Slow Burn (The Blake Boys Book 7) Read online

  Table of Contents

  Table of Contents

  Look for these titles from Rhonda Laurel

  Copyright Warning

  ~ Dedication ~

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Hollywood Rush

  ~ About the Author ~

  ~ Coming Soon ~

  Also by Rhonda Laurel

  ~ More Romance from Etopia Press ~

  Look for these titles from Rhonda Laurel

  Now Available

  The Blake Boys Series

  For the Love of the Game (Book One)

  MVP (Book Two)

  The Blake Legacy (Book Three)

  Texas Heat (Book Four)

  Love Notes and Football (Book Five)

  The Perfect Storm (Book Six)

  Slow Burn (Book Seven)

  The Hollywood Heat Series

  Star Crossed (Book One)

  Hollywood Rush (Book Two)

  Ebb Tide

  Shutter

  “Masquerade” Halloween Heat IV

  In Print

  The Rhonda Laurel Collection

  “Masquerade” Halloween Heat MF

  The Blake Boys Collection

  Slow Burn

  The Blake Boys Book Seven

  Rhonda Laurel

  Copyright Warning

  EBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared, or given away. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is a crime punishable by law. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded to or downloaded from file sharing sites, or distributed in any other way via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000 (http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/).

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are fictitious or have been used fictitiously, and are not to be construed as real in any way. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales, or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  Published By

  Etopia Press

  136 S. Illinois Ave. Suite 212

  Oak Ridge, TN 37830

  http://www.etopiapress.com

  Slow Burn

  Copyright © 2015 by Rhonda Laurel

  ISBN: 978-1-941692-39-4

  All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  First Etopia Press electronic publication: January 2015

  ~ Dedication ~

  To Tyler and Michelle: Thanks for making love worth the wait.

  Chapter One

  Tyler Blake glanced in the rearview mirror. The competition was trailing closely behind as he zoomed around the track in his blue and white race car, number nineteen. There were five laps to go and he was holding steady in third place, but there was still a chance he could pull it off. That’s what he loved about racing, there were no certain victories until you crossed that finish line. He checked his levels and remained focused on the steady hum of the engine.

  With two more laps to go, he saw a fractional opening as he made his way out of the turn. He stepped on the gas and advanced, taking the second position by a hair. He pushed the car to make this last effort, but he was confident it could take the pressure. He had a hell of a pit crew, after all. The final lap was approaching. He gave it one last push and took the lead.

  The checkered flag waved him to victory. Tyler could see his whole family hooting and hollering in the distance. They were there for moral support but Blake Enterprises was also his biggest sponsor. The company logo was proudly plastered on the hood of the car, a testament to their support of his dream. It was a bit surprising how the family did a complete one eighty about his career choice. He had his sister-in-law Morgan to thank for that. She’d championed his hobby to the rest of the family, and eventually they’d welcomed the idea of him making this a profession. Ty Blake Racing, Inc. was formed one night at his parents’ kitchen table when the brothers sat down and helped him come up with a business plan. The rush of pushing the limits of the machine was titillating, but having the support of all the Blakes, including a trademark nod from his dad John Jacob, felt pretty damn good too.

  The day would have been even better if Michelle were there, but the high-strung bookstore-manager-turned-food-enthusiast wasn’t talking to him these days. She had turned down his invitation to come to the race and had told him to stick it where the sun don’t shine. She had an undeniable fire about her that was adorable, even when she thought she was being tough. He’d been thinking about her a lot lately, more than he’d ever thought about another woman. The flirtation with her—his sister-in-law Morgan’s best friend—had been innocent fun at first, but it had turned passionate the night before Seth and Morgan’s wedding at the ranch. That night had turned out to be the best night of his life. Which was why he high-tailed it off the ranch to Philadelphia.

  When Michelle told him she’d been dating some yoga instructor named Finn, the thought that someone could actually take her away hit him like a ton of bricks. He went to have a chat with the guy and informed him that it would be better for his health if he stayed away from her.

  The pit crewed rushed him as soon as he pulled back the safety flap of the car. Tyler stood on the edge of the window and threw his hands up in victory. The crowd went wild as cameras furiously captured his crowning moment. He jumped down and took a photo with his pit crew. He’d set out to do something, and he’d succeeded through perseverance and hard work. Having his family there made it all the more special.

  He continued to wave to the crowd as team members steered him toward the winner’s circle, where a racing official was waiting to give him a huge trophy. His mind raced, trying to think of something elegant to say. There were expectations when a Blake man was in front of the camera, and he wanted to do his family proud. He’d been coached by his brothers the past few months on how to give a good interview. As he made his way to the podium to speak to the announcer, he was caught off guard when delicate fingers gripped the collar of his racing suit and yanked him down. One whiff of that cotton candy perfume and he knew it was Jeannie, the groupie who’d been hanging out at the track the last month. Normally she would have been just his type, but a certain woman who currently hated his guts had him second guessing his taste in women. Jeannie pulled him close and planted a big kiss on him on national television. He hoped like hell Michelle wasn’t watching.

