Wild Ride - Chantal Fernando(ang.)

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To the best agent in the world, Kimberly Brower. Thank you for pushing me to be my best. I appreciate you and everything you do.

It’s our actions that define us. What we choose. What we resist. What we’re willing to die for. —Karen Marie Moning, Bloodfever

PROLOGUE Tia I WASH my hands in the bathroom sink and glance up at the mirror, taking in my reflection. My makeup is holding pretty damn well, not a smudge in sight. I turn my face from left to right, purse my lips, and nod my head in a way that means Not bad at all. Leaving the ladies’ room, I’m looking down into my handbag when I bump into someone—someone with a rock-hard stomach that almost sends me flying to the ground. Talon grips my arm, saving me from a fall, then pulls me against him. “Just how drunk are you?” “Not very,” I lie, tilting my head to the side and studying him. I’ve only just met this man, but the second our eyes connected, I felt something. What, I don’t know, but something. “Why? That’s usually the question a decent man asks before he kisses her.” Talon’s green eyes dance with humor. “Is that right? I wouldn’t know.” “What do you mean, you wouldn’t know?” I ask, my forehead furrowing. He leans closer, pushing my hair off my neck, and says into my ear, “I’m not a decent man.” I place my hand on his chest and push gently, raising an eyebrow at him. “Why don’t I think that’s true?” “Because you don’t know me,” he replies, cupping my cheek with his hand. “Do you know how beautiful you are?” “I do okay.” I breathe, getting lost in his eyes’ green depths. He smiles slowly, and it hits me right in the gut. My gaze lowers to his lips, and it’s all I can do to stop myself from tasting them. “You’re just my type, you know that?” “A criminal?” I roll my eyes. “Give me some credit. I mean, in looks. And if Bailey is friends with you, you can’t be that bad.” Something passes over his face, but he quickly hides it. This man makes me very curious. He’s a biker, he’s a badass . . . but why do I feel like there’s something more there? “Bailey has bad taste. . . . Just look at Rake,” Talon fires back, grinning at his own joke. “Yeah, but look at me,” I counter. “She definitely has good taste in friends.” “I can see that,” he says, dropping his hand. “We should go back to the table before they start wondering where we are.”

“Is Slice going to wonder where you are?” I tease, nudging him softly, my head spinning a little. “I like being a little tipsy sometimes. Not all the time. Just every now and again. It’s like there’s no stress or problems in the world for a few hours. I don’t have to adult. Tomorrow, I have to adult, but not tonight.” “Being an adult is pretty fuckin’ overrated,” Talon agrees, pushing my hair behind my ear. “You gotta find happiness in the small things, I guess.” I nod and say, “I never thought this is how my life would turn out.” I pause. “In both good and bad ways.” “This is getting deep,” he muses, looking toward the hallway and then back at me. Catching him off guard, I rise up on my tiptoes and press my lips against his. He resists at first, frozen in place, but soon he kisses me back, bringing me up against his body, his hand moving to the nape of my neck. The kiss deepens, his tongue finding mine, and I moan at the sensation. My hand on his chest, I can feel my head getting lighter, and not from the alcohol. I don’t think I’ve ever been so turned on from just a kiss in my life. My nipples press against his chest, begging for attention. I wonder if he can feel them too. He sucks on my bottom lip, pulls back, and kisses me once more before fully retreating. “Fuck,” he whispers, licking his lips. “That shouldn’t have happened.” “Why not?” I ask, wishing he’d stop thinking and just put his lips back on mine. “Talon . . .” He nods his head down the hallway. “Go, Tia. I’ll follow you to the table in a second.” I open my mouth to object, but he gives me a look that says he isn’t in the mood to negotiate. I might find it hard to take no for an answer, but I do have my pride, so I turn and return to the table without another word, without looking back, even though I want to. And when he rejoins the table, I act like nothing happened. Like he didn’t just give me the best kiss of my life. Because if he wasn’t affected, what did it matter?

CHAPTER ONE Talon I CAN’T take my eyes off her. It’s a pretty fucked-up thing, really. I kissed her best friend and even though it didn’t really mean anything, I know that it’s not working in my favor. In fact, there’s pretty much nothing going in my favor right now. I’m the president of the Wild Men MC, a club with a history I’m not exactly proud of. I told myself that when I took over, things would change, and I’ve tried my hardest to make that a reality. The old club president was my stepfather, who happened to be the biological father of one of the members of a rival MC. When Rake found out the truth of the situation, shit didn’t go over well. My stepfather raised me instead of him and his sister—something I always felt guilty over, especially after meeting Rake’s sister, Anna. I promised myself that I’d try to make up for it, that I’d always be there for her, and so far I’ve kept my promise. She’s like a sister to me now. Rake, on the other hand, hates me with a passion. Probably rightly so, considering we used to be enemies. The Wild Men and the Wind Dragons have always had bad blood, but it was brought to a head when one of the Wind Dragons’ women, Mary, was killed by a Wild Man who broke into their compound. It turns out Mary meant something special to everyone, especially Arrow. When my stepdad died and I became president of the Wild Men, I wanted things to change. I’ve tried to close the gap between the two clubs, and have made progress, considering we don’t try to kill each other on sight anymore. But like everything, it’s one step forward and two steps back with them. And I can admit that it’s probably my fault Rake still hates me. There was the incident when I invited Anna, a WD old lady, and her friend Bailey to my birthday party at the clubhouse. In fact, I may have guilted her into coming, which was stupid on my part. I should’ve known better. Oh, and did I mention that I also kissed Bailey, who’s now Rake’s old lady and Tia’s best friend? Tia, the woman I can’t stop staring at. If I’m being honest, the reason I kissed Bailey was to stop Rake from being an idiot, to push him into stepping up and claiming her. Of course I got something out of it—a kiss from an attractive woman—but really I was just enjoying getting Rake worked up. Getting under his skin.

I tend to do things like that. My cousin Shayla always tells me that I like to push people just to see how far I’m able to do it. I test people. I like to see if I can manipulate them into doing what I want without asking them for it directly. It’s not one of my finer qualities. I’m trying to work on it. I down the last mouthful of my drink, then slide the empty glass along the bar. When I see Tia glance over at me, her eyes widening, I know that I need to leave before she comes to talk to me. Then why the fuck aren’t my feet moving? Nothing good can come from us speaking. Why dangle something in front of me that I know I can’t have? Waste of time. The memory of us kissing flashes through my mind, making me grit my teeth. Yeah, she is fuckin’ tempting, but she isn’t for me. I know she’s very friendly, not the type to snub someone she knows. At least that’s what Anna has told me about her, that she isn’t a shy woman—she’s more of the takes-whatever-she-wants type. So she won’t sit across the room and give me her best sex eyes, waiting for me to approach her like some women I know. She’s a fighter. I can already tell that about her, and I like it. To be honest, I like her more than I should, and now isn’t the time for me to get tangled up with a woman, especially one with ties to Rake and the WDMC. She also has a kid, and what the fuck do I know about being a father? No, I’m not as good a man as Rake—who slipped right into the role of father to Bailey’s daughter, Cara —and I know that, so there’s no point in pretending. Anna told me how amazing he’s been, and how he took to fatherhood almost naturally. I also have a shitload of things going on in my life, especially with my club, and a woman to take care of is not what I need right now. I wait a few more moments before I force myself to throw some money on the bar and head home. I make my way to the exit, not making eye contact with anyone, and definitely not looking in Tia’s direction. I’m at my bike when I hear her voice. “Not even a wave hello?” she says in a tone that’s a mixture of dry and amused. I turn around to face her and flash her a smile I’ve perfected over the years, one that oozes charm and confidence. “Got somewhere to be.” “Don’t we all,” she murmurs, coming to stand in front of me. She’s a tiny thing. Petite. With her ovalshaped face, light blond hair, and wide blue eyes, she has an ethereal look to her, like an angel. When you take a deeper look into her eyes, though, they’re sharp and knowing, more like the devil’s. I also happen to know that she cusses like a sailor, those sweet lips saying anything and everything. “How’ve you been, Tia?” I ask her, knowing that she isn’t going to let me leave without some small talk at least. “Fine,” she says, narrowing her eyes a little. “How have you been, Talon? It’s been a while since I last saw you.” It hasn’t been that long. The last time I saw her was when I ran into her and Bailey while they were out drinking one night. I stayed, just to make sure they got home safely—or at least that’s what I tell myself. “Been busy,” I reply, which is an understatement. I have so much going on right now that the stress is going to eat me alive. And it’s not like Tia and I hang around the same people. Sure, she has ties to the Wind Dragons through Bailey, but the only person I see on a regular basis is Anna, and I haven’t even seen much of her lately. I don’t have many fans in the WDMC, especially after my birthday. But my cousin

Shayla couldn’t be there, and Anna is the only other person I have who is like family to me, besides my club brothers. “Who are you here with?” I ask her, surprised that the woman I saw her in the bar with wasn’t Bailey, or any other woman I’ve seen before. “Friend from work,” she replies, shifting her handbag up on her shoulder. “Bailey’s watching Rhett for me, said I deserved a break.” She smirks, her eyes smiling. “Practically pushed me out the door. Apparently ‘a break’ is code for a drink. So here I am, being social.” My lip twitches in amusement. One thing I’ve learned about Tia in the short time I’ve spent with her is that she has a good sense of humor. “And how’s that going for you?” “What?” “Being social,” I say, my gaze lowering to her slender neck. She’s wearing a sexy baby-blue suede choker that’s a mix of sweet and sensual. I find myself wanting to gently put my hand on her throat and trail my fingers down her body until I reach the valley in between her breasts. “It’s kind of nice to get out,” she admits, and my eyes snap back up to her face. She grins, as if she knows exactly what I was thinking. She takes a step closer to me and looks me dead in the eye. I know grown men who are too afraid to do that. “I like Knox’s Tavern. You always see a friendly face, and Reid, Ryan, Summer, and Tag are awesome people.” “You look stunning without makeup,” I blurt out, taking in her flawless skin and long lashes. She really is a true fuckin’ beauty, and she doesn’t need any of that shit on her face. “I look stunning with it too,” she fires back, grinning. “You do,” I agree, mainly because I’m not an idiot. She flashes me another smile, then says, “Nice to see you again, Talon.” She gets up on her tiptoes and kisses me on my cheek, then walks back into the bar without looking back. I touch my cheek with my fingers, wondering what it would be like to feel those lips on every part of my body. Just then my phone beeps with a text, bringing me back to reality. It’s from Ranger. Need you at the clubhouse, now.

I shove my phone back into my pocket and get on my bike. What the hell is going on? Lately it’s been one issue after another. I ride back to the Wild Men clubhouse and rush inside, looking around for Ranger. I find him with his hand around Lash’s throat, just as Slice, my second-in-command, beats me to tearing the two of them apart. Slice is one of the very few men, along with Ranger, I trust implicitly. We’ve been through a lot together and always have each other’s backs. “What the fuck is going on here?” I ask, looking between the two men. Ranger hardly ever loses his temper, so the fact he’s about to choke Lash out says a hell of a lot. Slice finally gets Ranger to let go, and Lash falls to the ground, clutching his throat and gasping for air. Ranger turns to me, chest heaving and eyes narrowed. “This shit is getting fuckin’ tiring.” With that parting comment, he storms off. Losing my temper, I pull Lash up from the ground and slam him against the wall. “What the fuck was that about?”

“Nothing,” Lash says, avoiding my gaze. The men won’t snitch on each other and I know it—I even respect it—but it fuckin’ pisses me off sometimes. I let go of Lash, who looks between me and Slice, then leaves the room. “What were they fighting over? Any idea?” I ask him, staring at the spot Lash just vacated. Slice shrugs, shaking his head. “Nope, but we’ll find out.” I grit my teeth, knowing that this is going to play on my mind until I figure out what happened. “This is a biker clubhouse, Talon, not a fuckin’ country club. Fights will happen; don’t stress over it. They’ll sort it out between them.” I take a deep breath and look up at the ceiling. “Yeah, you’re right.” I don’t know why, but I just have this feeling. A bad one. Like everything is about to come crashing down on us. Something has changed around here, and I’m going to find out exactly what it is.

CHAPTER TWO Tia WHEN I get home from the bar, my mind is still on Talon. It’s extremely frustrating to feel something for someone, not just lust and infatuation, something else, and have the man in question not make a single move, especially when I know he’s interested. I see the way he looks at me, and that’s not my being conceited or whatever. I can sense that he finds me attractive; it’s all in his body language. Men aren’t hard to read, and all I get from Talon is that he wants me, but he doesn’t want to. The question is, why? I don’t think I’ve ever thought about a man so much, and I don’t even know what it is about him. For a while I told myself I wanted him only because I couldn’t have him, but I don’t think that’s the case. I just want him. And the want isn’t going away. Since my ex, Oliver, I’ve been a little detached with men. I’ve never allowed myself to get close to any particular one, and even though it sounds bad, they were always replaceable. But it’s different with Talon, and I can’t explain why. What draws me to him? Why can’t I stop thinking about him? Something inside of me recognizes something inside of him—that’s the only way I can think to explain it. If there were a million good-looking men in a room, I’d still run to him. He calls to me. “How was your night?” Bailey whispers, looking up from the TV as I walk into the living room. Rhett and Cara are fast asleep on the couch next to her. “Good,” I say quietly, sitting down by Rhett’s feet. “Just had dinner with Sarah, and then a few drinks at Knox’s Tavern.” I pause and look at my best friend. “Talon was there.” Her brows lift. “What happened?” “Nothing,” I say, pulling some of the blanket onto my lap. “I just went and said hello, we chatted for a few minutes and then he left.” “I know you like him,” she says gently, studying me. “But, Tia—” “I know, I know. I need to let it go; it’s not a good idea . . . blah blah,” I say, cutting her off and sending her a droll look. “It’s just that . . . how can one man make me feel more with just a look than another can by kissing me, or sleeping with me?” The sound of a car door opening gets our attention. “Rake’s here,” Bailey says, looking from the front door back to me. “I don’t know, Tia. If you really like him . . . It’s just that he’s a biker, and they take what

they want. You can’t be alone in wanting to be with him. You’re a beautiful woman, and I saw the way he kept looking at you that night at the bar, but he still hasn’t made a move. Maybe he doesn’t want a relationship. Have you spoken to him about all this?” I shake my head. “No, I’m not going to make the first move.” Not again. Been there, done that, and it didn’t go so well. I grin and add, “But that doesn’t mean I can’t give him a little nudge in the right direction.” Bailey starts laughing, covering her mouth with her hand so as not to wake the children. “Rake won’t like it,” she says, her expression not giving anything away. She stands up, walks over to me, and kisses my cheek. “But it’s not Rake’s life. It’s yours. You have to live with the consequences of your actions, no one else.” I look to the little body asleep next to me. “Except Rhett. If you and all the other women can make it work with a biker though, why can’t I? I know everyone would prefer I was with a Wind Dragon, but I can’t help who I’m attracted to. Besides, you all know him, I wouldn’t have met him if you didn’t.” “Don’t remind me,” Bailey mutters, then walks to the door to open it as she hears a knock. “Just be careful what you wish for, Tia. There’s so many easier routes you can take.” I know that, but those other routes are boring and don’t come in a tall, blond package, with green eyes and a panty-dropping smile. They don’t make my heart race, or make me just want to be around them. Fuck. What is happening to me? After Oliver I told myself I’d never get so stuck on a man, never let one have the upper hand with me. There’s no denying that Talon has the upper hand here though, so maybe I should just leave it alone. I’m of two minds about the whole thing, and when I’m around him I just can’t help myself. I guess that’s the key—to not be around him. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Not in this case, but I can keep my thoughts to myself. And my daydreams. Fuck, those daydreams. I can barely concentrate because my dirty mind just plays all the ways Talon will make his first move and have his way with me. Rake comes in and says hello, then scoops up Cara in his arms. I hug Bailey good-bye, thanking her for watching my son. I know she doesn’t mind, but I never take it for granted. I see less of Bailey now, but I don’t hold that against her. If anyone deserves a happy ending, it’s her. After they leave, I carry Rhett to his room, tuck him in, and kiss his head. “Love you,” I say, even though he’s asleep. After a quick shower, I’m in my bed, mentally planning everything that needs to be done tomorrow. It’s not an easy job, being a single mother, but it would be much harder if I didn’t have the people around me that I do. I’m grateful. I don’t need a man. I fall asleep and dream of Talon again. Except this time, he leaves the bar with me.

