Slow Burn (The Blake Boys Book 7) Read online

  Although she had many places to visit, Atlantis was her first stop. The employees at Blue Vinyl and Pinnacle had yet to warm up to her, but Atlantis was her home, her command center. It was the only place where she was still Kate.

  Thunderous applause broke out when she walked through the doors of Atlantis Records. It was good to be home.

  “She’s back!” Sabrina, her executive assistant, threw her arms around her.

  Kate returned the hug and looked Sabrina over. “Did you cut your hair?”

  “Yes, I did.” Sabrina pulled a pair of glasses out of her pocket and placed them on her head. “Do I look like a big shot movie director?”

  “Looks good, but you’re too cheery. Jack always has this permanent look of disdain on his face.” Kate laughed. When her ex-husband was directing a movie, he would be in a perpetual bad mood for months.

  “I’ll work on that.” Sabrina giggled. “We have to talk.”

  “Welcome back.” Her partner John Gray appeared beside her.

  “Thank you.” Kate linked arms with him and began touring the office, while trying to decipher the crazy eye signals coming from Sabrina. After a half hour of gushing about her honeymoon to everyone, they finally made their way to Kate’s office. She opened the door to find a beautiful bouquet of lilies on her desk.

  “What an exquisite arrangement.” Kate dropped her purse on the desk and sank into her chair. She recognized the penmanship on the card immediately. Chris. She chuckled at the dirty limerick he’d scribbled. “So how are things around here?”

  “Status quo.” John took a seat and began a rundown of things.

  Kate tried to focus on his face as he rattled on, but her thoughts kept going back to her honeymoon. The sun. The surfing. The great food. Chris looking good in those damn swim trunks. It was going to be harder to delve back into work than she thought.

  “Earth to Kate!” John yelled.

  Kate rolled her eyes. “What!”

  “Are you going to float around here indefinitely?”

  “Perhaps,” Kate sighed. “Did you enjoy the wedding?”

  “It was great until Chris pulled that stunt.” John’s jaw ticked.

  “Still mad about that near miss with my garter belt? I’ve never seen you move so fast in your life.” She smirked.

  When Chris threw her garter in John’s vicinity, he dashed out of the way and nearly knocked over the wedding cake in his escape. Luckily, Evan Darchon stepped in and caught it. His girlfriend, Kate’s attorney Natalie, almost choked on her champagne.

  “Yes,” he grumbled. “Puma took a cab home after she saw me ducking for cover.”

  “I do recall seeing you two in a heated conversation after that graceless debacle. And really? Her name is Puma?”

  “She’s—”

  “Please, just…no.” Kate rolled her eyes. What was she going to do with him? For the life of her she didn’t understand his aversion to commitment. “Have you ever loved anyone?”

  “I love you.” John smirked.

  “You know what I mean. Have you ever been in love with someone?”

  John closed his eyes and groaned. “Why on earth would I want to endure that tortuous bullshit?”

  “Love is a good thing, Mr. Gray.”

  “I’ll take your word for it. How’s Chris?”

  “He’s fine. He’s starting the new movie soon.”

  “That was cool of you to let us play a game of touch football on the beach.”

  “How often do you get a chance to make every man in your life happy?” She smiled. “Playing touch football with Seth Blake is a football fan’s dream come true.”

  “I hope you don’t mind. Chris and I talked about hanging out.”

  Kate rubbed her chin. “Why would I have an objection to my two favorite people getting better acquainted?”

  “The threat of death is still in place if he screws you over. But I don’t meet many guys who just want to grab a beer and watch a game.” John snorted.

  “Thank you for asking him. That was very sweet of you.” Kate’s eyes glossed over.

  “Time for me to go. You’re doing it again.” John stood.

  “Doing what?”

  “That happy crap again.”

  Kate sighed. “Where’s Andre?” It was always hard to pin point the whereabouts of Atlantis’s elusive vice-president.

  “In his office.”

  “How’s he been?”

  John shrugged. “You know Andre.”

  “Anything else I should know about the business?”

  John looked away for a moment then back to her. “Sabrina walked in on me in a…delicate moment.”

  “How much is Sabrina’s psychotherapy costing us?” Kate laughed. That explained the crazy eye moments from Sabrina. John turned his head and avoided her glance, indicating she didn’t want to hear what he was going to say.

  “You mean retail therapy? I bought her some expensive-ass purse out of a store on Rodeo Drive. She’s feeling better.”

  “An afternoon on Rodeo Drive can do wonders for a scarred psyche. So, was this was someone new?”

  John cleared his throat and played with his tie.

  Kate knew that look. “Someone I know?”

  John turned his head again, barely audible. “Yes.”

  Kate rubbed her temples. “Who the hell was it this time?”

  “Lana McNeal. We’ve been spending time together. I’ve been working with her on this new sexy sound she wants.”

  A sharp pain shot up Kate’s neck. “Lana McNeal? You’re old enough to be her father. Please don’t tell me you’ve succumbed to the cliché of getting involved with the talent.”

  “I’m offended. I’m only twelve years older than her.” John sank back down into the chair.

  “Human years or dog years?” Kate quipped. “Please tell me you weren’t doing her on my desk.”

