by Maggie Cole
The Secret
All In Series - Book Two
Maggie Cole
Pulse Press
This book is fiction. Any reference to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. All names, characters, plots, and events are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblances to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2019 by Maggie Cole
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Free Gift For You
PSST - I have a short story that you’re going to love and I want to give it to you for free! It’s The RULE 1.5!
This short story is a follow up to Tom and Liv’s story, so don’t read it unless you’ve read Book One in the All In Series, The Rule, first!
Grab it now so you have it!
www.authormaggiecole.com/therulesequel
From time to time, I’ll email you juicy new freebie stories and let you know about my new books. But don’t worry, I’ll keep your email safe and won’t share it with anyone or abuse it.
Promise!
Also, make sure to join my free Facebook group to take part in contests, have a chance to be my next character, win free signed copies of books, and more! https://www.facebook.com/groups/maggiecole
Don’t forget to check out The Crime, Book Three of the All In Series. The blurb, prologue and chapter one are included at the end of this book for a sneak peek!
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Thanks so much for all your support!
Maggie Cole
To L.H.
You know who you are.
XOXO
Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Epilogue
Also by Maggie Cole
The Crime - Prologue
The Crime - Chapter One
Coming Soon By Maggie Cole
About the Author
Acknowledgments
Prologue
When I opened the newspaper, she stole my breath, and my pulse started to creep up.
Silky, bright red, long hair, and the most stunning green eyes I had ever come across, stared back at me. And her face... Her face radiated a happy glow and looked like it should be on the cover of a magazine.
She was holding Keri James's hand as he pulled her through the sea of paparazzi.
Intrigued, I started to read.
"Keri James’s newest heartthrob, Meg Grail, seems to be a permanent fixture lately in the bad boy's life. Meg Grail is rumored to be Olivia White's right hand, helping to run the super-popular Marketing & PR firm."
She works with Liv?
Grabbing my phone, I pulled up Liv's website. There she was—Meg Grail, Chief Operating Officer. She smiled confidently, almost like she had a secret, and wouldn't you like to know?
Yep, tell me your secret. I definitely want to know.
My cock pulsed in my pants.
I looked back at the newspaper article. Meg was wearing a teeny tiny, green dress that matched her eyes. It was sexy, classy, and barely there. Her full breasts were pushed up, revealing a little bit of her milky white cleavage. I groaned at the thought of her pink nipples surrounded by what surely was soft skin.
She wore stilettos. I wondered what it would be like to fuck her in those stilettos. Then, I imagined all the ways I wanted her to wrap her legs around my body.
I took a deep breath.
What would it be like to be in a room with her? She seemed like she could eat you up and spit you out, and you'd still be smiling.
My dick started getting harder as I stared at her full, luscious lips.
I wondered what her lips and tongue tasted like?
But she wasn't just sexy as hell. If she worked with Liv, she had to be smart, I thought, as I read her bio.
My relationship with Liv's firm was new, but I had gotten to know Liv well over the summer because of Tom Marko. She knew her craft, so if Meg was her right hand, there was no way Meg wasn't just as sharp.
The story continued to talk about how Keri was usually a player, and how Meg had seemed to be the one to tame him.
I rolled my eyes—just my luck. This was the girl he had been talking nonstop about lately. She had to be.
Keri always called her 'his girl' and never said her name before.
I sighed. Keri James was a huge client. That meant she was off-limits. I had my rule, and I would never break it.
My rule was: don't sleep with anyone your clients are or have ever dated.
I looked back at the pictures of her. There's no way that Keri James could handle a woman like her.
I wondered if she was bored with him yet?
I scolded myself. It doesn't matter.
A lot was riding on the table with Keri, and there was no way I could risk jeopardizing that for a woman.
1
Meg
All of New York was buzzing about the announcement. It was the beginning of an early fall, and the leaves had started turning vivid red, yellow, and orange. Tom Marko finally negotiated his basketball contract with the New York Volts, and New York couldn't be happier.
Tom and Liv, had spent most of the summer out in Colorado and left me to run the firm while they were gone. I was flying high.
The aftermath of Tom's secret coming out was nothing but good for the firm. Anyone who was anyone had requested appointments. Liv and I had our pick of who we wanted to represent. Along with new businesses, several new athletes were on the schedule.
The firm had quickly doubled in size, and we were just getting started. Liv and Tom were back from Colorado and had invited me to their penthouse for dinner. The press was still all about Marko, and Tom and Liv were trying to lay low.
