It’s Sunday, and that in and of itself shouldn’t be a momentous thing. You get one every week—if you’re lucky enough to survive. Still it is, because today is the day that Dani and I are picking up the last of our boxes and moving out of Blade. Blade, Kentucky is a small hole in the wall with less than one hundred people living there. You probably didn’t realize places like Blade still existed, did you?

We have a city hall, one bank, a gas station/tobacco store, and a volunteer fire department. That’s the grand total of all of the buildings in Blade. The few kids who live here are driven by their parents to a school one county over.

I’ve lived here my entire life and although it may sound like it, I’m not really complaining. I love Blade. It’s living anywhere near my parents that I don’t enjoy. My parents really shouldn’t have settled down here. After all, there are no country clubs, no private dining facilities and none of the amenities befitting their station.

Yes, that is sarcasm you detect. I’ve heard those words a million times coming from my mother’s lips. Those same lips that had never kissed the top of my head when I was sad, nor spoke words of encouragement when I failed. Lips that have been painted deep, ruby red for as long as I can remember, and bring to mind a cold and lifeless corpse.

You might be realizing there is no love lost between my mother and me—you would be right. The simple truth is my parents remain in Blade because my dad, Marcus Samuel Wentworth the second, owns the sole bank in the city and the one in the neighboring area of Burkesville, as well. Here, my parents are important, specifically my mother. If she moved away, she would lose that distinction, and Gwyneth couldn’t handle that. My father would too, for that matter. He may be slightly better than my mother, but that’s not really saying much. Sometimes, I wonder how I can be their daughter. I would have thought I was adopted except for my hair. The dirty-blonde hair I have is the same color as my mother’s. For that reason alone, I put a darker caramel color through it, so now it looks nothing like hers.

She hates it. I celebrate it.

I’m getting all dragged down talking about the parental units. That’s enough to depress me and that can’t happen on this awesome day.

Today, Dani and I are moving to London, Kentucky. See? Momentous! Okay, well it isn’t that far from Blade to be honest, but it is at least a three-hour drive and that’s good enough for now. We’ve rented a two-bedroom house on the outskirts of the city and it will be far enough away from my parents I doubt they will ever try to see me again. That sounds harsh and I hope you don’t judge me—let’s just say life with them is worse than I’m telling you and leave it at that.

Dani and I both have jobs. I’m going to be a waitress at the Wolves Den and she will be dancing. I’d never have the nerve to dance for several reasons. First, Dani makes me brave, but even she can’t make me believe I don’t have mega flaws.

Dani is drop dead gorgeous. Me? That’s reason number two. I have boobs that are a little too large, and my ass is just a tad too wide. My thighs aren’t my favorite thing either. I’m a size fourteen. I’ll never fit into Dani’s size eights. I used to wish I could, but as I get older I’ve realized that I like who I am. So, screw it. Plus, I’m pretty outspoken at times, but way too freaking shy to be a dancer. My girl makes me brave, but no one is able to make me brave enough to bare my boobs and ass to a bunch of strangers. It’s going to be hard enough getting used to wearing the mini booty shorts and black tank uniform my job requires. It shows way too much of the aforementioned boobs, but I’m determined.

I want to branch out into real life and live. So I’ve made the decision to not let my conscience get the better of me and just experience the different things that are out there. It’s silly, and a decision that may bite me in the ass, but I don’t want to wake up one day and wish I had done things differently.

I’ve never really been the type to want to go to college. That’s an issue my parents bring up regularly—just another thing on a long list of my failures I have in my parent’s eyes. I’ve never really had aspirations to do something with my life other than enjoy it. Maybe I’ll make plans later on. I don’t know what yet, and frankly at twenty-four I probably should. Yet, I don’t really care right now. It took too long to break away from Blade. Now, I’m free and I guess I’ll figure it out as I go along.

“Woo!!!!!!!!” Dani cries as we’re speeding down the interstate in my Mercedes. Her hands are waving in the air and I can’t help but laugh over the pounding of the radio. I love my car. It’s a shit-hot, baby blue, Mercedes E350 convertible, and it’s the only thing my parents gave me that I love. It is also the last gift they ever gave me.

