by Chiah Wilder
Slowly her muscles loosened. “I can’t wait to see her either.”
Then Shadow and Hawk began talking about motorcycles, and she leaned against him and let her mind drift. Classic rock songs softly played on four speakers hooked up to the fence. Strings of unlit hanging lanterns swayed gently in the warm breeze, yellow and white checked oilcloths covered the tables, and a solid yellow one covered a long table against the fence.
The aroma of fried chicken and tangy barbecue wafted throughout the yard as several women walked toward the buffet table carrying large pots and platters.
Hawk glanced over his shoulder. “I’m gonna help the women,” he said then sauntered away.
“I should help too,” Scarlett said as she started to get up, but Shadow held her down.
“The old ladies’ men will help them. There’s a system to this, babe.” He nuzzled his face against her neck. “After dinner, we can go for a walk by the river.”
Goosebumps pebbled her skin at the touch of his scratchy face. “Just a walk?” She teased, squeezing his upper thigh.
“I do have something more in mind,” he whispered into her ear before nibbling her earlobe.
Scarlett wiggled, then pushed him gently away. “The kids,” she said, tipping her head in their direction.
He laughed, then stood up and held out his hand. “The food’s on. Let’s go eat.”
She took Shadow’s hand after she pulled down her skirt when she stood up. “Where are Smokey and your other friends?”
“They went on a bike ride. Sometimes the single brothers show up for family times and sometimes they don’t. It depends what they got going on.”
“And the women in the club?”
“The club girls? No fuckin’ way. Family times are for members and old ladies only.”
“Tsk, tsk,” Scarlett clucked her tongue and shook her head.
“It’s the way it goes, babe.” He brushed his lips across hers and led her to the buffet table.
Scarlett looked around for Cara, and when she saw her tying one of the bows in Isa’s hair, she smiled. Someday, I’d love to have a baby with Shadow.
As if sensing someone was looking at her, Cara straightened up and turned around. When she met Scarlett’s gaze, she smiled warmly and walked over to her.
“Hawk told me you were dating Shadow,” she said as she hugged Scarlett. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about it, but I missed the last two committee meetings.”
“I want to talk to you about it too, and about all of this.” Scarlett waved her hand in a circle. “Is it hard to be a part of this life?” she whispered.
“Sometimes, but the rewards of being with your man make it all worth it. Yeah … we need to talk.” Cara laughed. “How about lunch next Wednesday? We could meet somewhere downtown near where you work.”
“Wednesday’s my day off. How about at the club?”
“That’d be great. I haven’t been there all summer.” Cara stepped closer to Scarlett. “I’m so sorry about what happened to your mother. My heart goes out to you. My parents were saddened to hear the news as well,” she said close to her ear.
“I appreciate that. I’d be lying if I didn’t say it hasn’t been hard and heart wrenching, but I’ve got Shadow, and some great friends who haven’t abandoned me like some others did. And I still have my dad and brothers. We’ll manage to get through it.”
“If you need anything, just let me know.” Cara patted her hand.
“Mama, Daddy won’t let me sit by Harley,” a small boy with a mop of dark hair said.
Cara looked down and smiled. “If Daddy says no, then it’s no. He wants you to eat and not fool around during the meal.” She ran her fingers through the young boy’s hair and he scowled. “This is my son Braxton.”
“Hi.” Scarlett smiled. “I saw your daughter—she’s precious.”
“Thank you. I have another son, Neo. He’s fourteen months. Hawk’s got him.”
Shadow nudged her. “Did you want to eat or talk ’cause you’re holding up the line.”
Scarlett and Cara both laughed, then Cara said, “You have to love these guys, right? I’ll call you so we can firm up next Wednesday.” She then scurried away.
After a delicious meal, Scarlett insisted on helping to clean up over Shadow’s protests, and thirty minutes later he came into the kitchen, gave her a dish towel, and told her to wipe off her hands because it was time for their walk.
The other old ladies assured her they could finish up, and she folded an apron Belle had given her and ambled out with her man.
The clean, pungent smell of the woods swirled around them as they followed the edge of the river toward a small cabin.
“Are we still on Insurgents’ property?” she asked.
“Yeah. We got acres of land. We also got several cabins scattered around the area. They’re places to go if a brother wants some time alone.”
“It’s so beautiful and serene. It feels like we’re a million miles from any civilization.”
“I come out here a lot to clear my head, especially in the winter months when the roads are iced up and it isn’t safe to ride.”
The cabin was one large room that housed a small kitchen and one bathroom. A stone fireplace was the focal point of the room. The furnishings were simple: two couches, one recliner, a coffee table, two end tables with lamps, and a rug with geometric designs on it.
Shadow walked to the refrigerator in the kitchen and pulled out a can of beer. “That’s all we got in here except for water and some Coke.”
“Water’s good,” she said as she sank down on the couch cushions.
