Bitter Edge : A Hero Club Novel Read online

  Into my hand falls a stunning princess cut diamond ring with more little diamonds in the channels than I can count. I stare at it forever then I look for Spencer. He’s slid off his side of the bench and gotten down on one knee before me. Judd is holding the mic below us.

  “Cierra. Look at me.” I thought my heart was pounding when I finished my program. That was nothing compared to this. “I wanted to do this in a place that means so much to both of us. Everything else seemed only half of what was right until this came along. When I came back from Australia, I had no idea what life would really be like. Then I found you and I wanted to fly right back to Melbourne.”

  I start to giggle a bit through my tears. “Then we found out we were more alike than different. I needed to push you to bring me back to life. Now look at what you’ve done. You’ve made your dream a reality. Now would you do me the honor of making my dream a reality by being my wife. Cierra Marie Avila, will you marry me?”

  The applause from the crowd grows again. It’s a more rhythmic clap. I hear shouts in several languages coming from the group that’s now crowding around us. Spencer takes the ring from my palm. “Cierra?”

  I cup his cheek with my hand. “You said to me last night that no matter what happened today, I’d already won. You were right. Yes. Forever yes.” I hold out my hand as it shakes while Spencer slides the ring on my finger. Chance screams out his words of approval as the whole arena cheers. Spencer proposed in front of millions of people around the world.

  He pulls me up into his arms and holds me tight to his body. My arms wrap around his neck and I bury my face against them. I did get the gold tonight.

  Spencer

  I know she’s up to something. She’s wearing a black silk robe over her exhibition costume. That’s not like her. I also know Brian has been told to keep me back from her. I’m sorry, Brian, it’s not going to happen. When you know you’re going to spend the rest of your life with the person who makes you happy in every way possible, you’re not going to stray very far.

  I’ve watched her stand silently at the boards taking in every pass of the Zamboni. She’s still drinking in every Olympic moment. I quietly wrap my hands over her shoulders and kiss her cheek.

  “You’re not supposed to be here, Broten.”

  “So I gathered. What are you up to?”

  “Can’t you let me surprise you?”

  “I suppose I’m owed one.”

  She holds up her ring in the lights. “You definitely are. I don’t have the words to tell you. You’ll have to hear it in another way.”

  Cierra pulls open the tie on her robe and slides it off to reveal the on-ice version of the dress she wore in Vegas. The skirt is a bit longer and flows. The back is covered in her flesh tone with the straps in sequin and the base riding very low. She turns slowly in my arms. The front, again, matched nearly exactly. Where it was low just for me, there is covered in a flesh tone but with a few glimmers across her chest.

  I reach out to touch her but as I do, the announcers from overhead stop me.

  “Now on the ice, our ladies silver medalist. From the United States of America, please give a warm welcome back to the ice, Cierra Avila.”

  “Make sure you stand where Brian tells you to.”

  She gives me a soft kiss under the brightest of spotlights and races toward center ice. The lights on her remind me of all the club lighting she had on the dance floor. She’s recreating that feeling tonight. For me.

  Brian moves me to a point on the boards that’s more out in the open. There’s a light on Cierra then there’s also another light on a pink rose lying on the ice in a direct line between us. The song cues up and she moves instantly to face me. I recognize it in an instant. The sultry voice of Ellie Goulding echoes from every corner with her words telling me how Cierra feels.

  I’ve become Cierra’s cure and her pain at times. She floats by me and slides her newly ringed hand up her arm and across her chest until it extends out the other side, signaling my touching her and how much that means.

  The words admit the fear we’ve had between us, but we no longer care. She vaults into a jump combination that looks as effortless as breathing and nearly as beautiful as the chorus says, “Love me like you do.”

  The B verse drops in as she blends from one edge to the next as Ellie talks about being on the edge of paradise. Her steps are so intricate. When I think she might tumble over, she quickly changes edges and winds herself into the most beautiful spin. Cierra’s back bends like it is, and has, lain in my hands. Her body contorts and twists in the most stunning images. Each is a frame I don’t think I’ll soon forget.

  The next version of the chorus takes her down the ice to the far end where she stops. Her body position…it instantly takes me back to her outstretched hand on the Lakewood ice. I know it is intentional. She casually takes a straight line of footwork in my direction. I can’t see her eyes clearly, but I know they’re on me. Which is not only true but a suggestion from the lyrics.

