Badger (Roosters 5)

Paige Warren & Harley Wylde

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Copyright ©2018 Paige Warren & Harley Wylde

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Publisher:
Changeling Press LLC
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www.ChangelingPress.com

Editor: Crystal Esau
Cover Artist: Bryan Keller

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Table of Contents

Badger (Roosters 5)

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Paige Warren

Harley Wylde

Badger (Roosters 5)

Paige Warren & Harley Wylde

Badger -- I went to prison for ten years after beating a man to death. He deserved it, and then some. I only wish he’d suffered more. Now I’m free, but things aren’t the same as when I left. The little girl I once saved is now a tempting young woman with curves in all the right places. I should stay away, far away, but I’m drawn to her like a moth to a flame. Griz, the pres of my club, adopted her, so she’s definitely a no-fly zone, but damn if I don’t want her with every breath I take. A little sample wouldn’t hurt anyone, right? As long as Griz doesn’t find out, I’ll keep breathing. Sneaking around should be easy enough. I never counted on falling for her, or finding out she was carrying my kid. Now what the hell am I supposed to do? I’m a longtime repeat offender. I can’t walk the straight and narrow. Can I?

Adalia -- I’ve worshiped Badger ever since the night he saved me. But what started as a young girl’s infatuation has grown into something more. I know he’ll never see me that way, or at least I thought he wouldn’t. When we’re together, it’s like we just can’t keep our hands off each other. It’s probably against his parole for us to be together, but he doesn’t seem to care. The heat between us is undeniable. He didn’t promise me forever, just right now. But neither of us counted on me getting pregnant, something that wasn’t supposed to happen too easily, and I have no freakin’ clue what to do. I’m scared Badger will run for the hills. He never asked for this, but then neither did I. One thing is for certain. If he doesn’t man up and my daddy finds out, there will be hell to pay. No one can hide from the president of the Devil’s Fury MC.

Chapter One

Badger

I cracked my neck and felt my muscles flex as I breathed in freedom for the first time in ten years. I probably could have gotten out sooner, for good behavior, but let’s face it, I’ve never been good, and there was no point in starting now. Being part of the Devil’s Fury MC came with certain expectations. One of those was handling any problems on the inside if you were ever sent to prison, and since I’d been the only one in my crew who got sentenced and sent to this particular lockup, it was all on my shoulders. Plenty of guys had tried to kick my ass inside, but I hadn’t gotten the name Badger for being nice. I’d fucked up anyone who dared to breathe wrong in my vicinity.

As I exited the gates of Mooreston Prison, I clutched my cut in my hand. The black tee and jeans I’d been wearing when I’d been picked up ten years ago didn’t fit me quite right anymore, but they were fine for now. The jeans were a little loose, and the shirt a little tight. When I wasn’t kicking ass, I’d spent my time working out. The ladies seemed to love it, or at least the female guards did. For the last ten years, those ladies were the only people of the female persuasion I’d seen. There were plenty of places in Mooreston that had blind spots, and I’d enjoyed every one of them. It never failed to surprise me when even the women in uniform wanted a taste of me.

A large black truck rolled up and stopped. The window slid down and Demon grinned at me. I’d known someone from the club would pick me up, but I hadn’t expected it to be an officer. Or maybe they’d sent the Sergeant-at-Arms in case I started a fight on my way out. Like I wanted to turn around and go right back inside. I might be something of a hothead, but I wasn’t dumb enough to fuck things up the second I was released. I didn’t delude myself into thinking I’d make it through my lengthy parole without going back, but I’d enjoy freedom while I could.

I opened the passenger door, threw my cut onto the seat, and climbed in. The icy air hit me in the face and felt fucking fantastic, but I was still tempted to roll down the window. An hour in the yard didn’t compare to feeling the wind in my hair as we sped down the highway. There was a lot I’d missed while being locked up, and fresh air was one of them. A nice cold beer would be appreciated too.

“Good to see you,” Demon said. “Had no doubt you’d survive that hell in one piece.”

I shrugged. It wasn’t my first brush with the law, and it likely wouldn’t be the last. If it hadn’t been for overcrowding, my ass would still be behind bars. Well, that and the club lawyer had done a lot of sweet-talking. Having to get up at the butt crack of dawn and live my life on a schedule had been a pain in the ass, but it wasn’t like I was hurting in there. I had food, a place to sleep, air and heat… and out of all the men inside, I’d been the only one getting any pussy, if those female guards could be believed. Could have been worse.

In exchange for getting my dick wet, I’d made sure no one fucked with the female guards. There were a lot of things you could barter for inside, but I’d been the only one smart enough to trade protection for some pussy. You’d think a prison guard would have a stick up their ass, but the two women I’d gotten to know rather intimately hadn’t been so bad. I hadn’t even made the first move; they’d come after me. Not that having women throw themselves at me was anything new.

“I know you probably just want to chill, but Griz is throwing a party for you. I told him you wouldn’t want that shit the second you set foot outside those gates, but you know how the Pres is.” Demon smirked. “At least there will be lots of pussy there. I’m sure all the ladies will be eager to ease the loneliness you must have felt the last ten years.”

I snorted. “Yeah, because I wasn’t getting laid in there or anything.”

His eyes widened.

“Female guards, asshole. Apparently, my charm even works on women wearing a uniform.” Not that I’d ever had any doubt about my prowess with the female population. I walked into a room, and panties seemed to just fall off. Hell, I’d fucked a woman in a booth at a club before. Yeah, it had mostly been dark, but anyone nearby would have known what we were doing. I probably could have told her to strip in front of everyone and bend over, and she’d likely have done it. Pussy had come easy to me ever since I was fifteen, and that hadn’t changed even behind bars.

I was a god when it came to the fairer sex. I didn’t have to ask for pussy; the women just offered themselves up to me. Even the married ones. Fuck, I’d even taken a widow before, on the day of her husband’s funeral. Fucked her in the bathroom right before the service. Some called me an asshole, and maybe I was, but it wasn’t my fault the ladies all wanted a piece of me. Or at least they all wanted to feel my cock, fucking them deep and hard. Most didn’t even mind which hole I used, just as long as I gave it to them good and hard.

Demon snickered. “Should have known you’d find a way to get you some, even while serving time.”

“What can I say? The ladies can’t resist the Badger. Maybe if your dick was as big as mine, you’d have the same problem.”

Demon flipped me off, then put the truck into gear and pulled away from the prison. I’d like to say I’d never see the place again, but really, the odds weren’t in my favor. I was nearly forty and had spent half my youth in detention centers, and half my adult years behind bars. I was a fuckup, in society’s eyes, but I was loyal to a fault. I’d do anything for my club, even if it meant living life behind bars. I’d been charged with manslaughter during my latest stint and sentenced to twenty years, thanks to my record. I hadn’t been on club business that time, though.

The trip back to Blackwood Falls took too fucking long, and I was feeling anxious. It had been a long damn time since I’d been in a vehicle, and I’d much rather have spent the hour-long ride on my Harley. Soon enough, I’d take it out on the open road, and just let the tension melt away. The only thing sweeter than a ride on my bike was being between a woman’s thighs.

As Demon stopped outside the clubhouse, he tensed and turned to face me. I had no idea what was going to come out of his mouth, but something told me it wasn’t anything I wanted to hear.

“There’s something you need to know,” Demon said.

“Anyone die while I was gone?”

“No. It’s about Adalia.”

My breath froze in my lungs as I pictured her wide blue eyes as they’d stared at me in terror. I’d found her in an alley, her clothes torn, and some asshole raping her. I’d seen her around town, knew she was only thirteen, just a kid. Something inside me had snapped, and I’d beat the fuck out of that asshole. Beat him to death. I didn’t regret what I’d done, only wished I’d gotten there sooner. Adalia had watched as I killed that man, and she hadn’t uttered a word the entire time. Not even when I took her to the hospital to be checked out. I’d known it wouldn’t end well for me, but my first priority had been the girl. Anyone else might have gotten off with a lighter sentence, seeing as how I’d been protecting her. But a guy like me with priors? I hadn’t had a prayer. Ten years to give her the peace of mind that the asshole who had touched her was six feet under? Yeah, it was a trade I’d been willing to make. I’d made it then, and even knowing I’d get time, I’d do it again in a second.

I might be an asshole biker with a rap sheet, but there were some things that even I wouldn’t tolerate. Rape was one of them. Anyone harming a kid was another, and that dickweed had done both. As far as I was concerned, the world was a better place without him in it.

“What about her?” I asked.

She’d be twenty-three now. Probably had a steady job, a nice boyfriend. At least, I hoped that’s how her life had turned out. But the way Demon had said her name… had something happened to her while I was gone? Had some other asshole tried to hurt her, and I hadn’t been around to save her this time? My gut clenched just thinking anything bad had happened to her. She’d been such a sweetheart the few times I’d been around her, always a little on the quiet side.

“She’s here,” Demon said quietly.

My heart started pounding, and I flung open the truck door, then reached for my cut and shrugged it on. I slammed the door shut and stomped up the clubhouse steps before going inside. There were balloons and shit everywhere, and the roar of welcome as I stepped inside was near deafening. But as I scanned the crowd, it wasn’t my brothers I was taking in… No, I was looking for her. I didn’t know what she looked like anymore, only remembered her as a teenage girl. She’d been terrified the last time I’d seen her. I didn’t know why she was here, but I had to see her, to know that she was okay. I’d thought about her every fucking day that I was inside, hoping she’d been able to get past what happened to her, had gone on to live a good life. I’d thought about writing her once, just to check on her, but had decided it was best if I kept away. She didn’t need any reminders from me about what had happened to her.

My brothers hugged me, slapped me on the back, and slowly they all parted. At the back of the room stood a pixie of a woman, long blonde hair curling over her shoulders, and a body made for sinning. It was her eyes that nailed my feet to the floor. Blue. And achingly familiar. My gaze traced her features, trying to find the little girl I’d tried to save. I didn’t see even a hint of the terrified teen I’d carried out of that alley. Her features were delicate, much like the rest of her. She had curves in all the right places, and would likely be more than a handful for some men, but I’d be willing to bet she wouldn’t even reach my shoulder. Tiny. Almost like a little fairy. Slowly, Adalia walked toward me, her hips swaying with every step. Yeah, she’d grown up while I was gone, and I’d be willing to bet men fell to their knees to worship at her feet. She looked like one of those plus-sized models, but in a shorter package.

She didn’t even hesitate when she reached me, just put her arms around my neck and hugged me tight. My arms closed around her, pulling her curves against me, and I breathed in her honeysuckle scent. Closing my eyes, I just drank in the moment. She was here. She was safe. And she felt a little too damn good pressed against me. The way my jeans tightened made me want to put some distance between us. I tried like hell to keep the image of her as a thirteen-year-old girl in my mind, hoping my body would stop reacting to the woman she’d grown into, but no such luck. The breasts pressing against me were more than a handful and far too fucking tempting, as was the rest of her.

“I’m glad you’re home,” she said, her voice soft and husky.

“It’s good to see you, pretty girl. Not a day went by that I didn’t think about you.”

“I tried to come see you a few times, but they always said you weren’t allowed visitors.”

I pulled away and smiled down at her. “I had a tendency to get into trouble inside. But now I’m glad you didn’t get any farther than the gates. Prison is no place for an angel like you.”

Her cheeks flushed and she smiled a little. “Welcome home, Badger.”

“There’s something you need to know,” Demon said from behind me. “Adalia is one of us now.”

I took another step back, trying to put more space between us. If she was someone’s old lady, the last thing I wanted to do was start a fight with a brother. My gut clenched at the thought of one of my brothers laying claim to her, but it wasn’t like I had any say in the matter. I’d been doing time while everyone else lived their lives and moved forward. She sure as hell deserved someone better than any of the fuckups in this club, though.

“Grizzly and May adopted me,” Adalia said. “After what happened, my foster family didn’t want me. Said I was tainted. So Griz and May stepped up.”

I didn’t want to analyze the relief I felt at knowing she didn’t belong to a brother, at least not as an old lady. I had no doubt the Pres and his old lady had taken good care of her. They’d always wanted kids and had never been able to have any. May had mothered all of us, even those who were too damn old for such nonsense.

My gaze scanned the crowd, looking for the momma bear who would kick my ass if she knew I’d gotten hard while hugging her daughter. “Where’s May?”

Adalia’s eyes teared up. “Gone. She got cancer three years ago. It was so advanced when we found out that she didn’t last more than three months. But she was an awesome mom, best I could have ever asked for.”

I found myself hugging her again, wanting to comfort the gorgeous woman who’d been a frightened little girl the last time I’d seen her. I found Griz across the room and hoped he’d see my gratitude for him stepping in the way he had. He gave me a smile and a nod, even though I saw the sadness in his eyes and knew he was missing May. The two had been together since they were just kids, and it hurt to think of the sweet woman being gone. Where Griz was rough and could be as mean as his namesake, May had been all light and laughter.

“Daddy made me promise to only stay until the cake was cut,” Adalia said. “He doesn’t like me hanging out at the clubhouse once the… other women get here.”

I bit my lip. “Is that your polite way of saying the club pussy will be arriving after cake?”

Her cheeks burned a bright red, and she ducked her head. Fuck, but that was adorable. I chuckled and hugged her again before blending into the crowd. If I’d stayed around her much longer, I might not have been able to pry myself away. There was something about this new, older version of Adalia that was far too tempting. I had no doubt Griz would hand my ass to me if I laid a finger on her, and that’s how it should be. That sweet girl needed someone to watch out for her, and while I’d kill any fucker who touched her, she didn’t need the kind of trouble I’d bring with me. Hell, I was on parole for the next ten years. If I took one step out of line, I’d be going right back to prison.

I tried really damn hard not to watch her, but I seemed to always know exactly where she was in the room. And after the cake had been cut and devoured, I knew the moment she’d left the clubhouse. The club sluts had arrived a short time later, and now the party was in full swing, but I couldn’t seem to find much enthusiasm for the overly made-up women. Their perfume was so heavy it made my head hurt, and their faces had such thick makeup, I wondered what they were hiding. Before I went away, I might have taken them up on their offers. But every time I even thought of pulling one of them closer, the scent of honeysuckle would stop me, and blue eyes that seemed to look right through me. I’d have to get over whatever infatuation I seemed to have for the older version of Adalia, before it got me into more trouble than I could handle. The last thing I wanted to do was piss off Griz, or anyone else around here.

Cobra eased up next to me at the bar. “Figured you’d be balls-deep in two or three women by now. You know we brought them here for you.”

“Got a headache,” I said and took another sip of my beer. I’d missed a good bottle of beer more than I’d missed women, probably because I’d had plenty of pussy in jail and hadn’t had a bottle of beer in ten years. Drugs were easy enough to smuggle inside, but beer not so much. Not that I’d touched the hard stuff while I was there. Prison hooch and cocaine smuggled in by someone swallowing it or worse? Yeah, I’d pass. Besides, I’d wanted to keep my head clear, never knowing when someone might come after me. Being vulnerable in prison wasn’t the best idea, especially for someone like me, someone who had enemies.

“She lives here on the compound,” Cobra said. “In case you were wondering. Griz set her up in the small cottage about two miles down the road. She lived with him and May until she turned twenty, then he decided she needed her own space. I think it had more to do with May, though. I don’t think Griz wanted her to watch May suffer, not that Adalia wasn’t there every chance she got.”

I didn’t even play stupid. I knew he was telling me so I could go after Adalia. Not that I had any business being anywhere near her. Even if my dick hadn’t gotten hard with all the club sluts hanging off me tonight, I didn’t trust myself around the angel who had hugged me earlier. That sweet honeysuckle scent had been too fucking tempting. Hell, she’d been too fucking tempting. I’d gotten harder from just a simple hug from Adalia than I had over the bare breasts being thrust into my face tonight.

