Steele Family Romance Collection

by Cami Checketts

  “Not my chest,” Jex said. “It’s at least PG-13.”

  “Oh, Jex,” Lottie giggled.

  They pulled their shirts off and tossed them on a nearby couch. Mae felt Slade’s arm tense around her waist as she read each t-shirt in order of how they were standing.

  Preston’s said, “Mae, let’s taco ’bout marrying Slade.” Gunner’s said, “I’m nacho type, but Slade is.” Jex’s read, “In queso you missed it, Slade wants to marry you.”

  “Oh, boys,” Sarah said with a soft sigh.

  “Yes!” Lottie cheered.

  Mae’s heart was thumping so hard she couldn’t catch a breath. It appeared that Slade’s brothers not only accepted her but were willing to ask her to marry him.

  Slade turned her toward him and gave her an irresistible, but hesitant grin. He looked as nervous as Mae felt. Taking a step back, he slowly unbuttoned his shirt. His smoldering look was so appealing that she couldn’t help but reach out to him.

  She forgot they weren’t alone until his mom said, “Slade. You don’t have to look all … sexy.”

  “I don’t mind,” Mae piped up.

  “Of course you don’t,” Jex said.

  Her cheeks tinged with color as Slade laughed easily. Mae’s stomach swooped when he pulled the button-down shirt off. He was wearing a fitted gray shirt that read in bold white letters, “I love you, Mae. Marry me?”

  Slade dropped to one knee and pulled a ring out of his pocket. Mae forced herself to look at the sparkling round diamond, but her gaze was drawn quickly back to Slade’s face. His dark eyes were filled with love for her and begged her to say yes.

  “Please say you’ll marry me, Mae,” he said.

  Mae dropped onto her knees in front of him and cupped his face. “Of course I will. Yes!”

  “Kiss her, you tater tot!” Lottie yelled.

  Mae ignored the laughter as she kissed him, about toppling them both onto the floor. Slade steadied them and stood, pulling her up with him. He gently slid the ring on her finger and then pulled her in close, taking possession of her mouth just as surely as he had her heart.

  When they pulled back, she noticed Gunner was shifting uncomfortably, but the rest of the group was laughing at them. Lottie rushed to a nearby cupboard and pulled out more T-shirts. She handed them out. Sarah’s said, “Proud Steele Mama.” Vince’s said, “Tough as Steele Daddy.” Lottie’s said, “I’m the Steele Princess.” Lottie handed a pink T-shirt to Mae.

  “Thank you.” Mae unfolded it, her gorgeous diamond glinting in the light. Her T-shirt said, “Tough enough to get a Steele to his knees.” Mae laughed. “I love it. Thank you.”

  Her eyes glistened as she glanced around the room at the brothers all wearing their T-shirts for her and the rest of the group holding T-shirts. It was thoughtful and endearing and put her at ease. Well, as at ease as she could be as a newly engaged woman to the enigmatic, charming, and handsome man smiling down at her.

  “Can we wear them for the party?” Lottie asked her mom.

  Everyone turned to Sarah. Mae had noticed that Sarah was very loving and down-to-earth, but she also was always dressed impeccably and kept her house spotless. She wouldn’t want her family wearing goofy T-shirts, some of which would make no sense to an outsider, for a fancy dinner party.

  “It’s all right,” Mae started. “We can wear them another day.”

  “Of course we’re wearing them for the party,” Sarah said, smiling kindly at Mae. “Let’s go get changed; the guests will be here soon.”

  Slade directed Mae out one of the rear patio doors. There was a large outdoor tent set up outside with a buffet all ready. Mae could see heating elements under some of the food and other food containers on ice. “Wow. Your mom is ready for a party.”

  He tugged her close. “I’m only ready for you.” His voice dropped huskily. “I love you, Mae. Thank you for agreeing to marry me.”

  Mae laughed and cupped his jaw with one hand, her T-shirt balled in her other fist. “I love you, Slade. Thank you for asking.”

  The kiss they shared pushed everything else from her mind.

  When they heard laughter and throats clearing, they broke apart. Mae looked sheepishly around at a crowd of people she didn’t know. “Wow, the guests must’ve come early,” she murmured.

