Ride With The Devil (The Devil's Riders Book 2)

by Joanna Blake

  He nodded brusquely and the man disappeared, coming back with a garment bag and another large suitcase. He helped Jack as he packed Janet's things.

  In the end, Mr. Mahoney ended up carrying half of her stuff out to the car with Jack. He teared up when he saw Janet in the passenger seat.

  "Thank God you are alright."

  Janet didn't say anything as they loaded the car. She stared straight ahead until Jack was in the drivers seat. She glanced at him for reassurance. He nodded. Janet turned to her father.

  "Goodbye, dad."

  That was it. She turned away from the open window and Jack pulled away from the curb.

  He’d never been so proud of anyone in his life.

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Janet

  Janet stared out the window of the SUV at the huge metal sign that read 'JH Bikes.' It turned out that Jack owned his own custom bike shop. He'd said he was good at fixing things. How had she not known about that?

  From the looks of it, business was booming.

  "I live on the top floor. There's a couple of empty floors up there too. It's not much but-"

  "Are you kidding? It's awesome."

  He looked relieved. She was coming to realize that he did care what she thought. Very much so. She smiled and got out of the car.

  "Jack!"

  A couple of guys were in the shop working. They raised their hands in greeting, looking at Janet curiously. Jack scowled and grabbed her stuff. All of it.

  She looked at his hand gripping her luggage. He could carry a lot with those huge hands.

  That wasn't the only huge thing he had… she blushed, remembering making love with him that third and fourth time on the deck in the open air. He'd laid a blanket down on the hard wood and then he'd taken her twice.

  Fast the first time and then slow the second. That was four times they'd done it in one night. She was a little bit sore to tell the truth. But she didn't care.

  Not one bit.

  She followed him through a large metal door to an industrial elevator. He pulled the gate down behind them and threw the lever, watching carefully as they rose three stories. There were a lot of empty floors.

  "Who owns this place?"

  He glanced over his shoulder at her.

  "I do."

  She raised her eyebrows and looked around.

  "This elevator has a lot of possibilities."

  He turned sharply and threw the lever. His mouth opened as he gathered her meaning. He took a deep breath and shook his head to clear it.

  Was he blushing?

  He started the elevator again.

  "I'm going to remember that you said that."

  She felt a funny little dip in her stomach at his words. They sounded like a promise.

  The elevator stopped at the third floor and he raised the gate. Janet looked around in wonder. It was an enormous loft. The kind you saw in magazines about wealthy New York Artists.

  It was clean and spartan, with very little furniture. There were a few things here and there, a table and chairs under a long bank of windows. Bookshelves.

  Jack read books?

  And there against the back wall was an enormous bed. It looked like a California King. Of course it was. A big man like him needed a big bed. It rested on some sort of platform built out of wood.

  “We can get more stuff if you want. You can pick it out. Whatever you want.”

  She looked at him curiously. He'd set her bags down and was watching her carefully. She ran her fingers over the back of a heavy wooden chair.

  "It's beautiful Jack. I love the furniture. Where did you get all of this?"

  "I made it."

  She stared at him, momentarily dumbstruck. Then she smiled at him. He looked so serious and she wanted to make him smile again. His smile made him light up.

  "Is there anything you can't do?"

  He smiled. An adorably lop sided grin that softened his face. For a split second she saw the little boy toiling in the kitchen. Unloved and uncared for. Her heart broke a little bit.

  And then he said something so sweet it made her heart melt.

  "I can't dance."

  She laughed. She couldn't help it. Then she saw the metal staircase leading upwards.

  "What's that?"

  He took her hand and led her towards it.

  "Come on. I want to show you something."

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Jack

  Jack pushed open the door to the roof. He'd only just begun building the deck up here in his spare time. But it was going to be spectacular when he finished. He stole a look at Janet to see what she thought.

  “It’s incredible!”

  She was smiling and spinning in a circle.

  "You can see the mountains from here!"

  He walked over to a tarp and lifted it to reveal his tools.

  "It's not done yet."

  She was giving him an odd look suddenly. She looked… suspicious.

  "How many girls have you brought up here, Jack?"

  "None. Not ever. Listen, Red…”

  She looked up at him.

  “There hasn’t been anyone in a long time. And before that it was just- once in a while.”

  “Really? But they must have offered…”

  “No comment.”

  She giggled and hugged her chest with her arms. He stared at her long, beautiful legs. She was still wearing his t-shirt. He hoped she'd make a habit of wearing his shirts around the house. He took a deep breath and exhaled.

  Here goes nothing.

  Here goes everything.

  "I want you."

  She tossed her head in that familiar proud way. He grinned.

  "You've already had me, remember? Four times."

  She arched her eyebrow at him, daring him to answer that.

  "No, Red. I mean I want you. Permanently."

  Her eyes opened wide.

  "You do?"

  He nodded and smiled at her uncertainly, just a little bit worried about what she might say. That was a lie. He was a lot worried.