It was given to me at my high school graduation, when they still thought they had a chance of molding me into who they thought I should be. Luckily, it was in my name and paid for when they gave me the keys. One month later, they found out I wouldn’t be going to college to find myself a future doctor or lawyer as a husband.

Yes, that was the reason given for why I should enroll in college.

I refused, and since that time, I was pretty much cut off. Luckily, I had Dani. She has always been here for me. We are as different as night and day. Honestly, there is no reason why Dani and I are friends. Some things just happen. Dani walks to the beat of her own drum. She is a force of nature, a hurricane—or rather, more like a category five hurricane. She inspires me.

She scares me. She makes me happy and I love her. She took me in and I lived with her and her brother Roy. Roy is a nice guy and cute as hell. Too bad he is also very gay. That’s just my luck. I find a guy who would be good for me and he’s completely immune to me.

We did okay together though. It’s the first place that ever felt like a home. Dani and I worked to save every bit of money we could. We scrimped and saved until we had enough to make the big move. Three hours away might not seem like a big move to some, but it sure as hell was for us. We pooled our money and were able to pay the rent for three months, plus the safety deposit. We had enough left over to fully stock the fridge and pay utilities until we get paid from our new jobs. Roy has a friend who worked as a manager at Wolves Den and he got us interviews. We nailed the jobs and told them we needed two weeks to give our former employers notice.

We didn’t really, but it takes time to move and get settled. It happened so quickly, that once we made the decision, I was kind of dizzy from all of it. Still, I’m happy. I look over at my best friend for life and smile—really happy.

“Hey, I’m thirsty!” Dani yells.

“We’re just thirty minutes or so away!” I respond, not crazy about stopping.

“Big damn deal. Let’s get some drinks and chocolate, girl!”

I frown and look down at my gas gauge. I could use some gas. I put on my turn signal to get over and take the upcoming exit. We had to take it to get to where our new home is anyway. I pull into the first gas station I see and cut the engine off.

I push my hands through my hair and shake it out, because hello, interstate driving, convertible. Enough said.

“Whatcha’ want bitch?” Dani asks, and I shake my head at her. She’s yelling over the music. Ludacris is blasting through the speakers.

“Pepsi, fountain drink if they have it,” I yell back, looking around.

I notice there’s a bunch of men on bikes by the entrance, and they’re looking over at us laughing. I open the door, cutting off Ludacris as he screams out about his woman riding his dick. I can feel the heat rising up in my face and turn my eyes away from them immediately. Shit!

Our “on the road” play list is very eclectic and the Ludacris offering is one of Dani’s choices. Don’t get me wrong, I like it. I like a bit of naughty and I like the beat, but it’s not my usual thing. Lorde’s Team is next. That’s me.

I don’t know the men who are laughing, maybe they aren’t even laughing at me. It feels like they are though. I hate this about me. I am so self-conscious I automatically take things personally and find myself lacking. Dani isn’t like that. She’d flip the bikers off and go about her business. I want to be more carefree like Dani; I just can never achieve it. They are laughing harder now, but I turn around to the pump, run my card through and ignore them. In my mind I’m wondering if my ass is hanging out of my cut-offs and if that’s why they are laughing. Can they see the small catsup stain on my pink shirt from the fries Dani and I shared earlier? I set the pump to go on its own and start cleaning the trash out of the car. I’m mostly trying to keep myself busy and ignoring the bikers. It takes a while and my conclusion is that Dani and I are pigs.

I walk over to the garbage can and am I’m throwing away all of the crap when a deep gravelly voice from behind me sends chills up my back.

“Damn. I’ve heard of it, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen it.”

I turn slowly and look up to see one of the bikers standing in front of me. I bite my lip and move back a small step. I grind my teeth into one corner of my bottom lip and my hands go to the back pockets of my shorts—suddenly very nervous. I take him in, and damn there is a lot to take in. Holy Mother of God!

Standing before me is a man that towers over me. He’s at least a good six feet tall. His mocha skin glistens in the sun and he’s wearing a black t-shirt that’s faded to the point that it’s almost gray, over which he has on a leather vest.

