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Shakespeare rubbed his scratchy face and hid a yawn as Lei Lu unlocked her apartment in Crystal City. There had been too many short nights and long days in the past week. He felt like a slacker compared to the amazing woman in front of him. She’d only slept three hours on the flight before she had to take the stick, flying that amazing jet the last leg into Quantico.
He’d been raised in wealth, so private airplanes were nothing new to him. As a SEAL, he’d also jumped out of some aircraft he swore was held together with rubber bands and duct tape, happy to be freefalling toward the earth and solid ground. But the plane Lei Lu’s team claimed as their own, was something altogether different. It was luxurious and functional at the same time.
When Lei Lu and Katlin moved into the cockpit, he and Alex had talked for the last three hours of the flight. His new friend pointed out how the plane could quickly be turned into an operating room by pulling plastic sheets from what looked like molding trim. The rounded floorboards held more plastic that could be pulled over the plush carpeting. The comfortable captain’s chairs went completely flat and could be raised for patients.
The plane they called Black Swan, because of its sleek black exterior with only minimal markings, had been permanently borrowed from a deceased drug lord in South America. Such was the story told by Tori when she came back after piloting the first leg and took Katlin’s seat.
Shakespeare was extremely thankful that when they exited the 1940s-era hangar on the Marine Corps base, Alex’s men were waiting to chauffeur them home. Shakespeare was in no mood to deal with car-rental agents in D.C. morning traffic. As soon as Lei Lu crawled into the backseat with him, she kissed him, curled into his side, and promptly fell fast asleep. Obviously, the driver had done this before because he knew exactly where to take them. Good thing. Shakespeare had no idea of the address.
When Lei Lu fumbled with the key, he put his large hand over hers and guided it to the deadbolt then twisted it open. She put her hand on his face and pulled it down to hers, kissing him as the door drifted open.
The homey smells of breakfast wafted to him as he tangled his tongue with Lei Lu. She was home to him. Her taste. Her small-framed body against his. It didn’t matter where they were, if they were together, they were home.
“Sweetie, you should have texted to let me know you were coming home this morning. I’ll make more waffles.” A heavily Chinese-accented voice called from inside.
“Fuck.” Lei Lu’s eyes met his. “I’m sorry. This is not the way I intended for you to meet my parents.” She giggled. “Trial by fire seems to be the way we do everything.” She gave him a quick peck before grabbing his hand and pulling him through the front door.
“No need, Mom. We ate on the plane. We’re going straight to bed. I need a few hours’ sleep before I have to go to work.” She stopped at the end of the short hall where the open-concept apartment separated the kitchen from the living room by an island counter that also functioned as a breakfast bar.
Lei Lu’s mother had turned away from the stove. She was ageless. Except for a few streaks of gray, she could have been Lei Lu’s sister. This is the way the love of his life would grow old. Beautiful, no matter the number.
Two men sat at the breakfast bar sipping coffee, half-eaten waffles in front of them. The older man was more salt-and-pepper than his wife. The younger looked to be twelve. In truth, he was most likely late twenties or early thirties, but compared to Shakespeare, he seemed to be fresh and innocent.
Both men stood.
“Mom, Dad, and whoever the hell you are, this is Shakespeare.” With a glance over her shoulder at him, she reversed the introductions. “Shakespeare, meet my mom and dad, and I don’t know who the fuck he is. No doubt another potential from Mom’s matchmaker.”
“Language,” her mother scolded as she wiped her hands on a dishtowel, radiating joy as she walked toward them.
“You want me to say it in Chinese? How about Russian? Japanese? I know three other languages but I’m positive you don’t know any words in those.” Lei Lu’s sarcastic side was just as appealing to him as her sweet submissiveness.
“Robert Sorensen.” The older man held out his hand and Shakespeare shook it.
“Henry Morgan.” Since he was meeting her parents, he thought it best to introduce himself by his given name.
“It’s really Henry S. Morgan the fifth.” She glanced up at him with a smirk. “The S stands for sexy.” She dramatically raised one eyebrow. “Or is it stud?”
He ignored her attempts and took the offered hand of the youthful-looking man. “Good morning, sir. I’m Isaiah Young. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Really?” The word just slipped out of Shakespeare’s mouth.
