STAG: MC ROMANCE (Forsaken Riders MC Romance Book 7) (4 page)

She left and closed the door behind her, creeping back along the hallway to her room. Once she was inside, she closed the door and sighed. What a night it had been. And it had certainly been one she had never seen coming when she had left the house earlier to go out to work.

As she peeled off her clothes she thought of Stag. Of how his eyes had focused in on hers and made her weak at the knees. Of how he had singled her out in that who bar full of women… some of which were desperate to grab his attention. He had genuinely been enchanted by her and she was more than flattered. It felt amazing.

As she climbed into bed and wrapped herself up in her blankets, she thought of how comforting it would be to have a man’s arms around her. She had stopped herself from imaging things like that for so long, because her whole life had been dedicated towards raising Oscar… but now, especially now, after meeting Stag, she could imagine letting herself fall again. She finally felt ready to open up her heart and herself to the possibilities of love.

She dozed off to sleep with a warm feeling deep inside of her. She had no idea what would happen next, and she decided not to second guess every little detail. She deserved to have some excitement and she deserved to be treated right. If Stag was as genuine as he appeared, then maybe this could go somewhere. But until she met up with him again, she would never know.

She smiled as her dreams began and all she could see and feel was the warm touch of his big hands on her back as he led her out of the door. The penetrating eyes that had pulled her in and kept her his. The scent of his cologne that hung heavy in the air around him and the rugged ways of a man who had seen and done some terrible things, but who was ready to straighten out.

Her dreams were fast and wild, and she threw her head back as the man ravaged her again and again. She moaned with pleasure and dug her fingernails into his muscular back as he powered into her and left her begging for more.

When she awoke several hours later her heart was racing and her breath was quick. She was moist with sweat and wet between her legs. She was so aroused she didn’t know how she would be able to contain herself. So she jumped out of bed as the sun was just rising and threw herself into a freezing cold shower.

“He’s going to be trouble,” she whispered to herself.

But it was a good job she didn’t mind.

At ten in the morning Becca reentered the house and sat down at the kitchen table. She was shattered. As Stag had promised her, when she had woken up her car was waiting for her in the driveway. And she had gotten up bright and early, only on four hours sleep,  had showered and made breakfast for Oscar and taken him to school. Laura was out at work and she had a whole day stretching out ahead of her, but contrary to her normal days at home alone, this one was different.

She had a date looming over her head.

She sat and chewed her little nail. What the hell was she going to do with her time to calm herself down?

She was exhausted, she knew that, and she would have to rest before she went back to collect Oscar from school. But she also had so much to think about. What the hell was she going to wear? Where would he be taking her? Should she try and get in touch with him beforehand or should she just trust his word and wait for him to arrive? Should she call Sasha and ask her what had happened after she had left The Bleeding Bullet? What if he had suddenly decided he did just want an easy lay and had picked up one of the desperate women who were hanging around?

There was so much to consider, and as she sat there churning it all over in her mind, she suddenly slammed her hands down over her ears and cursed herself.

“This is exactly what you said you wouldn’t do, Rebecca,” she said aloud. “You’ve got to stop second guessing everything and just go with the flow.”

With that she got to her feet and took herself off to bed. She didn’t care if she went out not looking a million dollars. She hadn’t the night before and Stag had still liked her enough to ask her out on a date, so what should it matter? She climbed into bed and set her alarm for a couple of hours’ time. She would revive herself and wake up refreshed and ready to spend those precious hours with her son when he returned from school. And then she may even let Laura in on her little secret and tell her where she would be going that evening. She could only imagine her sister’s reaction, but she would have to deal with it. After all, she only ever did the same whenever Laura was going to meet up with a guy.

***

As the sun began to set, Becca’s nerves began to rise. She couldn’t believe how apprehensive she was and it didn’t take Laura long to figure that something was afoot.

“Okay,” she said as she watched her sister from across the room. “What’s going on? I don’t think I’ve seen you look so serious since we were kids and I pulled the head off your Barbie…”

Becca laughed.  “You’re psychic, you know that?” she rolled her eyes.

“Come on tell me,” Laura said as she opened a bottle of wine and slid a glass across to Becca.

“Okay,” Becca whispered so that Oscar couldn’t hear. “I’ve got a date tonight.”