“No one would think anything of you going to say hi,” Cobra said. “You just lost ten years of your life for her. Even Griz wouldn’t be pissed.”

“So, what? You think I’m going to ask her to repay me by spreading her legs? I’m an asshole, but I’m not that much of one.”

Cobra shrugged. “I don’t think she’d fight you. Everyone knows she has a case of hero worship. God help anyone who says something bad about you. She’d try to castrate them.”

I snorted. Yeah, a hero. Right.

“Just go talk to her,” Cobra said.

Talking wouldn’t hurt anything, right? I wanted to know about her life since I’d been put away. Wanted to make sure she had everything she needed. That was perfectly reasonable.

I might not have talked myself into going to see Adalia if I’d known she’d answer the door wearing my old shirt. And nothing else.

Chapter Two

Adalia

The old flannel shirt I preferred to sleep in was nearly threadbare now. When Griz and May had brought me home, I’d had a really hard time sleeping at night. I hadn’t felt safe, even behind the gates of the Devil’s Fury compound. After talking to May one night, she’d come back a short while later with this shirt in her hand. I hadn’t understood why she would think an old flannel shirt would help any, until she’d told me it belonged to Badger, the man who had saved me.

It fell nearly to my knees and hung on me. I always rolled up the sleeves, but just feeling the soft material against my body, and knowing it had been his was enough to make me sleep like a baby. Or it had until I hit about fifteen. My hormones had been out of control by my fifteenth birthday. I hadn’t wanted anything to do with boys at school, though. I’d spent every night dreaming of Badger, and as I’d snuggled in my bed with his shirt wrapped around me, I’d imagined it was his arms holding me. Not that he’d have wanted anything to do with a kid like me. He’d been in his late twenties when he’d been sent to prison and had only seen me as a child. I couldn’t blame him. Didn’t stop me from daydreaming or fantasizing about him, though.

Hell, he probably saw me as a kid now. He had to be at least fifteen years older than me. I sighed and sipped at the hot tea I’d brewed when I’d gotten home. I hadn’t even stopped to think before throwing my arms around him. He’d walked through the door, and it was like every nerve in my body came alive. Just knowing he was that close was more than I could handle. I’d made myself wait, to hold still and not throw myself at him. And then he’d seen me, and I hadn’t been able to hold myself back.

He’d been polite, and pulled away as soon as he’d been able. I felt like an idiot. Everyone in the club knew about my crush on Badger, and I didn’t doubt that someone would tell him before the night was over. I didn’t know if I could ever look him in the eye again. In the last ten years, I hadn’t gone on a single date. Not a real one. One of the Devil’s Fury had taken me to prom and other school events, only because May had insisted I go even when I’d refused. Twister wasn’t much older than me and had been nice enough to take me, both as protection and insurance I’d actually go. He was like a brother to me. All of the Devil’s Fury felt like family, either brothers or uncles. Except Badger.

There was a knock on my door, and I wasn’t sure if it was Dad, here to tell me that I’d made a fool of myself, or someone else checking to see if my heart was broken. I don’t know what I’d expected. The man had been away in prison for ten years, hadn’t seen me since that night. It was stupid to think he’d take one look at me and fall in love. That shit only happened in the romances I liked to read. I set my cup of tea down and answered the door, but as it swung open, I froze, my eyes going wide and my jaw dropping a little.

Badger. He was on my doorstep, looking all kinds of sexy. His gaze dropped down to the shirt I was wearing, and I hoped like hell he didn’t recognize it. I’d be beyond embarrassed if he knew I’d been sleeping in his shirt every night for ten years. What kind of psycho did that? Slept in a stranger’s shirt, and pictured her wedding to said stranger every time she closed her eyes. Me, apparently.

“Damn,” he said, his voice low and gruff.

“I thought you’d be partying all night.”

“Wasn’t in the mood.”

I bit my lip and stepped back, opening the door wider. “You could come in, if you want.”

“Not sure that’s a good idea, pretty girl. Seeing you in my shirt is fucking with my head.”

I dropped my gaze, and my breath caught when I saw just how tight his jeans had gotten. Holy hell! I’d dreamed of Badger being the one to claim me, but my imagination hadn’t done him justice if that bulge was all him.

“Fuck.” He groaned. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m barely holding on, Adalia. Griz would kick my ass if I did even half the things I’m thinking of right now.”

My heart started pounding, and I squeezed my thighs together. If he was trying to scare me off, it wasn’t working. If anything, I wanted to jerk him into my home, slam the door, and throw all the bolts. I couldn’t think of anything I wanted more than for Badger to step over the threshold. Having him here was like a dream come true, and I was worried he’d come to his senses at any moment and run.

“Come inside,” I said, moving back even farther.

He hung his head a moment, then entered my small home. I closed and locked the door before taking his hand and leading him into the living room. He sprawled on the couch, and I fidgeted, not knowing what to do now that I had him here.

“Do you want some coffee or something? I could make some tea.”

He winced.

“Okay, no tea.” I smiled. “Coffee? I have one of those Keurig machines, and I have three different flavors of coffee. Hazelnut, vanilla, and just regular, which is what Daddy prefers. Tastes nasty to me, but he calls my flavored drinks girly shit.”

“Let’s not bring up Griz while I’m here. I’m trying not to think about him murdering me for entering your home. Every time I hear you call him Daddy, I just want to run as far and as fast as I can.”

“Okay. He won’t kill you, though.”

Badger grunted, apparently not agreeing with me.

“Hazelnut,” he said after a few minutes. “I haven’t had a cup of flavored coffee in a long-ass time. And holding onto something might help keep my hands to myself.”

Now I was regretting asking about that coffee. I’d much rather have his hands on me than wrapped around a mug. I went to the kitchen and brewed him a cup, taking down the mug I’d bought when my dad gave this house to me, in hopes that one day Badger would come visit. It was a Superman mug, but the cup was a matte charcoal gray and the logo was a glossy black. I’d found it at a discount store and it had immediately reminded me of my very own superhero.

I carefully carried the mug into the living room, where Badger was now standing by the fireplace, and staring at one of the two pictures I’d hoped he wouldn’t find. May had given it to me for my sixteenth birthday. It was my mom, Dad, and Badger, their arms all slung around one another as fireworks lit up the sky. Mom said it had been taken not too long before Badger had saved me.

There was another in my bedroom, one I would have hidden if I’d known he was stopping by. It was Badger out in front of the clubhouse, leaning against his Harley with his arms and feet crossed. There was a hint of scruff on his jaw, much like now, and he had a bandana covering his hair. A sexy smirk graced his lips, and I had no doubt that very look had melted panties everywhere. May had framed it for me when she’d realized my infatuation with Badger was getting stronger. I’d kept it in my bedroom when I lived at home, then put it by my bed when I moved into this place. I sometimes wondered if she’d ever hoped we’d end up together once Badger was released from prison. She’d been a hopeless romantic, and I was just like her.

“That was a good day,” Badger said, not turning to face me.

“Mom gave it to me for my birthday one year. I was always asking questions about you, wanting to know more about the man who had saved me.”

“I didn’t do such a great job of that. I got there too late.”

I still had nightmares about that night, and probably always would. But despite what Badger said, I knew he really had saved me. The vile man who’d been on top of me had made sure I knew I was going to die. If Badger hadn’t come down that alley when he had, I wouldn’t have been breathing for much longer. At first, I’d wished that he’d just let me die, but once I came to live with Griz and May, I’d been thankful that I was still alive. They’d given me a good life, and had given me more love than I knew what to do with.

“He was going to kill me,” I said, as I studied Badger’s profile. “When he was finished, he was going to slit my throat. He told me as much. Said if he’d planned it better, he’d have kept me around a few days, so he could enjoy his time more.”

Fury blazed in Badger’s eyes as he turned to face me.

“So, you did get there in time. And because of you, Griz and May offered me a home, gave me a family. My life turned out pretty good, and it’s all because of you. So don’t think for one moment that I’m not grateful for what you did that day.”

“You mean murdering someone in front of you?” he asked.

I shrugged. “I never shed a tear over that man’s death. I did cry when they sentenced you to prison, though. It didn’t seem fair, when you’d only been trying to protect me.”

“I could have detained him and called 9-1-1.”

“So why didn’t you?” I asked.

“Because seeing how damn scared you were, knowing what he was doing to you, something inside me broke and I couldn’t stop myself. Once I started hitting him, I wasn’t able to stop, not until I knew he wasn’t breathing anymore. The justice system doesn’t take kindly to people solving problems with their fists. Or killing people, even if they are rapist assholes.”

“I’m glad you’re home,” I told him. “I wanted to go with Demon to pick you up, but everyone thought it would be better if I stayed here. They weren’t sure how you’d feel about seeing me.”

He reached out and gently tipped my chin up. “I never, not once, blamed you for what happened. You were a victim. A child. It’s not your fault I was sent away.”

“I’m not a child anymore.”

His lips twitched. “I noticed.”

I handed his mug to him before I did something stupid. Like kiss him. He accepted the coffee and walked back over to the sofa. He sprawled across the cushions, and took a sip. His eyebrows lifted, and he looked pleasantly surprised.

“This is pretty good.”

“I just stuck a pod in the machine. Even a monkey could do it.”

He chuckled, and it sounded a little rusty, probably because he hadn’t had a reason to laugh in so long. It made me feel good that I’d been the one to bring out that laugh, and I suddenly wanted him to smile more, to laugh more. And I wanted him to do those things with me. Along with some really naughty things I’d read about in books. I wasn’t a virgin, not after what had happened to me, but I’d never willingly been with a man before. I’d always wanted Badger to be my first, but if I told him that, he’d probably run so far and so fast he’d be three counties over before I could count to ten.

“I’m glad that Griz and May stepped up to help you,” Badger said. “I worried about you while I was inside. Some of the guys from the club came by a few times, but I had to focus on the shit happening inside and not outside. Everyone knew that, so I didn’t really get any news about home while I was locked up. I didn’t know if you’d ever overcome what happened to you, and maybe I should have asked, but I think I preferred thinking you’d gone on to live happily ever after.”

“They’ve been good to me. Dad’s been a little lost since Mom died. I know he stays busy with the club, only going home to crash for the night. I tried to stay over after Mom died, but he sent me back here. I worried that he’d be lonely in that house by himself. As far as I know, he hasn’t even looked at a woman since Mom died. He keeps those other women around for the club, but he ignores them.”

“May and Griz were together since they were just teenagers, and they wanted kids for as long as I can remember. You made their dream come true.”

“What’s your big dream?” I asked.

“Never really had a dream except to escape my home when I was a kid. I managed that by joining Devil’s Fury. The guys here are my family now. They took me in when I had nowhere to go.”

I wanted to know more about his past, about what had sent him running to this club, but I wasn’t going to press him. Not right now anyway. Maybe one day he’d open up and tell me about his life.

“So what are you going to do now that you’re free?” I asked.

“Try to stay out of trouble for a few weeks. Maybe longer. I’d rather not go back inside anytime soon, and I have parole for the next ten years. I doubt Griz will ask me to handle any jobs for a little while, not if he knows it could send me back.”

I nibbled on my lower lip. Was I about to overstep? I didn’t think my dad would be angry, but I never really made the big decisions without him. I just answered phones and handled the paperwork at one of the Devil’s Fury businesses. One of the only legit ones anyway.

“Any good with engines?” I asked.

He grinned. “I was fixing cars when I was twelve, then started tinkering with bikes a few years later.”

“I don’t know if you’ve kept in touch with anyone while you were… gone. The Devil’s Fury owns a few legit businesses, one of which is a garage. It stays pretty busy, and Dad makes sure nothing illegal goes down there. We need another mechanic.”

“Griz let you hire all the mechanics?” he asked, rubbing a hand across the scruff on his jaw.

It wasn’t a full-out beard, but it was still sexy as hell. Made me want to reach out and touch it, see if it felt soft or rough. I’d never kissed a man before, much less one with a beard, and I wondered how it would feel.

Wait. He’d asked me something. Mechanics. Right.

“I work in the office,” I said. “And no, I don’t usually do the hiring, but we do have an opening, and I know Dad would be thrilled to have you.”

“I’ll talk to him about it in the next day or two. Right now, I’m just enjoying breathing fresh air whenever I want.”

I shifted on the couch, bending my knee and tucking my foot under me. He stopped mid-sip, his gaze dropping to where the shirt barely covered my lap. Badger kept staring even as he took a swallow of coffee, and I had to admit, I’d never felt so feminine, so desirable as I did in that moment. Men never really looked at me. Well, they looked, but not for long. Once I’d become Griz’s daughter, a well-placed glare from my new dad, or the Devil’s Fury members, made any interested males scatter. And I’d been really grateful for that. I hadn’t been interested in boys in high school, and the only man I’d ever wanted was sitting with me now.

“I don’t remember that shirt ever looking that good on me,” he said, taking another swallow of his coffee.

“I hope you don’t mind that I have it. When May and Griz first brought me home, I had really bad nightmares. May gave me this shirt and told me it was yours. It made me feel safe.”

“Does it still make you feel safe?” he asked.

I squirmed a little. Should I be honest and see what happened? Or play it safe. I didn’t have any experience with guys, especially ones like Badger who could have any woman they wanted. Did he like it when women played games with him? I decided to go for honesty.

“When I can’t sleep, I imagine that it’s you wrapped around me and not the shirt.”

“You imagine me in bed with you?” he asked, his voice dropping a little, sounding even gruffer than before.

“Yeah.” I dropped my gaze to my lap before fighting to meet his stare again. I felt completely exposed sitting here, being honest with him. I’d never been all that brave, but if I had a chance with Badger and I blew it, I’d never forgive myself.

“I expected to get out of prison and hear that you were married or at least seeing someone. I’d hoped you’d made a good life for yourself.”

“I have a good life,” I said. “I don’t have to have a man for that. Although, I guess I technically have a MC full of them, just not in a romantic way.”

“What do you want from me, Adalia? If Griz knew I was here, especially with you mostly naked, he’d have my balls. You’re the President’s daughter, which means it’s hands off. So, if I’m going to get my ass kicked, I need you to be really clear on what you expect.”

I licked my lips. “I don’t expect anything. But… What I want is for you to kiss me, to touch me. I want to fall asleep with your arms around me, knowing it isn’t a dream this time.”

“You’re asking for a lot,” he muttered. “If I get my hands on you, it won’t stop at kissing and touching. I can’t lie in bed with you all night and not want to fuck you.”

My breath hitched as I pictured us in my bed. My thighs clenched, and I ached in a way I never had before. I wanted Badger, more than anything, and it seemed like he wanted me too. What would it take to make him act on those feelings? I didn’t pretend to know anything about men, despite the fact I read sexy books with half-naked men on the covers.

“I’m not asking you to,” I said softly. “I want that. I want you.”

Badger set his mug on the coffee table and reached for me. He slid his hands around my waist and hauled me onto his lap. His eyes were a stormy gray, and they pulled me in. It felt like I was free-falling, and we hadn’t even done anything yet. Gently, he eased his fingers into my hair, cupping the back of my head, and he pulled me closer. He slanted his mouth over mine, in the softest of kisses, but that brief touch was enough to make the dam break. Badger groaned and thrust his tongue between my lips. I melted against him, kissing him back, and hoping he didn’t realize I was inexperienced.

Hell, this was my first kiss, and it was everything I’d ever dreamed it would be.

I felt his hand leave my hair and slide down to the front of the shirt. My heart was pounding as he unbuttoned the front, slowly, as if he had all the time in the world. When the last one was unfastened, he pulled back, his gaze dropping as he parted the shirt and exposed my bare body.

“So fucking beautiful,” he said, as he lightly trailed his fingers across my stomach.

