Chapter One

Cash

Sitting in a beat-up old pickup truck hours after the sun had already called it quits for the day, I was sweaty and tired. And ready to get some food and go home. I’d spent the past eight hours in this fucking truck watching the border to make sure former CAOS members, Wagman and Rocky, kept their shit out of Brently. We couldn’t ban them outright, not yet anyway, but I knew the shit that went down at the clubhouse a few months back wasn’t over. Not yet.

Rocky had served with Toro in Panama when the US government wanted Noriega gone, and I knew he had a hard-on for revenge. But what Toro had done, he fucking deserved to meet the Outlaw. I couldn’t blame Rocky, hell I respected him for it. But that didn’t mean I would step aside and let him fuck up my club or my town because him and his boys went against the grain. No fucking way.

But there were no signs of those assholes today. I knew they were doing business with the cartels, transporting drugs, maybe weapons and girls, from Mexico and right through Brently. That’s the part I found unacceptable which was why I’d been out here most nights lately to keep an eye on things.

But tonight’s shift was over, so I headed to Black Betty’s to refuel. Inside I smiled when my gaze landed on the chocolate-haired beauty who’s been taking up way too much of my mind space. Minx sat alone in a booth, eating and reading something on her tablet. Damn, she was just beautiful with thick brown hair and caramel highlights, big brown eyes that held a vulnerability she’d hate to know I could see, and her lush mouth seemed fixed in permanent sad face.

She had the kind of body women paid good money for. Slim but with enough meat on her bones that a man knew she was a woman, not a little girl. Her tits were more than a handful which was perfect for me since I was a breast man. Long tan legs were always on display, and sexy ass cowgirl boots were all she wore. Our night together had been amazing. She’d been responsive as hell, and some days I got hard just thinking about it. But she still owed me a date, and I planned to cash in on it. If she thought avoiding me would make me forget, she didn’t know me very well. That was something else I was determined to change.

“Long time no see,” I told her, sliding into the seat across from her without waiting for the invitation I knew she wouldn’t give.

She looked up, deep brown eyes looking mildly annoyed, and shook her head. “Not true. I saw you two nights ago at the clubhouse.”

Yeah, there was a party to welcome the new batch of prospects, and she’d been tapped to tend bar as usual. Only something had been different that night. She didn’t smile and act friendly with the guys, she kept everyone at a distance. Me included. She didn’t talk to anyone more than necessary, just made their drinks and moved on. “Not really what I meant. What’s up with you?”

She shrugged. “Life. Work. Not much really. You?”

I told her I’ve just been busy with club shit because that much was true. “How have you been?”

“I’m fine. You don’t have to worry about me turning into a crazy stalker.”

I kind of wished she would, goddammit. Not a stalker, of course, but at least show a little more interest. Maybe pursue me a little. “I’m not worried about that,” I told her in a way that prompted a response.

“Then what are you worried about, Cash?”

“I’m worried that you’re not a woman of your word. I’ve given you two months to come to me, Minx, but you’ve been avoiding me.”

“Hiya, Cash,” Nadine cooed, interrupting us. “What can I getcha?”

Nadine was a little too desperate for my tastes, but she was nice enough so I treated her right. “How’s it going, Nadine? I’ll have the fried chicken meal with corn, potatoes, and salad.”

“You eating here?” She looked between me and Minx, trying to figure out our relationship. Good luck, sweetheart, because I don’t even know.

“Nah. Make it to go for me, would ya?”

“You got it.” She winked and flounced away. I was sure if I looked she’d have a wicked swing to her hips, but my attention was squarely on Minx.

“I’m not avoiding you. I have a life to live.”

“And a date you’re trying to get out of.” I stood and seared her with a gaze. “If you’re backing out, say so. If not, I expect to hear from you soon about your availability.” I figured she’d had enough of my company and went to chat with Talon, looking massively pregnant behind the counter.

