Object of Desire
by Calista Fox
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When treasure hunter and spy Laurel Blackwood raids Victoria Peak in Belize to recover a rare Mexican
fire opal rumored to evoke dark desires and passions, she unwittingly sets off a sequence of dangerous
events—and finds herself in the midst of a battle between good and evil… and lust and love. Laurel must
keep the opal from falling into the hands of a deadly terrorist cell, a greedy Belizean dignitary, and one
particularly hot and scandalous treasure hunter named Devon Mallory.
For ten years, Devon has had his eye on the $30 million prized opal and his heart set on winning Laurel
for keeps. But her web of secrecy and now her betrayal over recovering the legendary stone without him
has Devon hell-bent on stealing the opal from her and collecting on the massive payout. But Devon will
have to make a choice soon, and decide which gem is his true object of desire...
EXCERPT:
Laurel whirled around, fists raised, prepared for battle.
But her victory was short-lived.
Devon’s fingers had snapped the hook on her bra a moment before she’d employed her strategic moves.
The lingerie had sprung open beneath her black T-shirt as she’d turned on him. The cloth bag containing
the fire opal, which had been tucked neatly between Laurel’s full breasts, dropped to the ground, right
between her parted feet.
Fuck!
“Hmm,” Devon mused with arrogance as he rubbed his ribs. “Isn’t that interesting?”
Laurel glanced down at the jewel, which had worked its way out of the bag when it hit the ground. The
early afternoon sun caught the corner of the shield-shaped gem and a bright flash of crimson infused
the vibrant orange, setting it ablaze with fiery light that illuminated the small clearing in which Laurel and
Devon stood.
For endless moments, they both stared at the opal, each rendered speechless. The spectacle
surrounding them was breathtaking. The gem itself was stunning. It glowed warmly as though basking in
the brilliant, golden rays that filtered in through the lush foliage.
Laurel was unable to take her eyes from the vision at her feet. Her breathing grew shallow as something
dark and mysterious stirred within her.
A moment later, a rapacious need tore through her body, stealing what little breath she had left. Her
gaze shifted to Devon. Desire coursed through her as hot and bright as the shimmering light from Ah
Kinchil’s fire opal.
The excitement racing through her body built to an intense throbbing that targeted the heart of her. Her
nipples tightened as the material from her unhooked bra grazed the sensitive buds with every sharp
breath she took. Her passion was instantly sparked, and its all-consuming effect was enough to make
her forget everything but the gorgeous man standing before her.
“Devon,” she gasped. She had to have him. Now!