  * * *

  Michelle Bradley’s finger hovered over the enter key on the keyboard. It was time to post her weekly recipe on her food blog, The Novel Foodie, and she thought the Love ’Em and Leave ’Em Peach Cobbler was fitting for the mood. Every time she thought of Tyler Blake, she wished he were there so she could mush the delicious dessert right in his face.

  She started the blog when she returned from Morgan and Seth’s wedding in Texas, as a way to exorcise Tyler from her system, but it became a chronicle of her new-found interest in cooking. She posted a new recipe and photo every week along with anecdotes about her life at the bookstore.

  “Done and done.” She closed the lid of her laptop, crossed it off her things to do list, then padded into the kitchen to make some hot tea.

  Everything else on it would have to wait
. December in Philadelphia always brought out her need to hibernate, so she decided to skip the Christmas shopping plans and hunker down on her couch for the rest of the day. She placed her Santa mug on the coffee table and pulled her hair into a messy bun, hoping to crack the spine of a few new books she’d been dying to read. Her new reading glasses were sitting on the table mocking her, a tell-tale sign that old age was creeping up on her.

  Today was Tyler’s big race and she was conflicted about watching it. She’d turned down his half-assed, last-minute invitation to go to the race with the Blakes. Why should she change her weekend plans for a late invite? Knowing him, if she’d gone he probably would have ditched the race altogether and fled town again. They had been playing this maddening game of cat and mouse for three years, and after that intense, passionate night together on the eve of Morgan and Seth’s wedding, she’d thought they were making progress. After talking for hours, they’d gone down to the stables and had talked some more before they made love. Tyler had never been so open and sweet. He’d come close before when she visited for Jake’s first birthday party. That’s when it hit her that Tyler was different when he was at the ranch. When he was home, he was Tyler Blake, not that jet-setting idiot that roamed around the world looking for good times and infamy.

  It had been wonderful. Then he’d bolted from the ranch without so much as a goodbye.

  She couldn’t take any more of his shenanigans. One minute he was running from her like she had a disease, the next he was accosting her new boyfriend, Finn, in yoga class in a jealous rage. Finn had been so flustered he thought it would be best if they didn’t see each other anymore. Good riddance. What woman in her right mind wanted a man who scared that easily? Finn did leave her with something to ponder. No matter how sophomoric Tyler’s behavior, it was obvious he cared about her.

  She turned on the television and reluctantly found the channel covering Tyler’s race. She hated seeing him whip around the track like a madman. Why did he have to go flying around like that? Because he was an immature action junky who lived to torment her. And just think—she could be down there right now seeing the race live, but she’d declined his half-assed invitation.

  He crossed the finish line and the announcer declared Tyler the winner. She was happy for him, realizing his dream despite the danger, and the night before each race, she’d say a prayer that he’d come back in one piece.

  When he climbed out of his car, her throat went dry. Why did he have to look so incredible in that racing suit today? Those mischievous green eyes sparkled and he needed a shave. He had that gruff, sexy look down to a science.

  Tyler got ready to speak to the announcer when a cheap floozy rushed him and planted a big wet kiss on his lips. At first it didn’t seem like he was into it, but when he didn’t pull away after three Mississippis, Michelle threw a candy cane at the television.

  “Why do I bother?” she mumbled as she turned off the TV and went into the kitchen to check on the salmon she had in the oven. “Because you’re an idiot, that’s why.”

  The sound of the text message alert on her cell phone pierced the quiet space. It could only be an eye witness to the smooch from hell. Michelle bit her lip, determined not to cry over Tyler Blake anymore. She’d had enough of him. It was time to move on.

  * * *

  It felt good to be back home at the ranch. Tyler should have felt like a million bucks after the great win on Saturday, but he felt like crap. He’d called Michelle repeatedly after the race, but she didn’t answer, and that wasn’t a good sign. Normally she would at least pick up and tell him what an asshole he was, but for the past two days there had been nothing but eerie silence. The kiss from the groupie was easy enough to explain, but he was all out of excuses, as Morgan put it the other night at dinner.

  “I love you both, and I just want you to be happy. Everything will work out for the best.” Morgan kissed him on the cheek and handed him a bowl of ice cream.

  Besides the statement being anticlimactic, it was totally un-Morganlike. His feisty sister-in-law butted in and pushed, that was her thing. If she wasn’t pushing, it meant she’d given up.