***

Minx

I watched Cash chat with Talon while the kitchen made his meal, and then he was gone. His long powerful strides took him further away from me, and I wanted to go after him. To call him back and apologize for my constant bitchery. But I couldn’t. I couldn’t risk letting him get too close to me after that mind-blowing night we had together. It had been too much. Too explosive, too right, and too overwhelming for me to do that again and keep my emotions out of it. And with my past, the last thing I could afford was to form an emotional attachment to someone who might be dead in six months.

But dammit, I really, really wanted him again.

The problem was…Cash. He was one of those guys who was just so good, he was almost unbelievable. He held doors open for women and old people, said thank you to his servers, smiled and offered a greeting to everyone he met. And in bed, he’d shown me just how good sex could really be, and that was dangerous. I’d had plenty of sex in my life, and I knew logically that not all sexual encounters were nonconsensual and vicious, but Cash was much more than that.

So much more.

He was tender and commanding, gentle and enthusiastic. He took his time, and made sure we both had a good time. He’d even prioritized my pleasure above his own, making sure I came at least twice before he would let himself go. That had been a welcome surprise. An intoxicating encounter that, even now, had me squeezing my thighs together and talking my body down from the edge.

The edge of trouble and desire.

I had to shake off thoughts of Cash and get back to my reading. I couldn’t be distracted by any man because I had a life to get back on track. After everything I’d been through, I refused to let another man be the cause of my stagnation. I needed to make plans to get away from CAOS, maybe even away from Brently. Though he saved me, things weren’t the same without Magnus’ smiling face. Sure, the guys at CAOS had been good to me, but it just wasn’t the same.

Part of it was that I wasn’t the same. Magnus had made me get my GED which I insisted be done in secret, and with that, I enrolled in a few online courses at UC San Diego. I had no idea what I’d do with a degree, if I ever got one, but I knew I needed more practical business knowledge if I wanted to do more than sew and bartend.

Yeah, things were looking up.

I could believe that too—as long as I didn’t devote too much head space to a sexy biker who had me weak in the knees.

Talon sat sideways in the booth because her belly was too big to sit in it properly. “What did you say to Cash? I think you might’ve hurt his feelings.”

I scoffed, “Doubtful. I think he was just checking to make sure I didn’t turn stalker-bitch on him.” Why I lied to Talon, I didn’t know. She was the only person I’d willingly told about my past.

“You mean the night he rocked your world and made you walk funny for a month?” Her lips twitched, and I wanted to reach over and tug on her pigtails. “Honey, I think he’s the one eager for a second night. And a third. A fourth. Fifth.”

“Okay, I get it. Stop.” I had to shake my head at her because now that she was blissfully in love with a baby on the way, she saw stars and romance everywhere. “I’m on a mission. Cash did what I needed him to do and I had a great time, but I can’t get lost in a man right now. Or ever.”

She frowned. “You don’t see me getting lost, do you? There are some women who can have a man beside them while they conquer the world, Minx, and you’re the biggest badass I know, so what’s this really about?”

I sighed knowing I’d have to tell her at least some of the truth. “Maybe that’s true for some women, Talon, but mentally I’m basically a teenage girl in terms of experience. I can’t turn boy crazy while I’m trying to get my life squared away. Seek out a future for myself.”

Like a real friend, she ignored most of what I said and focused on the important things. “Tell me about these goals,” she asked, her silver eyes sparkling with curiosity.

I sucked in a long, fortifying breath and told her about school, preparing for laughter though I knew Talon wouldn’t laugh at me—or my goals. “Shhh. Keep it down,” I told her when she squealed “No one else knows, and I want to keep it that way.” I didn’t know why I was making such a big deal out of it, but it was my secret to keep, and that meant something to me. Little things.

“My lips are sealed.” She promised and pushed off the booth to wrap me in another hug. “Even though you don’t need it, I want you to know I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks, Talon.” She’d become the best friend I’d ever had just like her dad was the best man I’d ever met. She was my first real friend in my new life, my new adult life. Not that I didn’t love Charlie, Magnus’ old lady, but after the truth came out about his death, she didn’t come around as much and I couldn’t say I blamed her. But it served as a reminder that the people I needed always left.

By force or by choice, they ended up gone.

