DESERT KING: RB MC

by Jax Hart

  “Don’t be. It was beautiful. The way you loved her was beautiful. I’m a bit jealous.”

  “Well, you and I have chemistry. Pure chemistry. I don’t ever want you to think I’m thinking about her when I’m with you.”

  “You think I’m such a sure thing then, eh? I’m going to make you work for it, Tarak. I’m not going to fall at the desert king’s feet so easily.”

  “Fine. Game on, princess. I’m going to seduce the shit, out of you.”

  “Really? By the time I’m done with you, you’re going to be calling me Queen. Not princess.”

  “I see my little mouse has become a tigress. I like it.”

  “Good. Because I like it too.”

  “Do you want to go for a ride?”

  “On your bike?”

  “What else did you think I meant?” he winks.

  I blush, tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, and take his outstretched hand.

  With my arms snug, around him, we fly. Past the mountains and desert sky. The stars come down, smiling at us. I sigh, breathing in deeply. There’s no dust in the air tonight. It’s just perfect. Finally, he turns back toward town, parking in the lot by the bridge. His shoulders shake and he’s breathing hard. “Tarak?”

  He gets off the bike, holds his sides, doubling over in pain. I hop off, placing a hand on his arm. “It’s her truck. Mandy’s,” he rasps.

  “What? No? It can’t be?”

  “Let me guess,” he grits out. “That’s the truck Edge gave you.”

  “Oh my god! He wouldn’t…”

  “He did. And I’m going to kill him for it. This is a message, Amber. A message for me. One I can’t ignore.”

  “How? I thought her truck was totaled?”

  “Me too.”

  “Look, I’m sorry. I just need to ride again. And clear my head. I’m so pissed off right now I won’t be good company. This has nothing to do with you and everything to do with Edge.” He walks over, pulls me to him, placing a hard kiss against my lips. “I’ll call you later.”

  I nod, watching him ride off. I can’t even go near the truck. I feel sick. Used. I’m living a dead girl’s life. Stepped right into her shoes and I don’t want to wear them anymore.

  I wander around town, find an outdoor beer and wine bar and order a cold long-neck Bud Light. But I don’t want to be around people. One of the benefits post COVID is outdoor beer gardens and the right to walk in public with a cold one in hand. I take my beer and walk, finding a small hill past the garden. Night’s fallen. Blanketing me in the darkness. The Earth is warm as I plop my ass down. From beneath the hill, notes of the music float up from a street band. Lifting the beer to my lips, I take a long swig. I’m lost in thoughts, transfixing my gaze to the distance.

  “Pass it over.” My eyes narrow as Regan sits next to me. Shrugging, I hand her the bottle. “What he did wasn’t that bad.”

  “You heard?”

  “Tarak, texted.”

  “Are you kidding? He gave me a dead girl’s car.”

  “She doesn’t need it anymore.”

  A chill runs down my spine. “It was cruel.”

  “I don’t see it that way.”

  “Really?” I hold my hand out for the beer. She passes it back.

  “It was completely crushed. Now it’s fully restored. I bet he did it all himself. Edge fixes things. So, does Tarak.”

  “They both loved her.”

  “Immensely. But she chose my brother. Who are you going to choose?” Her dark eyes pin me down.

  “Who says I have?” I play dumb.

  “I wish that were true. He only sees you,” she mutters.

  “No one sees me.”

  “They do now.”

  “That’s the problem. I shouldn’t have had to change for that to have happened.”

  “He always saw you. Why is it always somebody else and not me?”

  “Edge?” I ask.

  She nods. I pass her back the beer. “That would start a war.”

  “I know,” she sighs. “Doesn’t matter. He looks right through me.”

  “He’s stupid. You’re stunning.”

  She grimaces. “Thanks. What are you going to do with Mandy’s truck?”

  “Give it back?”’

  “To whom? She would want you to take it. I’m just not sure she would want you to take his heart, too.”

  “Tarak’s or Edge’s?”

  “Who do you think? You’ve already chosen. Even if you won’t admit it to me. If you hurt him, I’ll come after you again.”

  “I don’t doubt it. Can… can we be friends? I kind of like you. You’re such a badass.”

