Unveiled Treasures
UNVEILED TREASURES
by
Kayla Janz
Like fine wine and hot sex, it just gets better with age…TORRID BOOKS CLASSICS, reissues of great erotic romance books from the vaults of Torrid Books, for your intimate reading pleasure.
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An Imprint of Whiskey Creek Press LLC
Whiskey Creek Press
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Copyright
Ó
2005, 2013 by
Jan Walkosz
Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 (five) years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
ISBN
978-1-59374-407-6
Credits
Cover Artist: ESCORPIO
Editor: Nikita Gordyn
Printed in the United States of America
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT
UNVEILED TREASURES
The sexual tension between Todd and Rachel will set you on fire from the very first time their eyes meet and continue through all of the dangers and uncertainties that they face together. This story is full of surprises, unexpected twists and turns, and you will be astounded to find out who wants this necklace and why.
Briana Burress
Kayla Janz
5 Blue Ribbon Rating
Dedication
To Phyllis and Donna—Your encouragement and support helped me do this. Thank you.
Acknowledgement
The author would like to acknowledge the following trademarks: The Coca-Cola Company, American Express, Norman Rockwell, Van Halen, The Rolling Stones, System of a Down, Nora Roberts, Ford Motor Company, Jeep and Locks of Love.
Chapter 1
Painfully sweet childhood memories flooded back as she passed the sandstone sculptures. They were a landmark so to speak, the turnoff to the cabin was near. She chanced a quick glimpse at the statues as she slowed to make her turn. Appreciating them for the works of art they were, she spoke to her companion “I’m not afraid of them anymore. I’m not a sleepy little girl caught by surprise in the middle of the night.”
Her companion pulled his head into the cab of the pickup truck and looked at her with big soulful brown eyes. Half leaning and half crawling his way across the seat, he barked once and licked her face.
“I knew you would understand.” She replied laughing, wiping slobber from her cheek. “So much has changed in my life, it’s nice to see something familiar, something that’s remained…constant.” Looking up the hill at what was supposed to be her driveway, she was awestruck by the beauty of the sun dappled, red and gold canopy of trees enveloping the drive. Still smiling, she willed her four-wheel drive pickup truck to make it up the very rutted and rocky lane hoping her memory had served her right and this did indeed lead to the cabin. “This will need to be graded before bad weather strikes, and if I don’t get it done soon, we may not be able to make it out again,” she grumbled to the Great Dane sitting beside her as she maneuvered the vehicle in front of the garage.
Rachel stepped out of her truck, waiting for her four legged friend to jump out and looked at the rundown cabin. In the mid-October sunlight, it looked awful. Unconsciously she began to chew on her lower lip, a nervous habit that surfaced when stressed or worried about something. A thoughtful frown creased her forehead as she stared at her new residence. She recalled it looking a lot bigger and in much better condition when she was a child. Laughing she realized how silly that sounded, even in her own head. Spinning in a circle she whistled for her friend. When he came running towards her, she spoke to him, “Brutus, my dear boy, I haven’t been up here in twenty years. The place sure looks a lot different than it did when I was six. I forgot all about this place. I didn’t even know it was still in the family.”
Together they walked across the graveled drive to stare at their new home. Nestled in amongst the pinion pines and cottonwood trees stood the single story cabin. Made of brick and stone, the house was of very sturdy construction. She noticed the shake roof was in desperate need of repair. The shutters needed to have the old, peeling paint stripped off. The dirt-encrusted window panes were so dingy, they looked opaque. Rachel sighed and patted the dog’s head, “We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us, just to make this place comfortable again. No, scratch that thought. Not comfortable, let’s start with livable first.” Brutus looked up at her, whined and dashed off into the trees chasing after squirrels.
The flagstone patio, with the short retaining wall winding around two-thirds of the house, was crumbling. The raised flower beds; or what she thought should be flower beds, were full of waist high weeds. Crossing the patio she noticed more weeds poking through every nook and cranny they could possibly find. Once she made her way to the edge of the patio, she gazed down at the creek, enchanted by the babbling song it sang.