***

Few things in this life felt better than having a day off work. It was the perfect time to run daytime errands, to take my time and just enjoy life. Having an entire week off was troubling to me, though. I knew they needed to do a bunch of super-secret shit with the prospects and they didn’t want me around, but I was also pretty sure that once they had a full roster of guys again, I’d be out of a job. It was probably the push I needed to either make a go of my online clothing store or find something else to do. I definitely didn’t dream of spending my life serving drinks to a crowd of rough bikers, their ol’ ladies, and the pass arounds. No thank you.

They were nice enough guys, but I knew firsthand just how poorly rough dudes and booze mixed. Most of them were pussycats when they didn’t need to be hellions, but there were a few—some gone and some not—I made sure never to be alone with. Though that probably had more to do with my own issues than them as men.

Cash though, I avoided being alone with for tons of other reasons. The man was everywhere—at the diner, the clubhouse. In my dreams. “Damn man,” I grumbled and stepped from my vintage VW van when I arrived at the fabric store a few towns over in Clarity. I’d spotted a few good deals online that made me certain the drive was worth it, especially because one of them would become a maternity dress for Talon. The woman owned at least a hundred sundresses, and now she couldn’t wear them. The indigo and lavender floral pattern would look stunning against her fairy eyes and raven hair. Fabric stores were like a world of beauty to me. I could look at a bolt of fabric and see what I could be, how it could be used to maximized the best things about it from cut to weight to quality.

For years I wore little more than cheap lingerie, but out here I found a love for passion that was possibly the only thing about me that remained from my childhood. What little there was of it. So, I’d spent the past year trying to make a go of it online, which explained why the older woman who owned Fabric City smiled when she rang me up. “Thanks, Mae.”

“No problem, honey. Any chance I could get you to make me something?”

“Name the style and the fabric.”

Mae pointed a finger at me, skin blushing furiously. “I’m not young and sexy like you, Minx, so I’ll find the fabric if you promise to make me look good.”

“You have my word, Mae.”

“Then I’ll see you soon.”

I nodded and walked out to the sounds of my hungry stomach protesting its empty state. In my zeal to get the day started, I got up, got dressed, and headed out to run errands. As I put my purchases in my van, I considered heading to the taco place that was calling my name from a few doors down.

“Minx?”

I froze at the sound of my name, but my heart raced at the sound of the familiar voice calling it. I knew that voice, but dammit I’d driven two towns and nearly an hour away just to avoid him or anyone else I knew. Double damn. But Cash had seen me, and called out to me, so I couldn’t pretend I didn’t hear him. As much as I wanted to do just that. I turned around and plastered on my best fake smile. “Cash. Fancy seeing you out here. Taking advantage of the sale on fabric?” I motioned toward the fabric shop.

A small smile touched his lips, and instantly I thought about all the wicked things his mouth had done to me. Things no mouth had ever done to me, and I smiled in response. “Not exactly. A friend is fixing the seat of my bike. What are you doing all the way out here?”

“Buying fabric. Having lunch. Enjoying a day off.” Days off actually, but knowing Cash, he might try to do something about it.

“Sure, Minx, I would love to join you for lunch.” He took a step forward so we stood shoulder to shoulder and slung a heavy arm around me. He kept his pace set to my slower one. “Tacos sound good to you, too?”

I bumped his hip and rolled my eyes. “That’s where I was heading, yes.” I should be terrified being so close to him like this, when he topped me by at least six inches and probably close to one hundred pounds, but I wasn’t. Which said a lot about just how much he threw me off my game. “Join me if you must.”

He laughed. “Now how can I possibly turn down an invitation issued with such enthusiasm?”

I shrugged. “I guess you can’t.” His laughter filled the restaurant as he held the door open for me. “Such a gentleman.”

“Just how my mama raised me.” He grinned and flashed those damn dimples that never hesitated to make my panties wet. Just a little. Okay, a lot.

“Lucky you.” I hadn’t seen my own mother in so long that I just stopped thinking about her and the family I used to have. The moment I realized that my overly religious family would probably compound what I’d gone through by rejecting me or worse, trying to fix me. I hoped they believed I was dead because it meant no one would come looking for me, and I could just stop talking about my past. Hell, I’d give anything if I could stop thinking about it.

