Hot Rod Summer: Silver Springs, #7

By Violet Rae

Can the growly ex-veteran convince his feisty soulmate that she's beautiful inside and out? Or will a misunderstanding keep them apart?

Suzi
When a client offers me her beach house for the summer in exchange for my decorating skills, I jump at the chance. After all, giving the tired interior a lick of paint is a small price to pay for a month of sun, sea, and sand. But when a big, tattooed, mountain of a man tries to climb into bed with me one night, things take a decidedly unexpected turn.

A mix up with the rental company means that Frank Russo has also hired the beach house for the summer. Frank and I have history, and I didn't come here looking for a holiday romance, but the sinfully sexy biker gets my engine throbbing and my spark plugs exploding. The way his dark gaze lingers on me sends my heart into overdrive - which is why I should say no when Frank suggests we share the beach house for the summer. I mean, how hard can it be? Him on his side and me on mine. No problem. Easy peasy…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Violet Rae
• Release date: Jun 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9798224355785

Book preview

Chapter 1

Suzi

My best friend looks stunning. Her makeup is subtle, emphasizing her hazel eyes and high cheekbones, and her shoulder-length ebony hair is swept up to reveal the elegant sweep of her neck and shoulders. She’s chosen a simple white off-the-shoulder dress that flatters her gorgeous figure, and you’d never know she’s three months pregnant. But you would know she’s head-over-heels in love with the man she’s about to marry by the huge grin that splits her pretty face when she spots Dalton waiting for her at the front of the room with the registrar. That and the happy glow emanating from her. And who can blame her? She’s about to marry her soulmate.

Not only is Olivia my best friend, but she’s also my business partner in our decorating company. She and her soon-to-be husband, actor Dalton Rayner, met when he rented her late grandpa’s house in Silver Springs to escape a crazy stalker back in LA. Fast forward several months, and he and Olivia are about to make their whirlwind love affair official.

I follow behind Olivia as we make our way slowly down the aisle of the registry office in Laramie, close to Olivia’s hometown of Medicine Bow. They’ve kept their wedding low-key and a closely guarded secret, not wanting the press to turn up and overshadow their special day. The congregation is small and includes Olivia’s parents, her brother, Cameron, who’s on leave from the Marines, and their friends from Medicine Bow. Molly and Flynn Black with their two children, Travis and Sophie Walker with their little boy, and twins Nathan and Luke Callister with their wives and children. Medicine Bow’s sheriff, Bill Bridges, is also in attendance with his wife, Kate.

As we slowly make our way toward Dalton, my eyes fall on the mountain of a man standing next to him. Frank Russo. The most handsome man I’ve ever clapped eyes on.

Shame he’s such an asshole.

Still, there’s no denying he looks edible in the tailored gray suit that hugs his broad shoulders, barrel chest, and muscular thighs. He looks equally as mouthwatering in a suit as he does in his regular uniform of jeans, t-shirt, and leather jacket.

I note how his gaze slides over me appreciatively in my dusky-pink bridesmaid dress. Heat pools between my legs, increasing my ire toward the man. I don’t want to feel this crazy attraction for him. I don’t want to wear my heart out on someone who views people in such a shallow way.

I wasn’t good enough when I was ninety pounds overweight, buster, so you sure as hell don’t deserve me now.

The words burn on the tip of my tongue, but I swallow them. I won’t spoil Olivia and Dalton’s special day by causing drama, by venting a truth that’s been festering inside me.

The pain of his words that day still cut deep. Since then, I’ve done my best to avoid him, boycotting his restaurant, Russo’s Italian, in Silver Springs and making sure I don’t attend any social engagements if he’ll be there.

Today, however, as best man and bridesmaid, avoiding him isn’t an option.

I meet Frank’s appreciative gaze with an icy glare. He frowns, and confusion swirls in his ochre eyes at my frosty reception. Ironically, he has no idea why I’m so pissed at him or how deeply his throwaway comments affected me. In a fucked-up way, I have him to thank for my ninety-pound weight loss—not that I’ll be expressing my gratitude to him any time soon. There was a time when I thought we were friends and fantasized that we could be more—but like every other person in my life except Olivia, he proved himself to be shallow and unreliable.

It’s excruciating to remember how I made moony eyes at him when he first came to Silver Springs. I had a huge crush on him and thought he was the hottest man I’d ever seen. Ex-military, he often rides his motorcycle around town. He may be tall, tattooed, and insanely hot, but a tight ass, melting brown eyes, and deliciously bulging muscles can’t hide an ugly spirit. I know better than anyone that appearances can be deceptive. It’s what’s inside that matters, and anyone who demeans another for how they look is an asshole.

I angle my body away from Frank, focusing on Olivia and Dalton as they pledge themselves to each other. By the time their vows are complete, I’m a sniveling mess. I knew I should’ve stuffed a handkerchief down the front of my dress. I’m pretty sure I have raccoon eyes from my mascara, and there’s a snot bubble trying to escape from my left nostril.

The minister pronounces them husband and wife, and then they’re kissing like they’re each other’s air. I can’t help the touch of envy at their connection. It’s something I’ve always yearned for.

My eyes skitter to Frank unconsciously, only to find his gaze already on me. The room fades away, and heat infuses my body at the look in those russet depths. My core clenches and my nipples tingle. All at once, I’m swimming in waves of desire and he’s the undertow, pulling me under, making me want things. Dirty things. Forbidden things. With him.

But there’s also something else in his gaze. A question. He has no idea why I’ve been giving him the cold shoulder. And today is not the day for that answer.

The clapping congregation snaps the tension between us and I drag my gaze from his, plastering a smile on my face and adding my voice to the congratulations.

I go out of my way to avoid him during the reception at a local