My wrists are freed, and the blindfold is removed. Cade pulls me to his chest, and we lay struggling to breathe. I look over my shoulder, and his dark eyes reach to the depths of my soul, and I know that this is it. Maybe not today or tomorrow. But Cade Reynolds is it for me.
"I know, baby," he whispers.
Epilogue
Almost one year later…
“Are you ready?”
"Yeah, Babe. Hurry, I have something to talk with you about." I sit on the couch, not sure what I'm supposed to be ready for.
"Look." Payton steps out it in what I can only describe as a catsuit. My cock stands up, and I wonder if I'll ever tire of her sweet body. Payton is, without a doubt, the love of my life. But this leather outfit is screaming, Fuck me. The black leather looks like painted perfection.
She walks across the room and stands between my legs.
"Turn around." She spins around, pulling her hair to the front, wiggling her ass in my face the way I love, and I smack it. She runs off to the bedroom.
"But wait, there's more." She screams from down the hall, and I hear the click-clack of heels. "See…"
I look over the back of the couch, and Payton has on matching boots that reach her knees.
“And their red bottoms.”
I sit forward. “You’re not leaving the house in that.”
“Lies! It matches my bike.”
My lady got her motorcycle license, and last week, we put the finishing touches on her custom FXSTB Night Train. She handled most of the rebuild herself, it turns out she's better at building bikes than selling cars. With her help, we completed my orders and the Henderson bikes. We've even started a line of Goldie Customs—motorcycles with a woman's touch. She's still juggling the dealership and her guys, but we make it work for us.
“Goldie, I’ll have to fight all night if you ride in the Lonestar Rally wearing that.”
The Steel Ryders and our ladies are participating in a parade in downtown Austin tomorrow. I need to talk her out of wearing this outfit and save it for later when we're alone.
"Then get ready to defend my honor because I worked hard for this." She straddles my body, lowering to my lap, draping her arms around my neck. I squeeze her ass because I can. "Do you get it? Dark Knight and Catwoman." She purrs, rolling her body against mine. "And I really hate that you cut your hair."
This is it. She runs her hands through what’s left.
"I'll never cut it this low again. But I had to do it to talk to your father."
She stops searching for my eyes. "Daddy? About what getting the family discount? You know Adrian became the GM and removed all of the family discounts—saying rich people don't need discounts. We'll have to talk to Blake. Speaking of talking to someone, Ginger and I think it's time to start an official women's chapter of the Steel Ryders."
I should be nervous. I'm trying to ask for my lady's hand in marriage, and she's complaining about a discount and trying to start her own motorcycle club in a fuck-me catsuit. But this is why I'll never let her go. She makes life an adventure that I want to get out and explore.
“We can discuss the new chapter. Go change I can’t focus with you dressed in this. Hurry, I need to discuss something with you.”
She stands. “Everything okay?”
“Never better.”
“And we’re good?” She hesitates.
“Payton, love, please change.”
“I’ll be right back.”
The moment she enters the room, I text Ace, Are y’all ready?
Yep, in the driveway. Hurry, I think we're scaring your neighbors, he responds.
I run to the front door and unlock it. Then drop to the couch, drying my sweaty hands on my jeans. I guess I am a little nervous.
Payton walks down the hall in a Cade’s Custom Cycles t-shirt, jeans, and flip-flops.
Come in quietly in ten, I text and sit my phone on the table.
I pat my lap, and she straddles me again. Her hands wrap around my neck and play in the hair at the nape of my neck.
“I cut my hair to meet with your folks and your brothers.”
Her fingers stop moving, and panic fills her eyes. "Why? What happened?"
“I wanted to ask their permission to marry you.”
The color drains from her face. “Cade…you…stop playing.”
"Many days, I wonder if I deserve you. But then I remind myself no one will love you like I do."
Her eyes fill with tears, and I catch each one before they fall. Her forehead drops to my chest. I kiss up the side of her neck, her cheek, and once she faces me, I kiss her lips.
