Janelle Denison - Forbidden

1999

Have you ever wanted something that was unattainable? Something almost forbidden? Most of us have. For Detective Josh Marchiano, that something has always been his best friends wife, Paige Montgomery. But now, Anthony Montgomery is dead, and Josh is assigned to protect Paige from a ruthless man who believes she has the diamond-and-emerald necklace her husband had stolen!

Protecting Paige has its advantages, especially when Josh must pose as her lover and live with her. But Paige is more stubborn than Josh expected, and it takes more than a few sexy kisses and seductive caresses to make her believe they can live happily ever after.

Happy Reading,

Janelle Denison

A special thanks to Jamie Denton, whose friendship and belief make each book a reality. Thank you for your faith in me on this one! To Karen Drogin, for sending a thank-you note that turned into something far more special. I treasure your friendship. And, as always, to my husband, Don, who is the reason why writing romance, and creating sexy, good-guy heroes comes so easily to me.

PAIGE MONTGOMERY looked beautiful in black, Josh Marchiano decided. Graceful, elegant and poised, despite the recent tragedy that had made her a widow.

A small, intimate crowd of friends and family filled Paiges luxurious oceanfront home, to offer their condolences after attending the funeral services for her husband, Anthony Montgomery. Josh stood off to the side, near the spread of food the arrivals were contributing to, watching as Paige made sure she greeted everyone. A faint smile touched her lips as she gently squeezed the hand of an elderly woman offering her sympathies. Paige nodded in response to something the woman said, then moved on to the next person.

Sadness dimmed her green eyes. That particular emotion was one Josh had seen too frequently during Paiges three-year marriage to the man hed once considered his best friend. There had been too many promises Anthony had broken, too many nights hed opted to spend out with the boys instead of with the woman waiting for him at home.

Anthony had treated Paige more like a possession than a wife, and over the years Josh had found himself trying to make up for Anthonys neglect by being a friend to Paige. His good intentions had backfired.

Anthony might have married Paige, but Josh had fallen in love with her.

Paige glanced around, as if searching for someone specific, and stopped when she saw him. From across the room their gazes connected. Her expression softened, and for several heartbeats everyone else in the room faded away. A familiar awareness stirred between them, a tempting attraction neither one of them had ever talked about, or acted upon.

It didnt make the chemistry between them any less powerful.

She started toward him, weaving through the guests. Her simple, traditional black dress draped subtly along her slender curves to just above the knee. Smoke-hued stockings encased a pair of long legs down to black heels. The dark color accentuated her flawless complexion and complemented her hair, a rich brown shade with natural auburn highlights. Today, shed worn her hair up in an efficient, neat twist. Josh had the fleeting thought that he preferred the thick, silky strands flowing free down around her shoulders.

She stopped in front of him, her gaze at once uncertain and expectant. Not caring that there were people in the room, Josh closed the distance between them and brushed his lips across her cheek.

Im so sorry, Paige, he said, knowing hed repeated that sentiment at least a hundred times since delivering the devastating news of Anthonys death. The condolence seemed inadequate in view of the tragic events of the past week.

Yeah, me too, she whispered, a wealth of heartache lingering in her soft voice. Thanks for coming today.

You dont need polite formalities with me. Frowning at her, he pushed back his suit jacket and slid his hands into the front pockets of his navy trousers. You know I would have been here for you. No matter what.

Her smile didnt reach her eyes. I wasnt sure if your lieutenant was going to let you attend the service, considering the risk to the case Anthony was working on.

Lieutenant Reynolds had no choice in the matter.

Oh, theyd argued vehemently about the possible hazards of a Metro-Dade detective attending the funeral of a man whod worked undercover to infiltrate a jewel-smuggling ring. In the end, Josh had won the heated debate. Though Anthony had been killed in the line of duty, sources still on the case had reported that no one in the ring had known Anthony Montgomery was a vice cop. Hed died with his assumed identity intact. Lieutenant Reynolds had decided any police association or political fanfare normally accompanying the death of a law enforcement officer would only draw attention to Anthonys true occupation and risk the lives of the other undercover officers still planted in the ring, so his funeral had become a simple, intimate affair, without any pomp and circumstance.

Josh had suggested that one ordinary person could blend in with family and friends much easier than a hundred uniformed officers. His lieutenant grudgingly agreed that it might not be a bad idea if he kept an eye on Paige until things settled down, and they determined the motive for Anthonys death.

I could really use some fresh air, Paige said, pulling Joshs thoughts off police bureaucracy and back to her. Care to join me?

Considering how claustrophobic the house was beginning to feel, the thought of sunshine and a cool breeze appealed to him. Sure.

He had every intention of passing through the living room to the slider leading to the deck where other people had gathered, but she grabbed his arm before he could head that way.

I want to be alone, she said, answering his questioning look. If we go that way itll take me an hour of accepting more condolences before we make it out to the deck, and its even getting crowded out there.

He smiled, understanding she was tired of keeping up a polite front. Come on, well sneak out the other way. Pressing his hand to the small of her back, he ushered her toward the marbled foyer.

They slipped discreetly out the front door and followed a tiled walkway veering toward the right side of the house. The path led to a white gazebo surrounded by tropical plants and flowers. Night-blooming jasmine twined through the lattice columns around the structure. The warmth of the mild fall afternoon intensified the pleasant fragrance drifting from the tiny white flowers.

Once inside the gazebo, Paige crossed to the opening overlooking a stretch of Miami beach and the Atlantic Ocean beyond. Pressing her hands to the railing, she took a deep breath of sea air. Josh imagined he could see some of her tension drain away.

How have you been? he asked quietly. Hed asked her that question numerous times over the past week when hed talked to her on the phone and always received an automatic response of fine. In person, he expected a more honest answer.

She didnt disappoint him. Glancing back at him, she gave a slight shrug. As well as can be expected, I suppose. Im glad the funeral is over, but I have to admit that Anthonys death still doesnt seem real.

What with the funeral arrangements, the steady stream of people paying their respects, and the arrival of her sister, Valerie, from Connecticut offering moral support, he guessed shed been too distracted to accept the reality of the situation. Itll take more than a week for the shock to wear off, Paige.

Oh, the sensible side of me knows that, she said, leaning against one of the jasmine-draped columns. But Anthony was gone so much that a part of me just feels like this is an extended leave on another case.