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No woman has ever caught him...until now
Rafe Lawson is driven by two things: his music and living a life away from the influence of his powerful senator father. The woman he meets at a high-profile family celebration won’t change his playboy ways. Still, Rafe is intrigued by the stunning Secret Service agent who never mixes business and pleasure. He has no choice but to jet to DC and use his legendary Lawson power of seduction to win over Avery Richards.
The first female in her family to rise up the ranks of high-level government security, Avery is comfortable flying halfway across the world at a moment’s notice. But her desire for the sax-playing heir to a political dynasty creates more tension than being on presidential detail. Their fathers are enemies who share a long, bitter history. When Avery falls for Rafe, her loyalty to her family is tested and Rafe’s contentious feud with his father could cost them everything. They must now decide what’s most important—the life they’ve always lived or the one they can possibly make together.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes. Fine.” She smiled.
“Going in?” he asked with what sounded like amusement in his voice.
“Of course.” She took her purse from the passenger seat, extracted the key from the ignition and accepted his hand.
When she was drawn to her feet, mere inches separated them. Her gaze landed on his collarbone and she realized how tall he actually was and how his lean frame belied the power beneath.
Avery swallowed and stepped around him. Her heart banged mercilessly as she walked to her front door with Rafe a half step behind.
She turned. “Thanks so much for inviting me tonight. I had a great time.”
His eyes picked up the light from the moon and seemed to sparkle. He grinned, leaned down and placed a featherlight kiss on her forehead. “Good night. Rest well. I hope you don’t mind if I call on you again.”
“You’re going to fly all the way from Louisiana to DC just to see me?”
“My family has a place in Arlington, Virginia. When I have good reason, I stay there.” He leveled his gaze on her. “Do I have good reason?”
“You might,” she managed to say.
Dear Reader,
Throughout the Lawson-family series, Rafe Lawson has been that elusive, dangerous, sexy shadow that readers were dying to discover more about. Surrender to Me is his story.
To be honest, I was terrified to finally write about Rafe. The stakes seemed so high. But I put on my big-girl pants and dug in. The shroud of mystery around the man was slowly pulled back, and I know that the revelations will surprise as well as endear him even further in your hearts.
Rafe is complicated, a confirmed bachelor with looks, money and charisma sprinkled with a heavy dose of Southern gentleman, and it takes an extraordinary woman like Avery Richards to make him realize that surrendering is not a weakness. Creating Avery, I knew that she needed to be really different. So she is a Secret Service agent skilled at looking for anything out of place. Avery is fearless and focused even as she has her own internal enemies to deal with. I hope that you will laugh, cry, scream and root for Rafe and Avery. I know that I did!
I love to hear from readers. You can always find me on Facebook; please join my fan club at Facebook.com/donnahillfans for updates on new projects and sneak peeks at upcoming works. Also, follow me on Twitter, @donnahill.
As always, thank you all for twenty-five years of support!
Until next time,
Donna
Surrender to Me
Donna Hill
www.millsandboon.co.uk
DONNA HILL published her first novel in 1990. She now has more than eighty titles in print. Three of her novels have been adapted for television. She has received numerous awards and recognition for her wide body of work. In her other life, Donna is an assistant professor of English at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, New York, and an adjunct professor at Baruch College and Essex County College. She has an MFA in creative writing from Goddard College. Donna lives in Brooklyn with her family. Visit her website at www.donnahill.com.
This novel is lovingly dedicated to my tireless editor,
Glenda Howard, who continues to champion my work.
Contents
Cover
Back Cover Text
Introduction
Dear Reader
Title Page
About the Author
Dedication
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
Extract
Copyright
Chapter 1
A warm leg brushed against his. Rafe Lawson glanced over his shoulder through dark eyes still lazy with sleep. He blinked slowly in the dim light of early morning, bringing the body next to him into focus. The night before began to come back to him in brief snapshots. His grandfather Clive’s birthday party. Bourbon. Music. Beautiful women.
He gently lifted the pale blue sheet that covered her body and peeked beneath. Hmm. Very nice. But for the life of him he couldn’t remember her name. And she definitely was not the woman he’d dreamed about all night—the woman he’d met at the party.
They’d only had a few moments to talk. She was part of the Secret Service detail that was assigned to the vice president, who’d made a surprise visit for his old friend’s birthday. Avery! That was her name. The woman from last night.
The unnamed woman in his bed moaned softly and he felt her lush body stretch against him. He eased out of bed and strode to the adjoining bathroom.
Rafe leaned on the sink and assessed his reflection in the mirror. The residue from his night of partying was barely evident beyond the five-o’clock shadow that outlined his jaw.
