Hi everyone! So it’s Valentine’s Day again! HVD to all of you! I’ve actually got something somewhat fitting – Jill Sorenson has “changed it up” for us!

Thanks for having me at Teaser Tuesday! My books tend to be dark, dangerous, and angsty, so I thought I’d lighten up a little with a fun, sexy excerpt. I’m not all gloom and doom, I promise. This is from my upcoming release, CAUGHT IN THE ACT. The heroine’s store has been vandalized and the hero is helping her clean up. Enjoy!

As the owner of a flourishing Latin American crafts boutique, Karina Strauss should be basking in her success. Instead she’s worried about her troubled sister, the girlfriend—and prisoner—of drug lord Carlos Moreno. Kari wants no part of that life, but when she helps a friend cross into the United States illegally, two men on opposite sides of the law take notice: Moreno and Adam Cortez, the handsome border protection officer who lets Kari off the hook. It’s not just Kari’s tantalizing flash of skin that catches Adam’s attention—her drug cartel connections bring back the demons of his past.

Moreno demands that Kari smuggle a package for him in exchange for her sister’s freedom. Adam also gets dangerously close, tempting her to surrender and fulfill her wildest desires. As Kari prepares for the drug run, dark secrets, violent criminals, and deadly consequences lurk around every corner. But concern for her sister drives Kari toward a terrifying act, despite Adam’s warnings, despite her overwhelming fears—and despite the odds against coming out alive.

When he set his paint roller down in an empty tray, Kari grabbed a wet sponge from her bucket and threw it at him. It hit the back of his head with a splash.

That wiped the smile off his face. He straightened, staring at her in amazement.

She started giggling, as surprised by the impulsive action as he was. When he picked up the sponge to retaliate, she let out a little shriek, backing away from him. “I was going for your shoulder,” she said, covering her head with her arms.

“You have bad aim.”

“I’m sorry!”

He caught her before she could run around the corner, trapping her against the wall while he squeezed the sponge over her head. It was clean, cold water, wetting her hair and shoulders.

She put up a token resistance, sputtering with laughter.

Trying not to get paint on her clothes, she stumbled sideways and almost tripped over the curb. Still laughing, she reached out to steady herself, grabbing his arm. Before she found her balance, the edge of her foot was pierced by a stabbing pain. When she’d swept up the shards of glass, she must have missed one.

She gasped, lifting her injured foot off the ground.

Adam stopped soaking her with the sponge and looked down at her foot, which was already bleeding. “Shit,” he said, chagrined. In the next instant he’d tossed the sponge aside and picked her up, carrying her toward the storage room.

Kari marveled at how easily he handled her weight. The wound was minor, not warranting this level of chivalry, but she made no protest. While blood dripped from her toes, she clung to his shoulders, enjoying the ride.

“Where are the first aid supplies?”

“Bathroom,” she said, pointing.

He sat her down on the edge of the counter and she put her foot in the sink, studying the cut as water rushed over it. She didn’t think it needed stitches. He dried her foot with a clean towel, patting it gingerly. “Jesus, I’m sorry.”

“What for?”

“I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“You didn’t. The piece of glass did.”

“Well, I feel bad.”

“Don’t be silly. I’m fine.”

He found supplies in the medicine cabinet and bandaged her foot carefully. She started giggling again, picturing the look on his face when she’d thrown the sponge. The corner of his mouth tipped up, and his gaze traveled along her bare legs, taking the scenic route.

She realized that she was sitting on the counter, one knee bent, with her dress hiked up to the tops of her thighs. He hadn’t averted his eyes, either. “Are you trying to look up my skirt, Officer Cortez?”

“It’s Adam,” he reminded her. “And yes.”

She drew in a sharp breath. Although the door was open, the space in the bathroom was cramped, and she couldn’t straighten her knee without brushing it against the front of his jeans.

She was very aware of her body in relation to his. Sensuality hummed between them. Her hair was damp from the dousing he’d given her, tendrils clinging to her neck. The front of her dress was wet, too. Her nipples tightened against the cups of her bra.

For modesty’s sake, she should rearrange her skirt, or cross her arms over her chest. But she didn’t want to. She wanted his hands on her skin and his eyes on her breasts. She longed to feel the buttons of his fly against the cleft of her sex.

Eyes locked on her mouth, he wrapped his hand around her ankle, taking her foot off the top of the sink. Letting her leg slide down the outside of his, he skimmed his fingertips along her calf, hooking his hand behind her knee. She shivered, tingling at the contact. He moved between her splayed thighs, right where she wanted him. She twined her arms around his neck and tilted her head back, giddy with excitement.

Just before his lips touched hers, she caught a flash of movement in the storeroom.

Wasn’t that cute?! You can also read another excerpt here.

Jill has also very kindly offered up a print copy of Tempted by His Target to one lucky commenter. So! What’d you think of the excerpt? Have you read anything by Ms. Sorenson before? Or, what do you think about Valentine’s Day? Love? Hate? Any stand out good or bad memories? Got any plans for the day?