Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Review: Saving Dallas: Making the Cut by Kim Jones


Synopsis:

She went searching for a one night stand and ended up falling in love with Luke Carmical, President of the Devil’s Renegades Motorcycle Club. Now she must decide how to handle the aftermath of Frankie’s brutal assault and the knowledge that Luke has been lying to her- about everything. Secrets are revealed and more lies exposed as Dallas Knox, CEO of Knox Companies, becomes more involved in the MC. She wonders if this life is enough for her, if this family is really what she wants. When circumstances present her with an unusual twist of fate, Dallas knows without a doubt, thatthis is the family she has longed for. New problems occur, traumatic events take place and lives hang in the balance as Dallas has to decide what is really most important in life. 

The journey is long. 

The outcome is uncertain. 

Can she Make the Cut?

Review:


Oh LLC - you have just made your way to top of the list for my favorite biker boyfriend!!

Book 1 was sooo good, but left me with lots of unanswered questions, so I was very happy to finanlly get to read book 2.  Dallas is still her sassy self, but is starting to get the hang of how things go in the MC world.  Luke is still sexy, dominant, and hard but has a sweet/softer side (at times) when it comes to Dallas.

So much was happening all the time that my head was spinning, but in a good way.  You were kept on your toes the entire time.  Danger, hot sex, smokin' hot dominant biker, messed up families, fights, kidnappings, laughing, crying, fear, hope .... what more could you want?!! 

This was a true emotional rollercoaster ride and well worth the wait!    The twists and turns keep you guessing and holding your breath.  I was fanning myself, holding my breath, screaming at my ereader, and then near tears at the end.  What a amazing story!! - Tynna

=Nip Kiss+


Buy on Amazon


Author Bio:

Kim Jones is a writer with big dreams and a creative imagination. Her infatuation with the MC lifestyle inspired her to write a short story about a love affair between a prestigious young woman and a bad-ass biker. After falling in love with her characters, she turned the ten-thousand word short story into a novel. Juggling her full time job as a payroll clerk, her writing, and her role as ol’lady to her husband, Reggie, the novel was completed in March, 2013.


Kim resides in Collins, MS with her husband and two dogs. She plans to write two more books in the Saving Dallas series and release them in 2013.




Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Blog Tour: Storm by Nina Levine






Release Date: 26th November 2013



Synopsis

Life can be a bitch but love can get you through any storm.

Madison Cole’s family is the Storm Motorcycle Club. Her father is the President and her brother is the VP. She grew up surrounded by bikers, crime and violence. Two years ago she walked away from her family and the world they live in. Her soul was shattered, her heart was broken and she had an addiction she couldn't shake. She picked up the pieces and put herself back together. Now her family wants her back. The club is being threatened and they send a club member to return her home to safety; the one person that could destroy everything she has worked so hard to build.

Jason Reilly has sacrificed a lot for the motorcycle club he calls family. Two years ago he made the biggest sacrifice of all; he gave up the woman he loved for them. Now he is being sent to bring her back and he is conflicted. He thought he was over her but discovers their connection is as strong as ever. Their love was all-consuming, passionate and fiery. It was also their undoing and he doesn't know if either of them is strong enough to battle the demons that ripped them apart, to find love again. 

Madison and Jason are brought back together by a force out of their control; one that pushes them to a breaking point. Can they overcome their past and discover a love worth fighting for or will the harsh reality of their world finally and completely break them both?




Review

I do love a good bad boy biker book and Ms. Levine's debut novel was just that!

I loved Madison and J's story. She left her home, the Storm MC, after a tragic event in her life and a misunderstanding with J.  But years later is forced to return to the club for her own protection and is reunited with J.  The sparks fly and the hurt is brought to the surface again.  Their connection is intense and the sex is HOT!!! J. - just love him!  Hot, sexy, bossy - the perfect biker boyfriend. His love for Madison jumps right off the page at you. Madison grows up a lot throughout the book and it was tough and touching to watch this transformation in her.

This book is filled with drama, hot sex, suspense, love, heartbreak and has surprises at every turn.  I loved it and am hoping this is the first in a long series!!  -Tynna


Buy at Amazon

Buy at UK Amazon

Buy at B&N

Buy at Kobo

Excerpt



I grabbed my purse and headed outside to go and buy lunch.  J was on the phone, but saw me come outside and signalled for me to wait.
“I’m going to buy lunch, J.  And I only get an hour so I don’t have time to wait for you,” I said, tersely.  He kept talking and scowled at me.  I turned and started to walk away from him, towards the cafe where I always bought lunch.
I could hear him muttering something into the phone and then he must have ended his call because he went silent.  Then, he barked, “Madison!”
The last thing I wanted to do was stop for him, but there was something in his tone; a ‘don’t fuck with me’ command.  So I stopped, and turned around to look at him.  Oh, my.  He was shitty. 
He stalked to where I was and got in my face.  “Why the fuck do you have to be so difficult about this?” He was fuming.
Well, I could see him, and raise him in his anger.  “Maybe it has something to do with the way Scott has gone about this.  And the fact that he sent you!”
He flinched.  It was only for a second, and most people wouldn’t have even noticed it.  But I knew J, and I saw it.  It surprised the fuck out of me.  “Well then, it looks like we’ve got some shit to sort out, babe, because I’m not going anywhere.”
“I don’t want to sort shit out with you.  That ship sailed two fucking years ago, J,” I spat.
He gripped my arm, pulling me closer, “No, it fucking didn’t,” he growled, eyes blazing, “And you can’t deny there’s still something here.  I feel it and I know you feel it too.”