"Payton Lynn Stephens, will you do me the honor of being my wife?" I lift my hand, and her ring is on my pinky finger.
“Yes.”
We seal it with a kiss. “She said yes.”
The room fills with all the people we love. Her folks, her guys, my friends, our club members. I slip the ring on her finger, and I hold my lady tight. The love flowing between us is hot, passionate, sincere, and everlasting.
"Congratulations!" The guys call out, and they take my lady away. I watch her go with a smile on my face.
“I’m proud of you. I was worried for a second. But I like Goldie.” Diesel hugs me. “Maybe she has a friend or two for me.”
"You can't hang with her friends." We laugh, and he gets lost in the crowd.
I grab a beer and sit on a barstool. The music is flowing, and my life is filled, love. I think I've done all right for myself.
“What are you thinking about?”
I glance over my shoulder and extend a hand to my lady. “I realize I never thought I’d have this. And now I do.”
“I know.” She settles between my outstretched legs. “Thank you. I had a lot of growing up to do this year, but it was worth it. All of it was worth having you.”
Our kiss is slow and filled with the promise of our unique kind of forever. “So, what’s it going to take to get you back in that catsuit?”
“A deck of cards and some handcuffs,” she whispers across my lips.
"Thank y'all for coming out. We love you and goodnight. You don't have to go home, but…" Payton elbows me, and everyone laughs. "Seriously, thank you for sharing this moment with us. Ace lock up on the way out."
"Now that's what I'm talking about," Charlee calls out. "Y'all know I love that caveman shyte!”
I scoop my lady up in my arms. No one seems surprised, and frankly, it's all about the woman in my arms. I kick the door closed and lower Payton to her feet. Her eyes shine like the rock on her finger as she yanks my shirt off.
"I love you."
We kiss, touch, and feel until we’re at the bed.
“I love you too, Cade.”
The nightly ritual of removing our clothes begins until I'm hovering over her. "I'd prefer not to remain engaged for long. How do you want to do this, Goldie?"
"What? Make love to me or marry me?"
“Both.” I wrap her legs around my waist and fill her.
Her moans send chills down my spine. “Small wedding with a JP, big reception at the bar. I need it hard, fast, and tied up.”
“Gotdamn woman, you’re speaking my fucking language.”
I love on my lady until she screams down the walls of our home, and we're dripping in sweat. Like always, I kiss her forehead, and she snuggles closer placing a kiss against my pulse.
“Love you, Goldie.”
“Love you more, Stone.”
Her softs snores are music to my ears. Words can’t explain what just happened, so I won’t try. I pull the cover over us. She's beyond the realms of my imagination or my dreams. But with Payton, I see love, kids, Harleys, and more Steel Ryders in our future. And I want all of it and more with her.
I close my eyes ready for sleep to take me because if Goldie plans to wear that fucking catsuit tomorrow, it’s going to be a long fucking day.
Thank you for reading SELECT LOVE. Payton and Cade found their happily ever after. Please leave a revi
ew. Keep reading and meet Alex and Mateo in Lavish Love.
It’s Christmas.
The little Santa in the hotel lobby is shady AF as I do the walk of shame. I accepted this assignment with one caveat: Don’t land in Mateo’s bed.
I’m Alexandria Martinez. I’m a globetrotter specializing in international trade. After almost ten years in business, Platinum Prestige is considering global expansion. And I’m questioning if I’m the woman for the job.
Mateo is dangerous for my heart yet beneficial for the next phase of our growth. He agrees to mentor me for the next six months in exchange for pretending to be his doting fiancé over the holidays.
I agree, and the Latin don Juan slips a rock the size of Texas on my finger, and the weight of it and his life force me to define love, happiness, and the true meaning of Christmas.
I expect snow and lights. I expect him to flirt and lavish me with the best his wealth provides. But what I didn’t expect was romance and passion and my willingness to let him in again.
Should I trust the lessons bore from heartbreak? Or should I embrace the love budding amidst the concrete around my heart?