  He was afraid.

  She cocked her hip and gave him a sassy look.

  “I thought you didn't do repeat customers.”

  “I never have before. I never… wanted to before.”

  She was beside him in an instant, laughing as she planted tiny kisses all over his face. He leaned down and took her lips. Ten minutes later he had a thought.

  They should finish unloading the car so he could take it back to Dev.

  His body molded itself to hers instinctively as she pressed herself into his with equal force.

  Dev was going to have to wait.

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Devlin

  Devlin sat at the bar at the clubhouse, killing time before Kaylie got off of work. He spent a lot of time waiting on his woman these days. And he didn’t mind a bit.

  He waved as Jack walked into the room and crossed to the bar. He laid Dev's keys on the counter.

  "Thanks."

  "No problem man! I was psyched to try out your sick ride."

  Donnie leaned on the bar and leered at them suggestively, handing Jack a ginger ale.

  "Speaking of rides…"

  He let the words hang suggestively, making Jack scowl furiously. Devlin couldn't help but laugh and slap Jack's back.

  "How is Janet? Kaylie's been out of her mind with worry."

  Dev and Donnie stared at Jack as a slow smile lit up his face. They'd never seen him smile that like before. Hell, they'd never seen him smile period.

  “She’s good.”

  “Good?”

  He downed his ginger ale and nodded. Then he walked out of the clubhouse. An odd out of tune sound followed him as he left.

  Dev glanced at Donnie who was staring at Jack with his mouth open.

  "Dev, please tell me I've lost my mind…"

  Devlin laughed at Donnie, who seemed to be at a loss for words for once in his life. He wished he had a camera to capture
the awestruck look on Donahue's face. They were both in shock, but Dev had known his gigantic friend was hooked for a while.

  The big guy was doomed, in the best possible way.

  "Is Jack humming?"

  “Yeah. That was definitely a hum.”

  “Any idea what song it was? I want to remember this moment perfectly.”

  “No clue. I don’t think humans can hear that low.”

  Dev winked at Donnie and tipped back his drink.

  “But Donnie?”

  “Sup dude?”

  “You’re next.”

  Turn the page for Slade, your bonus short story!

  Slade

  I may have sworn off groupies, but a man has needs. My surly next door neighbor is the first woman to get me going in years. Too bad she’s playing hard to get.

  JENNY

  I’ve been hurt before. The safest thing to do is to hole up with my dog Basil in my grandmothers little cottage by the sea and bake my heart out.

  When the obnoxious, mega-rich rock star starts building his house next door, I hate him on sight. For some perverse reason, Slade Kinney keeps trying to charm his way into my pants.

  Sorry honey, that’s never going to happen.

  SLATE

  I’m worshipped by millions. They scream my name and offer me anything I want. But I turn them all down. Until I meet her.

  Jenny has her cute little sugar coated fingers wrapped around my heart. If I have to lower my guard completely to get her, I will.

  This book was previously released under a different title. It has been extensively rewritten and expanded.

  Enjoy!

  Xoxox,

  Joanna

  Prologue

  Slade

  “Hey baby.”

  I barely glanced at the girl standing in the doorway, barely covered in a micro mini and corset. I got a vague impression of long blond hair and spiky high heels.

  The dressing room was off limits. Invite only.

  Especially for groupies.

  “Not now.”

  She pouted. I didn’t know her. As far as I knew anyway.

  But I was never rude to women, even ones that didn’t respect themselves. She looked like she was out of her element. Maybe even high.

  I shook my head. It never ended. Rock had started off so exciting. I loved playing. I used to love the lifestyle.

  But now I was sickened by the cheapness of it all. I had sworn off groupies almost a year ago. I just didn’t have the taste for it anymore.

  And I wasn’t a cradle robber regardless.

  “You want me to come back later?”

  I sighed. I was tired. And the girl looked too young to be there. Lately I’d lost the desire for meaningless flings.

  “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “Sweetie, I think you are way too young to be here.”

  “Everything okay?”

  Bruiser stood in the door behind her. He’d been with me forever. There was no one better at security. He kept everyone out, except cute chicks.

  But that was more for the band than me.

  Everyone knew I was over it.

  “Bruiser, can you get her a ride home please. And give her a gift basket.” I glanced at her dazed expression again. “Make sure she’s okay. Give her some water, too.”

  “You got it boss.”

  He led the girl off and I sighed, staring into the mirror. Even without the after parties, I was toasted. Crunchy really.

  I couldn’t wait to get away from it all.

  I knew just where to go, too. I’d just bought a plot of land in a quiet, seaside village on Long Island.

  Peace and quiet. Just what the doctor ordered. Just one last sold out arena gig before I could get some me time. For once in my life, the entourage was not invited. I was going to unplug and unwind.

  I rolled my shoulders and headed out to the stage.

  Showtime.