I laughed.  No, actually, I cackled.  “You wanna fuck, J?  I can feel that, and, yeah, if you wanna go there, I’m all for it.  But don’t mistake my desire for your cock for anything else.”





About the Author

Nina Levine is an Aussie writer who writes stories about hot, alpha men and the tough, independent women they love. You won't find any whiny, spineless women in Nina's books and you certainly won't find weak men. 

A warning though, you will find hot, dirty sex, lots of swearing, occasional violent encounters and men and women who live fast and love hard.

Nina's debut book Storm will be releasing in November 2013. It is based around the Storm Motorcycle Club and is the first book in an MC series.

Connect with Nina:  Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest


GIVEAWAY


 

Blog Tour: Finding Willow by Dawn Robertson


 
Title: Finding Willow
Author: Dawn Robertson
Genre: Erotic Romance
Release Date: November 25, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Synopsis
Sex is all I have ever known. 
It started at an early age, and never stopped.
Men, women, threesomes, foursomes, orgies. Fuck it, whatever goes.
Twenty eight years old and nothing to show for my life but a fat bank account, and an impressive porn catalogue; all featuring yours truly; Starburst Bloom.
I'm at a crossroads, and I have a choice to make. I choose salvation.
I choose life. I choose myself, for the first time ever.
I will find her. I will find the life I was forced to give up. 
I just pray that he stays out of my way.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Review:
 

If you have not already either heard of or read anything by Dawn Robertson, then you are in for a BIG surprise!! Talk about erotica! I just LOVE it!! The reader was introduced to the character of Star in Dawn Robertson's first installment entitled 'Hers'. Not to ruin the entire first story, but Star has given up a newborn baby girl 10 years ago and is regretting her decision daily. She realizes that she needs to change her ways; not only by going back to her roots and looking for her daughter, but also giving up her current way of life. But is she able to move on when she has so many people trying to pull her down?

Her relationship with Seven changes and Star is having difficulty accepting that Seven has moved on in her relationship that doesn't include Star. Star goes back to her hometown, but the last thing that she wants to do is reconnect with her parents and Seven's parents. How long can she avoid them in such a small town? Is she destined to live her life alone? Enter Chrome....a man that just exudes sexual charm and chemistry. What could make him even more perfect? He wants Star....in the WORST way. But is she ready to enter into a new relationship when her life is in such turmoil?

Dawn Robertson has definitely delivered once again! If you like sexual tension and escapades, then this is the story for you! I must warn you though, if you are a sexual prude, then this story is NOT for you! Huh....what does that say about me? HAHAHA - Kelly
 
 
 
 
 
 
About the Author
 
Dawn is a woman of many colors. Born and raised in the North-East, the youngest child of three, to two hard working, and extremely dedicated parents, she thrived on her love for creative writing. Her commitment to hard work lead her down a number of career paths over the years, stopping with her love for fiction. 
In a bold, and unexpected move, she quit her full-time nine to five gig to thrust herself into her debut erotic novel, Hers. 
Dawn is a mother, entrepreneur, and self proclaimed book whore.
 
 
 
Connect with Dawn
 
 
 



Sunday, November 24, 2013

Book Blitz: Mirage and Inception by Ashley Suzanne

 
Synopsis:
 
Mira and Kylee meet Danny and Skylar during freshmen orientation, their first week of college. Two sets of best friends embark on a new adventure together, forming life long bonds. Mira and Danny are looking forward to their future as husband and wife.
Everything is going according to plan, until tragedy strikes them on graduation night leaving three broken people to pick up the pieces. Skylar has always stood in the background, watching his best friend begin a life with the woman he’s always been in love with until he can no longer keep a distance.
Right when Mira thinks her life is back on track it spirals out of control. What if everything you thought you knew was nothing more than a mirage?




 

Review

OMG! Where has Ashley Suzanne, the author, been all of my life? She has absolutely blown me away with her superb character development and plot lines in her debut novel!

Danny and Mira are college sweethearts who are engaged to be married. They are best friends with fellow collegians Skylar and Kylee. The foursome is inseparable. A tragic motorcycle accident shortly after graduation changes all of their lives drastically.

After the devastating accident, Skylar and Mira become closer. The sexual tension portrayed between the characters was so real and sensual! "I will not be the responsible one tonight. I will not stop this. If you don't want me, you have to walk away. I want you and I want you now." Who wouldn't swoon over someone saying this in the heat of passion?

I am IN LOVE with this book! It is such a page turner and keeps the reader guessing with the story line development. I was absolutely BLOWN AWAY by the ending (which I WILL NOT spoil)!! I NEVER saw it coming! Kudos and a big shout out to Ashley Suzanne! Congratulations on an amazing first novel and here's to all of your guaranteed future successes! Love you girl!! - Kelly
-French Kiss
 
 
 
Synopsis:
 

Danny Thomas has never the boy who got the girl. All through high school, he sat in the back seat and watched his best friend, Skylar McBride, in all his crowning glory. The girls always flocked to Skylar, leaving Danny the third wheel.