Bailey sends me a message the next day, saying she’s picking up Rhett and Cara from school, which means I don’t have to rush straight from work to get him. It was much easier when Bailey still lived next door to me, but even though she moved into a new, bigger house, we try and make it work like we used to, mainly

because Cara and Rhett don’t like to be without each other for very long. Sometimes when Bailey is working late though, Rake will pick up Cara, and it doesn’t feel right for me to ask him to get Rhett too, even though I know he doesn’t mind. Things have changed a little, and it’s going to take some time getting used to them, but I wouldn’t change anything for the world. The truth is, without Bailey living next door, I’ve had to become more independent. She might be only a few minutes’ drive away, but before, she was literally next door, so I could walk over in my pajamas at any time of the day or night. Now I don’t really want to interrupt her as much, so I figure shit out on my own. I drop by the grocery store to get a few things for dinner, then make my way to Bailey’s to pick up Rhett. The two kids are playing in the front yard, with Rake and Bailey sitting on the porch chairs watching them. Rhett and Cara both wave as they see me pull in, waiting for me to park and get out of the car before running over. I hug my son, then Cara, before walking over to Bailey and Rake to say hello. “Thanks for getting him,” I tell Bailey, sitting down in the chair next to her. “I can get them both tomorrow. I have an early day.” “You know it’s no problem,” Bailey chastises, reaching over to touch my arm. “I love Rhett like he’s my own.” “I know,” I say, smiling gently, turning to watch the kids who are playing golf on the lawn. “I don’t know why he loves golf so much, or how he dragged Cara into loving it, but it keeps them occupied, doesn’t it?” “Yeah,” Rake says, chuckling. “They’ve been playing it for over an hour now. We’ve just been sitting here watching them. I asked them if they wanted to play soccer, but they both said no.” “It’s probably a phase, like the Lego thing,” I add. Six months ago all they wanted to do was play with Legos and build things together—but I haven’t stepped on a stray Lego brick in ages. “Do you want something to drink, Tia?” Bailey asks, moving to stand. “I’ll get you something.” “No, it’s okay,” I say quickly, nodding my head to the car. “I have groceries in there and better get going. See you tomorrow? I’ll cook dinner.” Bailey walks me to my car. I call Rhett and tell him it’s time to go. “Does he have to?” Cara asks, looking to her mom for help. “Yes, but you’ll see him tomorrow, Cara,” Bailey says, rolling her eyes. “At school and after school.” I hug Bailey, wave ’bye to Rake and Cara, and then get in the car, Rhett sitting in the backseat. “How was work, Mom?” he asks. “It was great,” I lie, glancing at him through the rearview mirror. Work is work. I don’t love working as a dental assistant, but it’s a job. A job that I need to pay rent. “How was school?” “Awesome,” he replies easily, a smile lighting up his face. His blue eyes, so like my own, get animated as he tells me about his day. I hang on to his every word, asking questions when necessary and thinking to myself just how lucky I am to have such a wonderful son. We get home, and I cook chicken with pasta salad, followed by Rhett’s usual post-dinner routine of a shower, a story, and bed. I have to wonder if a man would fit into my life anyway. Maybe it’s better that I stay single, so that things won’t have to change, so that my son gets all my time. I can’t imagine Talon sitting here in a scene

so domestic, but then again, if Rake can do it, so can any man. I really need to stop thinking about Talon anyway. I watch a little TV and then climb into bed, alone. I think I’m okay with that.

CHAPTER THREE Talon I’M on my way to the clubhouse when I turn my head to the right and do a double take. Is that Tia standing on the side of the road next to her car? It is. I turn back and park my bike behind her car, taking off my helmet and walking over to her, watching in amusement as she opens the hood and looks under it. “Tia,” I call out, giving her warning so I don’t scare her as I approach. It has been more than a week since the last time I saw her, and when she lifts her blue gaze to mine, I take a moment to just appreciate her, from her face to her body. “What have you done now?” She looks surprised to see me, her eyes widening, but then shrugs, “I have no idea. I don’t know anything about cars, but I’ve been stuck here for about thirty minutes now, waiting for roadside assistance.” She peers down at the engine and sighs heavily. I step behind her for a moment, because I can now see that her shorts have ridden up, letting me see the bottom curve of her ass. My amusement fades and my dick gets hard at the same time. What the fuck does she think she’s doing? Standing here bending over in short fuckin’ shorts, where any man driving past can see. I glance around, seeing all the cars driving by, all the men who are probably perving on her. She’s lost in her own world too, and isn’t paying attention to what’s going on around her. She didn’t even notice my arrival before, and the rumble of my bike is not quiet. She should know better. She turns and looks at me, frowning when she sees my expression. “What’s wrong?” I tense my jaw, wondering if I should go with honesty or not. I decide it’s probably the best policy, or so I’ve been told. “Your shorts are riding up, showing your ass cheeks to every man driving past.” And I didn’t fuckin’ like it, which just makes me even more annoyed. I really don’t need this shit right now. She runs her hands over her behind, and turns to look, making me groan. “Lighten up, Talon,” she says in a dry tone. “My ass isn’t even showing. They’re just shorts, and I have bigger problems right now than your opinion of my clothing.” Right. Her car. It’s probably going to be expensive to fix. I know Tia is a single mother and works as a dental assistant, so I doubt she’s raking in the money.

“You know the Wind Dragons own a mechanic shop, right?” I say in a dry tone, standing next to her and looking at her engine. “I’m sure they’ll sort you out.” “I’m sure they would,” she replies, tucking her blond hair back behind her cute ear. “But that doesn’t mean I’m going to ask them.” I study her, wondering why she didn’t want them to help her. Maybe she was the type of woman who didn’t like to ask anyone for a favor, the type who liked to do everything by herself. The independent type. Or maybe she just didn’t want to rely on anyone. “I’ll have a look for you and see what I can do.” I find myself wishing that we owned a repair shop so I could offer to take care of it for her. I would offer to help her out anyway, covering costs, but I don’t think she’d appreciate my offer. Unfortunately the Wild Men don’t really own any legal businesses, or anything that will be of use to a woman like Tia, unless she wants a gun or something. Then, I could sort her out. “Your engine probably overheated,” I tell her as I survey it. “If you’ve waited here for half an hour, it should be cooling down now. I’ll check the coolant level.” “What is it?” she asks, looking adorably confused. I grin and check, making sure there’s no leak. To be honest, I only know the basics when it comes to cars, but it’s enough to help a beautiful woman when she’s stuck. I inspect the radiator hoses for loose clamps, but everything looks okay. “There’s no leak, which is a good thing,” I tell her, before I try to start her engine. I listen to it, and everything sounds like it’s in running order, but then again, I’m not a professional. “It will be fine to get you wherever you need to go, but I think you should take it in, just to be on the safe side. If you like, I can give you a ride and get one of my men to pick up your car and drop it off to be serviced.” I don’t know where this Mr. Nice Guy act is coming from, but for some reason I want to help her. I have a soft spot for her, even though I try to tell myself that I don’t. “No, it’s okay,” she says, placing her hand on my arm. She’s still wearing that sexy-ass choker around her neck. “Thanks so much for getting it to start again though. I’m so lucky that you rode by.” I can feel the warmth of her fingers through my T-shirt, and before I know what I’m doing, I lean into her. “You sure? It’s no problem for me.” Luckily I had finished my work for the day, although I don’t know if you can call listening in on other people’s phone calls work. The things I do for Shayla. She’s in some trouble and it’s my job to keep her safe, no matter how bloody my hands get in the process. I’m even thinking about calling in my marker with Vinnie, one of the Wind Dragons who owes me a favor, to help keep her safe, but I’m not quite there yet. I was planning on going back to the clubhouse and having a beer and a talk with my men, needing to get to the bottom of the shit going on there. If there’s one thing I don’t like in my clubhouse, it’s heavy drug use. Weed—fine. But anything else, especially if it involves a needle, is a big fuckin’ no in my books, and it hasn’t passed my attention that a few of the men have been acting shady as fuck, showing signs of using, so it looks like I need to set the drug boundaries out for them again. Sometimes I feel like a fuckin’ parent. “It’s okay, Talon,” she says, bringing me out of my thoughts. “I better get going or I’m going to be late getting Rhett.”

Right. She actually is a parent. “Give me your phone,” I tell her, holding out my hand. “Why?” she asks, staring at my outstretched hand. “I’ll give you my number. Your car dies again, give me a call, and I’ll handle it for you.” She hesitates but then hands me her phone. I put my number in, hit SAVE, then hand it back to her. “You play knight in shining armor for all women?” she teases, lips kicking up at the corners. “Nope,” I reply with full honesty, then add, “just the beautiful ones.” Amusement lingers in her gaze. A kiss on my cheek, then she gets into her car. “Thanks again, Talon!” “No problem,” I mutter, watching as she drives away. I’ve been trying to stay away from Tia, and I’ve been bullshitting myself when I say it’s because I don’t want to rock the boat with the WDMC. Sure, that is an issue, but it’s not the issue. Having a woman is a big fuckin’ responsibility, especially in my world, and I don’t need a weakness. I don’t want to like her. I don’t want to give another person power over me, and she doesn’t need to be mixed up in my shit. By staying away, I’m protecting both her and me. Giving her my number wasn’t my best idea, but I can’t exactly have her stranded somewhere. She doesn’t want to ask the Wind Dragons for help, so maybe she won’t feel comfortable enough asking me either, but at least I gave her the option. I get back on my bike and ride to the clubhouse, trying to get the vision of her perky ass in those shorts out of my mind.

When I walk into the clubhouse and see the men sitting around with women draped over them, I decide to wait until later to call the club meeting. Let them have their fun . . . for now. I kind of want to gather more evidence before ripping them a new one, anyway. “Hey, Prez,” Ranger calls out as he sees me entering. He gets me a beer and then hands it to me. “We’re celebrating tonight.” “What the fuck are we celebrating?” I ask, opening the ice-cold beer and taking a long draw. Ranger looks toward the rest of the group, nodding his head toward Zip, one of the older men in our MC. “Zip is gonna be a father.” The men cheer. I don’t really think that’s a reason to celebrate, but I lift my beer in the air. “And who is the mother?” Everyone breaks out into laughter, except that I’m being dead fuckin’ serious. Zip fucks anything with tits, and as far as I know he isn’t seeing anyone. “Some chick who was here two months back,” Ranger answers me, shaking his head. “Carla, her name is.” I’ve never even heard of a woman named Carla before. I know some of the women, the ones who come here whenever we throw a party. They stick around until someone loses interest, the men or them, whichever comes first. Some try to become old ladies, while others are just in it for a good time, getting their adrenaline rush or whatever. Who knows how women fuckin’ think these days. Carla mustn’t have stuck around very long, or I’d at least have heard of her before.

“Is this a celebration or Zip wanting to get drunk so he can forget fucking up his life for not wearing a condom?” I say quietly, so only Ranger can hear. “Definitely the latter,” he replies, scrubbing his hand down his jaw. “I think we’re gonna need more booze.” “I’ll send one of the prospects,” I say, pulling out my phone. We have only two prospects at the moment, and Kirk has gone to visit his family, so that leaves Smith. I send him a quick text and then slide my phone away. “We never really got to talk about what that fight was last week.” Ranger looks me in the eye, then down at his drink. “He was being a fuckhead. I lost my temper—end of story.” If that’s true, then so be it. But I can’t help feeling like there’s more to the story. I lift up my beer to him, and he clanks his with mine. Zip walks over to me, and I slap him on the back. “How are you feeling about impending fatherhood?” He grins, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “Carla’s a good woman. I’m excited. Not getting any younger, you know? There’s actually something I want to talk to you about, Prez.” I nod. “Of course, but not tonight. Tonight we celebrate, tomorrow we talk, cool?” Zip nods, and we clink our drinks together. I’m definitely going to have to keep my eyes and ears open, because something around here just doesn’t feel right. But for now—I’m going to enjoy this ice-cold drink and try to have a good time.