“Here you go,” he said, handing the bottle of water to her then joining her on the couch. “How did you like spending some time with the brothers and their families?”
“It was great. I don’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t that. The women are all so different and nice. And the guys acted like I was a person today, even Hawk.”
Shadow bumped against her. “See, I told you.”
“You were right.” She took a drink of water, then put it down on the end table beside her.
“Do you think you could be a part of my world?”
“Aren’t I already?”
“Sorta, but I mean, belong to it like Cara, Belle, and the other old ladies.”
“Yeah, I think so. I mean, I love you, and if you can rent a tuxedo and wear it to the gala next week, then I certainly can don leather and hang out with your friends.”
“And understand that I can’t tell you shit about club business and that the club will come first a lot of times?”
“The club business absolutely, the coming first rubs me the wrong way. I want to be first in your life.”
“You are and always will be in my heart, but I’ll want to hang with my brothers and go to rallies and poker runs and to some of the parties … or just go for a ride and a beer.”
“If you’re loyal to me, I have no problem with any of that.”
“I’ll always be loyal to you. I don’t go in for cheating, no matter what. I’m not your dad,” he said.
Scarlett winced at the reference to her dad, but chose to ignore it. “Then we won’t have a problem. If you want to be with your friends sometimes, you have to understand that I, too, will want to hang out with my friends, which might mean going to happy hour once in a while.”
A low growl rumbled from his chest. “I’m not liking that.”
“Fair is fair. If you want me to trust you, then you have to trust me too.”
“I do—it’s the other guys I don’t trust.”
“But I’d be the one in control. Anyway, I probably won’t go at all, but if I do, I don’t want you getting mad.”
“Yeah, and I probably won’t go to very many club parties. I basically want to spend time with you.”
“Same here. We should do things together. Why are we talking about all this? Are you giving me some sort of test?” She laughed. “Did I pass?”
“You passed, darlin’.” Shadow drew her close to him. “You wanna be my old lady?”
Her heart skipped a beat. “Is that a proposal in the biker world?”
“Sometimes it’s like a citizen’s proposal, and sometimes it means to stay together without making anything legal.”
“How do you mean it?” She held her breath.
“Like a citizen.” He pulled out a small box from the inner pocket of his cut. “Marry me, baby.”
A heartbeat passed, then she held the box in her trembling hands and opened it. A large diamond solitaire glittered in the early evening light.
“It’s gorgeous,” she muttered. Tears blurred her eyes and happiness burst inside her like a fireworks display.
Shadow took the box from her, then slipped the ring on her fourth finger. “I love you, darlin’.”
“I love you too.” She wiped her eyes. “I’d be honored to be your old lady. I’ll be the best one I can be.”
“That’s all I need to hear.” He clasped her against him, then kissed her passionately.
Burning desire consumed her: searing flames that melted her bones and scorched her skin. Scarlett shoved his shirt up, then broke away from him and smothered his chest with hard kisses and light bites. He groaned and the small sound sent a shockwave of need down to the very base of her toes.
“You’re so fuckin’ sexy,” he rasped as he pushed her down on the couch, then peeled off her clothes. “You complete me like nothing ever has in my life.” He bent his head down and captured her lips. After a few moments, he shed his clothes and boots, then hovered over her.
“I need you,” she whispered, spreading her legs wide.
“You want it bad.” Shadow chuckled, the vibration tickling her stomach as he slid his tongue further down her body. “We got time, darlin’, and I want to enjoy every inch of you.”
Scarlett writhed and moaned, arching into him as she pushed his head down lower.
“I’m gonna get there all in good time.” He winked at her, then trailed his mouth back up her body. He lingered on her breasts, nipping and sucking on her hard nipples, then he devoured her mouth, kissing her deep and rough and hard. She relished the feel of Shadow’s bare skin against hers, the deep murmurs of his voice in her ear, the touch of his lips on her naked skin.
Then her eyes caught the glint of her diamond and a love so profound seized every part of her, and she held him tight.
“We’re going to spend the rest of our lives together,” she whispered.
“That’s right, baby. You’ve got a lifetime of me lovin’ you.”
Then his lips trailed down her throat, and he slowly kissed and licked her body, working his way down to her sweet hot spot.
It was in that moment of desire and anticipation that she realized she had found her home, and it was safely in his arms.
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Notes from Chiah
As always, I have a team behind me making sure I shine and continue on my writing journey. It is their support, encouragement, and dedication that pushes me further in my writing journey. And then, it is my wonderful readers who have supported me, laughed, cried, and understood how these outlaw men live and love in their dark and gritty world. Without you—the readers—an author’s words are just letters on a page. The emotions you take away from the words breathe life into the story.
