Title: Kadence
Series: Rockstar Series #7
Author: Anne Mercier
Genre: Rockstar Romance
Release Date: November 22
Sometimes you find family where you least expect it...
When bass guitarist Jace Warner receives an urgent message from his high school sweetheart to come home, the rocker drops what he's doing to get there. Finding out that his first love, the girl that stole his heart, is dying isn't the biggest shock he receives. The bad boy rocker has a child, and now, he's about to be her only living parent.
After bonding with Kadence, his 6-year-old daughter, Jace knows there's only one thing he wants to be--a father. But that's not going to be as easy as it seems. Social worker, Summer Stephens doesn't deem Jace's lifestyle fit for parenting. She believes the stereotypes about rockers--that their lives are all about sex, drugs, and rock & roll.
Now it's up to Jace to convince Summer that Kadence is right where she belongs--at home with him at CFD. He's facing a fierce battle trying to prove there's room in his life for music and the daughter he wants to share it all with.
Will Summer realize that home is where you make it, and if she looks close enough, she just might see a family for herself?
Summer
Oh crap. I knew this was going to go badly when I was assigned this case. It's not like I had a choice. When the boss from hell tells you you're taking this case, you take it. Hell, you jump at it. Which is exactly what I did—Jace Warner or no Jace Warner.
Then the boss man threw in the real reason why. Cold filled my body. I hated getting any special treatment because of who I am. I tried to stop that from happening. I even went so far as to change my last name my mother's maiden name. Somehow everyone always finds out. Then I either get treated like royalty or shit—in this case I think it's a bit of both.
Kennedy Caldwell. Holy crap. He is fine. His jeans loose and well-worn hug his thighs and ass with perfect definition. And that tight white tee he has on. I feel the need to fan myself—and this is before I step out of the cool air conditioned mansion and into the hot California sun.
Kennedy looks at me with a smirk when Jace asks what I'm doing here and I can't hide the blush that creeps up my neck to my cheeks.
"She's from DCFS, man," Kennedy relays and just like that Jace's warm and inviting demeanor turns hard as steel.
"You're a social worker?" he asks with disbelief.
I nearly snort. What? Social workers can't have a weekend-long romp in a rockstar's bed?
"I am," I tell him with more confidence than I'm feeling.
"That sure didn't take long, did it?" he sneers, walking over to the beautiful girl playing in the pool.
"I was assigned the case this morning," I tell him awkwardly when he makes no move to step out of the pool. "This would go much easier if we could sit down somewhere and discuss—"
His eyes flash annoyance. "Nuh-uh. You came here unannounced. You came here and interrupted my time with my daughter, so, I'm sorry honey, you're gonna wait until I'm damn good and ready to give you the time of day."
"Daddy, you sweared," the water bug scolds. Just that fast bad boy rocker Jace Warner's whole demeanor melts. It's captivating. It's so sweet. It's sexy as hell.
He smiles at her. "I'm sorry, pumpkin. I forgot for a minute."
She nods, her long, wet ponytail slapping against her back as she does. "S'okay. Mommy forgets sometimes too."
All the air gets sucked from my lungs as I see grief, anger, and determination flit across Jace's features. The last is the Jace I know. The first two I'm positive I'll be getting more than a glimpse of soon.
"I need to go potty, daddy," Kadence announces, already paddling her way to the stairs of the large pool.
"I can take her," Kennedy says, startling me. I forgot he was standing there, and from the way he's looking at me, he saw more than he should have. His brows furrow as I straighten my spine and lift my chin, hardening myself to the social worker I promised myself I'd be.
"I'll go with Uncle Ken-Ken," Kadence mutters as Kennedy wraps her in a large towel, drying her body and removing the floaties.
Jace leans down and kisses Kadence on the top of her head. "Thanks, man."
Kennedy nods.
Watching them love and care so tenderly for this little girl, I swear my ovaries are about to explode. Then--holy crap—Jace steps out of the pool in nothing but a pair of board shorts. His body exactly as I remember. Long, lean, muscled... The man is ripped! That V that goes down... I remember licking chocolate sauce off his chest. I'm starting to sweat and it's not from the California sun.
Get it together, Summer. Professional. You are a professional. You can do this.
Jace takes a seat in one of the chairs tucked beneath a patio table. He waves a hand for me to sit. "May as well get this over with."
I take a seat in the chair that's shaded by the open umbrella over the table, setting my folder and briefcase on the table.
"Look, Mr. Warner—" I begin, only to have Jace cut me off.
Stares into my eyes. “I’ve been inside you, Summer—more than once. You had my cock down your throat. I ate your pussy for breakfast. Let’s just keep it to Jace, yeah?,” he mutters, more than a little annoyed.
My face flames and moisture pools between my thighs at the memory. Oh man, he was so good with that tongue, his fingers—and that gloriously endowed cock. I press my legs together and work hard not to squirm in my chair. Damn him.