CHAPTER FOUR Tia I SIT up in bed and groan as I wake from yet another dream about Talon. How many times have I replayed that night in my head? One too many. So we kissed, big deal, right? Nothing came of it, and nothing will. I hadn’t even told Bailey, or anyone else for that matter, what happened that night. It was a secret between me and Talon, one that made me want to jump him whenever I saw him. However, I kissed him that night, and now it’s up to him to make the next move, which I don’t think he’s going to do. I think the best thing for me is to just let it go. Unfortunately I can’t control my thoughts or my dreams, but at least only I am witness to them. I make Rhett breakfast as he gets dressed for school. Bailey is picking him up this morning, which gives me an extra thirty minutes to get ready myself, so I make him pancakes with bacon on the side. “Thanks, Mom,” he says, sitting down at the table with a wide smile while I serve the food. I kiss the top of his head. “You’re more than welcome.” “Can Cara come over to play after school? Maybe we can bring Clover too,” he asks as he bites into a strip of bacon. “I’ll ask their moms,” I tell him, cleaning up the kitchen. I finish just as Bailey arrives to pick up Rhett. I walk him to the car, open the door for him, and kiss him on the cheek, then say good morning to Bailey and Cara. I tell her that I’ll get the kids after school and ask her if Cara can come over for a little while. “Sure,” Bailey says, smiling. “Cara will love that. I’ll come and pick her up around seven, if that works for you?” “Sounds perfect,” I say, waving ’bye to them all and then heading inside to finish getting ready. I take a quick shower, then tie my hair up in a bun and add some light makeup while I’m still in my towel. After I’m dressed, I get in my car and drive to work. I still haven’t brought my car in for service, because I don’t really have the money to pay for it right now. If worse comes to worst, I’ll pay for it with my credit card, but I prefer not to be in any kind of debt. My credit card has a low limit and I only use it for emergencies. And there’s no way I feel comfortable asking the Wind Dragons to take care of it for me. I don’t like to rely on anyone, and I don’t like to ask for favors. Oliver, Rhett’s father, used to hold things over my head. He made me feel like I wasn’t his equal because he was the one who earned the money while I was a stay-at-home mother. He taught me the hard

way that relying on anyone will only backfire; the best way to be is independent, counting only on yourself to get by, because then you’ll never be disappointed. Talon was kind enough to try to help me out, and to give me his number in case I get stuck, but I probably wouldn’t call him either. I’ll just save everything I can this month, and then bring it in for service when I have enough money. I walk into work with a smile on my face, not that I like the place but because I’m grateful to have a job, especially after I slept with the dentist who owns the practice. Bailey calls him “dentist guy” and no, it wasn’t the smartest move I’ve ever made, but it was a one-time thing that we now pretend never happened. I used to be a lot wilder than I am now, mainly because I was struggling with a few issues, such as how to balance being a single woman and a mother. For the first several years of Rhett’s life, I didn’t date. I just worked and raised my son. I had no real interest in men, still hurting after everything that Oliver put me through. When Rhett turned five, I had my first date since having him. I realized that I was actually a pretty decent-looking woman, and men were interested in me. I had no idea that I’d have so many options, that so many men would find me appealing. It was quite a confidence boost. Since then, I haven’t really dated anyone seriously, but I’ve gone on dates. I’ve had a little fun, or as much as a single mother can have, as I don’t tend to go out that much. What I haven’t done is let any man in. After my ex, I think I’m a little damaged. I can be quite emotionless at times, not letting another man get close enough to hurt me. It’s just easier that way—plus no one has really caught my eye. Besides Talon. Shaking my head to get him out of my mind—as if that will work—I start my shift, looking forward to finishing so I can spend the evening at home with Rhett and Cara.

CHAPTER FIVE Talon I LOOK around the room and stare each man in the eye. “I don’t have many rules for the MC, but not fucking around with drugs is one of them,” I say, tapping my fingers on the wooden table. “We make more than enough money from the guns, we don’t need to get into drugs. And if anyone is doing shit behind my back”—I flash them a threatening look—“or taking any hard-core drugs, I’m telling you now that I won’t be fuckin’ happy. Does anyone have anything to say?” I know that they dealt with drugs before I became president, but tough fuckin’ shit, because I won’t put up with it. I want to lead a group of strong, powerful men, not pathetic junkies. Everyone remains silent. “Slice and Ranger, the two of you are picking up the next gun shipment, on Friday,” I say, looking down at the new address on the piece of paper in front of me. “Take Rep with you this time,” I add, thinking that the man should be more involved. “I think that’s everything.” The whole time we’ve been in this room, I’ve been paying attention to all the men. Their body language, their expressions, their input. There are two of them who I’m concerned about drug use—Vik and Lash. The fact that Ranger still hasn’t explained what went on between him and Lash has me thinking that he knows something too, but I know he won’t rat out his brother. Still, when everyone else leaves, I ask Ranger to stay back so we can have a little talk. I need to get to the bottom of this.

I hang up the phone on Shayla and her millions of questions, and rub the back of my neck in frustration. Yes, I realize that the setup with Shayla isn’t the best plan ever concocted, but I’m doing the best I can with the resources available to me. As much as it pains me to say, my clubhouse isn’t a safe enough place for my cousin to hide out in. I trust some of the men but not all of them, and there’s no way she could stay here with all the shit going on. With my plan to call in Vinnie, I do believe that she’ll be safe, and even if she gets into trouble, I trust that the Wind Dragons will step in if need be. A calculated move on my part, but a necessary one.

After getting jack shit out of Ranger, I go to my side job. I don’t really need the money, but teaching others how to ride motorbikes is a passion of mine, and one that I’ve been doing for years. The riding school is where I got my bike license, and the people there are really great. “Hey, Talon,” Whitney purrs the second that I enter. “Hey, Whit,” I reply, pretending I didn’t notice her sultry tone. I slept with her a few times about two years back, and now she won’t let me forget it. Drunk me and sober me had a talk about it, and we both decided we needed to cut her off. “You’re early today,” she says, tilting her head to the side and biting her lip. “Came in to see me, huh?” She wishes. “Traffic wasn’t as bad as I’d thought it would be,” I tell her, but the truth was, I kind of just wanted to get away from the clubhouse a little bit. I realize how bad that is, considering I’m the fuckin’ president, but it’s the truth, and I know that something has to give, something has to change to make me love being the leader of the Wild Men again. I love being in an MC: it’s the life I grew up in, and it’s all I know. The feeling of knowing you have the loyalty of these men, the bond, the brotherhood, it’s the best feeling in the world. It’s a fuckin’ family, albeit dysfunctional. It’s a place of acceptance. But why doesn’t it feel like that anymore? If the men knew what I was thinking . . . An eighteen-year-old boy comes in for his first lesson, and I just concentrate on that. It’s a peaceful two hours.

When I return to the clubhouse that evening, as soon as I walk inside I can tell that something is terribly wrong. The men are all yelling at one another, which isn’t rare, but the atmosphere is tense, almost frantic. “What’s going on?” I yell over them, looking to Slice and Ranger, the two men I can always count on. “We tried calling you,” Slice says in a tone that has the hair on the back of my neck and arms standing on end. Everyone else goes silent. “My phone was on silent,” I admit, stepping closer to Slice and looking him right in the eye. “What the fuck happened?” Slice swallows, then nods his head to the living area, so I follow. He points to the couch, where I see Zip lying there. Except, on closer inspection, he isn’t just lying there. Fuck. I bend down beside him, checking his pulse, or at least trying to. He’s dead. “Stabbed in the chest,” Slice says, scrubbing his hand down his face. I see the blood on Zip’s chest, so I gathered as much, but I don’t understand what the fuck happened. “How?” “We don’t know,” Slice admits, looking down at Zip in sadness. “Lash and I found him; we came about an hour ago. Only Vik was here, but he was asleep. We need fuckin’ cameras installed, because no one has any idea what happened here.”

“Fuck,” I grit out, standing and turning my back on Zip’s body. Who would want to kill him? He didn’t have any enemies that I knew of. He wasn’t the smartest guy, he fucked around and drank a lot, but he wasn’t a bad man. I look at Slice out of the corner of my eye and demand, “I want you to talk to every man in the clubhouse and find out what they know. If anyone noticed anything unusual today, or anything that can help. I want to know his last movements, and who the last person to talk to him was. Check his phone.” “What are you going to do?” Slice asks, knowing me well enough to know that I’d have a plan. “I’m going to find Carla,” I say with a sigh. “And tell her that the father of her unborn kid is dead.” The baby will be taken care of financially, of course. I’d see to that. And we’d need to organize a nice funeral. Fuck. I’ve known Zip for a long-ass time, ever since I was a boy, because he was friends with my stepdad. I turn back around and look at him. How do I tell this Carla that her man is dead, and that he was killed inside his own home? Not to mention that I have no idea who did it. I could wait until we know more, but what if she tries to contact Zip? Fuck, she only just found out she was pregnant. This is definitely going to be rough on her, and I’m not really good at dealing with emotional women. In fact, I’ll probably end up awkwardly patting her on the back and wishing I was elsewhere. Maybe I should take a woman with me? I wonder what Tia is doing right now. She seems like she’d be good in a situation like this. I realize that I don’t even have her number; it’s she who has mine. Why is she the one springing to my mind first anyway? I don’t think Arrow would appreciate my wanting to bring Anna along, and Shayla is currently in hiding, and those are the only three women who I’d feel comfortable bringing with me. I guess I was stuck doing this alone. I’d have to ask one of the men if they knew where she lived, or at least her surname. “Rest in peace, brother,” I whisper, then my voice turns to steel. “Whoever did this to you will pay.” I’ll make sure of it.

CHAPTER SIX Tia I’M walking back to my car after dropping off Rhett and Cara at school the next morning when Dean stops me to say hello. Dean is Lucas’s dad, one of Rhett’s other friends. A single dad. Every time he sees me, he wants to chat, and he’s already asked me out twice, but not in a straightforward way, more in a sneaky way that involves the kids as well. He’s a decent-looking guy and seems nice enough, but I’m not interested in him at all. I wish he’d take the hint, but he doesn’t. “You look beautiful this morning,” he says, checking me out from head to toe. “Uhh, thanks,” I reply, looking longingly at my car. It was a piece of shit, but right now it was my haven. “I better go, Dean. I’m running late to work.” “Of course,” he says, and I think I’m free, but then he adds, “Any plans for this weekend?” “Yeah, just spending time with Bailey and Cara.” “Maybe Lucas and I can join the four of you,” he suggests, and I stand there for a second, not knowing how to get out of this. “Why don’t you give me your number so we can organize something?” he presses. I glance at my car and blurt out, “I really am late. Can we talk about this another time?” “Sure,” he says, smiling like I’ve agreed. I force a smile and rush toward my car, getting in and not looking back. However, my luck doesn’t last, because halfway to work, my car breaks down again. I realize that I’m just going to have to get it fixed and put it on my credit card. I’m about to ring up roadside assistance when someone pulls up next to me. This time, however, it isn’t Talon. No, it’s Sin. The WDMC president. He glances at the car, then at me, and says, “Get in the car.” He means his. “Oh, it’s okay, I’m fine,” I try to tell him. “Roadside assistance is on their way.” Which is a lie, but I was about to call them. “Tia,” he growls, nodding to his car. “Give me your keys, and get in the car. I’ll get someone to pick this up and take it to the shop. Come on, I’ll take you to work.”

I really don’t like accepting help, but turning him down will just irritate him even more, and make me seem like I’m being an ungrateful drama queen, so I hand over my keys and get into his passenger seat. “That Dean guy annoying you?” he asks when we get back on the road. “I was dropping Clover off and saw you talking to him before running to your car like a hellhound was after you.” “He’s just . . . a little friendly,” I reply, looking out the window. “I told him I’d be with Bailey and Cara this weekend, and he tried to invite himself.” “If you need me to talk to him, let me know” is all he says. “He’s harmless,” I say quickly, not wanting or needing Sin to get involved. He’ll scare the shit out of the poor man. Sin is very intimidating. “Offer stands,” he replies. I give him directions to my office, and then we spend the rest of the ride in silence. “Thank you so much for the ride,” I tell him when we arrive. “No problem,” he says simply. “What time do you finish?” “At four. Bailey is getting Rhett.” “Someone will be here at four to pick you up,” he says, his tone brooking no argument. “Oh, that’s okay, Sin—” “Four o’clock,” he repeats, then smiles, flashing straight white teeth. “Have a nice day, Tia.” I was being dismissed. I get out of his car and walk up the stairs to the dental office.

“You’re not the only one who needs a drink right now,” a familiar deep voice says, sitting next to me. “Wow, are you actually talking to me first?” I tease, hungrily taking in his green eyes and light hair. “Cute,” he replies, his lip twitching. “You here alone?” I shake my head. “My car broke down again, and Sin sent Ronan to pick me up from work. We decided to stop for a drink, except now he’s chatting up the hot bartender,” I explain, nodding toward the bar. “And he left you here alone?” Talon asks, eyebrows rising. “What a dick.” I laugh at that. “He’s fine. I need this drink, and I don’t care if I have to sit here alone to consume it.” “So you called Sin instead of me to come and save you? I have to say, Tia, that hurts,” he says, placing his hand over his heart. I roll my eyes. “I was on the side of the road and he stopped. He wasn’t as nice about my options as you were.” Talon grins, his eyes filling with amusement. “I wanted to command you, but I didn’t think you’d respond to that very well.” “And you’d be right,” I say, taking another sip of my margarita. “I don’t like feeling like I owe people. I’d rather just do it by myself, you know?” “You’re stubborn,” he concludes. “That too,” I admit, smiling wryly. “So why do you need your drink so badly?” He studies me for a moment, then says, “Can I trust you?”

“You can,” I tell him. “What happens between us, stays between us.” “Like that kiss?” he says, surprising me that he actually brought it up. “Exactly like that kiss,” I say, my voice unintentionally going a little husky. His gaze lowers to my lips. “You didn’t tell anyone?” “No. Did you?” He shakes his head. “But I’ve thought about it.” “Me too,” I whisper. Wow. This was the first time we’ve actually spoken about the kiss, and the first time he’s shown real interest in me. I feel like his guard is down right now, for some reason or another. I like him like this, but I have a feeling that this is a rare moment I’m not going to get again. “One of my men died,” he says, twirling the liquid in his glass. “And his girl is two months pregnant, and I had to tell her.” “Fuck,” I whisper, placing my hand on his arm. “That must have been awful, Talon. I’m sorry you lost your man, and I’m sorry that you had to break it to his girl.” I can’t imagine what he’s going through right now, and here I am nursing a drink because my car is getting fixed by a bunch of controlling-yet-kind alpha males who won’t let me make my own decisions. This really puts my life back into perspective. I’m being a total bitch to people who want to help me, just because I’d rather do everything on my own. I really don’t want to ever lose my independence, but if I learned anything from my relationship with Bailey, it’s that maybe it is okay to let someone help every now and then. It doesn’t mean I’m giving up my independence. “Shit happens,” he says, putting his hand on top of mine. “You know something funny?” “What?” I ask, running my thumb along his. “Out of all the people in the world, I wanted to call you to come with me to tell her. Like your being there would have made the situation easier somehow. I guess you would’ve been better at comforting her than I was.” “I’m sure you did your best,” I say softly, relaxing as I hear his words. “There’s no good way to tell news like that.” I like that he wanted me to be there with him, helping him through this hard time. He might not realize it, but it means something. “No,” he agrees, staring straight ahead. “There isn’t. She cried. And wailed. The sounds she made . . . they were heartbreaking. I didn’t even know they were that close, or whatever. I mean, I’ve never even met her before, but the pain in her eyes . . . I don’t know, I guess now her kid doesn’t have a dad.” “Talon,” I say, when I hear his voice catch. “Look at me.” He looks at me. “This wasn’t your fault, so don’t make yourself feel like it was. How did he die?” I don’t know the story yet, but I like to think that I know the type of person he is. He’s honest, if he’s anything. I don’t think he’d lie about something like this. “He was stabbed,” he replies. “And I’m sure as hell going to find out by who.” The conviction in his tone leaves me no doubt that he will. I take his phone from the table and open the keypad. “No password?”

