Rescuing
Annabeth
Team
Cerberus Book 2
by
Melissa Kay Clarke
Genre:
Military Romantic Suspense
The
biggest book exposition of the year is just around the corner and
literary agent Annabeth Switcher is feeling the pressure. Between
babysitting her newest client hell-bent on making her miserable and
taking care of the thousands of little things that require her
attention, she doesn't have time for a personal life. No matter how
much a certain Navy SEAL enters her thoughts.
Levi
"Hick" Salter spotted the curvy redhead beauty at a
friend's wedding. She is vivacious, brassy and so full of life, he's
drawn to her like a moth to a flame. Even though they live on
opposite sides of the country, their mutual attraction is too much to
resist. Thus begins a long distance relationship for these "friends
with benefits." They can't be more - he's committed to his duty
and she's got her own life. Phone calls and the occasional meet up is
the best they can hope for.
The
Navy combines Hick's team with the one headed by Matthew "Wolf"
Steel to hunt down a terrorist cell intent on bring down Western
culture. While Hick is out trying to save the world from fanatics,
Annabeth's concentrating on insuring her clients have a smooth
convention. Neither knew their two worlds would collide so
violently.
When
the cell sets their sights on the literary exposition, Hick must
rally the SEALs to save the day and his curvy bombshell. Nothing else
matters but Rescuing Annabeth.
This
is a full length novel and incorporates the entire SEAL team from
Susan Stoker's Seal Of Protection
series.
**********************
TEAM
CERBERUS (Each story is complete with its own HEA)
Goodreads
* Amazon
He
watched as Annabeth made her way out of the house and sat on her
sister's porch. In a small voice, she said, "I know
you can't talk about it, but is everything okay there? I mean with
the explosions this morning."
"Yeah, it's
all fine." He could hear how tight his voice was. It wasn't
exactly a lie. He was fine, but that could change at the drop of a
hat.
"Okay."
She chewed her lip. "Are we going to be able to see each other
in Phoenix?"
"Hopefully
so, but I can't make any promises. You've seen how things are with
us. We never know what's going to happen from one day to the next.
But, the only way I'm not going to have you in my arms again is if
I'm physically out of the country. Nothing else is going to stop me."
He hesitated a moment then shoved one hand through his shaggy hair.
He didn't want to scare her, but it was time to lay down
the foundation. "I know I told you I wanted to have a talk with
you when I get there, but I need you to be thinking about something.
We've been doing this friends thing now for a while, and I
think you know as well as I that there's a lot more than that between
us. I want you to be thinking about us and what you desire because
I've thought of little else the last few days. Then as soon as I can
figure out the logistics, either at the convention in Phoenix or soon
after, we are going to sit down and discuss this thoroughly. Okay?"
Her
eyes had gotten as big as silver dollars, and she nodded
slowly. "Okay," she whispered and bit her bottom lip.
"Yeah, I'd like that."
"Good."
The relief he felt was palpable. At least she was open to talking
their relationship through. He watched her through the screen and
wanted to reach out, touch her face and feel her cheek beneath his
fingers. He longed to gently tug her lip out from where she was
nervously chewing it and nibble on the plump pillow himself. With
a groan, he closed his eyes. Lord, what she did to him and
she wasn't even in the same part of the country!
"Are
you alright?" Worry etched on her face.
He
coughed. "Yeah, I'm fine Georgia, but do me a favor. Stop biting
your lip. It makes me remember how you taste and I want to take a
nibble for myself."
She
tittered then blushed again. "You're in a weird mood today."
He
frowned. "What do you mean 'weird'?"
"You
seem serious like you aren't just teasing me."
"I'm
not. That's part of what we're going to talk about, just not here and
not now. I need to be face to face with you."
There
was a shout from behind her, and she turned to speak with
Grace a moment. Turning back, she sighed. "I have to go. Grace
needs my help catching a spider, or she won't go back
to her kitchen until Kenseth gets home tonight."
"That's
my brave Georgia, saving the day."
She
rolled her eyes. "Your Georgia was promised fried
chicken, black-eyed peas, and peach cobbler. That's
not happening as long as a spider holds the kitchen hostage. I have
ulterior motives."
"Alright
then, go save dinner. Let me know when you get home so I won't
worry."
"I'm
a big girl. I'll be fine."
"Humor
me, Georgia. Please?"
She
nodded then stood. "I've got to go. I'll talk to you soon."
"You
sure will. Bye."
The
screen went blank, and Hick sat back, leaning his head on
the headrest. He had to admit it; he had it bad. Georgia
was everything that was good in life, and he had to find a
way to fix this distance problem between them. If not for any other
reason, his sanity demanded it. Annabeth Switcher was killing
him, and maybe it made him crazy too, but he wanted more. He
laughed. Well, at least they would be crazy together.
