Manaconda 2: The Second Coming: A Rock Star Romantic Comedy Series

by Taryn Elliott

  She introduced each dog as I herded them up the stairs, checking that their cards were in the right order.

  “You ready, Cujo?”

  The Morkie leaped off the stairs into my arms. “I’m trusting you with this.” I dug out the box in my pocket. “This is very expensive. You cannot eat it.”

  Cujo snapped at my fingers.

  I threaded the red ribbon through the sparkling diamond and tied a double bow at the back of his neck. “Now I expect you to do all of the tricks. And I mean all of them.” Cujo tilted his head, then yipped. His tongue lolled out the side of his mouth where two teeth had to be pulled.

  The exact reason why I’d signed the adoption papers that morning. We’d fallen in love with him this morning.

  My stomach jittered and my heart was beating so loud I couldn’t hear Kenny talking anymore.

  I tucked Cujo into the crook of my arm as I climbed the steps. When I got to the top, I winked at Kenny at the podium.

  “And here he is at last.”

  The crowd cheered. People were settled on blankets, strollers were being rocked, and children were playing with dogs near the lake. A sea of people.

  Christ, I hope she said yes.

  “And say hello to my new boyfriend,” I waved, “Cujo.”

  “Hey!” I said and the crowd laughed.

  Could you actually sweat through a shirt in two minutes? I was pretty sure you could. I cleared my throat. “So, what do you think of our superstars today?” I stopped at Snickers and patted his head.

  The crowd clapped.

  I tore away the paper hanging from his neck. The oversized brass tag had a “W” on it.

  Kenny frowned, but went with it. “Isn’t he adorable? Snickers was the top of his class this last month.”

  I moved down to the next dog and tore off his paper. The “I” jangled with the rest of the German Shepherd’s collar and tags.

  Kenny grinned. “Isn’t Isaiah gorgeous? He came to Love & Paws after his owner died suddenly.” The crowd made sympathetic noises. “He’s perfect for a home with kids. Lots of energy and just a giant marshmallow.”

  Most of the dogs were tagged with the right letter as I went down the line. It was difficult to find enough dogs that would behave next to others for me to spell out what I needed to.

  Cujo pranced and preened along behind me. Totally playing up to the crowd with all his little tricks.

  When I got to the last dog Kenny stopped talking. The question mark tag on the Alaskan Malamute made her come out from the podium.

  A murmur went through the crowd, followed by laughter and clapping.

  I didn’t look away from her, even when her hand went up to her mouth and she looked down and away.

  “Kenny?”

  She turned to me, her eyelashes starred.

  Cujo shot through my legs. He ran in circles around Kenny until she bent to pick him up.

  Two long strides and I was there in front of her. “What do you say?”

  She gripped my shirt. “I can’t believe you.”

  “Will you marry me?”

  “Yes.” She laughed when Cujo popped up between us and licked her face with a small whine. “Not bad tears.” She nuzzled the wiggling dog. “Good tears.”

  “Only good tears. I told you.” I held up the newest member of our family.

  “Oh, Hunter.” She lifted the ring hanging from the ribbon on Cujo’s chest.

  “Like it?”

  Her eyes were huge and brimming again. “Love it.”

  I untied the ribbon, the platinum and diamond winking in the sun. I dropped down to one knee in front of her. The crowd cheered as she nodded again.

  Then all the dogs ambushed me. I held up my arm as I went down. “Take it!” I yelled.

  She laughed and plucked the ring out of my hand.

  The crowd laughed. Isaiah came barreling through the pile and pinned me to the stage, licking my face. The rest of the dogs piled on.

  “You’re not going to help me?”

  “Nope.” She slid the ring on her finger and held it up to look at. “I’m busy.”

  I pushed away the doggie faces. “This is not the kiss I thought I was getting.” I broke through and dragged her down on top of me.

  “You’re covered in dog drool.” She leaned away.

  “Too bad.”

  She laughed, using her sleeve to wipe my face.

  “I’m good now?”

  “You’re good.” She wound her arms around my neck. “I love you, you idiot.”

  “Your forever idiot.”

  “My forever idiot.”

  Turn the page for information on our next book in the HAMMERED series. Faith “Keys” Keystone in MANHANDLED. Preorder NOW - Available April 8th!

  Manhandled

  My name is Faith Keystone, but my friends call me Keys.

  I’m the piano player for Hammered.

  Did I mention I'm the only female in my band?

  That means I technically have five older brothers.

  Can't forget my manager and security team, too.