“No woman to hide shit from.” My lip twitches at that. I put my phone number in and hit SAVE. “Next time you need me, call me. I would have come with you, you know that, right?” He turns to me, and our eyes connect. “Yeah, okay.” “Good,” I say, just as Ronan returns to the table. He eyes Talon for a second, his lips tightening, but he only asks if I’m ready to leave. I tell him that I am, kiss Talon on the cheek, and then head out with Ronan. It makes my heart hurt, everything that Talon told me. These aren’t things that everyday men have to worry about, but for Talon and the other bikers, it’s just part of their lives. I understand what Bailey was trying to tell me now: it’s a whole other world. I spend the ride home replaying our conversation in my mind.

CHAPTER SEVEN Talon I REALIZE I’ve fucked up when I stare at her number on my phone. I’m too close. I’ve done such a good job of staying away from her up until now, but one real conversation between us has me craving more. The Wind Dragons are only now starting to consider me an ally, and this might rock the boat with them. I know the men don’t like me near their women, and Tia, by association, is under their protection. Yes, they don’t one hundred percent trust me, but they will in time. And I want them to. They’re a powerful MC, and I’d be stupid not to want them on my side—not to mention, it would make my friendship with Anna a hell of a lot easier. Rake, however, still hates me for his own reasons—reasons that are beyond my control—and he isn’t going to like me being anywhere near his old lady’s best friend. Okay, my kidnapping Anna was in my control, but my being raised by his biological father isn’t. If Anna could forgive me, I don’t know why Rake still has it out for me. I see Anna like a sister, and Rake could be like a brother if he ever allows it. Without overthinking it, I send Tia a text. Did you get your car back?

Yeah, I wasn’t one for smooth messages, or anything like that. I don’t even know why I’m messaging her. Why don’t I want to stay away? I think the more important question is, why can’t I stay away? I’m being selfish, wanting her when I know she’s better off without me, away from the Wild Men. Still, when she replies, I can’t help but smile. Me. Smiling at a fuckin’ text message. No hello? Yeah I did. All is back to normal. How are you doing, Talon?

Hello, I type back. I’m doing okay . . . Fuck it. What are you doing tomorrow? I delete the last line. I can’t see her tomorrow. Tomorrow I’m tracking down some of the men who are after Shayla. In this world, sometimes it’s kill or be killed. I don’t like taking life, but I’ll do it to save those I care about, and I won’t feel guilty about it afterward. I adore Shayla, and she didn’t ask for this. It’s up to me to take care of her, and I’ll do it any way

I can. These men aren’t innocent, nor are their own hands clean. It doesn’t justify it, but at the same time it relieves my conscience. I’m here anytime you want to talk.

Fuck. Other women send me nudes without me even asking, and she’s here offering me a shoulder to lean on. She’s one of the good ones. Thanks. I appreciate that. I’m here for you too.

I stare up at my ceiling, from where I’m lying comfortably on my bed. When I hear a soft knock on the door, I ignore it. I’m not interested in any of the women here in the clubhouse, looking for a biker to satisfy. I haven’t had sex in a few weeks now. I don’t know what’s wrong with me; it’s like I’m stuck in a rut. Or like I’m ready for something new—the past doesn’t satisfy me anymore, and neither does the present. I’m surprised you brought up the kiss . . . I was starting to think it was a figment of my imagination.

I cover my eyes with my arm. The mention of the kiss just fell from my mouth, I never had any intention of bringing it up again. I was in a vulnerable place after dealing with Carla’s grief and anger over Zip’s death, and I wasn’t thinking about what I was saying. I was open and unguarded for that moment, and Tia just happened to be witness to it. I don’t like showing weakness, because it can always be used against you. Although she might not know it, in my opinion that’s what I showed her. I’m surprised I brought it up too.

Ouch, she replies instantly. That doesn’t mean I don’t think about it all the fuckin’ time, I reply to her, cringing at how much of a pussy I sound like. Deciding it’s safer to step away from the phone, I put it on silent and leave it on the side table beside my bed. I don’t think I’ve ever texted a woman in my life just for casual conversation. The messages I normally send are telling them to come over for sex, or something along those lines. Not that I fuck around a lot, because I don’t, but I do have needs that many women are willing to sate. Compared to some of the other men in the clubhouse who have different women every few days, I’m pretty much a saint. The Wild Men version of a saint anyway. I cringe again, realizing that compared to an average man, that’s not very saintly at all. There’s another knock at my door. I groan and roll over, burying my head under my pillow. Eyes closed, I pretend it’s a woman who wants only me. Not one who doesn’t care who she gets, as long as he’s good-looking and a biker, and not one who just wants to fuck the president of the Wild Men. A woman who wants me for me, because we share some kind of connection, some kind of pull. I pretend that it’s Tia.

When my phone rings two days later, I answer it without looking at the caller ID. “Yeah?” “Hey,” she says, making my eyes widen. “Tia?” “Yeah,” she replies, sounding amused. “So I’m kind of in a pickle and was wondering if your offer to help still stands.” “Yeah, of course it does,” I say, pausing the camera footage I was watching. “Where are you?” “At my house.” “No work today?” I ask as I get up and walk through the clubhouse. “Day off.” “Okay, well, give me fifteen minutes and I’ll be right there.” I know where she lives already, because I dropped the girls home the night Tia kissed me. It feels good that she called me over anyone else, knowing how she feels about asking for help. I’m surprised she didn’t try to fix the damn car herself. I’m going to take it in for service and cover the costs. I don’t care what she has to say about it anymore. I get on my bike and ride straight to her house, parking on the grass. I walk up to her front door and pause before I knock, asking myself exactly what the fuck did I think I was doing here? But she asked for my help, which is a big thing for her, and there’s no way I’m going to turn her down. I can control myself around her for a few hours. It’s not like I have no self-control—we’re not gonna end up fucking in her backseat or anything. I knock three times, and she takes a few seconds to open the door. She looks beautiful. She’s wearing those damn shorts again, and the choker that I know now is a part of her everyday look. She’s wearing a flowy white top, one that shows off her shoulders. I think I can see her nipples through the material, but that might be my overactive imagination. “You came,” she says, opening the door wide. “Well, I did tell you to call me if your car acts up again,” I tell her. “I thought the Wind Dragons were getting it fixed, though?” She flashes me a grin and says, “I never said this was about the car.” “Oh,” I say, narrowing my eyes on the little minx. “Then what did you need help with?” I look down her body once more. If she needs help with that, there’s no way in hell I can say no. I’ve wanted her for too long, and here she is in front of me, looking too perfect to be true. She’s wearing no makeup—and in my opinion she’s much prettier that way, natural. Not all women can pull that off. “Well,” she says, taking a few steps forward. “My air-conditioning kind of won’t turn on, and I was wondering if you’d have a look at it.” I swallow hard, my eyes never leaving hers. She stands still, waiting for my next move, and I know that this time she isn’t going to make it first. Last time, she kissed me, and then I acted like it was a mistake, something that can never happen again. I shouldn’t kiss her right now. I have shit with my club going on, I’m working on saving Shayla, and Rake is going to lose his shit over this. But in a way, that’s why I need this so much. Something for me—just me. Something that I want, I need, without thinking of anyone else’s opinions. Fuck everyone else. Sometimes I deserve to be happy too, and right now nothing else seems

to be cutting it. I take a step forward and cup her cheek with my right hand. “Are you sure it’s not working?” “Why else would I tell you to come over?” she says, raising her brow. “Maybe because you wanted something else,” I say, my gaze lowering to her pouty lips. “Maybe you’re pushing me to take what I want.” “I shouldn’t have to push you to take anything,” she fires back, licking her lips. “I know,” I whisper. “But it’s complicated.” “It always is.” I lean down and slam my mouth against hers.

CHAPTER EIGHT Tia SO technically, I cheated. Although I didn’t kiss him first, I invited him here under false pretenses. I didn’t know what would happen, exactly, but I wanted to see him, spend more time with him. Since I had the day off, I was alone in the house and I couldn’t stop thinking about him, so I went out on a limb and called. I just wanted him, in any way, shape, or form, and now he’s here, his mouth slanted on mine, giving me more of those kisses I’ve been dreaming about since I first tasted him. His other hand lands on my back, bringing me closer to him like he can’t get enough. His tongue delves into my mouth in that expert way of his, making me moan—begging for more. He guides me as I walk backward until the back of my legs hit the couch, then he turns me around and sits on the couch, lifting me up so I’m straddling him, all with his mouth still on mine. Impressive. I’m pretty much sitting on his hard cock, feeling it for the first time. Unable to stop myself, I grind against him, and this time it’s he who moans. He pulls his lips away from mine and he looks at me with such lust in his eyes that I kiss him again deeply, showing him without words that he’s not alone in this, that he drives me just as crazy, and that I can’t get enough of him. I grip the bottom of his T-shirt and start to lift it up. He moves back to take it off the rest of the way, revealing smooth, tanned skin. I run my hand down his stomach, which is hard as a rock, like velvet over steel. This is the first time I’m seeing his body, and it’s fucking amazing. “Wow,” I mouth. He catches it and grins at me, his eyes heavy-lidded, shielding some of their green beauty from me. “Are we doing this?” he asks, standing with me in his arms. He’s so strong and manly. It’s such a turnon. I’m not a heavy woman, I’m quite petite, but I’ve never had a man lift me like that before. “Yes,” I say, kissing his jawline. “Where’s your bedroom?” I point down the hall, even though he can’t see where I’m pointing to. “First door on the left.” He walks us into my room, opening the door, then slamming it shut behind us. Not paying attention to anything in my room, he gently places me down on the white sheets. He undoes the button on my shorts, then pulls them down, muttering something about “these damn shorts.” He throws them on the floor, then

pulls me up to take off my top. When that’s also on the floor, he reaches behind and unclasps my bra, letting it fall forward. “Beautiful,” he murmurs, rubbing his thumb across one of my nipples before pushing me back down on the bed and removing my black panties. I lift up my hips then lie there naked as he takes me in from head to toe. I should feel embarrassed, but I’m not. My body isn’t perfect, but it’s me. I’d rather he see everything I am now so that I can know if it’s enough for him before I get even more attached to him. His pants come off next, and it’s my turn to watch him. He’s perfect, of course, even with the scars on his ribs, which look like they were made by a blade. Tall and lean, he has no fat on him whatsoever; it’s all hard muscle. He’s covered in tattoos, something I find myself very attracted to. He lies on top of me, keeping his weight off me, then kisses me softly. I’m euphoric at the feel of his skin pressed against mine, and I just close my eyes for a second, enjoying the sensation. “Tia,” he says softly. “Yeah?” “Look at me.” I open my eyes lazily and meet his intense gaze. “I’m going to grab a condom from my wallet. Don’t you dare move.” He moves off me, and I can’t help but tease. “Always keep them there for an emergency, huh?” He glances up and grins as he brings the packet to his mouth, ripping it open with his teeth. “I like to be prepared.” “Good to know,” I murmur, watching as he slides it over his length. I don’t know how he can make it look sexy, but he does, because I can’t seem to take my eyes off his huge cock. “You must be proud of that thing,” I blurt out, causing him to laugh, which makes his cock shake. I try not to look, but come on, as if I can help myself. “If you’re laughing I mustn’t be doing my job right.” I grin, thinking that my method of seduction could surely use an update. He lies back on top of me, smiling away. “I’m laughing, and I’m still hard as a fuckin’ rock, sweetheart. Trust me, this is a first for me.” He pauses to nuzzle my cheek. “In a good way.” This was his first time laughing during sex? Then he slides the tip inside me, and my rebuttal is lost on my lips, all the humor in the situation fleeing, because now all I want is him inside me, fucking me like I’m his. He pushes himself inside of me the rest of the way in one smooth thrust and I lose all coherent thought. He pushes my hair off my face and looks me in the eye. “How are we doing?” “Amazing; don’t stop,” I demand, lifting my hips up, silently telling him to please move his ass. “Do you want it slow?” he asks, moving inside me deep and slow. “Or do you want it hard and fast?” I want both, because I’m greedy like that. Right now I want it hard and fast, so I tell him so. He does as I ask, kissing me deeply and fucking me hard at the same time, hitting all the right spots. I run my hands down his back as his lips trail down my neck, sucking and biting. I’m in heaven.

He pulls back to lift my legs over his shoulders, then continues to slide in and out. He puts his thumb in my mouth, and I suck on it hard, his eyes darkening as he watches me. He then uses it to stroke my clit, making my thighs shake. “Holy shit,” I whisper, feeling my orgasm creeping up on me. Talon watches my face as I come, and I can only imagine the faces I make, but his own expression is so turned on that I don’t care. Wave after wave of pleasure hits me and I call out, not in my own body for those few moments, the feeling indescribable. When I come back to myself, Talon kisses me hard as he joins me, coming inside me. When he’s done, he leans back and grins at me, once again playful. “We should have been doing that a lot sooner,” he rumbles, making me smile back at him. “And whose fault is that?” “Already pointing fingers, huh?” “Always,” I say, my voice gentling as I run my hands through his shaggy white-blond hair. He nuzzles the crook between my neck and my shoulder, burying his face there while I wrap my arms around his body. We stay like that for a few moments, just enjoying being in each other’s arms. I know it’s not long until reality kicks in, but I just want to be with him like this for as long as I can. “What are you doing to me?” he mutters under his breath, pulling back and sliding out of me. He heads into my bathroom to take care of the condom while I wrap myself in my bedsheet. When he comes back and flashes me a grin, I breathe a sigh of relief. “Move over,” he says, so I roll over, giving him some room on the edge of the bed. He takes some of the sheet from me, then pulls me into his arms. I rest my head on his shoulder and wait for him to speak. “Rake and his brothers aren’t going to be happy about this,” he starts, and from his tone I can’t tell if he cares or not. I lift my head and look him in the eye. “That’s why you’ve been avoiding this”—I was going to say connection, but I don’t want to freak him out—“attraction?” “One of the reasons,” he says, sighing and studying me carefully. “There’s a few.” “Do enlighten me.” “I’m a biker, you have a kid, and this isn’t exactly the safest lifestyle,” he starts, and I nod for him to continue. “Yes, there’s Rake. Bailey is your best friend, and there will be hell to deal with there.” “Why does he even hate you so much?” I ask, not getting it. “Many reasons,” Talon says, sounding subdued. “I also have a lot of shit going on at the moment. I guess the timing didn’t feel right, and I was waiting until it was.” “And now?” I ask. Was he just going to go back to staying away from me after this? He didn’t make me any promises, so I won’t be upset over it, just disappointed. I’m not a woman who sleeps with a man, then expects him to stay. I slept with him because I wanted to, not because there were conditions attached to it. “And now,” he murmurs, rolling over so he’s on top of me again. “I want you again.” He kisses me, making me forget my questions. Afterward I fall asleep, and when I wake up, he’s gone. I guess that answers them for me.

