Strike (33 page)

“Thanks, Rocco.”

He leans in and kisses me on the cheek. When he moves back, his eyes are all over Soph. And when I say his eyes are all over her, I mean he’s looking at her with a wide-eyed, I-wanna-lick-you-from-head-to-toe kind of look.

I hope to hell he doesn’t embarrass himself, or Soph.

“Rocco, this is Soph. She’s—”

“Stunning,” he blurts out, taking her hand in his. They shake, and then he raises her knuckles to his mouth and kisses her hand, softly.

Soph blinks rapidly, and then snatches her hand back. “Ah, hi. Way to lick my hand,” she says and huffs.

A deep chuckle rumbles up his throat, and he smooths his palm over his pecs. “I’m good at lickin’ a lot of things,” he says.

Oh God, I need to stop this shit now.

“So am—”

“Rocco,” I yell, halting Soph’s words, and hopefully stopping this meet and greet from getting any more awkward. Soph is open-mouthed, but then she shakes her head. “How’d the move to Sydney go?” I continue.

With a deep frown, he drags his eyes from her like it pains him, and gives me his attention.

“Yeah, good. Still findin’ my way around,” he says, and returns his heated gaze to Soph, and gives her a serious eye-fucking, “but I’m thinkin’ Soph would make an excellent tour guide. Maybe you could show me around, huh?” He smiles, showing off his beautiful white teeth, and then nods. “Yep. That’d be good.”

Oh boy.

The frown on Soph’s forehead slowly fades, and a smirk tickles at her mouth. She licks her lower lip, and leans towards him. “I’d love to show you around, Rocco,” she says sweetly, taking me by surprise with her change of tone. “I’m sure my
girl
friend would love to come too.” She raises a perfectly groomed brow, and places a hand on her hip.

Rocco clears his throat, and then slips his hands into his jeans pockets and puffs out his chest.

He smirks.
The devil.

Her cheeks now flushed a rosy pink, Soph narrows her eyes at him. Judging by how unimpressed she looks, she’s probably wondering where the nearest stab-worthy instrument is. It’s a shame for Rocco that we’re in the kitchen.
I was really starting to take a liking to him, too.
At least he doesn’t pull this bravado shit with me.

Intervention time.

Placing my champagne on the bench beside her, I take Soph’s hands in mine, and tug her arm to stop her from throwing invisible daggers with her eyes at Rocco. I force her to look at me.

“Soph, I need to ask you something important,” I say and then let out a deep breath. Spencer and I didn’t even get a chance to talk about this stuff, but this decision is always gonna be up to me.

“Yeah?” she says, placing one hand flat over her heart.

“Will you be my maid of honour?”

“Oh, babe!” she whines, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. “Nothing would make me happier to be there beside you, and plan your hen’s party,” she says excitedly.

I squeeze her tight and kiss her on the cheek. I will not cry
. I will not cry
. This is a happy time.

“Thank you. It means so much,” I choke out.

“Aw, well this is just beautiful,” Rocco says and chuckles.

Soph pulls out of our hug. She hands me my glass, and picks up her own half-filled flute, and we clink them together. “Cheers, babe,” she says and smiles, and you’d never know a moment ago that she looked ready to cut a bloke. “So when’s the big day?”

“I really have no idea. He’d just asked me and then …” I trail off, turn to Rocco and then back to her.

“And then what?” she asks, taking a sip from her champagne.

Oh, to hell with it. I’m not shy. I’m sure Rocco can handle it. Surely he knows by now that I’m a
sex-crazed maniac.

“I had his dick in my mouth when the intercom buzzed,” I whisper loudly.

Sophie chokes and turns her head, champagne spraying from her mouth.

“You had to ask, Soph!” I say and laugh. I lean in close and grab her shoulder. “I wanted to fuck his brains out, but he kept looking at his damn watch!”

Rocco lets out this deep chuckle, making me laugh even harder as Soph laughs too.

“The last thing I was expecting was you all to show up.”

“No wonder you looked rattled when the door opened,” Soph says. Yeah, I must’ve look a treat. All the tears, and being horny as hell, I would have been a picture of needing to be hospitalised.

“Must be
some
joke.” Spencer chuckles as he comes into the kitchen, snaking his arm around my waist.

“No joke, Spence,” I say. “Soph just asked me when the big day was, but I, ah, told her we didn’t get real far into that conversation.”

He raises an eyebrow. “Yeah, well I keep tellin’ you, beautiful, it’s rude to talk with your mouth full.”

I smirk at Spencer and shake my head. Heat prickles beneath my cheeks as I imagine my mouth full again. I just want to get naked and ravish him. It is totally inappropriate feeling this way right now.

“Very funny,” I say.

“You girls bein’ nice to Rocco?” Spencer asks.

“Soph’s gonna show me around,” Rocco says, jutting his chin in her direction.

Soph scowls.

Spencer chuckles and shakes his head. “You let me know how that goes, buddy.”

Spencer runs his hand over my arse, making me yelp as he squeezes tight. God, I’m so desperate for him.

“I should probably get going, April. Looks like you two need to celebrate in private,” Soph says, putting her empty glass on the bench.

“Yeah, I’ve got some unpacking to do myself, guys,” Rocco says stretching his arms above his head.

“No worries, mate,” Spencer says, and shakes his hand. “Maybe you could round everyone up on your way out.”

Rocco lets out a deep chuckle and nods. “I’ll see what I can do, man.”

I hug Soph and then Rocco.

“You want me to walk you out, Suds?” Rocco says nodding in Soph’s direction. Suds?
Why the hell did he call her that?

“I think I can negotiate stairs,” she says and rolls her eyes. “Talk soon, babe.”

