Ryker laughed. “I’m not her dad.”
“I know you’re not. I just know when I first started seeing her we did it bass-ackwards, and I didn’t want to do that again.”
Ryker shook his head and wandered over to the mat. “That had nothing to do with you.” He bowed onto the mat and moved over to the cylinder filled with bos. He pulled his out and spun it around with his good arm. “Do you know how much I’ve missed karate?” he mumbled.
Thankfully, I had never seriously injured myself where I had to take more than a few days off; I could only imagine how much I would have missed it. “You could have still come in to help with classes. You know we all would have found things for you to do.”
Ryker shook his head. “I know. I just didn’t want to be a burden. I know I am for Hadley.”
I snatched the bo out of his hand. “Why in the hell would you think that?”
“Come on, dude. I messed up her life coming to live with her. She had to get a job at the strip club. You and her broke up because of me. I’m seriously just a burden to everyone. I didn’t want to come in here and have to deal with that.”
“Do you know how much you and Hadley are alike?” I ran my fingers through my hair and tossed the bo back to him. “I mean, Jesus Christ. How are you both so messed up in the head that you can’t take a little help, or let someone in? It didn’t sink in with her until I told her I loved her.”
“You love her?”
“Yeah. How could I not? She may have given up the life she had for you Ryker, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a life. It’s just a different one. I don’t know of many people who would do what she did.”
“So that made you love her?”
“I’m pretty sure I fell in love with your aunt when she didn’t even know I existed.”
Ryker laughed and tossed the bo in the air and then caught it behind his back. The kid had a broken arm and he still had fucking skills with a bo. “Whipped,” he joked.
I pointed a finger at him. “Stop hanging out with Roman.” The damn bastard was wearing off on Ryker. “Look, the reason I asked you to come down was because I wanna make sure you’re okay with me dating Hadley.”
He shrugged and dropped the bo back into the holder. “I don’t care. It’s like I’m the one you’re gonna be kissing.”
I shook my head. “No, but I am going to be at your house a lot, and hopefully at some point, Hadley and I will move in together.”
“You wanna live in our tiny ass house?”
I laughed and tried not to cringe. “No. I have a house that would be perfect for us.”
“Us as in…”
“Us includes you, Ryker. I’m not wanting to take Hadley away from you. I want to be part of her life, and that includes you too.”
Ryker nodded. “Then I guess I’m cool with it.”
Well, that went a whole hell of a lot smoother than I thought it would. “Really?”
He nodded and bowed off of the mat. “I’m gonna go over to Nick’s.”
“Your aunt know you’re headed over there?”
Ryker looked over his shoulder at me and smirked. “Yeah, she knows. Later, Tate.” He disappeared out the door and headed down the street.
I pulled my phone out again and messaged Hadley. You awake?
It took five minutes, but she finally responded. Barely.
It’s two o’clock.
I’m not sure what your point is, Tate.
Sassy even over the phone. Think you have enough energy to meet me at the studio?
Need more coffee to make that happen.
Drink another cup and meet me here.
Why?
I shook my head. “Damn woman,” I mumbled. Because I want you here.
It’s a good thing I love you.
Does that mean you’re coming?
Ugh. Yes.
I shoved my phone in my pocket and smiled.
Now it was time for part two of my plan.
*********
Hadley
I looked like a hot mess.
I was too tired to care.
After I stumbled out of a quick shower, I grabbed the first clean clothes that touched my hand and threw them on. Then, I shoved my feet into a pair of flips flops, wandered into the kitchen, and saw a note from Ryker saying he was at a friend's house. He said which friend, but for the life of me, I couldn’t remember who was who.
I filled a travel mug full of coffee and made the short trek to Powerhouse to see what Tate wanted. I had planned on seeing him today, just not this early. And yes, I knew that two o’clock was not early for most people in the world.
“This better be good, Tate,” I mumbled as I traipsed through the front door,
He was sitting behind the desk with a smug look on his face. “Good morning, sleepyhead.”
I flipped him off and took a sip of my coffee. I wasn’t a morning person. Or an early afternoon person. “If you’ve dragged me here to get me to do karate, I need to tell you right now that there isn’t enough coffee in the world to make me go all karate kid out there.”
“I thought you wanted to kick my ass?”
I waved my hand in the air. “I don’t want to hurt your pretty face. I like it the way it is.” I was so full of shit.
Tate stood and stepped around the desk to stand in front of me. “We’ll see about that, sweetheart. Take your shoes off, chug your coffee, and meet me on the mat.”
I rolled my eyes, and he walked over to the mat and bowed. I appreciated his tight ass as he bent over and I decided that if going on the mat meant I could roll around with Tate, that it couldn’t be that bad.
I flipped off my sandals, chugged my coffee, and cautiously made my way over to the mat.
“Bow,” Tate called.
I awkwardly bent, feeling like a fool, and stepped onto the cushy mat. “I feel that I can still hurt myself on this,” I mumbled.
“It’s all about knowing how to fall, sweetheart.”
Tate turned on the stereo and strutted over to me. “Who is this?” I asked, listening to the song.
