Love & Compromise (Agents in Love Book 3)

by Chantel Rhondeau

  “We’re moving to Sayle, Washington.” She squeezed him once again. “I can’t wait for you to meet my friends.”

  Caleb nodded, kissing her again. “Looks like the course has been plotted for our next adventure, love. I can’t wait.”

  Author’s Note

  Thank you so much for reading Jenessa and Kole’s story! I hope you enjoyed it. I actually started writing this book after finishing Love & Redemption in 2014, but other projects came along and there didn’t seem to be a ton of interest in the series. This fell to the backburner. It wasn’t until several of you wonderful readers started asking if the series would ever have another release that I decided to get back to it. I’m so glad I did! This story turned out nothing like I thought it would, but I loved what happened. Jenessa ended up being a good deal feistier than I realized, and I totally love her!

  In my personal life, 2017 has started off well. Some of you may know that I have rheumatoid arthritis and chronic daily headaches with migraine. For the past seven years or so, I’ve spent a portion of nearly every day unable to do anything except lie down with an ice pack covering my eyes (now you know where Jenessa’s migraines came from – personal experience).

  A few months ago, because of my honey’s stomach issues, our doctor recommended a gluten-free diet. Since I do all the cooking it was easiest to have us both go gluten free, and I switched as well. I never expected to benefit from the change.

  My doctor has tried everything to cure my headaches. No medicine or shots or massage or experimental treatment has ever helped for more than a week or two at most. Within a month of going gluten free, I began experiencing several days at a time with little or no headache! What? It was wonderful but I wasn’t sure the diet changes were the reason.

  I went to stay with my daughter for a week last month and ate gluten while there since it was simpler than changing her entire kitchen. The headaches came back, only to disappear again once I’d gone back to gluten free for a couple weeks. I can’t tell you the relief it’s been. I wished I’d known about this years ago!

  Long story short, if you have weird medical problems and the doctors cannot figure them out, look at your nutrition. Since becoming gluten free we’ve done more research into it, learning that it helps all sorts of things including depression and memory problems. They also say people with rheumatoid arthritis (like me) or other autoimmune diseases should be gluten free. No one had ever mentioned this to me, so I’m grateful my honey needed the diet. It’s making a tremendous difference in my quality of life.

  I hope 2017 has been going just as positively for all of you! Have a fantastic spring and summer! My next release will be a paranormal romance about a psychic working with a skeptical detective to solve a kidnapping. Paranormal is a new direction for me, but writing the book has been fun. Gifted Visions will be part of a multi-author paranormal boxed set releasing in July. After that, my schedule is split between starting a new series in the McCallister’s Paradise world and writing suspense titles.

  Thanks so much for reading Love & Compromise! If you loved it, a review to tell the world what you think would always be appreciated. Until next time, happy reading my friends!

  ~ Chantel (May 12, 2017)

  Website: http://www.chantelrhondeau.com

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  Also by Chantel Rhondeau

  Romantic Suspense

  Stand-alone titles:

  Always & Forever

  Crime & Passion

  Murderous Lies

  Agents in Love Series:

  Love & Deception – Book 1

  Love & Redemption – Book 2

  Love & Compromise – Book 3

  Love Under Fire Series:

  Blazing Love

  Blazing Hotter

  Contemporary Romance

  Stand-alone titles:

  Season For Love: A Christmas Romance Novella

  Unexpected Gift – Cali’s Story (Christmas Fairy Tales)

  Unexpected Gift 2 – Dani’s Story (Christmas Fairy Tales)

  Loving Lucy (Sensual Christmas Romance Novella)

  Tempting Trish (Sensual Christmas Romantic Suspense)

  McCallister’s Paradise

  Happy Endings –1

  Diving Into Love –2

  For Love or Charity –3

  Love’s Ride –4

  Cooking Up Love –5

  Join my VIP Reader’s Club and get a FREE eBook and other great freebies!

  http://chantelrhondeau.wix.com/freebook

  Need more suspense in your life? Check out Blazing Love

  An emotionally injured veterinarian assistant tries to resist the heat of a blazing hot firefighter, but she can’t avoid the flames of his passion.

