Slow Burn (The Blake Boys Book 7) (14 page)

“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 money. “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/