Claiming Alexis (2017)

## Series

Ace Security, Book 2

Originally published on July 4, 2017

## Official Blurb

> Nothing is more important to Blake Anderson than the work he does with his brothers at Ace Security. At least that’s what he thinks until he meets the fiercely independent Alexis Grant. The security firm’s new intern pushes all his buttons—and makes his temperature rise. But giving in to temptation might be risky business.
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> Alexis can tell that Blake has his doubts about her ability to commit. But while most people look at her and see only a flighty rich girl, she knows he sees much more. Determined to prove herself to Blake, Alexis jumps at the chance to work undercover. And when her case takes a dangerous turn, she puts her trust—and her heart—in his hands.
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> Now, as Alexis digs into the deadly secrets of a local gang, Blake will lay everything on the line to protect the woman he’s come to love.
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## Characters

### Main Character(s)

* Blake Anderson
* Alexis Grant

### All Characters (in order of appearance)

* Alexis Grant
* Blake Anderson
* Bradford Grant
* Walter Mason
* Margaret Mason
* Grace Anderson
* Logan Anderson
* Nathan Anderson
* Brian Grant
* Betty Grant
* Kelly White
* Damian
* Donovan
* Osman
* Chuck
* Bear
* Dominic
* Felicity Jones
* Cole Johnson
* Bailey Hampton
* Ace Anderson
* Rose Anderson
* Ross Peterson
* (the Andersons' paternal grandmother)
* Joel Hampton

## Synopsis

### Chapter 1

It's 4:30 AM and Blake drives Alexis to a courthouse for a client. She sips coffee as he questions her erratic work history. Internally, Alexis can't help but think about how much she likes Blake. It was love at first sight for her. She blinks away her tears at the thought of Blake seemingly thinking so little of her, and defends her work history and her current job at Ace Security. Blake makes a comment about Alexis's wealth, which irritates her, and he apologizes before switching topics to ask her if she's dating anyone. Alexis responds in the negative, thinking that she couldn't bear to see Blake dating someone.

### Chapter 2

After their job, Blake asks Alexis if she wants to get lunch. He thinks about how pleased he is with her as an employee. She hems and haws, offering Blake the choice. He goads her into choosing a restaurant, and she insults his questionable fashion sense before suggesting Souper Salad. He pays for their lunch as they load down their plates and tuck into their meals. He asks Alexis about her work investigating the Inca Boyz gang that had kidnapped Alexis's brother, Brad, and Blake's sister-in-law, Grace.  Alexis tells Blake about the apparent hierarchy of the group, with Donovan's (who is serving time for the kidnappings) brother, Damian, posting about his brother's plans. She casually mentions that she went to middle school with one of the people posting frequently, Kelly.

While they talk, Blake watches Alexis's reactions to his arms, which he has noticed she watches. He internally admits to intentionally tensing his muscles to watch her reaction. He thinks of how attracted he is to her. He's impressed that Alexis doesn't mind when she gets mussed in her line of work. Blake also admires her curves. He thinks back to a time when she tripped and caught her, pulling her body against his own, realizing how perfect she was for him.

Blake tunes back into Alexis's recounting. She explains the code the gang members use in online posts. She agrees with Blake that Kelly is likely dating Donovan. Alexis suggests that she meet up with Kelly to find out more about the gang. Blake immediately shuts down her idea, claiming that it's too dangerous. He and Alexis argue about her involvement. Alexis offhandedly remarks that she can play the ditzy rich girl that Kelly assumes she is. Blake digs into how Alexis knows Kelly, and she finally admits that they were friends in middle school. When Alexis's parents started making serious money, Kelly manipulated Alexis into paying for whatever she wanted. When they got to high school, Kelly wrote her off completely, warning Alexis not to speak to her again. When Alexis accidentally did, Kelly had a group of her guy friends jump Alexis and beat her up.

Blake is pissed at hearing about Alexis's past interactions with Kelly, but Alexis continues to advocate for herself as a spy. She argues that Kelly will only be interested in Alexis's money. Blake concedes slightly, saying that they'll talk to his brothers about the plan. He also demands that Alexis only spend time with her in public and while wearing a wire, and that he needs to watch over her whenever they see each other. Alexis relents, excited about the opportunity before Blake threatens that she could get fired if she messes this up. Blake curses himself for taking the light out of her eyes, as he wants her to be in his life outside of work.

### Chapter 3

Blake returns to Ace Security to find Nathan working. Later, Logan arrives, and Blake pulls him aside to discuss Alexis's plan. Logan is all for using Alexis as bait for information, but Blake is concerned. Blake doesn't admit it to his brother then, but his feelings for Alexis changed over the course of the morning, and he wants to pursue his romantic interest in her. Logan questions why Blake is so hesitant to go through with her plan, since she's likely not going to stay with the company for long. Blake expresses his shock at Logan's nonchalance about Alexis's wellbeing. After a tense moment, Logan apologizes, claiming that he's feeling extra protective of his family after being at Grace's sonogram appointment that day. Logan suggests that they "tweak" Alexis's plan to ensure her safety. He also questions why Alexis seems to be focused on taking them down by putting herself in danger. Blake admits he doesn't know for sure, but that she had a rough time in high school, and that seems to have informed her thinking. Logan agrees to move forward with keeping her protected, stating that he trusts his brother's judgment.