Tom's agent and past baller, Collin Corwin, who also represented several other athletes that were lined up on our schedule, wanted to go through player issues before we met with the players themselves.
While Tom had Phil working on the business side of things for him, he used Collin exclusively as an agent for his contract negotiations. Most of the other players Collin represented also used him as their business manager.
I was excited to see Liv. It had been a few months, and video conferencing wasn't the same as in person.
"Meg," she squealed in delight, as she opened the door to let me in.
I stepped in and hugged her. "I missed you! I'm so glad you're back."
"It feels good too. I love Colorado, but it
's time to get back into a little reality."
"I can only imagine the non-reality you two were in out there." I gave her a sly grin.
Liv's face turned red. Yep, they were fucking like rabbits, I thought to myself.
We walked into the kitchen. "Smells good!"
She handed me a glass of wine. A glimmer caught my eye.
"Holy crap, Liv," I grabbed her hand, smiling. I had seen her engagement ring from our Zoom call, but it wasn't the same. Typical Tom, I thought. Only the best and that included Liv's diamond.
She beamed at me. She was so happy. I loved that she had finally met the one.
"I scheduled the appointment with Vera like we discussed. That still okay with you?" Excitement washed over her face.
"You know I'm not missing that appointment!"
"Missing what appointment?" Tom walked in, came over, and hugged me. His 6'10 body towered over my small frame.
"With Vera," Liv beamed.
"Ahh…" his eyes lit up with a big smile.
The doorbell rang. "Must be Collin. I'll go get it," Tom kissed Liv on the cheek and left the room.
“I can see nothing has changed between you two love birds."
She gave me another glowing smile.
Yep, they are definitely fucking like rabbits.
Liv glanced at me. "So what's up with you and Keri?"
Keri and I had gone hot and heavy for a bit, but things had cooled off in the summer. I was the one to do the cooling. The crazy part was Keri, who was normally such a player, wanted more.
But I wasn't feeling it. And I knew that players always played…
I rolled my eyes at Liv, "He wants to go out, but I'm over it." I flipped my red hair.
I was definitely over it. Keri was great in bed, but there wasn't much more than a good time there. Like the other guys I dated, we had our fun, and now I was bored.
"Who would have thought that Keri James would be begging a girl! Guess I shouldn't be surprised you're the girl," Liv gushed.
Keri really was known as a big player.
I stared at Liv. "I'm on a hiatus."
She laughed and stared at me in disbelief.
"I'm serious. I haven't been on a date in a month. There isn't anyone interesting or worth my time right now. And, we have so much business coming in that I don't have time for children."
"Was Keri that bad?"
"Just a boy. I need a real man." I took a sip of wine.
She nodded and seemed to understand.
"Well, everyone is coming back to town from summer in the Hamptons, so I'm sure you'll have a big selection now." She winked at me.
I rolled my eyes. New York was starting to feel small to me. I had dated a lot of guys. It was always fun. I didn't know if it was seeing Liv and Tom together or what, but lately, something was tugging at me—an inkling I wanted more than fun.
And that wasn't like me at all. I did the serious thing once, and that almost killed me. I didn't want to go down that road again.
The oven buzzer rang. Liv pulled the lasagna out.
I put my glass of wine down on the counter. "Want me to go get the guys?"
"Perfect. Thanks."
I walked through the family room and down the hall toward the bar. Tom would surely be making Collin a drink. I walked through the door just as Tom handed Collin one.
Well, the back of Collin doesn't disappoint.
I might have been on a hiatus, but I could still look.
Collin was probably 6'6, had dark hair, and a body that appeared as if he still played ball. Like other ballers, his body was one of a professional athlete.
Strong.
Built.
Ripped.
I couldn't help but take an extra second to stare at his ass. I loved a muscular ass.
Tom noticed me walk in. "Hey Meg, come and meet Collin."
He spun, and his light brown eyes locked into mine. I inhaled sharply. Collin Corwin's gorgeous mixed complexion and perfectly chiseled face instantly sent spasms to my lower region.
Play it cool, Meg.
I flipped my red, curly hair and extended my hand. "Meg Grail."
His large, creamy colored hand reached for mine, and I instantly thought about where I wanted that hand on my body.
Collins's fingers were longer than some men's dicks.
"I hear great things about you, Meg. It's nice to put a face with the name." His voice was deep, sexy, and cooly composed.
"Same," was all I could muster.
