Sarah Stevens had been hired by the insistance of retired federal
judge, Lowell Roberts. A kind man who'd received threats a few
years back, the family, especially the daughter, didn't want the
judge living alone. Sarah is a female butler, hired to watch and
guard him. Sarah takes care of everything, from the mundane daily
living to the higher stuff like parties. She also guards him;
drives him wherever he needs to go, watches his back. When two men
break into the house intent on burglarizing the judge's home, they
are thwarted by Sarah, who calls it in.
In comes detective Thompson Cahill. Cahill had heard of the bumbled
burglary and was curious enough to go to the house, mainly because
of the 9-1-1 call. He was intrigued. Upon meeting Sarah, he
instantly knew that Sarah was more than just a butler.
An attraction forms between them right from the get-go - purely
physical at first. But soon both can't get the other out of their
heads. However, Sarah has attracted unwanted attention - a certain
man thinks that Sarah is wasting her time taking care of the judge.
She's perfect, and he accepts nothing less than perfection. Sarah
should be his.
While Sarah is out on her day off, the judge is murdered while
sitting in his recliner. Guilt assaults her - had she been there,
it wouldn't have happened. Of course Sarah becomes the prime
suspect, much to Cahill's chagrin. But eventually they rule her
out, and Cahill, a year after a particularly nasty divorce, decides
to go after Sarah, without subtlety.
Sarah eventually takes on another job, just for both of bosses to
be murdered in their house while Sarah is with Cahill. Again, she's
brought in for questioning, as a time gap between Cahill and Sarah
becomes evident. Eventually, she is ruled out again, and is
extremely hurt by Cahill's treatment of her. Tired and upset, Sarah
ends up taking on another job - with the man who wanted her since
the beginning, unbeknownst to Sarah. Things move quickly when she
realizes that she is now the possession of a deranged man, and
Cahill will stop at nothing to get her out.
I loved the connection between Cahill and Sarah right from the
start. Sparks for sure, and the banter between them reminded me so
much of my husband and myself. Sex scenes erotic. The suspense and
mystery were great, the ending twisted. What brought me to tears is
what Sarah endures after the judge is murdered. Her actions, her
feelings, reminded me of when my grandfather passed away, and I
could feel her anguish. There was such feeling in this novel and I
identified with so much. I couldn't have asked for better!