Her sister’s eyes brimmed with joy and she clapped her hands together like a child.

“Oh my God!” Laura squealed. “With who?”

“Shhh,” Becca hissed as she pulled her sister to the back door to the yard and stepped out onto the veranda with her. “Now don’t go crazy…”

“Oh God…” Laura put her hand to her forehead, bracing herself for the boom.

“I met him last night at work,” Becca offered. “He’s one of The Forsaken Riders…”

Laura stared at her as if she was crazy. And then she looked angry.

“A fucking biker?” Laura spat. “Are you insane?”

“Oh come on, I think I’m old enough to make my own choices Laura,” Becca snapped. “And I don’t need lectures from you.”

“It’s just so dangerous!” she yelped. “I mean they all look so mean and nasty… He could hurt you!”

“He’s not going to hurt me,” Becca laughed. “And anyway, you don’t know anything about him…” And Becca was sure this wasn’t going to be the time when she was going to tell her anything either.

“After the disaster that was your last relationship, do you really think it’s wise you get involved with someone who has a questionable character?” She put her hands on her hips.

“How would you know that it is questionable?” Becca was furious.

Laura pouted and looked off into the distance. The girls were both angry with each other, but Becca more so because she just wanted her sister to be happy for her. It had been such a long time since she had had anything to look forward to. And she would never know if he was right for her or not if she didn’t give him a chance.

“Please, just back off okay?” she lowered her voice and sighed. “I just need something for me… and I get a good feeling from him.”

Laura looked down at the ground and nodded.

“Okay,” she said. “You’re right. It’s not like you’re not old enough and wise enough to make your own decisions.”

They both turned and walked back inside and Laura headed over to the kitchen island and lifted up the bottle of wine and the two glasses.

“So,” she grinned. “Think you’re going to need some Dutch courage?”

Becca smiled and nodded. “I think you’re right!”

The girls both laughed and Laura pulled out a corkscrew and started to uncork the bottle. She poured them both a glass and they drank it hurriedly.

“I am happy for you Bec,” Laura said. “I just worry that’s all. You and Oscar are all I have and I’d hate for some guy to mess with either of you. And you’ve got to admit, a biker is a bit of a cause for concern…”

Becca felt her face going red again… How would she ever be able to tell her sister that Stag had just got out of jail?

It was a bridge she would have to cross when she came to it. But for now she was just going to relax and enjoy her evening with a man she had only just met, but felt as if there was potential for a future with. It was an exciting feeling, and one she wanted to hold on to for as long as she could.

***

At eight thirty she heard the roar of a motorcycle coming down the street and she looked nervously at Laura. In the time between them opening the bottle of wine and this moment, they had performed miracles. Becca had picked out a wonderful, but casual outfit and Laura had helped her style her hair so it was long and naturally wavy. They had done her make-up to perfection and her tight fitting jeans showed off the luscious curve of her hips. Even though she hadn’t set out to look like a million dollars, she certainly felt like it and Laura clapped her hands together excitedly as Becca made her way to the front door.

“Call me if you need me!” she said. “And don’t do anything I wouldn’t do…” Laura winked.

“Very funny,” Becca said as she opened the door and stepped outside.

Stag had stopped his bike at the bottom of the driveway and he was looking up to her with adorning eyes. Her heart fluttered in her chest as she walked down on her stiletto heels to meet him and as he wrapped his arm around her and kissed her on the cheek she felt a rush of desire.

He was still being the perfect gentleman and she couldn’t fault him. Everything he had done since the second he had walked into the bar the night before had been like something out of a movie.

“Jump on,” he said as he held her hand and helped her onto the back of the bike.

She had never been on a motorcycle before, although it had been one of the things she had always wanted to do. As she climbed on and Stag got on in front of her, she knew she couldn’t look up to the house as Laura would be watching from behind the curtains. She was so nosy! And Becca didn’t want her to set her off in fits of giggles.

She clung onto Stag’s waist and he started the engine. It roared down the street and a dog from next door started barking. Stag held onto her hands and pulled them around him tighter, and then he revved then engine once more before pulling out onto the road and flying out of the street.

As they hit the highway, Becca had never felt more free. The wind whipped through her hair and she let her head fall back slightly as they raced through the night. Stag drove the machine so fast that the world flashed by her in a blur of colors. She barely dared to move as it was such a strange feeling. One moment she felt powerful and in control, and the next she felt vulnerable…

Just like a relationship
, she thought as she hugged him tighter.

