Free Love_Unleashed by Marcia James

Love Unleashed
    Marcia James
     
    Copyright
    eBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement of the copyright of this work.
     
     
     
     
     
    LOVE UNLEASHED
    28 Days of Heart Series
    Copyright © 2010 MARCIA JAMES
    Cover art by Amanda Kelsey
    Edited by Nicole Bunting
    eBook conversion by jimandzetta.com
     
     
     
    All Romance eBooks, LLC
    Palm Harbor, Florida 34684
    www.allromanceebooks.com
     
     
     
     
    This is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or business establishments, events, or locales is coincidental.
    All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
     
     
    First All Romance eBooks publication: February 2010
     
     
    Foreword
    “Nothing’s better than a healthy heart, which helps women endure the ailments of life—physical or romantic—and come out on top of it all. This anthology, with stories by some of the most talented romance writers in the market, will benefit hearts everywhere. It’s not often you can contribute to a worthy cause, one that may well affect you in your lifetime, and at the same time assure yourself of some excellent entertainment. Have a good time, and let your heart be your guide.”
     
    Charlaine Harris
     
     
     
    Chapter One
    “Welcome to the third annual Claws, Scales, and Puppy Dog Tails animal adoption fair!” Disc jockey “Rabid” Ron Hart unleashed his trademark howl, and his raucous fans joined in. “Ninety-three-point-six ‘Wild Thang’ Columbus is broadcasting live from Dalton’s Pet Supply on Elm Street. We’re here to play oldies, goldies, and personal requests until six tonight. So drive down and join us, and don’t forget to check out the pets for adoption!”
    He kicked off the festivities with the appropriately titled Baby, Let Me Take You Home by the 60s band, The Animals.
    Ron’s boss always supported animal causes, and 93.6 had heavily promoted this event. So it wasn’t surprising over a hundred of the station’s loyal following crowded the store’s parking lot this sunny May Saturday. They hoped to win the donated prizes—from MP3 players to store gift cards. To keep everyone happy until the drawings began, station interns tossed the fans logoed t-shirts, like the one Ron was wearing with his khaki Dockers.
    Nearby, volunteers from the local no-kill animal shelter unloaded cages from a van, placing them onto a row of tables. Each cage held at least one pet—from cats and puppies to a snake and a parrot. One group of kittens was mewling loud enough to be heard above the music.
    Switching off his mic and standing with his back to the crowd, Ron pretended to study his playlist. Would she show or not? So much was riding on today. Aching with anticipation, he forced a nonchalance he didn’t feel.
    A second shelter van turned into the parking lot and came to a stop behind the first. And, thank all that was holy, Cara Wilson stepped out. Damn. Just the sight of her after seven months triggered a full-body rush.
    Sunlight glinted off her reddish-blond hair. She’d tamed it into a long braid that trailed down her slender back. God, he loved her hair, the way it had felt in his hands when she’d been his to hold, to kiss…to love.
    A tanned and smiling volunteer captured Cara’s attention, and Ron continued to watch her unobserved as memories assaulted him. Next to her bronzed companion, Cara appeared ethereal, her creamy skin glowing against the white Sadie’s Ark Animal Shelter t-shirt she wore tucked into worn jeans. Her features were so delicate, almost fairylike. But he was intimately aware of the lean strength in her petite body.
    “That’s her, isn’t it?” His sound tech and best bud, “Feral” Darryl Fox stood openly staring at Cara. “That’s the chick who’s had you tied in knots since last