by Harley Wylde
He rubbed his nose against mine. “I aim to please. Speaking of… you ready to scream my name?”
“Do your worst.”
He nudged me toward the bench, then sat and tugged me onto his lap, my legs on either side of his thighs. “This okay? Not hurting you?”
“It’s good. It would be better if I was coming already.”
He swatted my ass. “Impertinent wench. I’m getting there.”
I leaned back, thrusting my breasts up and he latched onto a nipple, giving it a gentle nip before sucking on it. I threaded my fingers into his hair and held on, letting the sensations wash over me. “Don’t stop. Please don’t stop.”
I felt his hand against my belly, and then his fingers rubbed against my clit. I cried out, tugging on his hair as I arched into him. I should have been embarrassed over how fast I came. Patriot didn’t seem to care. He didn’t slow down, just kept rubbing and sucking until I’d come two more times.
“Lift up, Little Bit. I’ll do the work, but I think this position will put the least amount of strain on you.”
I went up higher on my knees, then lowered myself onto his cock. I moaned as he filled me up, the stitches pulling a little. Patriot gripped my hips, taking almost all my weight, and thrust up hard and fast. I cried out and clutched at his shoulders. “Ronan! God, feels so good.”
“Not God, Little Bit. It’s only me.”
He took me like a man possessed. His grunts and my cries filled the space. The world spun around me as I came so hard I forgot to breathe. I felt the hot spurts of his release, then he gathered me against his chest.
“Fuck! Every time with you is more amazing than the last,” he said.
“Because we’re perfect for each other,” I said. “You’re the other half of my soul, Ronan.”
He kissed me, his lips devouring mine. “Love you, Little Bit. So fucking much.”
“Love you too.”
“Let’s clean up and head to bed. As much as I want you again, I don’t want to put a strain on your leg and tear your stitches. Only a few more days and you can take them out. Bones will do it if you want him to.”
“I’ll gladly let him do it.”
“Come on. Before you tempt me again.”
I lifted myself off him and stood on shaky legs. Only Patriot had the power to reduce me to a puddle of goo. I hoped that never changed, not even after we’d been together twenty years. He washed me with a tenderness I wouldn’t have expected from such a big, badass biker. But I knew that inside, at least with me, he was a big teddy bear.
By the time we’d finished, and he’d dried me off, I was yawning and ready for a nap. It was still too early for bed, but I knew the baby wouldn’t sleep forever. If the movies and books were right, I’d need to sleep while I could. Patriot helped me into my pajamas, then he crawled into bed next to me.
“Sweet dreams, Little Bit,” he murmured.
“Always,” I said. And it was true. Other than my first night as being his and sleeping in his arms, I hadn’t had any more incidents of waking up not knowing where I was. I now knew it was Patriot holding me each morning. He’d not only destroyed my demons in real life, but he’d chased away the monsters lurking in my head as well. Patriot had saved me in every way possible and give me the greatest gift ever -- a family.
Epilogue
Patriot -- Christmas Day
Blaze slept in her new bouncy seat while MaryAnne and I opened our presents. For a newborn, she was a rather great kid. She slept at least six hours at a time, and hardly ever fussed. If she stayed this easygoing, I’d be amazed. Something told me we were in for one hell of a ride when she became a teenager.
MaryAnne opened the small box and her eyes went wide. “Ronan.”
“Put them on. My wife deserves to have something pretty on her hand, something that tells everyone she’s taken.”
She removed the wedding set from the box and slid the bands onto her finger. “They’re beautiful. Thank you!”
I’d opened all but one of my gifts, and I’d loved everything she’d picked out. It seemed my woman knew me rather well. As I opened the last package and pulled out a leather jacket, the love I felt for her swelled even more. “MaryAnne…”
“It looked like something you’d like, and it will not only keep you warm but it will protect you if you’re in an accident on the bike.”
“Love you, Little Bit.”
