by VR Baucke
Reaching for him now, my fingers itched to touch his smooth face again. They smoothed over his jaw until finding the small scar under his chin that was hidden by his beard. It gave me a little thrill to uncover another little hidden part of Gage that otherwise remained hidden.
“I still can’t believe you shaved it off.”
Gage’s brows rose over the top of his sunglasses. “You liked my beard?”
“Much to my surprise, I actually did. I can’t stop looking at you now,” I giggled.
“It’s good to have it gone to be honest, it gets itchy as shit in summer.” He ran a hand over his smooth chin.
“I bet. I’m finding it hot enough in this.” I held up my covered arms.
The wounds had healed and the bruising and swelling on my face had long passed, but the scarring on my left arm was bad. The marks were still red and raised, and I was extremely self-conscious of them. I felt bad that I couldn’t bring myself to wear short sleeved tops around my family and crew, and I saw the regret and sadness in their eyes, even if they tried to hide it. I simply didn’t want everyone to look at me and be reminded of how Jono almost tore us apart.
Gage was the only one I felt comfortable around with my arms exposed. He saw the wounds on a daily basis and had helped me bathe and reapply the dressings during the initial few weeks. The scars were no longer a block that remained between us, and they went largely unnoticed when it was just us together.
“You know you can always take your top off. No one is going to judge you,” Gage murmured.
“I know, and it’s silly. I’m just not there yet. With you I am, but not everyone all at once.” I sighed and lay down with my head resting in his lap.
“It’s not silly at all. And we’d never pressure you, Lil. You’ll be ready when you’re ready.” He hummed suggestively when his fingers slid onto my chest and dipped without hesitation into my cleavage. “Besides, it’s not your arms I’m interested in right now.”
“Seriously!” I startled at the unexpected intrusion from Trav. “It’s awkward as fuck when you two get handsy in public!”
Trav leaned forward in the nearby sun lounger and lifted his sunglasses so we could clearly see his glare. Verbal agreement came from Kimmie where she lay between Trav and I.
“Jealous much!” I sassed and planted Gage’s hand back on my boob. He did a double squeeze for added effect.
Trav barked a laugh then took a swig of beer. “Lil, trust me when I say I’m gettin’ plenty when I need it. But I know someone who’s not...” He sniggered and tilted his beer across the yard in Mace’s direction.
We all turned to watch Mace dig through the chilly bin as he goofed off with Mickey. Their combined laughter reached us at the same moment.
“What? Mace? I don’t believe you,” Kimmie said dubiously.
“Oh yeah? Trust me, Kim, he’s on a self-imposed dry spell. Watch this!” Trav leaned forward in the chair again and yelled. “Yol, Mace!”
Mace cut his attention our way and Trav pointed towards the back door of the house.
“Jess is here,”
The change in Mace was hilarious; he snapped up straight and spun towards the door, expecting to see her walk out. The moment he realised Trav was taking the piss, he thrust his beer bottle at Mickey and locked eyes on Trav. Striding across the deck, he jabbed a finger towards our mate.
“You’d better start fucking running, Travis.”
Our laughter increased when Trav jumped to his feet. “Oh shit.”
Mace broke into an intimidating jog and Gage’s deep laughter was loud above my head. “Paybacks a bitch, isn’t it, cuz!”
Mace flicked us off as he ran past with Trav locked in his sights. Gage laughed harder, his entire body shaking. “Fuck, that is so much better than I imagined it would be.”
I tilted my head back to look at Gage. “Payback for what?”
He looked down at me and smirked. “For him being an asshole the morning after we met.”
“I don’t even want to know,” I scoffed.
My man tugged me until I was sitting on his lap, still chortling at Mace and Trav grappling on the lawn.
“You really don’t. But let’s just say, if my reaction remotely resembled Mace’s just now, he’s already well and truly screwed.”
“Yup, he totally is.”
My snicker turned to a yelp of alarm as Gage tipped me off balance and claimed my lips.
“Worth it,” he growled.
“For all the yellow M&Ms in the world?”
“Every single one.”
EPILOGUE
LIL
~Two years later~
GAGE AND I stood, hand in hand, after the most gorgeous beach wedding imaginable. The day was perfect in every single way.
I dug my bare feet into the soft, heated sand and tilted my head towards the warm, spring sun. Bliss wove the smile on my lips, fully content and happy surrounded by the people we loved the most.
I smiled widely as I scanned the wedding guests. There weren’t many—which was perfect in my opinion. It was a beautifully small affair with family only, and by family, I mean blood relatives and closest friends.