  “Maybe. I’ll let you know.”

  “You do that,” I grin as I stand, using my hands to wipe desert dust off my ass.

  “Thanks for the beer.”

  “Keep it. I have to figure out how to get home.”

  “Where’s that? You had us fooled. I thought you were gone.”

  “I’m not letting anyone run me out. And I’m not stupid enough to tell you.”

  “Fine. But it was a one-off. Our kiss… everything after.”

  I hold up a hand. “Don’t. Speak. Of. It.”

  “Fine,” she smirks, taking another swig.

  I walk back out into the park, over the bridge and take out my cell. I’m tempted to text Tarak. But decide to call Jenny. A hand clasps over my mouth. I’m pulled against a strong body. I scream, biting thick fingers, recognizing the taste of his skin. He curses, removes his hand and replaces it with a bandana. I’m gagged, hauled over his shoulders kicking and screaming and into the back of a van.

  “Hey, sugar. I was still in town. Tarak called thinking I was 200 miles away. Edge buckles me in, zip ties my hands and gets behind the driver’s wheel.

  I’m so angry, my body shakes. Edge is going to pay. Like Tarak, I’ve seen his good sides with the bad. But kidnapping me is too far.

  The drive to Albuquerque takes a few hours. I’m sticky, sweaty, and really need to pee. Finally, he parks, hauls me into his arms and over his shoulder, into what a guess is his Clubhouse. He carries me like some prize past hollering men who ask who I am.

  “Tarak’s girl. And mine.”

  “Again? Damn, the two of you need to find another type.

  Edge doesn’t answer. He carries me into a back room, plopping me down and locks the door. He opens a small fridge, takes out a bottle of water and loosens my gag.

  “Don’t do this. Please, untie me.”

  But he doesn’t listen.

  “I-I’m falling in love with him.”

  “But you want me.”

  I rip my eyes from his. I’m ashamed, embarrassed. At one time, I wanted them both. I was undecided between who I’d choose. But I did choose.

  He steps closer. I’m on my knees with my hands tied around my back. His finger traces the curve of my cheek. “Damn, mouse. You became beautiful.”

  “Is that what this is about? …felt like you missed your chance with me, and you want to know what he has?”

  “By the time I’m done with you, mouse, you’ll forget what his hands on you feels like…what he tastes like. I’m going to erase his every touch.”

  A shudder rips through me as Edge bends down. His beautiful hazel eyes burn as they roam over my face. The pad of his fingertip skims my cheek. He laughs low in his throat. My nipples peaked under my thin shirt, betraying me. Tarak might have my heart but my body wants them both. Squeezing my eyes shut, I try to deny the desire singing through me.

  His lips find the crook of my neck.

  A moan escapes me.

  “Please. I can’t. Don’t put me in the middle of your war.”

  “You’ve been there since day one, babe.” The hairs on his beard scrape against my neck. My stomach clenches. “Smile.” I open my eyes, blinking them quickly after the flash on his phone goes off. “Perfect.”

  “He’s going to kill me,” I whisper, feeling my throat close. My eyes are glassy—my dus
ky nipples, visible beneath my shirt. My cheeks flush with desire. Next to my face is his smirking one. He attaches it to a text and hits send.

  My stomach drops.

  Tarak will never touch me again if Edge seduces me. I know this deep in the marrow of my bones. He drags me closer against the hard planes of his body.

  “What’s it gonna be, little mouse? Him or me?”

  “Him. You know that.” I breathe.

  “Liar. I saw you first. I kissed you first. Why did you go with him?” He stands suddenly, his balled fist popping right through the drywall.

  “You never made a play for me.”

  “Is that it? Did you need romance? Hearts and flowers and all that shit? Well, fuck that. I stole you, sugar. You’re my property now.”

  Edge walks back over, jerking me to my feet.

  “Am I worth a war?”

  “I don’t know. But I’m willing to risk finding out,” he grinds out, capturing my lips. I scream against his kiss. It’s of no use. He’s just as unrelenting as the scorching desert sun. And I have a bad feeling I’m about to burn.

  I’m not afraid of Edge. We have mad chemistry too. But I’m not Mandy. I won’t jerk around two men at once. And Tarak… that night in the desert that I stole… I want my own with him. Only him.

