Playing in Secret

By Crystal Perkins

Her past has collided with her present, and there’s no going back...

Audrey Sanchez was humiliated by the boy she loved when she was in high school, and she’s never gotten over it. When he needs her help to protect his daughter, can she pretend to be his girlfriend, and still protect her heart?

He’s always regretted his past, and will fight for the future he wants...

Blake Armstrong is the hottest movie star on the planet, but he’s never forgotten the girl he hurt in high school. Audrey’s still brilliant, and she’s also hotter than Hades. Can he convince her that he wants all of her, and won’t let her down again?

When play becomes real, and the SECRETS are life-changing, can they put aside the past, or will history repeat itself?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Crystal Perkins
• Release date: Sep 10, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311698513

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!

Book preview

About Playing in SECRET

Her past has collided with her present, and there’s no going back…

Audrey Sanchez was humiliated by the boy she loved when she was in high school, and she’s never gotten over it. When he needs her help to protect his daughter, can she pretend to be his girlfriend, and still protect her heart?

He’s always regretted his past, and will fight for the future he wants…

Blake Armstrong is the hottest movie star on the planet, but he’s never forgotten the girl he hurt in high school. Audrey’s still brilliant, and she’s also hotter than Hades. Can he convince her that he wants all of her, and won’t let her down again?

When play becomes real, and the SECRETS are life-changing, can they put aside the past, or will history repeat itself?

Other books by Crystal Perkins

The Griffin Brothers series

Gaming For Love (The Griffin Brothers #1)

Building Our Love (The Griffin Brothers #2)

Creating A Love (The Griffin Brothers #3)

Learning To Love (The Griffin Brothers #4)

Designing The Love (The Griffin Brothers #5)

Working On Love (The Griffin Brothers #6)

Keeping Their Love (The Griffin Brothers #7)

Corrigan & Co. series

Fielding Her SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #1)

Devouring the SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #2)

Rocking a SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #3)

Lessons in SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #4)

Uncovering His SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #5)

Training the SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #6)

Inheriting a SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #7)

Tending Their SECRET (Corrigan & Co., #8)

Publicly, The Corrigan & Co. Foundation has been supporting women for years. Secretly, five powerful women led by Jane Corrigan have recruited ten agents, sending them to rescue women and children in need, and take down those who exploit the weak. This secret society of women all have unique skills they’ve brought to the foundation. Additionally, they’ve all had training in weapons, etiquette, martial arts, technology, and languages. Helping out friends and family of their five mentors from time to time is something they were told to expect. What they didn’t plan for is falling in love.

About the Corrigan & Co. Foundation and the Society:

• Mitchell Corrigan created the Corrigan & Co. Foundation for his wife as part of his company ten years ago. He stipulated that the foundation would continue as long as there is a Corrigan woman to oversee it.

• Jane Corrigan, Cyndi Evans, Maggie Griffin, Mallory Daniels, and Helen Wilson are the founders of the secret society within the foundation. They focus on helping women and children, but take on other missions from time to time.

• While they assist government and private organizations on a regular basis, they only take referrals for private missions.

• Each founder has recruited, and mentors, two agents.

• The company was founded in Chicago, but has now moved to Las Vegas, where Mitchell was born. On his deathbed, he asked his grandson to move the company headquarters to help revive the economy in his hometown. There are satellite offices all over the world.

• Jane’s grandson, Matt, who is President and CEO of Corrigan & Co., knows of the society. His friends Nathan and Aiden, who he brought in when they all left the military, know as well. This was a decision by the five women when they needed help on a mission that went bad. They do not know all mission details, but help when they are asked. Jake Mason is now also part of the Corrigan security team, and aware of the Society.

For people who believe in second chances

Prologue

Audrey

Maybe I should’ve asked Faith to shoot me so I could’ve avoided this. Then again, I didn’t have to come back here to San Diego. Not everyone attends their 20th high school reunion. I could’ve just ignored the invitation my mom forwarded to me. But the need for revenge was just too strong.

You okay, Aud? Ares asks me. Yes, I brought one of my best friends, the famous playboy NASCAR driver Ares Dixon, with me. Take that, bitches.

No. Remind me why I came here again?

To show these idiots how sexy and accomplished you are.

Yep. That’s exactly why I came. I had just started with the Society when my ten year came around, so I missed it. I wasn’t ready then, anyway. I was still getting past being the nerdy girl who hid behind her glasses for most of her life.

The Society offered me the chance to break out of my cocoon, and emerge as a sexy, and strong woman. In addition to being smart, of course. My brain is why I was recruited by Maggie Griffin, but to say that I embraced everything else I was taught would be an understatement. The stylist at the time got me into clothes that actually fit, and showed me how to work the body God gave me to its full advantage.

I’d already taken communications classes in college, because I wanted to try something other than science, but it did nothing to prepare me for the work I’ve been doing for the past ten years. I’m thankful to the mentors for putting us through the rigorous training they did, and for believing in me when I struggled. This butterfly came out flying, and I’ve never looked back. Well, at least not much.