Lei Lu giggled beside him and whispered, “Sir?”
Already feeling tired and exhausted, Shakespeare added ancient to that list. But he’d always looked so much older than his age.
Lei Lu grabbed his hand and looked directly at her parents and Isaiah. “Thanks for the offer of breakfast, but we really do need to get to bed. We haven’t slept much in the last few days. I’m hoping you got to see everything you wanted in our nation’s capital. I’m sorry, but I won’t have time to show you around. I have to work and then Shakespeare and I are going to New York City to his parents’ fortieth anniversary party. Have a great flight back to Utah. Be sure to text me when you arrive home safely.”
Lei Lu started to drag him down the hallway.
“It was nice meeting you. I’m sure I’ll see you again Mr. and Mrs. Sorensen.” He turned to hide his smile. Damn. The way his woman had dismissed her own family was amusing. Had he not overheard her on the boat days ago, he would’ve thought her rude. Instead, he completely understood, and was fucking proud of her.
Her bedroom was at the end of the hall, the two guest rooms on either side and a full bathroom halfway down. As soon as he shut the door behind him, she dropped her bags and leapt into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist.
She leaned in and he met her halfway. Their kiss was sweet, tender, and hungry. “I’m sorry we don’t have enough time for anything other than a quickie, but I want you inside me. Now.” Lei Lu jumped down and stripped out of her clothes on the way to the bed. As they slid under the covers, completely naked, she added, “Then I have to sleep. God only knows what Jack has planned for us next.”
He kissed her as he moved his body next to hers, loving the way they fit together. “I don’t think I like this Jack guy.”
Lei Lu giggled. “Nobody likes Jack off. But he is our boss. Technically.”
She seemed to need control, so when she slid on top of him, he took a breast in each hand and enjoyed his rider. They came together, falling over the edge into darkness and sleep. Her naked body sprawled over his was the best blanket he’d ever had.
He woke to her kiss. She was fully dressed in an Air Force uniform, two silver bars on each collar. “Sleep as much as you want. I have no idea how long they’ll be here but don’t be surprised if they’re sitting around the living room when you get up.”
He smiled at her. “In other words, don’t walk out of this bedroom naked?”
She returned his smile. “You can if you want. If it were just you and me, I’d expect it.” She leaned down and pecked his lips one last time. “Gotta go. I love you.”
“I love you, too. Be safe.” Shakespeare rolled over and closed his eyes, falling back to sleep. Several hours later, he got up, showered, threw on a pair of jeans, and padded barefoot to the kitchen, buttoning one of his many island shirts.
“Hello, Henry,” a pleasant female voice called from the stove. “May I make you something to eat?”
Does this woman ever leave the kitchen? While eavesdropping on Lei Lu’s conversation with her friends, he thought it incredulous that her upbringing was so archaic as to believe that women belonged in the kitchen, constantly attending to their men. Watching her mother, he now believed it to be true. Thank God Lei Lu had gotten away from that lifestyle.
“Thank you, Mrs. Sorensen, but I’ll find something.” He opened the refrigerator door and perused the well-stocked shelves. He pulled out sliced ham and Swiss cheese and set them on the counter while he hunted for mustard. By the time he’d found some stone-ground spicy brown, closed the fridge, and turned around, Mrs. Sorensen had two pieces of bread stacked an inch high with meat and cheese, waiting on a plate. Butter knife in one hand, she held out the other for the jar.
He automatically handed it to her.
“What would you like to drink?” She asked as she finished preparing his sandwich. “There are a variety of sodas, juices, and flavored water in that little fridge she keeps over there.” She pointed toward the living room.
“I’ll just grab a beer.” He set the plate on the granite-covered island and wandered around the corner to the wet bar. Lei Lu had some great beers. He selected a porter from a local craft brewery, popped the top, and sat down.
Mr. Sorensen set his Bible down on the end table. “So, Henry, may I call you Henry?”
“I prefer Shakespeare.” He bit into the delicious sandwich and chewed.
“Is that a nickname?” Mrs. Sorensen asked.
He swallowed then replied, “In the SEALs, we call it a handle.”
Lei Lu’s mother brightened. “Are you a SEAL? Like those handsome boys on that TV show?”
