Travis Denton's arrival in New Zealand throws Darcy Farrell's life into turmoil. She's never met the man, so why does he dislike her so much?

Travis states he is the father of her eight year old niece Brooke. He initially tries to prove Darcy is an unsuitable guardian. His failure makes him more determined to get custody of the child and Darcy is worried Travis might grab the child disappear overseas with her. She makes a difficult decision. She must do what's best for Brooke. Her choice brings her into close contact with Travis, which creates a problem when she becomes attracted to him!

Unfortunately Travis doesn't trust Darcy and he means to gain custody of Brooke and remove her to America no matter what it takes.

EXCERPT

Travis Denton leaned casually against the brick wall, his stare fixed on a villa on the other side of the street. The villa looked in good repair. The dark blue iron fretwork and veranda complemented the sparkling white weatherboards. The door of the house opened and a woman and child emerged. The golden haired youngster skipped happily beside her companion and Travis smiled as the girl's chatter drifted across the road.

He switched his glance to the woman and he frowned with confusion. The way she was dressed was startling. Legs clad in fishnet tights disappeared under a miniscule black miniskirt, which rose even higher as she strutted down the street. She turned to speak to the child, and bright red lipstick darkened her lips, mirroring the colour of her spiky fingernails as they patted her piled up dark hair. A laughing response to a comment from the child shook the cheap plastic earrings dangling from each ear, and they knocked against the turned up collar of her black leather jacket. A skimpy yellow rib top showed beneath the jacket and Travis noticed it stopped just below the breasts to expose a bare stretch of suntanned stomach.

Travis frowned. He had travelled to New Zealand from California to meet eight year old Brooke and her aunt, Darcy Farrell, but the sight of the woman in her flashy clothes and overdone make-up worried him.

His temper rose when a car pulled up and the woman bent down to speak to the driver, her breasts swaying enticingly. She straightened up, took a step backwards and stuck her leg forward, with one hand on her hip, and lifted her skirt suggestively. The action disgusted Travis and left him with no doubt about her profession. How dare she ply her trade when she has the child with her! Furious but helpless to do anything, he watched Darcy and Brooke get into the car.

He cursed under his breath. If what he'd just witnessed indicated the morals of Darcy Farrell, his reason for being here had become even more urgent. Travis wanted to follow them, but because he'd been concerned about not being seen he had parked his car on the next street. Jaw muscles clenched. Now he knew he must win the battle ahead.

Still frowning, Travis walked back to his vehicle and returned to the hotel.