“Carly Jane, I gotta take care of the condom, baby.” The movement of her mouth under his telegraphed her contented smile.
“I never liked my middle name before this exact instant.” Fingers fisting in his hair, she drew him down for another soft kiss, then gave his shoulder a gentle shove. “Okay, fine. Go take care of business.”
“Hey, Carly?” He called her name like a question and waited for her gaze to return to his face. “Fair warning, I’m the kinda guy who’s all-in on things he likes.”
A tiny frown drew her brows together. “Okay?”
“I like you.” Neptune gave her the words while on the move, rolling off while gripping the condom to his softening cock. Removing the used rubber, he swung his legs over the edge of the bed and jackknifed to standing, then looked over his shoulder at her as he walked to the bathroom. “Be prepared.”
“Prepared for what?”
The confusion in her voice was reflected on her face, and he paused, staring at her for a moment before he continued out of the room, losing sight of her as he called back, “Everything.”
Ten
Neptune
“You’re a hell of a president, Neptune.”
“Appreciate the confidence, brother.” He grinned at Blade and lifted his beer slightly in an acknowledging salute. His other hand was otherwise occupied, curled around Carly’s hip to hold her against his side. She was busily chatting with Amanda, one palm pressed to the side of the woman’s tiny baby belly. Her other arm was trapped under his across their backs, her fingers curled into his back pocket.
Scanning the room inside the clubhouse, he saw the face of every member present, along with some trusted guests. The event was a baby shower the women had organized for Amanda and Monk, gifting the couple with all the necessary and unnecessary—in Neptune’s eyes—things for bringing a baby home from the hospital.
Carly had been wrapping gifts a couple of nights ago, and he’d watched with amusement as she’d taped the pastel-colored paper over no less than four boxes filled with diapers and wipes. When he’d asked about the quantity, she’d rolled her eyes at him and pointed out they were different sizes, claiming it wasn’t something new parents thought about as they were dealing with caring for a tiny newborn. That had been followed by a half a dozen more boxes with blankets and outfits.
She’d ceased holding up each item for his approval when he’d likened something called a sleep sack to the current male fashion craze of rompers, begging her in a high voice for a sleep sack of his very own. Her pique hadn’t lasted long, only until he’d thrown himself onto the floor beside her and caught her in his arms, rolling so she was on top of him, chin propped on her wrists and staring down at him.
His heart clenched at their remembered conversation, but not painfully.
“I want to stay here.”
He froze at the meaning behind the whispered words, then shoved his hands under her arms, yanking her up his body so he could reach her lips. This was in response to his reaction a week ago when Ryman had called with a job. She’d turned it down, but only after giving it serious consideration, and the fear that had gripped him had come out as misdirected anger. Thank God she’d recognized it as such, not taking his clipped responses and the constant refrain of slammed doors and cabinets as a personal slight. He’d known their time together would be dictated by her work, but knowing and accepting were two very different things. Her telling him this now meant she’d come to a decision.
“I want you here always.” Arms banded around her back, he held her in place, not that she was trying to disengage. Carly’s body lay on top of his, relaxed even as he hauled her around like he had. “Always, you fuckin’ hear me?”
“I hear you, Angel. I’ve been hearing you from the beginning.” She shook her head slowly, hair cascading and shifting around her face as she stared down at him, her gaze intense. “I don’t know what this means for me long-term, but for now, I’ve taken myself out of rotation for jobs.”
“Means I get to keep you. Right fuckin’ here.” He gave her a squeeze, holding until she pretended to gasp for breath. “Right here.”
“I’m going to have to find work. I can’t just sit around.”
“Wolf’s looking for someone to help at the garage. Wants someone who’s willing to help him plot out bigger builds. A strategic role, not wrenching on bikes. More about thinking and planning.” He offered up the first thing that came to mind, warmth spreading through him as her face softened. “Rose said the staties are always looking for good people to bring into the local troop. I know a guy over in Birmingham who has a raft of PIs on his payroll, if you wanted to get a license to practice. There’s a thousand opportunities at your fingertips.”
“Sounds like you’ve been planning for this possibility.” She dipped her mouth to press against his, touching their lips together in a soft series of kisses. “I love that you thought about me like this.”
“Wanna keep you. Wanted that since I met you.” He caressed her cheek with the backs of his bent fingers, stroking slowly across her skin. “Been waitin’ on the chance you’d want it too.”
“Carly Jane.” He waited, and she gave him what he wanted, that bright smile aimed in his direction, gaze locked to his with a questioning arch of one eyebrow. “Love you, woman.”
Neptune got to see that sink in, the meaning of his words hitting her as she turned away from Amanda, hand lifting to rest against his chest. “Oh yeah?” The soft question was followed by the tiniest quiver of her lips, and he tilted his head, bringing his mouth down to cover hers in a long, slow, deep, wet, entirely possessive kiss.
He drew her closer, their embrace turning into a slow dance as he shuffled them in a small circle and Carly’s head rested against his shoulder, face turned into his neck. Her lips stroked across his skin in a series of sweet touches.
“Oh yeah.”