  “Everybody’s actually late,” Jex said from behind them.

  Mae laughed. “You try kissing him and you’d lose track of time too.”

  Jex pulled a face. “I’ll take your word for it.” He winked and strode off to greet some people.

  “Slade,” several of the group called out.

  He waved but stayed close to Mae.

  Mae held up her shirt. “Shall I go change?”

  Slade took it from her and tugged it over her head. Mae shrugged into the sleeves and laughed as the baggier T-shirt covered the top of her dress, but with a pink T-shirt and a red polka-dot dress, she looked ridiculous. She was meeting all of Slade’s close friends and family. Kit would be appalled.

  “I can’t wear it like this,” she protested.

  Slade kissed her softly and said, “You look perfect. I love you.” Then he took her hand and turned to start greeting people.

  Mae caught Sarah’s eye and pointed to her outfit. Sarah smiled and gave her a thumbs-up, looking classy and yet approachable in her t-shirt paired with a fitted blue skirt. Mae’s last fear disappeared. Slade’s family not only accepted her; they embraced her, quirky T-shirts and all.

  Slade squeezed her waist and grinned proudly at her as he introduced her to someone—she thought she heard “Senator” somewhere in the title. She realized she should be intimidated, but the distinguished-looking man had a large smile for her, and she shook his hand with her own smile in place. Slade was by her side. She could handle anything with his arm around her.

  I hope you loved Mae and Slade’s story. I had so much fun writing it. My husband told me I giggled as I wrote. I patterned sweet Lottie after my darling niece, Lexi Lynn, who brings so much light and love to our family.

  Kit’s story is also delightful and nonstop fun, though I have to admit it did make me cry. I hope you love it! You can find Her Prince Charming Boss here.

  Thank you so much for reading and all of the unreal support. I love my fans!

  Hugs,

  Cami

  The Stranded Patriot

  Chapter One

  Ally Heathrow darted around massive men in tailored suits and beautiful women in designer dresses, bent on finding one particular Georgia Patriots football player in the middle of this mansion full of them. Bucky Buchanan, the eccentric owner of the Patriots, had explained that as the new head of the Patriots’ marketing team, Ally was to come to his party this weekend, track down one Preston Steele, wide receiver extraordinaire, and talk him into being their poster child for her social media idea. Bucky had reiterated that she couldn’t force him—social media wasn’t in Preston’s contract—but in Bucky’s words, “Gentle persuasion by a gorgeous woman isn’t unethical.”

  Preston had been her first choice, luckily, because no one told Bucky no. He was a good old Southern boy with a whole bucketful of charm. From a marketing perspective, he was marketing gold but also a nightmare. He said and did whatever he wanted. She’d tried to tell him repeatedly he couldn’t objectify her, or anyone else, as a “gorgeous woman.” His compliments didn’t mean much to her as she’d never been, nor would ever be, the “gorgeous woman,” but he kept giving them.

  She spotted Preston Steele talking to Mike Kohler next to an open patio door. The air conditioning was running on this warm early summer night, but they’d left the doors open so the party could flow from the banquet room onto the spectacular manicured yard and flower gardens of Bucky’s estate in Marietta, Georgia.

  Preston and Mike. Now that was a beautiful pair of men that would stop any woman in her tracks. She smiled to herself. Who was objectifying now? But heaven help her, it was rough not to notice. Preston had wavy, brown hair, olive-tin
ged skin, deep brown eyes, manly but sculpted lips, and the perfect length of facial hair. Mike had tightly curled black hair, smooth, deep brown skin, almost black eyes, and full lips. Mike was a couple inches taller than Preston’s six-four. They both had well-honed muscles evident under their fitted tuxes.

  She smoothed down her pale blue dress. Her naturally tanned skin was exposed by the dress’s off-the-shoulder style, and she prayed the dress didn’t look as painted-on as it felt. She wasn’t one-hundred percent comfortable in the tight dress with the daring neckline. Her long dark hair was in a pile of curls on top of her head, which the makeup artist said gave full advantage to her “curvy” features. Curvy was a very kind way of putting it. She’d been downright chubby as a teenager, and though she tried hard to be healthy, thin was never a descriptor anyone had given her.

