Covert Affairs

by Rhonda Laurel

  “Uncle Trev.” Alexis tugged on his hand. “I made you a turkey card.”

  “She sure did.” Charisma rubbed the top of Alexis’s head.

  Trevor looked at Charisma. Something was up with her. She had the same glow she’d had at her office. “Charisma, is there something you’d like to share with us?”

  “No.” Her eyes widened. “It can wait.”

  “There’s always room for more good news,” Charles said. “Family rule.”

  “OK. We were going to wait until after dinner.” Charisma cleared her throat. “Derek and I are having another baby.”

  “That’s fantastic!”

  Everyone got in on the hugging again. Trevor made his way through the crowd of affection and put his arm around his sister.

  “What made you change your mind about having another baby?”

  “Derek and I talked it over, and he made me realize I was being silly and that it would be fun for Alexis to have a sibling. You’ve always been my rock. My confidante. She should have someone like that in her life too. At the very least she can have someone to complain to that her mother drives her nuts.” She smiled.

  “Derek.” Trevor hugged his brother-in-law. “Congrats on being a dad again.”

  “Thanks, man. Did everything go well on your trip?”

  “Fantastic. I got all those loose ends tied up.”

  “Great to hear.” Derek winked. “I call dibs on the bachelor party. It will be a small affair at the Slap Shot with good booze and trading stories about marriage.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  “OK,” Curtis bellowed. “Let’s go eat for real this time.”

  “Maybe after dinner, Grandma can tell us which one of us is her favorite?” Trina shouted out.

  “You’re all my favorites. Now get in your seats.” Grandma Reed shook her head.

  Trevor put his arm around Theresa’s waist and followed the crowd back to the dining room. “You ready to be part of this crazy family?”

  “Absolutely.”

  A few minutes later, everyone was seated at the table, ready for Grandma Reed to say grace. “We sit here today at this finely decorated table, poised to eat this bounty of good food with the people we love most in the world. The love that is ever-growing and flowing in this mighty family continues to expand as new loved ones join the fold. We are blessed to have Trevor home for good, safe, and sound, and his eye on a bright feature with Theresa, his beautiful bride-to-be. To another year of this amazing family.”

  Trevor squeezed Theresa’s hand.

  “Amen.”

  EPILOGUE

  Trevor went to the fridge and retrieved the fruit he’d need for the salad he’d be serving for lunch. It was a beautiful day, and the sun was shining brilliantly over the vast seascape that was the backyard of the villa in Fiji. The best part of the scenery was Theresa’s masterful stride as she glided through the infinity pool in that bikini he loved on her. They had been in paradise for ten blissful days, and he didn’t want it to end. They spent most of their time browsing the local markets, eating good food, and taking long walks along the beach.

  It hadn’t been easy to get out of the clutches of the Reed family, who’d gone full throttle helping them plan their wedding for next year. Of course they took a break when Dana had her baby and Christmas festivities got underway. It was miracle he’d been able to whisk her away before Christmas, but not before promising they’d be back by Christmas Eve.

  But like all amazing things, their time here did have to end. After the holidays, he had to report to work at Regency. He’d taken Jack Stanton up on his job offer and would be working as an intelligence liaison for Regency clients who worked and traveled around the world. The best part was that he could do his job at the company’s office in Philadelphia. There would be no more spy games for him, but he would be able to use his skill set in the fast paced world of upscale private security.

  His heart stopped when Theresa got out of the water, toweled herself off, and put on her bathing suit cover-up. The droplets of water dripping down her sun-kissed skin made his mouth dry. It was still hard to believe their happiness wasn’t a figment of his imagination. But there she was in the flesh, enjoying one of his solitary comforts, a peaceful villa that seemed set apart from the world. Theresa was everything he ever wanted in a woman. She was beautiful, kind, considerate, and had a way of making the world seem less chaotic and dangerous. When he looked into her eyes, he could see serenity.

  “Hey, babe. Did you enjoy your swim?” He held up a sliced mango to her lips.

  “I did.” She bit into the fruit. “Everything smells delicious in here.”

  “The steaks are marinating. I can get them on the grill now.”

  “I worked up an appetite swimming laps. I was thinking.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. “Lunch could wait for at least…fifteen minutes.”

  “I am never going to live that down.”

  “On the contrary, it’s the best quickie I’ve ever had in my life.”

  “You know that fifteen minutes on the ship was more of a pressure cooker situation.” He kissed her lips. “I prefer to take my time and kiss all the places that make you do that cute giggle sound I love.”

  “Do you want to go exploring after lunch?”

  “Whatever you want to do is fine with me.”

  “Did I forget to tell you? We have an appointment with Reverend Johnson after the new year for pre-wedding counseling.”

  “Just let me know when, and I’ll be there.”

  “Also, we’re going to have to narrow down the type of venue we want for the wedding. Outdoors in the spring or summer. Indoors in the fall or winter.”

  “Doesn’t matter to me. I’d marry you in a scuba suit inside an aquarium.”

  “Then there’s the matter of our honeymoon.”

  “No worries, I have that one covered. We can go to my villa in Spain. It’s secluded and scenic. We can drive into town to shop and have dinner.”