Everything changes the first day of college, when Danny meets Mira Adams and she completely steals his heart. She's the only girl that ever chose Danny.

Through the ups and downs of college, Danny and Mira's relationship blossoms into something truly beautiful. A relationship that dreams are made of.
The bond of four friends: Danny, Skylar, Mira and Kylee is tested one fateful night when an accident changes everything.

Inception immediately follows the first book in the Destined Series, Mirage and showcases Danny's point of view during those four years that almost ended the night of graduation.

To understand the full story, you have to go back to the beginning: The Inception
 
 
 
About the Author:
 
 
Ashley Suzanne is a married mother of three little boys as well as a daughter, aunt, sister, best friend, birth mother, blogger, book whore and author. Ashley is a native to the suburbs of Detroit, with most of her family living in Kentucky and New York.
You can usually find Ashley sitting in bed, with her laptop, playing on Facebook, pretending to write, entering giveaways (she's also a swag whore) or on a football field with her oldest son, Tyler. Yep, not only is she a football fan, she's a football mom!
When she's reading, it's typically something to do with romance, erotica being her favorite genre. Ashley co-owns a blog, 2 Chicks and a Blog, with her GBFF Manda. She's a total fan-girl over a few authors, Pamela Ann, Brooke Cumberland, SE Hall, Madeline Sheehan, Jasinda Wilder, Angela Graham, CM Stunich and Riley Rhea to name a few.
Ashley has no pets, unless you count her children and she is a little OCD. Her favorite color is pink. Her favorite drink is cherry vodka and coke and double chocolate brownies are a must.
She's currently working on her 2nd novel, Awakening, which will follow Mirage (An Amazon Best Seller) and a few other projects.
 

Blog Tour: Remy by Katy Evans


Synopsis:

Underground fighter Remington Tate is a mystery, even to himself. His mind is dark and light, complex and enlightening. At times his actions and moods are carefully measured, and at others, they spin out of control.

Through it all, there's been one constant: wanting, needing, loving, and protecting Brooke Dumas. This is his story; from the first moment he laid eyes on her and knew, without a doubt, she would be the realest thing he's ever had to fight for.
Review:

I am in Remington 'Riptide' take HEAVEN!!!  I awaited the release of 'Mine' barely holding onto my sanity. I think that I read 'Real' almost 4 times in anticipation of the sequel.  Now, not only did I read and review 'Mine' last week, but I got to read the ARC of 'Remy' too!  All in one week!!  WOOHOO!!!  I am just IN LOVE with Remy and Brooke!!  I don't EVER want their story to end! 
What I loved most about this installment was really getting into the head of Remy.  As we all know, Remington 'Riptide' Tate is bipolar which has been a barrier in his personal life for as long as he can remember.  He can never form close personal attachments to people for fear of what he will do to them when he gets in one of his 'black' moods.  Brooke has proved her worth and has stuck by him through thick and thin.
This installment took all of the dramatic scenes from 'Real' and 'Mine' and basically re-wrote them, but in Remy's point of view.  The reader is introduced to why Remy hates Scorpion so bad and exactly how the fight between Remy and Scorpion played out in the hotel room.  Not only that, but it is revealed to the reader how fast Remy falls in love with Brooke, but is afraid that his feelings won't be reciprocated.
If you are a fan of the first two installments in this series, then you will absolutely LOVE 'Remy'!!  Again, I didn't want the story to end.  Katy Evans kept the reader enthralled by not only letting them delve into the mind of Remy, but she also revealed present day occurrences such as their wedding and the upcoming boxing season.
So with that being said, I am going to end this review with my ALL TIME favorite quote of Remy's.  Happy reading!! - Kelly
"I'm every woman's adventure, damn you, and I don't want to be yours.  I want to be your fucking real.  You get that?  If I fuck you, I want you to belong to me.  To be mine.  I want you to give yourself to me - not fucking Riptide!"



GIVEAWAY!!!




About the Author:

Hey! I’m Katy Evans and I love family, books, life, and love. I’m married with two children and three dogs and spend my time baking, walking, writing, reading, and taking care of my family. Thank you for spending your time with me and picking up my story. I hope you had an amazing time with it, like I did. If you’d like to know more about books in progress, look me up on the Internet, I’d love to hear from you!






Friday, November 22, 2013

Cover Reveal: Awakening by Ashley Suzanne


Synopsis:

Mira’s broken and battered. She’s fighting to put herself back together while her heart is trying to forget. Can she continue moving forward with one man while in love with another?

Skylar’s wrestling demons he never imagined in his wildest dreams. The girl he’s been in love with for years finally has feelings for him. There’s only one problem: her heart might lie somewhere else. How long until his will power shatters?

Who will seize Mira’s heart and never let go? Will these feelings ever go away or will they be an AWAKENING?
 
 
About the Author:
 
 
 Excerpt:

“Mira, is anything going on with you and Skylar?”
Her eyes widened, like I just caught her in a lie. I know in the pit of my stomach that something is going on or something happened before.
“Mira, answer the question, please.”
“No, Danny, nothing is going on.”
“Why don’t I believe you, Mira? When I came in a few minutes ago, I covered you up with that quilt,” pointing at the quilt laying crumpled up at the foot of the bed, “And I kissed your forehead. You called me Sky, Mira. Not only did you call me Sky, you asked me not to leave. So would you like to rethink your answer about nothing going on with you two?”