  Alone time is nonexistent.

  I escaped an overbearing family to join this happy circus, and most of the time it's awesome.

  Except now, because of one teensy little incident at a show.

  Now I have this hulking bodyguard shadowing me like a freaking puppy.

  Only this puppy is more like a Doberman with an attitude problem.

  And he only knows one word—NO.

  I hate that word.

  And I hate Quinn Alexander.

  The one thing I do like is giving him the slip. Is it wrong that I kinda like when he growls at me after he finds me?

  Because he always finds me.

  Worst of all? I want him so bad that I keep forgetting I hate him.

  Coming APRIL 8th

  PREORDER NOW!

  Acknowledgments

  We are always rushing headlong across the finish line that we forget to thank some very important people that make our lives infinitely easier.

  Tori, our Wenchetary. She runs herd on all of our crazy Word Wenches in our Facebook group. Oh, and on us too. There’s nothing she can’t do with a Google doc or spreadsheet. Thanks, girl!! We don’t know what we’d do without you.

  Kim, our Miss Teaser and Pimper Extraordinaire. You are always out there stomping for us. We couldn’t ask for a better fan, and we’re so pleased to call you friend now, too.

  The Review Crew, who are the first to get the word out there about us in those e-tailers. We love that you want to read our books first, and even better? That you want to shout it out there to the world.

  And finally…our readers. You keep coming back to see what we’re up to. And we’re so glad you decided to give our new band of crazies a chance. There’s so much more to come.

  XO,

  Taryn & Cari

  Also by Cari & Taryn

  Hammered

  a Rock Star Romantic Comedy Series

  Manaconda #1

  Manhandled #2 (coming Apr 8th)

  If you’d like more information about the series & extras, please visit www.rockerreads.com.

  Lost in Oblivion Series

  USA Today Bestselling Rockstar Series

  ROCKED

  Love definitely wasn't on the setlist. On his first major tour, bassist Deacon McCoy falls hard for tour chef, Harper Pruitt. A magical tattoo scene, falling in love in a cop car, and summer storms will never be the same again. (more)

  ROCK, RATTLE & ROLL

  Deacon convinces Harper that they need a week alone together before her business as well as a new album and tour swallows them whole. (more)

  TWISTED

  He’s always saved her. Now she’s going to return the favor... Loving your best friend should be easy, except Gray Duffy waited too long to tell her. Now a pile of mistakes & demons are standing in his way. Jazz Edwards, the sweetest of all the members in Oblivion, has to show him he's worth the effort. (more)

&nbs
p; UNTWISTED

  Gray and Jazz are now the reigning prince and princess of rock. But as their private wedding ceremony approaches, they realize they can’t go forward without facing their roots. (more)

  DESTROYED

  Only one woman has ever refused him, and she’s the only one he wants. Super Slut has been his moniker for too many years to count, but Simon Kagan is learning that monogamy has its perks. Too bad Margo Reece is hellbent on letting her wild side free. He has to show her he’s all the wild she’ll ever need. (more)

  CONSUMED

  Simon and Margo came together in the midst of the single most terrifying thing a singer can experience. Can her love heal the spirit that’s been damaged in his fight to return to the stage? (more)

  SHATTERED

  He’s shattered, and she’s the only woman who can help him pick up the pieces. Nick Crandall’s default setting is deflect and stun. But the night his singular dream starts to slip away, he reaches for the unattainable. Lila Shawcross has denied herself everything for too many years to count. Until the rude, and yet ridiculously sexy guitarist blasts through her defenses. And the word no is left shattered on the bedroom floor, the dining room table, the front entryway…(more)

  FUSED

  It only took one night for everything he ever wanted to be shattered…now Nick has a decision to make. To fight for what is his, no matter what it takes—or who gets hurt along the way. Or to turn away from all that he loves and start all over again. (more)

  About the Authors

  USA Today bestselling author Cari Quinn likes music and men, so she figured why not write about both? When she’s not writing, she's screaming at men’s college basketball games on TV, playing her music too loud or causing trouble. Sometimes simultaneously.

  USA Today bestselling author Taryn Elliott is obsessed with rock stars, men, and her unending playlists—maximizing these things seemed like a very good idea. When she’s not writing, she’s losing hours to hot men on TV, and/or a graphic design project. Multitasking is her middle name.

  They decided to combine forces and found that hey...this writing deal is even more awesome when you collaborate with your best friend.

  And so Lost in Oblivion was born.

  TarynCariBooks

  rockerreads.com

  taryncari@gmail.com