One Wild Ride Read online

  One Wild Ride

  Shyla Colt

  A sequel to Biker’s Librarian. (While this book can be read as a standalone, your enjoyment will be enhanced by reading Biker’s Librarian first.)

  As secretary of the Lords of Mayhem, Moose cherishes his freedom. But when his best friend gets engaged and he takes on the role of best man, chemistry explodes between him and Joey, the maid of honor. He’s torn between his need to roam and her hot, sweet love. The choice becomes even harder when unexpected complications arise.

  As the daughter of a reformed motorcycle club whore, Joey has always been fascinated by the lifestyle and wondered about her absent father. When the sparks fly between her and Moose, she finds herself drawn deeper into the world that nearly destroyed her mother. As Joey struggles to find her place in Mayhem and Moose’s heart, the past comes to call and threatens to destroy it all.

  Reader Advisory: This story has graphic sexual language and scenes—no closed bedroom doors (or other rooms) here!

  A Romantica® contemporary erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

  One Wild Ride

  Shyla Colt

  Chapter One

  Joey drank in the vivacious scene around her. A bonfire roared. Yellow and orange flames flickered in the middle of the vast asphalt jungle behind the Lords of Mayhem club. The brisk weather nipped at her skin, and she pulled her leather jacket a bit tighter as she watched the fire crackle and waver. Winter had begun to give way to spring, but the evenings were still on the chilly side.

  With the engagement between Shooter and her bestie Juliette, the group of four girlfriends spent more and more time here. A large part of Joey loved every minute of it. Must be my father’s blood in my veins.

  Evonne and Hil stood close together talking to Specs and Gadget, more than likely about Hil’s latest novel.

  Hilary was a shark with blood in the water, ciphering as much information from them as she could manage.

  “Hey, everything okay?” Juliette called to Joey as she stood with her arms wrapped around her fiancée, the once-intimidating sergeant at arms, Shooter.

  “Yeah, just taking it all in and making up imaginary conversations for Hil in my head,” Joey said, motioning her head toward the group a few yards to their left.

  Shooter laughed. “Man, that chick is always grilling people for information. I think she missed her calling to be a fed.”

  Juliette elbowed him gently. “Everything is book fodder for her. Give her a hint of something new and she’s all over it,” Shooter said.

  “And that’s why she’s on the New York Times bestselling list.” Joey raised her plastic cup in mock salute.

  “Touché.” Shooter nodded and nipped Juliette’s ear. “All right, ladies, I’m going to catch up with my boys. You good?”

  “We’re fine,” Juliette said, waving him away.

  The silly grin plastered on her friend’s face caused a chain reaction, and Joey found herself smiling. After the hell Juliette went through with her psychotic ex, Peter, she deserved this joy. They’d rallied around Juliette when Peter had come back into the picture to torment her. They’d known he was a possessive, controlling prick, but no one had known the extent of his abuse or the dangerous extracurricular activities he indulged in. In the end, the blood on his hands had led to his downfall, with a little help from the Lords of Mayhem. “God, Jul, could you have found a better match?” Joey said.

  “I don’t think I could’ve,” Jul said, shaking her head as if to clear it. “There was something I actually wanted to ask you.”

  “Shoot.” Joey took a sip of her whiskey and cola.

  “Will you be my maid of honor?”

  Joey choked. Liquid rushed down the wrong pipe, and she sputtered. “What—me?” She coughed.

  “It was sort of like picking names out of a hat. I love you all equally, but Moose is going to be the best man and let’s face it. Evonne is slightly terrified of the gentle giant, and he and Hil would clash on all the decisions that need to be made,” Juliette said.

  Joey snickered. A picture of Hil scolding a scowling Moose filled her head. “Yeah, I think you’re spot on there.”

  “So, you’ll do it?” Juliette nibbled nervously at her bottom lip.

  “Like you had to ask that, of course!” Joey said. She leaned in, careful not to slosh her drink as she wrapped an arm around Juliette and gave her a quick hug. “I’m honored, friend.”