I shivered, but it wasn’t from being cold. I was hot, so very hot. The rough touch of his fingers made me want to beg him to never stop. My nipples were hard, and he lightly brushed his thumb across one. I couldn’t hold back the moan that built in my throat, and I knew my pussy was getting wetter by the minute. He moved his hand down farther, teasing me before slipping his hand between my legs. Badger groaned and he laid his forehead against my shoulder.

“Christ, baby. All slick and wet. You make me want you so bad.”

“I want you too,” I admitted softly.

He lifted his head and stared into my eyes. “Part of me wants to bend you over the back of the couch, and fuck you until we both come. But you deserve better than that. So, I’m going to make you come, and then if you still want me, we’re going to move this to the bedroom.”

I leaned toward him, brushing my lips against his. Badger deepened the kiss as his fingers rubbed back and forth across the lips of my pussy. The scruff on his jaw was probably going to give me whisker burn, but I didn’t care. I’d wear the marks proudly, and remember this moment every time I looked in the mirror and saw them.

“Spread your legs, sweet girl. I want to watch you come apart in my arms.”

I could feel my cheeks burning as I spread my thighs farther apart. Badger teased me, his fingers sliding along the lips of my pussy, but never touching me where I wanted it most. I gasped as he plunged a finger inside me, thrusting it in and out a few times before he started to rub my clit with his thumb. Oh, God. This was way better than anything I’d ever dreamed about. After a few more strokes, he added a second finger.

“Damn, Adalia. You’re tight as a fucking virgin.”

I knew I should tell him the truth, but I worried he’d leave me if he knew. I bit my lip and just focused on the pleasure. Something was building inside me. My nipples hardened even more, and I felt like my body was tightening, straining for release. He didn’t stop, not even when it became too much and I squirmed to get away from him.

“Shhh. Let it happen, baby. Just let go,” he murmured, pressing a kiss against my temple.

I cried out as the most incredible pleasure I’d ever felt rolled over me. I’d have sworn I even blacked out for a moment, but as I slowly blinked and the room came back into focus, I felt Badger’s fingers still thrusting inside me.

“Watching you come like that was the best welcome home gift I could have ever had.” He smiled. “If you want to stop, I’ll get up and walk away right now.”

“Stay.”

He didn’t say anything for a few minutes, and I was worried he’d changed his mind. Badger pulled his hand away, then helped me to my feet. I wobbled a moment, but he steadied me as he stood up. Without a word, he lifted me into his arms and began striding down the hall. He bypassed the smaller bedroom and entered the room I’d claimed as mine.

A lamp was burning on the nightstand, and my cheeks flushed when I realized his picture was sitting right next to it. He stopped just inside the doorway and took everything in, his gaze scanning the room from one side to the other, then he eased me down onto the bed.

“Last time. Are you sure about this?” he asked.

“I’ve never wanted anything more.”

Badger removed his cut and tossed it onto a nearby chair, then grabbed the back of his black tee and pulled it over his head. I’d always thought guys were sexy when they did that. I’d tried it once and gotten tangled up in my shirt. I licked my lips as he kicked off his boots, removed his socks, and reached for the buckle on his belt. He hesitated only a moment before unbuckling it, then he unfastened his jeans and shoved them down his legs. And holy fuck! He went commando.

“I normally clean things up a little down there,” he said, waving a hand toward his cock. “Haven’t exactly had access to trimmers and I wasn’t about to use a cheap prison-issued razor anywhere near my dick.”

I didn’t care. I thought he was beautiful, but he probably wouldn’t care for that word. Badger kicked his clothes away and stalked toward me. He had that swagger that screamed he knew how to please a woman, and he damn well knew it. My body was still buzzing from the orgasm he gave me in the living room, and I had a feeling it would be twice as incredible when his cock was inside me.

“Stand up, sweet girl,” he said, crooking a finger at me.

I rose to my feet and stared into his eyes as he slid the flannel shirt down my arms, and I stood in front of him, completely bare, and extremely turned-on. If he didn’t do something soon, I worried I’d combust.

Chapter Three

Badger

Adalia looked like a goddess, her honey-colored hair curling down her back, and those big blue eyes looking at me with complete trust and more than a little desire. Her gaze dropped to my cock, and she sucked in a breath. Yeah, I was big and got that reaction from a lot of women. None of them had ever mattered, though, and Adalia did. I didn’t know if the size of my cock scared her or turned her on, and if she asked me to leave I’d get dressed and walk away.

“Will it fit?” she asked in a near whisper.

I bit my lip so I wouldn’t laugh. “It will fit, sweet girl. Promise.”

Adalia backed up and then lay across the bed, her thighs parted in invitation, and fuck if I wasn’t going to take her up on that offer. I crawled up the bed toward her, kissing her soft skin along the way. My weight settled over her, and my cock brushed against her wet pussy, making me go completely still.

“Fuck. Condom,” I said, closing my eyes. The two condoms in my wallet were ten years old, and I damn sure knew better than to use them. It would be risky as hell.

“Bedside drawer,” she said.

I wasn’t sure I liked the fact she brought men back here often enough to keep condoms stocked. The way she’d talked before, I’d thought maybe she didn’t really date that much. But only sexually active women kept condoms on hand. At least, I couldn’t think of another reason for her to have them. I reached over and opened the drawer, pulling out a strip of three condoms.

“I stole them from the clubhouse earlier when no one was looking,” she said. “Are they the right kind?”

I looked at the packaging and grinned. Yeah, she’d gotten magnums. And I liked knowing that she hadn’t just had these lying around. “You did good, baby.”

I ripped open a package and rolled the condom down my shaft before tossing the other two onto the nightstand. I glanced at the framed picture there and got even harder knowing that she’d wanted to keep me close. I just hoped that being with me tonight lived up to her every fantasy.

“Wrap your legs around my waist, baby.”

She hooked her calves around my hips and I felt her ankles cross over my ass. I braced my weight so I wouldn’t crush her, then lined up my cock with that pretty pussy of hers and eased inside. I took it slow, giving her time to adjust. As tight as she was, I worried I might hurt her. Her body stretched and welcomed me in, and soon I was balls-deep. Christ, but I couldn’t remember ever feeling anything like it.

It took every ounce of control I had not to just pound into her. It was almost like she’d been made just for me, the way she fit me so perfectly. I thrust in and out, slow and steady, trying to take my time and make sure she enjoyed it. Her nails bit into my shoulders and her body started to flush, a rosy tint starting at her breasts and creeping up her neck.

“Damn, sweetheart. Already?”

She whimpered and bit that lip, looking all kinds of sexy. I braced my weight on my knees and one hand, then reached between us to rub her little clit. I could tell she was already close, but I wanted to send her flying. I took her harder, deeper. Her legs trembled around my waist so I pressed a little tighter on her clit, and then she was screaming out my name. My real fucking name.

“Colton!”

Fuck. Just hearing my name on her lips, and her pussy squeezing me just right, was enough to make me come. I didn’t stop thrusting until every drop of cum had been wrung from my balls. As much as I wanted to collapse on top of her, I grabbed the condom and pulled out before flopping onto my side. I pressed a kiss to her cheek, then got up to deal with the condom. In the hall bathroom, I tied off the latex and tossed it into the trash, cleaned myself off, and went back to the tempting woman lying in bed.

I pulled the covers down, then we crawled underneath the sheet and quilt. Adalia curled against me, her head resting on my shoulder. I felt… content. Satisfied. It should have scared the shit out of me, but honestly, I was too fucking tired to worry about it too much. I hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in ten years. As much as I hated to be the guy who fucked, then fell asleep, I could already feel my eyes getting heavy.

“Thank you,” she whispered as she snuggled closer. “Will you stay?”

“I’ll stay,” I told her. Besides, there were still two condoms left.

We both fell asleep for a few hours, but I woke before the sun was rising. Adalia looked so damn young as I studied her features. I knew she was only twenty-three, and at thirty-eight I felt fucking ancient in comparison. Hell, two more weeks and I’d be thirty-nine. I knew that whatever this was between us couldn’t last, but I was going to enjoy it while I could. I slid down the bed and crawled between her thighs, teasing her awake with my tongue. It didn’t take much to get her nice and wet again. I flicked my tongue against her clit, pushing her thighs wider apart. Her cream coated my tongue as she came, and it was the sweetest thing I’d tasted in a long damn time.

She blinked at me with sleepy eyes and a soft smile curving her lips, then I rolled her onto her stomach and lifted her hips. Nudging her thighs wider, I watched as her pussy opened and beckoned me closer. I quickly rolled on another condom, then gripped her hips and plunged deep. Adalia cried out, but pushed back against me.

“Hold on tight, sweet girl.”

I fucked her fast, hard, and deep, giving her everything I had. I felt completely out of control, and watching my dick disappear inside her, only to pull out covered in her cream was enough to make me want to rip off the condom and take her bare. I knew she’d feel like fucking heaven wrapped around my dick without any barriers, and I had this insane urge to fill her with my cum. I wanted to watch it leak out of her and coat her thighs, wanted my scent on her for hours. I’d been tested at the prison a few days before my release and knew I was clean, since I hadn’t fucked anyone after that test, but I didn’t know if she was on birth control. Taking a chance like that was too damn risky. I was nowhere near daddy material, and probably never would be.

“I can’t think of anything I like more than being inside you.”

“You feel so good,” she said, moaning as I thrust a little harder. “Don’t stop. Please don’t stop.”

Yeah, like that was going to happen. I fucked her until she came, crying out my name again, and then I let loose. I took her like a man possessed, pounding into her, until I shot my load into the condom. Panting for breath, I stayed buried inside her for a moment, wanting to stay connected just a little bit longer.

When I finally pulled out, Adalia collapsed onto the bed and groaned. I swatted her ass before I went to dispose of the condom and clean up. She was already curled up and asleep again when I got back to the bedroom. I wrapped my body around hers and dozed off again. The next time my eyes opened, the sun was shining through the windows. I didn’t know what time it was, but I knew I couldn’t stay. Not without getting caught. I’d ridden my bike to her house, and it was parked in the driveway for anyone to see. Even if the guys had stayed up all night partying, there was a chance someone would ride past her house and see the bike there.

I wasn’t going to slip away while she was sleeping, though. I’d done that before, but Adalia was different. She deserved more than a hard fuck and me vanishing without a word. I smoothed her hair back from her face and marveled at how damn beautiful she was. I knew one day she’d settle down with some nice law-abiding guy, someone who could give her a better life than an ex-con like me. I didn’t like the thought of her being in another man’s arms, but I knew it would happen sooner or later. Guys like me didn’t end up with women like her.

I kissed her until she woke up and gave me a sleepy smile.

“I should shower and get out of here,” I said. “It would be pretty bad if your dad showed up and I was still here, especially naked in your bed. Or balls-deep in your pussy.”

“Can I join you? I’ve never showered with anyone before.”

Oh, fucking hell. How could I say no to that? “Sure, baby.”

She crawled out of the bed, and as I stood up to follow her, I was wishing we had a lot more condoms. Watching her ass as she sauntered down the hall was torture. I hadn’t had a chance to do half the things I wanted, but sticking around wasn’t a good idea. My ass needed to be as far from her as possible, as fast as possible. The way she’d opened up to me, been so damn honest, it wasn’t just her dad I was worried about. If I stayed with Adalia much longer, she might think this was more than just one night. I didn’t do relationships. Never had and never would.

Adalia started the shower, and when steam began to billow out of the stall, she stepped under the spray, reaching out to grab my hand and drag me in behind her. I shut the door and watched as the water cascaded down her body, dripping from her pretty pink nipples, and sliding down the curve of her belly. How anyone so damn sweet could be equally seductive was a puzzle, but Adalia pulled it off. She was like this adorable, blonde angel until you got her behind closed doors. The way she’d come apart in my arms would be a memory I cherished the rest of my life. I’d never seen anything so beautiful before, and I doubted I ever would again.

I reached for her shower gel, the honeysuckle scent I’d smelled last night wafting from the bottle as I popped open the lid and squirted a liberal amount onto my palm. Her eyes darkened, and she did that lip biting thing that drove me nuts as I rubbed my hands together, then reached for her. Her skin was soft, and I tried to memorize every curve as I washed her. Adalia pressed her breasts against my palms as I soaped them, my thumbs circling her nipples. She was so fucking responsive that even a monk would have been tempted.

I helped Adalia rinse, and before I could wash myself, she was getting a handful of honeysuckle shower gel and rubbing it across my chest. Fuck. The light touch of her hands on my body was enough to make me hard as granite. When her small hand gripped my cock, I couldn’t hold back. I thrust against her palm and claimed her lips in a kiss guaranteed to make her toes curl. It had been a long fucking time since a woman had made me come in their hand, but if anyone could do it, it was Adalia. Even before I’d gone to prison, I’d never gotten off this easy. I could feel my balls drawing up and knew I was going to blow at any moment.

I reached between her legs, stroking my fingers against her pussy and opening her up. I thrust them deep and curled them a little as I pulled back, then thrust inside her again. She whimpered against my lips as I teased her clit, wanting to make her come.

“I want you,” she murmured against my lips. “Please, Colton.”

Every time she said my name, it did something to me. No one used the name Colton anymore, except for the judge who had sentenced me to jail. But having a woman say it, especially during a passionate moment, was a unique experience. I’d been called Badger for so fucking long, I didn’t know if anyone even remembered my name. Except Adalia.

I gripped her waist and lowered her onto my cock. Pressing her against the tiled wall, I took her hard and deep, not holding anything back. My mind was clouded with lust as I pounded into her sweet pussy. She came, squeezing my dick so good I nearly saw stars, but I didn’t stop, didn’t slow down. I was too far gone to think rationally, and it wasn’t until the first splash of cum slicked her channel that I realized I’d just taken her bare. My body shuddered as I thrust deep one last time, staying buried inside her as my cock twitched in the aftermath of the strongest release I’d ever had.

Adalia’s fingers played with the hair on the back of my head as she pressed kisses to my chest, shoulders, and neck. All my good intentions, and my sense of self-preservation, went out the window. There was no way I could stay away from her now. I’d never come inside a woman before, not without a condom between us. Maybe it was the fact we were skin on skin that made me feel closer to her, maybe it was because I’d saved her all those years ago. Or maybe it was just because Adalia was the sweetest, most passionate, amazing woman I’d ever met.

My gaze clashed with hers, and the emotion I saw there, the… love… it staggered me. No one had ever given a shit about me, not really. My brothers had my back, but no one had ever loved me. Not even my parents. No, especially not my parents. She hadn’t said the word, but she didn’t have to. Adalia was an open book, her eyes showing everything she was thinking and feeling. I felt the walls around my heart crack a little, and for the first time in my life, I wanted to let someone in. I wanted to let her in.

“We need to clean up again,” she said, a soft smile curving her lips.

“Then I’m taking you for breakfast.”

“Or I could make something for us here. You’ve only been out one night, and I doubt you stopped to check your bank account.”

I smiled and kissed her softly, my lips barely brushing against hers. “Worried about the state of my account?”

“I just don’t think you should spend money if you don’t have to. Besides, you’ll love my omelets.”

“All right, pretty girl. You make breakfast, and I’ll look into a few things while you cook. I need to do some shopping later. None of my clothes are going to fit right anymore.”

“Is that why you weren’t wearing underwear?” she asked, her eyebrow arched.

“Yeah. That and the elastic was shot after rotting for the last ten years.”

I hesitated, knowing I should mention the fact I’d just come inside her without a condom. She hadn’t stopped me, but that didn’t mean anything. With any other woman, I’d be freaking the hell out right now. For some reason, I liked the idea of my cum being inside Adalia. Hell, just thinking about it was making me hard again, but I didn’t want her to be sore. I hadn’t been gentle any of the times I’d taken her, and I was far from being a small man.