  “Edge, please. Stop this insanity. Stop all of it. You could have your own great love. She’s out there waiting for you. In fact, I already know who she might be.”

  He cups my chin, holding the bottle to my lips. “Drink. You need rest. I’m taking you’re blood tonight.”

  “Let me go after.”

  “Where? Crawling back to him? What’s he got anyway? Some magic dick?”

  “I don’t know. We haven’t…”

  He shudders. “Then you’re still fair game. Let me be the one.”

  “I’m sorry. My heart wants him.”

  Edge picks up a table, throwing it against a wall. “It’s always him! I’m sick of it!”

  “But you have her. You have Elle. You have a piece of Mandy he can’t touch. He’ll never have…”

  He grabs a knife off a dresser. Comes back to me, traces the flat side over my breasts, before cutting my hands free. “It’s only because I’m a father now that I won’t take you—make you love me and erase every memory of him. But I can’t let you go. I need your blood.”

  “And I’ll gladly give it. That and nothing else.”

  “That’s too bad, Amber. Me and you? We could’ve had one hell of a ride.”

  “Maybe? Maybe in another life.”

  “I wish you could be my desert queen. Not his.”

  I cup a hand to his cheek. “Part of me wishes the same. I did feel something for you, but you did me wrong. You played me and he hated me. You should’ve told me about the truck. That it was hers.”

  “Why? Yeah, I did it to piss him off. Make him hurt. But Mandy as much as she had issues was kind deep-down. She would’ve wanted you to have it. Please don’t trash that truck.”

  “Maybe, Elle would like it? Could it even last that long?”

  He swallows hard. “God, you’re perfect. Are you sure, it’s him?”

  I nod. “Fine. Go. I won’t keep you.”

  “Go where? You brought me here.”

  He hands me his phone. “Call him.”

  “Edge! I’m going to fucking kill you for this. I swear it!”

  “Tarak, it’s me.”

  “Amber? Did he touch you?’

  “No. I’m fine. He’s letting me go. It’s over.”

  “The hell it is. He still stole you. Took you. In my territory. It’s personal but he also broke MC code, babe. He will pay.”

  “Hasn’t he already? Haven’t you. It’s over. Finished. I’ll wait for you outside their gates. I’m at his Clubhouse.”

  “We’ll discuss this when you’re safe and in my arms. Wait for me.”

  “Okay.” I take Edge’s water and he walks me out, stopping at the van to get my purse and phone. “He’s going to kill you. Or at least try.”

  “I know.”

  “You can’t. You need to stop this for Elle’s sake.”

  “Will you still help?”

  “Of course.”

  “Who is she? This woman you think could be it for me?”

  “Ah, now that’s gonna cost you. You owe me two,” I wink.

  “No hard feelings?”

  “None.”

  “Are you gonna talk to that crazy ass man of yours? Put in a good word not to kill me?”

  “I will. But I can’t promise you he won’t if who I think could be your match holds true.”

  He shrugs. “It’s what he and I do. Go to war. Only you, our desert queen can command us to stop.”

  “You’re wrong. I’m no queen. I’m just the little, brown mouse, remember?”

  “Ah, Amber? You were always a queen. I just loved watching your eyes spit fire every time I called you that. Didn’t you learn in school boys only tease the girls they like?”

  “No one ever liked me.”

  “Bullshit, mouse. Bullshit. Go. Go wait for your man before I change my mind and lock you back up into my bedroom.”

  I swallow hard, walking backwards. “I’ll text about Elle.”

  “You do that.”

  I turn, practically sprinting to the end of the road. A man opens a gate for me, and I wait on the other side. Last year, I almost died. A half a year before that, some thought life as we knew it could be over. But I know there’s blessings in hard times. Times when you can’t see the light. All you need to do is hold on tight and keep looking in the dark until you find the light.

  I look up. Down the dark road leading to the Clubhouse, a single light shines. It’s my man on his chrome horse, coming to his lady’s rescue. It comes closer and closer. I found my light in the dark. And he found his.

  I turn the flashlight on my cell on, slowly waving it—knowing my light will lead him home.

