Second Chances (Athena Group Novel Book 1) (21 page)

“Yes I’m fine and I decided to concentrate more on the technology of TAG because that’s the part that I like the most. The security is all good and well, but it’s not what I like to do. As for being sick, I had a bout of throwing up and not sleeping well for a month or two, but the doctor assured me that would eventually go away. I finally started feeling better, and that’s when I decided to make some changes.” She watched him to see if he was going to catch onto what she was saying.

He knew she was holding something back, but he didn’t press the issue. “I never imagined Liz doing a little match making. She’s the one that sent me down here.” He chuckled.

“Did she say anything else when you had your meeting with her?” She kept waiting for that light bulb to go off.

“I didn't get a warm reception from her when we met. She asked me what my feelings were for you and I told her that I love you. She took out a plane ticket and handed it to me and told me my first assignment was to come down her during Thanksgiving to secure the new house she had bought.” He pulled back and looked at her. “Shelby, why were you sick? Stomach flues don’t last a couple of months.”

She couldn’t help but grin at him. “I really am fine. It was just a couple of months and as for the reason? Let’s just say that in the next six months I won’t have to worry about being sick, but lack of sleep is a guarantee. Being tired is a definite and vacations will be scarce for at least the next ten years.” She watched as the light went on.

“Are you serious? You’re pregnant? When?” His face lit up with delight.

She couldn’t help but giggle. “Yes, I’m serious and the last night you were at TAG.” She couldn’t help but snicker.

He pulled her hair. “What’s so funny?”

“I have the video of our afternoon in the training room.”

“You what? Where is it? Have you watched it Shelby” He feigned shock.

“No, I haven’t watched. It’s in my personal safe in the apartment.” She blushed.

“I want to watch it with you. Looking at us in the mirror was hot, but the video will set the place on fire.” He pushed her down onto her back and slipped down to her belly. He laid his head on her and kissed her just above her belly button. He caressed her as he looked up into her eyes and saw the love shining from within. He hadn't been there for her while she was pregnant with Amanda, but he would be this time. “Marry me Shelby.” He blurted out.

“What?” She stuttered.

“Shelby, Marry me….will you marry me? I love you, and I never want to be away from you.” He wrapped himself up in her and pulled her close to nuzzle her ear.

“Yes, Yes Max I'll marry you.” She pulled him close and was never letting him go. “I love you Max.” she whispered.

“I love you too Shelby.” he said softly as they both drifted off to sleep to dream of future adventures.

Epilogue

Shelby looked at Max as he was holding their new born son in his arms. He had been with her during every step of the delivery. He held up Christopher Taylor for her to see. He looked so proud standing there holding their son. He walked over and placed him on her chest and leaned down to give her a gentle kiss. “You're so beautiful. Thank you.” he said to her.

Her eyes began to water. “For what?” she asked.

He tucked her hair back behind her ear. “For giving me such a wonderful son and agreeing to spend the rest of your life with me and for the beautiful daughter I didn't know I had.”

The nurse took Christopher to the nursery so that she could continue to recover. Max kissed her. “I’m going to get Amanda and we'll go find you something to eat while you rest.” He walked out and left her to drift off to sleep.

She was resting in her room when the door burst open. Tabby and Jo came walking in followed by Alex and Liz. Oh great, she really wasn’t going to get any sleep now. Not with the godmothers here.

“Oh Shelby we saw him in the nursery and his is just adorable.” Tabby exclaimed.

“Congratulations Shelby, he is beautiful. He’s going to be a heartbreaker for sure.” Jo winked at her.

“Where’s Max?” Liz asked her.

“He and Amanda went down to get something to eat. They promised to sneak something in for me too. You know hospital food.” She laughed.

"How are the two of them getting along?" Liz asked.

After thanksgiving they both sat down and talked to Amanda about their past. They were surprised when Amanda was happy to find that Max was her father. Soon they were spending a lot of time together and growing to become friends and ultimately father and daughter.

“Speaking of…” She nodded to the door. Max walked in with a bag in his hand followed by Amanda.

“Hello ladies. You are not disrupting my wife’s rest are you?” They all laughed at that. They knew he wouldn’t do anything to them. When he married Shelby, he not only got Amanda, but he got all of them, as well.

Shelby looked around the room at everyone that was there, and she couldn’t be prouder. The room was filled with everyone that she loved.

He opened the bag that they had brought in and pulled out a small jar.

“What did you bring me?” She asked as she picked up the jar and looked at it.

“I know that turtle cheesecake is your favorite. So here you go sweetheart, enjoy.” She squealed with delight scooping up a fork she quickly slid a bite into her mouth. “Mmmmmm, Oh my goodness.” She hummed as she took the first bite.

Max leaned down next to her ear. “You keep that up, and baby number three will be on its way shortly. He flicked his tongue against the lobe of her.

