Rock Hard (Rock Kiss #2)(101)

WHEN THE PHONE RANG in the middle of the night a month later, Charlotte groggily searched for it. The past four weeks had been good and not so good—she still woke some nights in a cold sweat, but those times were getting less and less with each week that passed. Tonight, she’d been in a full, deep sleep, in spite of the fact Gabriel had his hand around her nape as she lay sprawled on his chest.

“I’ve got it.”

Letting Gabriel pick up, she closed her eyes and snuggled back against his neck.

“When?” he said after answering. “It’s confirmed? Can’t say we’ll mourn the f*cker.”

“Who was that?” she mumbled once he’d hung up.

“Lee. Turns out Richard couldn’t handle being locked up again. He’s dead.”

The bastard had hanged himself the night after his transfer from the hospital to the jail, a judge having ordered he be held on remand until his trial. The scum had left a note to be passed on to Charlotte, a note she would never see. Detective Lee had made that call, told Gabriel about it, and he fully agreed.

He didn’t think Charlotte would believe a word of it, of how Richard was killing himself because she’d rejected his love, but he didn’t want that creep’s words in her head. “It’s over.”

“Good.” A jaw-cracking yawn. “Now go back to sleep.”

He was dumbfounded for a second at her response until he realized that for Charlotte, it had been over the day she’d decided not to be scared of Richard. Whether he lived or died had made little difference to her stability, but Gabriel was sure as hell glad the bastard wouldn’t be around to threaten her ever again.

Curling his body around hers, he closed his eyes.





39


PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENT: CHARLOTTE BAIRD’S TERMS



You (Gabriel) are to always wear your wedding ring so no women ever hit on you.



If any woman hits on you regardless, you are to tell your wife so she can kick that woman’s ass.



You have to walk around shirtless at home so your wife can ogle you to her heart’s content.



Under no circumstances are you to ever send your wife red roses. Do it and she will throw far worse than a muffin at your head.



You will not work after seven at night unless it is an emergency situation requiring immediate remediation. Late-night international calls can be negotiated on a per-call basis.





Gabriel Bishop’s Counteroffer

Done and done. You’re mine now, Ms. Baird. And I’m yours. Always.





I hope you enjoyed Charlotte and Gabriel’s story! You met Charlotte’s best friend Molly in this book. Molly’s story, which takes place partly at the same time as Charlotte’s, is told in ROCK ADDICTION. And if you like the sound of a shy drummer and some sexy memos, then check out ROCK COURTSHIP.





I’m currently at work on the next book in the Rock Kiss series. For exclusive sneak peeks and bonus content, including free short stories, and deleted scenes from my books, swing by my website (www.nalinisingh.com) and join my newsletter. Also on the website is a special section dedicated to the Rock Kiss series, complete with photos of many of the locations used in this book.





Any questions or comments? You can contact me at any time through the e-mail address on my website. You can also find me on Twitter & Facebook.? – xo Nalini





About the Author




NEW YORK TIMES AND USA Today bestselling author of the Psy-Changeling and Guild Hunter series Nalini Singh usually writes about hot shapeshifters and dangerous angels. This time around, she decided to write about a gorgeous rugby player turned brilliant CEO. If you’re seeing a theme here, you’re not wrong.

Nalini lives and works in beautiful New Zealand, and is passionate about writing. If you’d like to explore the Rock Kiss series further, or if you’d like to try out her other books, you can find lots of excerpts on her website: www.nalinisingh.com. Slave to Sensation is the first book in the Psy-Changeling series, while Angels’ Blood is the first book in the Guild Hunter series. The website also features special behind-the-scenes material from all her series.