  Chapter 1

  Jenny

  BANG BANG BANG BANG

  Rattatat rattatat ratttat tat

  I pulled the covers over my head. Then I added a pillow, hoping that it would stop the incessant banging.

  Nope.

  Nothing I’d tried yet could block out the sound of the construction workers next door. Ear plugs. White noise machines. Sound canceling headphones.

  They'd been building an enormous beach house next door for the past three months. With each nail, a little piece of my soul was getting smashed to pieces.

  I lived in my Meemaw's house by the bay on the North Fork of Long Island. My grandmother had willed it to me, knowing that as a young chef, I would need a home after culinary school.

  For the past two years, I had lived here full time, inspirited daily by my beautiful view of the bay, preparing my delicacies with sea breeze as my companion.

  The breeze and my trusty sidekick, Basil.

  But not any longer.

  Not only was the new house disrupting my sleep but it would partially block my beautiful view to the South. It made me want to cry. In fact, I did cry about it. All the time.

  I felt something cold and wet against my toe and peeked out of the blankets. Basil Rathbones was sitting by the bed, staring at me mournfully.

  The dog had guilty expressions down pat.

  "I know boy. You don't like it either."

  I sighed and sat up.

  "Oh well. We might as well get on with it."

  I slid my toes into my slippers and padded into the kitchen to make coffee. I stretched my hamstrings and glutes while I waited for the coffee to brew. A plate of scones I’d baked the day before were sitting under a napkin. I selected one and dipped it into the coffee, taking a delicious bite.

  As a pastry chef with my own small catering business, I was always baking.

  And eating.

  Basil was staring at me.

  "What? I'll jog it off later."

  He tilted his head to the side and whimpered. He wasn’t buying it. I shrugged. A chef without a few extra pounds was highly suspicious if you asked me.

  "Oh okay, you can have one too."

  I reached into the old fashioned candy jar I kept on my tiny countertop and fished out a doggie scone. I made them twice a week just for my little fur buddy. They smelled kind of gross to me, but he loved them. Plus they were good for him.

  That was extra important to me.

  He was all I had since Meemaw passed.

  Friends, sure. But family? Just this one scruffy little hairball. He was all I had in the whole wide world.

  I sighed and rubbed his head while he finished his treat.

  "Ready to go out?"

  He whimpered and held his paw out.

  "Alright buddy. Let's go. A promise is a promise.”

  I slipped into my jogging shorts and jog bra, throwing a worn in rock t-shirt over it. It was one I’d had since junior high school, with the neck and arms cut off. It had been washed a couple hundred times and as a result was super soft and barely covered my tummy.

  I rubbed my belly contentedly. It swelled a bit, but I liked it. It kept me warm at night.

  I laced up my beat up old sneakers and ran outside with Basil right at my heels.

  It was a beautiful day. Clear blue skies with a couple of fluffy white clouds. A nice breeze. Warm but not too hot.

  If I could ignore the sounds of construction from next door it would be one for the books.

  It was perfect.

  Chapter 2

  Slade

  It was perfect.

  I stared out at the view. An unobstructed view of the calm waters of the bay. It was quiet here too, with only a handful of cottages dotting the shoreline.

  This was the place I would write my next album in. Recover from the last tour and all the hard partying.

  Regroup.

  Lord knows I’d deserved it. I’d done everything the label wanted. The band. Our manager. Everyone.

  Everyone except me.

  I felt like I
hardly ever did what I really wanted. Hell, I wasn't even sure I knew what that was. It was all about maintaining the image. Keeping everyone else happy.

  As much as I loved the music, I had come to hate the other side of it.

  Even the groupies were overly demanding. I’d done the whole Rock Star thing. Doling out one night stands like they were going out of style. Kept condoms in business for years. Even enjoyed it. A lot.

  But now I just wanted some peace and quiet.

  I wanted something real.

  I wanted to be away from those people, if nothing else. The grabbers. The hanger ons. Everyone had a hand out. Everyone wanted something.

  Even if it was just a ride on my cock, I was tired of it.

  Too bad I’d had about three real friends in my life. And all of them from the South End of Boston where I’d grown up.

  But they weren’t exactly available for buddy time. They all had families of their own now.

  Not like me, who still hadn’t grown up.

  Maybe I could tempt them down east with a little beach time at some point. All kids loved the beach, right? And I knew my buddies loved beer. I made sure to send them each a case from every country I toured in.

  I’d found some delicious ginger beer in Japan with an owl on the top. A fucking owl. I tried to find the most outrageous names and flavors I could, plus some of the best. But mostly, the over the top ones.

  That always gave them a laugh.

  I’d already worked out at the gym today. I belonged to a very private facility in South Hampton, near where I was staying while they finished up the house.

  That's about all I did really. Worked out, slept, watched TV. Had a few drinks.

  It was heavenly.

  Lonely as hell, but heavenly.

  But soon. Very soon, I would be moving in. Next week actually. Then I could start over. Get settled. Create a home base.