Off Limits (ePub)

Amanda Harrington is back at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center for criminal investigator training. This time around it's to attain her goal of becoming a special agent. With very few women in law enforcement, it's definitely an uphill battle. Being as beautiful as she is doesn't help either. She definitely doesn't fit the stereotype of a woman in law enforcement. The extra attention she constantly gets keeps causing trouble. She just needs to remember the rules she's established for herself this time around. No boys. No distractions.

Little does she know that her former instructor, Jake Marshall, will be her physical training and defensive tactics instructor once again. He is definitely still the eye candy she enjoyed in class the first time around. On the other hand, he was also the bane of her existence. The academy is run like a military boot camp and Jake Marshall is the equivalent of a drill sergeant. Just seeing him again has her quaking inside, suddenly for many different reasons. There's a new awareness between the two of them this time around. Jake definitely noticed her the first time, but this time he is taking a very long second look. From their first chance encounter, something unmistakable is developing between them that neither one can seem to control. They both know that fraternization between instructors and students is forbidden. They know they should ignore one another. The chemistry between them is undeniable though and the forbidden becomes a lure.

Why can't they both stop asking for trouble and remember that student/instructor relationships are off limits? He's risking his teaching position at the academy and possibly his entire career whenever he spends time with her. She's on probation until she graduates from the academy and the slightest impropriety can get her fired. She knows the training at the academy is going to be even more challenging for her the second time around. It's more demanding and those that can't cut it will be slowly weeded out. She knows if she fails, she can kiss her dream career in law enforcement good bye. She has to stay on track and focus on her goals. Graduating from the academy means everything to her. Her biggest fear is failing. Breaking or even bending the rules is not an option. No matter how often she tells herself this, there's something about Jake Marshall she just can't ignore. Despite the danger of being caught, the two of them can't seem to stay out of each other's way.

With so many just waiting for her to fail, she knows she shouldn't take any extra risks. She's come so far, conquered so many obstacles in her path already. Her memories of a traumatic experience her first time around at the academy are also still haunting her. She was so naive then. She'd never gotten so much attention and she'd let it blind her. This time Amanda is determined not to fall for any more tricks. She is determined not to repeat the mistakes of the past.

Soon Jake is taking every opportunity to be close to her and she finds her resistance slowly fading. The problem is that she's never had the kind of chemistry she has with Jake with any other guy. It becomes more and more impossible to ignore. They both seem to be like moths to a flame. She knows they're both playing with fire.

Maybe it's time for Amanda to trust her instincts again. Jake really seems to be a great guy. Despite being one of her instructors, he's even bailing her out of several of the jams she keeps getting herself into! Can Amanda let go of the mistakes of the past and trust her feelings for Jake? Can she fight through the obstacles in her path and successfully graduate from the academy to earn her special agent badge?