He rode right into Main Street and slowed the bike’s pace. Becca was aware of all of the eyes on them. She could sense the quiet town’s interest piquing at the sight of an unrecognized member of The Forsaken Riders rolling into town with one of the meek school moms on the back of his bike.

Becca had been so quiet since she had arrived back in Slate Springs that she still didn’t really know anyone well enough for them to come over and ask her any questions about what she was doing. But she still felt on show, as if the people of the town’s cogs were turning inside of their heads and they yearned to know more about this mysterious couple climbing off a huge, gun metal, motorcycle.

Stag climbed off first and then held out his hand to help Becca off, too. But when he had helped her to her feet, he still kept his grip tight. He wasn’t going to drop her little hand; he kept it clasped tightly and safely in his.

“So,” he said as he began to walk with her down the street. “Where’s good around here? As you can imagine, my memory is a little rusty.”

Becca smiled and looked up at him. She still couldn’t believe this was happening.

“Well,” she said as she looked around. “I don’t get out much… so I don’t really know.” She started to laugh. “You could buy me a burger from a van and we could sit in the park and that would be good enough for me.”

Stag’s eyes glinted and his mouth curled into a devilishly handsome smile.

“I think I can do better than that,” he said. “But preference noted… Maybe next time huh?” he winked.

Becca blushed. So he was already planning a next time…

He stopped outside of a small wine bar that had fairy lights running around the ceiling and a man on an acoustic guitar playing slow, quiet songs inside.

“Here,” he said as he reached forward and pushed open the door. “Now this looks like a date night place.”

He pulled Becca inside and ushered her to a small, quiet table by the window. He pulled out her chair for her and when she sat down he pushed it back in slightly.

As he took his seat opposite her a waitress approached the table and asked them what they would like to order.

“Bottle of your finest red wine,” he said with a raised eyebrow and Becca found herself smirking.

The waitress disappeared and Becca leaned in closer to him.

“You don’t have to put on a show,” she said. “I did mean it about the burger…”

Stag threw his head back and laughed.

“I’m not putting on a show,” he said as he shook his head. “We’re celebrating.”

“Oh yeah?” she asked playfully. “And what would that be?”

“There’s a few things,” he said as he reached forward and took hold of her hands. “The first being that I’m now a free man… The second that I have just come into a bit of good luck… And the third, well I guess that is wrapped up with the first two, but the third is that I’ve met you.”

Becca felt a warmth flood through her. She had never had anyone say something so romantic to her. He was continuously defying her expectations.

The waitress reappeared with a bottle of Malbec and held it out for Stag to survey. She opened the bottle with a cork screw and poured a tiny amount into the bottom of the big, rounded wine glass in front of him. Stag reached for it and held it up to under his nose and gave it a deep sniff. It was so bizarre to watch a man like him act so sophisticated, but she had to admit that that is what made life interesting… You could never put people into specific categories.

Stag tasted the wine and nodded his head and the waitress continued to pour more into his glass and then moved on to Becca’s.

“I wasn’t expecting you to be a wine connoisseur,” Becca teased.

“I’m not,” Stag said. “I’ve just always wanted to do that.” His face broke out into a huge smile and they both started laughing.

“Are you serious?” she giggled.

He nodded his head. “I read a lot of books when I was in jail, and one that sticks out in my mind was one about a man who was travelling all over the wine regions and developing a taste for quality… and eventually alcoholism.” He raised his eyebrows. “It was a good read, glamourized this whole thing. I always said when I got out I’d go to a wine bar and sit and order a bottle of red and try to understand what he was writing about… All of the different flavors and hues… But I’ve got to be honest, to me it just tastes like booze. And not even good booze at that.”

Becca shook her head and laughed. “You’re crazy,” she whispered.

But crazy was good. Whatever Stag was doing, and whoever he was, was appealing to her more than she had ever thought possible. He had a playfulness and a sort of innocence that could only come with being removed from the world for so long. But also a hard edge that gave him an unlimited air of power. She knew that he had seen a lot and had a ton of experience, but it was still nice to see a vulnerable side. One that she had the feeling, she was the only one who was being allowed to experience…