  Veterinarian assistant Laura Lyons loves animals, loves her job, and is trying to love her life. But after her fiancé was killed in an accident seven years earlier, she shut everyone out, determined not to become attached. Laughing and pretending she has no problems without letting anyone know the real her is the easiest route.

  Thayne Bloodgood is the most eligible bachelor on the Sayle Fire Department’s roster. Handsome, strong, and loyal, the single ladies fawn over him—all except the one he wants. Thayne is determined to break down Laura’s defenses. The desire in her eyes when they flirt isn’t his imagination. Winning her heart is a challenge he’s ready to meet.

  Will this relationship blaze too hot, burning them both in the process, or can Thayne become the kind of man Laura needs and prove to her it’s never too late to love?

  Chapter 1

  No, no, no. Why does he have to come in here every day? He’s so hot. No man should be that hot. Calm down girl. You got this.

  Laura Lyons flashed a tight smile, hoping nothing in her blue eyes would give away her thoughts. “Mr. Bloodgood? How can I help you? Is there another rescued kitten needing help?”

  With a shrug of his powerful shoulders, Thayne Bloodgood stepped up to the counter, leaning across it so far, she could smell his spicy cologne. “I don’t have another kitten today. I came to see you.”

  A shivery rush of delight wiggled down her spine, ending with a jolt below her waist. None of that! she scolded herself. She could understand why god man never took the hint she didn’t want to date him—she couldn’t even get her body to understand it.

  Thayne grinned, showing his chipped front tooth, his only imperfection—and he’d said that was from a man he rescued from a burning building. Apparently, the guy headbutted Thayne when they got outside. Even his imperfections showed how perfect he was!

  He clasped his hands on top of the counter, bulging the sinewy muscles all the way up his arm. His tight-fitting FDS T-shirt didn’t hide his well-defined shoulders or muscular pecs.

  Not for the first time, Laura’s heart raced and her body tingled all over when looking at him. She thought about the small Xanax pill in her purse, wondering if she would have to take it.

  Thayne let out a deep chuckle, turning Laura’s knees to Jell-O. It was a damn good thing she had a chair behind her. It would be embarrassing to tumble to the floor in front of a man who had to be Zeus’s long-lost son. Powerful, brave, hot. Yep, Thayne had to be someone out of Greek mythology.

  “You have nothing to say, Laura?” His grin widened. “Or did you plan to just stare at me all afternoon without speaking?”

  Heat rushed up Laura’s neck, and she wished the floor would open up and swallow her. How long had she been inspecting his perfect physique?

  “I-it-it’s nice to see you,” she stammered, her embarrassment deepening. Lovely, I sound like an inarticulate imbecile. Maybe even someone having a seizure.

  Then
again, if I needed it, Mr. Hot Bod could give me mouth to mouth.

  Laura swallowed her sudden giggle. It wasn’t as if she could actually date him. It was against her rules. But, damn, did she ever love looking at him.

  Then came his inevitable question. “Wanna catch a movie tonight? Maybe dinner? My treat.”

  Oh, come on. You have to stop asking every day. I don’t have that much will power. I can’t date you. You’re a fireman. Leave me alone!

  Not that she was sure she wanted that. Just because she had rules about dating men with dangerous jobs, that didn’t mean the attention was unwanted. Boy, did she want it. Luscious lips, hot spicy scent, fabulous muscles—Thayne had it all, and almost every day for the past two months, he’d offered it to her.

  “Mr. Bloodgood, I ca—”

  “Thayne,” he interrupted. “How can I be your date if you don’t use my first name?”

  Laura’s fingers twitched to grab her anti-anxiety meds. Couldn’t he see what he did to her? Her breathing came out in shallow gasps and she trembled all over. It had to be a panic attack, right?

  “Tell you what, Laura.” He leaned even closer, his deliciously warm scent overwhelming her as he stroked her forearm lightly. “Go out with me one time. If it’s horrible, I’ll go away and never bother you again.”