The look on Mira’s face is priceless. She looks like a child who has her hand stuck in a cookie jar. I can see her chest rise and fall quickly, as if she’s trying to catch her breath.
“So what’s really going on, Mira?”

“Nothing,” she whispers. Mira is looking in every direction except for the one she needs to look; in my eyes. 

Book Blitz: Star of Bethlehem by Sarah Daltry


Synopsis:

Jack and Lily have found each other. In this short holiday novella, Jack finally meets Lily's family and friends. And she tries to merge her life and her past with his. 
On New Year's Eve, Jack and Lily look forward to the new year ahead of them. Join them as they start to grow together. 
This is a part of the Flowering series and directly follows the events of Forget Me Not/Lily of the Valley. Another full length novel will come later as well.

About the Author:

Sarah Daltry writes erotica and romance that ranges from sweet to steamy. She moves around a lot and has trouble committing to things. Lily of the Valley is her third full length novel, although she also has several story collections and two novellas available. Her other novels are Forget Me Not, the story that tells Lily’s version of events, and Bitter Fruits, which was available shortly, but is now in the contract phase with a major publisher. When Sarah isn’t writing, she tends to waste a lot of time checking Facebook for pictures of cats, shooting virtual zombies, and simply staring out the window.



Author Social Media Links:
Excerpt:

“I have a present for you,” she says.
“I told you. I want nothing but you.”
“I know, but I’m excited. First, though…”
“Yeah.”
This is terrifying. If I screw this up, it could ruin everything. We haven’t been together that long and although I am trying to trust in us, I wonder if Lily could stay with me if her parents hate me. What if they hate me?
She kisses me quickly on the lips and then on the tip of my nose. I somehow feel both ten and hungry for her. She’s still so amazing to me.
“They are going to love you,” she says.
“Then why are you so nervous?”
“What if you hate them?”
I hug her and breathe in her hair. “I could never hate anything that you are. We might come from totally different worlds, princess, but every part of you is beautiful.”



Thursday, November 21, 2013

Blog Tour: Mirage by Ashley Suzanne












Review

OMG! Where has Ashley Suzanne, the author, been all of my life? She has absolutely blown me away with her superb character development and plot lines in her debut novel!

Danny and Mira are college sweethearts who are engaged to be married. They are best friends with fellow collegians Skylar and Kylee. The foursome is inseparable. A tragic motorcycle accident shortly after graduation changes all of their lives drastically.

After the devastating accident, Skylar and Mira become closer. The sexual tension portrayed between the characters was so real and sensual! "I will not be the responsible one tonight. I will not stop this. If you don't want me, you have to walk away. I want you and I want you now." Who wouldn't swoon over someone saying this in the heat of passion?

I am IN LOVE with this book! It is such a page turner and keeps the reader guessing with the story line development. I was absolutely BLOWN AWAY by the ending (which I WILL NOT spoil)!! I NEVER saw it coming! Kudos and a big shout out to Ashley Suzanne! Congratulations on an amazing first novel and here's to all of your guaranteed future successes! Love you girl!! - Kelly
-French Kiss

Promotional Event: Reaper's Legacy by Joanna Wylde



Reaper's Legacy (Reapers Motorcycle Club Book 2)
By Joanna Wylde
Available Jan. 28, 2014

Synopsis:

WELCOME TO THE CLUB

Eight years ago, Sophie gave her heart—and her virginity—to Zach Barrett on a night that couldn’t have been less romantic or more embarrassing. Zach’s step-brother, a steely-muscled, tattooed biker named Ruger, caught them in the act, getting a peep show of Sophie he’s never forgotten.

She may have lost her dignity that fateful night, but Sophie also gained something precious—her son Noah. Unfortunately, Zach’s a deadbeat dad, leaving Ruger to be Noah’s only male role model. When he discovers Sophie and his nephew living in near poverty, Ruger takes matters into his own hands—with the help of the Reapers Motorcycle Club—to give them a better life.

Living with outlaw bikers wasn’t Sophie’s plan for her son, but Ruger isn’t giving her a choice. He’ll be there for Noah, whether she wants him or not. But Sophie does want him, has always wanted him. Now she’ll learn that taking a biker to bed can get a girl dirty in every way…


About the Author

Joanna Wylde is a freelance writer and voracious reader. 
You can visit her website http://www.joannawylde.net/

