Today we have the release blitz for CATCH YOUR BREATH by Shannyn Schroeder! I am so excited to share this sexy new romance with you—check out the release festivities and be sure to grab your copy today!
Title: CATCH YOUR BREATH
Author: Shannyn Schroeder
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: O'Leary's, Book 4
As a dedicated reporter, Moira O'Leary has access to Chicago's swankiest affairs. With her confidence and style, she blends right in with the elite crowd. But when her childhood crush starts popping up at posh events, she struggles to keep her cool. After all, he's always ignited something in her.
Undercover cop Jimmy O'Malley has always tried to avoid his best friend's little sister. Something about Moira spelled trouble. But watching her navigate Chicago's most elaborate galas with ease, Jimmy knows he needs her help to crack a case. Just as their chemistry ignites, Moira gets dangerously close to his investigation. Now, it's up to Jimmy to keep her safe. Can childhood crushes lead to breathless desire?
Jimmy tucked his hands in his pockets and watched for a minute. Moira interacted with the dog like she’d found a long lost best friend. She laughed and played and looked completely out of place with all of the other women. She sighed and stood, taking a moment to brush dog hair off her dress.
When the dog walker moved on, he sidled up next to Moira and tried to hold on to his anger. If he let the gooey look on her face affect him, he’d be useless. “We need to talk.”
She looked up at him, using one hand to shield her eyes from the setting sun. “I thought we already did. Do you want to set up that interview now?” Her eyes held an evil glimmer, as if she knew what he’d said to Stan about the interview.
He grabbed her elbow and guided her away from the crowd, around the back of the tent that held the auction items. Fighting to keep his voice low, he said, “Why the hell would you tell everyone I have a wife?”
She eased her arm from his grasp and narrowed her eyes. He’d expected the sweet fuck-you smile she liked to throw out when she caused trouble. “You have no idea who you’re hanging out with, but I do. Those four are all married. They bring their wives to every function and event. Or I should say their wives bring them. They stand around and ogle every female in sight.”
“Yeah, I got that.”
“The thing is, if you want in, the wives are going to have to approve. The wives like Mayor Park since he’s such a good wholesome guy, so they’ll be inclined to accept you, but in their world, having a wife makes you safer.”
“Safer?”
“Less likely to bring a bunch of single women around, making it easier for their husbands to cheat.”
“They’re surrounded by women at these events.”
“I didn’t say it made sense. Their friendship extends beyond attending fund-raisers. The wives are here to keep an eye on them, but they don’t follow them everywhere. At least I don’t think they do.” She shifted so his shadow blocked the sun and looked up at his face. “I’m not trying to screw things up for you. Trust me. I understand these people.”
He believed her, but it didn’t make the truth any easier. “Where the hell am I supposed to get a wife?”
She huffed out a breath. “Am I supposed to do everything for you?”
Her irritation wouldn’t last. She had a hot temper, but once it blew, she went back to being sunny Moira. And she wasn’t even pissed right now, so when she turned to walk away, he followed.
He walked beside her, as if they were there together, which he knew he shouldn’t, but since she’d talked about interviewing him, he figured he could get away with it. She waved to various people and stopped to chat with others.
With Moira, though, it wasn’t bullshit small talk. She asked real questions. She knew details about people’s lives, and they respected her for it. They opened up around her, which would be a huge asset for her job. An asset he’d have to avoid.
When they were walking a stretch alone, he asked, “Why doesn’t it bother you?”
“What?”
“The way Stan Decker talks about you.” Remembering the comments made him angry again. “I know you heard him, but you acted like it was nothing.”
She shrugged. “Because it was nothing.”
He stopped and touched her arm to halt her. “That’s not true. No one should talk to you like that.”
“He wasn’t talking to me. It’s not his fault I have excellent hearing.”
Jimmy thought back. In truth, Stan had been respectful, at least in his words while talking to Moira. “He stares at your chest.”
She laughed so hard her shoulders shook. “Really?” She spread her hands in front of her chest. “He’s far from the only man to do that. It happens so often, it doesn’t faze me anymore.”
Jimmy made a point of looking into her bright blue eyes. No sign of anger or hurt. It would make him nuts if he saw men staring at his woman’s chest instead of her face.
But Moira’s not mine.
“Doesn’t make it right.”
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