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    Unexpected Company
    Unexpected Company
    Unexpected Company
    Ebook336 pages2 hours

    Unexpected Company

    By Crystal Perkins

    4/5

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    About this ebook

    Father. Brother. Ex-husband.

    Keir Martin is starting his life over in Las Vegas, but he’s not alone. His sons are with him, and they’re what’s important. After his ex-wife left all of them, he can’t even begin to think about bringing another woman into their lives, but then he meets her...

    Vice-President. Friend. Lover.

    Grace Faulkner has worked hard to earn her place in Corporate America, despite the men who tried to bring her down. She’s impressed with Keir’s work, but not the man himself, until he romances her, and makes her feel special. His sons make everything with him even better, and she’s soon in love with all three of the Martins.

    The past. The present. The future.

    Their fears from the past prove to be too much for them, shattering what they’ve built, and threatening everything they could have with each other. Can love, and two little boys, bring them back together, or will the past always be in the way?

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherCrystal Perkins
    Release dateJul 4, 2017
    ISBN9781370323005
    Unexpected Company
    Author

    Crystal Perkins

    Crystal Perkins has always been a big reader, but she never thought she would write her own book, until she sat down and did it. She lives in Las Vegas, where you can find her running author events when she isn’t reading, buying too many Sherlock t-shirts online or watching the Vegas Gokden Knights. A mac and cheese connoisseur, she travels the country looking for the perfect version, while attending book conventions and signings as a cover for her research. She writes Romantic Suspense, New Adult, Romantic Comedy, Young Adult, Paranormal Romance, and even a little Horror!

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      Book preview

      Unexpected Company - Crystal Perkins

      Prologue

      Keir

      When you're a grown man, you don't want your little sister getting you a job. Really, you don't want her helping you out with anything. I'm supposed to be helping Ainsley navigate through life, not the other way around.

      Never mind that she's a tech genius spy, married to one of the most successful running backs in the NFL. Or that I'm the recently divorced father of two whose wife left him because he wasn't fun, or rich enough. I'm still the older brother, and I shouldn't be here, talking to Miles Corrigan about a job. Did I mention he's younger than

      me

      ,

      too

      ?

      Okay, that makes me sound like an ass, when I'm really not. I don't care what age someone is, as long as they're a decent human being. It's just my insecurities over being dumped for not being enough, and the fact my nerdy tomboy of a sister is now a badass with Twitter accounts dedicated to her glasses, that has me thinking stupid thoughts. Thoughts I'm clearing my head of as I step off the elevator at Corrigan & Co., onto the floor Miles calls

      his

      own

      .

      I've met the former baseball star, who now runs the Acquisitions division of his family's company. He's smart, funny, and earned his place here. It's one thing I admire about the Corrigan brothers—they are extremely loyal to each other and those in their circle, but they don't float by on their

      last

      name

      .

      I walk towards the office that takes up the back portion of the floor. There's a woman sitting in the desk outside the large wooden doors, and I'm thankful to see her right now. Everyone around me is moving around like the floor's on fire, and I feel bad about stopping any of them. An assistant is used to being bothered, so no worries there.

      "Hi, I'm here to see Miles, but I was wondering if you could help me out with something

      as

      well

      ."

      What do you need? she asks, without even

      looking

      up

      .

      A water, please.

      She does look up then, and there's no smile on her face. It's a beautiful face, so I'm a little bummed out about the missing smile. Her hair is a riot of browns and reds, from dark to light, all mixing together in a sleek fall past her shoulders. Her eyes are deep brown, and her cheekbones could cut glass. I force myself to keep my focus on her face, because she already looks angry.

      "

      Excuse

      me

      ?"

      I'm not used to this dry weather yet, and I'd hate to start coughing in the middle of my interview.

      "We wouldn't want that, now

      would

      we

      ?"

      No, I tell her, smiling, because I think I’ve found

      an

      ally

      .

      "What did you say your

      name

      is

      ?"

      Oh, I don't think I did. It's Keir Martin.

      Huh. I was actually looking forward to your interview after reading over your resume, but now? Now, I'm just going to suggest you don't cough in my direction. Probably don't cough on Miles, either, but he's nicer than me, so I'd go with him as a first choice.

      "

      Wait

      ,

      what

      ?'

      She stands and walks into the office behind her, flipping her hair over her shoulder, and swinging her magnificent ass. Yeah, I'm looking now, and damn if I don't like what I see. Curves that could stop traffic, and legs that go on for miles. I'm not sure who I just pissed off, but I guess I'll find out once my interview begins.