“I didn’t use a condom,” I said.

She blinked at me but didn’t seem bothered by the fact. I eased out of her body and braced her with my hands until I knew she was steady on her feet.

“I’m clean,” I said, in case she was wondering. “Got tested at the prison.”

“We should talk, but not in the shower. Let’s clean up, get dressed, and we can talk about some stuff after I make breakfast.”

My breath froze in my lungs at the serious expression on her face. Was going she going to tell me that she had an STD? As tight as she’d been, I didn’t think she had sex all that often, but if she was carrying something, that might explain it. She seemed like the type who would have said something before we had sex the first time, though.

We quickly washed and dressed, and as she made omelets in the kitchen, I made a few phone calls. It seemed the club had been taking care of me while I was away, and while I wasn’t overly rich, I wouldn’t have to worry about money for a few months at least. Maybe longer. The club accountant had been making deposits into both my account and my commissary over the past ten years. But I was a little confused, because the commissary deposits didn’t match up. Yeah, the first years the amounts deposited and what I’d received were the same, but about seven years ago, I started receiving a few hundred more than what the club had given me. At the time, I just thought the club had upped the amount they were putting in there, but it didn’t look like that’s what happened. So where the hell had that money come from?

Adalia was humming as she cooked, and when she placed a plate in front of me, my mouth watered. The biggest fucking omelet I’d ever seen took up the entire dish. I could see chunks of ham, onion, green peppers, and it was smothered in shredded cheese and sour cream. She set a container of salsa on the table, and I poured a little over my food.

“Eat up,” she said as she turned back to the stove.

A few minutes later, she joined me with a smaller version of the omelet she’d given me. I hadn’t touched mine yet, wanting to do the polite thing and wait for her. Didn’t seem right that she was cooking for us and all I’d done was sit on my ass. The least I could do was not eat until hers was finished.

“Oh!” She popped up and ran to the fridge, returning a minute later with a carton of orange juice. Then she pulled two glasses out of the cabinet near the sink and poured us each a glass before returning the juice to the fridge.

“Talked to the bank,” I said between bites.

“How bad is it?”

“It’s actually pretty good. The club has been putting money into my account the last ten years. Not a ton, since I wasn’t here to help with any jobs, but enough to keep my account open and buy me a few months to figure things out. Maybe more than a few.”

She smiled. “Well, that’s good news. But isn’t it part of your parole agreement that you need to find employment?”

“Yeah. I’ll ask Griz about the open mechanic position and see what he says. Even if I just work part-time, I think my parole officer will be happy. I need to talk to Griz anyway. My commissary numbers don’t match up to what the club was putting into the account.”

Her cheeks flushed. “That’s not necessary.”

I paused, my fork halfway to my mouth. “Why?”

“I put money into your account,” she said. “May knew I wanted to do something for you, so she let me get a job when I was sixteen. I didn’t really need money for anything back then, so I gave it to Mom and asked her to put it into your account.”

“Jesus, Adalia. Why the hell did you do that?” I asked, putting my fork down.

“I wanted to do something nice for you,” she said softly. “If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t still be here. I can never repay you for what you’ve done for me.”

I closed my eyes and slowly opened them again. She looked nervous, but as I held her gaze, it told me she didn’t regret it even a little. I had no doubt if she could do it all over again, she’d do the same damn thing.

“Thank you,” I said.

The tension eased from her shoulders and the smile she gave me was damn near blinding. I’d never been good at accepting handouts, but I knew she’d been trying to help. And the funds had come in handy. Little did she realize that the things I’d purchased with most of that money had allowed me to make a few bargains inside, the kind that kept me alive. If she’d wanted to repay me, her account was paid in full. Not that she’d ever owed me shit.

She toyed with her food, and I watched as the joy slipped from her face. “We still need to talk. About what happened in the shower.”

“Whatever it is, just lay it on me.”

“When I was raped, I suffered for months afterward from pain in my pelvis. The doctors had said that was common for someone in my situation and dismissed it. But it continued for over a year. I didn’t get to live with May and Griz until almost exactly a year after the… incident. Mom took me to the doctor and demanded that they check me thoroughly. It turns out, I have endometriosis.”

“I have no idea what that is,” I said, my hands clenching under the table at the thought of her hurting for so long after what that asshole had done. It made me wish I could bring him back to life and kill him all over again. Slower this time. And her foster family was next on my list, for letting her suffer all that time.

“I could give you the version with medical jargon that I don’t understand, but simply put, when I have a period, it’s more painful and heavier than it should be. And it can cause infertility. I’m not saying that I can never get pregnant, because there is a chance, but it’s harder for me to conceive than the average woman.” She fidgeted in her seat. “So, if you’re worried about me getting pregnant because of what happened in the shower, it isn’t likely to happen.”

I didn’t know what to say. I hated that she might never get to have a baby, but at the same time, I knew I wasn’t ready for fatherhood. Part of me was grateful that it wasn’t likely my slip-up in the shower would result in pregnancy. And yet… I couldn’t deny a small part was disappointed. How fucked-up was that? If anyone should never be a dad, it was me. I was a longtime offender and more than likely would end up back in prison before my parole was up. That was the last thing Adalia needed to deal with.

“You know this thing between us can’t go anywhere,” I said. “I’m not the kind of man you need in your life. You deserve better. For whatever reason, you want me, and I’m having a hard time walking away.”

“Then don’t,” she said. “Stay with me. Unless you think I can’t give you what you need.”

“What I need?” I gave a humorless laugh.

“I know you’re used to more experienced women.” Her cheeks flushed. “There’s something else you should know. I --”

There was a pounding on the front door and I stood quickly, nearly knocking over my chair. Either Papa Bear was angry and was going to rip me a new one for being in his daughter’s house, or someone else wasn’t too pleased that I was here. Had that been what she was about to confess? Had Adalia been seeing someone? I’d fucked women who belonged to someone before, but never a brother’s girl. And I didn’t like the thought I might have done that now.

Adalia stood and went to the front door. I followed, hanging back a little. I casually leaned against the doorframe a few feet away from the front door. Adalia swung it open, and a young guy I didn’t recognize stood on the other side. He wore a Devil’s Fury cut, and judging by his age, he’d likely been voted in while I was in prison. His cut said he was called Twister.

“What the fuck is a bike doing in your driveway?” Twister demanded, pushing his way inside Adalia’s home. He froze when he saw me.

“Twister, you shouldn’t be here,” Adalia said, shutting the door and facing him with her arms folded. “I’m not twelve. If I want to have someone over, I’m allowed.”

Twister looked from me to Adalia. “What the fuck, Adalia? You won’t go out with me unless your parents make you, but this guy gets out of prison and you immediately spread your legs for him?”

I took two steps toward the little prick, pulled back my fist, and knocked his ass to the floor. He rubbed his jaw, which was already turning red and would probably bruise. Fury flashed in his eyes, but I didn’t give a shit. No one was going to talk to Adalia like that, not when I was around. Yeah, I’d fucked her, but that wasn’t his business.

“Watch your mouth, boy,” I warned. “You treat her with respect.”

“Is that what you did? Treat her with respect? Or did you fuck her like she was a common whore?”

I growled and advanced on the little asshole, lifting him up by the front of his shirt. I plowed my fist into his face a few more times. A small hand landed on my arm and looked over my shoulder at Adalia.

“He’s one of your brothers. You can’t fight him over me,” she said.

“I’m not going to stand here and listen to him insult you. He called you a fucking whore. I’m supposed to let that go?”

“I might be Griz’s adopted daughter, but I’m not an old lady. I don’t belong to anyone, Badger. If anyone is going to defend me, it should be Griz.”

I released the ass who had insulted her and gave her my full attention. My knuckles were smeared with blood, so I didn’t reach for her. I didn’t know what had made her say such a thing. Being the Pres’s daughter held more weight than being an old lady. Or was it just that she didn’t want me defending her? Knowing I wasn’t worthy of her, and her thinking that were two different things. It hurt like fuck that she might feel that way.

Without a word, I pulled open the door and stepped out onto the porch. I left her standing there, left the kid bleeding, and I got on my bike. The engine road to life and without sparing either of them a glance, my tires spit gravel as I tore out of the driveway and down the road. I didn’t stop until I got to the gates, and once they were opened, I hit the main road that led into town. If I didn’t have to report to my parole officer in a few hours, I might have kept going. The open road called to me. Despite the blue sky above me, I was still in chains. The air was just fresher in my current prison.

Chapter Four

Adalia

Twister was furious. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth and was smeared across his teeth. His jaw and cheek were already bruising, but it was the fury in his eyes that made me keep my distance. I’d never been afraid of the Devil’s Fury members, not once. Not until now. I could tell that he hated me, blamed me for the beating he’d just received. My heart pounded in my chest, and I wished like hell that Badger was still here. I didn’t understand why he’d left me.

“I’ve asked you repeatedly over the years to give me a chance,” Twister said. “Every single time you shot me down, claiming you weren’t ready to be in a relationship, but it was all bullshit. You just didn’t want to be with me.”

“I didn’t want to hurt your feelings,” I said softly, taking a step back. “I like you, Twister, just not like that.”

“But you like him like that? You like him enough to spread your legs for him?” Twister sneered and advanced on me. “Well enough to be his little whore?”

“You don’t mean that,” I said, backing up another step. “We’ve been friends for years. I like being your friend, Twister. You’re like a brother to me.”

He laughed, the sound cold and brittle, and I knew in that moment I was in trouble. No one knew he was here, except Badger. I didn’t feel very safe, and the crazy look in Twister’s eyes told me I had reason to worry. He was a biker, an outlaw, and I didn’t know what he was capable of. I never would have thought anyone in Devil’s Fury would hurt me, but I wasn’t so certain right now.

“Brother?” He sneered at me. “A brother doesn’t want to fuck his sister.”

The door still stood open. Would I make it if I ran? How far would I get before he caught me, and would I be even worse off then? I’d fought that night in the alley, and I knew I’d fight now if he attacked me. He was so much bigger than me, I doubted I would win, but I had to try. I darted to the right and ran for the front yard, leaping off the porch steps. Our homes were spaced enough that even if I screamed, there was no guarantee someone would come for me.

I heard his roar of fury behind me, then the pounding of his boots. I pushed myself harder and screamed for Scorpion, hoping he was home. I was close to his house, nearly to his yard, when Twister slammed into me from behind. I hit the ground, my chin slamming into the pavement of the road that ran through the compound. Twister flipped me over, then backhanded me, pain exploding through my cheek and eye. I cried out and beat against Twister with both fists. Then suddenly, he was gone, and I heard a roar of fury.

Tears blurred my vision as I struggled to sit up. Scorpion was trying to finish the job Badger started, his fists landing on Twister blow after blow. When there was no fight left in Twister, Scorpion staggered back, his breath sawing in and out of his lungs. He took a step back, then lurched forward and nailed Twister in the ribs with his booted foot. I winced, swearing I heard them crack.

Two more Devil’s Fury men came to see what was happening. There was a buzzing in my ears and I couldn’t make out what anyone was saying. Someone lifted me into their arms and I tried to focus. Everything started spinning and I knew I was about to be sick. Struggling, whoever held me finally set me on my feet, and I dropped to my knees, losing what little of my breakfast I’d managed to eat. I felt a hand rubbing my back, and that small bit of kindness was enough to make me break. I admit it, I ugly cried.

“Come on, honey,” Scorpion said, lifting me into his arms again. As his woodsy scent surrounded me, I started to calm a little. He was like an uncle to me, had always been there when I needed someone, and this time wasn’t any different.

He carried me into his house and eased me down onto his battered leather couch. His flavor of the month, Gina, handed me an ice pack. I pressed it to my cheek and wondered what would happen to Twister. He’d attacked me, and I knew he’d pay the price. The beating he’d received was nothing compared to what my dad would do to him once he found out.

It didn’t take long for Griz to arrive, and he looked beyond pissed once he saw my face. The biggest badass I’d ever met knelt at my feet, and gently checked my injuries, before cursing so long and loud I wondered if he was inventing some of those words. When he stopped, he sat beside me, taking my hand in his.

“Twister will be dealt with,” my dad promised. “What I want to know is where is Badger? I thought he was with you.”

“You knew?” I asked.

He smiled a little. “Yeah, I knew. Anyone who passed your house last night or early this morning knew he was there. Did he leave before or after Twister got there?”

“After,” I said. “Twister said some things, some horrible things. And then Badger started beating him.”

My dad frowned, his brow furrowing. “And he just left you there with Twister?”

“I made him stop,” I said softly. “I told him to stop hitting Twister. I didn’t realize what would happen, that Twister wasn’t the man I thought he was. I didn’t understand when he ran off, but I think… I think Badger believed I was choosing Twister over him. He took off without saying a word.”

My dad and Scorpion shared a look. Scorpion nodded and headed for the front door. A moment later, I heard his bike start up. It always amazed me when my dad could do that, talk to someone without using his voice. When I’d first witnessed him doing that, I’d asked Mom if he and the Devil’s Fury could read minds. She’d been amused.

“I’m taking you to the doctor,” Dad said. “Your chin is still bleeding, and I want to make sure that asshole didn’t fracture your cheekbone.”

“I’ll be fine,” I assured him.

“No arguments, Adalia.”

He led me outside, and we walked the short distance to his house. When I’d come to live with him and May, he’d bought an SUV. Even when I got older, and after May died, he’d kept it. Dad opened the passenger door and helped me inside, making sure I’d buckled up before he shut the door. The ride to Dr. Larkin’s office was short, and the minute we stepped inside, a nurse led me into the back. I’d always wondered why we never had to wait like everyone else, and as I’d gotten older, I’d come to realize that Dad paid Dr. Larkin to always be available to the club.

“I hope the other guy looks worse,” Dr. Larkin said as he checked me over.

“It was Twister,” I said.

Dr. Larkin shook his head sadly. “I’m sorry to hear that, Adalia. I know you considered him a friend.”

He pressed on my cheek and I cried out. Tears gathered in my eyes again, but I blinked them back. He also used a light to check my eyes.

“Not broken, but it’s going to look nasty for a while. You don’t need stitches in your chin. It’s going to be sore, and will scab over. Don’t pick at it. Just keep some triple antibiotic on it and make sure it stays clean. I think you have a slight concussion. The concussion should get better in the next few days, but you could feel the effects for a few months.”

He pulled a prescription pad from his pocket, then stopped.

“Any chance you could be pregnant?” he asked. “I know you have endometriosis, but is it at all possible?”

I started to say no, then thought about the shower this morning with Badger.

“Maybe? It’s too soon to know,” I said. “I had unprotected sex this morning. It wasn’t planned.”

Dr. Larkin studied me, and I knew he wondered why after all this time I’d chosen to have sex, and not use a condom. We’d talked in the past about birth control, and he knew I hadn’t been seeing anyone.

“I heard Badger came home,” he said after a few minutes. “Be careful, Adalia. He’s not the kind of man to give you a happily ever after.”

I didn’t say anything, not knowing how to respond. Did I want Badger to fall in love with me? Of course. Did I think he actually would? Not really. A man had never loved me, not the romantic kind of love, and I didn’t think anyone ever would. My past had tainted me, and if that wasn’t bad enough, there was my endometriosis and the possibility I would never have children.

“I can’t give you pain medication if there’s a chance you could be pregnant,” Dr. Larkin said. “Ice your cheek for thirty minutes, then remove the ice for an hour. You can ice it again for another half hour after that, if it’s still bothering you. Tylenol would be all right in moderation.”

“Thank you, Dr. Larkin.”

“If the pain worsens over the next few days, you can come back and we’ll check it again. Until then, try to get some rest.”

