HUNTER (Forsaken Riders MC Romance Book 11) Page 7

  “Oh, you are so going to wish you hadn’t said that.” He laughed as he took hold of her hand and pulled her forward. “But come on, I can’t wait to show you.”

  He led her back toward his bike and helped her onto it. As he slid on in front of her and she wrapped her legs tightly around him, she couldn’t help but think of how well they seemed to fit together. It was as if their bodies were meant to be side by side.

  He started the engine and the power thundered through them. The vibrations rising up between their bodies and making their skin tingle even more with lust and excitement.

  “I’m in your hands, Hunter,” Paige whispered in his ear. “Show me the way.”

  He turned so that their lips were almost touching.

  “Oh don’t worry, I’m going to show you everything,” he said. “And when I do, neither of us are ever going to look back.”

  8.

  As they rode out of town and into the desert, the sun slipped below the horizon and night took hold. The moon and stars were glinting in the fading light, the sky still a vaguely illuminated dark blue. She could see the constellations shining brightly and she picked out Venus and Mars as a point of reference. She remembered singling them out when she used to ride her horse at night, and this brought back so many memories.

  She clung to Hunter’s back and breathed him in. She had never allowed herself to truly connect to another person, but being with him felt so right, it was hard not to want her body to be next to him at all times. She needed to feel him, his strength, the power of his muscles and linger on the knowledge of what he could do to her if she let him.

  Hunter’s movements were sleek and controlled, and as they roared along the highway, Paige felt her nerves beginning to return. She had no idea where they were heading, and it had been such a long time since she had left town she couldn’t even remember what was out there in the desert wasteland.

  “Not much further,” he called over his shoulder and she squeezed him in acknowledgement. She didn’t dare open her mouth to speak, they were traveling so fast and the wind was whipping against her so harshly that it felt as if she was being slapped. She buried her head into the curve between his muscular shoulders and hugged him tight.

  When he began to slow and she felt the harshness of the wind begin to subside, she lifted her head and looked out. The sky was even darker than it had been only moments before and Hunter was pulling to one side of the highway, blaring the headlight to try and see where he wanted to be.

  When he slowed even further and pulled sharply to the right Paige knew they were about to go off road.

  “Hold on,” he told her with a grin as he swerved and they left the smooth asphalt and began to bounce across the rugged, rocky sand.

  The bike rose high and low, bouncing them harshly and Paige squealed with excitement. They weren’t traveling as fast but it was a wild ride, they were being thrown in every direction as the bike powered forward, taking them deep into the uncharted part of the desert that Paige had once known so well.

  When he screeched to a halt, she gripped him even tighter and he rubbed her forearm protectively.

  “We’re here,” he said.

  Paige looked around, they were in the middle of nowhere. The stars and moon in the sky were bright and illuminated the way ahead, and all she could see were rolling mountains, the desert landscape, and a great vast expanse of land stretching out ahead.

  “Where are we?” she asked as Hunter climbed off the bike and lifted her into his arms.

  He held her so effortlessly it was as if she were weightless, and when he set her down on the ground, she longed to be held by him again. It felt so safe, so right.

  “We’re at one of my favorite spots,” he said. “I come out here whenever I need to think.” He slipped his big, rough hand into hers and clasped it tight. “Come on,” he said as he pulled her forward.

  They began to walk away from his motorcycle and head into the great unknown. The sand looked silver in front of them, lit up by the moon, and she was sure she could hear the scurrying of animals and snakes working their way around them. Normally, this kind of thing would have bothered her, but with Hunter there beside her, it honestly felt as if nothing in the world could frighten her. He was like a protector and a champion. He made her want to live and be confident doing so.

  Walking with him under the stars was even more romantic than the park. Anyone she had ever dated in the past when she was younger had never taken her anywhere. They had always just hung out together. This felt like something new and exciting, but it was also something that Paige would enjoy herself. For that reason, it felt all the more special to have a man by her side, and even though she had been so adamant that she didn’t need one, now she was experiencing the feeling of being wanted, it was becoming addictive.

  Just keep your wits about you, her inner voice told her.

  They began to approach a large rock and Paige had to squint to see ahead. She was sure something didn’t look right, but the darkened shadows were making it hard to tell how if they were continuing straight or if the ground fell away ahead of them.

  “Is this a canyon?” she asked.

  “Wow,” he said. “You really are a smart one.”

  “I used to ride horses out here,” she smiled. “It’s been years, but there are some things I can still remember.”

  “Have you been here before?” he asked with surprise.

  “I’m not sure,” she mused. “But something about it does feel familiar.”

  Hunter squeezed her hand tighter and they came to a natural stop as they reached the rock.

  “Wow,” Paige gasped as she looked around.

  They were standing on the edge of a massive canyon, the ground falling away in front of them and exposing the purple hews of the broken mountainsides. The moon was directly above, almost completely full and shining down on them intensely and the stars were big, bright and twinkling.

  “This is so beautiful,” Paige smiled. “Thank you for bringing me to see it.”