Which is weird. It’s like eighty freaking degrees today, but I can’t deny he looks sexy. I think maybe he could wear a feed sack and it’d still be sexy. The vest has the word Savage written on it in dark red letters, on top of what looks like a rabid wolf. It’s kind of scary looking. Underneath that is the word “President”. I move my eyes up from his massive chest and the biceps covered in tattoos, to look into the most gorgeous eyes I have ever seen in my life.

They are a deep, dark, sparkling brown, and I think I could drown in them and die happy. His hair is cut short to his head with just enough left that you would still feel the texture against your skin.

I let go of my lips and lick them because my mouth has gone dry. The god before me would be a good way to let go and experience life, Bad Nicole whispers in my head, and the sane part of me agrees. I wouldn’t mind a piece of what stands before me, not that I’d ever have a chance of holding onto him, but still.

“What’s that?” I ask and shit, my voice sound breathless.

“A barefoot Kentucky girl,” he answers.

I look down at my feet, realizing I left my flip flops in the car. I hate shoes and I absolutely hate driving with shoes on. I tend to wrap my toes around the pedals of a car and you can’t do that with shoes on. I also forget to put them back on. I once went to the grocery store and got all the way to the door, before noticing I was barefoot.

I look back at him and turn my head to the side in what I hoped was a flirty action.

“You must be new to Kentucky.” I’m feeling warm all over. Can he see the heat rising on my face?

“No Mama. Been here awhile and seen a lot of girls, in a lot of places. Don’t believe I’ve ever seen one pumping gas barefoot.”

“Glad I could be your first,” I grin, wondering if he could pick up on the sexual innuendo. I’m subtle, way too subtle sometimes, as Dani likes to remind me constantly.

His lush, full lips widen into a smile and his bright white teeth are visible for a minute. It’s a good smile. Damn good.

“What’s your name Twinkie?” he asks. The boys with him laugh harder. I don’t know why, maybe it was just a sixth sense, but I don’t think I like that name. Now, when he had called me

Mama earlier? I’m pretty sure I drenched my panties.

“Does it matter?” I ask, a little confused with the situation coming at me.

“I like to know the name of the woman who took my virginity,” he quips, his long arm leaning against the post by the gas pump.

Guess that means he picked up on my innuendo. Only now with his boys laughing, I get the feeling this was some kind of game, and that disappoints me. I have been the butt of too many jokes, way too often, mostly because of my size.

The pump kicks off and I reach down to take the nozzle out—when he does it for me. His hand brushes against mine and I feel a charge of electricity at the small touch. My nipples harden in reaction to it. Damn, that has never happened before and this guy is the wrong person for it to be happening with.

“How about you just call me mystery, that way you won’t get me confused with the millions of girls that come after me.” I smile as I say it, though it probably doesn’t reach my eyes, but he won’t know that.

“Damn Nic, when I said I wanted chocolate, you didn’t have to go all out bitch. Hello there, tall-dark-and-do-me-all-over,” Dani pipes up as I close the gas lid.

I shake my head and I turn back around to see him look Dani up and down and I don’t miss the interest flair in his eyes. I sigh, yep, no competing with Dani. I take my pop from her hand while she is still staring at stud muffin.

“Dani meet Stud, Stud meet Dani. I popped his cherry while you were in the store,” I tell her, while walking around to the driver’s side of the car. The men laugh harder as I continue to ignore them.

Dani laughs and opens the door, careful not to hit him as she gets in and I notice he closes her door. Damn. Yeah, that’s jealousy I feel. Dang it! Stud doesn’t move away either. His hands are firmly propped on the passenger door and he leans in the window. Damn Dani and her sexy size eights. Still, when I look up, his eyes are on me. “Me and my crew,” he says, and jerks his head in the direction of the men who have finally stopped laughing, “are having a party this Tuesday. You girls should come. It’s the least you can do for stealing my virginity and all Nicole. I was saving that,” he murmurs, stressing my name to let me know he had it now.

“Sorry stud, we just moved and have some stuff to do before we start work Friday,” I reply, starting up the car. Immediately, Ludacris fills the air again, but I reach down and mute it quickly.

“Where are you working?” he asks, looking straight at me, and I wonder if for a minute I mistook his interest in Dani, but then I realize he’s sizing us both up. He’s a player, a total player—disappointing, but not surprising.