At thirty-six, his body still bounced back from the wear and tear he subjected it to; whether tearing up the highways on his motorcycle, hours in the gym or nights of indulgence in alcohol and women. He knew, however, that his often wild lifestyle couldn’t be maintained forever. He lived for the adrenaline rush of living on the edge, on his own terms, even to the dismay of family and friends. He did it as much to amuse himself as to piss off his powerful father.
He backed away from the all-knowing mirror and turned on the shower full-blast in the hope that his head would clear about the events that led to the woman in his bed.
By the time he turned off the taps he remembered—and it wasn’t good. The lovely lady was Shante Thornton, who worked for his sister Dominique. He muttered a curse while he knotted a towel around his waist. Back in front of the mirror he wiped the fogged glass with a cloth. His face appeared haloed by the mist. “You’re an idiot,” he grumbled.
When Rafe returned, Shante was sitting on the side of the bed with the sheet pulled up around her. She glanced quickly at him, turned away and clutched the sheet in her fist, but not before he registered the look of uncertainty and maybe embarrassment in her eyes. Without makeup and the fancy gown that was now tossed on an armchair, he could see how young she was. Not underage jail potential, but younger than the women he was accustomed to dealing with. There was a vulnerability that engulfed her like the scent of great sex that still lingered in the room.
He may be a womanizer in the eyes of some, but the truth was he loved women, adored them. He cherished the bodies of women, the soft curves of their shoulders and hips, the sexy spot behind the ear right down to the lobe, and the allure of the collarbone and the lovely space where he could dip his tongue and feel the pulse, and the sensual pull of a woman’s breasts when he held them in his palms was always exciting. Women’s bodies fascinated him and he made it his duty to explore, awaken and satisfy. He treasured their minds equally, and there was nothing more singularly sexy than an intelligent woman. But in every instance he treated them all with equal doses of charm and respect—a mantra that he lived by. Unfortunately, it had gotten him into more trouble than he needed on occasion.
“Mornin’, sugah,” he said while he crossed the room. He sat beside her and felt her tense. “Sleep okay?”
She barely nodded her head. Rafe smiled and that seemed to break the ice.
“I haven’t slept that good in ages.”
“It’s the sheets,” he teased.
Shante laughed softly.
“There’re fresh towels in the bathroom.” He stood. “I’ll fix us some breakfast. Bacon and eggs cool?”
“Sounds great.”
“Coffee? Tea? Juice?”
“Coffee,” she asked more than stated.
“Got it.” He left and as he reached the door he heard her get up from the bed and scurry into the bathroom. Modesty was actually an admirable trait.
* * *
He deftly threw together his morning-after omelet special of cheddar and sharp cheeses, green and red peppers and diced bits of ham mixed with a dash of milk to keep the eggs light and fluffy; a trick he’d learned from his mom. He hummed while he worked and in between every other note he thought about or saw an image of Avery. Rarely did one woman leave that kind of impression on him. He was used to easily seducing the woman that he wanted; a full-on Lawson press. Not this time. He frowned as he replayed their brief encounter.
He’d noticed her the moment she walked in and it was clear, even in an eye-popping black gown, that her presence was more than an invited guest. He could tell by the way her gaze covertly scanned the room, noted the exits and followed at a discreet distance from the vice president that she was part of his security detail—Secret Service. He had an image of a .22 strapped to her inner thigh.
Unlike many highbrow gatherings of politicos and the like that were too reserved for his tastes, a Lawson party was the real deal full of loud laughter, louder conversations and the music to go with it. So of course he had to get particularly close to talk to her.
He gave her time to assess the layout before he approached. He came alongside her. “Can I get you anything?”
She turned cinnamon-brown eyes on him, fanned by long curved lashes. Her smile was practiced, distant, but Rafe didn’t miss the rapid beat of her pulse in the dip of her throat that belied her cool exterior. Her sleek right brow rose in question as she took him in with one long glance.
“Clearly you’re not one of the waitstaff,” she said with a hint of amusement in her voice.
“Rafe Lawson.”
Her eyes widened for a split second. “Oh, the scandalous one.”
He dramatically pressed his hand to his chest. “Guilty as charged, cher, but I have perfectly reasonable explanations for everything.”
Her eyes sparkled when the light hit them. “I’m sure you do, Mr. Lawson.”
“So what can I get for you that won’t interfere with you being on duty?”
She tensed ever so slightly.
“Trust me. I’ve grown up in this life. I can spot Secret Service a mile away. Although I must admit that you bring class to the dark suits and Ray-Bans.”
She glanced past him to where her colleague stood near the vice president. In one fluid motion she gave a barely imperceptible lift of her chin, a quick scan of the room and said, “Nice to meet you,” as she made a move to leave.
He held her bare arm. “Tell me your name,” he commanded almost in her ear. He inhaled her, felt the slight shiver that gripped her.
“Avery.”
