PRE-ORDER/RELEASE WEEK BONUS SCENE
This is actually one of the new scenes I wrote for Kickstart my Heart, which I plan to publish…sometime. Until I decide what I’m doing with what has turned into a long, epic, love story (fancy that!), I thought you might enjoy this bonus scene as my “Thank You” for being loyal enough to purchase After Burn early!
1989…The Devil Demons MC’s Clubhouse.
Even though Chaser warned me the clubhouse would be rowdy later, it’s still fairly quiet. The visiting club only showed up with a few members. The youngest one ambles my way almost immediately.
“You’re the My American Pie music video chick, right.” He looks me up and down in a salacious manner. The kid can’t be more than sixteen, but he already seems to be quite the flirt.
“How old are you?” I ask, placing a hand on my hip.
His mouth curls into a way-too-sure-of-himself smirk. “However old you need me to be, sweetness.”
“You barely look old enough to drive.” It’s fun to humor him, but I probably shouldn’t encourage his behavior. Chaser won’t care how old the kid is. If he finds him flirting with me, he’ll probably knock his teeth down his throat. “Either way, kid. I’m not available.”
He runs his hand over his chin and looks me up and down again. “That’s a shame—”
“Rock,” an older biker snaps. “What the fuck you doing, hittin’ on the future VP’s ol’ lady?” He glances down at me. “Sorry, sweetheart. I need to put a leash on this one.”
I smile when I recognize him as the SAA for the Lost Kings MC. “Hey, Grinder.” I jerk my chin toward the kid. “So, how old is little Romeo here?” I tease.
“Rock,” the kid reminds me, as if I could forget. He gets cuffed on the side of the head by Grinder as a reminder to be respectful.
“What’s up?” Chaser asks, slipping an arm around me.
I force a bright smile and pat his chest, making sure to flash my engagement ring. “Grinder was just introducing me to his…son?”
“My club sponsor,” Rock corrects. Behind him, Grinder shakes his head and glances at the ceiling.
“When you patching in, kid?” Chaser asks.
“Few years,” Grinder says. “Boy’s still got a lot to learn.”
I duck my head and chuckle. Chaser seems to pick up what was going down. He rumbles with laughter and reaches out to rough his hand over Rock’s head, drawing a scowl from the kid.
Chaser leans in closer to Rock as if he’s about to share a secret. “Seems you got lots of stuff to learn. Like, at least be old enough to shave before you hit on another man’s fiancée. Don’t you think?”
Rock holds up his hands. “Don’t have a cow, man.”
Grinder smacks the kid on the back of the head and Rock has the decency to blush. “Didn’t notice the ring,” he mutters. “No disrespect intended.”
I’m too amused with this kid’s brashness to dish out the ass-kicking he probably deserves. Besides, what kind of pussy does it make me if I’m intimidated by some kid flirting with my ol’ lady?
Mallory reaches up and kisses my cheek. “I need to help Doe with something.” She smiles at Grinder, then at Rock. “I’ll catch you two later.”
“Sweet girl you got there, Chaser. When’d that happen?” Grinder asks. The words have the flavor of fatherly curiosity more than lechery, so I don’t take offense.
“Couple months. We met in LA.”
Rock glances up at his mentor. “She’s the chick from the video where they turn the firehose on—”
I bust out laughing. “That’s her. No one warned her we’d be hosing her down with freezing cold water. Thought she was gonna cry.” I shrug and try to act casual about the day that changed my life for the better. “Tried to make it up to her by taking her for a ride.”
I glance around the clubhouse, happy to be home. It’s where I’m meant to be.
My father opens the doors and motions for us to come into the chapel.
Grinder grips Rock’s wide shoulders and steers him toward the bar. “Don’t move,” he orders.
I’m holding in my laughter when Grinder returns. “He’s a bold little shit. What is he, fifteen? Sixteen?” I ask.
Grinder shakes his head. “Almost thirteen. Big for his age, so no one questions me ’bout having him ’round the club. He’s a smart kid, but I swear keeping him out of trouble’s a full-time job. Thinks he’s Don-fucking-Juan ever since he nailed his babysitter.”
I burst out laughing. “Shit, are you sure the ol’ ladies are safe with him on the prowl?” I joke.
“Yeah,” he grumbles. “He’ll behave.”
I clap him on the back. “You’re a good guy for looking out for him.”
He glances back at the bar where the kid’s staring straight ahead, sipping on a bottle of soda.
“He’ll be an asset to the club. A good leader one day. If he learns to keep his damn dick in his pants.”
“Won’t we all,” I mutter, making Grinder laugh.