She finished opening her presents, excitement flashing in her eyes with each gift. But the glances she cast toward Blaze told me our daughter was even better than anything I’d put under the tree. I had to agree. She and MaryAnne were my true gifts this year. As long as I had them, I didn’t need anything else.
The front door opened and heavy steps came our way. Galahad entered the room with a few boxes in his arms. He’d reached out yesterday, taking me by surprise. Even though he was MaryAnne’s cousin, he’d been a bit harsh with her at times. I’d worried their relationship would always be strained, but it seemed he’d pulled his head out of his ass. Finally.
“Sean!” She stood quickly, then winced. “Sorry. I meant Galahad.”
He looked at me before focusing on her. “We’re all family. It’s fine. I come bearing gifts.”
He passed a box to me, one to MaryAnne, then set one next to Blaze’s bouncy seat. MaryAnne toyed with hers and seemed reluctant to open it. I knew what held her back. “Hey, Little Bit. Grab that envelope on the bottom branch of the tree.”
She picked it up, saw her cousin’s road name on the front, and handed it to him. I winked at her, hoping to set her at ease. Galahad opened the card and pulled out the Harley Davidson and restaurant gift cards inside with a wide smile.
“This is awesome. Thanks, guys.”
“Welcome,” I said.
Thank you, MaryAnne mouthed to me. I gave her a quick nod and she tore into her present. It was an oval-shaped locket with the word Mom engraved on the front.
“Oh, Sean. It’s beautiful! I love it.”
“Figured you could have a picture taken of Blaze and put it in there. Maybe get a family shot for the other side.”
I opened mine and pulled out a Ride or Die long-sleeved tee with a skeleton riding a Harley on the back. “Thanks, brother. This is great.”
“Why don’t you help Blaze with hers?” Galahad asked MaryAnne.
She reached for the present and opened it. It was a large box with several gifts inside. A floor mat with toys that would dangle over her when she lay on her back, a silver keepsake rattle with her name on it, and a soft purple blanket. It looked like Blaze had melted Galahad’s heart and he was ready to help spoil her. MaryAnne thanked him and set the box aside.
“Want to stick around for a while? I think MaryAnne is going to put some holiday movies on the rest of the day, and she has a small feast she’ll be making in a bit. Although, she cooked some of it yesterday so she just has to warm it up.”
“You okay with that?” he asked her.
“Of course. You’re my family, Sean. The entire club is now, but you’re my blood. You’re always welcome here.”
He swallowed audibly and stood, going over to give her a hug. “Love you, MaryAnne. Sorry I’ve been a dick lately.”
“It’s okay. I forgive you.” She smiled. “But don’t do it again, or I’ll be sure to send Blaze to your house whenever she throws tantrums for the next eighteen years.”
He held up his hands. “Whoa. No need to threaten violence.”
MaryAnne stood and I tugged her down onto my lap. “Merry Christmas, Little Bit.”
“Merry Christmas.” She kissed me, her lips barely touching mine before she pulled away. “Thank you, Ronan. You’ve made all my dreams come true.”
Her body tensed and her eyes went wide. I knew she’d just realized she’d said my actual name when we weren’t alone. But as Galahad had pointed out, we were family. And not only in the brotherhood sense. If I didn’t make an issue of it, maybe she’d realize I wasn’t mad.
&nb
sp; “No, Little Bit. You have more dreams ahead of you, but I’ll gladly stand by your side while you achieve each and every one. Because you’re an incredible woman. Beautiful, smart, determined… and you’re mine.”
“Um, if the two of you are going to keep up with the mushy love crap, I may take my chances at the clubhouse.”
I narrowed my eyes at Galahad. “Shut it or you’re on baby duty.”
“Nope. I’m good.” He leaned back in his seat and crossed his ankles. “Let the movie watching begin. Anything except changing diapers.”
“Wuss,” MaryAnne muttered and I snickered.
“Pick a movie, Little Bit. Let’s start making those family holiday memories. The first of many.”
