by Casey Elliot
Contents
Title
Copyright
Dedication
Authors Notes
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Free Gift
Game Time - Football Romance
Bonus – Jax - Biker
Bonus – David - Biker
Bonus - Rex - Biker
Bonus - Taken - Biker
Bonus – Axel - Navy SEAL
Bonus - Bear All The Way
Bonus - Mated by the Bear
Bonus - MC Bear’s Baby
Bonus - New York Shifter
Bonus - Secrets of an MC Bear
Bonus-Billioniares Heart
Bonus - Protected by a Navy SEAL
Bonus-Billionaire Shifter
Bonus - Gage - Navy SEAL
Bonus - Untamed - Western BWWM
Bonus - Gage Clean Romance
Bonus - Slade - Navy SEAL
Bonus – Hard Hit - Sports Romance
Bonus – Big Hit
Hottest Biker Release - Carter
Released
Casey Elliot
This book is an original publication of Blue Steel Publishing LLC.
Copyright © 2016 Casey Elliot - All rights reserved.
Edited By: Sergio Gautreaux
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously, and are not to be constructed as real. Any resemblance to persons living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
For more information email [email protected]
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
To my family for putting up with me working long hours and me not providing help around the house while writing. Thank you for your love and patience!
Authors Notes
Warning: This is a 8k word stand alone short story with steamy content and a happy ending.
Chapter One
The loud thrums of motorbikes filled the quiet streets of Atlas, Nevada. Hannah looked up, but didn't make a move toward the window. It had been a long time since so many bikes had torn through their little town, and Hannah’s heart thudded in her chest. She had meant to be long gone by now, but every time she tried to leave, something happened that made her stay. First, Hannah’s car had broken down. Then, Charlie had gotten sick, and finally, her dad had died of cancer and her mom had begged her to stay.
"Mommy?" a voice called from the doorway behind her. Turning her head, Hannah could see her young daughter standing in the doorway, rubbing her eyes sleepily.
"Charlie, what are you doing up?" Hannah said, gathering Charlie into her arms as the young girl made her way over to the sofa. Charlie snuggled into her mom’s arms.
"Cotton?" she said, sleepily.
"Not Cotton," Hannah said, stroking Charlie's hair mindlessly. Cotton was another person that kept her here. Charlie loved Cotton and he returned her affections; she couldn’t bear to separate the pair. Cotton was the only connection to Hannah's past that remained, and Hannah would do anything to keep it that way. She had left that all in her past –– the destruction and betrayal.
Gunner, Hannah thought, a wave of emotion overcoming her and leaving her feeling as if she had been punched in the guts. Now that Gunner was back in town, Hannah had to get herself and Charlie away from Atlas, fast.
Shutting the door softly behind her, Hannah headed down the stairs and out onto the street. The streets were starting to come alive as people set about their day. Sarah waved as Hannah walked past, putting out the sign for her hairdressing salon that Hannah and Charlie lived above. Hannah didn’t have to go far; the diner where she worked was located on the corner and, although it was still early morning, it was already bustling. The smell of the bacon on the grill made Hannah's mouth water, and she realized she was starving.
"Morning, Han!” Her best friend, Grace, greeted her as Hannah entered the diner, a plate of steaming bacon rolls in her hand. Stealing one off the plate, Hannah tore off large chunks of bread and meat and stuffed it in her mouth.
"Let me guess, no time for breakfast?" Grace said, laughing. Hannah shook her head. Between getting herself ready in the morning and letting Amanda into the house so she could look after Charlie, there was little time left in the morning for breakfast. "The word is that the James brothers are back in town." Hannah raised an eyebrow, ignoring her friend’s intense gaze.
"Are they?" Hannah said, turning her attention back to the counter and tying her apron around her waist. The counter was lined with truck drivers and Hannah set about serving them coffee, managing to avoid her friend’s unspoken questions. Laughter filled the air and Hannah found herself starting to relax – all thoughts of Gunner pushed firmly to the back of her mind. The laughter slowly faded as the drivers started to leave the diner in order to take their loads back to the depot. Out of the corner of her eye, Hannah saw a man sit down at the counter. She would know that face anywhere… Cotton. Her heart leapt into her throat. Although she saw Cotton almost every day, today he had come with a purpose. Hannah always knew today would come, but that didn't make it any easier.
"Hi Cotton," Hannah said, as she made her way over to where Cotton sat, a fresh pot of coffee in her hand. Cotton had been like a father to Hannah over the last few years and even more so now that Hannah’s own father had passed away. Cotton tilted his coffee cup, watching Hannah pour. He said nothing for a few minutes, as if considering his next move.
"I guess you heard the news." Cotton said, breaking the silence, his eyes watching her intently. His sapphire-blue eyes shone and Hannah could see the internal conflict that raged on. She didn't blame him, his loyalty was first and foremost to the club and Gunner, but she knew that he cared about the pair.
