After only six years as a Secret Service Agent and
overcoming some nasty gossip early on, CJ Ludzecky has
landed the coveted job of protection detail for the Vice
President's family. She specifically guards the VP's wife,
Bailey O'Neil, and two children. When Bailey's dad suffers
a heart attack, she decides the entire family needs some
time together at their lake house while he recuperates
there. This puts CJ in closer proximity to Bailey's family
than she's ever been before -- especially to Bailey's
handsome, charming and sexy brother, Aidan, who feels
responsible for his dad's attack.
Never imagining he could be attracted to a woman like the
tough-as-nails CJ, Aidan is baffled as to what it is about
her that's hit him so hard. He can't seem to stay away from
her, and when he catches glimpses of CJ's soft side, Aidan
is even more determined to crack her hard shell and make
her admit the feelings are mutual. However, when that
finally happens, it could jeopardize more than her career.
The peaceful lake setting becomes anything but that as the
press invades the family's privacy. Then word comes that a
former gang member, who hates Bailey for disbanding her
posse a couple years ago, is set on retaliation, even to
the point of kidnapping Bailey's son. Add in an overseas
hostage situation involving Bailey's husband, Clay (the
Vice President), and there's just no room in CJ's hectic
life for a personal relationship. Is there any way CJ and
Aidan can overcome the many hurdles in their way and
finally achieve their dreams, separate as well as together?
With Ms. Shay writing their emotional and realistic story,
you know they can, but the way will not be an easy one.
This book, a follow-up to SOMEONE TO BELIEVE IN (Berkley,
9/05) as well as a small connection to characters in
PROMISES TO KEEP (Berkley, 8/02), is another masterful
rendering of people overcoming tremendous odds to achieve
the ultimate goal of true love.
Close to You is the story of Secret Service Agent CJ
Ludzecky, who is assigned to the coveted Vice Presidential
Protection Division, guarding the Second Lady of the United
States and her two children. After overcoming a rocky start
in the Service, CJ is out to prove herself big-time.
There's no room for men in her life, especially not the
Second Lady's charming, sexy, sensitive brother, Aidan
O'Neil. On his part, Aidan never expected to fall for an
uptight, by-the-book Secret Service agent, but when it
hits, it hits, and he does everything in his power to win
over CJ. Back-dropped by the hustle of New York City, the
political world of Washington D.C. and the pastoral scenery
of the Finger Lakes, CJ tries to protect her charges, while
Aidan tries to persuade her to let him into her life. The
invasion of the press, a hostage situation involving the
Vice President, a former gang member who hasn't forgotten
the Second Lady shut down her posse two years ago, and a
kidnapping attempt on the Second Son all move the story--
and CJ and Aidan's relationship--to a stunning conclusion.