“Wolves Den,” I answer putting the car into drive, but I keep my foot on the brake. His smile grows and he walks around the front of the car and slapping the hood.

“Maybe I’ll see you around sometime then, Twinkie.”

“Sorry, I don’t do repeats. It’s hard to beat that first time,” I reply waiting for him to move past the hood so I can pull out.

“Now that’s damned disappointing. Maybe I can show you how some things get better with practice,” he purrs.

“It’s nice you believe in miracles. Good to know I didn’t take away all your innocence,” I return. He barely clears my car before I give it some gas and pull out from the pumps, intent on getting away.

“Be seeing you soon!” he calls out.

I ignore the warning and the chills it sends down my spine, and turn the sound back up on my radio. By this time Creep from Radiohead, is on so I crank it high.

“Who the hell was that?” Dani asks when we get on the road, turning my music back down.

“Have no idea. Thought he was sexy, but he seemed to be getting his jollies off messing with me, while his buddies laughed.”

Dani was silent, but I see her nod out of the corner of my eye. We go down the road about a mile or so before I notice the bikers are behind us. I can see stud in my rearview mirror, his shades covering his eyes. Damn he is sex on a stick.

“Don’t look now, but I think your play toy is following you,” Dani says, looking through her side mirror. I turn on the signal to cut down road 80, where the house we have rented is located. I can’t help but notice the bikers follow.

“Do you think we should be worried?” I ask, trying not to hyperventilate.

“Nah, it’s a long road, maybe they live on it, or maybe he just wants to tap your ass. Worse things could happen girl. Hell, it’s been forever since you got laid.”

She wasn’t wrong. I had been with two other guys. One was in high school. I was sixteen and gave my virginity to my boyfriend Marshall after prom. Both Marshall and the giving

away of my virginity were a mistake. The second was the last relationship I was in, with Tony, or as I affectionately referred to him, Tony the Tool. I sucked the big one at picking men.

We drive a little further along the road then turn up a dirt road on the right. It leads to the house we rented. We’d found it in an ad online and rented it just by the pictures. Apparently the pictures were old because the grass out front looks like it will go up past my knees.

Holy Splendor in the Grass, Batman!

“Shit,” Dani mutters, and I wholeheartedly agree.

I pull into the drive and park. We both get out, still in shock. I hear the sound of bikes, indicating they are following us in and somehow I’m not surprised, but I am still in shock over the house, so my attention is somewhat diverted. I am counting up the hours I’ll be stuck doing yard work and praying the house is in better shape than the outside, when tall, dark and studly parks his bike beside me.

“Nice place, Twinkie,” he says and at least this time the boys aren’t laughing.

I turn so I could face him. God, he is hot. Did I forget to mention that? Even if I didn’t, it sure as hell needs repeating.

“Listen, it’s cute how you cling to me and everything, but the first rule in Cherry Popping 101 is hit it and quit it. So really, we should say goodbye now.”

I hear Dani snort over the others laughing.

“You go barefoot in these weeds Mama and you’re liable to get snake bit.”

I roll my eyes. “I have shoes, plus last time I checked I was a big girl, so you don’t need to worry Daddy.” I open the car door, get out my flip flops and put them on my feet. I was giving him much more lip than I normally would. I wasn’t sure why, but I think it was because it felt like he and his men were laughing at me earlier. If you added that along with the fact he checked out Dani, who I could never compete with, while was standing right there…

“I’ve never liked that before,” he said resignedly, getting off his bike.

I take a step back now that he is standing beside me. I have to move away to try and get air or I would have swooned. It is a near miss, even then. “What’s that?” I ask, suddenly lost to the conversation. “Being called Daddy, but it might be hot as hell from you. Especially, if you scream it out while I’m spanking that ass of yours.”

Have you ever seen a goldfish jump out of its bowl and flap around? Its mouth opening and closing while trying desperately to breathe? I’m pretty sure that’s what I looked like. Then, he shocks me further by picking me up and walking me towards the house.

“Wait! What on earth are you doing?”

“Mama those things on your feet are cute as hell, but they aren’t going to protect you from snakes.” I hear Dani laughing and look over the guy’s shoulders to see her piggy back riding one of the other men. She’s having the time of her life, while I am confused, aroused and panicked. See? Totally different from Dani, damn it!