  The severity of the situation began to sink into his dense brain. His brother Seth just smiled and helped Jake and the boys finish their dessert. Tyler needed to figure out his intentions towards Michelle, but it seemed he no longer had time on his side. He knew he didn’t want her seeing Finn, or any other idiot who might wander into the bookstore and make a play for her.

  Ranch work didn’t sound like an ideal way to burn off the pent-up energy coursing through his veins, but he didn’t mind. He had headed down to the stables bright and early to get his chores done before anyone else was awake. The motivation for it was his momma telling him she had a surprise for him. News of the early Christmas present made him toss and turn all night, anticipating opening it the next day. The family kept mum about it, and he was shocked that even his blabbermouth brother Channing couldn’t be coaxed into squealing. He’d returned to the house and was on his third cup of coffee, waiting for his mother to come downstairs.

  “My, you’re up earlier than usual. I thought you had ranch duties today?” His mother Teri-Lyn ran her hand through his hair as she entered the kitchen.

  “I’ve already done them. Bo said he’d never seen me move so fast in my life.”

  “Want some breakfast? Then I’ll take you to your present.” She smiled.

  “I’d rather have my present now.” Tyler grinned.

  “Get the eggs before I put you over my knee.” Teri-Lyn pointed toward the fridge.

  A few minutes later she yelled for Tyler to slow down as he scoffed down the bacon and eggs. After she cleared the table and nibbled on some toast while she had a second cup of coffee, she was finally ready to go. He hopped in the passenger seat of the truck and accompanied her as she tootled around the ranch, taking the time to stop and chat with the landscaper.

  Finally, his mother turned down a road leading to the south side of the ranch. The stretch of land looked more manicured than usual and there was new white fencing leading to a paved road. Beyond the fence, a five lane mockup of the Daytona Speedway had been constructed, complete with a pit lane, garage, spectator mound, announcer’s booth, and the best part of it all—two new race cars.

  Teri-Lyn pulled to a stop by the gate.

  “I don’t believe it.” Tyler got out of the truck.

  “I thought you could use some space to practice when you didn’t feel like leaving the ranch.” Teri-Lyn said.

  “Momma!” Tyler grabbed her and swung her around. “This is awesome. I don’t know what to say.”

  “Just say you’ll be careful.” Teri-Lyn laughed.

  “I promise.” He smiled. “It means a lot to me that you’re supporting me.”

  “I had no doubt that one day you’d find something that caught your interest. I didn’t think it would be racing cars, but I’m happy for you nonetheless.”

  “Did daddy mention anything to you about …all of this?” Tyler asked. He was curious about his father’s opinion on his new found career, but he’d been too afraid to ask.

  The look his mother gave him was one of puzzled amusement. “You remind me of him when he was your age.”

  Tyler’s eyes widened. “That’s hard to believe.”

  “Trust me, your daddy wasn’t always the laid back rancher he’s become over the years. He was rough and rowdy and looking for trouble everywhere he turned. You get that sense of adventure from him.”

  “Really?”

  “You also got his good looks, stubbornness, arrogance and penchant for fighting.” She punched him on the arm.

  “Daddy? He sounds like he was quite a handful.” Tyler scratched at his temple.

  “Yes, he was.” She shook her head.

  “So how did he manage to snag you?”

  She laughed. “A lot of beggin’. Which is what you’ll have to do to get back in Michelle’s good graces after the smooch from that groupie hussy.�
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  Tyler’s head whipped around. What did she know about him and Michelle?

  “Momma, it’s complicated.”

  “What’s complicated about love?”

  “Who said anything about love?”

  “You’ve never asked me to go shopping with you to pick out a gift for a lady friend until last month, when you wanted to buy her that bracelet for Christmas.”

  Tyler shrugged. “You have good taste.” The exquisite charm bracelet his mother helped him pick out was sure to bring a smile to Michelle’s face. He had planned to give it to her for Christmas, but that was before the kissing debacle after the race.

  She gave him a stern but loving motherly look. “You don’t fool me. You care about her.”

  “I—”

  “Want to race?”

  Tyler’s eyes widened. Was this his mothering talking? “What have you done with Teri-Lyn Blake?”

  “Are we gonna stand here flappin’ our gums, or are we going to christen your new track?” Teri-Lyn put on a racing helmet and pulled on the strap to tighten it.

  “I won’t show you any mercy, even if you are my Momma.”

  “What makes you think this is my first time in a race car? Before I had you kids, I had a pretty interesting life.” She winked and got in her car.

  By the time Tyler got in and turned on the car, his momma was already half way around the track. She was quick, but it was her comments about love that slowed his pace. The possibility of giving Michelle that bracelet for Christmas was looking bleak.