  “It was just a kiss. Kind of a hot kiss, but nothing else, and Sabrina came bursting through the door with a message.”

  “I’m serious John. No more canoodling with Lana. I’ll cut off your balls and make Italian wedding soup with them.” Kate threw her planner at him.

  “It won’t happen again.”

  “I wish I could get you neutered,” Kate mumbled.

  * * *

  Kate gingerly stepped into Andre’s office. He was nowhere in sight, so she called out to him. “Mr. White, you wanted to see me?”

  “Ms. Garrison…or is it Mrs. Cavanaugh now?” Andre’s deep voice emanated from his private bathroom.

  “You know, I haven’t thought about it.” She laughed.

  Andre appeared in the doorway. “Typical modern woman. Who needs a man’s last name?”

  Kate stopped mid stride, surprised by his statement. “Wow. I didn’t take you for the traditional type.”

  “I think it’s nice when a woman wants to commit herself wholeheartedly.”

  “You never seem to run out of surprises for me, do you?”

  “I wouldn’t want you to get bored with me.” He walked over to his desk and handed her a folder. “I’m afraid I have another one for you.”

  Kate flipped through the folder, taking in the information.

  “Sit. I’ll make you a drink,” he said, motioning to the barstool.

  She grimaced. “It’s too early for me.”

  “Ginger ale mixed with club soda and a lemon twist. I think you called it a clean, dirty martini?” He placed the drink in front of her.

  Kate smiled. He remembered. “Thanks.” She took a sip of her drink and skimmed the contents of the file. “Henry’s been a busy boy.”

  “My guy says he left rehab, against the counselor’s advice.”

  “Assessment?”

  “Marvin funneled a monthly allotment to him but that stopped when he died. The house Henry lives in is paid for but other than that, he’s going to have to find another means of support.”

  Kate blinked. She didn’t know Marvin had still been giving his son mon
ey. “Do you think I should start up his allowance again?”

  “Why would you want to?” Andre sipped on his drink.

  “I don’t want him bothering Clara.”

  “Now that his father is dead, I don’t think five grand a month is going to pacify Henry. Cutting him out of his will was a big slap in the face. If he can’t get what he thinks is rightfully his, he’ll be more interested in vengeance than a token allowance.”

  Kate grimaced. That was all she needed.

  “No worries. My people are still on him.”

  “Thanks, Andre.”

  He winked at her. “That’s what I’m here for.”

  * * *

  Chris took a break from tuning his bike in the newly renovated four-car garage. His work area was lined with workbenches, every mechanic’s tool imaginable, a few rich black leather couches, a refrigerator, and a retro soda machine. He grabbed a soda and sunk into one of the couches to look over the new pages of the script that had been delivered to him this morning.

  The revised pages of Malediction included a new love scene with his costar and ex-girlfriend, Allison Pratt. Allison was playing the part of Cherie Taylor, the down-on-her-luck waitress who was drawn to his drifter character, Edison. He knew there was supposed to be a taut chemistry between the two of them, but he’d had no idea they were going to do a super nova love scene to prove it. Each page he turned became more graphic, leading up to a monster orgasm against a dirty mechanic’s garage wall. His ass would be the only thing showing in the scene, thank goodness.

  I’m working with CC, how cool is that? That was the latest media blurb she’d posted on her personal page. His publicist had a team of interns that scoured social media daily for any mention of his clients. According to their reports, she told a daily entertainment news show that she was excited to be working with him.

  This would be his first love scene as a married man—and with someone he’d actually screwed. He knew it was part of the job, and he was a professional. But how would Kate feel about him groping someone else, even in simulation? The goal was to make it believable…would she find it too believable? The idea of intimacy, real or fabricated for the big screen, with someone else other than his wife left a bad taste in his mouth.

  He tossed the pages onto the sofa and got up. He had to clear his head.

  * * *

  Chris strolled around the farmer’s market looking for a pineapple and some decent mangos. He was going to surprise Kate with a fruit salad reminiscent of the delectable eats they’d had on their honeymoon. Making love to her and eating good food was all he needed in life. These days the possibilities were endless—there were loads of tantalizing scripts, most of them in the action genre, that were bound to give him the kind of A-list exposure he’d been seeking for years. Assuming he made it through the casting process, he could conceivably be busy for the next three years. Travel, career expansion, and making money appealed to him. Being taken away from Kate to achieve it—not so much.

  His fear that something would muck up their happiness was very real. He’d witnessed many couples in the business give it a go while pursuing their individual dreams. But after a while, statements like “growing apart” and “constant separation due to work” were indicators that distance was deadly in a relationship.

  The Bonanza ringtone emanated from his jeans pocket. It was his agent, Stan.

  “Hey, Stan, what’s up?”

  “How was the honeymoon?”

  “I got to see my wife in a bikini every day. It was fantastic.” He took a bite out of an apple.

  “You better treat that woman right. She’s one in a million. So keep that zipper of yours welded shut when you’re not at home,” Stan barked into the phone.

  Chris shut his eyes. Stan had given him the talking to of a lifetime about fidelity at the wedding reception. “I will, Stan. I promise.”

