by Rye Hart
I took a deep breath and felt my face turning red. “Thank you so much, Steven, it’s an honor to be a part of such an amazing group of people, and I’m proud that my photography is now a permanent fixture here. More than that, I’m really glad I have friends here tonight, including two special ladies: my sisters, Megan and Kami Kendrick, both of whom I love dearly. Enjoy the night. You both inspire me more than you’ll ever know.” I raised my glass high and the others toasted with me. I gave the microphone to Steven and had to get away.
I hurried out to the observation deck and tried to catch my breath. The glass window that showed the best view of the night sky I could ever image spanned the room around me. I put my hand to it and leaned forward.
“That’s an amazing view.” Her voice sent chills down my spine, and I turned to see Kami standing in the door behind me.
She was so incredibly beautiful, even more so than the last time I’d seen her only a few days ago. She was positively radiant tonight. “Not as amazing as mine,” I said, cringing at how much of a cheesy pickup line it sounded like.
To my immense relief, she laughed.
“You said Rain told you everything?” I asked her.
The smile disappeared from her lips and my heart sank. “Yes. Listen, I don’t agree with what you did, buttering those women up so that your buddy could make more money off them and keeping details about your inheritance a secret from me. You should have told me, even if you were afraid of my reaction. That’s what people who love one another do, Tate. They tell each other the truth, and work through the hard stuff together.”
I hung my head. “I know. If it makes any difference to you, I actually felt pretty awful about baiting those women. And I can’t apologize enough for not trusting you with the truth earlier.”
She nodded. “I appreciate that. Bottom line, I know you didn’t cheat on me.”
“Never,” I said, shaking my head vehemently. “I never would.”
I held out my hand, and she took it. My heart pounded in my chest as she stepped close and I kissed her knuckles.
“I’m terrified, Tate.” She met my eyes, and I put my arms around her waist.
“Of?”
“You. Giving you my heart wasn’t easy.”
“I’m so sorry. I’m sorry I broke that trust, and I’m sorry that I’ve made you leery of me. I love you, Kami. You’re my girl. Tell me you’re going to stay?” I pulled her closer and captured her mouth, and she pushed me back up against the glass, deepening it until she pulled away breathless.
“I’m going to stay.” I let out a long breath, and a terrible weight had been lifted as I gathered her up even closer and kissed her hard, trailing my mouth down her neck and to her breasts and back up.
“Good, because I didn’t intend on letting you go.” I kissed her again, and we made out against the window until my sister cleared her throat behind us.
“Really? Can’t you see we’re busy?” I didn’t want to let Kami go for a minute. I had my girl back.
“Sorry, but you have guests, so you better get your pretty little butts out here and greet them.” She gave me a pointed look and disappeared behind the door.
We walked out arm in arm to greet my guests, and my heart stopped as I caught a glimpse of my father through the crowd. He was studying my murals pretty hard and talking to Steven Pratt. The older man stepped out of the way, and I caught Dad’s expression. He was smiling.
“Well I’ll be damned.” I pulled her across the room to where my dad was now laughing with Steven.
“Ah, here he is, the man of the hour. I was just talking to your old man, here.”
“Hello, Dad. Thanks for coming.” I shook my father’s hand
“Tate, I have to admit, you’ve done a damn good job here. I can see why you feel like this is more than just a hobby.”
His words shocked me more than if he’d told me he was born on another planet. It wasn’t exactly a glowing endorsement, but it was the best that I could expect from him.
“I’m glad you came to check it out. And you remember my girlfriend, Kami.” Dad’s eyes lit up when he saw my girl.
“Yes, I do. She’s a real beauty, son. The old apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” He gave a snicker and pulled his own new girl closer. “This is Robin.” Robin didn’t look much older than me or my sister, but we smiled and welcomed her anyway. We may as well be nice; dad would replace her soon enough anyway.
My father and his flavor of the month left us to walk the exhibit, my sister opting to go find another drink.
