Ranger (Reckless Kings MC 3) Read online

  “Sure.”

  “I don’t want to offend you.”

  I snorted. “Really? Danica, just ask.”

  “It’s about your heritage. I just noticed you’re darker complected than me, by quite a bit, and I didn’t think it was a tan.” Her cheeks turned a brighter pink. “It’s a rude question.”

  “Dani girl, I’m okay with anything you want to ask me. That’s part of why I wanted to take you to lunch, so we could get better acquainted. Can’t really do that if we don’t ask each other anything.” I threaded our fingers together. “My dad was from Dubai. He came here for a business trip, met my mom, and ended up knocking her up. He’s never wanted anything to do with me, even though he did relent and give me his last name. He also sent my mom child support. I doubt the courts would have been able to get anything from him if he’d decided to be a dick, since he lives in another country. I’ve only met him once.”

  “Do you look like him?” she asked.

  “I do. Except I’m taller. I get my height from my mom’s side. She’s a little thing, but her father was six foot six, and her brothers were just as tall if not taller. I never met her grandfather, but I heard that he was six foot nine.”

  Her eyes went wide. “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone that tall. I’d feel like an ant.”

  My lips twitched as I fought not to laugh. “That’s because you’re a little thing like my mom. You’re what? Maybe five feet?”

  She straightened in her seat. “I’ll have you know I’m five foot one. That’s an entire three inches taller than people with dwarfism.”

  I rolled my lips into my mouth and bit down. I didn’t think she’d appreciate me finding humor in the situation. But fuck was she cute!

  Enrique returned with our food, made sure we had everything we needed, then disappeared again. The man knew how to make himself scarce. I’d have to make sure I left him a good tip. He’d taken care of us without hovering.

  We dug into our food, and the chips we’d ignored so far, and I had to admit, Danica had good taste. The food was amazing.

  “I grew up on a horse farm,” I said. “In Middle Tennessee. My mom settled down with a man when I was still a baby. He raised me as his own. I helped with the horses until I left home at eighteen.”

  “Well, that explains how you know what a sorrel is. Most people just call Sunny a red horse with blonde hair.”

  Yeah, I’d run into those people most of my life. After I’d joined the Army, I’d knocked the dust off my boots and not looked back. When I went back to visit, I always stayed at a motel nearby and made sure I got there after the horses had been fed and stalls mucked and left before it was time to do it all again. Now I realized I’d been an asshole to my parents by doing that shit. I’d have to call and tell my mom I was sorry for being such a dick.

  “I think my mom would like you. She’s really into horses. I’m betting you’d live in the barn if you could.”

  She nodded. “I would. I talked to Dad about putting an apartment over the stalls when he had the new barn built. He considered it, then decided he preferred me being in the house. Something about it being safer.”

  “I know the Dixie Reapers aren’t into much these days. Doesn’t mean he’s not right to worry about you. If someone wanted to get back at the club, a tiny thing like you would be tempting. They’d snatch you up and run, or worse.”

  “I get it. I really do. It’s why I didn’t argue and still live at home. Although, Dad did offer to put a tiny house out back. Close enough no one would think to mess with me, but far enough I’d have my independence.”

  I shoved a chip in my mouth and considered what I wanted to say. I didn’t want to chase her off. At the same time, I needed to know if she’d ever consider moving away from Alabama. My home was with the Reckless Kings. I couldn’t just up and move because I found a woman I wanted to keep. No, if I wanted an old lady, I’d need someone who either already lived in the area or would be willing to move.

  “You ever thought about the future? Where you’ll be in five or ten years?” I asked.

  “Other than hopefully still riding? I’m not sure. I know I don’t want to rodeo forever. I’ll always have my horses. It’s part of who I am. But I can do that without competing. I guess I’d like a family, a place of my own.”

  “Here in Alabama?” I asked.

  She lowered her lashes and shrugged a shoulder. “Maybe. I guess it depends on who I end up with.”

  “So for the right guy, you’d be willing to move?” I pressed.

  She nodded. “Yeah. Definitely. I want what my parents have. What Venom and Ridley have, Torch and Isabella, Bull and Darian. I see all the couples together, the laughter they share, the love, and I want it more than anything.”

  “I never thought I’d settle down. Didn’t want anything steady. Just a good time for a few nights.” I captured her gaze and held it. “But a year ago I saw a woman I haven’t been able to get out of my head, and I realized maybe having more than that wasn’t so bad. I’ve thought about you a lot, Danica.”

  “I’m not anything special.”

  “Yes, you are. If you can’t see it, then I have my work cut out for me. Hell, Viking came to your rescue. I saw you with that other guy before that, the one who put his arm around you. It’s clear the Dixie Reapers and their families love you. Do you think they care about just anyone?”