### Chapter 4

Two weeks have passed since Alexis first proposed her plan, and now she waits outside a Walmart with Logan. Their mission for the day is for Alexis to "unexpectedly" run into Kelly in the store, reconnecting with her. Alexis is dressed in expensive clothes, with high heels, diamonds, and a full face of makeup. She also has a wire under her clothes, as Blake will be listening to the interaction from his car. He warns her to be safe before she climbs out of the car and heads into the store. As she looks for Kelly, Alexis thinks about how Blake has been acting differently toward her in the past couple of weeks. She's noticed him being more protective, and even calling her just to talk, and not always about work-related matters. She quickly turns her thoughts from how attractive Blake is to her current task.

As Blake watches Alexis leave, he thinks about how attractive she is today. He appreciates that she can go from down-and-dirty to neat and polished. He has also enjoyed being the pursuer in the relationship, as Alexis hasn't been fawning all over him. Blake worries about how to proceed with a relationship, considering the delicate situation he's in as her boss. He promises himself to act on his attraction soon.

Blake listens as Alexis finds Kelly in the check-out line. Her former friend doesn't seem thrilled to see her, but Alexis pushes through the awkwardness of the conversation with a fake, ditzy countenance. Alexis babbles along, planting the seed that despite her rich upbringing, she enjoys hanging around a "tougher" crowd. Kelly falls for it, offering to set Alexis up with some of her friends. Alexis readily agrees, giving Kelly her phone number. Kelly conveniently "forgot" her credit card, so Alexis jumps on the chance to pay for her friend's purchases. They part ways as Kelly leaves, and Alexis continues to play the part for the cashier as she pays for the random items she grabbed in the store.

Blake sees Kelly leaving the store, who he identifies as looking like someone life has ridden hard. He hears Alexis quietly say that she's headed out of the store, and watches as she approaches the car and stashes her bags in the trunk. Alexis climbs back into the car with a grin on her face, which snaps Blake's self-restraint. As soon as she closes the door, he kisses her passionately. She's shocked at first, but quickly goes along with it, seemingly enjoying the kiss as much as he is. When they break apart, Blake admits that he's wanted to kiss her for a while. Alexis asks if he kissed her because she completed her mission with Kelly. He denies that, claiming that it was the look of triumph on her face.

Blake admits to Alexis that he likes her, and she shares the sentiment. Blake asks why Alexis didn't tell him about her feelings sooner, and Alexis claims that he seemed unattainable for someone like her. He quickly disabuses her of that notion, promising to show her how attractive she is in the future. Alexis seems shy and inexperienced, which interests Blake. He pulls away, starting the car and heading back to Alexis's apartment as they discuss how things went with Kelly. Along the way they hold hands, which continues until he pulls up at her building and walks around the car to give her a hug. Blake informs Alexis that their kiss "changes things between" them, before asking her on a date. They discuss what they'd do on their first official date, and Blake encourages Alexis to speak her mind and be honest. They share another kiss before they part, with Alexis tripping over the curb as she heads into her building.

### Chapter 5

The following day, Alexis enters Ace Security, feeling trepidation at the thought of seeing Blake again. She realizes that he's much more experienced that she is, and is likely to move on from her after they have a fling. Greeting Nathan, she heads to her desk near Blake. They share pleasantries before he admits he couldn't stop thinking about her. Alexis looks around at Blake's brothers. While Nathan doesn't seem to have heard, Logan is smiling at his desk. Alexis quickly changes topics, asking if everyone listened to the tape from the day before. Logan confirms, asking if Kelly has been in contact yet, and setting up plans for what to do when she reaches out. They all get back to work.

Later that day, Alexis receives a call from Kelly on her burner phone. Blake encourages her, telling her to put it on speaker and relax. She answers the phone in her ditzy voice, and starts to chat with Kelly. At one point, when she's clearly nervous, Blake soothes her by wrapping an arm around her. Alexis continues the conversation, agreeing to lunch at a bar with Kelly and her friends. She glances at the brothers for confirmation before agreeing to the date. After Alexis hangs up, Blake asks if she's okay, showing his attention to detail by pointing out Alexis's tense physical state. He again offers to stop the plan and refuse to move forward, but she's determined to continue forth.

Logan states that they'll create a plan for the lunch before informing Alexis that Grace wants to have dinner with them all. Alexis is surprised but agrees to the work dinner. Blake clarifies that Logan didn't ask as a business event, but because the brothers promised that if they had someone important in their lives, they'd include her on family gatherings so everyone could get to know her. Alexis is shocked that Blake would discuss this in front of his brothers, especially since he follows up his statement with a quick kiss, but Nathan quickly turns attention back to work. Alexis is happy to get back to work, though she gives a thought to how attracted she is to Blake, and how he's basically just claimed her in front of his brothers.

## References

A Delta Team that rescued Logan from the Taliban

1. ↑ *Claiming Grace* (2017), chapter 24