They both stroll off towards the front door.

A warm body presses against my back and I turn and link my arms around his waist. I look up and grin so hard it hurts my cheeks.

“This is the best day of my life, pretty boy,” I say, standing on tippy-toes to kiss his lips.

“And we’re not even married yet,” he says, running his hand through my hair, resting it at the nape of my neck. “I can’t wait for that day.”

My heart beats out of control, and I moan as I press my body against his. “I love you,” I whisper.

“Love you too,” he says.

We both turn our attention to the noise of our guests in the next room, who are progressively getting louder.

“I don’t think they’re going home anytime soon,” I say with a resigned breath.

“Nope. Doesn’t look like it.”

I smooth my hands over his toned arse and grind my hips against him, feeling the semi hard-on in his pants. “Think anyone will notice if we go missing for a bit?”

Spencer lifts me up and squeezes me hard, as if he wants to crush me. He growls sexily in my ear, sighing loudly. “You asking me to fight for you, beautiful? ‘Cause you know I said I would never stop. It sounded to me, just then, like that’s what you asked me.”

“Hell yeah. Fight for me, Spencer.”

He puts me down and grips my hand tight. “Let’s go.”

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I’m in love with April MacIntyre.

There, I said it.

Okay, yeah, I’m happily married, but this kick-arse, ballsy girl was a dream to write from the moment she dominated my thoughts.

I know many of you had your opinions of Jones before reading this book (after his effort at Aidan and Eevie’s wedding), and I hope you have learned to love him as much as I do, even with all his flaws. I wanted to show that despite what front people put on, there is a lot going on in their lives that you don’t see, like obligation to family, desires to follow your heart, and yeah, stress over being sucky at relationships. Of course, I had to have a girl like April knock him on his arse to wake him up from his manwhore ways. I think she did a mighty fine job.

I was nervous about introducing new characters into the
Spark
series after receiving so many messages from readers about how much they adored Aidan and Eevie, but the unwavering support from my editor and betas was amazing. I think April and Spencer make an awesome couple.

The next book in the
Spark
series,
Sting
, will be Detective Ryan Clark’s book (I know a lot of you have been holding out for it). Whilst this book won’t be motocross focused, as he is on assignment undercover, there is still contact with the main characters from the series.

The last book in the
Spark
series, which will remain unnamed until closer to release in 2015, will bring all the characters together. In this book, you’ll delve into the complicated lives of Sophie and Rocco, and get to celebrate the marriage of April and Jones …
if they make it to the altar.

Okay, so here are the important parts of these acknowledgements.

A big, big thank you, as always, to my husband, Ben; a fantastic source of inspiration, my number one supporter, and my everything.
xxx

To my two cherubs, I adore you to pieces, and your patience with me (most of the time) is a credit to the beautiful people you are growing up to be. We will always support you in your dreams.

Thank you to Kelly Hall for her photography for the
Strike
cover and teasers, and to my beautiful cover model, Brenna Dodds. You both helped me succeed in my vision for the cover, and it’s everything I had hoped for.

Thank you to Rebecca Berto from Berto Designs for designing a beautiful cover, yet again! I appreciate that it was more of a painful process this time, but I am over the moon with the result.

Thanks to Max Henry from Max Effect for formatting and design. As always, you are a joy to work with, and you do beautiful things.

McStellar.

A huge, heartfelt thanks to my hard-working editor, Lauren McKellar. You are truly a gift, woman, and I’m so lucky to have you. Not only did you beta for me this time around, which made the editing process so much easier, but you again pushed me to get the best out of my characters. P.S. In case you didn’t know yet, you’re my editor for life. Love your face!

I’d like to make a special mention to my extraordinary beta readers: Julie Asher, Kristine Barakat, Karen Rohde Færgemann, Victoria De Bono and Justine Littleton. Your comments and enthusiasm have made the writing of
Strike
such an enjoyable experience, and it was a comfort knowing I was on track.

Thank you to the members of Ryder’s Spark Support Crew. I get a real kick out of sharing stuff with you guys, and every like, share and comment means the world to me. Thank you for your support in helping me share my work, oh, and of course, our shared love of MX boys.

To my family and friends, bloggers, fellow authors and dedicated fans who have helped me along the way. A special credit goes to Kristine from Glass Paper Ink Bookblog, Karen from The Danish Bookaholic, Angela from Books and Friendz, Tash from Book Lit Love, Becky from Bex ‘n’ Books, and Natalie from Love Between the Sheets, who always go above and beyond to pimp and support me. The spirit in the indie author community is also incredible, and I’m honoured to have the support and friendship of incredible authors Carmen Jenner, Simone Nicole, Nina Levine, Lila Rose, Jani Kay, Belle Aurora, Kirsty Dallas, Becca Lee, Aleya Michelle, Velvet Reed and Kasey Millstead. Thank you for everything you do. I wouldn’t be where I am without all you wonderful people, so thank you for helping a girl reach her dreams.

Lastly, to you, the reader: I am deeply honoured that you chose my story to read. I hope that if you enjoyed it, you’ll tell a friend. And I’d be forever grateful if you posted a review.

Jennifer x

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A sexy imagination, a life-long love of books, and a sucker for romance, Jennifer Ryder couldn’t stifle her creativity any longer. Writing steamy adult romance has become her new focus.

Living on a rural property in New South Wales, Australia, she enjoys the best of city and country. Her loving husband is ever willing to provide inspiration, and her two young cherubs, and sheep that don’t see fences as barriers, keep life more than interesting.

For news on my future releases, you can contact me in the following ways. I’d love to hear from you!

Twitter: @jenniferryder01

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Email:
[email protected]