      Grace

      He wanted me to get him water, Miles.

      "It was a misunderstanding. You were at

      Susan’s

      desk

      ."

      I'm being extra bitchy at the moment, but I hate when people assume that just because I'm a woman, I'm the assistant and not a Vice President in this company. Keir Martin is not the first I've encountered, and I know he won't be

      the

      last

      .

      I'm not in the mood to be logical at the moment.

      "

      Obviously

      not

      ."

      Maybe I overreacted.

      I wasn't going to risk life and limb by suggesting it, but you said he asked, and didn't demand.

      True.

      I want to give him a chance at this job, G, and you were on board before the water thing.

      "His resume is pretty perfect

      for

      this

      ."

      Yes.

      "That's it? Just yes? You're not going to tell me how you

      found

      him

      ?"

      Does it matter?

      Only because he won't tell me, but even though I've gotten close to both him, and his wife, Alex, since moving here, he's still the boss. Meaning, I'll let it go—

      for

      now

      .

      Nope.

      He presses a button on his desk. "Susan, can you please send Mr.

      Martin

      in

      ?"

      I flash him the biggest smile in my arsenal. Can I sit in your chair?

      Evil. You are pure evil sometimes, he says, getting up and holding out his chair

      for

      me

      .

      "You

      love

      me

      ."

      He leans down to kiss my cheek. "I

      totally

      do

      ."

      "Um, am I interrupting something? Susan said I should

      come

      in

      ."

      Miles stands up, and walks over to shake his hand. Not at all. Grace was just busting my balls.

      Baseball player humor?

      More like a kickass woman putting me in my place.

      I'm right here, Miles, I tell him, annoyed that he's letting Keir treat me like

      I'm

      not

      .

      I wasn't sure if it was safe to greet you, Keir says with a sheepish smile.

      He's too damn handsome, with his tousled blonde hair, grey eyes, and dimples, and I want him to suffer a little longer for it. Safe is relative.

      "I'm sorry for mistaking you for an assistant, but honestly, is that really such a bad thing? Susan seems more capable than some of the bosses I've had in

      the

      past

      ."

      Double damn him. It wasn't about the job. I just don't like being underestimated.

      I haven't had the chance to formally meet you, Grace, so it would be hard for me to underestimate you, he tells me, walking over, and holding out

      his

      hand

      .

      I shake it firmly. I'll concede that point.

      Great, Miles says, clapping his hands together. "Now that we're all getting along, let's talk

      about

      work

      ."

      Keir takes a seat across the desk from me, looking my way before he turns to speak to Miles. "I’m not sure which part of my resume you’re

      looking

      for

      ."

      "All

      of

      it

      ."

      What? Keir and I say in unison. I thought we were hiring him as a photographer.

      "I need photos of our new hotel here in Vegas, but I also need someone to look into some other places I’m looking to acquire. Your background in secret shopping, and going undercover, fits perfectly

      with

      that

      ."

      We’re not acquiring any other Vegas properties right now, I remind him. I’m a little pissed he didn’t discuss this

      with

      me

      .

      No. The job will require a little travel.

      I can handle a little, Keir

      tells

      him

      .

      He sounds so casual about all this, but I’m getting a bad feeling. Where exactly are you wanting him to travel to, Miles?

      My boss actually has the grace to look apologetic. I’d like him to travel with you. Research strongly suggests a couple blends in better than a single person at a restaurant.

      Restaurants? Keir asks, and I understand his confusion.

      "Yes. Grace is my VP, in charge of Hospitality Acquisitions. We’ve mostly acquired hotels, but there are some restaurants I’ve been approached about investing in. I obviously can’t go in myself to check

      them

      out

      ."

      Research, or no, I can do this alone, I insist.

      "No one is questioning your skill

      set

      ,

      G

      ."

      He says it, but part of me doesn’t completely believe it. Nothing I can do about it now. Not when Keir’s agreeing to the photography, and the undercover work. I’d look like an ass if I complained, and I’ve worked too hard to get where I am to do that. Time to just suck it up, and get the

      job

      done

      .

      1

      Keir

      It’s been a week since I signed the contracts in the HR office of C&C. There’s no real job description for all Miles needs me to do, but they came up with Special Project Coordinator. The money is more than I’ve ever made in my life, and the perks are unreal, so they can call it whatever

      they

      want

      .

      I don’t have a special Corrigan apartment like my sister did before she moved in with Zack, but I got a huge discount on a rental in Summerlin. The childcare for the building includes school pick-up on days I can’t make it, there’s the free food, a gym, and the list goes on and on. I’m psyched to be working here, and making a new start for the boys. Connor and Trevor deserve the best, and since it’s just me now, I’m going to be the best parent they could

      ever

      have

      .

