Chapter 1
Ariel
It’s not much more than a shack. But it’s the only establishment this far up the mountain. Half way between my town and the next. It’s not a long way to go as far as running away goes. But this is just my first stop. The first stop in a grand adventure and a little bit of hope that I might run into my older brother Kaden up here.
Kaden’s a wild child. Bad from the day he was born is what my mother says. He was always in trouble, too smart for school and too cool to stick around our small town. I can see a few of the guys wearing his motorcycle club emblem. The Fallen Stars. But Kaden’s not here. And it doesn’t take long for me to realize I might have made a mistake coming here alone.
It’s not a huge crowd. Only seven men inside the tiny bar. But they’re all big. Burly, gruff looking men. All motorcycle riders from the bikes parked out front. And they all stopped and stared when I entered. And they haven’t stopped staring for the whole time I’ve been sitting here at the bar. It's quiet. Deathly quiet. And I feel the tension growing.
Brown hair, glasses, comfy clothes that are brought in the plus-size section. These are not the things that attract a lot ofmale attention. But right now, I feel like every eye in the place is fixed on me.
I take a sip of my soda and try to look like I’m not scared to be here. This is my grand adventure. The first time doing what I want to do instead of what my parents think is best for me. I don’t want to run out of here like a frightened, sheltered townie. No. I will finish my drink. That will prove I’m not scared. And if Kaden hasn’t shown up by then, I’ll quietly leave.
But that tension in the air is getting thicker. Every more I make, no matter how small, seems to increase it. Like everybody is watching my every move. Waiting for something. And I dread to think what will happen then. I feel for my stun gun in my jacket pocket. I’ve never used it. A gift from Kaden when I started driving. He might be a motorcycle club member, an outcast from society. But my big brother has always looked out for me.
The door of the bar swings open. Everybody stops and stares. In the mirror behind the bar I can see a man has entered. But the mirror must be wrong. Big, tall, broad chest. Leather jacket. Brown hair curling at the ends around his shoulders. His size, his stance, he commands attention. Obviously a leader amongst these men. He’s got long, arched eyebrows, wind tousled hair and a three day growth on his sharp jawline. But it’s his eyes that steal the show. It must be a trick of the dim light but I swear they glow an emerald green.
Those eyes meet mine and I freeze for a moment before heat rushes through my body and my heart starts racing. I can feel my face flush red and I look away. Suddenly everything feels very cramped and tight in the bar. The men seemed to have moved closer. The room itself grown smaller and darker.
I feel the man approach. I look in the mirror and sure enough, there he is. Coming straight towards me. And then close enough to touch standing right beside me. He looks down at me with curiosity and a dark frown. It feels like he can see right into my soul. He smells of pine trees and woodfire smoke and there is heat coming from his body. Or is that my own body heat? I feel on the verge of sweating.
“This ain’t a nice place for a young lady. Are you lost?” His voice is deep. A sexy, masculine gravel tone that sets my pulse racing.
All my life I’ve been the good girl, the book worm. Nothing in my twenty three years has given me the experience to deal with these feelings sparked just by being next to this man. Or in this place. This situation. I struggle to keep my wits about me. I feel the danger but also a rush of excitement.
My brain tells me not to engage. Don’t talk to strangers.
But instead, I look up at him and grin. “I’m looking for something.”
“What are you looking for?”
“Adventure.”
The word comes out as a whisper, as though it’s some elusive thing. Like it’s been tumbling over in my mind but I haven’t dared to speak it out loud before now.
Glancing down at my drink I feel embarrassed. But when I look up again I get locked, looking into those amazing emerald eyes. A spark of electricity zaps between us. The bar is so quiet, the tension thick in the air.
“Honey, in a place like this all you’re going to find is trouble. How about I get you out of here.” It’s not a question. And despite all the feelings this man stirs up in me, I’m extremely over beingtold what to do. Isn’t that what sent me running away from home?
Before I have a chance to answer him, another man joins us at the bar. Bigger. Taller. A tattoo on half his face, beard down to his chest. He puts a beefy hand on my arm. “The little lady ain’t going nowhere. So you can fuck off, Falan, and leave her to us.”
Shiiitttt. Stuck between the two of these bikers, all I feel is fear now. Fear and stupidity at putting myself in this situation. But it’s the fear that has me frozen, unable to move, not knowing what to say.
Chapter 2
Falan
The minute I entered the bar I could feel the danger. It didn’t take much to see the situation that was about to unfold here. Sitting at the bar was the prettiest little thing, brown hair swept up into a messy bun, black rimmed glasses perched on the sweetest little ski-jump nose. High check bones, soft, clear skin. She is the kind of girl I used to dream of. That is when I used to let myself dream of a different life than this.
I like my world just fine. Riding with the Fallen Stars. Taking off to new places. Living up here in the wilds. No one to tell us what to do or how to live. But a girl like this could have me dreaming of white picket fences and lazy Sunday mornings.
What the heck is she doing in a place like this? Her sweater doesn’t hide her curves, her gym pants showing off juicy thighs that make my hands ache. And here she is, all sweet, sexy innocence, surrounded by some of the worst men around. I immediately feel protective of her. I have to get her out of here. And it had better be quick judging by the looks she’s getting from the men.
Talking to her is sweet agony. All I want to do is pick her up and carry her out of here. I’m too busy trying to ignore my primal urges, looking into her sweet brown eyes or watchingthe way her mouth moves when she talks. That’s why I missed Rocket turning up on the other side of her. But I can't miss the fear in the girl’s eyes with Rocket’s hand on her arm.
“You had your chance, Falan. Time for you to leave.” Rocket’s words are slightly slurred. He’s been drinking so I might have an advantage if I act quick.
“I’m not leaving without the girl.” I give Rocket a dark warning look. But seeing the girl wince as his grip tightened, I know it’s time to take action.