Thank you to my amazing Personal Assistant Natalie Weston. I don’t know what I’d do without you. Seriously, I’d be lost without you. You keep me organized and on track. I so appreciate that! Your patience, calmness, and insights are always appreciated. Thank you for stepping in when I’m holed up tapping away on the computer, oblivious to the world. You make my writing journey that much smoother. Thank you for ALWAYS being there for me! I’m so lucky you’re on my team!
Thank you to my editor Lisa Cullinan, for all your insightful edits and making my story a better one. This book was down to the wire and I so appreciate your flexibility in working with this book. Your edits and insights always make my books rock and shine! As always, a HUGE thank you for your patience and flexibility with accepting my book in pieces. I never could have hit the Publish button without you. You’re the best!
Thank you to my wonderful beta readers Natalie Weston, Maryann Becker, Sera Lavish, and Christina Spence. You rock! Your enthusiasm and suggestions for Shadow’s Surrender: Insurgents MC were spot on and helped me to put out a stronger, cleaner novel.
Thank you to the bloggers for your support in reading my book, sharing it, reviewing it, and getting my name out there. I so appreciate all your efforts. You all are so invaluable. I hope you know that. Without you, the indie author would be lost.
Thank you ARC readers you have helped make all my books so much stronger. I appreciate the effort and time you put in to reading, reviewing, and getting the word out about the books. I don’t know what I’d do without you. I feel so lucky to have you behind me.
Thank you to my Street Team. Thanks for your input, your support, and your hard work. I appreciate you more than you know. A HUGE hug to all of you!
Thank you to Carrie from Cheeky Covers. You are amazing! I can always count on you. You are the calm to my storm. You totally rock, and I love your artistic vision.
Thank you to my proofers who worked hard to get my novel back to me so I could hit the publish button on time. There are no words to describe how touched and grateful I am for your dedication and support. Also much thanks for your insight re: plot and characterization. I definitely took heed, and it made my story flow that much better.
Thank you to Ena and Amanda with Enticing Journeys Promotions who have helped garner attention for and visibility to the Insurgents MC series. Couldn’t do it without you!
Thank you to my awesome formatter, Paul Salvette at Beebee Books. You make my books look stellar. I appreciate how professional you are and how quickly you return my books to me. A huge thank you for doing rush orders and always returning a formatted book of which I am proud. Kudos!
Thank you to the readers who continue to support me and read my books. Without you, none of this would be possible. I appreciate your comments and reviews on my books, and I’m dedicated to giving you the best story that I can. I’m always thrilled when you enjoy a book as much as I have in writing it. You definitely make the hours of typing on the computer and the frustrations that come with the territory of writing books so worth it.
And a special thanks to every reader who has been with me since “Hawk’s Property.” Your support, loyalty, and dedication to my stories touch me in so many ways. You enable me to tell my stories, and I am forever grateful to you.
You all make it possible for writers to write because without you reading the books, we wouldn’t exist. Thank you, thank you! ♥
Shadow’s Surrender: Insurgents Motorcycle Club (Book 14)
Dear Readers,
Thank you for reading my book. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing Shadow and Scarlett’s story. This gritty and rough motorcycle club has a lot more to say, so I hope you will look for the upcoming books in the series. Romance makes life so much more colorful, and a rough, sexy bad boy makes life a whole lot more interesting.
If you enjoyed the book, please consider leaving a review on Amazon. I read all of them and appreciate the time taken out of busy schedules to do that.
I love hearing from my fans, so if you have any comments or questions, please email
me at [email protected] or visit my facebook page.
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Happy Reading,
Chiah
CHAINS: Night Rebels MC
Coming November 2019
He didn’t know he needed her until she came into his life.
Chains is a Night Rebel, one of the largest MCs in Southern Colorado. Powerful Harleys, stiff drinks, and club girls are his idea of the good life.
He swore off relationships years ago when he caught his old lady and his buddy sharing some fun time between his sheets. Now bitterness is his companion.
The only women in his life are the club girls who know the score: fun without commitment. He likes it that way—he’s better off alone.
Then he meets her at the veterinary clinic and everything changes. Sexy curves that spark his libido, and the darkest, most soulful eyes that penetrate the emptiness inside him.
Autumn Stanford has worked hard to build her veterinary practice, and at thirty-one years old, she finally has it all: career, money, a fiancé. She should be busting with joy, but she’s not—something’s missing.
When the rugged biker brings his dog to her clinic, she is taken in by his good looks and muscular build.
An undeniable desire sizzles between them.
But there is one small problem: Autumn is engaged to Chains’ brother.
All of a sudden, Chains’ world turns upside down, and he questions everything he thought he knew about his family.
Autumn is caught in the crossfire of grudges and family secrets. And when a secret of her own comes out, will Chains be able to stand by her or will he reject her like his brother did?
The Night Rebels MC series are standalone romance novels. This is Chains’ story. This book contains violence, abuse, strong language, and steamy/graphic sexual scenes. It describes the life and actions of an outlaw motorcycle club. HEA. No cliffhangers.