      Daddy, you have to go! Trevor tells me, practically pushing me towards

      the

      door

      .

      I know he loves the thought of spending the night with his football star uncle, but I still have to give my seven-year-old a hard time. "You want me to go? Don’t you

      love

      me

      ?"

      I love you, Daddy, Connor tells me. He’s almost five, and loves trying to outmaneuver his brother.

      I know you both love me. I’ll miss you, I tell them, picking one up in

      each

      arm

      .

      Impressive, my brother-in-law,

      Zack

      ,

      says

      .

      Can’t let you be the only one with big guns in this family.

      "Save it, bro, before I

      throw

      up

      ."

      Ainsley mimes gagging, and I pull her into a hug once I put the boys down. Thanks for watching them for the night.

      Always.

      "Thanks for the

      job

      ,

      too

      ."

      I just got you the interview.

      "Just take the

      compliment

      ,

      brat

      ."

      She’s still getting used to compliments, even after years of me showering her with them, Zack explains, wrapping his arms around her, and kissing the top of

      her

      head

      .

      I’m happy for my sister, because she deserves that kind of love, but at the same time, I wish I had it, too. Not with Jacky, my ex, because that ship sailed the moment she walked out on me and the boys, but with someone. The voice in my head—that sounds a lot like Ainsley—reminds me I need to be dating to find that person. As usual, I ignore it, because it’s low on my list of priorities right now. Speaking of which, I say a quick goodbye and make my way to the airport.

      You’re late, Grace tells me when I board the Corrigan jet we’ve been assigned for

      this

      trip

      .

      "I’m exactly

      on

      time

      ."

      "Being on time is

      being

      late

      ."

      "Look, I apologized to you, and I’ve met every one of your requests over the past week, even though I know some

      aren’t

      real

      ."

      "

      Excuse

      me

      ?"

      "Part of my job was really to try every brand and type of salsa I could find, and create a spreadsheet on my thoughts

      about

      each

      ?"

      We’re going to a Mexican restaurant, she reminds me, but there’s no missing the sparkle in her eyes, or the smile she’s trying

      to

      hide

      .

      "I don’t need to be a salsa expert to know if the food and service

      are

      good

      ."

      "If I say you do, then

      you

      do

      ."

      So, that’s how it is. "

      Yes

      ,

      boss

      ."

      "I don’t do this—I’m not like this with anyone else. You just bring it out

      in

      me

      ."

      "I hurt you, but I swear I didn’t mean it. If a guy had been at that desk, I would’ve asked him for

      water

      too

      ."

      Would you have? Really?

      Yes, I answer without hesitation, because it’s the truth.

      Grace intrigues me, and I want to know her. Maybe as a friend, and maybe as something more. I can’t rush into anything, because of the boys, but I can start something, and see where

      it

      goes

      .

      "Can we

      start

      over

      ?"

      "Dinner tonight can be our

      first

      date

      ."

      Her eyes go wide, and my mouth is opening and closing with no words coming out. I don’t know why I said that. I was thinking it, but those words were not supposed to come out of my mouth.

      "This isn’t a joke, or a way to get back at me for the salsa,

      is

      it

      ?"

      "

      Absolutely

      not

      ."

      "Under other circumstances, I’d like a first date

      with

      you

      ."

      What’s wrong with our circumstances?

      "I’m

      your

      boss

      ."

      "Technically, yes, but I have the job title no one understands. Miles was listed on my paperwork as who I

      report

      to

      ."

      I’ve worked hard to be taken seriously.

      No one has to know, but us. They can think the meals we share are still just fake dating.

      You’d be okay with that? With hiding?

      "If it’s what you need, yes. When you’re ready for people to know, we’ll

      tell

      them

      ."

      "You seem pretty confident we’ll want breakfast tomorrow to be our

      second

      date

      ."

      "I like you, Grace. And honestly, it’s been a long time since I liked someone the way I

      like

      you

      ."

      You haven’t been dating?

      Since my wife left me, I’ve been on one date, and that was set up by my sister.

      Silence descends as Grace takes that in. I realize we’ve never brought up my being divorced. Or my boys. I haven’t decorated my office yet, since I’ve been busy moving into the house I’m renting. If tonight goes as well as I hope it does, I’ll tell her I have sons. If not, she’ll find out anyway. I may be willing to hide her for the time being, but I’ll never hide

      my

      kids

      .

      Grace

      He’s divorced. I knew

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