  She shook her head, not trusting herself to speak.

  “Come on. I know you want to. Why do you keep saying no?” He brushed strands of light brown hair from her face, and his fingers lightly caressed her cheek. “I know we have chemistry, Laura. Give in to it.”

  Dr. Vicky Blain, the veterinarian and owner of the clinic, chose that moment to step out of her office. “Is my three o’clock here yet?”

  Laura turned, seeing her boss and friend blink slowly a few times. Great. Just what I need. She’ll never let this go. She thinks Thayne is the answer to all my issues.

  Vicky gave a bright smile, walking dreamily toward the counter. “Thayne,” she cooed, breathless. “How nice to see you.”

  Nope. Laura didn’t need the anti-anxiety pill. It wasn’t a panic attack. Thayne had that knee-weakening, body-tingling, heart-racing reaction on every female.

  Thayne threw a wink at Vicky. “Hey, Doc. I just popped in to ask Laura to the movies.”

  “Again?” Vicky shot Laura a dirty look. “And you, being you, turned him down, didn’t you Laura? What does the man have to do, come in here shirtless?” Vicky’s eyes widened and she turned back to Thayne. “You know, that might not be a bad idea...”

  Thayne licked his lips and shook his head. Maybe it was nerves on his part, but the seductive motion of his tongue worked to weaken Laura further.

  “You’re a married woman, Dr. Blain,” Thayne reminded her.

  Vicky blushed. “Of course. I meant it could help you land this prude if you showed off those firm, hard...” Vicky stared at Thayne’s chest.

  Laura cleared her throat, reminding the vet that she was in the middle of a conversation.

  Vicky startled, then jerked her eyes toward Laura. “Come on. What’s your problem?”

  My problem? My problem is I’m wondering what else Thor can do with that tongue. Thor? Ha, ha. I’m mixing my Greek and Norse mythology. I don’t care which you use, though. It doesn’t make him any less hot.

  Thayne’s pecs flexed, making the logo on his shirt jump enticingly. “What do you say, Laura? Even your boss agrees we should go out.”

  She sighed. “Look, Thor, I’m sure you’re a really good date, but I don’t go out with firemen. I’ve told you that.”

  “Thor?” His brow wrinkled in confusion. “You don’t even know my name?”

  Laura covered her mouth, trying to stifle her giggles in earnest this time. I said that out loud? I’m losing it.

  His brow smoothed, and he smiled. “I love the sound of your laugh. You don’t do it often enough.”

  Maybe because her life didn’t have much to laugh about, but she couldn’t tell him that.

  He spread his hands wide. “Okay, fine. I’m never going to be your man.”

  Laura nodded, even though a pang of regret laced her agreement. She’d finally rejected him enough. Her Thor was tired of begging. Although, he did give up the chase awfully easy after months of trying.

  To her surprise, Thayne smiled. “I guess that means we can be friends instead, right?” His green eyes held a measure of victory, and Laura wondered what trickery he’d devised.

  “I guess so...” She hesitated when his smile grew larger. “I’m not much for friends either.”

  Vicky leaned against the reception counter. “Not much, try no friends at all except me. All this girl does is sit home with foster cats. She needs to get out more, have some fun.”

  Thanks, but I could do without him knowing that, Vicky. She needed the job though, so stopped herself from glaring. Vicky always meddled, trying to help Laura get a social life. She didn’t seem to understand that Laura didn’t want or need one.

  “Foster cats, huh?” Thayne cocked his head to the side in a thinking pose. “You keep them in your house?”

  With a heavy sigh, Laura decided she couldn’t refuse to answer that question without being insufferably rude. “Only the ones too sick to go to regular foster homes and get adopted. Like the kitten you brought in yesterday. She needs constant care, so she comes to work in the mornings and home with me at night. I can’t leave her to go out. So you see, I have to stay home to—”

  “Perfect. I’ll bring dinner over tonight.” Thayne grinned, mischief twinkling from his sexy green eyes. “A friendly dinner, of course. What time do you get home from work?”

