Black Ice by Anne Stuart

Living paycheck to paycheck in Paris, American book translator Chloe Underwood would give anything for some excitement and passion--even a little danger. So when she's offered a lucrative weekend gig translating at a business conference in a remote chateau, she jumps at the chance to shake things up.

Then by chance Chloe discovers her employers are anything but the entrepreneurs they appear, and suddenly she knows far too much. Her clients are illegal arms dealers, and one of them is ordered to kill her. But instead, Bastien Toussaint drags Chloe away, and the next thing she knows she's on the run with the most terrifying and seductive man she's ever met. What were his motives--and would she live long enough to find out?

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Black Ice is the first book in Anne Stuart's Ice series, and one edgy, fast paced, sexy story.
 
My first thoughts on this are, and I'm being honest, I'm not sure I've ever so thoroughly disliked a hero that I am so thoroughly in love with! Nor have I ever before thought to kill the hero and put the bad guy out of his misery, but I did a few times while reading this story! Bastien is an ass! I mean... SUCH an ass. But, Heaven help me, I love him! Chloe is a great heroine - strong, intelligent, passionate, full of life - a perfect match for Bastien's dark, bleak, nature. Without even trying, she shows him what his life is missing, and thankfully he sees it, grabs hold, and doesn't let go. Well... after he'd walked away from her a few times... then he doesn't let go.

This is actually my first Anne Stuart read, but it will most definitely not be my last. The story is very engaging. Arms dealers, terrorists, murderers, clandestine organizations, lots of blood and torture and... yeah, very engaging. I seriously couldn't stop reading once I started.

Another shout out to all my friends who've been badgering encouraging me to read this book for years. Yes, years. Someday I'll learn...

4.5/5 stars because the ending was a little abrupt.