He almost choked and swallowed. “Real SEAL life is nothing like that sh— stuff they show on television. Yes, I was in the SEALs.”
“Did you retire from the Navy?” Mr. Sorensen inquired.
“No, sir, I did my time and got out.” He wanted to make sure that Lei Lu’s father didn’t think he was old enough for retirement, so he added, “I’m only thirty-two.”
At that revelation, Isaiah’s eyebrows shot up so high they disappeared under his poorly cut bangs. “You’re only a couple years older than me? I thought...”
It was a damn good thing the kid didn’t finish that sentence. Shakespeare couldn’t remember the last time he’d been grilled by a woman’s parents. Growing up, his date’s parents knew exactly who he was and their conversations were usually inquiries of his parents and grandparents. They didn’t give a shit about him, just his connections. His so-called dates as a SEAL never involved her parents.
“So, Shakespeare, what is it that you do?” Mr. Sorensen quickly added, “Professionally, that is.”
“I own a dive shop on Grand Turk Island.” The explanation was good enough for their daughter, it should be good enough for them.
“That’s nice.” The frozen smile on the face of Lei Lu’s mother was almost comical. He wondered if her opinion would change if she had any clue about his bank balance or stock portfolio. Perhaps a list of the companies that he owned might impress her.
“Does your dive shop stay busy year-round?” Mr. Sorensen asked.
The question wasn’t really the one Lei Lu’s father wanted answered. He wanted to know if Shakespeare could support his daughter.
Did it matter what Lei Lu’s parents really thought of him?
Yes. It did. Because when it came right down to it, she loved her parents. He doubted they would ever be neighbors or live close enough to drop in on them, but family was important.
“Mr. and Mrs. Sorensen, Lei Lu gave you my full name. I’m not surprised that you didn’t recognize it, because you’re not part of New York City society. My name is Henry Morgan the fifth. My great-great-grandfather was J.P. Morgan. My grandfather is the CEO of one of the largest brokerage companies on Wall Street. My family has been a pillar in the financial world for over two hundred years. Even though I chose not to follow in the family business, or use my degree in finance, I have strong investments in several companies. When Lei Lu marries me, she will want for nothing.”
“You intend to marry my daughter?” Mr. Sorensen straightened his back and squared his shoulders.
Shakespeare didn’t move from his stool. “Yes. With or without your blessing. I love your daughter and intend to make her mine, just as I will be hers.” He then thought it better ask the formal question. “Do we have your blessing?”
Lei Lu’s mother scooted around the island counter and threw her arms around her husband. “This is what we wanted for her. He can give her a good life. Say yes, husband.”
**
SHAKESPEARE COULDN’T keep his eyes off his beautiful date.
“My father said that you and he had an enjoyable conversation.” Lei Lu raised her perfectly arched eyebrows. “I can’t imagine what you talked about.”
“We talked about everything from the stock market to dot-coms.” He grinned. “We both totally avoided conversations about politics and religion. Which, by the way, I’m a Presbyterian...who hasn’t seen the inside of a church since my brother’s wedding.”
“My mother seemed ecstatic.” Lei Lu noted.
“That’s because I told her that she didn’t need to deal with her matchmaker anymore because I’m going to marry you.”
“You are.” It was a statement, not a question. He loved that about her. “Isaiah had a little bro worship going on. What the hell did you say to him?”
Shakespeare chuckled. “I told him the truth. I had to marry you because I had defiled you in every way possible...then I named a few.”
Laughing, she smacked his shoulder just as they pulled up to the curb. “Tell me you did not corrupt that wholesome young Mormon boy was probably wearing temple undergarments.”
They were both laughing as his family’s chauffeur opened the back door.
Shakespeare stepped out of the limousine and automatically scanned the area before he extended his hand to Lei Lu. She was stunning in the golden dress. She’d pulled the front part of her hair back on both sides, affixing the strands with gold and pearl clips he’d purchased for her on the advice of the world-famous designer.
Earlier that day, as he passed Tiffany’s, he’d slipped in and picked up a gold choker with a large baroque pearl that dangled in the dip of her collarbone. Since he wasn’t sure if she had pearl earrings to complete the ensemble, and he couldn’t decide as to which ones he liked best, he bought three pair. She could choose. As suggested by the family’s personal jeweler, she could always bring them back and select something else.
