For my second post, I thought I’d tell you about a story I wrote that does take place in the winter. In it, the heroine is a cat burglar and while skiing she spies a wonderful custom home out in the woods near the Jackson Hole, Wyoming ski resort. During the middle of the night she sets out to rob the place:

She climbed the hill to the Halverson home, falling snow almost immediately covering her tracks. The night would soon be completely dark, enshrouding her in secrecy. She’d purposefully waited until dusk to begin the journey, lest she be seen. But now she regretted the decision. Lights blared inside the house, casting a warm orange glow both shimmering and inviting. Every step speared her with heartache. The closer she got, the more she realized she’d never want to leave this place.

This house was perfect. Everything she’d ever dreamed of and wanted. Like a fairy tale perched on a hill with her name written on every one of its timbers. The beauty of it took her breath away. Seeing the inside might make her cry.

Ice crystals formed on her mask as she steadily made her way, one ski in front of the other. A good cardio workout, to be sure. She’d be exhausted by the time she arrived. Mentally she went over the checklist and her tools, reminding herself to keep a close watch for security alarms, dogs, and surveillance cameras. By now, the dangers of the job had become second nature. But she needed this heist, needed it bad. She’d emptied the bank account for this trip. Being extra careful might just pay off.

She spied the camera at the foot of the stone wall lining the remainder of the driveway and gritted her teeth. Of course he’d have surveillance. Who wouldn’t? But was anyone watching it from afar? If he had an outside monitoring package, they’d see her, even in the dark driving snow. She glanced behind her at the tracks quickly filling in and prayed someone was asleep at the switch.

But of course she loves the house! She’s a sucker for terrific architecture — and a nice warm hot tub after a long ski. There’s always a danger one will become too relaxed though, and the hero of the story soon finds her in a compromising position!

He left the junk on the bed, shut off the light and checked the rest of the rooms. Papers were moved. Paintings askew, but nothing appeared missing. Everything sat where it belonged. He ventured into the kitchen and saw a pair of black gloves and a wine opener lying on the counter. “That’s odd.”

An unknown urge made him spin a one-eighty, looking out toward the patio. There, in the hot tub’s flood lights he saw a shape. He sucked in a breath. “What the hell?”

He didn’t have a gun in his coat pocket, but wondered if he needed one as he headed for the double French patio doors. Halfway there he paused. The figure reclined in the tub was a woman. A naked woman. His balls contracted automatically. His gaze took in her long blonde hair, the wine bottle, and the pile of black clothes. He couldn’t see her feet, but he’d bet money those skis were her size. She appeared to have fallen asleep. He ventured onto the patio and after a wistful gaze at her reclining form, cleared his throat. “Excuse me.”

She thrashed awake, sending water over the tub’s lip. “Wha-what?” She caught sight of him and blanched. “Who are you?”

He shrugged a shoulder. “Just the owner. I live here.”

Her jaw fell open. “You do?” She seemed to look him over anew. “I mean, you do? Wow.” She shook her head. “That doesn’t make sense.”

He walked a few steps forward and grabbed the wine bottle off the deck. “It helps if you read the name on the mailbox.”

When the cops show up, it’s anybody’s guess how the evening will end. Here’s the blurb for Steal My Heart:

Tiffany’s addicted to high-priced custom homes and expensive jewelry. To make ends meet, she embarks on a life of crime. But when she targets the $32 million house at an exclusive ski resort everything goes awry. Instead of jewels, it’s her heart that might be stolen”¦

Jeff can’t take his eyes off the gorgeous thief he finds naked in his hot tub. She’s the exact opposite of his soon to be ex-wife. When the law comes to the door he offers Tiffany a choice: give up her stealing ways for an all-expenses paid stay in his fabulous custom A-frame home or go straight to jail.

Together the two add new meaning to hotter is better. Frigid had better look out”¦

Steal My Heart is available on Amazon: http://amzn.to/16QoxxX

Here’s to filling your winter nights with plenty of hot reads!

Eva

Bio:

Eva Lefoy writes and reads all kinds of romance, and is a certified Trekkie. She’s also terribly addicted to chocolate, tea, and hiking. One of these days, she’ll figure out the meaning of life, quit her job, and go travel the galaxy. Until then, she’s writing down all her dirty thoughts for the sake of future explorers.

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