“What do you want, Minx?”

I blinked and looked up to see a pretty Mexican waitress and Cash staring at me with concerned eyes. “Oh, um, I’ll have three fish tacos with extra guac, and a tall margarita on the rocks”—Cash looked at me with smiling eyes that shone with surprise— “and fresh chips and salsa please.”

“Healthy appetite,” he said once the waitress was gone.

“Is that a problem?”

“Not at all. I love a woman who loves to eat.” He winked and sipped his water as if he hadn’t just put a dirty image in my mind. Like I often did when it came to Cash, I ignored the part of his statement I didn’t want to deal with.

“I doubt that. You strike me as the kind of guy who loves petite girls that nibble on salad as you regale them with the dangerous antics of a former SEAL while chomping on a big juicy steak.”

He laughed and dammit he looked so sexy, so inviting when his face softened in laughter. All the stress lines of years in battle disappeared, leaving him a devastating mess of blond hair, dimples, and glittering emerald eyes. “I would never presume to tell a woman what to order. If you ordered a taco salad I would judge you, but only silently.”

I couldn’t help the laughter that bubbled up out of me at his witty words. Despite the intensity I always spotted in him, he was a goofball with a wicked sense of humor. “I can handle your judgment,” I snapped. I was used to being judged.

“So, Minx,”—he sat back casually, a soothing smile on his face— “tell me about yourself.”

My gaze narrowed, and my bullshit detector rose. “What do you want to know?” I had no real experience dealing with men on a personal level like this other than the club, and those guys treated me like a little sister so I was out of my depth. Cash was foreign territory for me.

“Where are you from for starters?”

“I lived in Terre Haute before…everything.”

“Have you been back since you left?”

Since I left? He said it like I just moved away. “Nope.”

“Okay. Well how did you end up in Brently?”

I slammed my glass down, bullshit meter beeping like crazy now, and glared at him. “Seriously? Are you for real right now?” It was the worst kept secret in Brently, how Magnus rescued me and helped me get on my feet.

“I believe I am serious and for real,” he said cautiously like I was the crazy one who might lash out at any moment. “Should I know this information already?”

My brows furrowed in confusion. “The CAOS guys gossip liked old ladies, so how could you not know?”

He shook his head. “I asked Mick what your deal was, and he said to ask you. I tried Talon, and she said the same thing. So I’m asking you.”

I knew I could tell Cash the cold hard truth about my past and end this flirtation right now. He would look at me the way everyone else did once they knew. Like I was spun glass that required delicate handling. Like I was a bird with a broken wing. They didn’t sympathize with me—they pitied me, and I fucking hated that. “If you don’t know about my past, why are you always trying to help me? Fix me?”

He looked shocked. “Do I do that?”

“Feels like it,” I shot back honestly.

“I’m sorry about that, Minx.” He shrugged, not looking all that sorry. “I’m a man, a soldier, and a gentleman. If I see a woman carrying bags, it’s second nature to offer to carry them for her, to hold open doors, and offer help. If you want me to back off just say so. Don’t avoid me.”

“And you will? Back off?”

“I’ll try,” he replied with that devilish smile that said he wouldn’t try all that hard.

I sighed, grateful for the arrival of my margarita. “This isn’t the time to tell you. Maybe another time when we’re not in public.”

He leaned forward. “Will there be a time we’re together in a place that isn’t so public?”

“Maybe. Depends.”

“On what,” he asked, lips curled into a smug grin. He was so sure I wanted him, and the fact that I did only made his smile annoy me more.

“Whether or not you eat like a farm animal.” He laughed and tossed a warm tortilla chip at me, which I promptly caught in my mouth. “Thanks.”

“Neat trick.”

“Jealous?”

Cash leaned back in his chair and slung one arm across the empty space beside him as he took a sip of his beer, his eyes never left mine. “Never been jealous of a tortilla chip a day in my life. Until now.”

I pressed my thighs together under the table to stop the building, swelling ache between them and bit back a groan.

Then the gorgeous bastard laughed.

Damn him.