Heat rushed through my body. This man was delicious to the eyes; I could only imagine his skills in the bedroom.
As I continued to stare at him, I searched for some indication of whether he found me attractive or not. I found none.
Damn, my radar is off. I could always tell what guys were thinking.
Tom interrupted my thoughts, "Well, I'm hungry. Hope you guys are. Liv makes the best lasagna." He started leading us out to the dining room.
Oh, I'm hungry, but not for lasagna.
Pulling his warm hand out of mine, he motioned for me to go first. I put a little more sway in my hips, and walked to the dining room, praying he was checking me out.
"Hey, Collin!" Liv walked over to him.
Collin kissed her cheek. "Good to see you, Liv. Smells great!"
"Glad you were able to come over tonight. I want to thank you again for being so patient with Tom and getting him exactly what he wanted," Liv told him.
"I told you both, whatever Tom wanted he could have. The Volts would have done anything to resign him. They weren't going to lose over contract details," Collin confidently stated.
"Well, you did good, man. We really appreciate it." Tom gave him a pat on the back.
I didn't know all the details of Tom's contract, but I knew that in the history of the Volts, they had never agreed to anything as flexible as Tom's contract. Liv had told me it was all because of Collin's negotiating tactics.
I want to negotiate with him, ran through my mind.
Collin walked over to me and pulled out my chair for me to sit. My face flushed a bit at the sight of his fingers. He briefly caught my eye before he gazed back at Liv and Tom. But his face gave nothing away. "Just doing my job."
What the heck is up with my radar tonight? I seriously wasn't used to this. I sat down next to him and tried not to stare at his muscular thighs.
I want to lick those thighs.
"How's Stacey?" Tom asked him.
I snapped out of my thoughts.
He adjusted himself in his chair. "Our divorce was final last week." His face stayed controlled, and he didn't show any emotion.
"Collin, why didn't you tell me you were going through that?" Tom asked him.
He shrugged his shoulders. "It is what it is, man. It took two years to go through, but it's finished now. Moving on."
"I'm sorry to hear that." Liv patted his hand.
Ugh! Great! Newly divorced meant I definitely couldn't date him. Freshly divorced meant rebound, and I couldn't be the rebound for a client.
Liv might have had a strict rule for herself and broken it, but I didn't mess around in the sandbox either. I was at the height of my career, making more money than I ever had, and Liv fully trusted me. I wasn't going to mess that up.
Tom quickly changed the subject to business. I thought I saw a grateful look pass through Collin's face, but I could have been mistaken because his face was immediately back to his neutral stare.
Then the subject turned to Keri James. Collin turned to look at me again with his no emotion stare that I couldn't read. "Don't you date Keri?"
My face flushed, bright red. I'm sure it matched the color of my hair.
"Used to," I confirmed.
"He's still hot for her though," Liv blurted out.
I swear I saw Collin's jaw stiffen.
I glared at Liv. Why did she have to say that?
Collin watched me. I could feel it but didn't turn my head. I continued to stare at Liv.
Sh
e gave me a bewildered glance, but wasn't catching on about why I was not happy, "What? It's true!"
My face turned another shade of maroon. I shifted in my seat and cursed Liv in my head.
I loved Liv, but man, she could blurt stuff out sometimes.
"Well, Turbo wants to create a shoe for him, but Keri is not doing a lot to help himself right now, so I'm trying to handle that," Collin stated.
"Well, that is Keri," I said without thinking.
Collins's head jerked to me.
Shoot! I shouldn't have said that—guess Liv's blurting was wearing off on me. I cursed myself as soon as it came out of my lips.
Collin once again stared at me. I peeked over at him, but I still couldn't read him.
What is with this guy? I had never met anyone I couldn't read, especially a man.
Liv took over. "If Keri signs with Turbo, they will have their PR campaign, but it would be a good opportunity to use it to further Keri's brand."
"Actually, the time will never be better." I took a sip of wine.
Collin glanced over at me again. "Oh? Why is that?"
"When Turbo runs their ads, we can buy cheaper ads to piggyback off of it. It will be easy to put his face out there everywhere, and it will cost a fraction of what it normally would because of Turbo's campaign."
Good, I finally said something intelligent this time.
Collin smiled at me. "That sounds smart."
My heart picked up speed. At last, some sort of approval from him.
"It is. The trick is going to be designing Keri's brand." I put my wine glass down and licked my lips.
"What do you mean?" Collin was intrigued.