Purchase Links



Giveaway



Exerpt

PROLOGUE

EIGHT YEARS AGO
COEUR D’ALENE, IDAHO
SOPHIE

“I’m gonna stick it in now.”
Zach’s voice was rough and full of urgent need. 
I smelled him all around me, sweaty and hungry and so beautiful I could die. After tonight he’d be mine for real. His hand reached down between us, guiding the round, rubbery head of his penis as it nudged my opening. It felt weird. He pushed at me and I guess he missed, because it hit me too high and— 
“Ouch! Shit, Zach, that hurts. I think you’re doing it wrong.” 
He stopped immediately and grinned down at me, the gap between his front teeth teasing. Holy crap, I loved that grin. I’d had the biggest crush on Zach since we were freshmen, but he never noticed me, not until a couple of months ago. My folks didn’t let me out much, but I’d managed to get permission to stay with Lyssa for a night and we’d snuck out to a party in July. Zach had honed in and we’d been a couple ever since. 
I’d gotten really good at sneaking out. 
“Sorry, babe,” he murmured, leaning down to kiss me. I softened immediately, loving the feel of his lips ghosting across mine. He adjusted himself and started sliding into me again, slow and steady. This time he didn’t miss, and I stiffened as he stretched me open wide. 
Then he hit a barrier and paused. 
I opened my eyes and looked up at him. He looked back down at me and I knew right then and there I’d never love anyone half so much as I loved Zachary Barrett. 
“Ready?” he whispered. I nodded. 
He shoved into me and I squealed, pain ripping between my legs. Zach kept me pinned with his hips as I gasped, shocked. Then he pulled out and I tried to catch my breath. Before I could, though, he’d thrust back into me. Hard. Ouch. 
“Holy shit, you’re tight,” he muttered. He pushed himself up on his hands, throwing his head back as he pumped into my body, over and over, eyes closed and face straining with hunger. 
I don’t know what I’d expected. 
I mean, I wasn’t stupid. I knew it wouldn’t be perfect the first time, no matter what the romance books said. And it didn’t hurt that much. But it sure as shit didn’t feel good, either. 
Zach moved faster, and I turned my head on the couch to look across the small apartment. His brother’s, apparently. We had it for the night—it was supposed to be our special, perfect time together. I’d expected flowers or soft music and wine or something. Stupid. Zach had pizza and some beer from his brother’s fridge. 
“Ouch,” I muttered again as he paused, face twisting. 
“Shit, I’m gonna come,” he gasped. I felt his penis throb deep inside, almost twitching. It was weird. Really weird. And nothing like I’d seen in movies—not even a little bit. 
Was that it?
Huh . . .
“Oh, fuck that’s good.” 
The apartment door opened as Zach collapsed between my legs, oblivious to the world. I couldn’t do anything but watch in horror as a man walked in. 
I didn’t know him, but he couldn’t have been Zach’s brother. He didn’t look anything like Zach, who was taller than me, but not by a whole lot. This guy was really tall, and muscular in the way men who work with their hands get from heavy lifting on the job. 
He wore a black leather vest with patches over a ratty T-shirt and jeans that had streaks of dark motor oil or grease or something. A half rack of beer dangled from one hand. His hair was short and dark. Almost military. His lip was pierced and he wore a two rings in his left ear and one in his right, like a pirate. Eyebrow was pierced, too. His features were bluntly handsome, but nobody would ever call him pretty. Big black boots covered his feet, and the chain from his wallet hung low across his hip. One of his arms had a full-sleeve tattoo. The other had a skull with crossed blades behind it. 
He stopped in the doorway and looked us over, slowly shaking his head. 
“I told you what I’d do if you broke into my place again,” he said quietly. Zach popped up and his face went white. His entire body—with one notable exception—stiffened. I felt that exception slither out of me, along with some fluid, and realized we hadn’t even bothered to put a towel down or anything. 
Ewww.
But how was I supposed to know we’d need a towel?
“Shit,” Zach said, his voice a tight squeak. “Ruger, I can explain—”
“Don’t fuckin’ explain,” Ruger said, pushing forward into the room. He slammed the door shut behind him and walked over to the couch. I tried to hide my head in Zach’s chest, more ashamed and embarrassed than I’d ever been in my life. 
Flowers. Were flowers too much to ask? 
“Jesus Christ, what is she? Twelve?” Ruger asked, giving the couch a kick. It shuddered under me, and Zach sat up, pulling away from my body. I shrieked and pushed my hands down between us, trying to cover myself from his brother’s gaze. 
Shit. SHIT.
Then it got worse.
The brother—Rooger? whatever the hell kind of name that was—looked right at me as he leaned across my body, grabbing a folded blanket from the back of the couch. 
He tossed it over my crotch. 
I moaned and died a little inside. My legs were still spread wide, my skirt up high around my waist. He’d seen everything. Everything. This was supposed to be the most romantic night of my life and now I just wanted to go home and cry. 
“I’m takin’ a shower and by the time I’m done, you need to be gone,” Ruger said, getting in Zach’s face. My boyfriend flinched. “And stay the fuck outta my apartment.” 
With that, he walked down the hall to the bathroom, banging the door shut. Seconds later I heard the shower come on. Zach jumped up, muttering. 
“Asshole. He’s such a goddamn asshole.”
“Was that your brother?”
“Yeah. He’s a prick.”
I sat up and straightened my shirt. Thank God I hadn’t taken it off. Zach loved to touch my breasts, but we’d actually moved pretty fast once we got started. I managed to get to my feet, holding the blanket in front of me while I pulled down my skirt. I had no idea where my panties had gone, but a quick look around didn’t reveal them. I leaned over the couch, digging in the pillows, hunting. No luck, but I managed to stick my hand in the disgusting wet spot we’d left behind. 
I felt like such a whore.
“Fuck!” Zach yelled behind me. My head jerked up—how could things possibly get any worse? “Holy fuck, I cannot fucking believe this!” 
“What’s wrong?” 
“The condom broke,” he said, eyes wide. “The fucking condom broke. This has got to be the worst night of my life. You better not be pregnant.” 
The air froze in my lungs. Apparently things could get worse. 
Zach held the broken rubber out toward me. I stared down at the nasty thing, not quite believing my bad luck. 
“Did you do it wrong?” I whispered. He shrugged, not answering. 
“It’s probably okay,” I said after another long pause. “I mean, my period just ended. You can’t get pregnant that soon after your period, right?” 
“Um, yeah, probably,” he said, flushing and looking away. “I didn’t really pay attention to that shit in class. I mean, I always use a condom. Always. They never break, not even—” 
My breath caught and I felt hot tears well up in my eyes. 
“You told me you’d only done it once before,” I said softly. He winced. 
“I’ve never done it with anyone I loved before,” he said, dropping the broken rubber and grabbing for my hand. I tried to tug away. The mess on his fingers grossed me out, but when he pulled me in tight and wrapped his arms around me, I caved. 
“Hey, it’s gonna be okay,” he muttered, rubbing my back as I snuffled against his shirt. “It’ll be fine. We’re fine. And I’m sorry I wasn’t honest with you. I was afraid you wouldn’t stick with me if you knew I’d been stupid before. I don’t care about any other girls and I never will. I just want to be with you.” 
“Okay,” I said, pulling myself together. He shouldn’t have lied, but at least he owned up to it. Mature couples worked through hard stuff all the time, right? “Um, we should probably get out of here. Your brother looked pretty pissed. I thought he gave you a key?” 
“My stepmom has an emergency key,” he said, shrugging. “I took it. He was supposed to be out of town. Grab the pizza.” 
“Should we leave some for your brother?” 
“Screw him. And he’s my stepbrother. We’re not even really related.” 
Oookay. 
I found my shoes and slipped them on, then got my purse and the pizza. I still didn’t know where my panties were, but just then I heard the shower stop. 
We needed to get out
Zach glanced over at the bathroom, then winked at me as he grabbed the half rack off the counter. 
“C’mon,” he said, taking my hand and pulling me toward the door. 
“You’re stealing his beer?” I asked, feeling a little sick. “Seriously?” 
“Fuck him,” Zach said, narrowing his eyes at me. “He’s a total dick, thinks he’s better than everyone else. Him and his stupid fucking motorcycle club. They’re all assholes and criminals, and he is, too. Probably stole it in the first place. And he can buy more any time he wants, not like us. We’ll take it to Kimber’s. Her parents are in Mexico.” 
We jogged down the apartment complex stairs, then crossed the parking lot to his truck. It was kind of old, but at least the full-sized Ford’s king cab had plenty of room. We’d take it out sometimes, just the two of us, and spend hours lying in the bed under the stars, kissing and laughing. Other times we packed three or four couples in, all sitting on each other’s laps. 
Zach hadn’t done such a great job tonight, but that wasn’t his fault. Sometimes life just didn’t follow the plan. I was still crazy about him, though. 
“Hey,” I said, stopping him as he opened the driver’s side door. 
I turned him around and popped up onto my toes, kissing him long and slow. “I love you.” 
“I love you, too, babe,” Zach said, smoothing my hair back behind my ear. I melted when he did that—made me feel all safe and protected. “Now let’s go kill some of those beers. Shit, fuckin’ crazy night. My brother is such a dick.” 
I rolled my eyes and laughed as I hauled ass around the truck. 
So losing my virginity hadn’t been perfect and beautiful and all that. But at least it was over and Zach loved me. 
Too bad about the panties, though.
I’d bought them special and everything. 