“This is what I needed.” She was looking forward to the opportunity to get her hands dirty and do something physically constructive. Never afraid of hard work, Rachel was still somewhat intimidated having to take on the daunting task alone. She continued to wander around the yard absorbing every detail along the way. Spinning a freestyle pirouette, she took a deep cleansing breath of fresh mountain air. It was going to be a big change to actually experience seasons. Living in Phoenix her whole life, she was excited by the idea. “What am I going to do without six months of summer?” she said to no one in particular. What she was really thinking was she missed her father and was second-guessing her spontaneous move to the mountains. At twenty-six years old she’d never lived alone. Moving from her parent’s house into the dorm for four years had been a fun and exciting experience. After college she’d moved back in with her parents until meeting Jake. Moving in with him was an experience she wished she had missed. Once again she’d moved back to her parent’s house. Only this time, Mom was gone. Three years now and the pain was still very sharp.
Shaking her head she frowned again and gave herself a mental chewing out.
I couldn’t wait to get out of there, now all I think about is running back. I shouldn’t be homesick. I just got here!
Rummaging through her purse for the keys to unlock the front door she turned when she heard a vehicle pull up the drive. She shielded her eyes from the afternoon sun as it glinted through the trees. A police officer stepped out of his SUV wearing dark sunglasses, shrouding his eyes from her. His physical appearance was the first thing she noticed about him. Big, broad shoulders, sun-kissed golden skin and sandy blonde hair just beginning to curl over the edge of his collar. If she could have imagined Adonis, he was now standing in her driveway. Rachel pasted a friendly smile on her face hoping she didn’t appear as nervous as she felt. She appreciated an attractive man as much as the next woman, but was a little disconcerted by the sudden buzzing in her ears. Never a believer in love at first sight, but lust at first sight…definitely. With his sunglasses still in place she couldn’t tell if she was being considered a criminal or mentally undressed. He just stood by his truck staring at her. There was something in the way he scrutinized her that made her feel immediately self-conscious. Did she really look that bad? She lifted her chin in self-defense and stared back.
* * * *
Sheriff Todd Bradley wasn’t sure what to expect when he saw someone had come up to the old abandoned cabin, but it sure wasn’t this. He found himself drowning in the bluest eyes he had ever looked into. She was a good foot shorter than him, with long brown hair, the deep, rich color reminding him of polished mahogany and it was trying desperately to fly free of its confining braid. A full, unpainted mouth that begged to be kissed and a body that filled out her snug jeans and sweater to perfection. He felt the instant attraction and reveled in the sensation.
Okay, put the hormones back in check, Bradley, you’ve seen beautiful women before
. Feeling a little uncomfortable about where his thoughts had just wandered, he cleared his mind and cautiously started towards the woman when she spoke.
“Can I help you with something? Is there a problem, Officer?”
“I’m not sure” he replied. “We’ve had some burglaries in the area and I saw fresh tire tracks on the drive. Can you tell me what you’re doing up here? There are signs posted that this is private property.”
She arched her eyebrows at him and smiled “Oh really? Is everyone guilty until proven innocent or is it just in your nature to be suspicious? This place looks pretty deserted to me. I’m sure if I was a burglar, I’d find something…better.” She pointed to the house behind her. She really had no reason to be testy with him other than the fact that he was making her pulse race just by being there. She sensed the change; felt the charge of electricity he emanated before she saw his face go hard. Slowly he pulled off his sunglasses. The intensity of his hardened face was nothing compared to his cold, gray eyes.
“Okay, Officer, I apologize,” holding her hands up palms outward. “I had a long drive and I’m feeling a little punchy right now. I pushed myself too hard and I sometimes have a twisted sense of humor. I obviously picked the wrong person to take it out on. Can we please try this again from the top? I promise to behave this time. My name is Rachel Hardy and I own this house.”
The name was familiar to him, but where did he know her from? He was sure he would know if he had met or seen her before. That was it! He had seen her before. He’d seen her picture on the back of a book. Recollection set in as he remembered the details. So this was Rachel Hardy, romance author extraordinaire. Jessica always had her nose buried in one of her books. She looked a lot more glamorous and polished on her book covers, but those eyes were the same mesmerizing blue. He decided in that brief instant that he didn’t care for polished and glamorous as much as he thought he did. In the flesh, the real thing was a hell of a lot sexier.
He chose not to give away that he knew who she was. He wanted more of a chance to find out what kind of personality she had. He didn’t get the haughty rich girl vibes from her and her choice of vehicle gave her points in his opinion. He couldn’t imagine someone trying to make it up that drive in a fancy sports car. His face softened marginally. He gave her a crooked grin and in two large strides was standing in front of her. “Well, let me welcome you to the neighborhood, Ms. Hardy. I’m Sheriff Todd Bradley, and I’ve been wondering if anyone was ever coming back to this place or if we should have it condemned.”