  “Good. I figure the girls will understand once I tell them Shooter’s pick for the best man,” Juliette said. The cloudy expression lifted, and joy resonated around her being.

  “Either of us would’ve been happy for whoever you chose. Is it safe to assume you guys have picked a date?”

  “Six months from now.”

  Joey whistled. “You don’t hesitate, do you?”

  “With all that went down with Peter and his insanity, I think we want to be established before another shit storm rolls in,” Juliette said. Her voice lowered an octave, and her eyes grew shuttered.

  Joey reached out and squeezed her hand. This entire last year had been a bitch. Which was why Joey would ensure her big day went off without a hitch. “Should we call the girls in to have a huddle?”

  “Not just yet. I wanted to talk to you alone for a minute. I know how Hil and Evonne can be. They’ll want to make things grand and…”

  “Over the top?” Joey supplied for her with a smirk.

  “Basically.” Relief lit Juliette’s eyes.

  “I follow you. You’ve never been a flashy person. You want it intimate and more laid-back, so Shooter actually feels like a part of the day, and not just a body who showed up to play a role.”

  “God, yes.” Juliette sighed.

  Joey giggled. “Tell me your vision.”

  “Relaxed, airy, unconventional and fun.” Juliette seemed to glow as she gazed out over the fire. “I don’t even think I want to wear a white dress.”

  “Your mom is going to love that one.” Joey winced, thinking of the hell the old-fashioned woman would raise.

  “Another reason I picked you. Your um, diplomatic abilities.” Juliette smiled.

  “Are you saying I’m an ass kisser?” Joey placed a hand on her hip.

  “You said it, not me.” Juliette pointed at her.

  “Uh huh.” Joey pursed her lips. “When you say laid-back, are we talking country chic or vintage flair?”

  “A mixture of both?” Juliette wrinkled her nose.

  “I can work with that. Is Shooter actually going to wear a tux?” The image of the biker in a traditional black suit felt wrong.

  “No.” Juliette shook her head. “I think he’s going to wear pants and a vest.”

  “I just might buck tradition altogether, and go with a pink dress.”

  “I can see that. If you’re wearing pink, what color will the bridesmaids wear?”

  “Oh, you have totally been corrupted. So daring and different from the librarian I once knew,” Joey chided.

  “Shut up.” Juliette nudged her playfully with her shoulder.

  “Do you know where you want to have it?” Joey took another sip of her drink.

  “Not in a church. I think some of the brothers might burst into flames.” Juliette snorted.

  “Truth,” Joey whispered.

  “Mayhem owns some lakeside property outside of town. We’ve been toying with the thought of having it there.”

  “Rustic, with a little personality?” Joey nodded imagining the scene in her head. “I’m feeling you.”

  “We should call the in cavalry before we go any further.” Juliette waved her hand, catching Hil and Evonne’s attention.

  They wrapped up their conversation and joined them.

  “What’s up?” Evonne asked.

/>   “Where did your shadow go?” Hil said with a wink.

  “He’s not that bad,” Juliette huffed.

  “Hmm, if you say so.” Hil smirked.

  “We picked a wedding date. June fifth,” Juliette said.

  “Six months from now. That’s barely enough time to do anything!” Hil said.

  “We need to start ordering things now. Booking venues, caterers and an officiate,” Evonne added.

  Juliette flashed Joey a look that screamed, See what I mean?

  “Guys.” Joey held up her hand. “This is Jul and Shooter we’re talking about. They want it laid-back, personalized and fun.”

  “It’s her day too,” Hil said. Since her parents’ marriage disintegrated she’d seen love as a battlefield to approach with caution.

  “She’s aware of that, Hil. Does Jul really strike you as the big overdone, bling-princess type?” Joey said, refusing to back down as she shifted her weight. Hilary often took on the role of unofficial leader because of her go-getter attitude, but Joey could hold her own ground too.

  “No, I guess not.” Hil furrowed her brow.

