“Maven,” he smiled. “Glad you’re home.”
Even the way he spoke was different. He was looking into my eyes and not ogling my body.
“Drag, looking good,” I baited.
“You’re just saying that because you’re married.”
He was teasing me, and not in a creepy way, like a normal flirty person, I was going to have to get to the bottom of this transformation. Dornan sidled up beside me and outstretched his hand, Drag accepted with a nod.
“Brother,” Dornan said.
Just like with everything in this crazy club, all was forgiven. Dornan forgave Drag for hitting on me, just as Drag forgave Dornan for beating him up. But regardless, they both had come to get me that day in the desert. Both had killed for our family that day, so all was forgiven.
The boys love their new life and love our massive property my grandma’s old house is on, which now really does feel like our home and not hers anymore. Dornan and I filled it with two crazy boys and of course Bagheera. We also took over having the Sunday dinners, filling the house where I used to like to keep it to myself. The biggest shock of all since our return, was to find out that the MC had gone legit, no illegal anything anymore. Sven had figured we made enough money with the collision shop, the two used car dealerships, the several gas stations, and if we reopened one of the strip clubs that we would be okay financially. I was shocked and I think Dornan was too. We’d never thought to not do illegal things as a bike club, but with all the shit that went down, Sven didn’t want to lose any more family or even risk the possibility of going to jail once he caught wind of what the Feds had been up to.
The entire time we were gone there was an overhaul in the club, not only rebuilding a strip club, which none of them had ever done before, but also losing many members that didn’t want to live the outlaw life. We had a lot of new prospects and recently patched in members who I was still trying to learn the names of. I was also surprised to learn that around the time we’d left so had my secretary Skye. This whole time I thought for sure she’d be doing my job and running the business, she had been on the west coast, but she was here for my wedding and I couldn’t wait to finally hear that story.
Smokey had taken over my job, apparently it was rough for a bit but he managed to not send the club into bankruptcy, I thought he’d want to remain in the position and I was going to have to find something new to do for work, but telling me the job was mine were practically the first words out of his mouth when we reunited.
I found out that Drag had done the nomad thing for a few years until his brother, who he was close to, died tragically. He really had matured, albeit still flirtatious as fuck, but not lewd and obnoxious. He became someone I liked spending time with and often stopped by the house randomly to see the kids and stay for dinner. I was glad he and Dornan and Joey had become a closer unit since it seemed as if the death of his brother was taking its toll on him.
Sven decided to step down as ‘boss’ and handed over the reins to Dornan, which meant he was my boss at work now. That did not go unnoticed by him, he liked to remind me usually three or four times everyday at work. It was strange how he and I melded back into our old lives as new people. We were now parents, returning to a place where we had left it as lovers. He was back to laying clothes out for me most days, I was running in the mornings before we took the boys to school and then drove to work together. We’d kept my Mustang but traded Dornan’s Charger for an SUV which was way better than a minivan, and opted to use that vehicle over our bikes most days. But we did often take the bikes out into the desert and ride for miles when the boys would stay over at Missy and Sven’s.
My love for Dornan has only grown over the years, as we’ve both transformed and become the people we are today, and I can only imagine how much stronger our love will be as we morph into the people we will become. He still turns me on like he did so many years ago, but even more now seeing him with our kids and seeing him as a boss at work. Our lives are just beginning, for the third time together.
I finish the letter and fold it into thirds, before tucking it into an envelope. Milton’s assured me he will be able to get it to my dad, and I don’t question how he’s positive he can. I hear voices outside the house and the boys trying to be wrangled downstairs by Sven, as I walk down the hallway. Wandering into my bedroom, I see my wedding dress lying on the bed. It’s simple, a white satin slip dress that’s long, and I decide I will go barefoot. The only accessories I’m wearing is the ruby ring Dornan had given to me at sixteen, along with the wedding ring he’d given me when he married me in bed. I leave my hair down in long waves, covering the low cut back of the dress and the spaghetti straps that delicately lay on my shoulders. I apply minimal makeup since it’s what Dornan prefers. I also decide to forgo any undergarments, since that’s also what Dornan prefers.
“It’s time,” Skye says from the doorway and I look over my shoulder towards her.
She’s always been thin, but seeing her today, she looks sickly small. Her hair’s longer and pulled back into a low bun, a navy and cream maxi dress hangs off her body and my heart breaks a little for her. She still looks beautiful; her bright smile never wavers as I inspect her. Walking closer, she hands me my bouquet of flowers I’d grown around the property, a mix of hydrangea, lilacs, and tulips. Her fingers linger on the petals, as my hands wrap around the base.
“You should come visit for longer next time,” I say.
Her eyes are downcast and I’ve never seen her so reserved. I don’t like this girl, the one who seems so far removed from the happy go lucky girl I knew from years ago. I guess we all grow up and change, but this is different, it’s like the light in her eyes is gone, and a weight is literally causing her shoulders to droop.
“Yeah, maybe this summer,” she raises her head and smiles.
“Skye,” I say, trying to get her eyes to connect with mine.