It’s hard to ignore the boy who broke your heart when he’s on every movie screen in America. And if I’m honest with myself, I haven’t wanted to ignore him. Despite what he and his friends did to me, a little part of me still loves him, and probably always will.

Isn’t that Blake Armstrong? Ares asks me, gesturing to where he’s sitting with his many admirers.

Yep, I say with a quick glance, before looking away again.

Who’s the girl sitting near him?

I look over and see her. The girl with the glasses and a book open on her lap. She looks to be around twelve, and my heart breaks as I see that everyone around her is ignoring her. My feet are moving before I can make them stop.

Hi, I say, sitting on the ground next to her. What are you reading?

"Powerless. It’s a book about superheroes and villains. Lame, right?"

Superheroes are definitely not lame. I love superheroes.

Really? But you’re so pretty.

Thank you. You’re very pretty too. And yes, I love them. So do most of my friends.

I love superheroes, too, Ares says, sitting down with us.

I’ve seen you on the internet, She tells him.

Sometimes people like to take pictures of me because I drive fast cars, he says with a shrug.

I could hug him right now. He has a tendency to be an egotistical ass on occasion, but he’s holding it back for this little girl. Thank you I mouth to him. He just nods back at me.

People take pictures of my dad, too.

Your dad? I ask.

Yeah. Blake Armstrong.

Well, isn’t this ironic. The man who broke my heart because I was a nerd, now has a daughter who could’ve been me all those years ago. I don’t have time to ponder this any longer, because the man in question is now standing over us.

You okay, Jeanne?

Yeah. I’m fine, Dad. Just talking about superheroes.

Do I know you? Blake asks us.

We met at one of my races last year, Ares tell him.

I was talking to her.

I stand up and motion for us to walk away from Ares and Jeanne. Know me? No, you don’t know me. I’m just the nerdy girl you invited to prom and then stood up because it was a joke to you and your friends.

Audrey?

Hello, Blake.

You look great.

I know. I tip my chin to his daughter. She seems like a pretty awesome kid. Make sure you treat her that way.

I do. I’m sorry for what I did to you.

Are you?

Yes.

Thank you.

There’s a commotion, and I see four men in masks surrounding Jeanne and Ares. They’re not here for him. I know that in my bones. Blake starts to move towards them, but I stop him. Stay here.

I activate my distress signal, and grab the gun from my purse. I see the weakest link and move in on him, taking him out easily. Ares grabs Jeanne and runs her over to Blake. I’m shocked to see Reina approach them—how did she get here so fast? I don’t have time to contemplate her appearance, or Ainsley’s, as we both hold off the masked men until they start a fire and run.

We get everyone safely out of the area, and take care of the fire before heading for the parking lot. Is this your mission, Ainsley?

Yes. I didn’t know you’d be here. It’s your reunion?

Sadly, yes.

She leads me into a shuttle bus where I see Ares, Blake, Reina, and Jeanne are waiting for us. Blake stands when I walk in. You’re one of them? The Society?

I look to Reina, who nods. Yes, I am.

You’ll help my little girl then, right? You have to help her. You’re the smartest person I’ve ever met in my life. I need you, Audrey, please help us.

I want to say no. I want to remind him of how he left me waiting for him in my lemon yellow prom dress for hours while he was already there with his real date. Of how his friends tormented me for the rest of the year, while he laughed at their pranks. But I don’t. That little part of me that will be in love with Blake Armstrong forever won’t let me.

Yes. I’ll help you, Blake.

* * *

Blake

I totally get the irony of the situation I’m in. I just had to practically beg the woman I humiliated as a teen into helping protect my daughter. I humiliated her because she was smart, shy, nerdy, and wore baggy clothes all the time. My daughter is smart, shy, nerdy, and would no doubt be hiding herself in big clothes too, if she could. Being the daughter of a movie star and a supermodel, she has to be somewhat stylish in public, but I try and make it as easy for her as possible.

I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t been thinking about Audrey Sanchez more and more over the years. Even before it became apparent that Jeanne was more interested in books than Barbies, the memories of what I did to Audrey haunted me. Not enough to stop me from living my life, but sometimes at night, I’d dream of her. I’d see here face that Monday after the prom, and I’d be up the rest of the night cursing the stupid boy I’d been.

I’m not that boy anymore, and she’s definitely not the girl we made fun of. Not only is she smoking hot—which she probably always was, we just never took the time to notice it—but she’s confident and strong, too. I didn’t know who she was when I saw her with Jeanne, but I was intrigued by her. Who wouldn’t be? I don’t know many women who would just sit on the grass and talk to a little girl who was obviously being ignored by the other kids. In fact, I don’t know any. Her mother certainly wasn’t concerned that Jeanne was sitting alone. And, I think with shame, I didn’t leave my friends to check on her until I saw Audrey and Ares Dixon with her.

What’s your relationship? I blurt out suddenly.

My relationship? Audrey asks.

With him, I explain, nodding towards Ares.

That’s really none of your business.

Actually, for this to work, it is.