"About Gunner and Bolt?" Hannah said, shrugging casually, her manner implying that their arrival in town bore no consequence to her at all. "I heard they're back." She set about wiping down the counter, avoiding Cotton’s gaze.
"Gunner was mighty surprised to find that his woman wasn't there to welcome him home last night. You could say he was rather pissed.
Hannah stopped her frantic wiping of the diner counters and turned her attention back to Cotton. "I'm not his woman anymore, Cotton."
"You know that. I know that. But I'm not sure Gunner knows that."
Hannah smiled. She liked the old man. He was a link to a part of her past that she was desperate to distance herself from, but not forget.
"I told him more than once.” Hannah said sighing, carefully placing the cleaning equipment back under the counter. "I told him if he was going to get himself caught up in something stupid, then he could do that… alone." Cotton took a sip of his coffee, considering Hannah's words.
"He's young and full of spirit. He’s got James' blood in him. But there’s no doubting he loves you."
"He might love me, Cotton, and I am sure t
hat he does, but love – this time – is not enough."
"The way I figure it, Hannah, Gunner is going to come a lookin' and if he does, you ain’t going to be happy if he figures out the things you want to keep a secret." Connor took one last swig of his coffee before fishing out a $5 bill from his pocket. Placing the bill on the counter, he walked out without saying another word. Hannah watched him go. She wanted to call after him, but she didn’’t know what to say. Her heart pounded in her chest. You'd better be careful, Hannah, or that man is going to eat you alive.
Chapter Two
Gunner sat at the club bar sipping his beer slowly. All around him, his men celebrated their new-found freedom with the various women that hung around the club and its members. Having been in jail for the past three years, they were all a little stir-crazy; especially after spending three years in jail for something they hadn't actually done.
Gunner wouldn’t go so far as to say they were completely innocent, but they sure as hell hadn't done the actual crime that had landed them the jail time. Gunner sat brooding; his thoughts focused on how he was going to get his revenge on the MC that stitched him and his boys up, and how he was going to get his woman back.
"Please don’t tell me you’re still not thinking about that pussy from Hannah?" Bolt said, rolling his eyes as he joined Gunner at the bar. Taking a swig of his beer, he leaned on the bar, watching his brother. Though they were twins and bore a striking resemblance, Bolt was more reserved than Gunner would ever be. In truth, it was Bolt that was the club's natural-born leader, but as the oldest son, the club presidency had fallen to Gunner after their father's death. Bolt remained the club's true protector – its sergeant-at-arms.
"Nope," Gunner lied, taking another sip of his beer and pushing his long blond hair out of his face. There was no point in telling Bolt anything about Hannah. He had made his mind up about her a long time ago. He saw her as a threat; someone who could finally take Gunner away from him for good. Bolt looked at him and laughed.
"You're a terrible liar."
"Fuck, I hope not, or we would have been looking at another three years after the three we just did," Gunner said, laughing.
"Amen to that." Bolt said, raising his bottle in Gunner's direction. As they clinked their bottles together, the pair turned and sat in silence, watching their men grow more and more rowdy as the beer flowed. In every direction, the men were splitting up, each picking a different woman from the crowd that had gathered and heading to their rooms in the clubhouse, eager to forget their forced celibacy over the last three years. A lone brunette stood leaning against the wall of the clubhouse, winking in Bolt's direction. She beckoned toward him with a crooked finger and a smile that promised untold wonders. Bolt rose from his position beside Gunner.
"Well, as wonderful as it is to sit here with my brother brooding in a corner, I'm about to get very lucky with a very dirty girl." Winking at Gunner, Bolt crossed the room and joined the woman on the other side. Gunner grinned as he watched Bolt disappear into his room. He doubted that he even knew her name.
The clubhouse emptied, and now, only Gunner and Cotton remained. Gunner liked the old man. He had been one of the only constants in Gunner's life. Gunner had taken great pains to spare any implication of Cotton in their recent crimes, not only taking pity on the old man, but needing someone on the outside who he could trust to take care of the garage in his absence.
"It's good to have you back." Cotton said, joining Gunner at the bar.
"It's good to be back, old man. You did a good job looking after the place." Gunner said, raising his beer in Cotton's direction.
"I'd prefer if I didn't have to," Gunner said with a grin.
"This time, we go straight. This face is too pretty for prison." Cotton chuckled. "Tell me, Cotton, who's been looking after my woman while I've been gone?"
"Who? Hannah?"
"You know exactly who I mean, Cotton." Gunner said, raising an eyebrow at his old friend. Cotton was a straight-shooter; it was unlike him to be evasive.
"I don't know about that one, Gunner," Cotton said. He hated lying to his club leader and friend, but he knew that this was for Hannah’s sake and for little Charlie. You don't know if she's seeing someone, old man, Cotton told himself sternly. "I see her around now and then, but my business doesn’t take me over to that side of town too often."
"Is she happy?"
