Page 18 of Riding Rough

Kane holds me close against his chest. “You don’t think her dad’s hurting her, do you?”

“No. I don’t think it’s like that, but Daddy will know more tonight. I think she needs a place to stay while she figures things out.”

Kane kisses my head and tucks a daisy behind my ear. “I love how much you care about everyone, sweetheart.” When he speaks, his eyes are warm and genuine. I’ve never felt more loved in my life.

“What do you say we go home, make dinner, sit out by the fire, listen to music, and talk about all the shit that’s driving us mad.”

I grin. “Do we get fucked after all that complaining?”

“I’d planned on it before and after. That pretty little pussy needs a solid tongue lashing.” The words alone have my clit throbbing.

I love that about Kane. Even on his busiest days, he makes time to make me feel sexy and wanted.

He rubs his hand over my expanded belly and kisses my lips. “You’re my beautiful girl, you know that? Always.”

My heart squeezes as I tip up onto my toes and kiss his lips, soaking in every second of our bodies pressed against one another.

He grabs his phone out of his back pocket and twists it toward us, tucking me under his arm for a photo.

As he snaps a shot, I think back to the picture of him at the diner. The one where blue eyes, inked biceps, and leather got me through some of the toughest days of my life.

Now, here I am, next to him, holding him, loving him… and I’m one hundred percent sure, life couldn’t be any better.

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RIDING HARD

Chapter One

Bella

My hand sweats as I hold the gun tight in my hand. It’s the very first time I’ve tattooed anyone‘for real.’ Well… my sister is real, and my friend Amber is too, but they don’t count. They’re not big, hulking men with swollen biceps and deep graveled voices. Making a mistake now could have much more serious consequences.

“Why the six of hearts?” I lay the needle down and start to trace the outline I’ve transferred. The image is a classic playing card, and requires minimal shading, but my heart is still in my throat. Months went into choosing the proper gun. Weight versus efficiency. Coil or rotary. Despite the time and research, I still wonder if I’m holding the right one.

Besides that, Diesel isn’tjust‘some big guy.’He’s the co-founder of Rugged Mountain MC. The dude has made a name for himself in town as the guy who doesn’t take shit from anyone. I’m sure our paths never would have crossed had it not been for his daughter, Amber. We’ve run in the same circles for years.

“You don’t read cards?” His voice gets deeper with every word.

I glance up at the behemoth. “Read cards?Like what… tarot cards?”

He laughs. “No. Well… kind of, I guess. My grandma kept a six of hearts tucked into her pocket for as long as I knew her. She gave it to me when she passed. It’s supposed to be a reminder of my youth, virtue, and a time when the world was at my feet and opportunities were a dime a dozen.”

I try not to furrow my brows together. “Is that kind of depressing, or am I missing something?”

He nods and smiles, pulling the worn card from his pocket. “It’s a token to remind me that possibilities are always open. No matter how old we get, we can always unlock new doors and create a different version of ourselves.”

Insightful for a man who looks like he crushes skulls for a living.

“So, what new doors are you wanting to open?” Talking seems to help distract my nerves from the pressure of getting this tattoo right, so I want to keep him going. The man is covered in ink…good ink.Ink from other artists at this shop who’ve done it for their whole lives. The only reason I’m getting this gig is because of people I know, and I’m aware of that.

“We’ve talked enough about me.” He swipes his giant hand down over his beard. “What about you? How are things? Amber said you’re having trouble at home.”

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