For what to work, Blake? We haven’t even come up with a plan yet, Reina tells him.

I have one. Audrey should pose as my live-in girlfriend.

Oh hell no, Audrey says, her eyes flashing.

Please don’t swear in front of my daughter.

Your daughter is twelve, not five, and I’m sure she’s heard it all before, Ainsley says.

I was told she was chosen to help us because she’s a big nerd, too. I’ve seen her in the tabloids with Zack Taylor, the football god. Everyone knows that nerds are the new sexy—I’ve even considered playing a nerd for a new movie—but Ainsley and Audrey take it to a new level. Ainsley doesn’t play it up, and hides it a little, but Audrey is full on sex on heels.

I have.

Have? I don’t remember what we were taking about.

I’ve heard cuss words, Dad. I’m not a baby.

I know, honey. I’m just feeling a little overprotective.

I should’ve never hacked into those corporations. Or taken the online tests I did.

You definitely need to stop hacking, and yes, you should’ve shown the tests to me before you took them, but the only people at fault here are the ones who are after you.

Hacking’s fun.

It really is, Ainsley says with a smirk.

Ainsley, Reina admonishes her, but she’s smirking a little, too.

Back to Audrey moving in. I think that’s the best plan. She can protect Jeanne, and no one will question it if she’s my girlfriend.

I already said no.

You also said you’d help us.

She looks conflicted, and I know I’m close to winning—at least where my daughter’s concerned. Audrey wants to help Jeanne, but she also wants to roast me oven an open fire. I know I deserve that, and more. I also know that the small part of me that really was interested in her all those years ago is still alive and kicking. I want a chance with Audrey. It won’t be a second chance, because I never really gave her a first one, and that may have been the stupidest thing I’ve ever done in my life.

If I pretended to be your girlfriend, we’d have to go out.

Yes. I’d buy you whatever you need.

I don’t need your money. Or you. She didn’t say it out loud, but it’s clear as day that that’s what she meant.

So, Ares?

I’m one of her best friends, and I should be going.

Going? You’re my date for the cocktail party tonight.

No, darling, I’m pretty sure Blake here has just claimed that date.

He doesn’t speak for me, and I’m not going with him.

She looks like she might have a panic attack, and it takes me a minute to understand why. I’ll be there, I say quietly. I promise to pick you up, and be an attentive date all night.

Your promise means nothing to me.

I’m not the boy who hurt you, Audrey. Give me a chance to prove that to you. Be my date tonight, and move into the house with us.

Yes, please Audrey. It would be so much fun to have someone smart around.

Hey now.

Sorry, Dad.

It’s okay. I know I’m not in your league.

Plus, if you’re there, Audrey, my mom will totally freak out. She thinks she still owns my dad, even though they’ve been divorced for years.

From the mouths of babes. Those words just hooked Audrey. I watch as her mouth curves up into a genuine smile, and why wouldn’t it? I may have been a player in the game of humiliating her, but my ex-wife was the coach, head cheerleader, and quarterback all rolled into one. Even a saint would want to get her back a little for what she said and did, and from what I can tell, Audrey is no saint.

Pick me up at seven, Blake, and don’t be late. We can discuss my moving in after the party, she says, turning to Reina. You guys have Jeanne, right?

We do. She’ll be safe.

Thank you, Audrey. I mean it.

Oh, the pleasure’s going to be all mine, Blake.

Not if I can help it. I never in a million years thought that a threat to my daughter’s safety would bring Audrey back into my life. I’m not glad it happened this way—my daughter is more important to me than anything else—but I can’t say I’m sorry about it. I’m going to prove to both of us that I’ve changed, and tonight is the perfect place to start. Having her in my bed will hopefully come later.

Chapter 1

Blake

I check my reflection in the elevator mirror at least fifteen times on my way up to Audrey’s apartment. I’m acting like a teenage boy on his first date. Scratch that, I was never nervous on dates when I was a teenager, which is part of the problem. I never had to work for anything—or anyone—when I was younger. Or now. I was the BMOC back then, and I’m currently one of the biggest movie stars on the planet. Panties drop when I enter a room. I know it, and I’ve definitely taken advantage of it.

I don’t regret most of what I’ve done. I’m a red-blooded American male, and I wasn’t going to turn down sex of any kind with the girls or women who offered it. Does that make me an ass, or a douche? Probably, but like I said, it’s never really bothered me.

Audrey, though, she’s bothered me. If I have just one regret, it’s that I didn’t take her to prom. I honestly wanted to—or, at least, a part of me wanted it. Not a big enough part to make me risk my popularity, or Misha. And I can’t regret that I was with Misha, because I got Jeanne. No one, and nothing, comes before my daughter. Especially not her mother, who is more concerned about the slowing down of her career than the pain Jeanne feels for basically being abandoned by her.

Fuck Misha, though. Or in my case, don’t. She’s tried to win me back, going so far as to sneak into my bedroom, but it’s no use. I’m not attracted to her anymore. I honestly hadn’t been for years before I ended things for good. It was just easier to go to bed with her than to find someone who