  She nuzzled his neck. “The honeymoon destination is checked off the list.”

  “Now let’s get back to our afternoon delight.”

  “I knew there was a good reason I kept you around.” She let out that adorable giggle.

  “I love you, Reese, with everything I have in me. I have and always will love only you.”

  “I love you too.”

  Trevor led Theresa out of the kitchen and headed for the bedroom. There were some things they’d have to discuss that were more important that dates and venues. He wanted kids that had her soulful eyes and big heart to fill their home with laughter and joy.

  He’d never take for granted the second chance he’d been given with her. She was the love of his life and he looked forward to all the wonderful days ahead of them. He’d finally come home, and it was the best decision he’d ever made.

  ~ About the Author ~

  Rhonda Laurel is a contemporary interracial/multicultural romance writer whose two great loves are writing and landscape photography. She uses both as a vehicle to convey the complexity of the human spirit and the beauty of the world around her. The multi-published author has written many works since her debut in 2012, most notably The Blake Boys series. The extensive series chronicles the Blake family as they live and find love on the Twelve Horseshoes Ranch.

  Other works include: Ebb Tide, Shutter, California Bored and Tourism and Memories of You. She also writes the Hollywood themed series: Hollywood Heat, which features Star Crossed, Hollywood Rush, Double Exposure and the upcoming Vendetta Inc. And the All or Nothing Series (A Blake Boys world companion series): Hard Target, Second Chance at Love, Family Matters, Love at Last, and Covert Affairs.

  The author is happily building her backlist.

  Discover more about Rhonda Laurel here

  http://www.rhondalaurel.com

  https://www.facebook.com/authorrhondalaurel

  https://www.twitter.com/rhondalaurel

  ~ Also by Rhonda Laurel ~

&nbs
p; Try more of the All or Nothing series!

  Love at Last

  All or Nothing Book Four

  Rhonda Laurel

  Can two restless hearts make beautiful music together?

  Leigh McGill knows her chance to make it big in Nashville is built on a lie. Recently arrived in the city with her some-time boyfriend and manager, she's been dropping the name of country star Tate McGill to get gigs. That isn't so bad, is it? Until her boyfriend convinces her to break into Tate McGill's Nashville estate while he's away on tour, live in his mansion, charge up his credit cards, and borrow his priceless classic car. After all, Tate will forgive her—once he learns she's the half sister he never knew he had.

  Rafe Kendrick, part of the security team for the billionaire Blake family, has been trying to find out who's been squatting in Tate McGill's house and making fraudulent charges on his credit cards. Tate might not be a Blake by name, but he's a member of the family in every way that matters. And if there's one thing the Blakes do, it's take care of their own. So when Rafe corners the pretty country singer onstage at a Nashville club, he thinks his work here is done. But when Tate orders him to bring the woman to the Blakes's Texas ranch, Rafe finds his problems are only beginning. The sexy, spunky singer is a real spitfire, and she has no desire to spend days on the road handcuffed to Rafe, or nights in cramped hotel rooms, where the energy they generate becomes a firestorm they can't deny. But Rafe knows a thing or two about the McGills. And he isn't sure he'll be able to protect her when family secrets come a'callin'.

  Buy Love at Last here

  https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Rhonda_Laurel_Love_at_Last?id=Cro1DwAAQBAJ

  Family Matters

  All or Nothing Book Three

  Rhonda Laurel

  Can a hot fling turn into the romance of a lifetime?

  Logan Holbrook, the rich and handsome co-owner of the Texas Tomcats, has learned from experience that long-term relationships are not for him. He loves to spend time with beautiful women, but one night is usually enough before he moves to the next conquest. When he meets the enchanting Megan Shaw during the grand opening of the Blake Hotel, he's immediately captivated by the strong-willed and sexy woman. Their chemistry is explosive, and it's no surprise they soon end up in bed. The next morning, he wakes to find her gone. But unlike his usual dalliances, he can't get her off his mind. For the first time in his life, he's thinking about breaking his own rules...

  When Megan goes to Texas to visit her little sister Cassidy and her family, she attends the grand opening of the Blake family's latest venture, the Blake Hotel. Things heat up quickly when she meets hunky, sexy Logan Holbrook. He's just what she needs to get her mind off her troubles, and he has the same no-strings policy. She doesn't need messy in her life. She wants to have some simple fun without it leading to something serious. But even as she works to deepen her relationship with Cassidy, things are getting dangerously close to complicated with her edgy corporate cowboy…

  Buy Family Matters here

  https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Rhonda_Laurel_Family_Matters?id=8EIrDwAAQBAJ

  Hard Target

  All of Nothing Book One

  Rhonda Laurel

  Winning can be dangerous when the stakes are high.

  When star quarterback Riley Sloane begins receiving anonymous threats, it couldn't have happened at a worse time. His team has their sights set on the Super Bowl. He doesn't have time for a stalker, besides it's probably a prank. But when team owner Seth Blake gets wind of the situation, Riley ends up with a security detail for protection. Too bad Parker Carson is part of the plan. Since the day they first met, there's been nothing but trouble between him and the beautiful PI. She's bossy, as maddening as she is sexy, and she seems to hate his guts. But the more time they spend together, the more he wants to keep her safe. Too bad it's her job to protect him and doesn't appreciate anyone getting in her way. As Riley tries to keep his head in the game, he finds himself distracted by the beautiful Parker...and that could be hazardous for both of them.

