Love Hard
Author: Nalini Singh
Publisher: TKA Distribution
Release Date: March 10, 2020
Series: Hard Play Series #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Snippet:
“Why are you bothering me? I want to get into my pajamas and eat a tub of ice cream.”
“Go check if there’s any in the freezer.”
“Do I look like your slave?” she muttered nonsensically because sparring with Jake was instinct, but she went to check since she really wanted that ice cream. At first she thought she’d struck pay dirt, but when she opened the two-liter tub, she almost cried. “Someone left like a bite of strawberry in here.”
“Danny,” Jake said darkly. “What flavor’s your favorite?”
“Rocky road,” she groused while deciding she might as well eat the measly bite that was left since that was all she was going to get. “Why was Esme grumpy?”
“Poor mistreated thing was cruelly separated from her best buddy.” Dry as dust, Jake’s tone had her grinning. “I pointed out that she’d see Emmaline at school tomorrow and was told that I didn’t understand because I had no best friend.”
“Ouch.” She licked the spoon.
“I tell you, Jules, kids are brutal.” His amused tone didn’t match his words. “Go get into your pj’s. Night concierge will ring up in a bit.” A sound in the background. “Gotta go. Esme just got out of bed for the fifth time to stomp to the bathroom. Time for me to be mean dad again.”
He was gone before she could ask him why the concierge was going to be calling her. Hanging up feeling a whole lot better than she had before his call, she left the empty ice cream container and spoon in the sink for now. She’d wash up and find the internal recycle bin for the container after she’d changed and wiped off her makeup.
It was as she’d just finished braiding her hair into a loose tail, her body clad in a simple gray tank and pink boxer shorts, that the intercom buzzed. Not sure she should answer, she remembered what Jake had said and chanced a wary “Hello?”
“Hello, ma’am,” said a crisp male voice. “We’ve just accepted a food delivery for your apartment. We’ll bring it up now unless you have other instructions?”
Her toes curled into the carpet, a warmth deep inside her gut. “Please leave it outside the door after a knock. I’ll grab it myself when I finish something I’m doing.” She wasn’t about to show off her braless tits to some random man—because said tits were large and the tank didn’t exactly cover them enough for public view.
She was all but bouncing on her toes by the time the knock came. But she forced herself to wait another full minute before she cracked open the door and pulled the insulated carrier inside. Putting it on the counter, she zipped it open to find two tubs of rocky road ice cream.
Yes, Jacob Esera definitely knew what he was doing.
Copyright © 2020 by Nalini Singh
About the Book:
New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh brings you the next sizzling story in her Hard Play contemporary romance series…
Jacob Esera, star rugby player and young single father, has worked hard to create a joyous life for his six-year-old daughter. After the death of his childhood sweetheart soon after their daughter’s birth, all Jake wants is safety and stability. No risks. No wild chances. And especially no Juliet Nelisi, former classmate, scandal magnet, and a woman who is a thorn in his side.
As a lonely teenager, Juliet embraced her bad-girl reputation as a shield against loneliness and rejection. Years later, having kicked a cheating sports-star ex to the curb, she has a prestigious job and loyal friends—and wants nothing to do with sportsmen. The last thing she expects is the fire that ignites between her and the stuffed-shirt golden boy who once loved her best friend.
Straitlaced Jacob Esera versus wild-at-heart Juliet Nelisi? Place your bets.
Purchase links:
*Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/love-hard/id1494757210
*Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Love-Hard-Play-Book-ebook/dp/B083STVJTZ
*KindleAu: https://www.amazon.com.au/Love-Hard-Play-Book-ebook/dp/B083STVJTZ
*KindleCa: https://www.amazon.ca/Love-Hard-Play-Book-ebook/dp/B083STVJTZ
*KindleNZ: https://www.amazon.com/Love-Hard-Play-Book-ebook/dp/B083STVJTZ
*KindleUK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-Hard-Play-Book-ebook/dp/B083STVJTZ
*Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-hard-6
*NOOK: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-hard-nalini-singh/1135235417?ean=2940162710301
About the Author:
Nalini Singh is the New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and international bestselling author of the Psy-Changeling, Guild Hunter, and Rock Kiss series.
Born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand, she was first published in 2003. Her books have sold over seven million copies worldwide and have been translated into more than twenty languages, including German, French, Japanese, and Turkish.
Her most recent releases are: Wolf Rain, Archangel’s War, and A Madness of Sunshine. Her upcoming releases are Love Hard (March 2020) and Alpha Night (June 2020).
Her website is: http://www.nalinisingh.com
You can also find her on Twitter (@nalinisingh), Facebook (facebook.com/authornalinisingh), and Instagram (@authornalinisingh).