  Hunter turned and looked at her, still holding her hand and reaching for her other one so he was cupping them both. Paige looked into his eyes, and even though the darkness was all around them, she could see the reflection of the stars swimming in them too.

  “Something about this feels right,” he said almost in a whisper. “I wish I could explain it, but the moment we met, I felt as if I needed to be around you.”

  “You don’t have to explain,” she smiled. “Because I feel it too.”

  He returned her smile and ran a hand down the side of her face.

  “When I saw you being hurt last night, blind panic shifted through my entire body,” he said. “It was terrifying, and I just remember the need to get to you. The moment I touched you and pulled you free, it was as if my skin was electric.”

  He stopped himself and shook his head.

  “I just don’t know what happened to me,” he said. “You happened to me and now I’m like this. It’s as if you changed me the second we touched.”

  Paige felt tears welling up behind her eyes. No one had ever said anything as beautiful or meaningful to her before and it was overwhelming.

  He tilted her chin up so they were only centimeters away from each other and their eyes were locked together. She could stare into them forever, she truly could, and when Hunter moved his hand to the back of her neck and pulled her face to meet his, her world went dizzy and she forgot to breathe.

  The kiss was hard and soft at the same time. He was so powerful and full of so much need that it took her breath away, made her gasp and her knees knock together. She felt a shiver of lust run from her ankles, right up her spine, to the top of her head. The hairs on her arms stood on end and they felt electric. She knew what he meant now, as if the moment they touched each other a fire was started somewhere that would be impossible to put out.

  They had found something exceptional. Something unnatural, something long lasting and real. Paige had never believ
ed a connection like this could exist, it was like she was in some kind of fantasy world. How could this suddenly be her life? How could she have gone from not needing anyone to suddenly only needing him? The thought of him not being there was terrifying, and they had only had one kiss.

  When their lips parted and she could see him again, she pressed herself right into him and felt each bugling ripple of muscle beneath his vest. She slipped her arms underneath his leather jacket and savored his heat.

  “I’m so glad I decided to take a chance last night,” she whispered. “I almost stayed at home.”

  “So am I,” he agreed. “I really am.”

  They walked back to the bike with their arms wrapped around one another and looked up at the stars. Their connection was deep and real, and it was taking them both by surprise. Paige didn’t want the night to end, but at the same time, she was aware of all of the work she had to do.

  “One more stop off,” he said with a wry smile. “I want to take you to the clubhouse.”

  “The what?” Paige asked with a half laugh.

  “It’s where I live,” he said. “And it’s just over there…” He pointed off into the distance. The night was now too dark to make out anything out there, but Paige had faith in him and knew if he said they were close by, then they wouldn’t be far.

  “Okay,” she said. “As long as you’re sure it’ll be okay?”

  “Most of the guys will be out, but don’t worry, we can just call in, grab a beer for the road and then head back to town.”

  “All right,” Paige smiled as she let him pick her up at the waist and set her down on the back of the bike.

  They thundered across the bumpy ground and Hunter twisted and bent the bike in a whole manner of directions as he navigated the uneven terrain. It was as if he knew every inch of the desert by heart and it was exciting for Paige to see. As they rose up over a steep hill and began to come down the other side, she caught sight of lights in the distance and she squinted to focus. Without her glasses, her eyesight was nowhere near perfect, but she could see the outline of several buildings nestled deep in the center of a valley, with lights dotted all around. In the center of them all was a large, tall building, and as the rode got closer, she could see how cavernous it was. It was old and dilapidated, but it looked almost regal standing tall and proud in the middle of their own little society.

  “Is that it?” she called into Hunter’s ear over the noise of the wind.

  He nodded his head and smiled.

  She had no idea what the clubhouse would be like, but as they had ridden across the desert she imagined a den of iniquity, much like The Bleeding Bullet. She feared arriving to the sight of the same women who had draped themselves around the bar the night before, the scent of sex heavy in the air along with mess and destruction. But as they got closer, she could see that the windows were largely empty, and no shadows were cast out from the lights within.

  It was quiet, another thing she hadn’t expected. She had kinda been preparing herself for loud rock music and a wild party. But everything inside looked empty and still.

  “Where is everyone?” she asked. “Do you all live here?”

  Hunter stopped the bike outside the steps to the main house and turned back to her.

  “Most of us, yes,” he said. “A few of us are in houses that the club own all over town, but the majority like to be here at the hub of it all. We get a lot done from here.”

  He looked behind at all the other out buildings and Paige could see a big line of bikes and trucks all hidden between them.

  “You have a lot of trucks,” she said.

  “We have a lot of places to be,” he winked.

  They walked toward the steps and as they climbed them, Paige felt something in Hunter shift. It was as if he was slipping back into biker mode, as if he had to suddenly be on his guard.

  He pushed open the door and the sound of a few voices drifted out to meet them. Inside the house was a long split staircase in the middle that went up and out of sight into the floors above. It was old but well-maintained and every room was dark and unoccupied.

