I want so badly to be that man.

Once she walks out that door today, I know we won’t be together until I’m him.

And I’ll just have to be okay with that.

 

EPILOGUE

SOPHIE

Six months later

I park out front of the Wayside Chapel and lean against the door of my car. I’d bet anything that the smile on my face is a stupid shade of ridiculous.

People filter from the building, but there’s no sign of the familiar face I’m here for.

He has to be here.

After the wedding, I moved out, but Rocco and I still caught up with each other, our friendship unable to keep us apart. He refused to let me come to any more meetings, insisting he had to do it himself.

For the last month he’s been on tour overseas with the team. The space has given me time to think. About me. About him. About us.

I’ve seriously missed his bossy arse.

Should I text him? I pull out my phone and scroll through my messages. Grumbling to myself, I lock it down and chuck it through the open car window and onto the front passenger seat. Spencer said he was back from the tour.

He will be here. Relax.

I keep my eyes trained on the door. Minutes later, Rocco walks out with a young guy with short dark brown hair. He’s not as tall at Rocco, but with his olive skin and dark facial features you could easily mistake them for being related. The fact that they’re both wearing black jeans and dark T-shirts only adds to the similarities.

They’re deep in conversation as they progress down the path, veering to the left of me. Rocco bumps his clenched fist against the guy’s upper arm, and then rubs his knuckles over his head. They both chuckle as they play wrestle. It’s so good to see him happy.

I let out an almighty wolf whistle to get his attention. Two pairs of eyes dart in my direction and they freeze.

“Get outta here, buddy. See you next week,” Rocco says to his friend.

My heart dances a quicker beat with each step closer he takes in those familiar boots with that unmistakable Rocco De Luca swagger.

“I thought I was fuckin’ dreaming for a second there,” he says, and stands toe to toe with my boots.

I lift my aviator sunnies to sit on my head. “Nope. You’re wide awake.” I still persist with the idiot grin. I can’t stifle it.

Rocco hauls me into his arms and squeezes me into his warm chest as he turns me around, lifting my feet off the ground. When he sets me down on my feet, my heart feels as if it’s sure to explode.

With the time apart I thought I’d feel different. The warm, soul-settling feeling in my chest and the want I have for this man overtake any reservations I might have had. It just confirms how right this is.

I still have hopes and dreams, but I want this man to be a part of them, and knowing he wants the same things as I do makes the decision easier. I could bring a child into this world alone, but I want that child to have everything—two parents that will love them unconditionally and support them no matter where their path may take them.

I take his jaw in my hands and scan over his face. The scar from the incident of which we joke about occasionally—just between us of course—has faded that little bit more. The whites of his eyes are bright, and his olive skin is soft and glowing. He’s been looking after himself, as promised.

I admire the new tattoo curling up the side of his neck, a beautiful cursive tribute to his brother.

“You look good,” I tell him, and trail my fingers down his chest. His pecs are firm, and he has some serious arm candy happening.

“So do you.” His dark eyes eat me up as they trail not so subtly over my body, clad in my favourite AC/DC black shirt and faded denim shorts.

I kiss him softly on the lips, which draws his arms tighter around me. His hips pin me to the side of my new car, right where the dent would have been on the old hatchback.

“I’m ready,” I say, my voice firm. There’s no question of what I’m saying with those two words. We both know what they mean.

He raises an eyebrow and smirks. “You are, huh?”

“Yep. The big question is, are you ready for me?”

A lazy smile curls at his lips and then he flashes me the stud. It’s like a remote control to my lady parts, zapping my puss to life.

“My dick’s ready,” he says with a roll of his hips, pressing his hard bulge against me.

Laughter bubbles from my mouth. “What about the rest of you, huh?”

“I’m a package deal, Suds. With the dick comes my heart and everything else.”

“You’re such a romantic,” I tease.

“I keep telling you. Chicks get hot for my lack of filter, and you fuckin’ love it.”

God, I’ve missed this monkey. I smack a loud kiss against his mouth and then rest my forehead against his.

“Yeah, I do.”

And a whole lot more.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

When I wrote Strike, I knew I had to come back and re-visit Rocco and Sophie. This book was intended to be light-hearted, but these guys had other plans for me. I’ve loved telling their story. I hope it’s everything you were expecting, and more.

So I guess you’re wondering what’s next for the Spark series? Let’s just say that Switch isn’t the last, and 2016 will be an exciting year. Make sure you subscribe to updates on my website, for all the latest news on the Spark Series and other projects.

Switch wouldn’t be in the form that it is without some incredible people behind the scenes.

First and foremost, my beautiful, hard-working, understanding rock for a husband, Ben. I love you from the bottom of my heart. I couldn’t do this without you. To my two growing cherubs, my #1 fans, I love you more than anything and you do me proud every day. Thank you for sharing me with so many people.

Lauren “McStellar” McKellar, you are truly a gift, a dear friend, and I am so lucky to have you as my editor. Having you as a beta for Switch has made all the difference. You always know where I can do better, and I thank you once again for pushing me so that Switch is the absolute best story it can be. Thank you, L. #EditorForLife.

I’d like to make a special mention to Kristine Barakat from Glass Paper Ink Bookblog for her exceptional beta reading of Switch. Not only do you read like a champion, but you have an eye for plot holes. You see where a story can be more well-rounded and your feedback is always provided in a timely and professional manner. Like I’ve said before, you’re stuck with me for life, because I will not publish anything without your keen eye. Thank you for being there from the very beginning of the Spark series, and for being such a pillar of strength and support, and a friend.

As always, SydVegas is my light that keeps me pushing on, working harder. Kristine, Lauren, Simone and Carmen, you all play such an important part in my writing journey, and you all keep me sane. #SydVegasFTW #LYFFF. I also want to give a shout out to ‘A is for f’cking Awesome’ for your support. You ladies rock!

Thank you to my wonderful beta readers – as well as Kristine, a big thanks to Kayla Kennedy, Kristy Davidson and David Gobbitt. Thank you all for taking the time to read Switch, and answering the many questions I had! Your comments and enthusiasm have made this such an enjoyable experience, and it was a comfort knowing I was on track.

My dear friend, Julie. Thank you for letting me pick your brains over lunch about prison, morgues, toe-tags and delivering news to families about the loss of their loved ones. I know stirring up some of these memories wasn’t easy, so thank you.

Thanks to Louisa from LM Creations for my beautiful cover. You brought life to my dirty mechanic. I can’t wait to get started on our next project.