Dr. Larkin left, and I went back to the front of the office. My dad was sitting in the waiting room and smiled when he saw me. I didn’t know why he was so happy, until I saw him out of the corner of my eye. Badger. He came toward me, slowly, as if he were afraid he’d scare me. When he saw the damage to my face, there was a look of devastation in his eyes. I didn’t move, didn’t speak. Why was he here? How had he known to come to Dr. Larkin’s office?

“If I had known…” He stopped and pulled me into his arms. “I’m so fucking sorry, Adalia. When you told me to stop, I thought you were protecting him. I thought you’d chosen him over me. I never would have left if I thought he would hurt you.”

“It’s not your fault,” I said, wrapping my arms around his waist. “I didn’t know he was capable of hurting me. If I didn’t know it, then how could you?”

“What do you need from me?” he asked.

“She needs you to man the fuck up,” my dad said. “Adalia isn’t a one-night stand. If that’s all you wanted, you should have stuck with the club pussy we offered you last night.”

Badger tightened his arms around me before facing my dad. “I know. I only went to talk to her. I never intended for things to go further.”

“But they did,” my dad said. “Your bike was seen outside her home all night and early this morning. If you tell me you were talking that entire time, I won’t believe you.”

“Daddy, leave it alone,” I said. “I’m a grown woman.”

My dad grumbled and held up his hands, backing off.

“You should ride with your dad,” Badger said. “It’s probably not a good idea for you to be on the back of a bike right now.”

“The doctor said I have a slight concussion.”

He reached out and gently touched my cheek, then tipped my head up so he could see my chin. A low growl rumbled out of him and his jaw tightened. Badger looked at my dad and they did that silent communication thing again.

“I’ll take you home,” Dad said.

“I need to pick up a few things, then I’ll come sit with her,” Badger said. “I need new clothes and the essentials.”

“You won’t be able to carry much on your bike,” my dad said. “Follow us to Adalia’s house. You can write down what you need, and I’ll have a Prospect pick it up for you.”

Badger looked into my eyes, his touch gentle as he caressed the cheek that wasn’t bruised. Slowly, he lowered his head, and kissed me. It was a quick brush of his lips against mine, but it gave me comfort.

“I won’t leave your side,” he promised. “If there’s anything you need, I’ll get it for you.”

“I’m fine, Badger.”

He blamed himself for what happened to me, and I hated that. I didn’t want him to act differently around me. Yes, I’d been hurt, but I was still me. I was still the woman he’d been with all night. I might be banged up now, but nothing else had changed about me. I wanted the man back who had made me his in every way last night, the man who had lost control in the shower this morning.

“I’ll take you home,” my dad said, motioning for me to go out to the car.

“I have one stop to make,” Badger said. “I have an appointment with my parole officer.”

“David Brant?” my dad asked.

“Yeah.”

“I’ll call and talk to him,” Dad said. “Go straight to Adalia’s house. Your appointment will be rescheduled. It’s fucking ridiculous they sentenced you to twenty years to begin with, and they damn well know it. Let me handle it.”

I felt Badger at my back as I stepped out into the sunlight. His bike was parked next to my dad’s SUV. Badger opened the passenger door for me, and I climbed inside, then buckled my seatbelt. After he shut the door, he stared at me through the window a moment before getting onto his bike. I hoped he wasn’t going to act like this all the time now. I wasn’t broken, and I wouldn’t break.

As my dad drove me home, I could hear Badger’s bike behind us, and he stayed close until we pulled into my driveway. Dad called the parole officer while we were in the car, but I only half listened. I was far more interested in watching the bike behind us through the side-view mirror. Badger stopped next to the SUV outside my house, and had my door open before I had unfastened my seatbelt. Gently, he reached in and lifted me, holding me close to his chest as he walked up the porch steps. My dad was beside us and pushed open the door to my house, but he didn’t enter.

“I’ll leave her in your capable hands. Your parole officer said to give him a call later today or tomorrow to reschedule,” Dad said. “I’ll have a Prospect come by in the next half hour to pick up that list of things you need. If you leave, give me a call. I’ll have someone else stay with Adalia. I don’t want her left alone for the next twenty-four hours.”

Badger nodded, then carried me into the living room. I heard the front door shut as he eased me down onto the couch. When he turned to leave, I reached out and grabbed his hand. We needed to talk, to figure out what was going on in his head. I didn’t like the version of Badger that I was seeing right now.

“Talk to me,” I said. “What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong?” he asked. “I left you. Abandoned you with that asshole. You’re hurt because of me.”

“Colton, you didn’t do this to me.”

He snorted. “So now I’m Colton again.”

Was that what was bothering him? “I didn’t think you’d want me to call you that in front of my dad, or any other Devil’s Fury member. I was trying to be respectful and call you by the name you’d earned.”

He knelt by the couch and took my hand in his. “Sweet girl, no one has used the name Colton in a really long time. Not until you did last night. I like hearing my name. From you. Anyone else would get their ass kicked. But you’re not just anyone.”

“I don’t want you to treat me differently because of what happened today,” I said. “I’m still the woman you took to bed last night.”

“Last night, I’d decided I was going to leave, that we would just have the one night together.” His hand tightened on mine. “But this morning, I’d decided to stay. I’m not a good man, Adalia, never will be. I don’t deserve someone as sweet, or as good as you.”

“Shouldn’t that be my decision?” I asked. “If I think you’re good enough, isn’t that what matters?”

“You think I’m some sort of hero. I think I proved otherwise this morning,” he said.

“You proved that you’re human.”

His gaze softened as he looked at me, and I hoped that meant he would give us a chance. He might not think he was good enough, but I knew better. Badger was the only one I’d ever wanted, and being with him last night and this morning had been amazing. I wanted more time with him. Not just the intimate moments, but even sharing a meal together, or curling up on the couch to enjoy a movie.

“I should make that list so it’s ready when the Prospect comes by,” he said, releasing my hand.

“There’s paper in the kitchen. I have a tablet and pen in the drawer next to the fridge. I use them to make my grocery lists.”

Badger left the room and I reached for the remote, finding something to watch that I thought might interest the both of us. He came back a few minutes later, set his list down on the coffee table, then disappeared again. When he returned a second time, he had a glass of sweet tea in each hand.

“Thought you might be thirsty,” he said. “I didn’t see any soda in the fridge.”

“I usually drink tea or water during the day. I have juice or coffee for breakfast, and sometimes have a cup of hot tea at night before bed.”

“I think I drank enough water the last ten years to last me a lifetime,” he said.

I glanced at the list on the table and wondered if I should add some groceries. I didn’t know what Badger liked, or what he’d missed while being locked away. If he was going to stay here, I wanted to make sure I had the things he liked or wanted.

“You can add soda to your list, and anything else I don’t have that you want to eat or drink. I know you’ve missed out on a lot the last ten years.”

Badger left the room and came back with the pen. He added some more items to his list, and just in time. The odd knock at the door was familiar. I smiled and called out for the Prospect to enter.

Badger glared at me. “You just welcome people into your home without seeing who’s there?”

“It’s Max. He’s the only one who knocks like that.”

When Max came to the living room, I could tell that Badger was looking him over and sizing him up. Max wasn’t as tall as Badger, nor as broad, but he was far from weak. He’d asked to join the Devil’s Fury when he’d been released from the military. An IED had taken the lower part of his left leg and he’d been medically discharged, not that anyone could tell when he was wearing jeans. We’d talked when he’d shown up at the gates that first night, and I’d learned a lot about him. I admired Max, and I knew he was a good guy. A little rough around the edges, but so were the other Devil’s Fury.

“Max, this is Badger,” I said.

Max held out his hand to shake, and Badger took it. The tense lines around Max’s mouth told me Badger was giving him more than a simple handshake. I rolled my eyes, wondering why men felt the need to act so childish.

“Will the two of you stop?” I asked. “Why can’t men greet each other without getting into a pissing contest?”

Max smirked, and Badger released his hand.

“I’m not after your girl,” Max said. “Anyone who talks to her for five minutes knows she’s taken. You’re about all she’s talked about as long as I’ve known her.”

Badger glanced at me before focusing on Max again. “My girl?”

Max shrugged.

“The list is on the table,” I said. “Feel free to make yourself scarce, Max.”

He chuckled, grabbed the list, gave me a salute, then walked out.

“The two of you are close?” Badger asked.

“He’s a nice guy. He started prospecting here about six months ago. I have no doubt that he’ll be patched in. I think Dad already has a name picked out for him.”

“That didn’t answer my question.”

“I consider him a friend,” I said. “Max is easy to talk to. I think you’d like him if you gave him a chance.”

He stared at me, but I could see he was considering it.

“Would it make a difference if I told you that I’ve never been romantically interested in Max?” I asked. “I’ve never once pictured him naked, or wished he was lying in bed with me. I save those thoughts for you.”

He smiled a little and sat next to me. “Good to know.”

“I thought you might like this movie. It’s on Netflix so we can stop and start it if we need to. Did you have Netflix before…”

“No. It was around, but I didn’t have it.”

“Then you’re in for a treat,” I said with a smile. “You can watch hundreds of movies or TV shows without having to buy DVDs or pay for cable. I’ve gotten rather spoiled with all the streaming services around now. I have Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime, so we have tons of choices. Although, I admit I have a slight online shopping addiction so I really have Prime to save on shipping.”

“I’m amazed you ever leave the house.”

I glanced his way. “I could think of other reasons to stay home.”

“Sweet girl, if you think I’m taking advantage of you hours after you were attacked, then you’d be wrong. I might be an asshole, but I’m not that much of one. What you need is rest.”

“You’re really going to sit here and watch TV with me, and not touch me?” I asked.

“That’s the plan.”

Great. I wondered what it would take to change his mind. Yes, my face hurt, but surely an orgasm or two would take my mind off the pain. It was a good theory anyway. Now that I’d had a taste of Badger I wanted more. I didn’t know how long he’d stay with me, but I was going to enjoy every last minute of our time together. And hoped a lot of that time would be spent in the bedroom, or anywhere else he wanted to get naked.

Chapter Five

Badger

I didn’t think much of it the first time Adalia’s hand drifted up my thigh. The second time, I began to suspect it wasn’t an accident. By the third time, I knew she was trying to cause trouble. How she could possibly want sex after that asshole Twister had hit her face and she’d cut her chin open? She needed to rest, and heal, but it seemed Adalia had something else on her mind. And I was only human. Every brush of her hand against my cock made me harder. Hell, sitting next to her had me semi-hard before she’d started touching me.

I wasn’t used to fighting temptation. I’d always been the guy to take whatever I wanted, but I didn’t want to treat Adalia like a club slut. And fucking her while she was injured was an asshole thing to do, even if she was asking for it. There were two choices. Either give in and fuck her, or put some space between us. Knowing I needed to do what was best for her, I got up and took a few steps away. She looked confused and a little hurt, her brow furrowed and her mouth tipped down at the corners.

“Colton? What’s wrong?” she asked.

“I need to make some calls. I should reschedule my meeting with my parole officer. It’s one of the conditions of my release, and not reporting could send me back to prison.”

Her gaze softened. “I hadn’t thought of that. You know where I keep the cordless phone. If you want some quiet to make your calls, I won’t be offended if you sit in the kitchen.”

I breathed a little easier, knowing she wasn’t mad, even if I hadn’t been completely honest with her. Yeah, I did need to make that call, but the other call was just as important. If I was even going to think about having sex with her, I needed to find out from her doctor whether or not it was safe. Just because she said she was okay didn’t mean she really was. I’d had a concussion before and knew the side effects could be a pain in the ass. She might not realize just how badly she needed rest right now, but I did.

My parole officer wasn’t as much of a dick as I’d feared he would be. He actually seemed nice and wasn’t upset that I was rescheduling. He’d even given me an extra three days to come in, even though my parole agreement stated I needed to meet him today. It made me wonder just how well he knew Griz and what the story was there. I knew the club had people they relied on, like my lawyer, Dr. Larkin, and even a warden at one of the state prisons. Unfortunately for me, it hadn’t been the prison I was sent to. Hell, I thought even our town mayor was one of Griz’s contacts. Griz had tried to get in good with the local judges, but it hadn’t happened, at least not that I knew of. A lot had probably changed over the last ten years.

I hated to call Adalia’s doctor behind her back, but I needed to know for sure if I would hurt her if we had sex. I wasn’t going to take any risks with her.

“Dr. Larkin’s office,” a chipper woman said as she answered.

“I need to speak with Dr. Larkin or his head nurse. It’s about Adalia.”

“Oh, that poor girl. Dr. Larkin is in his office on a break. I’ll put you through.”

The line clicked and then started ringing again.

“Dr. Larkin,” the man answered.

“This is Badger with Devil’s Fury. I’m watching over Adalia and I need to know what she can and can’t do while she’s recovering.”

The line was quiet for so long I’d thought he hung up on me.

“She needs to rest, if you can get her to. She can even go to sleep if that’s what she wants. For the longest time, it was believed that sleep was bad when you have a concussion, but now we’re being told the opposite is true.”

I cleared my throat. “She, um, wants to have sex.”

“I see.” Dr. Larkin cleared his throat. “Well, her head bouncing around wouldn’t be a good idea right now. At least not for a few days. She’ll likely have headaches off and on over the next few months, maybe some dizziness, and she might be tired more often than usual. If I had to guess, I’d say she has a headache now.”

“Should I give her something for it?” I asked.

“A cold compress might help, but if she needs more relief she can have Tylenol. Until we know for certain if she’s pregnant, I don’t want her to take anything else.”

I felt like the floor had fallen out from under me, and I collapsed onto the nearest chair. Pregnant? Adalia had told me she didn’t think she could get pregnant. Had she lied?

“Pregnant?” I asked.

“Yes. With her condition, it’s not as likely, but it’s still a possibility. I don’t want to take any chances. If Adalia is pregnant, this could very well be the only baby she ever has, and it might not even make it to term. I’ve had several patients with endometriosis who tried for years to get pregnant, and none of the babies made it past the first trimester.”

Holy hell. My chest felt tight, and the room spun a little. Adalia pregnant, with my kid. I had no doubt she’d be an awesome mom, if she ever had the chance, but just thinking about her carrying my baby made it hard to fucking breathe.

“In a few weeks, we can do a blood test,” Dr. Larkin said. “If she skips a period before that, she can come in, but she’s never been regular. She might not know when her next one is due.”

I pulled the phone away from my ear and stared at it a moment. Was he seriously telling me about Adalia’s periods? What the fuck? All I knew about that time of the month was that you threw chocolate at the woman and ran as fast as you could, unless you wanted to be missing a few limbs. The sweetest woman in the world could be a raging bitch when it was that time of the month, and I’d always made myself scarce during those times.

“Thanks, Dr. Larkin,” I said. “I’ll keep an eye on her.”

“If she loses consciousness at any time, seems confused, or has memory problems, or starts vomiting, take her to the ER. Don’t wait.”

I swallowed hard, hoping none of those things happened to Adalia. I knew brain injuries could be fatal, and I hoped that wasn’t the case with the woman I cared about more than I should. I thanked Dr. Larkin again and hung up. There was a knock at the door once more, and this time I recognized it. Before Adalia could call out, I went to answer it. Max stood on the other side, several bags in each of his hands, and a grin on his face.

“I got everything on your list,” he said, stepping into the house. “Well, I got all the clothing and stuff. The groceries are being picked up by another Prospect and will be delivered within the hour. Griz called while I was out and needed me to take care of something, so I had to come back sooner than I’d planned.”

“Thanks.” I reached for the bags, surprised they felt as heavy as they did. Then my eyes narrowed when I saw two of the bags were from the Harley Davidson store. The others were from department stores at the mall. What the hell? I’d figured he’d just go to one of those cheap twenty-four hour places. Should I have been more specific? I wasn’t exactly hurting for money, but I didn’t need to drop a grand on this shit either.