“I think this might be the best night of my life,” I said as Kami settled against me.
“You did a beautiful job,” she said and I shook my head.
“I wasn’t even talking about this. I’m just so damn happy you’re giving me a second chance. By the way, did I tell you that you’re positively glowing tonight?”
She looked at me shyly and bit her lip. “Yeah, about that…”
***
“I can’t believe you’re having my baby,” I said as I spun Kami around. Once she’d whispered the news in my ear, I couldn’t wait to get her home.
Now we were snuggled in my bed and I was the happiest man in the entire world. I had the woman of my dreams in my arms, and she was carrying my child. Money, or no, nothing could have topped this night, and it was all thanks to Kami.
EPILOGUE
Kami
I sat at my computer, looking over photo submissions that I was considering for my first gallery showing. I looked over at our daughter, Eliza, sleeping peacefully in her bassinet next to me. The surge of love that shot through me every time I looked at her still took my breath away. It had been a crazy year, but I wouldn’t have changed any of it for the world. I had Tate, our daughter, and the studio and gallery I’d always dreamed about.
I heard the back door open and looked down at Eliza once more before going to greet Tate as he came in.
“Hey, babe, I’ve got great news,” he said by way of greeting.
“Me too! I almost have all the prints I want to use for the gallery showing. And I saved you a spot as promised.”
“That’s amazing, babe. I’m so proud of you,” he said with a kiss.
“So what’s your good news?” I asked.
He waved me out to the garage, and I followed. Once out in the garage, I spotted something large in the driveway through the little windows. “You’re going to love it!” He hit the button on the doors and hurried to go out while the thing lifted.
“I hope you’re right.” I ducked under the rising doors and saw his surprise.
“It’s a classic Airstream, baby! Isn’t it amazing?” His smile was so wide that I couldn’t help but smile too.
“I want a tour.”
“I’m so excited to show you. I was about to drop forty-grand on one of the bigger models, but this one was only thirty, and it’s been fully restored. The old couple selling it had health issues and needed a fast buyer. I had it all checked out. It’s perfect.” He walked up and opened the door, and I held my breath hoping the two of us, plus the baby, could sleep comfortably in the small trailer.
He opened the door, and the classic style of the little camper took my breath away as I stepped inside. “It’s so nice.” I fell into his side, and he kissed my hair.
“I knew you’d love it. It’s so much better than one of those new ones with no personality, and this one is small enough to pull with the Jeep. We’re going to be camping in style, baby.” I couldn’t help but laugh at how excited he was. With the money he had coming in a couple of years, he could have easily bought any camper he wanted, but he wanted one that was suited to our needs, one he knew we’d love and enjoy together—all three of us. He was the sexiest man ever.
“I can’t wait, baby.” I kissed him, pulling him close.
He reached up and opened an overhead compartment. “Look, I can put all my camera equipment in here. Look at the kitchen area. And it’s got a nice fridge too. We’re goi
ng to eat well.”
“How about you show me the bedroom. Let’s make sure there’s enough room in the bed for two.” I walked forward, seeing the door that led into the small sleeping area and opened it.
On the bed was a beautiful white wedding ring quilt and it was sprinkled with red rose petals. On the small side table, there was a bucket of chilled wine and two glasses.
“I was hoping you’d want to see the bedroom.” He pushed my hair aside and kissed the back of my neck. His hand trailed up my front and cupped my breast as he thrust his hips forward pressing his erection into my back.
“You’re the sweetest man.” I stroked his face and kissed his mouth, slipping my tongue in to meet his.
He walked me to the bed and lay me back against the quilt. “Do I get to keep this too?” I rubbed my hand along the quilt, and he nodded.
“It’s part of my surprise.”
