Title: Sting
Author: Jennifer Ryder
Genre: Steamy Erotic Romance
Release Date: Early 2014.
Series: Spark #4
About the Book
RYAN
After two years undercover, Detective Ryan Clark is tasked to the job he’s been waiting for. Ryan, together with undercover operative, Mick Gallagher, could very well be the men responsible for bringing together the biggest drug bust in Australia’s history.
The seemingly sleepy coastal town of Fremantle, has become a hotspot for a newly formed drug syndicate, which threatens to flood the market with high-grade coke through the ports.
Settling into his new locale, scouting out the local haunts, Ryan finds himself coming back to the same coffee shop. The attraction to Blondie, the local barista, has him puzzled. He knows it’s not just one-sided.
She’s trying to keep her distance.
It only makes him want her more.
WILLOW
Willow Asher left it all behind. Not by choice.
After two long years, she’s finally getting somewhere. Willow has a busy café a stone’s throw from the beach. It’s her pride and joy, and her buxom business partner, Gabby, is the closest thing to family to speak of.
Although Willow’s past still plagues her thoughts, she’s determined to one day have her happily ever after. Just not yet.
What she doesn’t need is the complications of Mr Sexy-Brown-Eyes, who seems to be drinking more and more coffee.
She doesn’t want the questions.
She’s still trying to get her story straight.
Excerpt
The curvy redhead behind the counter warmly greets everyone like their old friends, winking and smiling, her iridescent hot pink lipstick unmissable. Her silver nametag bears the name ‘Gabby’.
“Well, it’s a good morning now,” the redhead says, her hazel eyes sizing me up when I move to the front of the line. She smirks, and readies her hand on the register. “What’ll it be, honey?”
“Large flat white, thanks.”
“That’s four dollars, please.”
I pay, and she hands me my change, her hot pink fingernails grazing my outstretched palm. The redhead slides a piece of paper across the counter and a small hand from behind the machine takes it. Apart from the noise you wouldn’t even know someone was there with the cups piled high on top.
A flash of messy blonde hair dashes out from behind the machine. “Is that take,” she says, and her jaw goes slack as her pretty eyes scan from my chest up to my face.
“Huh?” I say, leaning in closer to the counter, taking in an eyeful of her petite body, golden tanned skin against the stark whiteness of her tank top. I don’t miss the growing blush that’s spreading across her freckled cheeks either.
She shakes her head and briefly closes her eyes as she huffs out a breath. “Sorry, take-away?”
“Nah, think I might stay?” I say and nod. Yep. Definitely staying.
“Um, sure. Take a seat,” she says and turns to her colleague. “Gabs, can you give him a number?”
“Oh, honey. I’ll give this one a number alright.”
I chuckle, and take the number on a metal stand that she hands me. Blondie gives me a tickle of a smile and then returns behind the machine.
I lazily wander to the only vacant chair in the corner, and wait impatiently for blondie to deliver my coffee.
I’ve got a fuckin’ good feeling I’m gonna enjoy this assignment.
©Jennifer Ryder 2014
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About the Author
New Adult and erotic romance writer. My debut novel ‘Spark’, part of a five part romantic suspense series was released on 28 February 2014.
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.
Jennifer placed third in the International Stringybark Erotic Short Fiction Award 2013.
Connect with Jennifer
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