  Her little sister, Kim, was a Hollywood star and was all dimples in her beautiful face and skinny but shapely. Ally’s entire childhood and teenage years had been spent helping Kim succeed. Ally’s twin sister, Shar, looked a lot like Kim, and everyone sang their praises. Ally’s mom kept telling her she was a successful, talented, and driven woman, yet her parents had never once told her she was attractive. It would’ve been a lie, but didn’t parents naturally think their children were cute? Not hers, apparently. She knew they loved her and were proud of her. That’s what she chose to focus on.

  As Ally sidled in Mike and Preston’s direction, she tried to decide if she could play this out like Bucky had demanded. She wanted to stride right up to Preston, tell him the idea she was already passionate about, and simply let him accept or reject it. Bucky had told her explicitly not to do that or she’d lose their one shot. He wanted her to lure Preston to the gardens, flirt with him, warm him up to her, and ease him into her scheme. The idea was laughable. Ally couldn’t flirt with the likes of Preston Steele. If there was a list of most attractive and eligible bachelors in the nation, he was on it. After a few rejections from boys as a young teen, she’d put her head down and worked, using her mind, her determination, and her smart-aleck tongue to be successful at school and her career. She’d never attempted to learn the art of flirting.

  Straightening her shoulders, she reminded herself that she had earned her job as head marketing manager for the Patriots, after her uncle connected her with Bucky. She was somebody, and she had a job to do. Plus she’d paid a lot of money to look as attractive as possible tonight. Now to pray that it worked.

  She’d almost reached them when Preston glanced her direction and the world around her disappeared. Their gazes locked, and she was lost in the delicious indulgence of chocolate brown. His beautifully sculpted face had nothing on the power of his warm gaze. Never in her life had a man looked at her like that. Swaying on her heels, she prayed hard for inspiration. How to get him alone and beg him to help her, without falling prey to his charm or his handsome face. After Googling him constantly over the past few weeks, she’d learned that a man like Preston gave hundreds of women looks like that, women who were tall, thin models. At least he appeared interested and not repelled by her. That could work in her favor. For marketing, that was.

  She tried to bat her eyelashes and give him what she hoped was a come-hither look, but she had no clue if she’d done it right. She’d only seen those kinds of looks on television, never practiced them out on anyone.

  Preston didn’t break away from Mike and stride purposefully her direction. Not that she was surprised. She took a few stuttering steps his way, focusing on those deep brown eyes, and ran into someone’s back. The contents of the guy’s drink went flying, but luckily the liquid didn’t hit anyone but the floor.

  “For the sake of Pete,” Ally muttered under her breath.

  The man she’d smacked into turned around in surprise, but his face quickly transformed into a wide grin.

  “Apologies,” Ally said.

  “No worries, but it seems I’ve lost my drink. Would you like to join me for a refill?”

  “No, but thank you for being a chill cucumber about it.”

  He laughed. “Just one drink?”

  “Maybe next time.”

  He held up his empty glass to her. She bowed slightly and turned away, focusing on Preston again. She could do this. She could do this. Confident woman, that was her. Confident in her hard work ethic, not her alluring smile. She was going to be sick.

  Aiming what she hoped was a flirtatious smile at Preston and discreetly tilting her head toward the patio, she strutted away from the guy she’d hit and straight past Preston and Mike. She drew close enough to brush Preston’s arm with hers, and she got distracted by his vanilla and sandalwood cologne. Oh, wow. Did all men smell that good? When she glanced over her shoulder, he was following her with his eyes. She tried to wink but failed as both eyes temporarily closed. Goodness’ sakes that was awkward.

  Easing out the side door, she was pretty sure the most desperate guy in Georgia wouldn’t have gone for her weird little display. Hopefully the witnesses to her awkward flirting were few. Hopefully she could find Preston alone later tonight and march up to him without any stupid games, like she’d wanted to do all along. Why did she listen to Bucky? He was only her boss and she only loved her job.