  She started to refuse, and Vicky lightly punched her shoulder.

  “Say yes,” she hissed quietly. “Nod your head and hand him your address. You need this.”

  Maybe. But maybe I can’t handle an evening alone with him. Why doesn’t he give up? There’s nothing special about me, and he can’t have me anyway.

  Bingo. That’s when it clicked. With looks like Thayne’s, women threw themselves at him. He probably had a different girl in his bed every night. Hell, even married women like Vicky would hesitate to turn down a tumble in the sheets with him. By saying no, Laura had actually encouraged his attention.

  A few dinners, maybe a kiss or two, and he’d lose interest. It could be fun and alleviate her loneliness for a few days. She wouldn’t break her rules because they wouldn’t be dating. It wasn’t like they’d have sex or anything. Just convince his ego that he’d won her over, and everything would work out. Easy peasy.

  She quickly scribbled her address on a sticky pad sheet, pulling it off to pass it to him. “I get off work at five. How about we meet around six?”

  The joy behind his eyes melted her heart. “Finally. It’s about time.” He pursed his lips in an air kiss. “Can’t wait to be friends, cat woman. Meow. See ya.”

  When Thayne turned to walk from the clinic, Vicky and Laura let out identical sighs, watching his tight, high ass disappear through the opening.

  “Guess that’s that.” Laura pasted a smile on her face. “We’ll be friends.” Although his parting shot hadn’t sounded strictly friend oriented.

  Vicky laughed, shaking back her long curly hair. “Yeah, right, friends with benefits. Looks like my three o’clock ditched us. Let’s brew some fresh coffee and chat.”

  Laura set the call buzzer on the reception desk in case another customer arrived. They were still slow most days. The clinic was new, but Laura hoped they would get enough clients to hire a real receptionist soon.

  It would be nice to be too busy working to get romantic advice from her boss. Unfortunately, it seemed that unless she found a boyfriend, Laura was stuck hearing it every day.

  “Let’s talk about what you should do tonight,” Vicky gushed, a gleeful smile on her lips.

  Great. I’m sure her advice includes a trip to the bedroom. Not that she didn’t fantasize about that every time Thayne showed up. I’ve got a problem.

 
Chapter 2

  Thayne walked toward the firehouse, a smile on his face and Laura’s address safely entered into his cell phone. Finally, finally. He didn’t know what it was about that woman, but she made him hot. She made him want to do things he’d never done before—like settle down and be a one-woman kind of man.

  He couldn’t blow this chance. It might be the only one he got. Obviously, the aggressive guy act didn’t work well with her, but he could play the friend card for a while. As long as she didn’t friendzone him forever.

  Thayne walked past the fire engine in the parking bay, hearing some of his firemen brothers laughing and harassing each other from inside. He opened the door to see the young crowd of probies lounging on the couches. The smell of fresh coffee beckoned, and Thayne walked to the kitchenette, pouring himself a mug.

  “Hey, Bloodgood, glad you’re here.” Frankie Hernandez waved Thayne to the group and Thayne suppressed a groan—Frankie could be a punk. “I need you to be the tie breaker.”

  The other firefighters jeered and snickered, and Thayne wasn’t sure he wanted to know what the four young men were up to. Even though at twenty-seven, he was only a few years older than they were, Thayne felt ancient compared to these newer recruits. They hadn’t seen enough action yet to be matured by it.

  “What’s going on?” he asked, despite his better judgment.

  “I have me a real dilemma,” Frankie replied.

  “Yeah, right,” one of the guys, Carlos, muttered. “Wish I had that dilemma.”

  Thayne leaned against the wall, sipping the strong black coffee, wishing the probie would get to the point. “Well?”

  Frankie jumped up and stood in front of Thayne, bouncing from foot to foot like an excited child. “I met two girls on my last night off, told them I was a firefighter. Now they both want to go out with me. Help me decide.” He pressed his cell phone into Thayne’s free hand. “Thumb through the pictures. They’re both smokin’ hot!”