Beautiful Stranger

by Ruth Wind, Silhouette, ISBN #0-373-27081-X, $4.50 U.S. / $5.25 Can.

SHE NEVER KNEW LOVE - UNTIL HIM

Raised in a gilded cage, she was the chubby twin sister no one noticed. Now her weight loss made Marissa Pierce the kind of woman every man desired - including Robert Martinez. If only she had the courage to return his seductive gaze . . .

A proud Native American, Robert resented Marissa's privileged lifestyle. Yet this elegant stranger understood his wounded heart. Now Robert was determined to show her how truly beautiful she was - before the princess could escape to her ivory tower forever.

Excerpt

"We are going to have to deal with this attraction sooner or later," Robert said roughly, holding her tightly.
    "Maybe it would be better if we didn't see each other."
    He looked at her mouth, closed his eyes. "We'll just . . . take it easy."
    "All right." She pulled on her hand. He pulled back.
    "Why do you think it happens like this?" he said, stepping closer. "Out of nowhere?"
    It wasn't out of nowhere on her part. "I always saw you, Robert. You just never saw me before."
    He moved even closer, until his hips and hers were nearly touching. "Yes, I did."
    She rolled her eyes. "Right."
    "You used to have this green dress," he said. "Your hair spilled all over it. And you wore red lipstick in those days. Bright red, like something sinful."
    His eyes were intent, " You've always been beautiful, Marissa. You just didn't know it till now."