Mateo seems to think the answer lies in the gift of Christmas. And now I’m starting to believe maybe he’s right.
One-click LAVISH LOVE now!
Sneak Peek! Platinum Love
Chapter One
“Perfection.” I purse my cherry red lips in the mirror ensuring my face is beat to capacity, and it is. I run a hand over my sleek ponytail, dropping it over my shoulder, ready to dance off this sour mood. I add an extra coat of lipstick. Red always makes me feel strong and in control.
“Well, pack your hottest two pieces. I plan to return looking like an Egyptian goddess.” I add my two cents to the robust conversation on our three-way call.
I wink at myself picking up the phone while my besties Charlee and Harper gush over my recent invitation. Nobody, and I do mean nobody throws a better soiree than me. Theme, destination, transportation, no detail overlooked, because every element is significant. Every element is hand-selected to etch the experience in the minds of my guests forever.
Charlee and Harper talk back and forth as I walk to my closet discussing what they’re packing. Who knew I’d need this trip? Not to celebrate Valentine’s Day with Lewis, who’s no longer my boyfriend but my ex-boyfriend, instead, I need this trip to take a break from Austin. I need time to scrub his lying, cheating, no good ass from my life. I need a change.
I turn my face from the screen, not wanting them to see how much his cheating effects me. But Lewis ain’t worth a single tear. The dick pic he obviously sent me by accident marked the end of our on-again, off-again relationship. The message flashes before my eyes, B, your lollipop misses you.
I should have blocked him a long time ago. But I got comfortable. We travel in the same social circle. We shared some of the same interests. We had something once, but apparently that was a lie too. I mean, how special can I be if he’s sending dick pics to women?
“So, you and Lewis don’t have a hot date tonight?” Harper asks pulling me out of my unhealthy thoughts.
“Nah, he’s doing him, and I’m doing me. Tonight’s about us helping you find a man.” I see the tears glistening in her eyes. “Harper, one day you’ll find a man who appreciates you for the amazing woman you are. Then you’ll be glad you kicked he who shall remain nameless’ no good ass to the curb.”
“Under the curb,” Charlee snapped. Harper’s tight smile isn’t fooling me, as she brushes away a tear the moment it leaves her eye.
“No more tears Harper. Tonight, we’re going to Brew & Boujee. Get ready to have some fun and have too many drinks!” I joke trying to cheer her up. I’m determined to sit through a million blind dates to see her smile.
Harper is a good one, she increases our average. She’s the swan waiting to show her full potential, and that bastard will roast in hell. Guaranteed.
So, tonight is not about me or Lewis, tonight is for Harper. Lewis is a liar. I know it. He knows it. His deception came as no surprise. And now, I’m a walking, talking billboard used by old school R&B songs as evidence of how hard it is for a good woman to find a good man. Because that dog bit me in my ass again, so now the joke’s on me for forgiving him again. Thanks to Lewis, love is not on my agenda.
“I want the drinks and the men.” Charlee tipped a glass in our direction.
Sounds like I’m not the only one nursing a cracked heart or a bruised ego. I think it’s more of the latter. I didn’t love Lewis, maybe it was the prospect of love I loved. Harper raises an eyebrow in my direction but neither of us asks questions about Charlee’s tipsy state, I guess we’ve learned to coexist in our own worlds. And I’m thankful. Most people would consider us shallow, or self-centered. I like that we support each other without being all up in each other’s business, besides I’m not ready to share my blues either. Not until I can explain how I keep finding myself back here, with another no good, gorgeous, rich, shallow, douche of a man.
Charlee is entertaining us with another one of her hookups gone wrong. I climb the stairs in my closet and place my phone on the island. The first floor holds my everyday clothes, shoes, and accessories. The second floor is where I store my glam.
The far wall holds my evening gowns, cocktail dresses, and formal attire. The island is full of jewelry and all the knick-knacks that make dressing up elegant and fun. I scan the area in front of me, trying to decide where to start my search. I need an outfit to make a statement.