  “Tell us what you’d like to see happen,” Evonne said. Her gentle urging washed away the bitter tinge left by Hil’s aggression.

  “Small, intimate, and outdoors. I’m thinking of going with an unconventional color scheme as well.” Juliette beamed.

  They talked among themselves about the wedding.

  “Ladies.” The boisterous booming voice made the girls jump.

  Joey’s stomach tightened as she peered up into Moose’s wicked blue eyes. She’d never had a thing for a man with a beard. Still, there wasn’t a damn thing about this man she didn’t like.

  “I hear you and I will be playing best man and maid of honor roles,” Moose teased, fixing his bright gaze on her.

  “Yes, we will. You ready for it?” She lifted an eyebrow and leaned toward him.

  He shrugged. “Piece of cake.”

  Electricity popped and crackled in the air between them. Her panties grew wet, and her nipples strained against her bra. The man turned her on like a light switch. Just the sound of his voice rumbling in his chest made her want to climb him like a tree and do dirty things. Her cheeks flamed.

  “We’ll see if he still agrees with that statement in a few months,” Hil muttered.

  “I’m pretty sure me and my girl got this handled, right?” Moose continued to hold her gaze.

  Joey melted on the inside as she answered, “Most definitely.”

  His lips twitched upward. “I was just about to get another drink. You need a refill?”

  I could think of a few things for you to fill, and none of them are this cup. “I could use a new drink.”

  Moose took her cup, tossing it in the nearest trash can, and turned away.

  Following him as if she’d been doing it for years, she felt the girls’ eyes on her back. They’ll be reading me the riot act later. Focused, she ignored them, tired of pretending the chemistry between her and Moose didn’t exist. The tiny voice in her brain screamed out a warning. Mom walked this path and look where it landed her. Too many women thought they would change the man they dated. That they would become the exception when it came to bikers, and that somehow their relationship would be more important than the vow the bikers had given their president. She wasn’t so naïve. At least, that’s what she told herself.

  Their arms brushed as they weaved their way through the crowd back into the clubhouse. Moose steered her into a quiet hallway that led to his room and pressed her against the wall with his large frame. His warm breath caressed her face.

  Her pussy hummed.

  “This wasn’t really about a drink, was it?” His voice sounded raspy and full of the same need that coursed through her body.

  “No?” Joey licked her lips.

  “I’ve been watching you for a while and every time those big brown eyes of yours are looking right back.” He slid his hand under her sweater. His cool hand settled on her flesh and curved around her waist.

  She jumped.

  “So soft.” Moose leaned in and inhaled. “And you smell edible. Are you going to let me eat you tonight, Joey?” Her name had never sounded so sensual.

  “If you’re offering.” Her voice shook, and she cursed her inability to play it cool.

  He chuckled. “I am.”

  But for how long?

  “Feel what you do to me.” He pressed his length against her stomach.

  She whimpered. It didn’t matter. The need to experience this with him overshadowed her concerns. Life shouldn’t be lived with what ifs and regrets. One night. “For what you have in mind, I think we need to be somewhere much more private.”

  “Fuck, Jo-Jo, I didn’t think you had it in you. Figured you’d turn me down for sure.” His eyes danced.

  The full smile he graced her with made her heart race. Underneath that gruff exterior and beard, lay a beautiful mass of a man. “Then why ask?” She shook her head, amused.

  “Because I’ve been daydreaming about what it’d feel like to taste your lips and be buried inside your pussy.”

  Joey let her head drop back against the wall and moaned.

  “You like it when I tell you what I want to do to this beautiful body of yours, don’t you?” He slid his hand up and cupped her breast. Just an inch shy of six feet, and a voluptuous size twelve, she didn’t receive compliments often about her frame. Most men were intimidated by her height, and right now curves weren’t in.

  The hunger in his eyes reinforced his sincerity. “Be sure, because once I get you in my room, neither of us is coming back out until we’ve both been completely satisfied.”

  “Promises, promises.”

