Hot Jocks Blog Hop & Giveaway

When I signed up for this blog hop, I expected to be well into writing the continuation of Baby Dom Luke Denton's story (Nobody's Dream, #5) in the Rescue Me series, but, as you know, I'm still working on Nobody's Perfect (book #4). 


So, I don't have any new scenes about my one and only jock in the series. As fans of the series know, Luke played for the University of Texas Longhorns in college, but he went there primarily for the opportunity for higher education. While he wanted to study industrial arts, he had to change his thinking when he found out they didn't offer that major, so he became an art studio major instead. Now he makes awesome BDSM equipment for the Masters at Arms Club in Denver, as well as does carpentry. 


However, because everyone's awaiting Nobody's Perfect (due out in August), I thought I'd share a brief new scene from that book that involves Luke. This is a Christmas Day scene and we're in Damian's point of view. He thinks he can keep Savi and Marisol in the kitchen and private living quarters of the house on this day, so there shouldn't be a problem. 


Then he notices something that surprises him. 

(Unedited excerpt from Nobody's Perfect, copyright 2012)


Damián pulled in next to Luke's new gray Dodge pick-up truck in the driveway. Judging by the amount of mud on the fenders, he'd been off-road somewhere this morning because it hadn't looked like that last night when Luke had delivered the dollhouse. Marc's friend and SAR partner was becoming a regular at the club. Of course, they'd all worked together a few years ago trying to get the club ready. The man was a helluva carpenter, but his work creating the beautiful equipment in the club was his real gift. Lately, Damián  had been training the "baby Dom," as Marc liked to call him, to wield a bullwhip. The man had finesse with butterfly kisses and Damián doubted he'd want to go any harder on a sub or bottom—not for a while, at least. Lately, the newest Dom at the club seemed more interested in learning rope bondage from Dad.

Damián wondered how Adam and Karla were getting along on their honeymoon. It was hard to believe the wedding had only been a couple weeks ago, given all that had happened since then.

Savi and Marisol had happened. His life would never be the same again. He opened the back door of the Nissan and helped unbuckle Marisol while Savi eased out of the passenger side. She still moved stiffly, favoring her healing rib, but Marc assured him it was just going to take time. There was nothing much they could do. He hated feeling so fucking helpless.

He motioned for them to precede him onto the porch. He didn't expect anyone but Grant and Luke to show up today. He'd told them Savi had no idea the building was a kink club, but they were only going to be in the private residence today, so no sense mentioning it. This was still Dad's house, until he and Karla found a new place.

Normally Damián would be in California for Christmas, but he couldn't leave Savi and Marisol—and sure as hell wasn't going to take them back there. Good thing he'd been able to give his sister Rosa the presents he'd bought and made. They'd left a few days after Savi showed up. He would give them a call later today to see how their day went. He felt torn between two families now. But Rosa and Teresa were healing and Savi and Marisol needed him more now.

He braced himself before opening the screen door. Savi would probably roast his nuts if she knew what went on in parts of the house. But it was also Dad's home, at least until he and Karla found a more appropriate place to raise a kid.

Savi took the screen door as Damián pushed the inner door into the kitchen and was hit in the face with a number of smells.

Italian seasonings. Ham. Cinnamon.

Leather.

Whoa! Mierda. He didn't realize people could smell the club's leather all the way out here in the kitchen. Not to mention a little sweat. He'd never noticed it before, but was probably just used to it. He looked down at Savi and saw her cute little nose scrunching up as she appeared to sniff out the unexpected scent as well.

The confusion on her face was evident. "Adam and Karla's is someone's home?"

Either she hadn't noticed the leather, or was too polite to point it out. "Yeah. This is my adopted dad's place—Adam Montague. Do you remember meeting him and his new wife, Karla, at Rosa's house?"

"Yeah."

"They were married the day you…arrived. They're on their honeymoon right now. Angelina offered to prepare dinner for me and some of…Dad's friends so we wouldn't have to fend for ourselves this Christmas."

Damián looked down at Marisol and back at Savi. "Now you're included. I know he'll love seeing you again, Savi, when he gets back next week."

"Maman, why does it smell like horses here?"

"Shhh, Mari," she whispered, bending down to Marisol. "That's not polite." Still, Damián hadn't missed the question in Savi's eyes.

Okay. How to explain this?

"Hope I didn't smell the place up too badly." Luke came down the hall drying his hair with a towel. He wore a western-cut plaid shirt, jeans, and cowboy boots. "Been on a horse all morning and didn't have a chance to change at the SAR barn, so I just came over here and took advantage of the facilities."

Horse leather. Damián grinned, relaxing his guard a bit.

Marisol leaned a little closer to Damián's leg, reminding him that introductions were in order. "Savi and Marisol Baker, I'd like you to meet Luke Denton. He's a…friend of mine. He does search-and-rescue with Marc."

Luke shook Savi's hand, smiling, then hunkered down to Marisol's level and extended his hand to her, as well. "Hello, darlin'. You're cute as a button."

Marisol still wasn't sure about this strange man—good girl. Damián put a protective hand on his little doll's shoulder to reassure her that she was safe. She released her grip on his leg, not as scared, and drew herself up a little taller.

"Buttons aren't cute."

"Hmmm. Well, maybe that's true." He grinned. "But you sure are. Pleased to meet you, Marisol." 

Luke waited for her to become comfortable enough to make the next move. Damián's thumb stroked her shoulder and she stretched her tiny hand out to be swallowed up in Luke's much bigger one.

Now, it's giveaway time! Please comment below and tell me what is your favorite trait of a jock in a romance novel. Winner will receive a free e-book (current or future) in the Rescue Me series--and a set of swag (Master Adam hand fan, "Ahh, Kallypso...the stories you tell" purple ink pen, a bookmark, and a set of three Rescue Me Romance Trading Cards). Drawing will be on/after July 18. As with all my contests, this is open internationally. 

And don't miss the 68 other entries in this Hot Jocks in July Giveaway Blog Hop, sponsored by Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews and Under the Covers blogs!