  As she approaches the rose, she bends down and holds it close to her chest and she spins toward me rink side. Our hands meet mingling with the rose between us. We lean in for the most public of kisses.

  Ellie asks, “What are you waiting for?”

  With Cierra in my life, nothing anymore or ever again.

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  Acknowledgements

  With this novel, I’ve gotten to check off a to do that I’ve waited a long time to-do. I got to write about my love-hate relationship with the ice. I love everything about it. I love that fresh sheet you can get on alone. I love making those first stroking patterns and hearing your edge cut into the surface. I love playing music that allows you to create stories with your body in an instant. I sometimes even love being cold. I hate I can’t skate more than I do. Marry that with my love of writing and it was a dream.

  To Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward – Thank you for making me a part of the Cocky Hero World. It challenged my range and many of my fears to create a story that is woven with one such as Cocky Bastard. I love Chance and Aubrey. I hope I gave them the love and respect they deserve.

  To Dan – Thank you for every question answered, word of encouragement, and keeping me/us all in line.

  This is one of my favorite covers! (I know I say that every time.) Another home run by Mary Ruth. We talked at length about this one. I had something so specific in mind and she came with it on the second try. Everything about it screams perfection!

  Thank you, as always, to my Alphas and amazing group of Betas! When I asked you to read Cocky Bastard first it was YES! Then you came at me with all the angles, encouragement, and finishing touches for Bitter Edge. You out did yourselves!

  To my editor, Karen Hrdlicka - We had a wicked short timeline on books this year. With all that 2020 has done to kick us in the teeth, you cranked this one out in record time and I couldn’t be more grateful to you or for you!

  To my formatter and friend, Emma Nichole – You kept me on track AGAIN! You made it beautiful AGAIN! Thank you for your wisdom, real talk and love for this thing we do!

  To my mini me – Lu, thank you for all your wonderful talent in graphics, my website and anything I might need including a hug. I can’t wait to see you fly.

  To Stephanie Nichole and Mary Kazen – Thank you for the help in more ways than I can count.

  There were skating inspirations woven into every character and things about the sport I’ve held to my heart over the years. Brian Boitano, Nathan Chen, Debi Thomas, Katarina Witt, Rafael Arutyunyan and even the movie The Cutting Edge (which I’ve seen a thousand times). I only wish I’d found this love earlier in life, but I t
reasure it and everything the sport has given me, and continues to give me, over the years.

  Thank you to the coaches in my life – Shannon Davis, Sam Kaplun, and Andrea Hall. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again, thank you to all my mini coaches and cheerleaders too at MFSC. I miss you all and can’t wait to hug you again.

  Thank you to my close friends both near and far for all your encouragement, support, and kindness. Thank you especially to the readers! Without you, none of this would be possible.

  2020 has been a very hard year. Not much has gone as planned. I’m grateful for the hard times that make the good times seem that much better. I’m looking forward to 2021 and all that it may have in store.

  Much love,

  Ariana

  Other Works by Ariana

  The Stone Series

  Turn to Stone

  No Stone Unturned

  Written in Stone

  KBW – Driven Series World

  Twisted

  Standalones

  Double Exposure

  About the Author

  Author and hopeless romantic, Ariana Rose, hails from the Midwest. Born and raised in the Minneapolis area, she's always been a storyteller and known to have a flair for the dramatic.

  She is a mother of three. Her daughter is just across the border attending college in Wisconsin. Her son is a busy penguin addict who loves all things science, cars and weather. He's been known to hang in Storm Chaser marathons with Mom. Her other child (a beagle/lab) can be found curled next to her while she writes unless chasing squirrels and finding puppy friends becomes a more pressing issue.

  When Ariana is not writing, she can be found at the rink in a figure skating lesson (been taking a crack at it for 30 years), binge watching her favorite shows, watching an 80s movie she's seen hundreds of times, exploring history or traveling to any of her current or new favorite places.

  She first published in August of 2018. Her Stone Series has been a absolute labor of love and will be completed with the release of the third book in the trilogy in January of 2020.

  You can find her exclusively in Kindle Unlimited. You can also sign up for her newsletter, watch this site or find her on all her social media to catch all the latest and greatest on upcoming projects.

  She wants you to always remember that passion is never a bad thing. It's a clear path to being present!

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