  * * * * *

  Moose stared down at the voluptuous woman with a sharp tongue and fire in her eyes. Always giving as good as she got, Joey never shied away from him or his brothers. Her swagger made him sit up and take notice. Not many women could handle him. He didn’t usually sleep around the places he frequented. Not with girls like this, who wanted more than a quick fuck and a little bit of attention.

  “I’ve always been more a man of action.” He grabbed a handful of her hair and gently bit her bottom lip. She gasped, and he traced her plump lips, tasting the lingering flavor of beer and her own natural sweetness. He plunged his tongue into her mouth, learning her as he tilted his head, seeking more. Their tongues rubbed and tangled. He deepened the kiss, lifting her leg and hooking it over his hip. They’d been working their way toward this from the moment they met. Their banter had taken on an undertone of sexuality and the tension between them had been pulled tighter and tighter with every encounter.

  Joey dug her nails into his shoulders.

  “Yo, Moose we got a problem!” Specs’ voice had the effect of cold water.

  His cock went flaccid, his body tensed and he groaned, resting his forehead against hers. “Fuck. I gotta go,” Moose said.

  “Yeah, I know.” Her voice shook and her breath came in small puffs. She removed her leg, and her foot touched the floor.

  Once she attained her balance, he stepped back.

  Joey smoothed her hair down took a deep breath. Her pulse slowed to a reasonable speed. Back in control, she flashed him a shaky smile.

  “I want to make sure you get out of the club okay. It’s wild here tonight. An unclaimed female during a party could be easily mistaken for a quick lay.”

  She nodded. “Okay.”

  Her easy acceptance pleased him. Moose couldn’t stand a chick who didn’t know shit about the lifestyle coming in and questioning his choices. Some biker bunnies thought this shit was a television show, and then they couldn’t handle the reality. He’d seen many a brother burned when they put their faith in the wrong woman. That’s never going to be me, man. “Let’s walk.”

  She fell into step with him, lingering about half a step behind.

  Moose wondered once more about her. She’d always carried a mysterious vibe. They passed the back
entrance. She slipped out the door with a small wave, and they went their separate ways silently.

  He stepped out the front door and walked toward his bike with Specs not far behind.

  “What was up with that?” Specs asked.

  “Poor decision-making skills,” Moose grumbled.

  “Hey, Joey’s good people,” Spec countered.

  “I’m not saying she isn’t. We both know girls like that expect certain things. Things I’m not willing to give.” Moose shrugged.

  “Sounds like you’re making this a lot more complex than it needs to be, brother.”

  “Maybe, but I think it’s best not to shit where you eat though.” The words were more for himself than Specs.

  “Wasn’t what you were thinking in the hallway.” Specs snickered.

  “Fuck you.” They reached their bikes and Moose paused. “Want to tell me what was so important you had to take away my first decent shot at pussy in who knows how long? That was prime A grade. Not the kind that’s been had by everyone in this fucking place.”

  “What else? Princess Katie needs to be rescued,” Specs said, rolling his eyes.

  “Jesus Christ, from what this time?” Moose asked. “That girl gets into more trouble than any two brothers put together.”

  “She’s at a frat party and the pretty boy she’s with had too much to drink,” Specs explained while turning over his engine.

  “Those assholes are way worse than any of us. We’d never put our lady in danger like that.” Moose said. A perma scowl settled over his lips. “Why do we need two?”

  “Prez didn’t want to have any of us walking into a powder keg alone. I don’t think he likes the look of her new man.”

  “She wants his attention so bad, she’s bending over backwards to get it any way she can. Been that way since Boston came on the scene and her old man settled down.”

  Specs shrugged. “Used to being the only female that mattered, I bet.”

  “Yeah, well. This shit is wearing thin.” Moose placed his black matte helmet on his head and started his bike. “You know where we’re going, so I’ll follow you.”

  Specs roared off and Moose followed, cursing Katie and his own lapse in judgment. Now that he’d tasted Joey’s lips, he wouldn’t be satisfied until he sampled the rest. No matter what common sense told him.