“Oh I look forward to it Mr. Taylor. Remember I don’t scare easily, and I can throw down on you any day. Are you up to the challenge?” she whispered back.

He looked around the room, and no one was paying attention to them. “You better believe it Mrs. Taylor.” He winked at her as he moved away.

Her body was already responding to the gauntlet that had been thrown, and she was looking forward to the rest of her life.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank my daughter for taking up the torch when Grandmama passed to encourage me to write. You both have always been my biggest supporters and always there to listen to my crazy stories. Every day that I came home, you would ask me if there were any crazy stories to tell from my day. You both always put a smile on my face.

To the ladies in The Lounge who make me laugh on a daily basis. We have been through a lot of drama and still stand strong in what we believe in and how others should be treated. You are awesome, especially for reading my work and giving me the confidence to put it out there for others to read.

To D, for stepping out of your comfort zone by reading your first romance novel and providing invaluable feedback and support.

Author Biography

Christie lives in a suburb outside of Dallas, TX with her 2 dogs and 2 cats. After raising her daughter and sending her off to college she decided it was time to fulfill a life long dream. She started writing in Junior High when her English teacher suggested she enter the Creative Writing portion of the UIL and she has been writing off and on for over 20 years.

During the day she works in business continuity and disaster recovery. She relieves the stress of her days by escaping into a world of sensually tender romance with a twist. When she’s not writing, she can be found playing poker.

Follow Christie on Twitter:
cw_stokes

Or

www.cw-stokes.com

Secret Indulgence Excerpt (Alex’s Story)

Chapter One

Alex sat on her balcony overlooking Harbor Point. She enjoyed being out on the patio looking out over the lake. It was the one place she could feel at peace. She lived on the fifth floor of the TAG building. She has worked for The Athena Group for several years. Liz had hired her not long after she had graduated from law school. She had wanted to go to work for the district attorney’s office, but a chance encounter with Liz had her changing her mind. She didn’t really believe in chance, but she was glad that Liz had hired her. Liz had provided her with the right environment to exceed.

She could see the sailors coming in for the Regatta this weekend. The Spring Regatta was a big event every year. The event brought sailors from all over the country. This year looked to be no different. She watched the boats across the harbor bobbing and swaying in the water. Every now and then the wind would carry the sound of the masts rustling in the air.

She looked at the information that Shelby had given her. Unfreaking believable! The day that Ross McCade had walked into their office at TAG she about swallowed her tongue. She had just come in from Las Vegas for their meeting with John Callahan. They were meeting about an assignment that the bureau wanted them to take. She had just left the man’s bed, after a night of which she didn’t remember a whole lot about.  She woke up next to one of the most egotistical playboys imaginable. And there he was standing in front of her and not acknowledging her at all.

There were no tells in his mannerisms. She was good at reading people. That was one of her specialties, but he was obviously trained. He looked at her as if he had never seen her before. She was able to keep herself under control. No one in the room knew what was going on inside her. She had been glad when that meeting ended. What she didn’t understand was that over the next several weeks he still had not acknowledged or talked to her. But then again, why should he when she barely remembered that night herself.

###

“No. No. No. This isn’t happening.” She squeezed her eyes shut. She opened one eye squinting and looked at the man laying next her. Damn, he’s still there. “Liz is going to kill me.” Liz had very strict rules on behavior. She had no problem with the members of the group having a personal life. But she did demand a high level of discretion. She rolled her eyes and threw up her hands in exasperation. “Great!” No more Cotton Candy Champagne Cocktails for her. She wrapped the sheet around herself and walked into the bathroom. She looked at herself in the mirror and just stared at her reflection. Apparently she had slept with one of the most notorious billionaire playboy with an ego the size of the state of Texas.

###

She walked back inside to get ready for her weekly meeting with the TAG executives. They had a full week ahead. But then they always did when their client Roger Hawk was in rare form. She needed to speak with Shelby before the meeting this morning. Shelby was TAG’s CIO and had provided her with the information she requested on Ross McCade.

She got dressed and headed out the door and downstairs to the second floor where Shelby’s office was located. Shelby was already at her computer working. Christopher was in a bassinet not far away.  Christopher was Shelby and Max Taylor’s son. They had met on their previous assignment when they worked with the bureau to help solve the death of one of Max’s agents. He now worked for TAG as their head of security. She knocked lightly on the door. Shelby turned and smiled.

“Hi Alex.” She checked on Christopher who was still sleeping.

“Shelby, I just got through reading the information that you gave me. I didn’t have the courage to read it before today.” She sat next to Shelby at her console. The light reflected the troubled look on her face.

“Alex, I’ve tried to be patient and not ask what is going on, but clearly there is something upsetting you. What is going on with Ross?” She prodded.

Coming Summer 2014……….