Inside Affair

(Prime Time #1)

Ella Frank

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Xander

If I had to describe Sean Bailey, it would be: a surly, temperamental pain in my ass. Never in that equation would I ever include the word boyfriend—and not just because he’s straight.

The older brother of my life-long best friend, Sean is a detective for the Chicago PD, and is also known as Detective “Dick” for being...well, a surly, temperamental pain in everyone’s ass. He also happens to be the best they have, which is why I find myself on his doorstep the night my life is threatened by an anonymous stalker.

I only wanted the name of a bodyguard; I didn’t expect for Sean to volunteer for the job. Now, not only do I have a bodyguard, I also have a fake boyfriend.

Sean

It must be so hard to be Alexander Thorne, the number one prime-time news anchor in the country, with millions of dollars and a car that costs more than my house. I mean, I’m allowed to give him a hard time about it, but when some creep decides to cross the line and go after him, they’re gonna have to answer to me.

Going undercover has never been an issue in the past, so I don’t see why there’d be a problem now. Xander and I have known each other for years, so this should be a breeze. Except suddenly my stomach’s flipping when he looks my way, and my body comes alive whenever he brushes by me. I know I’m good at my job and playing a character and all, but this is getting out of hand.

I can’t be sure that either of us are playing anymore.

OMG! This is the most unlikely couple and I freaking loved them! We met Xander and Sean in Confessions Henri and Bailey as Xander is Bailey's best friend and ex-boyfriend,  and Sean is Bailey's brother. 

Alexander Thorne is a handsome, charming, gay, and out newscaster. He is polished, popular, successful, rich, and worth a lot to the network. He is a player but very discreet. He is now receiving social media threats so his boss insists he hires private security. 

Sean is Craig Bailey's older brother. He is a work-a-holic undercover detective. He is called Detective Dick by some and seen as grumpy and prickly. He has a history of being a loner, distant, using poor coping mechanisms, and is kind of burnt out. They have known each other for years but are not particularly close. But when Xander asks him for recommendations for security, Sean jumps in to use his vacation time to be Xander's bodyguard...and pose as his fake boyfriend.

They are complete opposites. Mr. Debonair and the Slob. Xander has always gone after men that are like him(except for Bailey and that was too comfortable). Sean is nothing like a man he would normally date. And Sean is straight and never thought of being with a man, but he is used to pretending in undercover work.

They annoy each other and push each other's buttons and get into antagonistic banter. They have to pretend that there is somehow they could actually be a couple, but it is easier than expected. The more time they spend together, the more they actually "see" the other. Sexual tension, confusion, surprising stirrings, simmering chemistry, unlikely attraction, and viewing each other in a new light begin to change their dynamic.

The author did what I was not sure was possible and that was to make me fall totally, stupidly in love with Detective Dick. Like Sean is amazing! His whole outlook is turned upside down, but he is so open, honest, and accepting about it.  Sean is actually sexy, funny, direct, protective, and caring. And now that he is really looking at Xander, he is all he can seem to see and it is a whole new world for him. And he will do anything to keep him safe and figure out who is after him.

Xander has recently just followed the one and done rule, but Sean is becoming his anchor in the storm and is finding that he wants and needs him around. They are so intense and passionate together and the fact they never saw it coming makes it even more interesting. I loved them discovering new things about themselves and each other. And then there is the whole suspense and danger aspect happening around them.

This is an opposites-attract, fake-boyfriend, friends-to-more, romantic suspense story. But as with any of Ella Frank's trilogies, it ends in a cliff and I just wanted to cry. I was not ready to stop. I want the rest right now! I am totally invested in these two and cannot freaking wait for more!