Rafe released her and followed the dangerously low-cut back of her dress until she was out of sight.
“Smells delicious.”
Rafe blinked, glanced over his shoulder. Definitely cute, but she wasn’t Avery. He took two plates from the overhead cabinet and set them on the table. “Help yourself to coffee.”
“Thanks.”
He spooned the eggs onto a platter and added the bacon. “Toast?”
“No. I’m fine with this.”
Rafe poured himself a glass of orange juice, straddled the stool and sat. “How long have you been working with my sister, six months?”
“Just about.”
He watched her over the rim of his glass as she tried to remain ladylike when she took a half spoonful of eggs and one strip of bacon when he knew damn well she had to be starving because he was.
He lifted the serving spoon from the platter, loaded it with eggs and plopped it on her plate, followed by two strips of bacon.
“We’ve already experienced carnal knowledge, honey, no point in putting on a show now. Eat like you mean it.” He winked and filled his plate.
“I...want you to know that... I don’t do this.”
“What’s that, Shante, eat breakfast?”
She sputtered a laugh. “No. I mean...spend the night with a man the first time I meet him.”
He chewed thoughtfully. “Hmm. Okay.” He smiled, slow and deliberate. “I consider it an honor, cher.” He watched her sandy brown skin flush then tucked a strand of hair behind her ears. His fingers instinctively caressed the smooth lock. “Eat up. I’ll drop you home before I take care of the rest of my day.”
* * *
Rafe preferred the black Range Rover for his everyday use rather than either of his two cars or his motorcycle. Plus the roominess gave him an artificial sense of distance when he knew it would be the last official time he’d drop a woman at her door. The intimacy of a car made parting more difficult.
“Thanks for a great evening...and breakfast,” Shante said. She smiled shyly.
“It was my pleasure.” He remotely unlocked the doors, got out and came around to her side. He held her hand to help her out.
Shante glanced up at him and he knew this was the “I’ll call you” moment that wouldn’t happen.
Rafe leaned down and placed a long, tender kiss on her forehead, ran his thumb along the line of her jaw, turned and got back in the Rover.
A spark of guilt ignited with the turn of the key. It always did at times like this. He checked his mirrors and slowly pulled off.
No sooner had he driven away and gotten back on the main road than his cell phone rang. He pressed an icon on the dash and his sister Dominique’s voice came through the speaker.
“Tell me that you did not take Shante home with you last night.”
“Well hello, Dom, and how are you today?”
“Don’t play with me, Raford Lawson.”
Anytime his family used his full name he knew he had to brace for the inevitable tongue-lashing. “Okay, I won’t tell you.”
“Damn it, Rafe!”
“What? She’s grown and so am I.”
“That’s not the point and you know it.”
“No. I don’t. Why don’t you enlighten me like I know you want to do.”
Dominique sighed heavily. “You run through women like socks, Rafe. Shante’s a nice girl and—”
“And I treated her like a nice woman. There is no way that she could say anything different.”
“I know that. That’s the problem. You treat them all like princesses and then poof, move on. Telephone book of broken hearts.”
“Bit of an exaggeration, sis.” He turned onto the street where his club was located.
“We work together, Rafe. I don’t need her grilling me about you and whining in my ear when you don’t call.”
“What makes you think I won’t call?”
“Will you?” She pushed out a frustrated breath when silence hung between them. “Aggh. If you weren’t my brother...”
Rafe chuckled. “Love you, too, sis. Gotta go.”
“Fine. Try to stay out of trouble.”
“Always.” He pulled into his parking spot. He disconnected the call and cut the engine.
Dominique, unlike her twin Desiree, had no problem saying what was on her mind regardless of how her remarks fell on the ears and souls of her target. She’d softened somewhat since she got together with Trevor Jackson. But even he couldn’t always keep the lid on Dominique. Now that their eldest sister, Lee Ann, was married and expecting, Dominique took on the role as head Lawson woman in charge.
He had to laugh. As much as he loved his siblings they could be a bit much at times, never mind that he was the eldest son. With three females, he and his younger brother Justin didn’t stand a chance.
Rafe entered the club through the back door. He flipped on lights as he strolled through. No matter how many times he crossed the gray marble floors, walked behind the circular bar or looked out onto the eclectic crowd that packed the house night after night, he still got that rush. This was his, the one thing separate and apart from the Lawson legacy of money, politics and backdoor deals, much to his father’s horror.
From the time he was old enough to walk and talk, his father, Branford, began to groom him for politics. And from the moment Rafe was old enough to think for himself he resented what his father wanted for him. The last footsteps he wanted to walk in were his father’s and that caused a rift between father and son that had spanned the better part of his adult life.