CHAPTER NINE Talon I RING Tia again, but she doesn’t pick up. I want to go over to her house to explain what happened this morning in person, but I know her son will be there. When I got a call this morning saying that there was an issue with the gun shipment, I had to leave to sort it out. I didn’t want to wake her, so I kissed her and left quietly, telling myself I’d just call her and explain that I had to leave, not that I was bailing after fucking her. Although since she’s not picking up or replying to my messages, that’s probably exactly what she thinks. I don’t think I’ve ever called a woman and had her ignore me before, so it really doesn’t sit well with me. Is she already starting to play games? The thought annoys me. Why won’t she just pick up the phone and let me explain? I pace around my room, wondering if I should randomly show up there. I’ve made my decision to do just that when my phone rings.

By the time I finally see her, it’s 8:00 p.m.—two days later. After Shayla’s bodyguard called, I had to go and handle a few things, or men, as it were, and I only just got back into town. I know she’s going to be pissed at my showing up on her doorstep, but she didn’t pick up her phone, and there’s nothing else I could do. I know it’s late, and I don’t want to talk in front of her kid, but I figure she can come out the front or something. If she wanted to avoid this, she should have answered the fuckin’ phone. She must’ve heard the rumble of my bike, because the front door opens and she storms over to me, barefoot and dressed in her pajamas, which consist of shorts and a tank top. She looks fuckin’ adorable, even with that scowl on her face. I try to hide my amusement as she stops in front of my bike. “What are you doing here?” she asks, looking at me like I’m batshit crazy. “Rhett’s here!” She pauses. “And you’re an asshole!” I get off my bike, my black boots stopping right in front of her blue-painted toes. I lift her chin with my index finger, rendering her silent as I look into her eyes. “I had to leave because I got a call—the men needed me. I didn’t want to go. I didn’t get freaked out, and I sure as fuck didn’t bone and bail. I tried to call you to explain, but your stubborn ass didn’t pick up.”

“I haven’t heard from you in two fucking days,” she whisper-yells, putting her hands on her hips. “Your men needed you for two days? Sounds like you got what you wanted and now you’re done.” “It sounds like if you had picked up your phone I could have told you that I had to head out of town to handle some business,” I say, trying to stay calm while she throws her attitude at me. “I literally came straight to your house, Tia. I left you a voice mail explaining everything, but I guess you didn’t listen to that either?” “I never check my voice mail,” she says, wincing. “How was I supposed to know?” “That’s why we do this little thing called communicate,” I say, wanting so badly to kiss her. And maybe shake her a little. “Oh,” she says, her expression softening. “Yes, oh. Why the hell didn’t you pick up my calls?” She shifts on her feet, looking down before she replies. “Honestly, I think I was just assuming the worst. Thought you were going to say it was a mistake . . .” “Act like I did after the kiss,” I surmise, feeling like shit. Yeah, I had avoided her after that kiss, and told her it was a mistake. No wonder she thought I’d do it again. “I told myself I wouldn’t get angry even if you did bail, but . . . I guess I wanted to be different to you.” “Different?” “Than other women,” she tries to explain, shrugging her shoulders. “I don’t know. It’s stupid.” “Nothing you say is stupid,” I tell her, cupping her cheek with my hand, then looking toward her house when I see Rhett looking through the window, giving me a look similar to the one his mother was giving me moments ago. “Your son is watching us, so I better go. When can I see you next? Can I take you out for dinner tomorrow night?” She glances behind her, then back at me. “Like a date?” “Exactly like a date.” “I’d like that,” she says, smiling. I want to kiss her, but her kid is watching, so I need to be on my best behavior. “I’ll pick you up at seven. You ever been on the back of a bike before?” “No,” she says, making me feel all warm inside. “Good,” I reply, my gaze lowering to her lips. “Fuck, I want to kiss you so bad.” “Tomorrow,” she says, flashing me a seductive grin and turning around to head inside. I’ve crossed the line and now there’s no going back. I tried to stay away from her, I did, but now I’ve come too far. There’s only moving forward, and I’ll handle whatever is thrown at me to have this girl, to get to know her and see if she’s what I think she is. Mine.

She fits on the back of my bike like she’s meant to be there. With her arms around me and her cheek pressed against my back, we ride to the restaurant I chose specifically to take her to tonight. The food is good, but more than that, it’s private and we’ll be able to talk. I want to get to know her. I know it takes

time, but we have to start somewhere. I help her off the bike and hold her hand as we walk into the Italian restaurant. I open the door for her, wondering when the fuck I became a gentleman. “This place is nice,” she says, looking around. She looks so sexy in her tight black jeans and her white top, and I can’t help but glance down at her ass a few times. Okay, so maybe I’m not that much of a gentleman. “It’s my favorite,” I admit to her, leading her to my regular table with a hand on her lower back. “Hey, Talon,” Rio, the owner, says. He looks down at Tia and his eyes widen. “And who is this?” “Hey, Rio,” I say, handing Tia a menu. “This is Tia. Tia, this is Rio.” “Hello,” she says, smiling at him. “Nice to meet you.” “This is the first time Talon has brought a woman here,” he says, taking her hand and kissing it, making me grit my teeth. “You are very beautiful, Tia.” “And now you know why,” I mutter, taking Tia’s hand away from him. She just laughs, finding the whole thing amusing, but really I want to punch him in the face for kissing a part of her that I haven’t yet. If I didn’t know he’s gay, I might have done just that. I’ve known Rio for years. We actually went to high school together, so he knows me pretty well. His hobbies include annoying the fuck out of me on purpose, but I suppose that’s what friends do. I’m the one who gave him the start-up money for this place, and his food is amazing, so it’s my regular haunt. He’s right though: I’ve never brought a woman here before. I’m not going to overthink why exactly I brought Tia here on our first date. “Let me know when the two of you are ready to order,” he says, slapping my shoulder as he walks away. “He seems nice,” she says, opening the menu and starting to browse. “He’s definitely something,” I murmur, watching her expression as she reads what’s on the menu. “So you come here a lot, then?” “You could say that.” “What do you normally order then?” she asks, glancing up at me. “Everything looks good.” “I usually get the carbonara,” I tell her, not even bothering to look at my menu, I know it so well. “But everything is good. Take your time and choose whatever you want.” She puts the menu down and studies me. “I have to admit, I never thought the day would come when you’d ask me out on a date.” She pauses. “Is this something you do a lot?” I lean my arms on the table, my lip twitching at the start of her interrogation. “I think the last time I went on a date was in high school. I was probably, like, sixteen. Regina Belle. She let me go to third base that night.” “Oh.” “Yes, oh,” I say, feeling amused. “When’s the last time you went on a date?” She tilts her head to the side, considering. “Maybe three months ago.” “And how did it go?” I ask, curious, and also a little jealous. I had no idea she’d been on a date so recently. “Well,” she says, leaning back in her chair, an odd expression on her face. “I met him online. He told me he was a carpenter, but he was actually just unemployed and only made furniture when he needed money for weed. He also offered me a Valium, so I’m going to go with not well.”

“Sounds like a winner,” I say, stifling the urge to laugh. “Online dating? You don’t get enough men hitting on you in real life?” “The dating world has changed now,” she says, watching me. “And not for the better. Online dating gives you a broader spectrum, and, I don’t know, I guess I was just bored, as bad as that sounds. I didn’t think I’d meet anyone who would sweep me off my feet, but I was a little . . .” “Hopeful?” I insert. She smiles, her eyes going soft. “Yeah, hopeful, I guess. Although that date dashed that hope.” “Is it fucked-up to say that I’m glad the date didn’t go well?” I blurt out. Her blue eyes dance with humor. “No. No it’s not.” “Good, because I’m glad,” I say, grinning. “His loss.” She shakes her head and reopens the menu. “I’m going to go with the carbonara and a glass of red wine.” “Really,” I murmur, calling over a waiter. “You trust me that much, hey?” “I do,” she says, nodding. “And you better not ruin that trust, Talon. The pasta better be fucking delicious.” “No pressure, then,” I tease, ordering for both of us when the waiter comes to the table. Rio walks out shortly after and says, “Carbonara; why do we even bother asking?” He places two glasses and a bottle of red wine on the table, along with a bottle of beer for me. “I want to see what all the fuss is about,” Tia says, as Rio pours the wine. “So how long have you known Talon?” he asks Tia, being a nosy bastard. “Not long,” she replies vaguely. “How about you?” “Years,” Rio says, looking at me. “Before he became a huge biker bastard.” I sigh, and purse my lips. Why did I bring her here again? “You know I can pour my own wine,” I say, trying to change the subject away from me. I also hate when he treats me like a customer. I mean, I am a customer, but I’m also his friend, and he doesn’t need to pour my fuckin’ wine. He knows I won’t even drink the wine; all I want is the beer. Tia shoots me a look that clearly says stop being rude, then turns to Rio and thanks him. He flashes me a smug look, then walks away. “He’s practically family,” I explain, clearing my throat. She takes her wine and has a sip. “Good?” She nods, her blond hair bouncing. “Delicious.” “So who’s watching your son?” “Bailey.” “She didn’t ask who you were going to meet?” “I just told her I had a date. I haven’t told her the details,” she says, putting down her glass. “Don’t women ask about shit like that?” I ask, picking up my beer. I’d have thought she’d receive a full interrogation from her best friend. It’s a known fact that women like to talk about their relationships and are obsessed with details. “I told her I’d tell her everything later,” she says, wincing. “It was the only way I could get her off my back. But if you want to keep seeing me, it’s not like we’ll be able to keep this a secret for long.”

And there she goes, laying it all out for me. No games, just truth. It makes me want her—and respect her—even more. “What do you want?” I ask her outright. We don’t really know each other well. We’ve been around each other a few times before this; we’ve been drawn to each other. Spent a night hanging out at the bar together, shared a kiss that I couldn’t get out of my head, and slept together the other day. “You,” she replies simply, shrugging her shoulders like it’s the easiest thing in the world. “I know it’s not going to be easy; I know there are a lot of obstacles in the way, but I don’t know—I can’t stop thinking about you. I crave being near you. Don’t you think that’s something worth exploring? I trust that you will keep me and my son safe, Talon, and that’s a huge deal for me. I don’t like relying on anyone, as you know, but I’d leave our protection in your hands.” She puts her feelings into words so well, unlike me. I have no fuckin’ clue what I’m feeling, just that I like being near her. I want her. I don’t know if that’s a good thing, because it sounds possessive as fuck, but it’s true. I’m not usually a man who gets attached to women, but with her, something feels different. Maybe that’s the real reason I avoided her for so long: I knew that she would get to me, and I don’t live a life that allows for me to have a weakness. Her talking about trusting me with her son is a huge thing, and a little intimidating. Could I keep them both safe? Of course I would, but sometimes things happen that are out of your control. I suddenly feel a little sweaty, like I’m under a lot of pressure. “I do think it’s something worth exploring,” I tell her, reaching out and taking her hand. “That’s why I asked you out tonight. I want to get to know you, not just what I hear about you or what I feel around you, but actually get to know you.” I breathe as I get the words out. They are the truth, and although I don’t know how everything will work out, I do want her. “Good,” she replies, smiling at me. I smile back.

CHAPTER TEN Tia TALON helps me off the bike, then pulls me in for a cheeky kiss, the first one of the night. After an amazing dinner—the food was delicious—dessert, and even better conversation, we stopped here, at the beach. “You taste like chocolate,” he says, sucking on my lower lip before pulling away. “So do you,” I say, walking with him onto the sand. “Romantic walk on the beach?” “Not exactly,” he says, and I catch his wolfish grin in the moonlight. “Then what?” When he bends down to take off his biker boots, I raise my eyebrow. His shirt comes off next. When he starts to take off his jeans, I start looking around frantically. I don’t see any people around us, but that doesn’t mean that anyone can’t show up at any time. “Uhh, Talon?” His soft chuckle brings my attention back to him and his now-naked form. I lose concentration. He’s standing on the beach, butt naked, staring at me. “Are you going to join me?” he asks, nodding his head toward the water. “The beach is usually empty. Trust me, no one will show up.” He’s taking me skinny-dipping on our first date? I’m actually kind of impressed. This is a date I will never forget, both because of him, and because I’m about to strip down and join him in the ocean. He doesn’t take his gaze off me as my clothes join his in a pile on the sand. “I read somewhere that if a woman’s bra and panties match, she was planning on having sex that night,” he says as I remove the matching panties to my red bra. “Or it wasn’t the man who made the decision to have sex, or some shit like that.” “Where did you read that?” I ask him, covering my bare breasts with one hand and down there with the other. “Cosmo?” “Did you think I was going to fuck you tonight?” he asks, stepping forward and gripping me by the hips. I lower my hands, letting him see everything. “Aren’t you going to?” I ask, pressing a kiss onto his smooth chest. “You want me to put out on the first date?” he asks in a mock high-pitched tone, making me laugh. I squeal as he lifts me into the air, tossing me over his shoulder. The slap he gives my ass should make me

yelp, but instead it makes me moan. I hear him murmur, “Interesting,” before I’m dunked in the water. Luckily it’s warm, and I’ll forgive him for the salt burning my eyes a little. I resurface and watch him standing there, a smirk on his handsome face. “Jerk,” I say, before I jump on him, wrapping my legs around his hips and my arms around his neck. “Can’t say I’ve ever done this on a date before.” “Really? I do this with all my dates,” he jokes. I bury my face in his neck and lick the salt from his skin. His hands roam down to my ass, and he squeezes the round globes in each hand. “I can’t believe I’ve taken you to my two favorite spots tonight.” “I like that,” I tell him, lifting my head and looking into his eyes. “You better.” “Why did you bring me here?” I ask him, resting my forehead against his. “If it’s not somewhere you would usually bring a woman.” “I don’t know,” he says softly, closing his eyes for a second. “I guess I just wanted to share it with you.” His actions speak more than his words ever could. I wonder if he realizes that. “Thank you,” I whisper, bringing my lips to his ear. “Tonight has been amazing.” “It’s not over yet,” he says, running his lips along my jawline. “This is going to be the most cringeworthy shit I’ve ever said, but you look beautiful in the moonlight.” I kiss him in response, and feel him smile against my lips. “Okay, maybe I should say shit like that all the time,” he says, returning the kiss. I’ve had butterflies in my stomach the whole night, and I just feel giddy, my head light and a permanent smile on my lips. I don’t even know what it is, but all the cons of being with Talon don’t even matter to me anymore. The pros outweigh everything. This feeling, right here, I’d do anything for. I can’t even explain it. He’s different to me, somehow. I felt it the first time I saw him; there’s something about him that screams mine. Sometimes two people just have a connection, even if you can’t understand it. With Talon, I feel comfortable. I accept him as he is, flaws and all. There’s nothing about him I’d want to change. Tonight I’ve been on cloud nine. I’ve wanted a date with him ever since I first laid eyes on him; I wanted his attention, but he never gave it to me until now. It hurt my ego a little bit, but it soothes me to know that he did want me the whole time—that the attraction I felt wasn’t one-sided. He was just able to hide his better, but in usual Tia form, I was open and honest with what I wanted, even if I didn’t understand why. Being with him right now, like this, in his arms, it just feels right. It feels like I belong here. It’s a scary feeling, but also a hopeful one. This man could end up being my everything, my future, my family, or he could end up being another disappointment. I guess that’s the gamble one has to take. With the other men I dated casually, I always had the upper hand. With Talon, however, I don’t, because I know how I feel, and I’m not going to fuck around with that. He pulls away to kiss down my neck, and wades deeper into the water so it’s up to my breasts. “I have to get a condom from my jeans,” he says to me, kissing my lips once more. “How opposed are you to fucking on the beach? I’ll even be a gentleman and let you ride me, so it’s my back that gets covered in sand.”

