Harlequin Romantic Suspense April 2021 by Karen Whiddon (interesting books to read for teens TXT) 📕

She absolutely loved her job as VP of Operations, but her personal life was lacking. Unlike Trinity, Connie didn’t have the amazing husband, one-point-five kids and a life that fairy tales were made of. All the things that she someday wanted.

Trinity smiled and waved her off. “Oh, please. With only three hours of sleep, it’s amazing I can even think straight. The glow you’re seeing is probably perspiration from me sweating over that proposal for the state of Nevada. It’s more involved than I thought.”

“I know, right? I had a few late nights this week trying to pull together all of the requested information. I’m hoping to be finished with my part before I head to lunch today.”

“Good. Then all that’s left is for me to get my portion done.”

Layton Executive Protection Agency provided personal protection to a high-end clientele, and Trinity was always looking for opportunities to expand their services. And as the VP of Operations, Connie’s only concern lately had been making sure they stayed on top and kept up with demand. Business was great, and in only five years she had worked hard to help it become a million-dollar agency. They dominated the personal-security industry in Las Vegas and in Los Angeles. It helped that the extensive training and credentials of their security personnel were second to none.

Trinity sat in one of the gray upholstered guest chairs in front of Connie’s desk and crossed her legs. “Kya Rae is becoming a problem, and we have to pull Trace off of her detail.”

Trace.

Trace Halstead.

Just hearing the man’s name sent fiery tingles scurrying over Connie’s skin. Thinking of him in a professional capacity hadn’t been working lately. Memories of their passionate night together blasted through her mind and sent heat propelling to every nerve in her body.

A month ago, after a work event, Connie had invited Trace, who was one of LEPA’s security specialists, back to her place for a drink. She knew it probably wasn’t the best idea to mix business with pleasure, but they’d been skirting around each other for months. Flirting and harmless banter had been their way of getting to know each other. What she hadn’t counted on that evening was that the attraction between them would boil over.

She couldn’t even blame her indiscretion on having too much to drink, because she hadn’t. One glass of Moscato, a tad bit of curiosity and a huge dose of mutual sexual attraction had pulled them together like a neodymium magnet. One night. That was all it took for Trace Halstead to ruin her for any other man. There was no way anyone else existed who could pleasure her body as thoroughly as he had.

For that reason alone, Connie could almost forget that he was a pain in the butt. Maybe not all the time, but often enough to make her occasionally want to strangle his fine self. Too bad she liked him. A lot. LEPA might not have a no-fraternizing policy, but Connie had her own set of rules. The one at the top of the list: never get romantically involved with a coworker again, especially a subordinate.

Been there.

Done that.

It didn’t end well.

So much for rules, though. That one had imploded when she hooked up with Trace. And it turned out to be one of the most exciting, mind-blowing missteps Connie had ever made. Now, each time his name was mentioned or he was in her presence, her mind took her back to the night that he had thrown her world off-kilter.

Connie leaned back in her desk chair and inhaled deeply. Then, releasing a slow, cleansing breath, she brought her thoughts back to the present, willing her libido back under control.

“Hmm...interesting,” Trinity said, studying her as if Connie had just shared a theory on how to make underwire bras more comfortable. “I mention Trace and your whole face lit up. I think I even see your cheeks tinting. What’s that all about? What haven’t you told me?”

Connie glanced down and brushed invisible lint off her black pants as she concentrated on schooling her expression. “First of all, I don’t blush.”

Her skin tone was fairer than Trinity’s, but still dark enough that a blush wouldn’t show. She couldn’t deny that her musings had sent warmth spreading through her body. Of course, Trinity would notice. Her friend had always been observant, and getting anything past her was almost impossible. Which was why she’d been an excellent police officer.

Connie slid a lock of hair behind her ear and straightened her shoulders. “Secondly, don’t look for something that isn’t there. Trace and I are coworkers. I might even go as far as calling him a friend, but that’s it. Nothing else.”

Her words were spoken with finality, and Connie believed them herself. For the most part.

A slow smile spread across Trinity’s mouth. “Mmm-hmm. You keep telling yourself that, but I know better. I’ll just sit back and continue enjoying the show of you two pretending that there’s nothing going on between you. But for now, let’s get back to Trace’s situation. Who’s available that we can replace him with?”

“You know he’s scheduled to be on Kya’s detail for another two weeks. At least until after the music festival.”

“I know, but Trace said he can’t do it. He didn’t give details about what she did, but he said the woman is getting bolder and more aggressive with her advances. It’s making him uncomfortable. We can’t have that. She must’ve really stepped over the line if he’s asking to be reassigned.”

“What about Riley? Did Kya come on to him, too?” Connie asked of the other security specialist on the assignment.

Trinity yawned noisily and quickly covered her mouth with the back of her hand. “Oh, man. Sorry about that. I think the lack of sleep is catching up to me. And, no, Riley said she’s irritating, but she hasn’t made him uncomfortable. Just Trace.”

This wasn’t the first time Kya had made a pass at Trace. She’d been a client off and on for eight months.