He’d lingered over the diamond engagement rings while waiting for them to wrap the necklace and earrings, but nothing jumped out at him and screamed Lei Lu would love this one.
When she slipped her hand into the crook of his arm, she was taller than usual in the gold sandals. Reporters shouted questions, paparazzi snapped photos, but he and Lei Lu ignored them all as they walked down the ruby red velvet rug of the five-star hotel his cousin owned.
As they entered the gigantic ballroom, he automatically looked to the family table. It was swamped ten-deep with people vying for the attention of his parents. He needed a drink before he faced his mother’s wrath. Their conversation that morning hadn’t ended well because his mother had taken it upon herself to arrange a date for him.
She was partially right, but when he had RSVP’d, he hadn’t even met Lei Lu. There was no way in hell he was going to take another woman to this event, or any other in the future.
With perfect timing, a uniformed server walked past with an array of red drinks, sticking with the ruby theme, the appropriate gift for a fortieth anniversary. He wondered how many rubies his father gave his mother that day.
“Tequila and I don’t get along,” Lei Lu announced. “But vodka and I are very good friends.”
The server pointed out several different mixed drinks and Lei Lu made her selection.
“Is anything on there scotch?” Shakespeare asked the server.
“No, sir.” The man spoke quietly into a communications unit. After naming several brands, and years, he placed Shakespeare’s order. “It’s on its way now.”
A different uniformed server appeared within a minute, two fingers of his favorite aged single malt on a small tray.
“Time to meet the family,” Shakespeare announced after he downed half of the glass’s contents. To no surprise, his introduction of Lei Lu lasted less than a minute after the mandatory air kisses for his mother and brief handshake for his father.
“You will forgive me, won’t you, son, but I simply must speak with—” and his mother turned away to greet one of her many friends.
“That went well.” Lei Lu’s sarcastic smile said everything.
“Mother has so many of—” He’d automatically started to apologize and then stopped. “Fuck it. My mother is a snob...even to me sometimes.”
As he and Lei Lu were laughing out loud, a large hand landed on his shoulder.
“Henry, how are you doing?” His grandfather’s voice warmed him as it always had.
“Grandpa Hank, I’d like you to meet Lei Lu Sorensen.” He wanted to add the love of my life, but didn’t think she was ready for those words yet.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, young lady.” After shaking her hand, his gaze darted between the two several times back and forth. “I don’t believe I’ve met you before.”
“I never had the pleasure, sir.” Lei Lu’s gaze swept the ballroom. “Matter of fact, I’ve never been to an event in New York City or a gathering this elegant, and I’ve been to several Presidential Balls. It’s quite a beautiful party, isn’t it?”
Shakespeare loved the way his woman was making genteel conversation with his grandfather.
“Yeah, if you like overpriced finger food, watered down drinks, and catty gossip, this one might just top the list for the year.” His grandfather despised these parties almost as much as Shakespeare.
Lei Lu practically snorted alcohol through her nose. “That was fucking fantastic,” she choked out, then gathered herself. “I apologize for my crass language.” Her apology totally negated by the snicker. After another sip, she tried again. In a refined voice she commented, “Since I have no basis for comparison, I’m going to acquiesce to your judgment.”
“I like her.” His grandfather nodded. “I think you should keep this one.” Then he looked between them again. “I believe you’ve already decided on that.” His smile warmed and softened. “She’s a spitfire, and beautiful.”
“Brilliant, too.” Shakespeare added as he pulled Lei Lu to his side and wrapped his arm around her.
“She’s a lot like your grandmother.” The older man’s voice broke.
“I wish I remembered her,” Shakespeare confessed. He turned his head to Lei Lu and explained, “She passed away when I was a child.”
Lei Lu laid a gentle hand on his grandfather’s arm. “I’m so sorry for your loss.” She looked up at Shakespeare. “And yours. I’ve been fortunate to still have all four of my grandparents. Some of my favorite memories are baking with Nana and fishing in the river with Pawpa.”
“Yep, she’s a keeper.” His grandfather scanned the crowd then looked at his empty glass. “I’m going to need another one of these if I’m going to make it through tonight.”
As though beckoned, a server appeared with refills for all of them. Shakespeare had forgotten that his mother insisted that the family have their own private bartender and servers. As long as they were close to the family table, drinks would reappear as fast as they disappeared.