“I love it, thank you.” He gave me another quick kiss on the lips before moving his way down. He slipped off my shirt and kissed me over the swells of my breasts and to my tummy. He didn’t stop until he was hovering over my mound and pressed his mouth to my thin cotton shorts. He watched me closely as he tugged at the waistband and then slipped them down. I kicked them off my feet, and he laughed at my urgency.
“Eager beaver.” He leaned up and closed his mouth over my mound, kissing and teasing my clit.
“It’s very eager, so you better not make it wait too long.” I tugged at the waistband of his jeans, and he watched as I undid his pants and slipped them off taking his undies down with them. His cock was hard and weeping for attention, so I pulled it into my mouth and gave it a long suck. “Mm.”
“Fuck, baby. I want inside you.” He brushed his fingers through my hair and undid the clasp that held it up, letting it fall to my shoulders.
I lay back and spread my legs wide, slipping my hand down to cup my mound and trail my fingers along my slit.
He dove back down and kissed me, then came up to meet my mouth, his knees resting on the bed as he hovered over me. He put one arm down beside me and centered his cock at my entrance, wasting no time with pushing deep inside of me.
I moaned out and hissed through my teeth as he stretched me so far, I thought I might come apart.
He pumped his hips, working me at a slow, steady pace while kissing me deeply. Then he brought me over the edge of my climax and held me, staying still inside me as I trembled around him. “You’re so beautiful when you come, baby.”
And just to prove how much he liked it, he worked me through two more orgasms until the trailer was seriously rocking.
He rolled us over, and I flattened my hands on his chest as I rode him steady. “I love you, Tate.”
I love you, baby. I’ll always love you.” He stroked my breasts and rose up to capture a nipple between his teeth. I moaned and rolled my head to the side as he quickened the pace, cupping my ass to lift me off and on his throbbing cock.
“Fuck, baby. I’m coming.” He twitched inside me as he came and I gripped his cock with my slick walls and milked every last drop.
We collapsed on the bed, and he tucked me to his side as I traced the pretty fabric of the quilt. “May I have some wine?” I trailed my toes along his calf, and he sat up to pour us a glass.
He handed me mine and then took his holding it up high. “To our new camper, to many nights under the stars, to us.”
“Cheers.” I took a sip, and he brushed the hair away from my face and smiled at me. “What’s that look for?”
“I’m thinking about how pretty you are. You’ll be a beautiful bride one day. I can’t wait to see you all in white, walking down that aisle toward me.”
“Assuming I marry you.” I laughed, and he gave me a wounded look. I passed him my glass, and he placed it on the table.
“You’ve already had my baby,” he said, beaming with pride.
My heart swelled when I thought about how he was with our daughter. He loved her fiercely and was an amazing father.
“True, but that isn’t exactly a proposal.”
“I guess I better hurry up and ask then.” I wondered what he was doing when he put his wine glass down and pulled open the little bedside drawer.
“That’s a handy little—"
Seeing what he had in his hands, I froze. The little blue box was the perfect size for a ring, and my heart beat faster when he got down on his knees.
“Kami, I love you so much. I want to end every night with you and start each morning by your side. Would you do me the honor of being my wife?” He opened the box, and the ring inside sparkled.
My heart burned in my chest and my eyes filled with tears. “Yes! Are you kidding me? of course!” I fell into his arms, and he held me so tight I couldn’t catch my breath. Our tears mingled as I kissed him, and we held each other for a quiet moment of nothing but the two of us in love.
Just as I leaned down to give him another long kiss, I heard a squeak coming from the open door leading into the house from the garage.
“Sounds like the princess is awake,” I said, smiling.
“Should we tell her our good news?” He asked.
“We should,” I said.
As we walked back into the house and Tate grabbed Eliza from her bassinet and pepper her with kisses until she giggled, a lump formed in my throat.
I was the luckiest woman in the world.
The End
IT’S NOT OVER YET....THE PARTY HAS JUST STARTED.....
As a thank you for downloading this book includes an EXCLUSIVE BAD BOY MC ROMANCE, which can be accessed on the next
page!
