Martha Kennerson - Protecting the Heiress

From strictly business to pure pleasure

Stepping up as head of her family’s international security firm gives Francine Blake, heiress and eldest Blake triplet, almost everything she’s ever wanted. The one thing missing is the sexy, stubborn company partner who’s been in her fantasies for too long. She refuses to give in to their attraction unless he can love her as his equal. But working together to safeguard a celebrity client is sweeping Francine closer to total surrender.

Security specialist Meeks Montgomery can think of any number of places he’d love to see gorgeous Francine every day. Behind her desk—fine. In his bed—even better. In the field on dangerous assignments? His heart can’t stand it. Until a new case puts them both in the line of fire, proving how much he’d risk to be the one who protects her forever…

“Are your questions professional or personal?” he asked, his eyes roaming from her heaving chest to her full lips, to stare into her eyes.

Francine’s heart started racing, and her mouth suddenly went very dry as she leaned her head back in order to maintain eye contact. “Depends,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“On what, exactly?” Meeks whispered as he lowered his head, slowly rubbing his nose along her cheek before capturing her mouth, giving her a slow, gentle kiss that sent shock waves through her body.

The kiss turned deep and purposeful. His hands found her hair clip and released it, allowing her long locks to fall over his long fingers.

Francine was overwhelmed by his scent, his touch and his kiss.

Meeks raised his head slightly and gazed into Francine’s desire-filled eyes. “I’ve wanted to do that all night,” he said before taking her lips again. He released her again but only long enough to add, “Truth be told, I’ve wanted to do that for years.”

Right or wrong, Francine wanted Meeks in this moment more than she’d ever wanted anything in her life. Pushing aside all doubt and fear from her mind, she slid her arms up and around his neck. “Is that all you’ve wanted to do?” she asked, kissing the corner of his jaw.

“Hell no,” he said, his voice deep and commanding. Meeks swept Francine off her feet. “And tonight’s only the beginning.”

Dear Reader,

When I sat down and penned the first book in The Blake Sisters series, I knew I wanted it to be fun and sexy and send a clear message. What message? Well, I’m going to leave that up to you to figure out.

As a lifelong fan of romance, Mills & Boon books in particular, I enjoy reading and writing stories that infuse an element of intrigue with the pursuit of romance. In Protecting the Heiress, the struggle between Francine and Meeks as they balance their business relationship with a budding personal one is sexy and intense. The constant battles that often exist in these relationships make the emotional roller-coaster ride much more thrilling.

I thoroughly enjoy interacting with readers, so please let me know how you enjoyed Francine and Meeks’s story. You can email me at Kennerson94@comcast.net or contact me on Facebookor Twitter. I look forward to bringing you middle sister Farrah Blake’s story very soon.

So until next time,

Martha

Protecting the Heiress

Martha Kennerson

www.millsandboon.co.uk

MARTHA KENNERSON’s love of reading and writing is a significant part of who she is, and she uses both to create the kinds of stories that touch your heart. Martha lives with her family in League City, Texas, and believes her current blessings are only matched by the struggle it took to achieve such happiness. To find out more about Martha and her journey, check out her website at marthakennerson.com.

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Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Copyright

Chapter 1

Francine Blake walked past the midlevel cubicles and glass office doors, smiling and speaking to everyone she passed.

“Morning, Francine. Great job last night. I know it was supposed to be work, but I had a blast covering security for the mayor’s party,” Jay said, giving her a wide smile.

It had been the first time that Francine had worked with the junior agent. She returned his smile. “Thanks, you did a great job, too.”

Francine Blake was a partner in her family’s twenty-five-year-old multibillion-dollar international security firm and private detective agency based in Houston, Texas, which specialized in both corporate and personal matters for elite clientele. Francine, a security specialist who also had a degree in forensic science, had joined the firm five years earlier as a field agent and within the past year had taken over as its chief executive officer—responsible for the sales and administrative aspects of the organization—after her father’s retirement, into which his family had forced him after a major health scare.

“I emailed the detailed summary report of last night’s activities out to everyone, and I included all the pictures.” Jay started walking toward the elevators.

“Wait, you attached all the pictures?” she asked with a slight hitch in her voice.

“Yeah, why?” he replied as he pushed the down button on the elevator.

“No reason. Have a nice day and stay safe out there,” Francine said as she watched Jay enter the elevator.

Francine sighed and gave her head a slow shake. It had been quite a while since the twenty-eight-year-old had to play a role in the field in such a dynamic fashion and while she’d had a blast doing it, she didn’t relish the grief she knew was coming: having to explain her actions to her father, Meeks and other board members who still didn’t completely trust her judgment. While Francine had always secretly lusted after her extremely handsome business partner Meeks Montgomery and his beautiful body, their close connection prevented them from exploring anything beyond a friendship. She turned and continued on toward the conference room, only to be stopped again. This time, it was one of their office researchers.

“Dang, girl, I saw the pictures from last night’s party. You wore the heck out of that dress,” the pretty young researcher said, giving Francine a half smile and a raised eyebrow.

“It was work,” Francine protested.

“Whatever, looked like a party to me. Anyway, where did you get that dress, and did it come in any other colors?” she asked.

Francine ignored her question. “Who else saw the pictures?” she asked, unable to hide the surprise in her voice. In that moment, she could feel Meeks, standing nearby, staring at her. Their connection was like a heat-seeking missile whenever they were in the same room. A fact that wasn’t hard to miss. Francine cut her gaze to the cubicle where Meeks and his assistant Jeremy stood, clearly listening to their conversation.