  END

  THE END

  DESERT ROSE

  I hope you enjoyed DESERT KING!

  Stay tuned for Edge and Regan’ s story in DESERT ROSE!

  He's my brother's nemesis.

  They've gone to war more than once over the same woman while I watched in the background unseen.

  My brother got the girl every time.

  And every time Edge lost, he became more bitter and hard. But I'm still here, waiting. Watching, unwavering for him to realize the one thing he's been looking for has been here the whole time. I'm a desert rose, strong but fragile. Surviving against all odds.

  When he finally see's me it'll trigger the last war between the Royal Bastards and the Bloody Scorpions. A war I started but hope love will end.

  It's time Edge saw me as more than his enemy's sister. It's about time he sees me as the woman he's been searching for.

  PRE-ORDER NOW! My Book

  CREED MC

  Check out more from Jax Hart on Amazon here, all free in KINDLE UNLIMITED! Don’t miss THE CREED MC SERIES Featuring Hot alpha males who know what they want! If you liked Desert King check out DUKE!

  Free Expert from DUKE!

  Shanna

  Present Day…

  “I totally get Ariel. I relate to her, don’t judge.” Roger throws up his hands. It’s funny as all hell and he knows it. It’s my birthday and like all the other ones that came before, Roger and a few men from the MC insist on making a big deal about it. I’m a grown ass woman in college and yet they still try to coddle me like a damn infant. I knew it was coming, so I made a ridiculous request. This year I asked for a trip to Disney World, California. Roger, my surrogate uncle didn’t bat an eye, but he looks ridiculous AF in his jeans, snakeskin boots, tight white T-shirt all the while wearing a leather cut in the middle of Main Street U.S.A.

  I’d take pity on him, but Rog deserves it. He’s a bear of man, in his prime and by the looks of the women milling around—they’d fast pass on his ass in two seconds if they could.

  “Remembe
r how many times I made you watch The Little Mermaid with me?”

  He nods but he’s busy scanning the crowd for threats. In his thick reflective glasses, he’s a full head and shoulders above the crowd. One of his thick, tatted arms is around my back as he guides me through the crowd. A few men form the California chapter of CREED MC flank around us.

  “Yep, this is me, MC royalty. But There’s no glittering gowns or castles for me. Nope. They’d put me in leather and decorate me with tattoos instead of jewels.” I mutter.

  “And what’s wrong with that? I got news for ya’ Cinderella…”

  “More like Creederella…”

  “We’re not that bad”

  “You are the worse,” I stick my tongue out at Rog. “I wish Pops could be here to see you ride the Teacups.” My father is home in Oregon. His emphysema makes it hard for him to even leave our tiny house.

  “What? Hell, no!” Rog finally whips his head around to meet my gaze.

  “Fuck, yeah!” I check my Disney app for the wait time. I managed to get a few fast passes which gets us in the express line at a few rides but it’s not our time to get in the que yet.

  “I won’t fit.”

  “It’s my birthday…you promised. Fine, whatever, the lines long. We’ll do Ariel first.”

  “Fuck me,” he groans.

  “Nope. But every other woman here wants to.”

  Rog smirks. “Yeah they do.”

  “Why don’t you have a girlfriend?”

  “Women are trouble. Look at all the shit you got me doing…”

  I grin. “And we just got here. I want to do it all. Live the fairytale. We finally reach Ariel’s grotto and Fast Pass our way inside. Rog is so big he needs his own seashell to sit in. He goes first. I sit alone in the one behind him and a prospect from Creed LA slips in one behind me.

  “Hey.” He whispers trying to get my attention. “Hey, birthday girl.”

  Rolling my eyes, I ignore him and focus on the music from the movie as the ride starts. I’m short, curvy and have kick-ass hair if I do say so myself. I’m not fat but have the pear-shaped body of a 1940’s pin-up girl. To the men in Creed, I’m the ultimate catch because I’m a founding member’s daughter. But I’ll never date a Creed guy or any other MC man. They’d suffocate me insisting it’s for my own “protection.” I’ve been followed everywhere I go since birth. No sleepovers. Forget school dances. Hell, any boy that showed the slightest interest in me Rog gave his infamous death stare to.