Yes, Governor

By Lesli Richardson

Can his wily pets outsmart the Master?
As chief of staff to the governor of Florida, Carter has a well-deserved rep as a bastard extraordinaire. But when he's dealing with two governors for the price of one on Christmas Eve, will the Master find himself outmatched and outmaneuvered by his wily political pets?

Book 4 of the Governor Trilogy. This MMF contemporary political romance novella features friends to lovers, GFY, a secret workplace romance with high political stakes, power exchange, wounded heroes, a cinnamon roll hero, an Alpha hero who will kill to protect his loved ones, and a guaranteed HEA.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bryant Street Publishing
• Release date: Nov 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781094450322

Lesli Richardson

Lesli Richardson is the writer behind the curtain of her better-known pen name, Tymber Dalton (her ""wild child"" side). She lives in the Tampa Bay region of Florida with her spouse, writer Jon Dalton, and too many pets. When she's not playing Dungeons and Dragons with her friends or shooting skeet, she's a part-time Viking shield-maiden in training, among other pursuits. The USA Today Bestselling Author (as Tymber) and two-time EPIC award winner is the author of over two hundred books and counting. She lives in her own little world, but it's okay, because they all know her there. She also loves to hear from readers! Please feel free to drop by her website and sign up for updates to keep abreast of the latest news, snarkage, and releases. There you'll also find reading order lists and more information about her different series.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

OWEN

Christmas Eve

"So how’s it feel to have your wish granted?" Susa asks as she playfully nudges me with her hip.

What do you mean?

She’s wearing that sneaky little smile I love so much. Kevin Markos. Weren’t you hoping for an on-air implosion?

I snort. Yeah, I was. Except he treated you well in that interview the morning after the election, so I wasn’t nearly as mad at him as I had been. Kind of a shame, actually.

Don’t feel too sorry for him, Carter says as he walks into the kitchen with another load of dirty dishes in his hands. He’s running Senator Samuels’ campaign for president. Wouldn’t be shocked if she makes him her chief of staff when she wins.

Susa laughs. "If she wins."

I have no doubt she’ll win, Carter says.

"Really? She arches an eyebrow at him. After that hot mess on a skillet?"

She’s referring to Kevin Markos having a very colorful and emotional meltdown, live on the air, a few days after the November election.

In prime time.

Carter shrugs. We all have bad days, pet.

Her blue gaze narrows as she studies the bastard extraordinaire. What’d you hear?

I turn from the sink, where I’m scrubbing the roasting pan we cooked the turkey in, to look at him. Yeah, what’d you hear? I echo.

Another shrug as he sets the dishes on the counter and I move aside so he can rinse his hands in the sink. Just that maybe he was justified, and provoked, and finally had enough of his network’s shit.

Never stopped him before, I say. You still glad we turned down her offer? I’m only partially joking.

I mean, yeah, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t spend a little time after the fact thinking about what might have been had I accepted Senator Samuels’ offer to run as her VP, and Carter her offer to be her campaign manager.

Except then I think about our two sons, Petey and Tommy, who are now upstairs asleep in their turkey comas. Petey’s three and a half, and Tommy’s two. Once Susa’s sworn in as governor, I plan on spending my days being a dad, making school runs once they’re old enough, volunteering in their classes—everything.

Being a dad.

I don’t give a crap that the world thinks I’m just their godfather and a good family friend. My sons and my spouses and our closest family all know the truth, and that’s all that matters to me.

We opted to have our private family dinner tonight, because tomorrow, after the boys open their presents, we’ll all be over at the Governor’s Mansion. It’s my last official Christmas as the governor of Florida, and Susa’s last as lieutenant governor.

And her first Christmas as governor-elect.

Tomorrow, the mansion will be full of family, friends, politicians, and other high-ranking state officials. A last photo op for me as governor before Susa’s inauguration next month.

We’re both counting the days—me until I can once again be a private citizen, and Susa until she ascends to my current office of governor.

Her dream realized in full.

Although my current dream is to be a dad, sleep in late with Carter every morning, and enjoy life out of the spotlight at home