Nothing good ever comes from a 3 am phone call.
The woman on the other end has news for Knox Sheppard, president of the True Outlaws MC.
He's set on turning her down, until the young, beautiful social worker shows up at his door. Who was this beautiful woman, full of conviction and attitude?
When little Liam Sheppard came into Grace's care, she took him under her wing. On a whim, she takes the young, autistic orphan on a road trip to meet his uncle, hoping that he'll warm up to the boy.
But all that goes to hell when Liam turns up missing. He's kidnapped by a rival gang. Now Knox and Grace must work together to get Liam back. Two completely different people brave all odds to save an innocent child from a ruthless enemy.
Can they stay focused on the mission - even when the attraction between them is growing too much to bare?
Exclusive Bad Boy MC Romance: Going Hard
A Bad Boy MC Romance
PROLOGUE
Knox
If there's one thing I've learned in all my years on this planet, it's that nothing good ever comes from a phone call at three in the morning. Nothing. I grabbed my phone off the table and through bleary eyes, looked at the screen.
Unknown number.
I rolled my eyes and sighed loudly. I had half a mind to ignore it and let it go to voicemail. And I would have except for the fact that some of my guys were running a job tonight – it was the main reason I was still awake at this God-awful hour in the first place.
It was a routine run and we hadn't expected any trouble. But if they had run into some, they knew who to call – me.
I stared out at the trees from my back porch. At that hour, the world was cloaked in utter darkness. The only light for miles came from the lightning bugs that darted between the trees, and the only sound I could hear came from the large population of bullfrogs and crickets. I often sat on the back porch and enjoyed the serenity of a dark, cool, evening.
The peaceful, tranquil feeling I usually got sitting out there however, evaporated the moment I picked up the phone.
“Who's this?” I said, my voice curt.
“Hello? Is this Mr. Nolan Sheppard?” an unfamiliar female voice asked me.
“This is Knox Sheppard. Not Nolan,” I corrected her. “Who the hell are you?”
“Oh, I'm sorry, your brother put you down as Nolan on his contact shee
t,” the woman said. “I'm Officer Whittaker with the North Carolina Highway Patrol, and I –”
“Curtis?” I asked, taking a long pull from my beer. “Listen, if my brother is in some trouble, let me save you a little time. Me and him ain't talked in years. I don't know where he is or –”
“Your brother isn't in any trouble, sir,” the woman said.
I heard her draw in a deep breath on the other end of the line and let it out before she spoke. She was making a concerted effort to remain calm and when she spoke again, her voice was softer, filled with a compassion that sounded well-practiced, but still relatively genuine.
“He's not in trouble,” she said again. “In fact, I'm very sorry to have to inform you that your brother passed away around midnight here at Hope Memorial Hospital in Charlotte.”
“North Carolina?” I asked, my voice sounding a million miles away, even to my own ears.
My head was spinning as I processed what she'd just told me and the full weight of her words still hadn't hit me yet. The only coherent thought that popped into my head was probably about the least relevant thing I could have possibly thought of in that moment.
“Damn,” I said. “What the hell's he doing in Charlotte?”
“The last address that we have for him on file was 1345 Tryon, in Charlotte,” she said. “So, I'm guessing he lived here.”
“And you're sure it's him? Curtis Martin Sheppard?”
I scratched at the stubble on my face as I racked my brain, trying to remember the last time I'd heard from Curtis. It had been a while. In fact, the last I'd heard, he was still living down somewhere in Atlanta – or at least near it. But hell, that had been five, maybe six years ago.
“Unfortunately, we're positive, Mr. Sheppard,” Officer Whittaker said. “Again, I'm very sorry.”
The woods all around me seemed to grow quiet all at once and the night seemed to grow darker. It almost felt as if the world around me was holding its breath. Gripping the arm of my chair with my free hand, my entire body tensed up as the reality of the cop's words slowly started to sink in around the edges of my mind.