“Griz said all this stuff was on the club. You saved his daughter, and he said it’s the least he could do.” Max paused. “I’ve come to care about Adalia. She’s like a little sister to me, and for what it’s worth, I’m glad you beat the shit out of that guy. He deserved what he got, and you got a shit deal when they sent you away.”

Fuck me. Why the hell did everyone around here act like I was some sort of fucking hero? I was just an asshole ex-con who got into trouble more often than I walked the straight and narrow. There wasn’t a fucking thing that was special about me.

“Thanks,” I said.

Max nodded and stepped back out onto the porch. “Adalia has my number programmed in her cell. Call me if you need anything. Unless I’m on club business, I’ll be here as fast as I can.”

Max slapped my shoulder and took off down the steps toward one of the club trucks we used for hauling anything from furniture to some of our more not so legal things. He waved as he pulled out of the driveway and I shut the door, not sure what the hell to do with all the bags I was holding. I’d just needed a few changes of clothes to get me by for right now, and some bathroom shit like shampoo.

Adalia appeared in the doorway. “Was that Max?”

“Yeah, he was just dropping off this stuff. Said someone else would bring the groceries. Your dad is sending him off on some errand.”

She nodded. “Want me to help you put that stuff away?”

“Put it away?” I stared at the bags in my hands before looking up at her.

“I was hoping you might want to stay here,” she said softly. “With me.”

Was she…

“You want me to move in?” I asked.

Adalia’s gaze darted off to the side, and she shifted from foot to foot. “If you don’t want to, then…”

I dropped the bags and reached for her, pulling her close. Tipping her chin up, I kissed her softly.

“If you want me here, sweet girl, then I’ll stay. But the minute I think you’d be better off without me, I’m out of here. I was serious when I said you deserved better than me. I’m not the hero you seem to think I am. I’m just a fucked-up ex-con with a really long rap sheet.”

“You’re my hero,” she said. “And you always will be. Colton, I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you. Stop painting yourself as some villain and accept the fact that other people don’t see you that way.”

“You don’t understand, Adalia. Even when I was a kid, I was all kinds of fucked-up. I’ve done things you never want to hear about. Dark things. My parents…” I swallowed hard. I always tried not to think about that part of my life.

She reached for some of the bags in my hands. “Let’s put your things away, then you can tell me what has you running scared. And don’t deny that you are. Something in your past has scared the shit out of you. Maybe talking about it will help. I promise not to judge you.”

“All right.” My heart ached because I knew she was just telling me what she thought I needed to hear. Once she knew who I’d been, what I’d done, she’d never look at me the same way again. She’d be disgusted by me. No one knew about the shit in my past except our ex-Pres, and he’d taken it with him when he’d left the club to Griz and decided to travel in his last years on earth.

She was quiet while we put my new things away. She cleared out some closet space and two drawers for me to use. It felt so damn domestic, putting my things in that closet next to hers, the new boots Max had bought lined up next to her small, dainty shoes. I stared at the closet for a few minutes, wondering why I wasn’t panicking. Anytime a woman had tried to get close in the past, I’d shut that shit down fast, and booted their ass to the curb. Adalia was different, though. I wanted her acceptance, wanted all of her, even if I didn’t feel deserving of someone so pure, so sweet.

I sat on the bed, and she eased down next to me, reaching for my hand. She laced our fingers together and stared up at me patiently. When I didn’t say anything for a few minutes, she nibbled her lower lip.

“Will it help if I tell you something about me first?” she asked.

I shrugged. I wasn’t really sure if that would help, but I did want to know more about her.

“You were my first,” she said.

My brow furrowed. “First what?”

“The first man I’ve ever kissed.” Her cheeks flushed. “The first man I’ve slept with. I might have lost my virginity when I was thirteen, but I haven’t been with anyone since then. The only man I’ve ever wanted was you.”

It was hard to breathe as I absorbed her words and what they meant. She’d waited for me, all these years? No one had ever wanted me that much before.

“My birth mother was a rape victim,” she said softly. “She signed me over to the state the day I was born. I found one of the nurses who was working that night. My mom never even wanted to hold me, and refused to look at me. If I’d had a baby as a result of what happened to me, I’d never have been able to do that. I would have loved that baby regardless.”

My throat tightened and my eyes burned as I stared at her. I hated that so much evil had touched her life, and it sickened me that I would only add to it once she knew who I really was.

“When I was in the system, I thought I had it pretty good. I’d only had three foster families in thirteen years. All of them were kind enough, I suppose, even if they weren’t all that loving. But I never knew what it felt like to belong, to be part of a family, until May and Griz adopted me. And I know they did that because of you. They knew you’d want them to take care of me.”

“They wanted a kid,” I said.

“Maybe. But they would have never known I existed if you hadn’t been in that alley that night. Because of you, May came to find me. She wanted to check on me and see how I was faring. When she found out my foster family was about to get rid of me, she and Griz asked to adopt me.”

“I’m not who you think I am,” I said, looking anywhere but at her. “I’m not who anyone in this club thinks I am. I’ve done things none of them know about, and I’ve kept it a secret for a reason.”

I felt her hand slip into mine and she squeezed lightly. “I won’t tell anyone, Colton. Not even my dad. But maybe talking about your past will help you heal. I went to therapy when May and Griz adopted me. And talking to someone about what happened to me helped, more than I’d thought it would.”

“My parents weren’t good people. They lived in another town, about two hours from here. They were mixed up with some really fucked-up people, and had no problem using me to get what they wanted.” I swallowed hard. “When I was fourteen…”

My chest felt like someone was squeezing it tight and I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t speak. I sometimes still relived those horrors in my mind, but I hadn’t put them into words since I’d told the old Pres why I wanted to prospect with the Devil’s Fury. He’d listened and hadn’t judged, but we’d agreed that it would be best if no one else knew about my past.

“If you can’t talk about what happened then, what was your childhood like before you were fourteen?” she asked.

“Got into trouble with the law a lot. In order to escape my parents’ house, I often boosted cars. Got caught twice and went to Juvie. I got out the last time when I was fourteen, and my parents decided I owed them something.”

I closed my eyes, trying to block the images that battered my mind. The things my parents had made me do before I got the courage to run away, and had ended up here. If the old Pres hadn’t taken me in, there’s no telling what would have happened to me. I wasn’t good for much back then. Mentally and emotionally damaged from being forced into what amounted to prostitution, my father nearly killing me anytime I refused. I didn’t want to share that part of myself with Adalia, or anyone else. Shame still burned inside me from those days. I might be a big guy now, but I’d been a small, scrawny kid until I’d hit sixteen. I tried to tell myself that I was defenseless, but a voice always whispered that I should have fought harder, run away sooner.

Maybe that’s why I still felt like I’d failed Adalia. Even though I’d killed the man who had raped her, I hadn’t gotten there soon enough to stop it from happening. Even after all these years, I was still damaged from what had happened to me, and it was possible that I always would be. I should have gotten help sooner, like she did. Despite what Adalia had been through, she seemed like she was doing well.

“Whatever they did to you, whatever they made you, that isn’t who you are,” Adalia said. “It doesn’t define you. It’s a part of your past, and something that happened to you, but it’s not… you. If that makes sense,” Adalia said. “You have to forgive yourself. What happened wasn’t your fault. You were a kid, and those people were supposed to protect you, to love you.”

“You don’t understand, Adalia.”

“You were sexually abused, weren’t you?” she asked softly. “That’s part of why you reacted so violently when you found me in that alley.”

Maybe she understood more than he’d given her credit for.

“Colton, I don’t know the details of what happened when you were a kid, and I don’t have to. What I do know is that you’re a courageous, honorable man. You’re loyal to this club, and you saved a young girl when you could have just walked away. Do you think you’re the only person who walked past that alley that night? Because you weren’t. The other people kept walking, didn’t even hesitate when I cried out. But you stopped. You did something. And you paid the ultimate price for your sacrifice. Not just anyone would do that.”

I didn’t say anything, just processed her words, and took comfort in her soft touch.

“If you’re worried the guys would look down on you, if you think they would feel like you’re less of a person because of what happened, then you should know that this isn’t the same club from ten years ago,” Adalia said. “One of your new brothers was a male prostitute before Griz found him, got him cleaned up and off the hard stuff, and let him prospect for the club. His past was probably similar to yours. Parents who didn’t give a shit and used him as they saw fit. Dagger is bi-sexual, and no one here cares. He has everyone’s back, and that’s what matters. One of the current prospects is gay, and the club accepts that without question. They don’t give him a hard time because of it.”

“For someone who doesn’t exactly know what happened to me, you sure know just what to say,” I murmured. Yeah, I’d been worried that if my club found out I’d been forced to service men when I was a kid they would sneer at me, think I was garbage. It wouldn’t be the first time I’d ever been wrong. I should have opened up to them sooner.

“We’ve both had darkness in our lives, Colton. Most of this club has, if not all of them. But we’re fighters, we’re survivors. We’re still standing, and we have each other. This is a family, even if it is a bit dysfunctional. It’s time to let go of the past, let go of the darkness inside, and learn to be happy.”

I smiled a little. “You’re awfully smart for someone so young. Are you sure you didn’t get a degree in counseling while I was gone? I think you’d be good at it.”

Her cheeks flushed at the compliment, and she ducked her head before looking up at me again, a slight smile on her lips.

“You work for Griz as a way to pay him back, don’t you?” I asked, everything suddenly becoming very clear. “It wasn’t your dream to work in the office at the shop. You feel you owe it to him, to the club.”

She shrugged.

“Adalia, you’re smart. Way smarter than most guys in this club. You should have gone to college, gotten a degree. Do you think Griz would be happy to know you held yourself back on purpose?”

“No, and you’re not going to tell him. I’m content. And as unconventional as it is, he told me that one day the garage would be mine. Although, I think he’s honestly hoping some car savvy guy will claim me before that happens because I can run the office well enough, but I know shit about cars.”

I chuckled and pulled her into my lap.

She gave me one of those sexy looks with sultry eyes that women seem to be born knowing how to do. Her tongue flicked out and slicked her lower lip, and I knew she was about to try manipulating me. And I was probably going to let her.

“Maybe you could teach me about cars,” she said, her voice husky as she wet her lips. “For every car lesson, I could pay you. Any payment you’d like.”

She wiggled on my lap, her ass pressing against my hardening cock, and I knew she meant the sexual type of payment. I wasn’t certain if I was pissed that she’d do that to herself, or amused that she’d try her feminine wiles on me. We both knew all I had to do was kiss her, touch her, and she’d turn to putty in my hands. I’d be willing to bet that just sitting in my lap was making her wet. Her nipples were showing through her shirt, hard and begging for attention.

The doctor’s words of caution were all that kept me from bending her over the kitchen table and fucking her until neither of us could stand. If I wasn’t worried about her, I’d pull her jeans down, smack that fine ass of hers, then take her hard and deep. We both needed it, but I could be patient. Her health was more important than dealing with blue balls.

She squirmed again and I could tell she was doing it on purpose, trying to get me to lose control. Such a naughty little minx. When she was better, I’d definitely have to punish her. Just the thought of that was enough to make me even harder. Oh yeah, my hand swatting that fine ass of hers, alternating between making her ass cheeks sting and making her pussy beg to be fucked. I’d have her worked up so good that she’d be begging me to take her.

Christ, I needed to think of something else. I still remembered how fucking good she’d felt on my bare cock as I took her in the shower. We needed to be careful and not slip up like that again, but I didn’t like the thought of having to wear a condom again. Now that I’d tasted paradise, I didn’t want to go back.

Her legs parted a little and she rubbed herself against me. “Please, Colton. I need you so bad.”

“Sweet girl, your doctor said you needed to take it easy. And trust me when I say easy isn’t even remotely possible when I’m inside you. All I want to do is pound into that sweet pussy until you feel me for days after.”

“I need to come,” she begged. “Make it stop hurting.”

Fuck me. How the hell was I supposed to deny her when she said that? Of course, the doctor had said sex wasn’t a good idea. He hadn’t said anything about me giving her pleasure without taking my own.

“Stand up,” I told her. “Take off your clothes. All of them.”

Her eyes widened and she slowly stood and began stripping off her clothes. When she stood naked in the middle of the kitchen, I spread my legs a little to brace her weight and pulled her down across my thighs. Her legs splayed and I could see how slick she was, my poor angel. Oh yeah, she wanted me, and while I couldn’t give her my cock, I could still make it good for her.

I wrapped my arm around her back and she leaned against it, her breasts thrusting upward, just asking for attention. I bent my bent my head and took a rosy tip between my teeth, giving it a gentle nip before sucking on it. Adalia trembled in my arms as I sucked and licked her hard nipple. I reached across her and teased the other side with my fingers, pinching and rolling the rosy peak until she was crying out for more. I almost wished I had a third hand, so I could tease that sweet pussy at the same time. Maybe we should have taken this to the bedroom so I’d have both hands free.

I released her breast and slid my hand down the slope of her belly. I didn’t stop until I’d reached that pretty pussy, and used my fingers to open her up. Releasing the nipple still in my mouth, I looked down between her legs and nearly groaned at how fucking beautiful she was. All slick, pink, and swollen. Yeah, my baby needed me, and I was going to make sure she had an orgasm that would satisfy her at least for the rest of the night. Or so I hoped. I really didn’t want to push it while she was healing.

I brushed her clit with my thumb, just lightly stroking it. Her eyes were dark with passion as I kept rubbing, each stroke getting a little harder, until she was moaning and trying to fuck my hand. I slipped a finger inside her, but I knew it wouldn’t be enough. She’d taken my cock like she was born to it, and a single finger wasn’t going to satisfy my hungry girl. Keeping her still was more of a challenge than I’d anticipated, but I gripped her tight as I fucked her, adding a second finger, then a third.

She was getting hotter and wetter with every thrust of my fingers, and I knew she wouldn’t last long. Suddenly, the thought of her coming on my hand wasn’t enough. I abruptly pulled away and lifted her onto the edge of the table. She gasped, then waited to see what I would do next, her legs still parted, her pussy on display for my viewing pleasure. I could look at her like this all day. I’d be hard as fuck the entire time, but I wouldn’t mind looking at her like this for hours.

I kicked the chair out of the way and knelt next to the table, gripping her thighs with my hands. Then I latched onto her pussy with my mouth, my lips pulling on her clit and making her squirm before I thrust my tongue into her tight channel. I wanted her to come, needed her to. While I fucked her with my tongue, I stroked her clit with my fingers, using quick, hard strokes in hope she would come fast. I didn’t know how much longer I could torture myself.

I felt her thighs tense a moment before she screamed out my name, her thighs clamping down on my head. I kept thrusting my tongue in and out of her sweet pussy until the last of her orgasm had ebbed and she was left trembling on the table, her breaths coming out more like pants.

“Colton, I…” Her fingers tunneled through my hair and she moaned as I kept pleasuring her with my mouth. I’d thought I’d wanted it over quick, now that I had her cum on my tongue, I wanted her to come again. She lifted her hips, and I kept rubbing her clit with my fingers, kept fucking her with my tongue, and soon enough I was rewarded with a second orgasm from my beautiful angel.

I drew away and wiped her juices off my face.

“I want to do that to you,” she said.

Oh hell. “Sweet girl, you’re supposed to be resting. I think the doctor wants you to keep your head as still as possible.”

“Then hold my head still and fuck my mouth. You can have complete control.”

Jesus. Did she have any idea what she was asking? If she knew how fucking turned-on it made me, just to think about gripping her hair and fucking her mouth, shoving my cock down her throat until I came… I shuddered and my cock throbbed in my jeans.

“Not tonight, baby. Soon, but not tonight. I’d lose control and I don’t want to hurt you.”

She pouted, but didn’t argue.

“You should get dressed,” I told her, and nearly froze at the evil glint that entered her eyes.