“Doesn’t that just sum up modern-day romance?” I joke, my legs letting go of him as I swim to shore. He follows me out of the water, onto the sand. I can feel his eyes on my ass, so I give it a shake, happy to hear his little growl of approval. He grabs a condom, opens it, and slides it on. I push him back into the sand, straddle him, and kiss him as he eases his cock inside me gently. I ride him until we both come, this time together, so in sync and so fucking perfect. How could something like this be wrong?

“I thought we spoke about the Talon thing,” Bailey says, looking concerned. “So now, you’re what? Seeing him? Tell me everything.” “We went out for dinner and a ride on his bike,” I say, not wanting to tell her the rest, especially not with Rake around the house somewhere. I came to pick up Rhett but had to come clean with Bailey about where I’ve been, especially because she enabled it by watching my son for me. “And now what?” she asks, lowering her voice. “You’re going to be loyal to the Wild Men instead of us?” “It was one date, Bailey,” I say in a hushed tone. “And I will never turn my back on you guys, no matter who I end up with, okay?” Are MC politics this intense? Are people going to question everything I say and do if I’m with Talon? I’m just me, Tia. I don’t see different MCs; all I see are people I care about. It’s not fair to expect me to take sides. “It’s not that easy,” Bailey says, looking sad all of a sudden. “If you live at their clubhouse, you won’t be able to visit the Wind Dragons clubhouse, and we’ll have to always meet somewhere else because I won’t be allowed to visit you there either.” “All this after one date? Don’t you think it’s too soon to worry about all of that?” “He’s a biker,” Bailey points out, lips tightening. “I just worry about you, Tia. Think everything through. You know if it makes you happy, I will always support you.” I lay my head on her shoulder. “I know. I really like him, Bailey. I’ve never felt this way before. How am I supposed to turn my back on that? You can’t ask me to do that.” “And I won’t,” she says quickly, sighing. “I just want you to think everything through before you make any decisions.” I’d already made my decision—I did the second I called Talon and invited him to my house. There is no going back now: I want him too much, and it doesn’t hurt anyone for me to be with him. Does it? Why does everything have to be so difficult? Why can’t it be as simple as a man meeting a woman, the two of them liking each other and choosing to be together? Why does everyone else get their happily ever after while mine is in question? So yes, he’s from a different MC, but I wouldn’t have even met him if they weren’t friends with him in the first place. He’s not their enemy; he’s their ally. I hope they can see it that way, because I don’t want to get Bailey into shit with the men. The women all seem to be okay with Talon; it’s just the men, mainly Rake, who have an issue. Bailey mentioned that Rake and Talon don’t really get along even though Rake’s sister, Anna, seems to be very close with Talon, and Arrow accepts that, or at least puts up with it.

“I will,” I tell her, allowing my goofy, dreamy smile to appear. “Oh God, I know that look,” she says, smiling with me. “You know, I’m not even surprised. I saw how the two of you looked at each other that night.” “I know, but something was holding him back,” I say, lifting my head and glancing at her. “I should get going. Thanks again for babysitting.” “Any time,” she says, waving her hand in the air. “You know I don’t mind. Rake will carry Rhett into your car for you. Don’t even try and argue about it; the kid is practically your size.” I grin at that. “Okay, thanks.” Bailey calls out to Rake, and he soon appears with Rhett in his arms. I say ’bye to Bailey, hugging her tightly, then walk outside with Rake. I unlock my car door and watch as Rake puts him in his seat and belts him in. “Thanks, Rake,” I say, offering him a smile. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” I turn to walk to the driver’s side to see him still watching me. “Drive safely,” he says, tapping his hand on the hood of my car. “I will,” I say, sliding into the seat. On the drive home, I think about how being with Talon will affect my relationship with Rake. Will he hate me? Will he not want me to hang around Bailey anymore? Maybe he’ll be angry at the start but learn to accept it and get over it. Maybe he and Talon can finally make peace, the two clubs being official allies. Maybe everything will work out in the end.

CHAPTER ELEVEN Talon THE last person Zip spoke to was Carla,” Slice says, looking at the papers in his hand. “I don’t know who would’ve wanted to kill him, Talon.” I scrub my hand down my face and look at my vice president. “I want cameras installed in the front and back, so from now on we can see anyone who enters and leaves the clubhouse.” “Done,” Slice replies, nodding his head. “Ranger mentioned that he saw a few members of the Kings in the area,” I tell him, crossing my arms over my chest. “We need to find out what the fuck they’re doing on our territory. I don’t trust the bastards.” Slice nods again. “I’m on it. What’s happening with Shayla?” “She’s safe for now,” I tell him. “I have a plan. The Wind Dragons owe me a marker—well, Vinnie does, but you know what they’re like. Call one in and you have them all. I’m going to ask him to protect her for me. I’m going to go after every man who wants to hurt her, Slice. She’s innocent in all this. She can’t help who her father is.” “You’ll kill for her?” “I already have.” “Do you think using your marker on this is the best idea?” Slice asks, looking contemplative. “We can protect her well enough, we don’t need the Wind Dragons to handle our business.” I stand up from the chair and crack my neck from side to side. “I have a plan, and I need them in it.” Throughout all this stress in my life, all I want to think about is Tia. It’s a fuckin’ pain in the ass, to be honest, because my dick has been semihard all day, and it’s hard to get anything done, pun not intended. I send her a quick message asking if I can see her tonight, then head to the riding school for my shift. With so many things on my mind, the riding school was always my quiet place, my happy place, but now I’d rather be with Tia than be there. It’s funny how things can change in an instant, how someone can consume your life after such a short period of time. I can’t leave Rhett again tonight, she replies. I don’t know anything about kids, and I’ve never dated a woman who had them before, or at least ones that I knew about. When am I meant to meet him? After a few months? I guess I need to ask Tia all of this.

Even though it feels like everything is going so fast, I don’t want to rush this. I want to do it properly. I need to make sure Tia and I want to be together before I meet Rhett, because I can imagine that bringing different men around him who leave would fuck with a kid’s head. I don’t know how Rake does it, but for a second I wish that I could ask him about it. Would Tia even want me around the kid? I’d understand if she didn’t. I’m not exactly role-model material. Tomorrow? I message back to her. I understand that she has responsibilities, but I want to see her badly. I’m not used to having to wait. Can’t she just sneak me in after he goes to bed? It almost feels like high school, when the girls would have a curfew. I don’t mind though. Tomorrow, she replies, and I’m left smiling at my phone like an idiot. She’s so fuckin’ worth it. I replay the conversation I had with Tia the night she kissed me, about how she didn’t want to waste a number—the number of men she’d been with—on a man who wasn’t worth it. And she definitely didn’t waste a number on me.

“Have any guys you’ve dated met your son before?” I ask Tia as we cuddle on her couch. Rhett is at school, and I’ve told the men not to call me unless someone is dying. “No,” she says, resting her head on my shoulder. “I’ve dated a fair bit over the years, but no one made the cut.” “Pressure much,” I grumble, kissing the top of her head. She looks up at me and smiles. “I think if we’re still seeing each other in about two months, I’ll introduce you to him. Do you even like kids?” “I don’t not like kids,” I say, cringing. “I don’t have any experience with kids. I think that yours will be a different situation though, because I kind of get it now. He’s a part of you, an extension of you. It’s a package deal, I understand that, but you’re going to have to be patient, because this is all new to me.” “We have time” is all she says. “I told Bailey it was you I went on the date with.” “And?” “And she gave me a few warnings but said whatever makes me happy will make her happy.” “Bailey loves me,” I tease, grinning wolfishly. “She’s been to my clubhouse and everything. Kicked our asses in beer pong, her and Anna. Vipers, the two of them.” She throws her head back and laughs. “I heard about that night. Yeah, they had fun, but they paid for it when they went home.” I wince and run my hand through my hair. “Yeah, I should’ve known they’d get caught. I fucked up that night—I know that now. I just wanted Anna to come see me on my birthday. I didn’t think about anything else, which was selfish of me.” “Don’t be so hard on yourself, Talon,” she says, squeezing my shoulder gently. “You all paid for what happened that night, but you learn from it and move on.” “It’s not that simple. You’ll see soon enough,” I say quietly.

The reason I feel guilty is that I learned soon after that my clubhouse isn’t the safest place to be, and I unknowingly put the women in danger. With me there, nothing would have happened to them, because I wouldn’t have let it, but still. I won’t let my own cousin stay there, and I’m sure as hell not going to bring Tia there. I have a few properties I could move into if things go further between us, so she can come and see me there. The clubhouse is definitely not going to be a place she frequents regularly. “Our clubhouse is different from the Wind Dragons’,” is all I tell her. No need to scare her off before I’ve even gotten her. “You go there a lot, do you?” she teases, smirking. She cups my face in her hands and kisses me gently. “As long as you don’t try to stop me from seeing my friends, I don’t care. If you get all controlling and shit, telling me I can’t go see Bailey and Rake or whatever, that’s a deal breaker for me. I’m not the kind of woman who ditches her friends the second she gets a man.” “I’d never try to pull you away from the people who care about you,” I tell her, scowling and feeling a little fuckin’ insulted. “I’m not like that. Yeah, I can be demanding, and a little bossy or whatever, but you’re your own woman, and I like that you’re strong and independent. I push you, then you push right back, and we work it out. I can be a bit much, Tia, and I need a woman who can give that right back to me, do you understand what I’m saying?” “You don’t want a weak woman who will just take all your shit and let you push her around?” she says, smirking. She points her index finger at my chest. “Good, because I won’t take any of your shit.” “Good.” “My ex, Rhett’s father, was super controlling. He was the one making the money while I stayed at home, so he used to hold that over my head. It’s probably the reason I’m so hesitant to rely on other people now,” she explains, then pauses. “I don’t think I’ve ever admitted that out loud before.” I grit my teeth at the thought of any man not treating her right. “Does he still see your son?” “No,” she says, looking sad for a moment. “He remarried and has more children. I told him if he signed away his parental rights, he didn’t have to pay me a cent in child support, so he did. At least I don’t have to worry about him coming back further down the line and trying to take Rhett away though.” My eyes widen as I hear her words. “You’re superwoman, you know that? Most women would have tried to take him for every cent that he was worth.” “I just wanted him gone, to be honest,” she admits, shrugging. “I know it sounds selfish, because he is Rhett’s father, but he never acted like a father. I don’t know. We were too young, living the lives of grownups. I never had any regrets, I fell in love with my son the moment I felt him move inside me, but Oliver just never connected with him for some reason. Rhett asked about him once, and I tried to explain as best I could. He never brought it up again. I told him that we’re a family, and that all we need is each other.” “Your ex is a pathetic excuse for a man,” I say between clenched teeth. “And if you give me his name . . .” She surprises me by laughing. “No, it’s okay. I don’t even think about him anymore, but he impacted the way I behave now, for sure. I’ve changed a lot. I used to be much meeker. Gentle even. I’m harder now. . . .” “You’re strong,” I tell her, lifting her chin with my finger. “Like a fuckin’ diamond.”

“And I’m pretty funny too, while we’re naming my qualities,” she admits, grinning impishly. I can’t help it when I push her back on the couch and kiss her hungrily. “And an amazing kisser,” I add to the list, covering the choker on her neck with my palm. “I’ve wanted to do this to you so many times.” “Choke me?” she teases, licking her lower lip. I grin and move my hand down her collarbone. “Only if you’re into that kind of thing.” “What is it about you?” she asks me, her blue eyes softening. “I’m amazing in bed,” I say with a straight face. When she laughs, I pretend to be offended. “What? Are you saying I’m not? Do I have to prove it to you again?” “I think that you do,” she says, arching her brow. “I can’t seem to remember if you’re good or not.” She pauses, a smug look crossing her beautiful features. “And if I can’t remember, that’s not looking too good for you.” Challenge accepted. I move down her body, lift up her skirt, pull down her panties, and put my mouth on her. I make her come three times before she tries pushing my head away, begging—that it’s too much, too sensitive. I lift my head and tell her to tell me how amazing I am. She does. And then she returns the favor.

CHAPTER TWELVE Tia IT’S a pretty scary thought that by the time you find out someone’s flaws, by the time you get to know them entirely, it’s almost always too late—you’ve already fallen in love with them. I guess all you can do is hope that their flaws aren’t deal breakers and accept them as they are. It’s been a month since Talon and I had our first date, and the last few weeks have been nothing short of amazing. We’ve been spending as much time as we can together, getting to know each other, and just acting like any new couple does—being completely infatuated with each other. He hasn’t met Rhett yet, and we haven’t had any drama, until now. I think that after a month of having no one question us, we kind of took it for granted. We decided to have a quick drink at Knox’s Tavern after seeing a movie together. What I didn’t expect, although I should have, was Rake, Sin, and Arrow walking in together, and the three of them joining us at our table. Out of all the Wind Dragons, these are the three I least wanted to see. I’d take Tracker, sure; Vinnie, yes—anyone other than these three. Rake hates Talon, Arrow hates him but will try to behave for Anna, and Sin is the president, scary as hell, and calls all the shots. “So, you two are a thing now?” Rake asks, looking between us before landing on me. “This is who you’ve been dating? Fuck, Tia, I thought you’d have some fuckin’ taste at least.” “Rake . . .” Talon says in warning. “What? She can do so much better than you, Talon.” He looks at me. “I’m not going to lie, I’m pretty fuckin’ disappointed that this is who you’ve been seeing. Fuck. Anyone except him!” I grit my teeth and glare at him. Sin studies the two of us, not saying anything, but I can see his mind working silently. Arrow, on the other hand, is staring at Talon like he can’t wait to punch him in the face again. “Come on, Talon, let’s go,” I say, grabbing my bag. I didn’t want to sit here and listen to the three of them. What had started off as a good night was ending in shit, and there was no way to save it. “Is this a serious thing?” Sin asks, focusing on me. “Tia?” “Talk about putting me on the spot,” I mutter, sighing. “I really like him, and I’d appreciate it if you guys could please not be assholes about it, because I haven’t done anything wrong. I’m not a member of your MC, so you can’t act like this is a betrayal.”