  “I hope so, because I’d hate to have to kick your ass,” Stan barked. “You’re a good kid. You’ve got the looks and the talent. All you need is a little discipline and you’ll be on your way. I’ve seen you mature the last few months.”

  “Thanks.” Chris smiled. “I’ve been reading through the scripts you sent over to the house.”

  “Good. How about you come by the office this week?”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  Chris got in line to pay for his fruit. He smiled at the cashier, who was giving him a jaw breaking grin, as he juggled to get the wallet out of his back pocket.

  “Are you Chris Cavanaugh?” Her hand shook a little bit when she took the fifty-dollar bill in his hand.

  “Yes, I am. And you are?”

  “Pamela. I am such a great fan of yours! I’ve seen every movie you’ve ever made! You are awesome!” She paced behind the stand.

  “Thank you, Pamela. It’s very nice to meet you.” Chris shook her hand. His heart went out to her. She looked like she was going to pass out.

  “The Knock Around Boys was a nice change for you. The depth you brought to Danny was great. Did falling in love with Kate Garrison while you were filming have something to do with it?”

  “Being in a real relationship opened me up in a way that enhanced my performance for that role.” There. He’d just spilled his guts to a total stranger at a farmer’s market.

  “Awesome. Thank you for the wonderful films you’ve done. I know you’re going to win an Oscar soon.” She beamed.

  “Thanks, Pamela.” Chris walked away with his bag of fruit, wondering if he should have offered to give her an autograph or something. He wanted to thank her for the encouraging words. Hearing positive reinforcement from a fan made up for all the times he saw a scathing review about himself. She’d even noticed how his acting had matured in The Knock Around Boys.

  Winning an Oscar? That was always everyone’s dream, but Chris sincerely hoped it wasn’t totally out of his reach.

  Buy Hollywood Rush here

  http://www.amazon.com/Hollywood-Rush-Heat-Book-ebook/dp/B00PWO0W84/

  Or try Star Crossed here

  http://www.amazon.com/Star-Crossed-Hollywood-Heat-Book-ebook/dp/B00CB5J544/

  ~ 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. Ebb Tide, For the Love of the Game and Masquerade were released in 2012. Shutter, Memories of You, Star Crossed, MVP, California Bored and Tourism and The Blake Legacy in 2013. The print anthology, The Rhonda Laurel Collection, featuring Ebb Tide, For the Love of the Game and Shutter released June 2013. Texas Heat, Love Notes & Football and The Perfect Storm, books 4, 5 and 6 in The Blake Boys Series released in 2014.

  The author is happily building her backlist.

  Discover more about Rhonda Laurel here

  http://www.rhondalaurel.com

  http://www.facebook.com/authorrhondalaurel

  http://www.twitter.com/rhondalaurel

  http://pinterest.com/rhondalaurel/

  ~ Coming Soon ~

  Cowboy’s Heart

  Rhonda Laurel

  Also by Rhonda Laurel

  The Blake Boys Series

  For the Love of the Game

  The Blake Boys Book One

  Rhonda Laurel

  This quarterback is making the greatest play of his life…

  Quiet bookstore owner Morgan Reed can’t wait to lie on the beach on her much-needed tropical vacation, but getting tackled by a tall, green-eyed stranger playing touch football isn’t exactly what she had in mind. Neither is falling for said stranger, or going along with the eccentric islander who sends them off with a mock wedding. But all’s fair when it comes to vacation romance, and Morgan has plenty of time to get back to reality when she gets home.

  When he slams into the beautiful Morgan on the beach and sends her to the infirmary, superstar quarterback Seth Blake insists on helping her recover—if she
agrees to share his bungalow with him. Seth is nothing less than smitten, and the best part is that the beauty has no idea who he is.

  But when he finds out that their little “wedding” was the real thing, Seth finds himself in a sticky situation. Especially when Morgan finds out the man she fell for isn’t at all who he made himself out to be…

  Buy For the Love of the Game here

  http://www.amazon.com/Love-Game-Rhonda-Laurel-ebook/dp/B00A3X2NS6/

  MVP

  The Blake Boys Book Two

  Rhonda Laurel

  The game has just begun…

  Morgan Reed-Blake discovers that being the wife of MVP quarterback Seth Blake has its perks…and its challenges. Thrust into Seth’s high-profile world, she must wade through the celebrity, status, and the ghosts of girlfriends past. So when Seth takes Morgan home to his ranch in Texas and introduces her to his family and friends, she’s not surprised when his high school sweetheart comes to call. Morgan suspects she wants to rekindle the flame, and how can she blame her? Distraught over the changes their relationship has caused for Seth, Morgan wonders if maybe he’s better off without her.

  Pro quarterback Seth Blake is elated that his wife Morgan is giving their “fake” marriage a real chance. But he doesn’t anticipate running into the woman who broke his heart years ago. He hasn’t told Morgan about the complicated relationship with his ex, but as he guides Morgan through the maze of his celebrity lifestyle, can he convince her the past is in the past? The MVP does not accept defeat, and he’s determined not to lose. But winning Morgan might be the most difficult game of his life…

  Buy MVP here