"She seems to be," Cotton admitted. Gunner frowned, a dark, brooding look flashing across his face. Cotton knew that look all too well. "Listen, Gunner. Here's some friendly advice. Leave that piece of your past in the past. Pick someone else," he said, waving his arms toward the woman that lay where they had fallen. Gunner said nothing, but nodded in Cotton's direction, as he rose from the bar.
Excusing himself, Cotton headed out onto the forecourt and started his bike. He had a loving wife at home whom he wouldn't risk pissing off for all the pussy in the world.
Gunner sat there for a moment before placing his beer bottle firmly on the bar. Hannah's going to be mine, he vowed. Shrugging on his leather jacket, Gunner headed out into the night.
Chapter Three
"Would you like to dance?" His breath was hot on Hannah's ear, sending shivers down her spine.
Turning, Hannah caught sight of Rich and she smiled. Taking his hand, she led him out onto the dance floor. She had met Rich a few weeks ago at a party that a friend had hosted, and they clicked straight away. It had been a long time since any man had showed his interest, and even longer since she had returned the affection. It had taken Hannah ages to agree to go out tonight and even longer to find something to wear. Every piece of clothing she owned she had worn a hundred times. Finally, she had selected a high-necked, black dress with lace paneling that she loved. Coincidently, it had been Gunner's favorite. It fit differently now, clinging to her voluptuous curves that motherhood had given her.
"I missed you," Hannah said smiling, tipping her head back to meet his gaze. Her long, straight blonde hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall. For once, Hannah's thoughts were no longer of Gunner, but of simply being in the moment.
"I missed you, too." Rich gathered Hannah into his arms as the music finally started to slow.
Reaching up, Hannah kissed him gently on the lips that tasted of tequila and salt. Hannah felt an immense feeling of calm wash over as they swayed in time to the music. Being with Rich was totally different from being with Gunner. Rich was dependable, lived above the law, and he was devoted to Charlie. Hannah could no longer see her friends; they had drifted off slowly as they realized that Hannah was safe in the arms of Rich. They all prayed that Rich might finally be the man who could help Hannah recover from the devastation Gunner had left behind.
The music started to wind down, its intensity decreasing as they crept into the small hours, signaling the end of the evening.
"What happens next?" Rich murmured into her ear. Hannah's heart raced inside her chest. She broke apart from Rich and reached up to kiss him gently on the lips. Hannah could see the lust in his eyes that echoed her own. They had kissed, but were yet to sleep together. This time, she had no reason to turn him down. Charlie was with her mom, and her own body burned with desire to feel a man's tender touch.
Rich turned, breaking their gaze, and took Hannah by the hand, leading her across the dance floor.
The fresh air hit Hannah as soon as she and Rich exited the club. It was at that moment that Hannah realized how drunk she actually was, and for the first time, doubted her decision. Feeling her hesitation, Rich drew her in closer kissing her softly on the lips. Their kiss lasted for only a few seconds before Hannah felt Rich suddenly tear away from her.
What the hell? Hannah struggled to think through the alcohol that clouded her judgment. Turning, she caught sight of Rich pinned against the wall, Gunner's arm pressed firmly against his throat.
"What the hell, Gunner?!" Hannah yelled, striding over to the pair. Rich looked frightened as the large, muscle-bound biker held him pinne
d against the wall.
"She's mine," Gunner growled, pushing Rich harder against the wall before releasing him. Rich clutched his throat, his eyes wide.
"Have you been following me?" Hannah asked incredulously.
"We need to talk," Gunner growled.
"Go away, Gunner." Hannah said, positioning herself between the two men. She was all too aware of what Gunner was capable of when he was angry and drunk. Hannah had carefully avoided him the last two days since he had been back in town. Atlas wasn't big enough to hide in forever, but she was going to do her best.
But he had changed. He was bigger somehow – more muscular, and his very presence was imposing. Gunner's once closely-cropped blond hair was now wild and shaggy, falling in waves to his shoulders, and he sported a new scruffy beard. Hannah couldn't deny that her heart skipped a beat when she saw him. Gunner would always be her first love, no matter how much betrayal and hurt had destroyed them in the end.
"Not without you," Gunner growled, turning his attention back toward Hannah. Rich put his hand protectively on Hannah's arm, his gesture was not lost on Gunner, a frown marring his face.
"I'm not going anywhere with you, Gunner. Please, leave us alone," Hannah pleaded, trying to hide the desperation in her voice.
Gunner's eyes searched hers, silently pleading for forgiveness and for her love. Hannah had none to give. There had been too much damage done, and now she had to think of Charlie.
"Get out of here," Gunner said, raising his eyes back toward Rich.
"Not without you, Hannah," Rich said protectively. Hannah shook her head.
"It's fine, Rich. Please, I will see you soon," she promised. Hannah knew that there was no way Gunner was going to leave them in peace. Hannah felt herself starting to sober as the fresh air and the reality of the situation started to settle in.