“You don’t have to explain anything to them, Tia,” Talon says, taking my hand in his. “And the three of you can stop making her feel bad. If you want to talk about it, you take it up with me.” Sin’s gaze moves to Talon. “We are allies, are we not?” Talon nods, but then his eyes go to Rake. “At least some of us are.” Rake’s lips tighten. “I haven’t killed you yet, Talon. You’re still alive and breathing, so that says a lot, don’t you think?” “You couldn’t kill me if you tried,” Talon fires back, his eyes going dark. “You need to let your daddy issues go, Rake. Grow up.” Rake slams his hand down on the table. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.” “Rake,” Sin says, looking back at me. “Let’s let them be. We can talk about this another time, okay? Have a nice evening, Tia.” He stands up, and the other two follow. Arrow lifts his chin as a good-bye to me, but Rake storms off without a word. What if Bailey was right? What if this did cause a strain in our relationship? The thought makes me sad, almost sick to my stomach. Would Rake try to make her stop being friends with me? “Hey,” Talon says, turning my face to look at him. “Everything is gonna be okay. Don’t worry about them; they’ll come around. Come on, I’ll get you home.” We leave the bar with the Wind Dragons watching us. I knew this was going to happen, so I can’t exactly be surprised, yet experiencing it was something else. On the ride home, I think about everything and realize just how naïve I’ve been. I can see that Talon respects the Wind Dragons, and that’s something to work with. What if they closed that gap between them? It wouldn’t happen overnight, but it could happen. There are no rules here, and no one says that they have to dislike each other just because they happen to wear different patches. Sin said they’re allies, so they can’t get angry over this. They need to get over it. I need to be strong right now and fight for what I want. I can’t let Rake ruin my happiness. He found his, and he needs to let me have mine—by letting go of the hate he feels for Talon. And what did Talon mean by daddy issues? I make a mental note to ask him about that. When we come to a stop, Talon asks me to tell him what’s on my mind. “I don’t know; all the shit Rake said sucked, but we knew it would happen. I think he’ll come around. This doesn’t really affect him, and he needs to get over it,” I say, wrapping my arms around Talon’s waist. “Bailey isn’t angry with me, and that’s all that matters to me.” He kisses the top of my head. “I don’t like them talking to you like that, making you feel bad. It’s fucked-up. I’m going to talk to them tomorrow.” “And say what?” I ask. I have a hunch that “talking” will end up being with their fists instead of their mouths. “I’ll handle it” is all he says, a determined look passing across his features. “Come on, let’s go inside.” Rhett was having a sleepover at Bailey’s tonight, and tomorrow Cara was sleeping here. I unlock my front door, and Talon lifts me in his arms and carries me to my bedroom like a new bride. “What’s all this for?” I ask, smiling as he lays me down on my blue sheets. “I want you to forget about all that shit at the bar,” he says, removing my strappy heels and placing them on the floor. He starts to rub my feet, so I can’t help but tease.

“President of the Wild Men giving me a foot massage. I should take a photo.” He grins and kisses the arch of my foot. “Everyone will think it’s photoshopped.” He kisses up my ankles, and keeps going until he hits the top of my thigh. He peppers kisses up my inner thigh, then looks up at me. “I don’t want what happened tonight to fuck up what we have. I don’t think I’ve ever been as happy as I’ve been in the last month, and I’ll kill those bastards if they try to take that away from me.” I reach down and cup his cheek with my hand. “I’m not going anywhere, Talon.” “Promise?” he asks, showing a moment of vulnerability. “I promise.” The Wind Dragons are just going to have to deal with it.

When Bailey shows up at my door the next morning with the kids, I’m surprised to see Anna standing there too. “I assume you heard the gossip,” I say after I greet her with a hug. “I did, but I want to hear it from you,” she says, making herself at home on my couch. I hug my son, kiss his face, and tell him and Cara that there’s food on the kitchen table if they’re hungry. They run off to Rhett’s room to play while Bailey and I join Anna on the couch. “Can I get you ladies something to drink?” I ask, looking between the two of them. “Why didn’t you tell me you were dating Talon?” Anna blurts out, looking a little hurt. “You know I’d have been on your side. I think Talon is a great guy, even though he can be a pain in the ass sometimes.” “I didn’t tell anyone except Bailey,” I say, wincing when I see Bailey do the same. “Sorry, but that’s the truth. We only just started seeing each other. You know what it’s like at the start. It’s new and amazing, but you have no idea where it’s heading, and with all the drama involved I didn’t want to go around broadcasting it, especially when I knew the men were going to give me shit about it.” “It was up to Tia to tell, not me,” Bailey says, crossing her arms over her chest. “And we all knew Rake was the one going to be the most unhappy with it, so I was enjoying the calm before the storm.” Anna rolls her eyes. “Rake needs to let it go. Talon is becoming closer with the Wind Dragons every day. We all know we can trust him—he’s not going to betray any of us, even if he is the president of another MC. He’s different.” It feels nice to have someone on our side for once. I smile at Anna, then tell her the story—leaving out the sexual content, of course. When I’m done, I wait for the two women to comment. “Okay, who cares about what Rake thinks?” Bailey says, shaking her head. “I’ve never seen you like this, ever. I’ve never heard you talk about a man like this. Usually I only hear the sex stories, nothing about feelings. Your eyes went all dreamy just now. I don’t want to freak you out, but you’re either falling for him or you’re already there.” I put my hand up to stop her. “Okay, let’s not go there just yet.” Even though I’ve been thinking the exact same thing.

“I think Bailey and I will be able to talk to Rake so he’s not such an ass about it,” Anna says, smiling at me. “I’m happy for both you and Talon. He needs a good woman, and I have to say, I’ve never even seen him with a woman before, so this is definitely out of the norm for both of you.” “Has he met Rhett yet?” Bailey asks, leaning back against the couch. “Not yet, but I think it’s time,” I admit. “It’s such a hard thing, dating when you have a son. I want Talon and Rhett to like each other, like genuinely, not just because Rhett is my son, you know? But I don’t want Rhett to be confused if it doesn’t work out. I don’t know; there are no rules here. I’m just going with my gut.” “Does he even like kids?” Anna asks, a thoughtful expression on her face. “I personally think he’d make a great dad. He protects those he loves with everything he has, and he’s pretty funny at times.” “I can’t believe Rake was so rude to you last night,” Bailey says, looking apologetic on her man’s behalf. “What did Talon mean when he said Rake needs to get over his daddy issues?” I ask Anna, remembering that I forgot to ask Talon about it. “Talon was raised by our biological father,” Anna says, shrugging her shoulders. “Talon’s mother ended up with him, so he was Talon’s stepfather. Our dad pretty much abandoned us; we didn’t even know who he was when we were growing up. I guess Rake has to blame someone, and Talon is the only one around.” My eyes widen as I try to process this information. It wasn’t Talon’s fault, it was their father’s, but I can also see how that would pain Rake. His own father abandoned him and ended up raising another son, one who wasn’t even his. That has to hurt every time he thinks about his fatherless childhood. “That fucking sucks” is all I can think to say. “I’m sorry your dad was an asshole.” Anna laughs. “I had Rake. We got by just fine, but thanks. I think Talon feels guilty in a way, like somehow he took what was ours, and that’s why he was so interested in me. He treats me like family, like I’m somehow his responsibility too. Who knows how that man’s mind works.” “So when are you seeing him next?” Bailey asks, being nosy. “I’m not sure,” I tell her. “Not tonight, because I’m spending it watching movies with Rhett and Cara. Maybe I’ll invite him over tomorrow and finally have him meet Rhett. That ought to be interesting.” “To be a fly on the wall,” Anna says, grinning. “You’ll have to tell me how it goes.” “Rhett’s never met a guy I’ve been dating before. I have no idea what to say,” I admit, my eyes going wide. “He saw me out front with Talon one night when he showed up at my house, and Rhett asked me a million questions about it. Primarily concerning whether he could get a motorcycle like that one day.” “Future Wind Dragon,” Anna says, then cringes. “Or will he be a future Wild Man? Clover and Cara will be with the Wind Dragons, so you can’t let him join the Wild Men MC.” She pauses. “I see some Romeo-and-Juliet shit in their future.” “He’s not joining any MC,” I say, my lips pursing. “And I’ll let future me worry about that.” “Good plan,” Anna agrees, standing up. “Now, what did you say you made for lunch?” I grin and lead them into the kitchen.

My palms are sweaty, and for some reason, I’m being awkward as hell. Why? I don’t know. This is my son, and he’s a kid—my kid—so I don’t know why I’m so nervous. Maybe because he’s the most important person in my life, and if he doesn’t like Talon, that’s a deal breaker for me. I wonder if Talon is feeling the pressure right now. He and Rhett both sit down at the dinner table while I set out a roast chicken with potatoes, corn, and garlic bread. It’s one of Rhett’s favorite meals. I’ve noticed that Talon always orders steak medium rare, fries he dips in mayonnaise, and salad with no dressing. Next time I’ll make that for him. “So,” Talon says, clearing his throat. “How was school, Rhett?” “Good,” my son replies, shoving a piece of garlic bread in his mouth. “Some kid tried to push Cara, so I told him off. I told him that boys who hit girls are losers, and if he wants to push someone, he should try to push me next time.” He grins. “I could take him.” Talon nods his head in approval. “Good work.” “Thanks,” Rhett replies, looking to me. “Sorry, Mom, I know you don’t like me getting into trouble, but I’m not going to let Cara get bullied.” Everything in me softens as I look at him. I might have made a lot of mistakes in my life, but Rhett is my greatest achievement. He’s just amazing, and I’m so proud of him every day. “You did the right thing. Don’t go looking for fights, but standing up for Cara isn’t wrong.” Rhett beams, then adds, “I didn’t end up having to do anything though, because Clover walked up to him and kicked him in the balls.” Talon bursts out laughing, and I can’t help but join him. Clover is such a spirited child, and from what I’ve heard has turned out just like her mother. “I saw your motorcycle,” Rhett tells Talon. “I want one just like it when I’m older. Mom says no, but when I’m an adult, then I get to do what I want.” I purse my lips and mutter, “We’ll see.” “I can give you a ride on it, if your mom says it’s okay,” Talon tells him, grinning. “You have good taste in bikes, kid.” Rhett snaps his head to me, hope in his blue eyes. “Can I? Please?” “I’ll go slowly,” Talon mouths, giving me a look that says You can trust me. “Yeah, okay,” I say, looking between the two. I guess this is going to be their bonding moment, and I can’t exactly take that away from them. I can’t date a biker, then expect my son not to become interested in things he’s now going to be around. “Wooo!” he cheers, grinning at Talon. “Can we go after dinner?” “How about tomorrow after school?” Talon suggests, smart enough to know I wouldn’t want Rhett riding around on his bike when it is late and dark. “Yeah, okay.” We all fill our plates and eat dinner together, like a normal family would. When Rhett asks Talon a few questions, I think it’s a good thing, like he’s interested. I breathe easily when I realize that everything is going to be okay, that my son isn’t reacting negatively to me having a man in my life . . . in our lives. We have salted caramel cheesecake for dessert—store-bought, not homemade, because I do not have the time for that—and then Talon suggests that since I cooked, he and Rhett should clean up while I relax in front of

the TV. I watch the two of them standing side by side, Talon washing the dishes and Rhett drying them, and I feel hope. Maybe everything will work out for me after all.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN Talon YOU say shit like that to my woman again, Rake, and we’re going to have a motherfuckin’ problem,” I growl, letting him know that I’m dead fuckin’ serious. Yes, I feel guilty over how our lives played out, but not enough to let him embarrass Tia like that again. More important, I don’t want her second-guessing what we have, so Rake needs to shut his fuckin’ mouth so that she doesn’t run scared, thinking that our being together is going to be too hard just because Rake is being a selfish asshole who can’t look past his dislike for me. I finally have something to lose, and he isn’t going to take her from me with his petty shit. “She deserves better” is all he says, making me want to punch him in the face. “Rake,” Sin warns, standing between the two of us here in the back room at Rift. “Tia isn’t your sister; she’s just a friend of your woman’s. She can make her own decisions.” “I care about her and her kid,” Rake says in a gruff tone. “You think that anything that happens to her doesn’t impact Bailey? Because it does. The two of them are like sisters, so don’t give me that shit.” “What the fuck do you think I’m going to do to her?” I ask, feeling offended. “I’m crazy about her! I don’t have a trail of heartbroken women in my wake like you do, Rake, so don’t be a fuckin’ hypocrite. I don’t fuck around like you did; I don’t do half the shit you did. I’m not innocent, but I’m not an asshole either, and I’m not going to lose Tia when we just fuckin’ got together. Instead of thinking about how Bailey’s feelings are going to be affected, why don’t you think about Tia’s? Because I know I can make her happy, and you’re just making her feel like shit.” Rake’s jaw goes tight at that. “I haven’t actually done anything to you, Rake,” I say, trying to keep my tone emotionless. “I know you’re angry, or hurt or whatever, and you’re directing it at me because your father is dead and I’m not, but fuck. I’ve never done anything to you.” This is the first time we’ve ever spoken about this, ever. I know this is the reason he hates me. He can claim it’s because I’m a part of the Wild Men, or whatever else he wants to believe, but we both know that’s not true. If it weren’t for Tia, we probably would have stayed quiet about this for the rest of our lives, because we aren’t the type of men to talk about our feelings or to admit weakness. Rake would have hated me more

and more as time went on probably, but I hope that we can change things. Not be friends, exactly, but I just want him to let this go, for everyone’s sake. Sin leaves the room, returning to the bar, and closing the door behind him. “Do you love her?” he asks in a low tone, studying me intently. I swallow hard. It’s too early to be saying those words, but I think I feel them. “She’s mine.” He nods once, like he understands, and he probably does. “Okay. I’ll get off your back, Talon. Make her happy. If you screw her over, I’ll be the first in line to fuck you up though.” “Noted,” I reply back, offering him my hand. He pauses for an uncomfortably long second, then takes it.

“I went to the store and this young guy stopped me to tell me that ‘my eyebrow game is strong,’ ” Tia says, unloading the groceries onto the table. “Is that the new line to pick up chicks?” “Great, now I can’t even send you to the store alone,” I tease, moving to help her unpack. “I don’t know what the new pickup lines are. I don’t need lines.” “Yeah, you just stand there and look pretty,” she says, winking at me. “Worked on me, didn’t it?” I laugh and wrap her in my arms from behind. “That’s not what happened. We chatted over a few drinks, and then you kissed me.” “And then you avoided me.” “Because I knew you were different,” I say, moving her hair off her neck and placing a kiss there. “And I didn’t think I was ready. But timing waits for no one.” “Well, I for one am glad you decided to give in,” she murmurs, leaning her neck to give me more access. “Or we wouldn’t be here right now, alone in my kitchen, me wishing you’d throw me across the table and have your way with me.” I smile against her soft, smooth skin. She turns around and grips the opening of my cut with both of her hands, then removes it and pushes it to the floor. I’m left in a white T-shirt, jeans, and my biker boots, and it takes too long to remove all of those, so I simply spin her back around, bend her over the table and lift up her white dress, exposing her white lace panties. I undo my jeans, push them down far enough, my boxers with them, and then pull my hard cock out. I run it along her ass, before pushing her panties to the side and pressing it against the opening of her pussy. “Am I going to find you wet?” I ask her, biting gently on her earlobe. “Yes,” she whispers, her voice thick with desire. “Fuck me, please, Talon.” I love it when she begs. I slide my finger inside her, finding her more than ready for me. “Good girl.” I reach my arm out to play with her breasts and kiss her neck again, wanting her to be even more turned on. I want her at the point where she can’t think about anything else except my cock inside of her, my mouth on her, only the pleasure that I can give her. “Talon,” she says, “Please.”