“Or I could stay naked,” she said. “And you could get naked. We could lounge on the couch and watch TV together. Naked. And if your cock just happens to slip and end up inside me…”

If she weren’t injured, I’d have pulled her off the table and spanked her ass for that one. As it was, all I could do was narrow my eyes and growl at her, which she found funny if her giggle was anything to go by. Maybe I needed to work on being scarier. If one pint-sized female wasn’t afraid of me, how was I supposed to strike fear in any assholes who came up against me?

“Clothes, Adalia. Put some on. I’ll get us some food while you’re doing that.”

“Fine.” She poked her lower lip out, which should have looked ridiculous on a grown-ass woman, but I just found it endearing. What the fuck was happening to me?

She slid off the table and I quickly moved to the other side of the kitchen, not trusting her to keep her hands to herself. And if she touched me, then I couldn’t promise my cock wouldn’t end up inside her, just like she wanted. Adalia was going to be trouble, but it was the kind I enjoyed. I smiled as she sashayed out of the room, swishing her ass more than usual, likely in an attempt to get me to change my mind. She was something else. A handful and then some.

Life certainly wouldn’t be dull with her around. Maybe I could do this. Lead a mostly legal life, with her at my side… do the committed relationship thing. I’d never been a one-woman kind of man, but then I’d never had a woman like Adalia. She made me want to be a better person. Oh, I was still an outlaw biker, and I always would be. But maybe I could still be part of this club, stay out of trouble for the duration of my parole, and give Adalia what she wanted.

For the first time, I finally wanted to give it a try, see where things went. I wanted that happily ever after women were always reading about. And fuck if that didn’t scare the shit out of me.

Chapter Six

Adalia

Three Weeks Later

The first thing I noticed when I opened my eyes was that it was still dark outside, or maybe that was the room-darkening curtains Colton had added when I’d started having daily headaches from my concussion. The second thing I noticed was that Colton wasn’t in bed with me anymore. And the third was that I didn’t have a headache for the first morning since Twister had slammed me into the pavement.

A smile curved my lips. I knew exactly what that meant. Colton had kept me at arm’s-length. Oh, he’d given me orgasms, as long as I held really still, but he hadn’t let me touch him in all that time. He had to have blue balls from hell, especially since he got hard every time I was naked, or bent over, or sat too close to him. Pretty much if I breathed in his direction. Poor guy had been suffering, and while I might have enjoyed it a little bit at first, now I just wanted to put him out of his misery. If that meant he fucked my brains out for twenty-four hours, I was okay with that.

I got out of bed and padded over to the window, pulling the curtain back, then frowned when I realized it really was dark out there. I fumbled for my cell phone on the nightstand and saw it was only three in the morning. So where was Colton? I checked each room of the house, and found him in the kitchen, a cup of coffee clutched in his hand as he stared out the window over the sink. The lights were off, and his expression was pensive at best, from what little I could see in the moonlight. I didn’t know what made him leave the bed, unless he’d had a nightmare. Ever since our discussion about his past, he’d woken during the night several times, reliving those moments. I hated it, hated that I’d pushed him. I’d thought talking would make it better, but maybe it had only made things worse for him.

“Colton, is everything okay?” I asked.

He didn’t acknowledge me, just took another swallow of coffee. It wasn’t like him to ignore me, and my stomach clenched as I wondered what that meant. I moved closer and pulled out the chair next to him, sitting down and reaching for his hand. He didn’t pull away, which was nice. I hadn’t been certain, not with his present expression and quietness. It unsettled me, seeing him like this, and I didn’t know how to fix it. If he wouldn’t talk to me, how could I find out what was wrong?

“Bad night?” I asked, trying again to draw him out.

“Your appointment is this morning,” he said after a few more minutes of silence.

“And it’s going to go great. No more headache!”

He took another swallow of coffee, then pushed the mug aside.

“That’s not what you’re worried about, is it?” I asked.

“I’ve been sitting here the last two hours thinking. The last three weeks have been the best of my life. Griz hired me at the garage just like you said he would, I get to come home to you every night and see you at work when you venture out of the office. I don’t remember a time before this I was ever happy. Guess I’m just waiting on something to come along and trash everything.”

“And you think my appointment will do that?” I asked. I didn’t understand, unless… “Are you worried I might be pregnant? I know I haven’t started yet, but I told you that doesn’t mean anything. I’m late all the time.”

“The thought of you being pregnant scared me a few weeks ago. Now, I’m not so much worried about screwing up my kid’s life, but more that you’ll decide I’ll be a shit dad and ask me to leave. You wouldn’t be wrong. I never had a good example of what a dad should be like.”

I squeezed his hand and moved my chair closer. “Colton, if I’m pregnant, and that’s a really huge if, then I know you’re going to be an amazing dad. You might not see it, but you’re kind and caring. You’ve watched over me since I got hurt without once thinking about yourself.”

His lips twitched. “Oh, I thought about sex. Thought about your lips wrapped around my cock, thought about pounding into that sweet pussy of yours. But I didn’t want to make your headaches worse.”

“I don’t have a headache now,” I said, leaning in closer. “And we still have five hours until I need to see Dr. Larkin. I’m sure we could find a way to pass the time.”

“You should rest.”

“All right.” Obviously, my sexy biker was going to play hard to get. So I’d see just how hard I could make him.

I slowly stood and took a step back. His gaze was focused on me as I began stripping out of the tank I’d slept in, then shimmied out of the matching shorts. My fingers dipped under the waistband of my panties and I worked them down my hips, then let them fall to the floor. Colton didn’t move, but every line of his body was tense. I reached up to cup my breasts, pulling at my nipples in what I hoped was a sexy come-and-get-me kind of way. I’d never tried to seduce someone before and had no idea if I was doing it right.

I let my hands drift down my belly and one slipped between my legs. I was already wet, and I parted my thighs to make sure he could see what I was doing. Spreading the lips of my pussy, I felt the cool air coast over my heated skin. He made a low, growling sound and his hands clenched into fists. I stroked my clit, slowly. My gaze was locked on Colton, waiting to see if that iron control of his would snap.

“Feels good,” I murmured. “Know what would feel better? Your cock.”

I could have sworn I heard him grinding his teeth, and still he didn’t move. I didn’t know what would make him break, but I had an idea. Easing down onto the chair, I spread my legs wide and leaned back so that my breasts thrust upward. I toyed with my pussy with one hand, while I cupped my breast with the other. I teased my nipple and my clit at the same time, letting my eyes slide halfway closed. I rubbed, pinched, and flicked as my pleasure grew. Soon I was coming, my hips lifting off the chair. My eyes opened all the way when I saw Colton reach for the button on his jeans as he slid his chair back a bit. He eased the zipper down and worked his jeans down a little ways, until he could pull out his cock.

“Come here,” he said, crooking a finger at me.

My heart raced in anticipation as I stood on trembling legs and approached him. He pointed to the floor and I dropped to my knees. Colton reached out and threaded his fingers through my hair, then dragged me closer to his cock.

“Open,” he demanded.

I whimpered and licked my lips before opening wide. He used his grip on my hair to control my movements, dragging my lips down his hard shaft. He didn’t stop until I’d taken every inch, my eyes watering as I fought not to choke. Then he pulled me away, only to drag me back down again. His pre-cum coated my tongue and he groaned, his cock flexing in my mouth. It was almost like he lost control at that moment. His grip tightened, and he began fucking my mouth, deep strokes that I fought to breathe through.

More pre-cum coated my mouth and he began grunting with every thrust. Soon, he erupted, and I struggled to swallow all of his release. He didn’t stop thrusting into my mouth, not even after he’d stopped coming. Colton was semi-hard, but he seemed determined to keep fucking my mouth. Not that I minded. I hadn’t been expecting this side of him, and I certainly hadn’t been expecting him to flood my mouth with cum. His cock hardened even more, and then he pulled me away.

“Stand up and bend over the table,” he said.

I stood and turned to face the kitchen table. There was barely any room since Colton hadn’t moved his chair much. I knew my ass had to be in his face, and my cheeks flushed at the thought. I felt his hands as they slid up the backs of my thighs, then spread my ass cheeks.

“You’ve been very naughty,” he said. “Lean forward and press your breasts to the table. And don’t fucking move.”

I heard the chair scrape back farther, then his footsteps as he left the room. He wasn’t really going to leave me like this, was he? My hands tensed against the table, but I slowly relaxed when I heard him returning. I heard the rustle of material and wondered if he was removing his jeans, then there was the sound of something opening. What the hell was he doing?

“Reach back and spread those ass cheeks for me,” he said. “And hold them open.”

My heart took off at a gallop. He wasn’t going to… Was he? I did as he commanded, finding it hard to breathe as I waited to see what he would do next. I squeaked and flinched as cool liquid dropped in the crack of my ass. Colton used his finger to rub the lube around my tight hole, then eased the tip of his finger inside me. I gasped and froze. He’d mentioned before how much he liked my ass, but he’d never tried anything back there.

“Relax and breathe, sweet girl,” he said.

“Is this the punishment you were talking about?” I asked, feeling breathless as his finger sank farther into me.

He chuckled, a deep, husky sound that sent chills down my spine.

“No. You’re going to like this part too much for it to be a punishment.”

If I didn’t trust him completely, I might have worried what he meant by “this part.” Just how many parts were there to what we were doing?

Colton slid a hand up my thigh, then his fingers teased my pussy. As he stroked across my clit, I couldn’t hold back the moan that built in my throat. The finger in my ass stroked in and out, then he added a second one. My ass burned, but at the same time, it felt really damn good. Forbidden and naughty, but good. I’d read books where the couple had anal sex, but I’d never thought I’d be in this position.

He added a third finger and stroked my clit faster. I didn’t think I could handle much more and I wanted to beg him to let me come. Colton removed the fingers that were in my ass and I heard him open the lube again. More cold wetness, and then I felt his cock pressing against the tight hole.

“Breathe out and let me in, baby,” he said, pressing deeper. “So fucking tight.”

“Colton.” I bit my lip, not sure if I wanted to ask him to stop or keep going. It pinched and my ass still burned from being stretched, but I kind of liked it.

He added even more lube as his cock pulled out, then slowly slid back into me. I heard him set the bottle aside, then he gripped my waist with both hands.

“Hold on, sweet girl.”

His thrusts were slow and steady. My clit throbbed and begged for attention, but he hadn’t given me permission to move yet. I still held myself open for him, and it made me feel a little dirty, but in a good way. A warmth was starting to spread through me as he took his time.

“Beg me for it, baby.”

“B-beg?”

“Beg me to fuck this ass,” he said, going still with just the tip of his cock inside me.

My eyes slid shut and I shuddered at his tone.

“Please, Colton. Fuck me.”

“Not what I said.”

I whimpered and squirmed in his grasp. “I want you to fuck my ass, Colton.”

“You want it hard and deep?” he asked, his voice a purr in the darkness.

“Yes.”

He growled softly and thrust deep. I cried out as he fucked me, no longer holding back. It was like he was possessed as he pounded into me. I could feel myself getting close, but before I could come, his cock flexed and soon he was filling me with his cum. Colton stopped, his cock buried inside me.

“Now that was your punishment,” he said. “Does my baby want to come?”

“Yes,” I nearly wailed. It was so unfair. I’d been close, like really close, and then he’d finished without me. He hadn’t done that in all the times we’d been together.

“I’ll let you come.”

Colton reached around me and started rubbing my clit again. I wanted him to do it harder and faster, but gave the little bud lazy strokes that only made me want to come even more. His cock was still hard, and as he teased me, he started fucking my ass again. I knew I’d be sore later, but I didn’t care right then.

“More,” I begged. “I want more, Colton.”

“Want me to fuck my cum into this tight ass again?” he asked.

“Oh God.” I whimpered and knew I wouldn’t last much longer. The combination of him fucking me, playing with my clit, and talking dirty was going to be my undoing. I could have withstood one of those, maybe two, but not all three.

He was relentless, fucking me deep and hard as he toyed with my clit. He pinched the little bundle of nerves and I screamed out my release. He kept stroking and kept thrusting, and one orgasm turned into two.

“Come for me again, baby,” he said softly.

I didn’t think I could, but he proved me wrong. When I screamed out his name, I felt him slam into me three more times, grunting as his cum filled my ass.

His fingers eased away from my clit and he placed his hands over mine where I still held myself open for him. Colton thrust a few more times, slow and easy, before pulling out. I could feel his cum slip out of me. When I tried to stand, he pushed me down again.

“Not just yet, sweet girl.”

“I can’t take any more.”

He chuckled. “I just like looking at you, all spread open for me, my cum leaking out of you. Let’s get cleaned up and we head over to the diner and get some breakfast. If you think you can sit down.”

I glared at him over my shoulder, but he just smirked at me. I released my ass cheeks and slowly stood, wincing at the discomfort. His smirk just grew and he swatted my ass as I passed him. The man could be insufferable, but I wouldn’t kick him out of bed. Not with as many orgasms he could wring from my body. And maybe it had a teensy bit to do with the fact I was in love him.

And you know what they say… Love can make you do stupid things. Like letting a badass biker fuck your ass while you’re bent over the kitchen table, just hours before your doctor appointment.

Chapter Seven

Badger

I don’t know what I’d been expecting from Adalia’s doctor appointment, but lots of sitting wasn’t it. The waiting room was packed, and the chairs were fucking torture devices. If you didn’t need medical attention before you arrived, you did after sitting for hours in the ass-numbing chairs. They’d called Adalia immediately, but it had only been to take some blood. The nurse had escorted us right back to the waiting room. And here we sat. A mom a few seats over had a little kid with her, who thought it was hilarious to throw blocks at people. The kid had hit me twice, but after the glare I’d leveled at the mom, it had quickly stopped.

“Is it wrong I’m suddenly hoping that pregnancy is negative?” I asked Adalia.

She snickered and looked at the kid who was now running in circles around the room pretending to be a plane. The mother didn’t even look up from her magazine, a bored expression on her face. I figured that was her coping mechanism, because if I was faced with that all day, large quantities of alcohol would be required. She had a water bottle with her. Maybe that wasn’t water. Maybe she had vodka stashed in there, in which case she needed to share with everyone she was subjecting to her kid.

“It’s not that bad,” Adalia said.

The kid let loose with a squeal that rose in pitch the longer he drew it out until I wanted to cover my ears. I narrowed my eyes at Adalia, and she put a hand over her mouth, but it was too late. I saw that smile and she would pay for it later.

“Okay,” she conceded. “Maybe it’s a little bad. He just has a lot of energy.”

“What he needs is a spanking,” I grumbled.

The kid went chair by chair, kicking the person sitting down. Everyone shot glares at the mom, but she didn’t pull her nose out of her magazine. He stopped in front of me, drew his foot back, and I leaned forward.

“Do it and I will toss you out the nearest window. Can you fly?”

The kid’s eyes went wide and he froze. Adalia nudged me with her elbow, but I didn’t look away from the rotten kid.

“How would you like it someone kicked you? You wouldn’t like it, would you?” I asked. “So don’t kick other people.”

The kid’s lip trembled, but I didn’t soften my glare. If anything, I turned it up another notch. I wasn’t about to be manipulated by this three-foot terror. It was obvious the mom never disciplined him. He was a terrorist in the making, or at the very least a criminal in the making. Not the hard-core kind, but the “I should get what I want because I want it” kind. A good swat on his behind every now and then would help straighten him out. So would hearing the word “no” on occasion, but mom over there looked like a “yes” type of person.

I crooked my finger for him to come a little closer and he hesitantly took a step, then another.

“I want to say something that I want you to remember. Can you do that?” I asked.

He nodded, his eyes even wider.

“If people always give you things but you never earn them, then you’ll never appreciate the things you have. Do you know what’s more important than things? Friends. And if you go around throwing things at people, kicking them, or hitting them, you’re not going to make many friends. If you don’t have friends, who will stand beside you when you’re in trouble?” I asked.