  The patio wasn’t as crowded as the house, but there were still too many people for her to have the private conversation she wanted to have with Preston, if some miracle occurred and he followed her. Not knowing what else to do, she sauntered across the patio toward the flower gardens, hoping beyond hope that he’d follow her. She discreetly looked back, and her stomach hopped when she saw Preston’s broad shoulders clear the doorframe. He was focused on her and moving fast her direction. Oh my goodness, it had actually worked. Yes! The makeover she’d paid for today must’ve been better than she thought. When she’d looked in the mirror, she’d simply seen the same rounded cheeks with a lot more makeup on, but it appeared Preston thought she was attractive enough to follow.

  She debated stopping and waiting for him, but she wanted to make sure they were alone and out of earshot of anyone to have this conversation. There was also an undeniable thrill that she’d never experienced, being trailed by this powerful and handsome man. She reached the flower garden, and the heady scents of clematis, roses, and wisteria combined to make the moment feel even more mysterious and romantic.

  Romantic? Stop it, Ally, she commanded herself. She wasn’t here for romance; she was here for work, and it was guaranteed that Preston had no romantic intentions toward her. The way she’d felt when Preston met her gaze and then trailed her with his eyes was messing with her usually rational brain. She stopped underneath a canopy of trees and turned to face him.

  Preston had a slight smile as he approached her. The way he filled out that tux made her stomach swirl with heat, and she clamped a hand to her abdomen. Had she ever been this close to a man this appealing? Be calm, be professional.

  “Hello, Preston Steele,” she said in a cool voice as if she had nothing riding on this conversation. Only her job, and the fabulous and charitable social media campaign that was her brainchild. Being attracted to Preston Steele could not factor in.

  “Hello, Alyandra Heathrow.”

  “Ally,” she automatically corrected. Arching an eyebrow, she found herself easing closer to him. “You know who I am?” That made more sense. He’d followed her because he was intrigued that the marketing person wanted to talk to him. Of course he didn’t want to talk to her personally.

  A slow grin grew on his face, making his cheek crinkle and robbing the oxygen from her lungs. Curse Preston Steele’s appeal. She had never allowed herself to be affected by any man. How was Preston yanking her in so easily? The only thing that should matter to her was using his appeal to bring happiness to those going through rough times and in turn sell out the stadium, a harder feat this year with their newly inflated ticket prices.

  “I know who you are.” He also stepped closer, and his firm chest brushed her bare shoulder.

  The suit coat buf
fered the impact, but Ally hadn’t dated since middle school, and the contact thrilled her from her head to her painted toenails. She sucked in a breath and felt her heart thump faster.

  “Head of marketing,” Preston said. “The woman most of us try to avoid.”

  Ally blinked up at him. Avoid? Ouch. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “I’m not a rookie, Miss Heathrow. If you’re giving me come-hither glances and brushing against me in a crowded ballroom, you’re on a mission for Bucky. The question is, what do you and Bucky want from me?”

  She’d let herself foolishly believe he’d followed her out here because he was drawn to her. Stupid female feelings and fantasies. Focus on work. “I need you …” She paused and tried to think how to phrase it.

  “You need me.” His voice dropped, and its husky quality sent tremors through her body.

  Their gazes got tangled up and she found herself being drawn closer to him, inch by inch. She could smell his delicious cologne, and the sheer power and draw of this man made her feel feminine and desirable and beautiful. It was all so unfamiliar and thrilling. Was he truly attracted to her? She knew he dated a plethora of rail-thin women. She wasn’t his type, at all.

  She didn’t need him for her; she needed him for marketing. As her body eased toward his and she stared into his deep brown eyes, she couldn’t have told you her mother’s maiden name, let alone what her purpose was for miraculously leading this breathtaking man out into the gardens.

  When they were inches apart and she was gasping for air at the meaningful look in his eyes, praying he’d reach out to her, he murmured, “You need me personally, or you need me because you’re Bucky’s lackey?”

  That snapped her back to reality. Of course she didn’t need him personally, and even if she did, she could never hope to have a man like this interested in her. Also, she was nobody’s lackey. “Can we walk?” she said, as breathy as a teenage girl.