Inked (Going All the Way 1)

Tightening her hands around his waist, she closed her eyes when he started the engine, and the bike roared to life. The vibrations were powerful, and no matter how many times she had been on the back of one of these, she never got used to it. It really put into perspective how powerful this vehicle was and that the man or woman operating it had to be strong in their own right just to handle it.

He backed out of the driveway, and in a matter of minutes, they were on the road. Reckless was a small town, and they were exiting it before too long. The thick, lustrous forest lined the road on either side of them, and the only light they had this far out was the moon above them and Cadeon’s lone headlight. Stella rested her cheek on his back and closed her eyes.

The wind was chilly, and a few pieces of her hair came loose from her ponytail, but it was such a freeing feeling being on the back of this bike with nothing keeping her stationary except her arms around his waist. She didn’t know how long they rode in silence with only the sound of their clothing flapping from the wind, the almost angry roar of his engine, and the exhilarated sensation traveling through her.

Living the biker life—well, as much as she had been allowed while growing up—had taught her that being on the back of a Hog didn’t just mean getting a ride. It meant that she was one with the road and in thick with the freedom it all brought. And she felt all those things and more with Cadeon.

The only thing that could stand between them was each other, but even that could be their biggest downfall.15The next couple days flew by, but with Stella putting in extra hours each day at her “real” job, and trying to play catch-up with the books at the club, the time had slipped by without her even knowing it. But then again, her nights had been filled with Cadeon coming over and showing her exactly how insatiable he could be.

Her father hadn’t really brought up any more about her choice in men, but he had done a lot of grunting, sighing, and then finally just said that if she was happy, he’d deal with his own shit. But Stella supposed going toe-to-toe with her dad, telling him she was a grown-ass woman and would be with whomever she pleased, had also helped him realize he couldn’t control her anymore.

Yes, he was her father, and she loved and respected him, but she also cared about Cadeon. If this was a mistake, it was hers to make, and she would learn from it. But right now, she was enjoying what she had going with her tattoo artist, and wasn’t that all that mattered?

Even thinking about how flustered her father had gotten had her smiling. Mickey “Scars” Lore was one stubborn man, but he did back off and give her room on this, at least he was trying, and that was a huge step for him.

The rest of the club was actually pretty on board with her and Cadeon, but then again, they had all mentioned the fact that they hadn’t missed the way she watched him over the years and had placed bets on how long she could last before growing a “set” and talking to him.

Apparently, Cadeon had been far stealthier in noticing her, but she supposed he had a lot more on the line than she had, and starting shit with a biker gang wasn’t the smartest move. Stella didn’t know if any of this would work out, but she wouldn’t know unless she tried, and that was all she could do.

She finished up entering some data into the computer, closed it down, and headed out of her office. She was having dinner with Cadeon tonight, in an actual restaurant and a meal that didn’t consist of a pizza and six-pack of beer.

“Bye, Callie.” She waved at the receptionist, digging in her purse for her keys and cell. It was times like this—the happy moments in life—that she wished she had friends she was close with. Aside from the few acquaintances she worked with and occasionally went out to dinner with, most of her friends from high school had moved out of Reckless once they graduated and hadn’t come back.

There weren’t many opportunities in the small town, but she had been lucky enough to snag an internship position while still attending school, and then once she had her degree, they offered her a part-time position. But Stella kept to herself and always had.

Once in her car and on the road, she felt the excitement at the thought of seeing Cadeon rush through her veins. Eventually, the butterflies would dwindle and the newness of their relationship would fade, but she knew it would always feel right. They hadn’t even classified what they were or given themselves a label.