The little boy blinked a few times.

“Why don’t you pull one of your toys or books out of that bag by your mom and sit down quietly the rest of your visit,” I said.

He nodded and scurried over to his mom. He promptly dug around in the tote by her feet, pulling out a book, and sat in the chair next to her. The kid opened the book, but kept casting me furtive glances. After a few minutes, he closed the book and scooted over until he was on the chair next to me. With a quick grin up at me, he opened his book again and started reading.

Adalia rested her head on my shoulder. “That was pretty damn impressive, Colton. I think you’re going to make an excellent daddy, just don’t throw our kid out a window, okay?”

I bit my lip so I wouldn’t laugh and just winked at her. Let her make of that what she would. If my kid ever acted like that, I wouldn’t promise not to threaten them with a flight through a window. When I’d been in Juvie the first time, the cop had said maybe he could scare me straight. I hadn’t understood it at the time, but now I did. I doubted the kid next to me would forget me any time soon. I just hoped he remembered to behave everywhere he went from now on. It would suck if his life went down the wrong path just because his mom couldn’t be bothered to deal with him.

Adalia’s name was called and I stood, then followed her into the back. We were led to a room a few doors down, and Adalia hopped up on the padded table, the paper crinkling under her. The nurse assured us the doctor would be in soon, then shut the door. Great. We went from waiting in one room to now waiting in another room. Didn’t seem like much progress.

“Have you never waited at the doctor before?” she asked, watching me pace the small area.

“Never been,” I said.

She blinked slowly. “You’ve never been? Like you’ve never, not ever, seen a doctor?”

“Nope. They had medical care in prison, but I wasn’t ever sick. When I’m on the outside, if something happens, I either stitch up myself or get a brother to do it.”

“For the record, you’re not ever stitching me up.”

“You’d damn well better not need stitches to begin with. But if you do, we’re going to the ER. Getting stitches would hurt you, and I could never do that to you.”

Her gaze softened. She parted her lips like she was about to say something when the door swung open. The doctor wasn’t quite what I’d expected. The man looked to be in his early fifties, but had a thick head of hair that only had a sprinkling of silver threaded through it. I wasn’t sure I liked someone like him being around my girl.

“Adalia,” Dr. Larkin said, looking up from the tablet in his hand. His eyebrows rose when he saw me. “And you must be Badger.”

“Yeah.”

He nodded. “Well, I’m not sure what news you were hoping for, but the pregnancy test is positive. I know that’s probably a bit shocking with Adalia’s medical history. I’ve never treated a patient with endometriosis who was able to get pregnant on the first try. Most try for years and still don’t have success.”

It felt like the room was spinning and I leaned against the wall. Pregnant. I glanced at Adalia to see how she was taking it, but her expression was blank. That didn’t tell me shit and I hated it. Did she want this baby? Was she happy about the pregnancy? I needed some clue from her how I should respond to this.

“I’m going to call in a prescription for prenatal vitamins,” Dr. Larkin said. “You’ll need to schedule an appointment your OB-GYN, Adalia. They’ll treat your pregnancy from this point forward.”

“Thank you, Dr. Larkin,” she said softly.

“Do you have any questions for me?” he asked.

Adalia shook her head.

“I don’t think I have to tell you this, but you need to be careful, Adalia. It’s still quite possible you’ll lose the baby before the first trimester is over. Have you had sex since the last time I saw you?” Dr. Larkin asked.

“No,” she said.

“Then I think it’s safe to say you’re three weeks along.”

“I thought a pregnancy test couldn’t be done until a month after?” I asked.

“That’s often a misconception. I actually confirmed a pregnancy a few months ago within a week of conception, using the same blood test we performed on Adalia. We didn’t realize that at the time, but the OB-GYN was able to narrow it down a bit,” Dr. Larkin said.

I watched Adalia, hoping she’d give me something. Anything. She was too quiet. The fact I couldn’t see any emotion on her face scared the shit out of me. The doctor said we could leave and I helped Adalia off the table. She released me immediately and walked out the door ahead of me. With no other option, I followed her to the parking lot, stopping beside the truck we’d borrowed from the club. I hadn’t fit in her tiny ass car, and no way was I going to let her ride on the back of the bike, not with a possible pregnancy hanging over our heads.

I helped her into the truck, then went around to the driver’s side. I hesitated before I got in, and just watched her through the window, wondering if she’d crack and show me something if she didn’t know I was watching. Nope. Still impassive.

I got in and cranked the engine. Then I reached for her hand and lifted it to my lips, kissing the back of it.

“Sweet girl, I have no idea what’s going through your mind right now and it’s fucking killing me. You being pregnant is a good thing, right? I mean, isn’t this like a once-in-a-lifetime chance for you?” I asked, not really knowing anything about endometriosis. I needed to do some research, though.

“You don’t want kids,” she mumbled. “You hated that kid in the waiting room.”

“I didn’t hate him,” I said. “He just needs a good ass whooping. If his mom gave him some boundaries, he’d probably be a good kid. Right now, he’s a rotten little shit.”

Her lips twitched, but she refused to smile.

“I’m not going lie, Adalia. The thought of being a dad scares the shit out of me. But there’s one thing I know for certain.”

She turned to look at me, waiting for me to continue.

“You’re going to be an awesome mom,” I said. “You’re patient, kind, and you’re the sweetest person I’ve ever known. If our kid is half as awesome as you, then we’ll be the luckiest parents on earth.”

I could see the wheels turning in her head, but she still didn’t give in. She was worried and she had every right to be concerned. I wasn’t dad of the year material by any means, and I’d likely fuck things all to hell sooner or later. But as long as she was there to help me stay on the right path, then we’d be fine. Where I was all heat and a react first ask questions later type, she was calm and thought things through. We balanced each other nicely.

“We need to tell Griz,” I said.

“Not unless you want to die,” she said. “You knocked-up his only daughter.”

I chuckled. “Yeah, I did, didn’t I? And it was all kinds of awesome. Maybe we should do that night over. There are a few more things I’d like to try with you.”

She looked up at me with wide eyes. “Are you serious? I just told you my dad is going to murder you and you’re thinking about sex?”

“Sweet girl, I just went three weeks with my mouth attached to your pussy every night and my cock only had the relief of my hand. Not the same by far. So yeah, I’m fucking thinking about sex. A lot.”

She snorted and then started giggling.

I ran my hand up the inside her thigh and slid it under the edge of her sundress. The giggles died off and the heated look in her eyes told me she was thinking about sex now too. Good. I wouldn’t be the only one worked up until we got home. I rubbed the outside of her panties, feeling how damp she was, then smirked. Adalia narrowed her eyes at me, then slammed her thighs together, trapping my hand.

“Is that your way of asking to get off?” I asked. “Because we’re in the middle of the parking lot, baby. And these windows aren’t tinted enough that people won’t know what we’re doing in here.”

Her cheeks flushed and she released my hand, then squirmed in her seat. “Just get me home.”

“In due time. We need to get your prenatal vitamins first. Then we’ll need to get some lunch. We probably should stop by the store…”

She smacked my arm. “Not funny, Colton. You have me all hot and bothered over here. You’re not leaving me like this for hours, damn it.”

“Baby, I’ve been worked up for weeks.” I winked. “The anticipation will make it even better.”

The look she gave me said she was ready to murder me. I tried not to smile as I pulled out of the parking space and headed to the pharmacy. I loved winding her up. She was so fucking cute when she narrowed her eyes at me and gave me what she probably thought was a fierce glare. It was like being threatened by a fluffy bunny. Someone probably should have warned me bunnies have claws and really sharp fucking teeth.

Maybe then I could have prepared myself.

When we got home, Griz was waiting on the front porch, hands in his pockets and an expectant look on his face. We got out of the truck and Adalia stalked up the steps, sounding more like an elephant than the dainty little female who cried out my name in the dark.

“Appointment not go well?” Griz asked.

“Ask Casanova over here,” she said as she stormed past her dad and flung open the front door. “He knocked me up.”

My jaw dropped as she slammed the front door. It rattled on the hinges as Griz tensed, his expression going from doting daddy to “I’m going to fuck you up” in a matter of seconds. I held up a hand, but refused to back down. If he was going to beat the shit out of me, I’d take it like a man. Wouldn’t even take a swing at him.

“Now, Griz. It wasn’t planned.”

“Your dick accidentally slipped into her without a condom?” Griz said as he came down the stairs.

“It happened before the incident with Twister,” I said.

He stopped. “You mean she was pregnant when he did that to her?”

“Um, yeah. I guess? Not sure how long it takes a sperm to fertilize an egg. I was shit at school crap.”

He closed his eyes a moment. “If I hadn’t already beat the shit out of him and banished him from this club, I’d kill the bastard right now. He not only hurt my daughter, he could have killed my grandkid.”

“Adalia is fine,” I said.

“Is she? Or is she going to be raising this kid on her own?” he demanded. “Or do you think you can keep your ass out of jail long enough to be a parent?”

Well, fuck. He wasn’t holding back, was he?

“I’m working at the garage and staying clean. I haven’t done anything illegal since I got out. I’ve even obeyed every traffic law,” I said.

“That girl has been in love with you for as long as I can remember. You may not know it, but you have her heart, and now you’re having a kid with her. Don’t fuck this up, Badger.”

“I don’t plan to.”

Griz sighed. “Look. I know you’re part of this club, and we aren’t exactly law-abiding citizens. The garage is one hundred percent legit, which is the only reason I’ve let Adalia work there. We’re turning a profit, even after everyone is paid and all the other expenses are covered. I’ll make a deal with you.”

I folded my arms over my chest, not certain I liked where this conversation was going.

“You do right by my daughter and grandkid, and I’ll sign the shop over to you and Adalia. It can be a wedding present, and a way for you to stay legit. You can still live here in the compound, but I don’t want you anywhere near anything that’s not one hundred percent legal. You got me?” he asked.

“You’re bribing me to be with her?” I asked, fury spiking inside me. My blood nearly boiled at the thought. “You think you have to pay me to stay with her?”

“Don’t I?” he asked. “Everyone knows you don’t do commitment.”

“I moved in with her,” I pointed out. “She’s not like the others. She’s had me by the balls since I set eyes on her at that welcome-home party. And you think I’d do anything to hurt her? To fuck up what we have? I fucking love her, asshole.”

He smirked and the front door slowly opened. Adalia peered out at me with wide eyes.

“You love me?” she asked.

I glared at Griz. “You really are an asshole. You knew she was listening, didn’t you?”

“I thought it was likely,” he said, then slapped me on the shoulder. “Welcome to the family, son. I’ll have Magda get started on a property cut.”

“I would have told her when I was ready,” I muttered.

Adalia came down the steps and slowly approached me. “Did you mean it? You love me?”

“Yeah, sweet girl. I love you. I think I fell for you the moment our gazes locked at that party. I was going to tell you when the time was right.”

Her lips pursed. “And you don’t think the time was right when we found out we’re having a kid?”

I shrugged.

“I swear to God, you can be so infuriating, Colton.”

I leaned in closer, my lips brushing her ear. “Want me to kiss it all better? As I recall, you like my kisses… on your pussy.”

She gasped and I chuckled. Throwing her off balance for the next fifty years should be fun. Of course, she hadn’t exactly said she loved me back. I pulled away and looked down at her.

“So?” I asked.

“So what?” She looked flustered.

“Do you love me too? Or are you going to make me look like a jackass for telling a woman I love her when she hates my fucking guts?”

“Like I could ever hate you.”

“Guess you’d better prove it.”

“Or you could save that shit for when I’m not in hearing distance,” Griz said.

Fuck. I’d forgotten he was there.

“Sorry, old man,” I said.

“Do I need to kick your ass to remind you I’m not fucking old?” he asked in a bored tone.

“You can’t kick his ass,” Adalia said. “He’s the father of your grandbaby. Which means no fighting between you two.”

Griz gave her a warm smile. “Anything for my girl. Even if it means I have to get along with this asshole.”

She rolled her eyes. “Like Mom didn’t tell me about all the times you and Colton hung out. You’re friends, and now you’re family. Real family, not just part of a brotherhood.”

“You’re not married, so he’s not family yet,” Griz pointed out.

Adalia blinked up at me. “Colton?”

“Yeah?” Did she expect me to drop down on one knee?

“I’d kneel, but you might get other ideas.” Her dad sounded like he was choking. “Colton, will you marry me? Be the love of my life, my partner in all things, and the daddy to any children we might be blessed with? Will you buy me chocolate and ice cream when it’s that time of the month, rub my feet when I’m all fat and pregnant, and find fun ways to punish me when I’m a bad girl?”

Now I was choking.

“Um, are you proposing to me?” I asked.

“I thought I made that obvious,” she said.

“Too much like her fucking mother,” Griz muttered behind me, and I remembered that May had proposed to him when they were younger.

“Yeah, sweet girl. I’ll let you make an honest man of me,” I said, smirking.

She leaned in close. “Just for that, you owe me four orgasms.”

I roared with laughter and pulled her in close. Yeah, the next fifty years were going to be fun. I could already tell there would never be a dull moment with Adalia in my life, and God fucking help me if our kid was anything like her.

“On that note,” Griz said, “I’m out of here. Call me when you want to set up the wedding.”

I heard his bike start up, but my attention was focused on the amazing woman in my arms. I didn’t deserve her, and I fucking knew it, but I would be thankful she was part of my life for however long I lived.

“You know my parole officer has to give the okay for us to get married,” I said.

“You just leave him to me,” Adalia said.

“Maybe I should go ahead and apologize to him early. I have no idea what you have planned, but he’s probably going to end up on his ass.”

“I would never…”

I kissed her softly, slowly. “I know, baby. I was kidding. Come on. I owe you four orgasms, then we can figure out how to handle my parole officer. You want a wedding; I’m going to give you one. Fuck the state if they don’t like it.”

“I better be the only one you’re fucking from now on,” she said as she entered the house.

“No worries there, angel. You’re the only one I want.”

Adalia took me by the hand and dragged me to the bedroom.

I couldn’t predict our future, couldn’t even predict would happen later today, but I did know one thing. As long as she was by my side, then nothing else mattered. If they wouldn’t let us get married, then we’d wait. I was completely devoted to her whether I wore a ring or not, and I knew she felt the same.

Who’d have ever thought an ex-con like me could be reformed?

Not me. Probably not the state. And anyone who had seen my rap sheet definitely wouldn’t have believed it.

Saving Adalia had sent me to prison, but loving Adalia was what saved me.

And I was going to spend the rest of my life giving her all the orgasms she wanted, all the chocolate she could handle, and give her every bit of love I had to give. Because the gorgeous woman currently unzipping my pants was my world, my life, my heart, and there wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her.

Paige Warren

Award-winning author Paige Warren spends her days weaving tales about alpha males and the women who love them. There’s nothing hotter than a man in tight Wranglers, dog tags (especially if he’s ONLY wearing dog tags!), or bad boys covered in ink. When Paige isn’t creating romantic tales, she enjoys reading and watching movies -- romances, of course. If you see her out in the wild, you’ll most likely find her at Starbucks, sipping a white mocha with a distant look in her eyes as she figures out the right wording for the next scene in her latest book.

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Harley Wylde

Short. Erotic. Sweet.

Harley’s other half would probably say those words describe her, but they also describe her books. When Harley is writing, her motto is the hotter the better. Off-the-charts sex, commanding men, and the women who can’t deny them. If you want men who talk dirty, are sexy as hell, and take what they want, then you’ve come to the right place.

When Harley isn’t writing, she’s thinking up naughty things to do to her husband, drinking copious amounts of Starbucks, and reading. She loves to read and devours a book a day, sometimes more.

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