“James Arthur.”
I had heard the song on the radio before, but I had never known who it was signing. “Are you trying to be romantic, Tate?”
He wrapped his arms around me, and I rested my head on his chest.
“Shh, you’re not supposed to point it out, sweetheart.”
I hummed along with the song while Tate slowly turned us around the mat. “If this is karate, I am so down with this.”
“Not at all, but I just had to touch you.”
“Hmm, romantic,” I mumbled. “By the way, I made an appointment to get my car fixed.”
“Just let me know when you need the money.”
I scoffed and shook my head. “I don't need it.”
“Hadley, I thought we went over this.”
I sighed and rested my head on his shoulder. “We did, but I got a big tip last night that’s going to pay for everything.”
He pulled back and looked down at me. “I'm afraid to ask where the tip came from.”
I smacked his shoulder and rolled my eyes. “I didn't strip, you ass. The group of bikers left it for me. Meg, one of the ol’ ladies, gave to me when she was walking out the door.”
“Seriously?”
“Swear to God. I have never met nicer people in my life.” I rested my head back on his shoulder. “Maybe I should be a biker chick. You know, find me a guy with a Harley, ride off into the sunset.”
Tate laughed and spun me around. “I think you should settle for a ninja who drives a Land Rover.”
“Maybe, but only if the ninja teaches me how to kick ass,” I giggled and laid my head back down.
“I had planned on teaching you some takedown moves, but I don’t want to let you go.”
My head popped up, and I smiled. “You’re going to teach my how to kick your ass? Count me in.” I pulled out of his arms and bounced around. “I’m gonna need some ass kicking music, Tate.”<
br />
He muttered under his breath and grabbed his phone. “How’s this, sweetheart?”
I listened to the song and nodded my head. “Five Finger Death Punch is definitely ass kicking music.”
“I’m glad you approve.” He grabbed two pairs of punching gloves and tossed a set to me. “Put those on.”
“I get to hit shit?” I asked excitedly as I pulled them on.
He grabbed a big shield and stood in front of me. “This is a body shield. You can kick and punch it as hard as you want, and you won’t hurt me.”
I punched the middle of the bag, and he didn’t move. “Can you at least act like I’m strong?”
He shook his head. “Kick. Make sure you don’t kick with your toes. We don’t need you and Ryker to both have broken bones.”
“I feel like you should be instructing me more than you are.” I awkwardly kicked the bag and almost fell on my ass.
“You’re doing good. Now, punch again, but this time, keep your other hand up protecting your face.”
“Because it’s pretty right? Don’t want it to get messed up.” I punched with my right arm and kept my left fist in front of my face.
“Good, and yes, I do like your nose the shape it is.”
“You wouldn’t hit me.”
“If we were sparring, I would.”
I shook my head. “I don’t believe you.”
“So I don’t get to defend myself at all when you’re trying to kick my ass?” He tossed the big shield on the floor and took off his gloves. “Try to take me down, sweetheart.”
I looked around, trying to figure out if he was serious or not. “Uh, are you sure?”
“Yup. I’ll even make it fair. I’m not allowed to kick or punch.”
I bounced around on the balls of my feet. “Is that fair?” I seriously didn’t want to kick his ass. I was just trying to be a cute badass.
“It’s fair. Come at me.”
“I feel like this is a trick, and I’m going to end up on my ass the second I take a swing at you.”
“Guess you’ll just have to find out.”
Oh hell. What was the worst that could happen? I tentatively jabbed at him, and he easily dodged it. “I don’t want to hit your face. I like the way it looks,” I informed him.
“That’s good to know, sweetheart.” He circled around me, both of his hands up by his face.
“Do you think you could stop moving?”
Tate shook his head. “Now, that’s not very fair. Just do what you think is going to work.”
I kicked at his legs, barely making contact. “Stop moving,” I whined when I moved to punch at him and he easily ducked. “Tate!” The damn man was driving me crazy.
“Not as easy as you thought it was,” he taunted.
No, it wasn’t easy at all. I was exhausted, and we had barely been going at it for five minutes. “Can we just agree that in our relationship you're the fit one, and I’m the one who likes cupcakes?” I punched with my right fist and managed to hit his arm.
“I like cupcakes too, sweetheart. You better share.” Tate danced to the right, then managed to get behind me. Before I could turn around, he wrapped his arms around me and took me down to the mat.
He covered my body with his and wedged a leg between mine. “I got you down, sweetheart. What are you going to do now?”
I shrugged, slid my hands up his chest, and wound my arms around his neck. “I guess there really is only one thing I can do when you get me on the mat.”
“And what’s that?” he asked.
“Love you,” I whispered.
The End
About the Author
Winter Travers is a devoted wife, mother, and aunt turned author who was born and raised in Wisconsin. After a brief stint in South Carolina following her heart to chase the man who is now her hubby, they retreated back up North to the changing seasons, and to the place they now call home.
Winter spends her days writing happily ever after’s, and her nights zipping around on her forklift at work. She also has an addiction to anything MC related, her dog Thunder, and Mexican food! (Tamales!)