When his grandfather didn’t move, Shakespeare took the opportunity. “Grandpa Hank, you think the family foundation would support research to save the coral reefs?”
“You’ll have to ask your uncle Stuart.” His grandfather smiled. “You know, you’re a lot like him.”
“No, I’m not. I’ve never been in rehab.” Shakespeare didn’t like the idea of being compared to his ne’er-do-well uncle.
“Neither has he.” Grandpa Hank’s white eyebrows tilted down. “Who told you he was in rehab?” He glanced toward the family table, then back to Shakespeare and Lei Lu. “Don’t bother answering that, it was your mother, right? She’s never liked your Uncle Stuart. She’s never approved of him or what he does.”
“It’s more like what he doesn’t do, according to Mother.” Shakespeare began to wonder about the many things he’d been told as a child. “She said he wasted his medical degree.”
“If you consider helping children in Africa a waste of a medical degree and researching natural medical cures so they can be mass-produced into modern vaccines and drugs, then I guess he wasted his many degrees, including his newest doctorate in biology.” His grandfather shook his full head of stark white hair. “What your mother really doesn’t approve of is his common-law wife and research assistant. Your mother was bound and determined he was going to marry her roommate from Vassar.”
“Speaking of your uncle Stuart,” his grandfather raised his eyebrows, which usually meant he knew a secret, “I talked with him just last week. It seems he sent some deadly viruses to the CDC, but the plane crashed in the Atlantic Ocean, somewhere near you.”
Shakespeare and Lei Lu exchanged a knowing glance.
“You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?” He gave the two of them a sly smile. “My sources tell me that the viruses made it to Atlanta within a day or so. Excellent work by those divers, don’t you think?
How? Shakespeare started to ask didn’t get a chance to finish.
“Did you forget that my sister is married to a U.S. Senator who happens to sit on the Armed Forces committee?”
Shit. Shakespeare had forgotten. He’d been away from the extended family for so long, and their politics had never mattered to him.
Grandpa Hank sipped his scotch thoughtfully. “Your Uncle Stuart isn’t doing much as chairman of the Morgan Foundation. I don’t think he would mind if you took over. You’ve done a nice job with the Morgan Museum, even though we seem to have a large number of early illustrated manuscripts these days.”
Shakespeare had the decency to look guilty.
“Oh, but aren’t they beautiful?” Lei Lu added.
“May I stay on the museum board?” Shakespeare loved that damn museum. Even as a child, he’d spent hours meandering through the collections with his grandfather.
“Sure. But you can’t move the headquarters to Washington.” The older man finished the scotch.
Shakespeare was obviously missing something. His grandfather laid a hand on his shoulder.
“And here I thought you were the smart one.” They stared at each other for a long moment before his grandfather continued. “As chairman of the foundation, he can move the headquarters anywhere you want, including Washington. Since the museum is here in New York City, it doesn’t make sense to move the board. You could sell that apartment of yours, or sell your whole fucking building, and buy a nice home in Washington.”
“The two of you could then dive the reefs around the world.” Grandpa Hank set his glass on the empty tray as the waiter handed him another. “Who knows? I may retire and join you, but I’ll have to get recertified.”
“Recertified? I didn’t know you were a diver.” So much about his grandfather Shakespeare didn’t know, and now he wanted to sit down with his elder and talk to him for days.
“That was long before all this fancy equipment you have now. I have to learn all the new stuff, but it would be worth it to see a shipwreck again.” He lifted his gaze from his amber drink, pain in his eyes. “Your grandmother and I used to love diving. Have either of you ever seen the Great Coral Reef off Australia? We should go there. Soon.”
At the tinkling of the bell, everyone started to move to their assigned seats.
“Looks like it’s time for the boring shit.” His grandfather went over to the table and picked up his hand-engraved nameplate. “I’m going to sit with you kids. I think I’ll have more fun.”
Shakespeare couldn’t believe his grandfather moved everybody’s seating assignment down one space so he could sit next to them.
“So, tell me Lei Lu, where shall we go diving? That is, right after you and my grandson recertify me.”
Two hours later, Shakespeare and Lei Lu crawled into the back of the limousine.