EIGHT MONTHS LATER
RUGER

“Fuck, it’s my mom. I gotta grab that,” Ruger yelled across the table at Mary Jo, holding up his cell. The band hadn’t started yet, but the place was still packed, and he couldn’t hear a damned thing. He didn’t get out much since he’d started prospecting the Reapers. Earning a place in the club was a full-time job by itself, and he pulled shifts at the pawnshop, too. 
Ma knew that, and she wouldn’t have called if it wasn’t important. 
“Hey, lemme get outside,” he said loudly into the phone, walking toward the door with long strides. People got the fuck out of his way, and he bit back a smile. He’d always been a big guy, but now that he wore an MC cut? 
Fuckers practically dove under the tables when they saw the club patches on his vest. 
“’Kay, I’m outside,” he said, moving away from the crowd in front of the Ironhorse. 
“Jesse, Sophie needs you,” his mom said. 
“What do you mean?” he asked, peering at his bike, parked down the street. Was that guy getting close to it? Oh, not gonna happen . . . 
“So are you going?” she said. Shit. She’d been talking.
“Fuck, sorry, ma. Missed what you said.”
“I just got a panicked phone call from Sophie,” his mom repeated. “Stupid kids. She went to a kegger with your brother and now she thinks she might be in labor. He’s too drunk to drive her and she’s having contractions, so she can’t drive herself. I’m gonna kill him. I can’t believe he’d take her somewhere like that, especially now.” 
“Are you fuckin’ kidding me?” 
“Jesse, don’t use that language with me,” she snapped. “Can you help her or not? I’m in Spokane and it’ll take at least an hour to get there. I’ll start making more phone calls if you can’t do it.” 
“Wait, isn’t it too early?” 
“A little too early, yes,” she replied, her voice tense. “I wanted to call an ambulance but she insists it’s just Braxton Hicks. Ambulance rides cost a fortune, you know, and she’s scared of the bills. She wants to go home but I think she might need the hospital. Can you get her or not? I can meet you there as soon as I hit town. I’ve got a real bad feeling about this, Jess. Didn’t sound like Braxton Hicks to me.” 
“Yeah, of course,” he replied, wondering what the hell “Braxton Hicks” were. He saw Mary Jo come out of the bar, smiling at him ruefully. She knew all about sudden phone calls and changes in plans. “Where are they?” 
He got the information, then hung up, walking over to his date and shrugging his shoulders. This sucked. He wanted to get laid, and not at the clubhouse. Some fuckin’ privacy would be nice for once, and Mary Jo was wild as they got. 
“Club business?” she asked lightly. Thank fuck she wasn’t a drama queen. 
“Nope, family,” he replied. “My asshole stepbrother knocked up his girlfriend and now she’s going into labor. Needs a ride to the hospital. I’m gonna go get her.” 
Mary Jo’s eyes widened. 
“You should leave,” she said quickly. “I’ll take a cab home. Shit, that sucks . . . How old is she?” 
“Just turned seventeen.” 
“Damn,” she said, shivering with genuine horror. “I can’t imagine having a kid that young. Call me later, okay?” 
He gave her a fast but hard kiss. She reached down and offered his cock a quick squeeze. Ruger groaned, feeling himself stiffen. He really needed to get laid . . . 
Instead, he pulled away and walked over to his bike. 

