Extreme Engagement: Secret Maneuvers, Book 3

By Amanda Adams

Sophia is being pushed into an arranged marriage with a man she loves…but not like that. He’s a friend. His kisses make her wonder if this is it? Is this life? Love? Is this her destiny?

She wants sparks. Lightning bolts. Passion.
She wants an adventure with a man who makes her toes curl and her heart race.

Trevor Olsen wants peace. Something he’s never had. Not when his dad started drinking. Not when his mother finally filed for divorce. And not when he got the hell out of there at eighteen and joined the military. Now he’s out. Home. And he’s had enough conflict to last a lifetime. Or so he thinks, until he meets Sophia.

He wants her in his bed. He wants to keep her. Only problem is, her family hates his guts, her wanna-be fiancé is looking for a fight, and the beautiful woman he can’t stop thinking about?

She’s fire and ice.

So much for not getting burned…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tydbyts Media
• Release date: Jan 6, 2021
• ISBN: 9791220247009

Book preview

Author

1

Trevor

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Stepping out into the cool stream, the bright sun beating down its warmth on my neck, I cast my line and patiently waited as still as I could be. If I could keep myself from moving, the fish wouldn't dart away. The artificial worm I was using would hopefully do the trick and let me hook one.

Feeling that tug on my line never failed to send a thrill through me.

Being a SEAL, life was always full of training, touring, and more training—whether I was on the giving or receiving end of that. Becoming a fishing expert was never something I saw in my future—I knew guns and fighting better than I knew how to catch fish for dinner—but it had become a favorite pastime.

The quiet of stepping into a gentle stream, the only sounds surrounding me being the wind through the trees and the rushing water below my feet, provided a kind of solace I couldn't find in the city.

Out here, I could imagine I was another kind of man. I could get away from the ghosts that were so intent on haunting me. I could focus and fool even myself that I was the man I wanted to be.

Temperatures were high, as they usually were this time of year here in Texas, and it showed no signs of getting better anytime soon. It was miserable and the humidity made my skin sticky with sweat.

I'd soon be as dark as the molasses my granny would use when she'd make gingerbread cookies. 

"You’re looking more and more like your daddy, getting so dark," she'd say, like she was advising me to stay out of trouble. She could disparage my daddy as much as she wanted, which she did—often.

Shaking my head, I pushed thoughts of my daddy and my granny away. This wasn't the time for memories. I didn't want to think about anything but catching fish and floating away from reality for a time.

Right when I felt a bite and began to reel in my catch, I heard the sound of twigs snapping and the snort of horses. Glancing up, I saw two riders coming toward me: a man and a woman.

While I prided myself on being friendly, I instead chose silence. This was my time to be alone in my head, and I didn’t care about much else right then. I didn't say anything, turning away and focusing on bringing in this fish of mine. Judging by the splashes on the surface as I reeled it in, I was proud to see it was a very large trout. It was definitely worth a picture. By the time I'd reeled it in, the riders had gotten within a few yards of me. 

What are you doing out here? the man asked with an overly annoyed tone.

I glanced over at the pair with raised brows. The guy sounded like he'd just sat his ass down on a thumbtack.

But my attention didn't stay on the man for long. It was snagged by the woman, who was easily the most beautiful female I'd seen in ages. She had light brown skin and the darkest hair, like a raven's wings. I watched as she clenched her thighs, maneuvering her horse with ease. And I'd be a liar if I said I didn't drink in her long, long legs that seemed to go on forever.

Damn, where had she been hiding all my life?

The man wasn't about to let me off the hook. You know you're on our land, right? Without permission?

I barely heard his words; I was focused on the woman. I saw her give the man an annoyed look.

Ruben, it's fine. What are we going to do, send him to prison for poaching like it's the middle ages? Her gaze transferred to me. Trout fishing?

I nodded, but I didn't say anything. I found myself tongue-tied around this gorgeous woman. Then again, I was never the chatty type anyway.

Look, man, we don't want any trouble, Ruben said, but me and my fiancée don't need random people on our land. That’s a problem and so is the fact that trout isn't yours to take.

The woman glared at him again, and I could see her clench her jaw tightly. It's fine, she said to me. Really. Take all the trout you want. I'm not much of a fisherman—or woman—myself. She smiled, and God Almighty, it was like a punch to the gut.

Who the hell was she?

I'm Sophia, by the way. You are?

Trevor. I started gathering my stuff, halfway tempted to toss the trout at Ruben, but I restrained myself. I made sure to wrap it up while keeping eye contact with him, mostly just to piss him off.

Based on his sneer, it worked.

I'll get out of your way. I started moving toward my trunk, a junk piece that my stepdad had gotten me when I'd returned home from deployment with the SEALs. It was a miracle that it ran most days, but it worked. I reckon that truck was a lot like me: damaged, rusty, but still useable. 

Sophia said something to Ruben, scolding him about overstepping, and it made me smile. If they were engaged, I was a monkey's uncle. The only engagement was in Ruben's head. Plus, I didn't see a ring on her pretty fingers.

Yeah, I'd looked. Sue me.

I climbed into my truck, tossing my stuff in the front seat, and started the engine. Well, I tried to start it.

The engine turned over and over again, making an ominous sound, but there was nothing. I tried again. A third time. Finally, I had to accept that my battery was more than likely deader than dead. Even though I had jumper cables in my truck, there was no other car around for miles. Too bad horses weren't useful for jumping a dead battery.

I grunted and got out of the truck. To my surprise, the pair were still there, arguing quietly about something. I pulled out my phone to call one of my friends—but there was no service. I swore. 

Fuck me, I'll have to walk to civilization, won't I? Just my luck. 

Is everything okay? Sophia dismounted from her horse and came toward me.

Now that she was closer, I could see her eyes were a dark gold, like caramel, and she had a little beauty mark above her lip. With her eyes, legs, and that voice—low, almost husky, but still feminine—I struggled to find my own voice for a second time.

Battery's dead, I said in a grunt, gesturing at my truck. You have a cell phone that works? Mine's got no service.

There isn't any service out here, she said apologetically. And the closest town is ten miles, at least.

 I saw Ruben dismount and come over to us, which raised my hackles. When he put a hand on Sophia's shoulder, I couldn't help but notice how she seemed to stiffen.

Interesting. And also, none of my damn business.

What's up? We should get going, Sophie. Your abuela will tan our hides if we're late for dinner again.

You can get a ride back to my ranch so you can make a call, she told me, ignoring Ruben. If you'd like.

I was surprised. I'd expected her to leave me to figure out my own shit, like anyone else would've done. To my amusement, Ruben scowled. 

How is he going to ride back with us? he asked Sophia. Walk alongside our horses? And what about taking some strange man home?

"You're