There’s an unspoken communication going on between us, she knows I know something’s going on, even if she didn’t say it.
“If you ever need us, we’re only a phone call away…and know that we would drop everything to get you,” I say.
I watch as she sinks her teeth into her lower lip as her eyes well up, she nods before looking at me and smiling.
“Thank you,” she whispers.
“And you can live with us until you get on your feet,” I add.
Her eyes dart to mine and she lets out a long breath.
“Thanks Maven,” then she adds. “You look beautiful, absolutely stunning.”
I smile at her and my excitement returns. I can’t wait for the wedding, but can’t wait even more for our honeymoon. We’re not going anywhere since we both feel we’ve been gone from home long enough, so Missy and Sven are taking the kids for the weekend. I look out the huge bay window in the master bedroom and see the guests are seated. Dornan, who’s wearing a black dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, black dress pants and his hot as hell black boots, stands at the arch at the end of the aisle, waiting for me.
“Maven, it’s time,” Missy says entering the room.
Instantly her eyes water as she looks me over, Skye moving aside to allow the only mom I’ve ever known to take me in as I’ll soon become her daughter-in-law officially. She begins to cry as I walk over and wrap her in my arms, trying myself not to cry. We pull ourselves together and begin the walk towards my husband.
Stopping at the entryway to the backdoor, Skye and Missy go ahead to take their seats as I take my sons’ hands on either side. Of course Wyatt doesn’t want to walk and before he throws a temper tantrum, I sling him up onto my hip. We walk out and everyone stands, Dornan’s eyes locking on me, he looks me up and down and I can’t help but grin like a lunatic as we walk towards him. His eyes grow darker the closer I get. God, he looks devastatingly handsome, and the urge to run and jump into his arms before making out with him is overwhelming. As he reaches for me, I set Wyatt down, and both boys stand beside us.
“Wow bab
e, you look stunning,” Dornan says quietly.
I feel a little shy at the attention, and glance down at myself.
“Please tell me you have something on under that?” he mumbles.
I give him a playful look before the priest begins and we became man and wife.
After the ceremony, Dornan kisses me silly as we’re announced as Mr. and Mrs. Dornan Frederickson. Now, it’s party time. Sven, Chain, and Rocket barbecue as the old ladies finish cooking in the kitchen, bringing things out to the many picnic tables we have set up. It’s a beautiful summer day and the suns beginning to set, and the night feels like a dream. Never have I imagined my life turning out this way, that I would be my best friend’s wife, that we’d have two beautiful children, back in our hometown and simply…happy.
Our first dance together is like a movie of memories as we sway along to, “Night Moves.” It’s funny how I can’t remember anything regarding that song before Dornan sang it to me in bed that first time, as if my life never was anything before he was mine. Dornan’s all hands and gets to feel that indeed I’m naked under the silk of my dress as he runs a hand along my ass cheeks. The urgency he has to take me upstairs is laughable, until I realize he’s being completely serious. With much pleading that I want to enjoy or reception, he relents, but continuously through the night attempts to grab my ass. It’s easily eleven p.m. before the last guests go home, and Dornan’s parents leave with our sleeping boys. Even though exhausted and in need of sleep, I sneak off for a shower, as Dornan tells the prospects all they have to clean up from the wedding. When I enter our bedroom afterward, he’s sitting on the side of the bed. His shirt’s off but his pants and boots remain, as if he just sat down. He looks up at me in the doorway, clad only in a towel.
“I wanted to peel you out of that dress,” he says.
“I can go put it back on,” I offer with a tilt of my head.
“No, no…I want to fuck you now,” he says in a low gruff voice.
“Oh yeah?”
“Mhmm…do you want me to fuck you?”
He’s looking at me with that fire in his eyes, his hand moving to his lap to palm the thick bulge on his thigh through his pants.
“Yes,” I whisper breathlessly.
“Take off the towel.”
I release my fingers holding the two ends at my chest, letting the fabric fall to the floor. Already with just him looking at my body, my nipples harden, and the pull between my legs begins to pulse.
“You want me?” he asks.
I take one step towards him, before he says, “Crawl to me.”
My insides flutter as I sink to my knees, my palms making contact with the floor as I move forward. My eyes never leaving his as I slowly prowl closer, and Dornan lets out a groan as he watches. I move between his legs and sit up onto my knees. I bite my lip and run my hands up his thighs on either side of me, feeling the thick ridge of his cock. I reach the button of his pants, slipping the fabric and zipper down easily. He sits up enough to allow me to pull his pants and boxer briefs down his hips, his cock emerging and standing hard and leaning to the left. I lick my lips before tracing the tip of my tongue from his balls to the flush head, returning back down and repeating the motion several times.
“Oh fuck,” Dornan groans and I grab my breasts, plumping them in my hands then teasing my nipples, he licks his lips as I lean closer. My lips hover over the tip of his dick and I let a thick deposit of saliva slide down his long shaft to his balls.
“Jesus.”
