Welcome Birthday Guest Talia Carmichael!

Happy Birthday month to Amber! Thanks you Amber for letting me come and join the fun. Yay! Let’s party.

I’ve written a little interlude featuring characters from my Something in Common  series.

Perfect Birthday Surprise…

A Something in Common Interlude

By Talia Carmichael

Taggart exited his vehicle and stared at the house. He rubbed his hand along the back on his neck. It’d been a long few days on a case for his team. It wrapped up earlier although he hoped it wouldn’t have. At least then he would have an excuse to not be at Rhodes. He frowned and walked slowly to the front door.

God I hate birthdays. And with Rhodes being so secretive these last few weeks I’m betting he planned a surprise birthday party for me.

He paused before the door and stared at it. He really wasn’t in the mood to be diplomatic about hating birthdays and not wanting a party.

Maybe I should have told him before I didn’t want one. But I had no clue he was planning or even thinking about it. Not until damn Ramirez said he was and sung me happy birthday.

He frowned since technically Ramirez had ruined the surprise part of the party. Earlier when he had come out of his office his squad had cleared out. That was such a rare thing since many usually lingered chatting about something or the other. Or in Ramirez’s case teasing someone about his best feature. It had been silent and with that he knew Ramirez was correct that there was a surprise party. No wonder the squad had been so glad the case was wrapped up.

The door opened and Rhodes studied him and leaned his shoulder against the doorframe and pressed the doorbell. “That’s the doorbell. Or you could have just used your key.” He smirked.  “Or did you forget how to enter a house.”

“Smart ass.” Taggart blew out a breath. “I hate birthdays.” He eyed him. “Especially when some well meaning partner decided to throw a surprise party for another.”

Rhodes face blanked. Taggart silently swore knowing that look. He’d pissed Rhodes  off.

“Rho—“

He straightened and went inside without a word. Taggart stared at the empty doorway then went inside. He braced himself for the yells of surprise. He closed the door and went deeper into the house. As he did he couldn’t hear anything. Not even the dogs who usually clamored to come to him when he came home. He went to their favorite room and stepped in. Still nothing. Taggart frowned at the sight of the pillows piled on the floor. That usually meant they were relaxing and watching movies. He went around since he couldn’t see over them. He stopped and stared at Rhodes who reclined against them and surprisingly the dogs were beside him and docile. They looked ready to launch at him but stayed.

“R—“

“Surprise. Happy Birthday.” Ramirez’s voice boomed from his right.

Taggart turned then blinked at he saw the huge TV various boxes that pictured all their friends and family.

“Yeah, yeah I know I pulled your leg at work about a surprise birthday party but we’re all celebrating your birthday in our own places.” Ramirez winked. “As per Rhodes request. He did let us wish you happy birthday at least this way.”

“Now go enjoy your movies I picked only especially for you.” Dante smiled. “After all I couldn’t let you have a birthday without some good movies. Happy Birthday, Taggart.”

“Happy Birthday Taggart!” The voices echoed then the screen went blank.

He turned to Rhodes. He now realized the way he acted at the door as if mad was all part of the surprise.

Rhodes rolled his eyes.  “Yeah I know you will worship me with your body for not throwing you a surprise birthday party.”

“I’d have worshipped you anyway. Well maybe have you worship me for gritting my teeth and being gracious at the party.”

Rhodes gave him a look of disbelief.

Taggart laughed. “Yeah I didn’t believe it when I said it either. I might not have growled so much at folks.”

“Well I knew that wasn’t what you wanted.” Rhodes shrugged.

Taggart stared at the man who knew him so well. He loosened his tie and then went to his knees next to him on the pillows. He cupped his face and kissed him gently an briefly.

“Thank you.”

“Anytime.” Rhodes eyes twinkled.

“What movie is first?” He smiled. “I know we’re not going to follow what Dante has set.”

“Usually we wouldn’t but that sneaky bastard snuck into the house and stole all our DVD, VHS and wiped all our digital movie files. Even from the cloud. He said we’d get it back after your birthday. ” Rhodes scowled. “And I know who he had do the digital stuff so didn’t even waste my time trying to get it back.”

“If you want I can arrest him for breaking and entering.” Taggart held in his laughter.

He knew Rhodes was pissed that they had gotten in. Rhodes would be upgrading the system again and that meant more drills of security for the guys he managed. Taggart made a mental note to make sure they knew it was Dante’s fault. He knew that would make them do little things to get back at Dante. He went to smile.

“If you laugh I will deck you.” Rhodes said it mildly but Taggart knew he meant it.

He sat on the cushions then looked at the dogs. “What did you do to them? They’re not usually so still.”

“Bribery. Got them some new throw pillows to shred.” Rhodes said then to dogs. “Go get it.”

They took off.

“What are we watching?” He toed off his shoes.

Rhodes pulled him close and nuzzled his nose into his neck. “Something we haven’t seen before but we can use it as a backdrop to the real show.”

“That’s what you are calling it now.” Taggart snorted then turned his head and kissed him.

Rhodes pulled him closer and molded their bodies together. Taggart smiled. Yes this man knew him so well and had planned the perfect birthday surprise.

 

 

Copyright © Talia Carmichael, 2017.

All Rights Reserved.

 

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Amazon | Dreamspinner

To see how Taggart and Rhodes got together check out Magnetism…

Here is the blurb:

Magnetism

By Talia Carmichael

Series: Something in Common  – Book 7

 

 

Blurb:

Taggart Monroe wants to know what makes Rhodes Winslow tick. Rhodes finds the friendly barbs he and Taggart exchange intriguing, fun, and sexy. He wants Taggart and knows Taggart wants him even though he won’t admit it. Taggart studies people the way he studies the details of his cases, so he’s drawn to a man who is an enigma. Getting to know Rhodes is an adventure Taggart can’t resist, just like the magnetism between them.

 

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Contest:  From the comments below, 1 winner will be selected at random from all the comments and the prize for winner will be an $10 Amazon egift card! (This is open to all. Note you will need to be able to get an egift card from Amazon)

The contest will go until 11:59 pm Eastern time on November 27, 2017, so you have time to enter. Please enter an email address when you post your comment below. Once I announce the winner your email is how I confirm I am sending the prize to the person who commented below for the contest.

I will post winner and instructions to claim the prize on November 28, 2017 on my blog here http://taliacarmichael.com/blog.

Good Luck!

 

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Bio: Talia Carmichael is a romantic who believes that family, no matter if it is by blood or those you choose as family, is integral to who you are. She is an author who writes sexy stories in a variety of genres. She believes in creating stories that encompass all that falling in love or lust entails, from the highs of that first blush of attraction to the lows of not knowing if you can make your coming together as a couple work, and then finally to the acceptance of the reality of making a life together. It’s all about the journey.

Among her books you’ll find contemporary, futuristic, fantasy, and paranormal settings with M/M themes that will have a happily-ever-after. Her books are passionate, intense, and real… to fill the craving. Check out more about Talia at http://taliacarmichael.com  or  http://taliacarmichael.com/blog. Contact her at http://taliacarmichael.com/blog/contact

or check her out on facebook – https://www.facebook.com/TaliaCarmichaelAuthor. facebook group –  https://www.facebook.com/groups/TaliaCarmichaelBookNook

– Twitter:  @taliacarmichael

 

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