Saving
Olivia
Team
Cerberus Book 1
Two
million people disappear into human trafficking every year. Olivia
Parker would never have believed she could be one of them. Born to a
barely functional mother and caring for her dependent brother, Olivia
was determined to make their future better than their troubled past.
Instead, she finds herself thrown into a nightmare from which she
cannot awaken
Navy
Seal, Grayson "Bruiser" Titus, abandoned as a baby, creates
a family with his SEAL team. He would do anything for them and knows
they would do the same. However, something is missing - could he find
it with the intriguing beautiful sister of Jayden Parker? Meeting
Olivia feels like looking at his future wrapped in a pair of deep
hazel eyes.
Bruiser's
team would follow him into the pits of hell. It only stands to reason
when Olivia disappears they rally around him. Being SEALs meant they
often battled the worse dregs of humanity for God and
Country.
However,
this is personal.
Saving
her is a one-in-a-million long shot, but they will do whatever it
takes to bring her home. The only question is: will it be in time to
save both body and mind or will her new reality finally break her
spirit?
**
Warning - Contains adult subject matter **
The
expression on her face made his gut clench. She didn't want him to
go. He didn't want to go, either, but he knew he needed to. It made
him feel good that she wasn't ready to say goodnight yet. He cupped
her cheek with his hand and watched the play of emotions on her
face. In this light, with the way her eyes shone, she was so
beautiful and vulnerable. He groaned. "Honey, please?" he
pleaded. He wouldn't be able to leave her like this.
She
closed her eyes and looked away. "Okay," she agreed and
turned toward the door.
He
pulled her back and curled his arms around her, pulling her
protectively into his embrace. Looking down at her, he sighed.
"You're getting under my skin, Olivia."
She
giggled. "My plan is working."
He
raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "So it is."
They stared at
each other a moment longer before Bruiser lowered his face to hers.
He hesitated, watching the way her thick, dark lashes brushed against
her cheeks. She rose up on her toes, breaching the minuscule
distance until they shared a breath. His eyes swept over her face,
drinking in the exquisite beauty that was his Olivia. He
wondered, Was she his? Not yet, but she would be. With
his mind made up, he brushed her lips tenderly. With the first
electric touch, she pressed herself against his body, winding her
arms around his waist. Sliding his hand around until he cupped her
neck, his thumb swept circles against her throat as his tongue
mimicked the gesture against her plush lips. With a soft sigh of
surrender, she granted him access, and he slipped inside easily. The
taste of her was ambrosia mixed with sweet sunshine and the promise
of a thousand moments of pure bliss. He was lost in her. Breathless,
it deepened until they were both panting. As the kiss broke, she
gave a soft whimper of hunger. The sound twisted him
inside. With a groan, he recaptured her mouth in a harder kiss,
taking her flavors as he nipped and sucked on her tender bottom lip.
Reluctantly, he released her mouth. She laid her head against his
shoulder, and he curled his fingers into her hair, tenderly stroking.
He could hear her heart racing in time with his. Cripes, what
this woman did to him!
Protecting
Joselyn
Team
Cerberus Book 0
For
three terrifying years, Joselyn Kendrik lived a half-life in Witness
Protection hiding from a serial murderer and rapist nicknamed 'The
Gardener'. After he was killed while placing a slashed teddy bear
dressed as her on her father's grave, she could finally look forward
to some normalcy in her life. Her newfound peace is shattered a year
later when she receives a sinister gift eerily similar to others sent
by The Gardener. Although assured by the police it is a copycat, she
isn't as confident. Regardless of his identity, her stalker has made
one thing perfectly clear; he's set his sights on her and nothing
will stop him.
Maddox
"River" Benson is looking in the rear-view mirror at a
twenty-year career with the Navy SEALs. Contemplating an uncertain
future, River jumps at the chance to assist an old friend in the New
Orleans Police Department. There is an unknown stalker zeroing in on
an innocent young woman. Although there is only so much the police
can do officially, River isn't as restricted. Protecting Joselyn is
his only priority.
Joselyn's
schedule is a bane to River's security strategy. The feisty beauty is
intent on pursuing her budding career regardless of her sexy
bodyguard's advice. Although their opinions clash in the beginning,
the escalating threats force them to come to a compromise. He must
trust her with freedom and she must trust him with her life.
Meanwhile, the growing attraction between them creates an entirely
different set of issues.
How
can he concentrate on protecting Joselyn when thoughts of claiming
her for his own continually distract him?
When
her stalker draws closer, will one ex-SEAL have what it takes to
ensure her survival?