The party was halfway to Athol, off in some field that he vaguely remembered visiting when he was in high school. He found Zach’s truck easy enough. Sophie stood next to it, looking scared in the summer twilight. Then her face tightened and she hunched over her giant belly, groaning. Now she looked terrified. 
Ruger parked his bike and realized he’d have to leave it in the field—no way she could ride with him. Fucking great. Asshat little shits would probably run over it or something. Sophie’s face was white with strain, though. No room to fuck around. She needed to go in the truck, and clearly she needed to go now. Ruger shook his head, glancing around for his brother. 
He still couldn’t figure out why a smart, beautiful girl like her would pick Zach, of all people. Sophie had long, reddish-brown hair, beautiful green eyes, and a way about her that screamed feminine softness—a softness he’d spent more than one night imagining with his dick in his hand. Even pregnant in the middle of a field party, she was still gorgeous. 
Way the fuck too young, though. 
She saw him and winced, reaching around to put one hand against her back, stretching as the contraction ended. Ruger knew she didn’t like him, and he didn’t blame her. They hadn’t met under the best of circumstances, and things between him and Zach went further to shit every day. Ruger hated the way he treated their mom and hated the way he lived his life. More than anything else, he hated the way the little fuck was already running around on Sophie behind her back. 
Cocksucker didn’t deserve a girl like her, and their kid sure as hell hadn’t won the lottery when it came to his future daddy. 
“How you doing?” he asked, coming up to Sophie and hunkering down so he could see her face. Her eyes were full of panic. 
“My water broke,” she said, her voice a hoarse whisper. “The contractions are coming really fast. Way too fast. It’s supposed to be slow with your first baby, it never happens this fast. I need to get to the hospital, Ruger. I shouldn’t have come here.” 
“Oh, fuck me,” he muttered. “You got the keys?”
She shook her head.
“Zach does. He’s over by the bonfire. Maybe we should call an ambulance? Oh . . .” she groaned, leaning over.