Epilogue
Neptune
Neptune lifted a fist, then pointed before turning on his indicator. He watched in the mirror as the line of bikes inchwormed together, slowing and readying for the upcoming turn. The lot wasn’t huge, but he knew from experience over the past couple of years that it would be big enough. He made his accustomed sweeping turn and rolled back towards the entrance in time for Carly’s arms to come down on either side of his head. She held the phone in front of them, recording each bike as they rolled into the cemetery parking lot, no need to narrate because each man and woman glanced in their direction, giving their version of a smile or stoic chin lift.
This had become a ritual for the Borderline Freaks MC and their close friends, members of supporting clubs as well as alliances. He’d left it to Monk to organize this year, as he should, their road captain meting out riding assignments according to the personal association with Neptune or Carly first. That meant Ryman was directly behind the BFMC members, ahead of the prospects even. Neptune grinned. He’d been talking to Ryman about moving, coming back to town to stay. But apparently the man had finally met someone over in Birmingham and was loathe to leave the new relationship to the foibles of long distance.
It took minutes during which he pulled up a little farther, angling back into a spot along the edge of the parking lot. By the time all the bikes had entered, each side of the lot was filled, and there was a double line down through the center. Good turnout, and he made a note to say as much to Monk.
Before he could kill the bike, Carly thumbed the camera into selfie mode, kept it aimed on their faces, and smiled big as she blew the camera a kiss.
Next to him, Monk and Amanda were already off their bike, Amanda’s belly rounded with their second child. Marty, their oldest at four years old, had stayed back at the clubhouse along with other little ones, watched over by the teenaged kids like Wolf’s daughter, Erika.
Carly leaned against him, head resting against his back. She’d gotten home from a gig late last night, Ryman driving them both back from wherever they’d been posted. They’d be headed back out tomorrow
, because the job wasn’t yet done. Neptune didn’t like her working so much, but she’d let him know in no uncertain terms that he didn’t get to dictate to her about the pregnancy. “Women have been having babies since time began” was her go-to these days. Not that he could argue the point.
Didn’t make him worry less, though.
Amanda murmured something to Monk that made him laugh and wrap his arms around her. Neptune knew they’d go to her husband’s grave first and pay their respects. It was their ritual, too.
Wolf strolled up, Rose in the curve of his arm, and Blade followed behind, hand linked with Jenn’s.
Time to head up the hill to where three flags stood tall.
One was near Amanda’s first husband. Neptune remembered the honor ride the community had held for the man when he was killed overseas. Had ridden in it, flattered to be able to pay his respects in a way that held his fidelity up for all to see. Pride had been thick on his skin that day, something he would give a lot to change. The president role for the Freaks had taught him service was the more profound act, and being humble more attractive.
One flag was near where Frootloop had been laid to rest eight months ago. Neptune and his brothers had carried him to the graveside, eschewing usage of the hearse beyond the edge of the parking lot. It had been a hard climb up the hill, rain whipping sideways and soaking them, but the man had served his country in time of need, and served the Freaks well, too. He deserved no less.
The flag farthest from where they stood was planted within feet of where Gibby lay. They’d raised the stars and stripes on the day his killers had died, stuck like a pig in prison. Neptune suspected Ryman’s hands were at the end of the trail leading to that culmination, forestalling a need to go to trial and saving Carly so much grief. Neptune had been poised to make the same call, had picked up the phone and chatted with Retro down in Birmingham, only to be told it was already in motion.
Gibby would have been proud to call Ryman brother, just like Neptune was.
Fingers latched onto his belt loop, and he lifted his arm in invitation. Carly ducked under and curled against his side, her hand slipping across his belly in a gentle caress. The woman had no idea what it did to him when she claimed him like this. He wanted to beat his chest and howl, warning all the males in the area that she was his.
He didn’t. Mostly because she wouldn’t like it.
Instead, he slipped his hand up the back of her neck, tangled his fingers in her hair, gripped, and angled her head back. Then he swooped down for a kiss.
It was just as sweet as the first had been.
But not as sweet as the next would be.
~~~
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING
See You in Valhalla!
This story is the fourth and final story in the Borderline Freaks MC series. I’m so pleased you’ve taken this journey with me and the guys from the BFMC, and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Raised in the south, Wall Street Journal & USA TODAY bestselling author MariaLisa learned about the magic of books at an early age. Every summer, she would spend hours in the local library, devouring books of every genre. Self-described as a book-a-holic, she says "I've always loved to read, but then I discovered writing, and found I adored that, too. For reading...if nothing else is available, I've been known to read the back of the cereal box."
Want sneak peeks into what she’s working on, or to chat with other readers about her books? Join the Facebook group! bit.ly/deMora-FB-group
deMora’s got a spam-free newsletter list she’d love to have you join, too: bit.ly/mldemora-newsletter
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Borderline Freaks MC series
This series is comprised of four stories, and are best read in order to avoid spoilery situations.
Service and Sacrifice
“Thank you for your service” is what we’re taught to say to military men and women in gratitude for our freedoms won at their expense. Less often do we thank their families, those left behind to hold down the fort, to manage the day-to-day struggle of keeping everything up in the air until their loved one returns.