I pinch her nipple, then remove my hand, sliding my cock into her slowly. She feels amazing every single time, so hot, wet, and tight. Like she was made for me. I push her down so her breasts are pressed against the table, then start to fuck her, slow and deep, and so fuckin’ good that I never want to leave her body. The sounds she makes . . . she moans each time I thrust into her, gripping onto the far side of the table with her hands, holding on for dear life as she pushes back against me with her hips. I reach down to play with her clit, wanting her to come soon because I don’t think I’m going to last that long. I know when she’s about to come, because I can feel it, her tightening around me, her thighs trembling, and the almost desperate sounds that come from her lips. “Holy fucking shit!” I look up to see Bailey standing there, a horrified expression on her face. She covers her face with her hands, going bright red, and mutters, “The door was unlocked, oh my god, I’m so sorry, I’m just going to go die now. Please don’t stop on my account.” She rushes out of the room like her ass was on fire, and I’m caught between amusement and being so fuckin’ horny that I don’t care who watches us. Tia buries her face in her hands and starts giggling, her shaking body making my cock go even harder inside of her. Is it really inappropriate of me to keep fucking her right now? Because I really want to. To test it, I slide into her a little, and she moans back, so maybe her best friend walking in on her getting bent over her kitchen table didn’t put her off entirely. I continue to fuck her until we both come, then I pull out, realizing that I didn’t use a condom. Fuck. Tia turns around, her face looking flushed. “Well, that was amazing.” She pauses. “And awkward. Depending on which part you’re referring to.” “I didn’t use a condom,” I say, cringing. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking. . . .” “It’s okay, Talon. I got on the pill,” she says, raising on her toes to kiss me, and I exhale in relief. The last thing we need right now is a kid. “Now I’m going to lock the door, and then meet you in the bedroom. We have a few hours before Rhett comes home, and I want to use them wisely.” She looks down at the table. “I’m also going to disinfect the table.” She walks off, and I go into her bedroom, removing my clothes and lying down on her sheets. I picture Bailey’s face again, and start chuckling to myself. Poor girl is probably traumatized. I hope she doesn’t tell Rake what she saw though, because he’ll more than likely want to kill me again. Tia soon returns, stripping down to nothing. She straddles me, glancing down at me with the cutest smile on her beautiful face. “You look so pretty without makeup.” “Shut up.” She kisses me, both of us smiling against each other’s lips.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN Tia I’M so sorry you saw that,” I say to Bailey, watching her go red at just the mention of the kitchen incident. “You don’t need to be shy. We all have sex, Bailey, and we just took our no-boundary relationship to whole new heights.” “There are parts of you I never wanted to see, Tia,” she says, cringing. “Oh my god, I’m reliving it.” “Hey, my boobs weren’t out, and you couldn’t have seen Talon’s cock from where he was behind me, so it couldn’t have been that bad.” “Stop talking, Tia!” she demands, covering her eyes with her hands, like that will help. “Oh, come on,” I say, unable to hold in my giggles. “It’s funny, admit it. I should be the embarrassed one here; you don’t have to worry about anything.” “You never get embarrassed,” she points out. “In fact, you’ll probably be the one telling the story and laughing.” “True,” I say, wrapping my arm around her. “Only because your face was classic. Talon and I still laugh about it.” She groans and shakes her head at me. “I’m never using your kitchen table again.” “Don’t worry, I disinfected it and everything.” She signals the bartender over and asks for two more tequila shots. She looks at me and says, “They’re both for me; I deserve them.” I laugh even harder.

“Well, I guess the honeymoon stage is over,” Talon says, watching me while I stand there with my arms crossed over my chest. “I just want to know why you haven’t brought me to your clubhouse yet,” I try to explain. “I haven’t even met any of your men. Are you embarrassed of me?” “Of course not,” he says quickly, sitting down and pulling me to sit on his lap.

“Your club is important to you, so I want to know why you’re trying to keep me separate from it all. If I don’t fit in with your club, you’ll never make me your old lady,” I say, pouting. “That’s what this is about?” he asks, kissing my jawline. “You’re the only woman on the back of my bike, the only woman in my bed, the only woman in my fuckin’ head. . . . Tia, what do you think an old lady is? You’re already my old lady.” “Oh,” I say, licking my lips. “I’ve met only Slice, and that was on the night we first met, so it doesn’t count. I think we should have a party or something, where you can introduce me to everyone.” “I want to do that, but just not yet,” he says, his eyes pleading for me to understand. “But why?” I ask. I have to know. I need to understand why he’s keeping me away from such a pivotal part of his life. “I can’t tell you everything now. Can’t you just trust that I’m doing what’s best for you?” I grit my teeth. “This is a partnership, Talon. I’ve told you about my ex, how he made all the decisions for me. I want you to be able to come to me with anything. I’m your equal, Talon. Don’t treat me like I need to be protected from everything.” “Really? Playing the equality card?” he groans, closing his eyes and reopening them. “It’s not about that. Yes, I want to protect you, but there’s nothing you can do in this situation. It’s me that needs to solve it.” “Okay, I get that, but why can’t you at least tell me what’s going on? Just explain what’s going on in your mind, that’s all I want.” “Look, Tia, you want honesty, then fine, but this needs to stay between us, because I haven’t told anyone else about it.” “Of course; you don’t even need to say that,” I tell him, resting my hand on his chest. He kisses my lips softly, looking me right in the eye as he says, “There’s been shit going on in my clubhouse. I’ve walked in on fights between some of the brothers, but no one will tell me what the problem is. Zip was killed inside our walls, and no one knows by who, but I know it has to be by one of our men. I don’t want to bring you there, because it’s not safe. I don’t know who I can trust, and I don’t know what the fuck is going to happen to my MC.” His rant renders me silent, because I wasn’t expecting him to say any of that. “You think one of your men killed Zip?” All I know about MCs is what I’ve seen from the WDMC, and those men would rather die than hurt one of their members. I don’t know how this all works, but everything would be so much easier if Talon just joined the WDMC. If the Wild Men can’t be trusted, then their club has nothing. Trust and loyalty is everything for these MCs; I’ve seen it with my own eyes. “Maybe I can help,” I say to him, trying to think of how. “You’re staying out of all of this, Tia,” he tells me, gripping my upper arms. “I’ve trusted you with the information, and you need to trust me to take care of it in return.” “Do you think that woman Carla knows anything about why her man would have been killed?” I ask, wondering if she’s the key to solving the murder. “I already tried that.” “Yes,” I say. “But you’re a man, and an imposing biker at that. Maybe she’d feel more comfortable talking to a woman.”

“No,” Talon says, not realizing that I don’t take well to that word. “Do you think if you find out who killed Zip and deal with him, you can pull your club back together? Maybe it’s just one person behind everything, or maybe it’s a few. Look, give me a chance to just talk to Carla. We have nothing to lose. Either she knows something, or she doesn’t.” He grits his teeth, avoiding my eyes for a few moments before he brings his back up to me. “I’ll give you ten minutes with her, in a public place.” “Deal. Set it up.” “You’re a fiery little thing, aren’t you?” he murmurs, gripping my chin with his fingers. “Don’t do anything stupid. I’m only letting you help because I know you’re capable, strong, and smart, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to be extremely protective of you. You can be my partner in crime to an extent, but I need to know that when I tell you something, you’re going to listen to what I say and not go against it. Otherwise I’ll just lock you up somewhere.” “Fine. And what do you expect me to do? Make out with her? Jeez, I’ll just have a conversation with her.” “Fine,” he sighs, and I can see he’s not happy, but it doesn’t seem like he has much else to go on. I just hope I can help him in some way, because a man like him deserves to have more than what he has at his back right now.

“I thought I was meeting Talon here for him to give me my money,” Carla says, glancing around us. “Who are you?” “Talon told me to give you the money,” I say, showing her the envelope in my hands. “But first I have a few questions for you.” “I told Talon everything I know,” she says, rubbing her stomach with her hand. “He wasn’t into any drugs or anything like that, and he didn’t tell me anything. I don’t know anyone who would want him dead.” Her lines were well rehearsed, or at least they seem that way to me. “We’re missing something here, and I know it. If you cared about Zip at all, I think you need to stop being a coward and tell the truth. Don’t let his death be in vain. Talon is being nice enough to support you and your baby so you don’t have to work. If something happens to Talon, that money will stop, and you won’t get any other help from the Wild Men.” She swallows, her lower lip starting to tremble. “If I speak and he finds out, he will hurt me and my baby. So what’s the point?” What? Who will hurt her? I take her hand in mine and squeeze it gently. “No one will hurt you or your baby. Talon will give you the money to move far away if you want, okay? Just tell me what you know.” She’s silent for what feels like hours, thinking everything over before she speaks. “Zip called me before he died, and he told me a few things.” “What did he tell you?”

“Zip had a confrontation with one of the men in the club, and he found out something.” “Like what?” I ask, wondering what it could be. “I don’t know,” she says, looking down at her hands. “So Zip found out this information, and that’s why someone killed him, to keep him quiet?” I guess, my head about to explode at the thought of the men in Talon’s MC being disloyal bastards. Talon should just leave the Wild Men and join the Wind Dragons. At least they know about loyalty there. She nods. “I was the last person he spoke to. They must have killed him straight after, because he was going to tell Talon everything he knew.” “Carla,” I say, speaking very clearly, “are you sure he didn’t tell you anything else that could be important? Any details that can help us?” She wraps her arms around herself, and in a very small voice says, “He just said that when Talon found out . . .” “What?” She looks me right in the eye. “Everything is going to fall.”

Later that night, after I’ve told Talon everything, we’re lying in bed together, not speaking, just enjoying the warmth of each other’s presence. I know Talon has a lot to consider, given what Carla said—what must he be feeling to know that one of his own Wild Men was so cowardly as to betray a brother? I can’t imagine. “What are you thinking about?” he suddenly asks me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. I press myself against him and rest my head on his chest. I can’t believe how fast I’ve fallen for him, or how safe I feel when he’s holding me. “I was just thinking about you, actually—about how hard it must be to know that you can’t trust someone in your MC. I’m sorry you have to go through this.” “It is hard. I’m fuckin’ pissed about it, in fact. But it helps knowing that I have someone I can trust completely, without a shadow of a doubt.” “Who’s that?” I ask, though I have a hunch about the answer. “You, babe. I know I didn’t want you to get involved, and I never thought I’d say this—but thank you for doing it. You make it possible for me to face the next steps, because I know you’ll always be in my corner.” He presses his lips to my temple, and I feel the sting of tears welling in my eyes. “That’s true, and I’m so glad you know it. Because I love you, Talon. Rhett loves you, and I love you, and even if it freaks you out to hear it, you know I can’t be anything but honest.” “Damn right you can’t, and I’m sure it’ll get us both in more trouble than I care to imagine. But that’s why I love you, Tia. And no matter what comes, I promise that we are going to make this work—together.” I close my eyes and smile. I know there’ll be bumps in the road, but Talon is mine and I’m his, and that’s all I need.

Talon I pick up my glass, swirl the liquid in its depth, then put down the glass. What a turn of events, with Tia finding out what Carla knew, even though it wasn’t much. She impressed me, and I have a feeling I’m in for a wild ride with her. I can’t wait to just be with her, every day. My thoughts change from hopeful and happy to something a lot darker. Zip had told me that he wanted to talk to me. I told him we’d talk the next day, but the next day never came. What if I had asked him what was wrong, right then and there? Would he still be alive? Fuck. Do I have a mole in my MC, right under my nose? Why? And who? The thought of any of my men being disloyal to the club . . . I need to find out who it is and eliminate the threat. Immediately. The guilt rips through me, the what-ifs playing through my mind. I will find out who did this, and I will avenge Zip’s death; that’s the only way to make this right now. At least, it’s the only way I know how. I pick up the phone and dial Vinnie’s number. Time to call in my marker.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thank you, as always, to Abby Zidle and Gallery books! To my agent, Kimberly Brower, I’m so lucky to have you! Thank you for everything you do, as always, I know I can always count on you, and I’m so grateful. A big thank you to all my beta readers, the women who are always there for me on a daily basis. Mallory Green, Kara Brown, Stephanie Knowles, Rachel Brookes, Rose Tawil, Eileen Robinson, and Melanie Williams—I don’t know what I’d do without you! Arijana Karcic—thank you for all you do for me. You’re seriously the best and deserve the world. Natalie Ram—You’ve turned my world upside down, and in the very best way. Thank you for being everything to me, from my proofreader to my swag master, but most importantly—my best friend. Vegas was one of the best times of my life and you were the biggest part of that. This Aquarius woman needs her Gemini in her life. Thank you to my parents for helping out whenever I need more writing time. I appreciate everything you do for me, and to my three sons for being patient when they know their mama has to work. I love you all so much. FMR Book Grind, thank you for everything; I appreciate all the hard work you all do for me! Last but not least, a shout out to all the OG’s. You know who you are. May you forever inspire my hilarious and sexy characters.

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The Wind Dragons Motorcycle Club Series Dragon’s Lair Arrow’s Hell Tracker’s End Dirty Ride* Rake’s Redemption

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Bestselling author Chantal Fernando lives in Western Australia. In addition to the Wind Dragons MC series, her published novels include four books in the Resisting Love series—Case, Kade, Ryder and James; the bestselling novel Maybe This Time and its follow up, This Time Around. When not reading, writing, or daydreaming she can be found enjoying life with her three sons and family. FOR MORE ON THIS AUTHOR: Authors.SimonandSchuster.com/Chantal-Fernando MEET THE AUTHORS, WATCH VIDEOS AND MORE AT

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Pocket Star Books An Imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc. 1230 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10020 www.SimonandSchuster.com This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Copyright © 2016 by Chantal Fernando All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Pocket Books Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020 First Pocket Star Books ebook edition July 2016 POCKET STAR BOOKS and colophon are registered trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Inc. The Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau can bring authors to your live event. For more information or to book an event contact the Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau at 1-866-248-3049 or visit our website at www.simonspeakers.com. Cover design by Patrick Kang Cover photograph of abs man © ITALO/Shutterstock; biker in leather jacket © BlueSkyImages/Shutterstock ISBN 978-1-5011-3965-9