Will
River be able to Protect Joselyn?
No
frills? Yeah, it sounded about right. Joselyn was not one to call
attention to herself. Maybe it had something to do with all those
years she spent in hiding but he felt it probably was also her
beautiful character shining through. He remembered how she had been
with Sasha in the store. Joselyn had been caring, understanding, and
giving. Yes, those three words all described this woman. He flinched
when he thought about his little faux pas. His woman. He
hadn't meant to say it out loud. He hoped she had forgotten about it
but something told him she never forgot anything. There was going to
be one extremely uncomfortable talk later. He glanced at her as she
gnawed on her lip. Reaching over, he gently brushed his thumb over
it, nudging it from the grip of her teeth. It was swollen and pink.
Fire shot through his body as he imagined taking it into his mouth to
taste. He wanted to suck and tease, run his tongue over and between
until neither of them had breath left. So beautiful. So amazing. He
groaned as she licked it and raised her eyes to him. His heart
lurched and raced. So much faith with a touch of fear swam in
the caramel colored depths. No matter how afraid she was, she trusted
him to keep her safe. He wanted to puff out his chest in pride. He
was taking care of her, keeping her safe and she knew without a doubt
she was secure.
The
moment was lost as they were jostled again. He bit back a growl and
pulled her tightly against his side. This was insane! The push of the
crowd reminded River how unprotected Joselyn was and his patience was
running out. When he had enough and was about to grab his charge and
march out of the store, a young woman dressed in the store's
distinctive gear approached them. Touching the tablet in
her hands, she flashed them a smile.
"Hi.
I'm Clarisse. How may I help you today."
Immediately,
Joselyn warmed to the woman and explained her old telephone had been
lost and she needed a new one. Flashing her a million watt smile,
Clarisse motioned for them to follow her to one of the quieter kiosks
in the back where additional sales people were helping other
customers. "We can get you all set, no problem," she
assured them before launching into a spiel about the different models
of cell phones and features of each. River listened half-heartedly to
the two discuss things as he continued to scan the area. He was being
paranoid. Joselyn was safe. Nobody would dare to make an attempt on
her with a hundred people nearby. He felt a little of the tension
drain away.
"And
what do you think, Mr. Kendrik?"
River's
attention drew back to Clarisse and he frowned. "I'm sorry
what?"
Joselyn
gave out a half laugh as her cheeks flushed. "Oh, he's not
my husband," she assured the woman. "He's... ah..."
River
chuckled at Joselyn's stammering. She looked so cute and he couldn't
help himself from teasing her. "I'm her boy toy," he
whispered with a wink and laughed softly as Joselyn's blush deepened
to a dark red. "You know she's got all kinds of money." He
shrugged. "She supports me in a life in which I have become
accustomed."
Clarisse
looked from one to the other, her jaw dropped open and eyes round.
"You
are not!" Joselyn squeaked and smacked his arm. "Cheebus,
River, don't say things like that. People will believe it."
Turning her attention back to the woman, she winced. "He's
really not my boy toy. He's my... my friend." She
turned her gaze to him and smiled. "He's my good friend."
Friend.
River
tasted the word and found it wasn't quite right. Okay, yes, he was
her friend but there was more to it besides the whole
bodyguard thing. The revelation he had this morning said it all. She
was more than a client, more than an acquaintance. She was slowly
becoming everything and it brought forth an unfamiliar feeling. In
the twenty years he had served his country, he had known
fear on several different levels. Only a fool would not feel
anxiety after some of the situations he had found himself.
Tracking down terrorists, defusing hostile situations and generally
taking care of whatever business his country demanded had given him a
healthy respect for fear. But what he was feeling toward the petite
author scared him more than all the Taliban in the world. She had
wiggled past the walls he had erected until she was bigger than
anything else in his universe. If anything happened to her... He
slammed a door on the thought. No. Nothing would happen because he
wouldn't allow it. He would keep her safe, regardless the
consequences.
Melissa
was born in Tupelo, Mississippi and raised in Houlka, a small rural
town forty-five minutes southwest down the famous Natchez Trace. She
found a love of reading very early and quickly devoured everything
she could. Told repeatedly that she had a wonderful imagination, she
turned to scribbling her musings and wrote her first novel while in
college. It was never published and has since vanished. The death of
a close friend who aspired to become an author reawakened her own
desire resulting in penning her first book, Shattered Dreams,
published in 2013.
Melissa
now resides in Meridian, Mississippi with her supportive family –
husband, Robert and daughter Rebecca, two cats, and two dogs. When
she isn't writing, she spends way too much time with her online
friends and feeding her ravenous appetite for the written word.
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