“Your grandfather is a hoot.” Lei Lu dragged her long dress to the side so she could put her legs up on one side. “I think he’s serious about getting certified as a scuba diver.” She leaned over and laid her head on his shoulder.
“I learned more about my grandfather tonight than I did my entire childhood,” Shakespeare admitted. “I can’t believe he made me chairman of the board for the Morgan Foundation. He all but insisted I move the headquarters to Washington. I think Grandpa Hank is a little bit in love with you.” He put his arm around her and pulled her in even closer.
“I think I’m a little bit in love with him, too.” She giggled. “So, does this mean that you’re going to move to Washington?”
“Yeah, I think that’s the best idea.” The more he thought about it, the better he liked the suggestion his grandfather had made.
“What about your dive shop in Turks and Caicos?”
“It was beginning to bore me, anyway.” As he said the words, he realized the truth in them. “I went to Grand Turk to dive, and because I was nice to the old man who owned the shop, he ended up giving it to me.”
Shakespeare kissed the top of her head. “I was meant to be there when you showed up. We were meant to be. Pop’s Place long term? No. I truthfully don’t believe that we are meant to grow old on Grand Turk Island. But I do want to keep the house there for a while. I wonder if I could convince Grandpa Hank to take a trial retirement and bring the family yacht down to Mouchoir and Silver Banks. That area is practically pristine since it’s so far from inhabited islands. I’d bet we’d find all kinds of sunken ships.”
“That’s perfect.” He could feel the excitement vibrate through her body. Then it suddenly deflated. “I still have to work.”
He chuckled. “Me too. Especially when I’m going to move an entire headquarters to Washington.” He glanced down at her. “The first thing I’m going to have to do is find a place to live.”
She almost bumped his chin when her head snapped up. “You have a place to live. With me. You told my parents we’re going to get married so that means we have to live together. If they show back up, you have to be living in our apartment.”
“Our apartment. I love the way that sounds. Maybe it’s because I love you.” When their lips met, the kiss was long and tender. “Are you sure you don’t mind me moving in? Before I do anything, I really want to talk to Uncle Stuart. I would make sure he’s okay with me taking over the foundation.”
A bizarre thought screamed through his mind. “Let’s go to Africa and meet my Uncle Stuart.”
She shifted in the seat so they were eye to eye. “From what your grandfather said about him, sounds like a fascinating person. I’d love to go to Africa and meet him. You need more people like him in your life.” She sighed heavily. “I don’t know how to tell you this, so I’m going to say it straight out. I don’t like your parents. I hate the way they treat you.”
“I saw my mother corner you, but Father was trying to pressure me into occupying the office I have at the company. I’m sure it was a conspiracy.” Shakespeare had been very worried, but when Lei Lu waved at him from ten feet away, he was reassured.
Lei Lu started to laugh. “Your mother reminded me, via an apology, that I had not been on the guest list, but she went to great lengths to accommodate me.”
“Yeah, right. She moved the woman who she’d set me up with to some other table and put your nameplate next to mine. Big fucking deal. I’m quite sure she didn’t do it, but ordered her personal assistant to handle it.” Sometimes his mother pissed him off.
Lei Lu continued, “She also informed me that the private eye the family kept on retainer was going to investigate me.”
“Fuck. No.” Shakespeare started to protest but Lei Lu held up her hand and smiled, so he shut up.
Barely holding in a giggle, she continued, “So I pulled a Pretty Woman and reassured her that I was just in this relationship for the sex.”
They both laughed so hard they were holding their sides, rolling around on the large limousine seats.
“Damn. And I missed my mother’s expression.” Shakespeare would regret that for the rest of his life.
“Oh, it got better.” Lei Lu started laughing again. “Your uptight sister-in-law showed up just as I was saying it.”
After another round of laughter, they caught their breath. But Lei Lu wasn’t done.
“When your sister-in-law accused me of being a gold digger, I informed them both that I wasn’t interested in the size of your bank account, I was only interested in your big—” Lei Lu tried to hold in the giggle and failed. “And that’s when your sister-in-law dropped the drink on your mother’s dress. I never even got to say the word cock. Cock. Cock. Cock. There. I said it.”