Fortunately, his sister Lee Ann married Sterling, a senator, and Justin had taken up the Lawson mantel, gotten his law degree and had begun to carve a name for himself in civil liberties law with his private law firm. It was only a matter of time before he pursued public office.
Rafe went behind the bar and fixed himself a quick shot of bourbon. Sure it was early, but what the hell. He placed his phone on the bar top. 11:30. His staff would arrive soon to prep for the five o’clock opening. He sipped his drink, picked up his phone and called his brother.
Justin answered on the third ring. “You’re on speaker so don’t say anything crazy.” He chuckled.
“Thanks for the heads-up.”
“I didn’t see you leave last night.”
“Yeah, kinda flew under the radar.”
“Hmm, I know what that means. So...what’s up?”
“Look, there was this woman there last night...”
“Oh really?” Justin teased.
“This is different,” Rafe said, pacing in front of the bar.
“What do you mean?”
Rafe paused a moment, trying to piece what was running through his head together. “I don’t know, man. I saw her and...anyway, she’s been on mind.”
“Okay... I know you’re not asking for my advice.” He chuckled.
“Not exactly. More like a favor.”
“Shoot.”
“All I know is her name is Avery and she works for the Secret Service. She was on the VP detail.”
“Whoa. Okay. And...”
“And I need you to use some of your connections to find out her last name and how I can reach her. I’m sure Dad knows, but he’s the last person I’d ask.”
“Hmm. I’ll see what I can find out. Is it really that important?”
“Yeah, it is.”
“Don’t think I’ve heard that tone in your voice before. This is new.”
“Guess it is,” he said, the realization hitting him. He took a swallow of his drink. Frowned.
“Actually, I get it. Ran into this woman weeks ago at a bar downtown. Couldn’t shake her, and damn if she wasn’t the bartender at Granddad’s party.”
“What! But you were with what’s-her-name. The one none of us like.”
Justin grumbled deep in his throat. “Yes, the situation got a little awkward. But at least I know where she works. It wasn’t until last night that she actually knew who I was.”
“What does that mean? You been seeing her in disguise? Using a false name?” He chuckled.
“Naw. I just never told her I was a Lawson.”
“For obvious reasons. I get it. Say no more. But now that she knows what’s your next move?”
“I plan to see her again. There’s this connection. Ya know?”
“Yeah, bro, I think I do.”
The front door opened and the club manager Carlos walked in with Paul the house chef and Rafe’s favorite two waitresses Simone and Leslie right behind them.
“Gotta run. Duty calls.”
“Yeah, me, too. Meeting a client.”
“So you’ll check that out for me?”
“No doubt.”
“Cool. And, J...”
“Yeah...?”
“Good luck with your lady friend.”
“Thanks.”
“What’s her name by the way?”
“Bailey. Bailey Sinclair.”
“Bailey. I like it.” He chuckled. “Be easy.”
“You, too.”
Rafe pocketed his phone and greeted his staff, all the while wondering how long it would take Justin to find out what he wanted to know.
Chapter 2
Avery Richards planted her feet, aimed her Glock and fired six rounds in rapid succession. She extracted the earplugs and removed the protective goggles. The paper target floated toward her like a ghost in a bad B movie. Five to the chest and one right between the eyes.
“Not bad.”
Avery gave a cursory glance and chose to ignore the comment.
Mike Stone, often her detail partner and unrequited suitor, stepped into the booth next to hers. She wouldn’t characterize their relationship as adversarial but it was often tense. Mostly because Avery was damned good at every aspect of her job, she had seniority and she didn’t fall under his questionable charms.
Mike was accustomed to having what and who he wanted. The fact that he couldn’t live out what he believed to be his manifest destiny with Avery irked him to no end. It didn’t, however, stop him from challenging her whenever it suited him. Quite frankly she was tired of his bullshit male ego and planned to ask to be reassigned.
She’d been hired under the first female head of the Secret Service. Avery didn’t have the same rapport with her replacement and she didn’t want to play the victim card. But the fact was she didn’t trust Mike and that could prove tragic if placed in a life or death situation. She didn’t want to pull her trump card and ask for favors from her senator father. She needed to work this out on her own. That or simply shoot Mike and put them both out of their misery.
“Ever think about just wounding?” He put on his goggles.
“You. I have, yes.”
He laughed and plugged his ears. “Dead suspects tell no tales.”
She rolled her eyes, holstered her weapon and detached her target sheet. “Have a good day, Mike,” she said. The drip of sarcasm pooled at her feet.
The sound of gunfire followed her out of the target range.
* * *
When Avery pushed through the heavy steel door and entered the long corridor that led to a row of offices, she ran into her friend Kerry Holt.
She and Kerry had trained together when they first joined the service six years earlier and they became fast friends. Kerry was the one person in whom she could confide without it coming back to haunt her.
They exchanged a quick hug.