“Put me down! I’m too heavy,” I complain, feeling way out of my depth here. I have never been literally picked up by a man before, but especially by a man I don’t know. At my words, he shifts and turns me so I am hanging half over his back. His hand comes up and slaps me hard on the ass.

“Ow! What the hell was that for?”

“Quit talking about yourself like that. You sure as hell aren’t heavy,” he growls.

“I don’t even know you, you creep. What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“Spanking an ass I plan on tapping later,” he grumbles.

Gulp! I think this might be an oh-shit-moment, if ever there was one. What do you say to that? I mean I don’t even know him!

Jump him! Bad Nicole orders in my head.

She seems to be coming out to play more and more around this man, and I only met him thirty minutes ago! If that!

“There’s no way in hell!” I grow back, as he puts me down on the small cement square in front of the back door.

Liar! Bad Nicole chides.

I really need to find a way to slap that bitch.

“Oh yeah, there is Mama, and something else you should know.”

“I don’t want to know,” I grumble.

“Before I’m through you’re going to be begging me to spank you harder.”

My face jerks back like he had hit me. Seriously? Did he just say that to me? I would have argued, but he picks that moment to grab me by the back of the head and pull me to him. My hands come up between us, to try and pull away. He is too strong, or maybe I don’t really try. He slams his lips against mine, sliding his over them—possessively. I grind my teeth together refusing to open for him. His tongue teases along the inside of my bottom lip. It feels good. It feels divine, yet somehow I have the wherewithal to not open my mouth.

Because you’re stupid!

Bad Nicole should seriously go back into hibernation. Stud must have get impatient because I can feel his hand moving between us. It leaves a heated path through my shirt right along my stomach. His touch is gentle, but oh so commanding. I would be lying if I didn’t admit my resistance is melting. It so is, but in the end that doesn’t matter. His hand reaches up to my chest and he places that big, warm palm over my right breast. Moisture begins pooling in my panties and I can feel heat moving through my body and centering on all the pleasure receptors in my body. I am preparing to have them blown sky high when he twists my nipple between his fingers. The jolt of pain is so intense that it makes me gasp. It’s just the opening he wants. He pushes his tongue in my mouth, finding mine and teasing it, drawing it out to play with his. I am helpless to stop it. A woman would have to be dead not to respond to this man’s kiss. Our tongues dance and tangle. I can’t stop my moan that releases into his mouth. It’s a mere vibration, barely a whisper of a sound, but it gives him all the encouragement he needs. I know that by the way his thumb brushes over the erect nipple, soothing now, where he had inflicted pain on earlier. My arms circle around his neck as my body pushes in. I need to get closer to him.

I push my fingers into his hair, the texture abrasive and exactly as I imagined—only better. I’m trying to get his mouth closer, even though that is physically impossible. I want to devour him. The kiss turns up another notch—hell, another ten notches. His hands move down to my ass cupping it, kneading it and bringing me up his body. His hard cock pushes where I need it most. I’m not sure what would have happened next. I think I might have let him fuck me right there on the porch. I was that ready—that needy. I was more than willing to go there. Until the hoots and hollering from his friends start—crashing me back to reality. My body locks and I pull away, regretfully. I look into his warm dark chocolate eyes, and I have to catch my breath at the beauty.

His fingers bite into my ass. I realize then that I am I squeezing my thighs into the side of his, like a wanton hussy, but seriously that’s what he’s turned me into. I might as well own it. I push against his shoulders and release my legs so he can put me down.

Luckily, Bad Nicole is as speechless as I am.

Stud watches me and somehow his eyes get darker. Oh they looked good before, but now I melt, and from the sticky wetness between my legs I can honestly say I mean that literally. I tear my eyes away from him and look down at his feet. I feel heat enter my cheeks as the men with him keep ragging at us. He lowers me back onto the ground slowly, my heart pounding, beating hard and echoing in my ears.

I step back the minute my feet hit concrete. My fingers come up to my swollen lips, as the world begins to right itself. In the background I can hear the boys making comments. I’m sure it would embarrass me to death, but I can’t concentrate. I glance at him and then try to look away, but can’t seem to pull my gaze away from his face.

“You should come by the club tonight, Twinkie. Me and the boys are just right up the road. We could show you and your girl a real, good time.”

