”

“Ah, I see. You must be very close.”

Giving him a teasing smile, she replied, “Like family.”

“Are you originally from Las Vegas, Ms. Jamieson?”

“Actually, not Las Vegas itself, but close by. My family moved here some years ago from Los Angeles.” She studied the man, her eyes sweeping over his features, noting the laugh lines at the corners of his eyes. Um…thirty-something? “What about you, Mr. Wilder? Your slight accent puts you as a non-native of Nevada, too.”

“Wyoming.”

“Tired of the snow?”

He laughed softly. “Just a little. I like heat.” His gaze moved over her face and she could feel the warmth spreading to her cheeks.

“Family?”

“Two brothers, one sister, and my parents. One owns the family ranch in Wyoming and one settled in South Dakota. My sister lives with my parents currently.”

She tilted her head and said, “No one special, I assume, since you came alone.”

“Get right to the point, don’t you, Katrina?”

Her name rolling off his tongue sent shivers down her spine again. I’ve never heard anyone say it like that before. “I don’t believe in mincing words. I’m a straight shooter.”

“Then let me ask you this—is there something between you and Mark?”

“Now it’s my turn to wonder at your motives for your question.”

“I’m curious.” He pulled her a little closer, his hand resting on the bare skin of her back where her dress dipped. He splayed his fingers, encompassing every bit of exposed area, scorching her with their heat. Warmth spread through her, settling low in her belly when their gaze collided.

Her voice came out a little breathless, at least to her own ears when she replied, “Mark and I are actually cousins. His mother and my father are siblings.”

Tucking her hand inside his own before placing it on his chest, his tempted lips lifted in a sexy grin, sending her heart into a rapid tempo. The warmth of his breath caressed her lips, and she parted them slightly on a sigh when his gaze slipped down. “No kissing cousins?” he whispered.

“No,” she murmured in return, her lips tingling in response to his nearness. “I have very little time for relationships of any sort, but family means everything to me.”

His gaze returned to hers. “A woman after my own heart.”

“Hardly, Mr. Wilder.”

He frowned. “You wound me. I thought we were past that.”

“Past what?”

“I thought at least we were on a first name basis now. After all, I still have chips of baby blue paint on my truck.”

Anger flared, making her cheeks flush and her eyes burn as the hand resting on his chest balled into a fist.

He grabbed the fist and held on tight. “Uh-uh, no violence.”

Her jaw clenched tight, and she hissed between her teeth, “Let me go.”

“As you wish.” He slowly let loose of her fist and slipped his hand from around her waist. His hand purposely ran high enough to brush just under her breast with his thumb. She sucked in a ragged breath at the contact, her eyes going wide when desire raced along her nerves. She stepped back and smoothed her skirt with her hands in a vain attempt to hide the trembling. Leaving him standing in the middle of the dance floor, she returned to the table and grabbed her purse.