I place my cupped breasts on either side of his cock, allowing the hard flesh to slip between them, while I lean up and Dornan grasps my chin as he kisses me. I move my tits up and down and Dornan’s body tenses, groaning as he attacks my tongue, his hands tangling in my hair as I move faster. Moments later he breaks from the kiss and lifts me, turning me so my back is to his front and I’m sitting on his lap. My ass grinds into his hips, his cock between us as he spreads my legs. He begins to rub my clit, his lips kissing along my shoulder and neck, causing my eyes to flutter shut.
“Now that you’re my wife, when you gonna let me put another baby inside you?” he asks directly into my ear.
I grind against him, my sex pushing into his hand and his lap. I’m about to lose my mind before the words register as to what he’s said.
“You already have,” I groan.
His motions stop, as if he’s processing my words. Swiftly he rolls me onto my back before he moves over me.
“You’re pregnant?” he asks.
“We’re pregnant,” I smile and lean up to kiss him.
And that is the story of Dornan and me, albeit somewhat fucked up. It’s our love story, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
MAVEN’S LETTER TO HER DAD
Dad,
I hope that this letter finds you, Milton’s assured me that he can get it to you so I have to believe that it will. There’s so many things I want to tell you, too many for a letter I’m sure. I know that my words can only give you a peek into what my life’s become and who I am now, but it’s better than nothing.
I’m now a mom and soon to be a wife. Nothing could’ve prepared me for motherhood, but I never imagined how much it would change me and how much I love it. Wyatt and Nolan are better than I ever could’ve dreamed. We’re expecting another baby which I haven’t told Dornan yet, but I know he’ll be thrilled.
Everyday I see my kids, I can’t help but imagine myself as a child and how you and mom would’ve done anything for me. You both proved to me that you did, even if it took me years to understand. I know that even as Mom was being taken from us, that my welfare was her greatest concern, and I know that feeling now as a mom. I know you sacrificed yourself for me in so many ways, and I’m sorry I didn’t get the chance to tell you in person. I love you so much Dad. When I thought you’d died, it caused a pain inside me I never felt before. The pain that I never get to see you again, that we never really mended the rift I’d caused to get so big.
It guts me that my kids will never get to meet you, that I’ll never get to hear you laugh or feel your arms around me again. But everyday I’m reminded of you and mom in my kids and the things they do. Nolan has a sense of humor like yours and they both have my eyes, which I know are like mom’s. Missy gave me photos and it wasn’t until then, that I know how much I look like mom. I hope to one day find her family and hope to learn more about who she was.
Knowing that it caused you so much pain to have photos of her in our house, or even to tell me about her, I understand that. If I lost Dornan I couldn’t imagine how I would carry on, but I would for my kids, as you did for me.
Oh Dad, I miss you constantly, especially today. I’m about to be married in a few hours, and I wish nothing more than to have you walk me down the aisle. There are so many things we will have missed out on together, but there is a glimmer of hope inside me knowing you’re out there in the world somewhere.
I hope you find happiness and love in your new life, that you know how much you are missed and loved in this life. I love you Daddy, I’m enclosing a photo of your grandkids and I hope you will know them one day.
Love, Maven.
PLAYLIST
Jimmy Hendrix- Voodoo Child
Steve Miller Band- Livin’ in the U.S.A.
Golden Earring- Radar Love
Gregg Allman- Midnight Rider
Eddie Money- Shakin’
Billy Joel- Always a Woman to Me
Motley Crue- Girls Girls Girls
Van Halen- Hot for Teacher
The Who- My Generation
Led Zeppelin- When the Levee Breaks
The Eagles- Life in the Fastlane
Doobie Brothers- Listen to the Music
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers- Breakdown
Bad Company- Bad Company
The Rolling Stones- wild horses
Van Morrison- Into the Mystic
Nazareth- Hair of the Dog
Ted Nugent- Stranglehold
Led Zeppelin-
All of My Love
AC/DC- Back in Black
Heart- Magic Man
Stevie Nicks and Don Henley- Leather and Lace
Bob Seger- Night Moves
PLANTAIN SERIES
The next book in the series is Skye and Drag’s roller coaster relationship. Their story begins in the past, and takes them on a journey to our present day where Running with the Devil leaves off. I can’t wait to take you on their journey or heartbreak, growth, tragedy, and love.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thank you to all my girls who read, and re-read, and re-read this masterpiece to make it perfect. Tiffany, Joanne, Rose, Laura, Paula, Theresa, Brittney, Meghan and Tali, I appreciate you all more than you know. You all helped motivate me, and didn’t let me give up when the journey got a little too rough. For that, I will always be indebted to you all. Ellie for putting up with my endless questions, my annoying, slightly bullying, on the verge of harassment, neurotic texts, you are a unicorn goddess of wisdom and insight. Tali Alexander, and B.B. Easton for helping me with questions, and fangirling over models with, thank you. Thank you Haris Nukem for the amazing cover photo, you have no idea how grateful I am for you. Thank you Jess for turning my cover into another level of art. You all gave me the confidence to make my dream come true, I love you all with every part of me.
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