"That's the way I like it—hot and wet."

Not something I'd typically say in a job interview, but it just kind of slipped out. I blame Ronnie Tate—the woman is sin in stilettos. As bosses go, the sexy ex-showgirl is way more appealing than the Miami billionaire who hired me to find his missing mistress.

The girl's trail ends at Ronnie's bayside bar, so I've got to get close to the people there to find out more. And I plan to get real close to Ronnie in particular. She's hiding plenty—like why she's clinging to this dump her late husband left her, and why her employees keep disappearing. If I have to expose more than just Ronnie's secrets, so much the better.

Slinging drinks isn't private investigator J. P. McCoy's usual MO. But nothing is what it seems in this sultry noir tale of blackmail, murder, sex and scandal.

If you love heart-stopping suspense and fearless romance, look for Carol Ericson's Harlequin Intrigue title The Hill available now!