“Was that when my mom started yelling at my brother’s wife?” The commotion had caused a halt in their interrogation as both his father and brother went running. Shakespeare had forgotten how fun it was to watch drunken women fight. He was just thrilled with the reprieve.
Lei Lu was in a full-on belly laugh and it was contagious. “My favorite part was when your mother called your sister-in-law an overweight clod and told her it was no wonder her son was sleeping with...some other woman. She named his mistress. That’s when you showed up and rescued me.”
“It was turning into a cat fight, and I know you’re lethal. We didn’t need to be identifying bodies at the morgue. But just to let you know, I would have bailed you out of jail.”
Tears were running down their faces from laughter as they pulled into the underground entrance to Shakespeare’s penthouse. Holding in their laughter was nearly impossible as they made their way to the elevator.
Once the doors were closed and they were alone, he took Lei Lu in his arms. “You know, now you’re going to have to marry me.”
She went up on tiptoes and kissed him. “Okay.” She kissed him again and stared into his eyes. “We can make this work. As long as you tell me your middle name, Henry S. Morgan the fifth.”
Shakespeare closed his eyes and grimaced. “I fucking hate my middle name. It obviously goes back five generations and was the maiden name of my umpteenth grandmother. We shall never speak this word again. It’s Sturgis.”
Lei Lu grinned up at him. “Okay, Henry Scrumptious Morgan. And by the way, if we ever have a boy, he won’t be named six. Agreed?”
“Absofunckinglutely.”
The End
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Justice for Gwen (Novella #2 Guardian Elite series crossover with Susan Stoker’s Special Forces World)
She’s not what she seems. Neither is he. But the terrorist threat is real. So is the desire that smolders between them.
Rescuing Melina (Novella #3 Guardian Elite series crossover with Susan Stoker’s Special Forces World)
When Jacin awoke stateside, he remembered nothing about his escape from the Colombian cartel or his torture. He was sure of only one thing, his love of Melina, his handler. When she disappears, neither bruises nor the CIA will keep him from rescuing her.
Snow SEAL (Novella #4 Guardian Elite series crossover with Elle James Brotherhood Protectors World)
Terrorists want her...but so does he. The chase isn’t the only thing that heats up when the flint of the former SEAL strikes against the steel of the woman warrior.
Securing Willow (Novella #5 Guardian Elite series crossover with Susan Stoker’s Special Forces World)
Guarding her wasn’t his job, but he couldn’t let her die...even before she stole his heart. When he discovers the temptingly beautiful foreign service officer is being threatened, his protective instincts take over.
SEAL in a Storm (Novel #5 is part of the Suspense Sisters new wave of connected books, Silver SEALs featuring a seasoned hero and heroine, second chances, and edge of your seat suspense.)
With a hurricane bearing down on the tiny island, they only have days to find and rescue ten kidnapped young girls and their chaperones...and keep their hands off each other.
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Follow the Girard family
—along with their friends, former SEALs and active duty female Navy pilots—
as they hunt Mayan antiquities, terrorists and Mexican cartels in what most would call paradise.
Tropical nights aren’t the only thing HOT in Cancun.
Christmas in Cancun (Cancun Series Book #1)
Can the former SEAL keep his libido in check and his family safe when the quest for ancient Mayan idols turns murderous?
Conquered in Cancun (Cancun Series Novella #1.5)
A helicopter pilot’s second chance at love walks into a Cancun nightclub, but she’s a jet fighter pilot with reinforced walls around her heart.
Captivated in Cancun (Cancun Series Book #2)
His job is tracking down terrorists so he’s not interested in a family. She wants him short-term, then needs him when their worlds collide.
Claimed by a SEAL (Cancun Series crossover Novella #2.5 with Cat Johnson’s Hot SEALs)
How far will the Homeland Security agent go to assure mission success when forced undercover for a second time with an irresistible SEAL?
A Love Never Forgotten (Never Series novel #1)
Dreams or nightmares. Truth or lies. He can't tell them apart. Then he discovers the woman who has haunted his dreams is real. Is she his future? Or his past?
A Promise Never Forgotten (Never Series novel #2)
As a Marine Lieutenant Colonel, he could take on any mission and succeed. Raising his two godchildren...with her...just might kill him.
A Moment Never Forgotten (Never Series novel #3)
The moment he realized she was in serious danger...he couldn’t protect her.