With my wife in my lap, our daughter nearby, and Galahad lounging on our couch, it was a happy Christmas. I had the family I’d always craved, and the love of the only woman I’d ever wanted. She was my everything, my entire world, and I knew I’d do anything to keep her safe and happy. Whatever it took, I’d keep the monsters away from my girls, because I’d rather die than see either of them hurt.
I’d always heard Christmas was the time of miracles. It seemed they were right, because I’d gotten mine, and I’d cherish them for the rest of my life.
Dedication and Acknowledgements
Dear Reader,
Thank you for purchasing a copy of Patriot (Hades Abyss MC)! Your support means so much to me. If you have a moment, it would be amazing if you’d leave a rating or review at the retailer of your choice, Goodreads, or even BookBub to let other readers know what you thought of the book. I’d really appreciate it.
If you’ve read Kraken, Titan, and even Demon in the Devil’s Fury MC series, then you knew about MaryAnne and her predicament before now. For those of you reading about MaryAnne for the first time, her abduction happens in Kraken’s book. I try to write each story so that you can jump in mid-series without feeling too lost. Hopefully, I succeeded.
MaryAnne had a long, hard road to travel. Some would say it’s a miracle she recovered at all. The type of abuse she suffered can affect people in different ways. One person might retreat inside their minds and never want to come out, while another might charge forward and try to take control of their life again. There’s no right or wrong way to react to something like that. As each person is different, so are their reactions, emotions, and the ways in which they heal.
While there is a pretty strong Christmas theme to this story, the biggest theme of all is hope. If you take nothing else away from Patriot’s book, it’s my greatest wish that you’ll remember even in the darkest of times there’s hope. It may not seem like it, and you may feel like giving up at times, but tomorrow is always a new day -- and new days mean more chances for better things.
Wishing you all the best~
Harley
* * *
There are always so many people who help make my books possible, it would take forever to thank them all. But I’m going to try…
Thank you to the team at Changeling Press. From my editor, to the line editor, proofreaders, formatter, and Bryan Keller who made the beautiful cover, thank you for helping me make Patriot shine! Couldn’t have done it without you!
To my Wyldlings -- you guys are so amazing! You keep me motivated, make me smile, and brighten my day all the time. So thank you!
A super big thanks to MC romance author Ciara St. James. Your medical knowledge was a life saver (pun intended). Thank you for keeping me from relying on Google, because we all know how well that works out.
Coffee Fairy! I don’t care how b*tchy someone says you are, thanks for helping me stay sane, and somewhat focused. As far as I’m concerned, Starbucks white mocha (and eggnog latte) is like nectar from the gods and you keep me well-supplied -- does that make you related to Hermes?
Last but not least… Thank you to my husband. While there are times I may think for one brief moment about smothering you with your pillow, usually when you’re snoring right in my ear or take over my side of the bed, you’re the main reason I get up every morning -- or make it into my office to actually work. Love you! Keep cracking the whip when I try to sit on the couch and read all day… Well, maybe not every time. I do need some R&R here and there.
Oh, and thank you to Tanto. My cat. Mostly for not sitting on the keyboard when you decide to sprawl across my desk. Because I love you dearly, but no one wants to read your version of the book.
Harley Wylde
Harley Wylde is the International Bestselling Author of the Dixie Reapers MC, Devil’s Boneyard MC, and Hades Abyss MC series.
When Harley’s writing, her motto is the hotter the better – off-the-charts sex, commanding men, and the women who can’t deny them. If you want men who talk dirty, are sexy as hell, and take what they want, then you’ve come to the right place. She doesn’t shy away from the dangers and nastiness in the world, bringing those realities to the pages of her books, but always gives her characters a happily-ever-after and makes sure the bad guys get what they deserve.
The times Harley isn’t writing, she’s thinking up naughty things to do to her husband, drinking copious amounts of Starbucks, and reading. She loves to read and devours a book a day, sometimes more. She’s also fond of TV shows and movies from the 1980s, as well as paranormal shows from the 1990s to today, even though she’d much rather be reading or writing.
Harley at Changeling: changelingpress.com/harley-wylde-a-196