When you can’t count on anyone else to save you, there’s only one real choice.
Amanda lost her husband to war. Alex lost part of himself. Through a series of glancing encounters, Amanda and Alex find reasons to continue on. And together, they’ll discover hope and peace can be found in the most unexpected of places.
books2read.com/serviceandsacrifice
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More Than Enough
When a man sees himself as damaged, imperfect, and flawed, it's hard to believe there could be love in his future. After a near-fatal accident stripped Blade of his confidence, he didn't hold out much hope … for anything.
Until Jenn—gorgeous, sweet, and kind—dropped into his life.
Where he sees destruction, she sees perfection.
Where he sees helplessness, she sees courage.
Where he sees ruin, she sees strength.
Can he ever believe he's more than enough?
books2read.com/morethanenough
~~~
Lack of In-between
Wolf finds Rose harbors more secrets than he expected, and the deeper he pulls her into his life, the more he likes it.
---
Once a man’s been embedded in the bloody aftermath of battle after battle, with no relief in sight, he’s forever changed.
Wolf came home from overseas to find his world askew. He was no longer a husband, since he and his ex agreed they were better friends than partners. But he still held the coveted position of father, an experience so confusing and rewarding it sometimes left him breathless.
He’s got a lot on his plate personally, and even more with the Borderline Freaks and the challenges he and his club brothers have hit lately.
He just doesn’t have time to make room for a relationship.
Right?
books2read.com/lackofinbetween
~~~
See You in Valhalla
This is Angelo Dobbs’ worst nightmare. A good man lies dead, and with the Borderline Freaks MC’s president and founding member gone, the leadership position within the club falls to him.
It’s not that he can’t manage the easy task of leading a group of good men; he would just have preferred to stay a little farther out of the spotlight. But when his brothers issue the call, he answers.
Carly Gibson, daughter of his dead friend, is an unexpected—but not unwelcome—complication for his new role. She’s the most intriguing woman he’s ever met, capable and filled with a strength of character. He finds himself instinctively drawn to her. Could he have found the woman meant to complete him, finally?
Over the past couple of years, Dobbs—Neptune to the men of the BFMC—has watched as his closest friends found their soulmates. Now, their women are an integral part of the club. When they and Carly are threatened, Neptune will do anything to ensure their safety—and, just maybe, his future.
books2read.com/seeyouinvalhalla
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Other Motorcycle Club
Romance Series
My Rebel Wayfarers MC and the Neither This Nor That MC series do cross over, along with the Occupy Yourself band books, so readers have a couple of choices. The series can be read independently beginning with RWMC, OYBS, and then NTNT without too many spoilers. There’s also a crossover between my RWMC world and Lila Rose’s Hawks MC world. Or they can be read intertwined—in chronological order.
Here’s the recommended reading order if you want to follow according to timing:
Mica, RWMC #1
A Sweet & Merry Christmas, RWMC #1.5
Slate, RWMC #2
Bear, RWMC #3
Born Into Trouble, OYBS #1
Jase, RWMC #4
Gunny, RWMC #5
Mason, RWMC #6
Hoss, RWMC #7
This Is the Route of Twisted Pain, NTNT #1
Harddrive
Holidays, RWMC #7.5
Duck, RWMC #8
Biker Chick Campout, RWMC #8.5
Watcher, RWMC #9
Treading the Traitor’s Path: Out Bad, NTNT #2
Living Without, Lila Rose’s Hawks MC: Caroline Springs #4
Shelter My Heart, NTNT #3
A Kiss to Keep You, RWMC #9.25
Gun Totin’ Annie, RWMC #9.5
Secret Santa, RWMC #9.75
Trapped by Fate on Reckless Roads, NTNT #4
Bones, RWMC #10
Gunny’s Pups, RWMC #10.25
Not Even A Mouse, RWMC #10.75
Road Runner’s Ride, RWMC #12.5
Never Settle, RWMC #10.5
Fury, RWMC #11
Christmas Doings, RWMC #11.25
Gypsy’s Lady, RWMC #11.5
Thunderstruck, NTNT #5
Going Down Easy
No Man’s Land
Cassie, RWMC #12
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Also by MariaLisa deMora
Neither This Nor That MC romance series
Legends are born from moments like these. Folktales spun around a single point in time so perfect, you can almost hear the click resonating through the universe as things align. Meet Twisted, Po’Boy, Retro, and Ragman, good old boys from southern states who have many things in common. First, is a bone-deep love of the biker lifestyle. Second, would be their love of the brotherhood, and knowing that you trust the man at your back. Finally, these men have the love of a good woman. None of these come without a price, and it is our pleasure to journey along with them as they discover the blessings that can be won, and lost along the way.
This is the Route of Twisted Pain
Treading the Traitor’s Path: Out Bad
Shelter My Heart
Trapped by Fate on Reckless Roads
Thunderstruck
5-Star Reviews for the stories of the NTNT MC series
This is the Route of Twisted Pain
See You in Valhalla Page 9