I blinked. My brain was addled. We? He didn’t mean that the way it sounded. Right?

“The club?” I ask confused, trying to focus my thoughts, but that is easier said than done.

“Yeah babe, me and the boys are the Savage MC. Our clubhouse is up the road about fifteen miles. Just take a left by the old barn and follow the road till it veers left...not that hard to find. We’re always looking for new Twinkies. You and your girl would fit right in. I’ll even make sure you enjoy it personally,” he adds twirling my hair around his finger.

“I... you....” I stop. I had been looking forward to this man blowing my mind, but I just didn’t think it would be like this. Damn him for telling me this! It makes me feel raw inside and it hurts. I can feel embarrassment flooding through me. I hadn’t been exposed to that kind of thing, but I do read romance novels. I loved reading Motorcycle Club erotica even. What girl didn’t? In my books, I had heard club women referred to as muffler bunnies, mattress monkeys, sweet butts, candy, club toys, and a million other things. They all rounded down to one word. Whore! I had never heard the word “Twinkies” used before, but I imagine it is one in the same.

“We could make all your hot little wicked fantasies come true baby...every last fucking one, no matter how filthy,” he leans down and whispers in my ear.

I pull away from him—like his touch burns, and damn it all to hell it does!

After three steps back, I look around to see his men in the background behind my car all smiling, leering and joking. I see Dani get away from the guy who had given her a ride. She walks behind me and Stud with a strange look on her face. She takes the key we had been mailed, opens the door and stands there waiting.

“What makes you think we’re looking to be Twinkies?” I ask evenly. I was proud of myself because you can’t hear the hurt in my voice.

“C’mon babe, no one lights up in a man’s arms as quick as you do unless she’s hot for it. No shame babe. You want to piss off your rich ass parents? You won’t be the first. Just so happens, this time I happen to like the idea of helping you make that goal.”

He sounds so cocky and looks so sure of himself. How could I have forgotten my earlier thoughts? Player...total player.

“Sorry to disappoint you Stud, but it hasn’t been my life’s dream to be a Savage chew toy. Also, I ceased to care what my parents thought of me a couple of years ago, when I pissed them off for the last time. You should run home now, I’m sure you have...Twinkies was it? Twinkies there to take care of all your wicked little fantasies!”

With that I turn around. I thought it was a good line. I am proud of myself. I can tell by Dani’s smile she was too. But, he won’t let it pass. He grabs my hand to pull me back around.

“You can’t deny what you were offering Mama. A man can only go by what you put out there.”

I take a deep breath. I pull my hand so he gets the message to let me go. He does, but he gives me a look that makes it plain he isn’t about to leave until we have this, whatever this is, out.

“First of all, if I remember correctly you started calling me Twinkie before I offered you jack shit. In fact, I don’t believe I have yet to offer you anything. So, please stop wasting my time and yours.”

He stands there silently looking at me like a thundercloud.

“Run along,” I say making a movement with my hand like I am scurrying away a dog. Heck, he is most assuredly a dog.

“Babe, that kiss you sure as hell offered fuck of a lot. And, you were definitely sending out those vibes earlier.”

“Oh my God! I was flirting! Women do that when they think someone standing before them is hot!” He grins, and I swear at that moment I want to slap the shit out of him. How can someone you just met make you feel such a range of emotions?

“And besides that,” I continue, before I gave in to the urge to kill him, “it was just a damn kiss.” I hold up my hand when he starts to argue with me. “It was a fucking kiss, nothing else! I

don’t even know your name for God sake!” I turn to the door when his voice stops me.

“Dragon.”

“What?” I ask, looking over my shoulder.

“My name is Dragon.”

“I seriously doubt that, but in either case it doesn’t matter as I won’t be using it.”

“Learn it, Mama. Trust me, you will be fucking screaming it out soon.”

I ignore him. I mean really, what can you say after that...especially when my body wants to agree with him. I make it inside the kitchen and slam the door. I lean against it and look at Dani. We stare at each other a minute and then Dani grins.

“So, that was interesting,” she deadpans. I look at her like she had just grown three heads. We hear the bikes start up outside and then slowly we both start laughing, as I sink to the floor on my ass.