  Parker Carson isn't thrilled about her latest assignment. She has to babysit the obnoxious quarterback Riley Sloane! So what if he's handsome, charming, and a great football player? He's also a conceited bad boy pain-in-the-neck who loves to push her buttons. But while protecting him, she begins to see the side of him he keeps hidden from the world. Only now the unknown threat to the quarterback is not nearly as dangerous as her growing feelings for Riley...

  Buy Hard Target here

  https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Rhonda_Laurel_Hard_Target?id=F0DODQAAQBAJ

  Second Chance at Love

  All or Nothing Book Two

  Rhonda Laurel

  Only the heart truly knows when it is ready to love again.

  Alex Popovich has been reluctant to open himself to love again after the death of his wife years ago. Instead, the dedicated doctor has thrown himself into caring for his kids and his patients. But when an opportunity arises to be the head of cardiology at a state-of-the-art hospital in California, Alex decides it's a great time for a fresh start. Things are beginning to look up for him...until a fender bender with Peyton, a spirited art teacher, throws his life for a loop. She's beautiful, talented, and fiery. Having a social life, much less a new romance, is the last thing Alex wants right now, but he can't help being drawn to her. Now he must decide whether to continue living in the past or risk taking a chance on an unexpected future...

  Peyton Colfax is having a difficult year. She's left New York City for a small town in California, putting a failed relationship behind her as she searches for new inspiration for her struggling art career. To make ends meet, she's substituting as an art teacher while hoping to score an artist residency in Maine. After a minor car accident on the way to her job interview sends the handsome Alex Popovich crashing into her life, she realizes he's trouble right away. The minute she sees him, she's reluctantly attracted to the hot, single dad who is obviously a terrible driver. Too bad he also has an ego the size of California. Although she tries to keep her distance, no matter where she goes in the sleepy small town, he always seems to be around, being both infuriating...and sexy. She's not sure if she wants to risk losing her heart to a man who might not be ready to commit. Especially if she's not sure she'll be staying in town long enough to put down roots...

  Buy Second Chance at Love here

  https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Rhonda_Laurel_Second_Chance_at_Love?id=ayG1DgAAQBAJ

  Playing for Keeps

  The Blake Boys Book 19

  Rhonda Laurel

  In the game of love, you have to play for keeps.

  Life was going perfectly for hockey player Derek Popovich, and then he went and jinxed it all. His team just won the championship. He's living with Charisma, the woman of his dreams. And to make things even sweeter, they're having a baby! Only Charisma refuses to marry him. No matter how many times he asks, she's certain being his wife will curse their happiness and ruin everything for them both. As the clock winds down to the baby's birth, he has to figure out a way to change her mind and give her the happily ever after she deserves.

  Charisma Reed has never felt so loved, happy, and secure—and now she's found out she's pregnant! Only her mom can't stand the man she loves. And even though she's excited about being a mom, she's terrified of what it will mean for her and Derek. She loves him, but she's afraid he only wants to marry her because of the baby. Her family thinks she's nuts for turning him down, but she doesn't want the next step in their relationship to be based off obligation. Charisma has to figure out what's keeping her from the life she's always wanted, even as Derek ramps up his plans to get her to say yes. But while he's on the road, a photo of Derek and a scheming hockey bunny makes the salacious news cycle and fuels Charisma's doubts that they were really meant to be…

  Buy Playing for Keeps here

  https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Rhonda_Laurel_Playing_for_Keeps?id=NyIjDgAAQBAJ
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br />   Slap Shot

  The Blake Boys Book Fourteen

  Rhonda Laurel

  Sometimes the only thing harder than redemption is love...

  Derek Popovich has it all. He's a hot hockey player and owns a booming restaurant, the Slap Shot, which caters to professional athletes. Unfortunately, his off-field romances are infamous in the media, and he's growing tired of his playboy image. But when Charisma Reed begins to work with him on his restaurant renovation, he can't help but be attracted to the beautiful, sassy woman who is strangely resistant to his charms. Everyone is warning him that she's trouble, but Derek is curious about what's beneath the hardened shell of the sexy Ms. Reed...

  Charisma is having the worst luck ever. Just as she's finally escaping the notoriety of her last tumultuous relationship, she stumbles into the heated breakup between the gorgeous Derek and his ex--and the photograph that shows up in the gossip rags throws her right back into the limelight. Exactly what she wanted to avoid as she struggles to put her past behind her and grow as a person. She swore she was done with professional athletes, but the hunky hockey player with the smoldering blue eyes pushes all her right buttons. Charisma just wants to finish the renovation and get on with her life, but working so closely with Derek makes him so much harder to resist...

  Buy Slap Shot here

  https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Rhonda_Laurel_Slap_Shot?id=K6HBCwAAQBAJ

  For the Love of the Game

  The Blake Boys Book One

  Rhonda Laurel