The crew had been through hell over the last two years, more than any of us could ever have imagined. Lives were put in jeopardy, relationships had been tested and friendships were solidified during our time of need. Coming out the other side of the turbulent time as a complete unit gave today even more significance than it otherwise would have.
The Westbrook family Bach along Cooks Beach had become the crew’s favourite place to holiday together. Hence the reason for having the wedding here.
Gage squeezed my hand and let go to peck his mum, Caroline, on the cheek. She smiled widely then reached for me, hugging me tight.
Seeing Gage relaxed and happy still sent butterflies spiralling to my stomach. Feeling giddy with love was something I never felt with Jono. With Gage, however, it was constant.
I ran my eyes over him again, loving the wedding attire the guys wore. White linen sleeves were rolled to the elbows, fabric was pulled taut over wide shoulders, and muscular calves were on display. All six of them—Gage, Mace, Liam (Mace’s younger brother), Mickey, Trav and Nico—were various shades of God’s gift to women, and they bloody knew it too judging by the way their stride held swagger and their loud laughter drew attention.
Gage, however, was next level swoon-worthy. Literally swoon-worthy. I had been feeling odd for the last few days and put it down to pre-wedding jitters—not that today was a stressful event; we’d planned it to be as casual and relaxed as humanly possible.
I stood beside Gage as he talked to his mum, leaning against his side after he pulled me close again. When his fingers danced over my exposed shoulder, the look in Caroline’s eyes told me everything I needed to know; she was immensely proud of him, and blessed to see that I made him happy after his past heartbreak.
Gage landed a kiss on the top of my head. “You okay, Sunshine?”
“Yeah, just thirsty, I think. I’m going to grab a water.”
“I’ll get it, be right back. You want anything, Mum?”
“Water would be lovely thanks, Gage.”
Caroline and I watched in silence as he made his way across the sand and up a small dune to where the chilli bins lay in wait under a Pohutukawa tree.
Caroline linked her arm with mine and laughed quietly. “I know all parents think this about their children, but I’ve got to say that I’ve got one good-looking son.”
Our heads came together as we shared a giggle.
“You certainly do, Mumma Caz. And I’m one lucky woman to get a second chance like him.”
“I’d say he’s the lucky one for getting a second chance with you,” she emphasised and raised a knowing brow at me. “We’re forever grateful for you bringing our son back to us. I hope that someday he’ll make an honest woman out of you, too.”
“I’m not sure if he will ever be ready to re-marry,” I replied honestly. �
�And I really am okay with that. I understand why.”
I had gotten to know Caroline and Russ (Gage’s Dad) well over the last two years. They’d welcomed me into their lives from the very first time I’d walked through the front door that Christmas. Caroline and I had hit it off right away, much like the way his sisters and I had, and I was over the moon to say that I was lucky enough to be part of two awesome families.
Gage came striding back with two bottles of water and cracked each lid before passing one to me and his mum. He then resumed his place behind me so I could lean against his sturdy chest. After having a drink, I let myself be lulled by his voice vibrating against my back while he spoke to his mum. My daydream was broken when Mickey invaded my thoughts.
Searching him out through the small crowd, I found him standing nearby, talking to Liam.
My eyes narrowed despite him not looking at me.
Gage felt me startle. His automatic response was to run a hand up across my chest to rest on my opposite shoulder and pull me closer.
The gasp escaped my mouth before I could think to stop it. My hand settled over my womb before I realised it was moving. In my assumption that pre-wedding nerves were the cause of my constant nausea, I’d completely overlooked the possibility of being pregnant. Besides, like I said to Mickey, it was still too early to tell.
The conversation between Gage and his mum stopped and their eyes landed on me. Worry marred Gage’s face when he moved in front of me and touched my cheek.
“Lil? What’s wrong?” His voice was soft but I heard the edge of caution he was trying to hide.
I dropped the water bottle as a wave of dizziness washed over me. By instinct, I seized his forearm and held tight, fearful that I would cause a scene by fainting.
“Lil,” he implored, shaking my shoulder slightly. “Tell me, what’s going on?”
I removed my hand from my lower abdomen and claimed his wrist, guiding his hand until his palm rested against my stomach. The warmth of his touch radiated through my dress and sank deep within me.
Gage startled, the war within his eyes obvious as he fought against the dawning realisation.
“Nothing’s wrong,” I said quietly. A weak smile touched my lips when he shook his head in uncertainty. “Just...”
I couldn’t get the words past my lips.
“Tell me, say it straight up,” he urged. “No bullshit.”
“You’re going to be a daddy,” I whispered, so quietly that I wasn’t sure if he even heard me.
Beside us, Caroline gasped and dropped the bottle of water onto the sand beside my forgotten one. She palmed her chest and stared with her mouth agape.