  “They’re in the kitchen,” he said. “Right where we need to be.”

  They walked to the back of the house and a light was shining from a doorway ahead of them. As they approached, the voices got louder and Paige was sure she recognized some of them from the previous night.

  “This whole thing could get out of control so quickly I don’t know what the best course of action should be,” one of the men said from behind the door.

  Hunter reached out and took hold of the top of Paige’s arm and held her there, waiting a moment to see where the conversation was going. He held a finger up to his lips to keep her quiet.

  “If the news that is coming out of California is all true then we don’t have a whole lot of options,” another voice said. “It’s either we band together or we’re potentially wiped out.”

  “But those fuckers are nothing but snakes,” the other said. “And we all know what they’re capable of.”

  “Capable yes, but not as capable as us,” the voice continued. “And if we don’t go side by side then who knows what this new threat may bring. We may think we have it rough now, but in the weeks, months and years to come, if the Russians manage to take over even half of what we know they could, we’re fucking screwed, King. You know it and I know it.”

  Hunter’s eye widened and he began to back slowly away silently keeping a tight grip on Paige’s arm.

  “Come on,” he whispered. “I better get you out of here.”

  Paige’s heart began to beat faster but she had no idea why he had suddenly changed his mind. What had they been talking about? And what did they mean by the Russians?

  They reached the doorway and he pushed it open, the warm night air buffering up against them as he got back to his bike.

  “What were they talking about?” Paige asked as he started the engine. They had been and gone so quickly from the house it was hard for her to keep a thought straight; had she even heard any of it correctly?

  “I have to get you out of here,” he said again sternly. “I’m starting to worry that it isn’t safe.”

  He squeezed Paige on the arm and revved the engine.

  She had been so caught up in the feeling of what it was like to be with him, she had forgotten about the reality of who Hunter was.

  He was dangerous and he was bad, and now she had the terrible feeling she was about to find out just how bad things could really get.

  9.

  “Are you coming in?” she asked as they stood at the end of her driveway. Hunter had a strange look in his eye, one she hadn’t seen before. It was as if he had suddenly gone cold.

  “You know there is nothing I would rather do,” he said as he looked deep into her eyes. “But from what I just heard, I need to get back to the clubhouse, I need to be there for my brothers.”

  “Why did we have to leave like that?” she asked with confusion. “You kept me hidden and whisked me out of there so fast I had no clue as to what was happening.”

  Hunter breathed in and sighed. He reached into his pocket and grabbed his smokes before he lit one and sucked in on it greedily, as if he needed the release from some hidden stress.

  “We’re in the middle of a shit storm,” he said. “And I don’t know what the fuck is going to happen.”

  “What do you mean?” Paige asked cautiously.

  Hunter faltered but then he sighed and nodded.

  “Earlier, when you asked why we all needed last night to keep our spirits up and I told you that it didn’t matter…”

  “Yes,” Paige urged.

  “Well, it’s because we’re vulnerable right now, the whole of The Forsaken are in danger.”

  “Why?” Paige asked, her heart hammering on in her chest.

  “We have enemies,” he continued as he took a drag and exhaled a cloud of smoke into the night air between them. “And we’ve had a dangerous feud with a rival gang t
hat has lasted decades, but has only truly escalated in the past couple of years.” He paused and clicked his teeth. “But for the first time in twenty years, The Iron Riders aren’t the problem. There’s something bigger coming and it’s threatening us both.”

  “Both?” Paige asked in a whisper.

  “Yes, both The Forsaken and The Iron Riders are in the same position,” he continued. “If we don’t band together, the threat that’s coming could be catastrophic.”

  “What’s the threat that’s coming?” Even though she knew she shouldn’t be asking the questions, she couldn’t help herself.

  “I don’t know whether I should involve you any more than I already have,” he reached out and stroked her face. “That’s why I wanted to get you out of there as quickly as possible. The more you hear, and the more you know, the more at risk you could potentially be if this whole thing blows up in our faces.”

  “Oh my god,” she said, taking a step back and holding her hand to her heart. “At risk? Are you kidding me, Hunter?”

  He looked sheepish and shook his head.

  “No I’m not,” he exhaled. “I’m sorry Paige, I didn’t realize things were going to turn out like this so quickly. And one of the reasons I’ve avoided looking for a relationship or getting mixed up with women is because I know the biker life is hard. It’s not an easy role to slip into, to love someone who makes a career out of crime and violence, it takes a special kind of woman.”

  He stopped and kicked the toe of his boot against the ground.

  “I see,” she said. “Look, you don’t have to apologize to me. We met, we had fun… We had a connection, and this is… well…” She felt tears pricking her eyes and she wanted to tell him none of it mattered, she could handle it, and she was that special kind of woman, but she had to think of herself. How could she put herself in danger?

  She looked into his eyes and knew that it would kill her to have to walk away, but at the same time her head was a mess and completely scrambled.

  “It’s late, I think I need some time to think on this,” she said.