My girls are baddies, always dressed to impress. Plus there’s a chance I’ll see Lewis tonight. I push the clothes around searching for my best f’him outfit.
“I’m down for this trip. Anything to get away from my nagging parents,” Charlee adds finally taking a breath. “That’s the one Hunt.”
I stop sliding the last hanger back. “Red on Valentine’s Day is cliché and you know that’s not my style.”
“Yeah, maybe on someone else but not on you,” Harper says.
I pull the dress down, turning the phone towards the ceiling to floor mirror. I inspect the tag. The crimson bodycon dress fit me like a glove in the swank Austin boutique. I shrug holding it against me. The spaghetti straps compliment my brown skin. The deep v-neck neckline means I have to go braless to pull it off. The knee length is the only tame feature. It’s definitely a statement dress, leaving little to the imagination.
“Hunter.”
“I’m in here Daddy," I call over my shoulder. “We’ll talk at S&J," I tell Charlee and Harper.
“What time is the reservation?”
“Now for your late tail,” Harper teases Charlee.
“Whatever! Perfection takes time ladies.”
“The speed dating starts at seven. We need to get there early to get the best seats,” I tell them. This argument is the center of their existence, Harper is always early, Charlee is always late.
“Which means, Charlee, sweetheart, if you want a man, you need to get there on time.” I laugh glad to see Harper’s spunk coming back.
“You know what Harper Anne,” Charlee adds a country twang to her voice, “you can shove it where the sun don’t—”
“Hunter, what is this?” I jump startled by my father at the top of the stairs. He is waving a sheet of paper in the air. I roll my eyes glancing back at my phone.
“All right later dudes. I’ll see y’all in a few. Save me a seat.”
We say our goodbyes and hang up. I drop to the couch beside the island facing him. The frown on my Daddy’s face tells me he’s gearing up for a lecture.
“Hey Daddy, how was your day?” My heart rate spikes at seeing his handsome face twisted in disappointment. I paste a smile on my face aiming for my best sweet-as-pie grin to cancel out the scowl on his.
My parents joke that I’m their perfect creation. I have my mother’s alluring eyes and pouty lips. But I’m my father’s twin, from my brown skin to my taller than average height. I have his slightly wide nose an
d his smile. A smile I use like a Black AmEx to gain access to anywhere and anything. However, proves defective tonight.
“Hunter we need to talk, now. Meet me in my office.”
This is bad. I don’t mind pissing people off, but not Daddy. He holds the keys to this mansion, and quite honestly I care what he thinks even though he has a tendency to overreact.
“Can we talk later? The girls and I have reservations,” I offer hoping to give him time to cool off, to rethink whatever is scattering around that head of his.
He lets out a heavy sigh. “Five minutes Hunt.” Then he stalks off.
I grab my phone. What have I done to bring this on? I search my mind coming up empty-handed. Let me lay my clothes out and then go see what he wants.
I grab a pair of stilettos and toss them on the floor. I open a drawer finding earrings, a necklace, and I push around my rings looking for my favorite chunky ring for my middle finger. I lay them out on top of the island. That should cut down the time I need to get ready. I can’t be late.
I leave my room walking through the house towards Daddy’s office. Our house is quiet, as the staff moves around invisible. The only sound I hear is my shuffling slides. I lightly tap on his door.
“Have a seat.” Daddy rubs the back of his neck, turning in his chair. He’s in his high back leather chair behind a desk large enough to seat at least six people. He leans forward resting his hands on top. The pose would seem harmless if I didn’t see steam rising from his ears.
“What is it, Daddy? You’re scaring me.”
“Hunter, I’m at my wits end with you.” He runs a hand over his face, letting out a deep sigh. My father is the soft one of my parents. He doesn’t raise his voice. He’s reasonable. He’s level headed. All I have to do is smile and apologize, and he’ll hide my dead bodies from the world, even my mother.
“Whatever it is, I’m sorry Daddy.” Blink. Blink. I add a good batting of my lashes for good measure.
Select Love: A BWWM Romance (Blazin' Love Book 8) Page 7