The look on Gage’s face almost broke me. It was filled with emotion so deep that I wasn’t surprised to see tears welling in his eyes before he blinked them away.
“I’m going to be a dad?” he asked, making sure he’d heard me correctly before doing anything else.
“Yes,” I smiled through my own blurred vision.
“But, how do you know?”
My eyes flicked to Mickey to see he had moved closer.
“I just know.”
“Fuck,” Gage growled before his mouth parted in a wide grin.
He took my face in his hands and kissed a path from my eyes to my lips. His kiss melted me into his embrace, so full of love and happiness.
“I love you, Lily McMillan,” he murmured against my mouth.
“I love you too, Gage Westbrook.”
Gage clung to me, holding me against him, knowing that a beautiful life was budding within me.
A life we created together.
THE END
Thank you for reading RIDE FOR ME!
This is the first ever novel I’d ever written—almost two years ago—and will always be my first book baby despite being released fourth in line.
Now is the time to unleash the North Shore Crew into the world, and I hope you enjoyed every part of Lil and Gage’s story!
Want more of Gage, Lil and the rest of the crew?
You’ll need to stay tuned for Mace’s book—BREAK FOR ME—coming soon!!!
Continue reading for a BREAK FOR ME TEASER!
As an Indie Author, I rely on super awesome people like yourself to help share the word about my books. Word of mouth is priceless and important for the authors you love.
Please consider taking a few moments to leave a review on.
I’d be incredibly grateful!
Much love, V xx
BREAK FOR ME TEASER
THE NORTH SHORE CREW – BOOK TWO
MACE & JESS
At what point do I give up? Walk away? Forget the only woman that makes me want more than ever before?
My answer is the same every damn time; never.
Jess breezed in then out of my life in a matter of hours, and I haven’t been able to get her out of my head since. One thing’s for sure; she’s going to be mine no matter how many times she tells me she’s not good enough.
Because, dammit, she is.
Little does she know, despite my appearance, my past isn’t as peachy as it appears. I’m loyal to a fault, and I’d do anything to protect Jess and her family from danger, and I mean anything!
Including give my life.
ALSO BY VR BAUCKE
Available now
-Accidentally Entangled
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GJGHC3H
-Living for Today
(Seven Thousand Miles—Part One)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KFPNGGC
-Dreaming of Tomorrow
(Seven Thousand Miles—Part Two)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07L2J5H2Y
Coming 2019
-Break for Me
(North Shore Crew—Book Two)
-Lie for Me
(North Shore Crew—Book Three)
-Kiss from an Angel
(A short story for the ‘Wham Bam Author Jam’ Anthology). Releasing in Oct.
-Slade
(An MC novella in the Dirty Dozen Anthology, MC edition). Releasing in Nov.
Coming 2020
-Fight for Me
(North Shore Crew—Book Four)
-Return for Me
(North Shore Crew—Book Five)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
My readers—THANK YOU! I wouldn’t be here without you guys. Each time I write a new book, I flip flop between being so fired up that I’ve nailed it then freaking out that it doesn’t compare with other books out there. One thing I know is, you’ll either like my style or you won’t, and that’s okay. For those that stick around, fist bumps are aimed your way and I’m forever grateful that you’re part of this journey with me!
Hubby—I am ALWAYS giving you shit (keeping you on your toes) and you aren’t safe from me here either. I’m freaking out while you read this book. It’s 100% different from the one you started reading two years ago and frowned through the first six chapters, lol. That was when you didn’t have a beard and I disliked them. Oh, how things have changed, hehe.
Badass—two words; fucking BOOM! YEARS we have talked about the crew, laughed over what they get up to and loved them so damn hard despite them being fictional figments of our imagination—with hints of our craziness sneaking through. And I know you’re freaking grinning right now b
y the way, lol!!! It feels like I can never say this enough, but you freaking rock. Here’s to finally publishing the series that first gave us both the bug!
B-licious Betas—Josey, Milissa and Laura—You guys are awesome and without your willingness to read what I’ve written, this book wouldn’t be what it is today! I am forever grateful to you all for all the hard work each of you put in to edit my scrappy writing, haha!
Bloggers—Thank each and every one of you for being eager to read Ride for Me! It’s scary has hell clicking the send button on the ARC emails, haha, yet your excitement for Ride for Me fuels my excitement! I’m incredibly grateful!
B-licious Babes Reader Group—Though we are still small and finding our feet, you are all so important. I love the feedback, the interaction and the general sense of awesomeness you guys all have. Thank you!
Until next time, V xx
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
VR Baucke writes from the bottom of the world, New Zealand, where she drinks copious amounts of tea, eats way too many crackers and laughs at all things ridiculous.
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