“Hang in there,” he said. “I’ll get Zach. I can drive you to the hospital faster than an ambulance at this point.”
She groaned again and leaned back against the truck. Ruger took off toward the bonfire, finding Zach half passed out on the ground. 
“On your feet, asshole,” Ruger demanded, grabbing him by the shirt and dragging him upright. “Keys. Now.” 
Zach looked at him blankly. Was that barf on his shirt? High school kids stood around watching them, eyes wide as they clutched their big red Solo cups of cheap beer. 
“Fuck me,” Ruger muttered again, digging down into his brother’s pants pocket, hoping like hell he hadn’t lost them. This was closer to Zach’s dick than he ever needed his hand to be. He pulled out the keys, dropping Zach back into the dirt. 
“You wanna see your kid gettin’ born, get your ass in the truck now,” Ruger told him. “I’m not waiting for you.” 
With that he took off toward the Ford, wrenching open the door and lifting Sophie into the backseat. He heard a thudding noise and saw Zach climb into the truck bed out of the corner of his eye. 
Little prick. 
Ruger turned on the engine and popped it into gear, ready to go. Then he slammed it back into park, jumped out, and ran over to his bike. He had a little first aid kit in there. Nothing fancy, but at this rate they might need it. He climbed back in the truck, pulled out of the field and started toward the highway, watching Sophie anxiously in the rearview mirror. She was panting hard and then she screamed. 
Every hair on the back of his neck stood up. 
“Holy shit, I feel like I need to push,” she cried. “Oh, God, it hurts. It hurts so bad. I’ve never felt anything like this, drive faster. We need to get there fast . . .” 
Her voice trailed off as she groaned again. Ruger drove faster, wondering if Zach had something to hold on to. He couldn’t see him back there. Maybe he’d passed out in the bed. 
Hell, maybe he’d bounced out. Ruger didn’t care either way. 
They’d almost made it to the highway when Sophie started shouting. 
“Stop! Stop the truck.” 
Ruger stopped, hoping to hell that didn’t mean what he thought it did. He threw on the parking brake and turned to see her, eyes closed, face almost purple and full of agony. She was crouching forward, moaning. 
“Ambulance,” he said, his voice grim. She nodded tightly. He made the call, giving the operator the details of their situation. Afterward, he put the phone on speaker, dropping it to the seat. Then he got out and opened the back door, leaning in. 
“I’m here with you, Sophie,” the 911 operator told them. “Hold on. The paramedics only have to come up from Hayden. You’ll see them soon.” 
Sophie groaned through another contraction.
“I have to push.”
“The ambulance is ten minutes out,” the operator said. “Can you hold on until they reach you? They have everything they need to help you with this.” 
“FUCK!” Sophie screamed, squeezing Ruger’s hands so hard his fingers went numb. 
“All right. It’s unlikely the baby will be born before they arrive, but I want you to get ready, Ruger,” the operator said, her voice so calm she sounded stoned. How did she do that? He felt about thirty seconds away from a heart attack. “Sophie needs you now. The good news is that childbirth is natural and her body knows what to do. A baby born this fast usually means a very smooth delivery. Do you have a way to wash your hands?” 
“Yeah,” Ruger muttered. “You gotta let go for a sec, Sophie.” 
She shook her head, but he pried his hands free. He ripped into the first aid kit, pulling out a couple of ridiculously small sanitary wipe packets. Then he attacked his hands and tried to go after hers. 
She screamed and punched his face. 
Holy shit, girl had some power behind her. Ruger shook his head, then pulled it together, cheekbone throbbing. 
Another contraction. 
“It’s too early,” Sophie gasped. “I can’t stop it. I have to push now.” 
“When is she due?” the operator asked as Sophie moaned long and low. 
“About a month,” Ruger told her. “It’s too early.” 
“All right. The most important thing is to make sure the baby is breathing. Don’t let it fall on the ground if it’s born before the EMTs arrive. You’ll have to catch it. Now don’t panic—it can take hours to push out a baby, especially the first one. But just as a precaution, I want you to find something warm to wrap around the child if Sophie delivers. You’ll check the baby’s breathing. If it’s good, you’ll lay him on the mother’s bare chest, face down, skin to skin. Then put whatever you have over him. Don’t tug on the cord, cut it, tie it off, or anything. Keep your hands away from the birth canal. If the afterbirth comes out, wrap it with the child.” 
That’s when it hit him. 
Sophie was going to have her baby right here on the side of the road. His nephew. 
Right now. 
Holy shit, she needed to get her pants off first. 
She wore leggings and he tried to pull them down with her still inside the cab. It didn’t work, and she couldn’t seem to find a comfortable position, either. 
“We have to get you out of here,” he said. She shook her head, teeth gritted, but he picked her up and set her feet on the ground anyway. Then he pulled down her sopping wet leggings and panties in one smooth move, lifting one foot and then the other to free her legs from the clinging fabric. 
Now what? 
Sophie cried out again, face tight as she bore down next to him, falling into a squat beside the truck. 
Fuck, he needed something to keep the baby warm. 
Ruger glanced around frantically, finding exactly nothing, so he pulled off his cut and tossed it into the truck. Then he ripped his T-shirt over his head. It wasn’t the best, but it was relatively clean. He’d showered and put on a fresh one before meeting Mary Jo. 
Sophie pushed for an eternity, crouched down and digging her fingers deep into his shoulders. He’d have bruises there in the morning. Probably cuts from her nails, too. Whatever. The 911 operator’s calm voice encouraged them, saying the ambulance was only five minutes out. Sophie ignored her, lost in her own world of pain and urgency, giving loud, low groans with every contraction. 
“Can you see the baby’s head?” the operator asked. Ruger froze. “You want me to look?”
“Yes.”
He was pretty damned sure he didn’t want to look. Fuck. Sophie needed him, though. The kid needed him, too. Ruger dropped down to peer between her legs. 
That’s when he saw it. 
A tiny head, coming out of her body, covered with dark black hair. Holy crap. 
Sophie sucked in a deep breath and gripped his shoulders even harder. She let out one loud, long moan as she pushed again. 
Then it happened. 
Ruger reached down—almost in a trance—as the world’s most perfect little human slid right out of her and into his hands. Sophie started crying with relief as blood streaked her thighs. 
“What’s happening?” the operator asked. He heard a siren in the distance. 
“The baby just came out,” Ruger muttered, awed. He’d seen a calf born, but that had nothing on this. “I’m holding it.” 
“Is it breathing?” 
He watched as the newborn opened its little eyes for the first time and looked right at him. They were blue and round and confused and fucking gorgeous. They closed again as the baby screwed up its tiny mouth, sucked in a deep breath and let out a piercing wail. 
“Yeah. Fuck. The kid is fine.” 
Ruger looked up at Sophie as he raised the baby between them. She smiled hesitantly and reached for her child. Her exhausted, tear-streaked-yet-radiant face was the second most beautiful thing he’d ever seen in his life. 
Right after those tiny blue eyes.
“You did good, babe,” he whispered to Sophie.
“Yeah,” she whispered back. “I did, didn’t I?”
She kissed the boy’s head softly. 
“Hey Noah . . . It’s mommy,” she said. “I’m gonna take such good care of you. I promise. Always.”