Winter loves to stay connected with her readers. Don’t hesitate to reach out and contact her.
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Dive into the First Chapter of Loving Lo
Loving Lo
Devil’s Knights Series
Book 1
Winter Travers
Chapter 1
Meg
How did just stopping quickly to get dog food and shampoo turn into an overflowing basket and a surplus pack of paper towels?
“Put the paper towels down and back away slowly,” I mumbled to myself as I walked past a display of air fresheners and wondered if I needed any.
“Oh dear. Oh, my. I… Ah… Oh, my.”
I tore my thoughts away from air fresheners and looked down the aisle to an elderly woman who was leaning against the shelf, fanning herself. “Are you ok, ma‘am?”
“Oh dear. I just… I just got a little… dizzy.” I looked at the woman and saw her hands shaking as she brushed her white hair out of her face. The woman had on denim capris and a white button down short sleeve shirt and surprisingly three-inch wedge heels.
“Ok, well, why don’t we try to find you a place to sit down until you get your bearings?” I shifted the basket and paper towels under one arm to help her to the bench that I had seen by the shoe rack two aisles over. “Are you here with anyone?” I asked, as I guided her down the aisle.
“Oh no. I’m here by myself. I just needed a few things.”
“I only needed two things, and now my basket is overflowing, and I still haven’t gotten the things I came in for.”
The woman plopped down on the bench chuckling, shaking her head. “Tell me about it. Happens to me every time too.”
“Is there something I can do for you? Has this happened to you before?” She was looking rather pale.
“Unfortunately, yes. I ran out of the house today without eating breakfast. I’m diabetic. I should know by now that I can’t do that.” My mom was also diabetic, so I knew exactly what the woman was talking about. Luckily, I also knew what to do to help.
“Just sit right here, and I’ll be right back. Is there someone you want to call to give you a ride home? Driving right now probably isn’t the best idea.” I set the basket and towels on the floor, keeping my wallet in my hand.
“I suppose I should call my son. He should be able to give me a ride,” the woman said as she dug her phone out of her purse.
I left the woman to her phone call and headed to the candy aisle that I had been trying to ignore. I grabbed a bag of licorice, chips, and a diet soda and went to the checkout. The dollar store didn’t offer a healthy selection, but this would do in a pinch. The woman just needed to get her blood sugars back up.
I grabbed my things after paying and headed back to the bench. I ripped open the bag and handed it to the woman. “Oh dear, you didn’t have to buy that. I could have given you money.”
“Don’t worry about it. I hope if this happened to my mom there would be someone to help her if I wasn’t around.”
“Well, that’s awfully sweet of you. My names Ethel Birch by the way.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Ethel. I’m Meg Grain. I also got you some chips and soda.” I popped opened the soda and handed it to Ethel.
“Oh, thank you, honey. My son is on the way here, should be only five minutes. You can get going if you want to, you don’t need to sit with an old woman,” Ethel said as she ate a piece of candy and took a slug of soda.
“No problem. The only plans I had today was to take a nap before work tonight. Delaying my plans by ten minutes won’t be a problem.”
“Well, in that case, you can help me eat this licorice. It’s my favorite, but I shouldn’t eat this all by myself. Where do yo
u work at?” Ethel asked as she offered the bag to me.
“The factory right outside of town. I work in the warehouse, second shift.” I grabbed a piece and sat down on the floor. If I was going to wait for Ethel’s son to show up, might as well be comfortable while I waited for him.
“Really? Never would have thought that. Figured you would have said a nurse or something like that. Seems like you would have to be tough to work in a warehouse, sounds like a man’s job.”
I laughed. “Honestly, Ethel that is not the first time I have heard that, and it probably won't be the last. You need a certain attitude to deal with those truckers walking through the door. I have an awesome co-worker, so he helps out when truckers have a problem with a woman loading their truck.”
“Sounds like you give them hell. My Tim was a trucker before he passed. I know exactly what you are talking about.” Ethel took another drink of her soda and set it on the bench next to her.
“Feeling better?”
“Surprisingly, yes. It’s a wonder what a little candy can do. How much do I owe you?” Ethel asked as she reached for her purse by her feet.
“Don’t worry about it. I’m just glad that I was here to help.”
“Mom! Where are you?” Someone yelled from the front of the store.
“Oh good, Lo’s here. You’ll have to meet him.” Ethel cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled to him she was in the back.
I started getting up off the floor and remembered I wasn’t exactly as flexible as I use to be while struggling to get up.
“Ma, you ok?” I was halfway to standing with my butt in the air when his voice made me pause.
It sounded like the man was gurgling broken glass when he spoke. Raspy and so sexy. Those three words he spoke sent shocks to my core. Lord knows the last time I felt anything in my core.
“Yes, I’m fine. I forgot to eat breakfast this morning and started to get dizzy when Meg here was nice enough to help me out until you could get here.” Ethel turned to me. “Lo, this is Meg, Meg this is Lo.”
Oh, lord.
Love on the Mat (Powerhouse M.A.) Page 20