  “I guess not.” She smiled softly. “But they’re my family. They kind of have to love me.”

  “You really believe that? Because I know a lot of families who don’t give a shit about their kids, siblings, parents… or anyone for that matter. All they care about are themselves.”

  “You have a point. I know Ridley’s mom was horrible, and my dad was just as bad. A lot of the Reapers’ old ladies came to them because they were running from something, and quite a few were trying to escape their families.”

  Enrique brought the check, and I dropped enough cash on the table to cover the bill and a twenty-five percent tip. I led Danica back out to her truck. Instead of going straight to the compound, I pulled off at a park we’d passed on the way in. She glanced my way, but didn’t say anything. When she reached for my hand, everything inside me seemed to relax and settle. Almost as if this was exactly where I should be -- with Danica.

  Suddenly, I wasn’t looking forward to heading home in a few days. I wanted more time with her.

  Chapter Three

  Danica

  I sighed and ran my hands over Sunny’s neck. It had been two weeks since Ranger had left, and I missed him. Lunch had turned into so much more. He hadn’t kissed me, not since he’d pushed me against the wall at the clubhouse when Viking had interrupted. Even when he’d left, I’d only gotten a hug. At first, I’d wondered if maybe he hadn’t felt the same as me. Until I’d seen the longing in his eyes. For whatever reason, he was taking things slow. Too damn slow.

  And with Lewis lurking in the shadows, I didn’t have time for someone to drag their boot heels. Even when the man wasn’t anywhere near my location, I still managed to find notes in my truck. I had no idea who was helping him, or how they managed to get into my vehicle even when it was locked. I knew time was running out. As much as I wanted to confide in my dad, or maybe even Tank, I didn’t want the club to end up in the spotlight if something happened to Lewis.

  I wanted to throw up, just thinking about the possibility of running into Lewis at the next rodeo. He didn’t attend every event, but he went to enough that our paths crossed more often than I liked. The man always managed to corner me when no one else was around. One day, I wouldn’t be able to break away.

  My dad came up behind me and braced an arm on Sunny’s stall door. “You about ready? Need to load up the horses.”

  “Yeah.”

  “You haven’t been the same these last few weeks. Something on your mind? Or maybe some certain guy?”

  I faced my dad and wondered how much he knew. I hadn’t kept it a secret I was spending time with Ranger.
The entire club had known. But my dad had always seen more than I’d wanted him to, which meant he probably knew I’d started falling for Ranger during that short visit. He’d been so amazing. Sweet, kind, sexy…

  “I guess my mind isn’t in the game right now. I’m probably going to have my worst ride ever.”

  My dad tugged on a lock of hair that had escaped my ponytail. “Why don’t you skip this one? Or at least stop by the Reckless Kings on the way. See Ranger and then decide if you want to ride or back out. You should have a decent nest egg by now. No reason for you to go to a rodeo when you don’t really want to.”

  He had a point. Not to mention, it would keep me away from Lewis a bit longer. “Do you think they’d be okay with me just randomly dropping in?”

  My dad rolled his eyes, something he’d picked up from my mother over the years. “Seriously? You think Ranger is going to tell you to get the fuck out? That kid couldn’t keep his eyes off you the entire time he was here. I half expected you to tell me you were leaving with him.”

  “What about the horses?” I asked.

  “Take them with you. If you decide you want to go to the rodeo, you’ll have everything you need. Or you can stay and visit with Ranger. I’m sure Beast can figure out something temporary for the horses while you’re there or find a local stable to take them in for a few days.”

  “Thanks, Dad.” I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him. “Love you.”

  “Love you too, little girl. As much as I want to hold onto you forever, I know you’re old enough now to be starting your own family and finding your own path. Until now, it’s been right alongside mine. If you decide you belong with Ranger, I won’t stand in your way. But if he ever hurts you, I’m kicking his ass.”

  I laughed and held on tighter before backing up. I hurried from the barn and up to the house. I’d packed my bag already for the rodeo, but on the off chance I decided to stay and visit with Ranger instead, I’d need a few more outfits. When I was finished, I carried two bags out to my truck and saw my dad had already attached the horse trailer and loaded Sunny and my black paint, Pharoah.

  “All your tack, brushes, and anything else you need for the horses is already loaded. Including feed and hay,” Dad said. “Call me when you get there.”

  “Shouldn’t I at least let him know I’m coming? I’m not sure Beast will appreciate me just showing up on the Reckless Kings’ doorstep.”

  “I’ll handle it. Get on the road. I want you there before it gets late.”

  “Tell Mom I said bye,” I said.

  He gave a nod and took a step back. Normally, I’d have waited to see her before I left, but she’d gone on a shopping trip with Darian and Mara. I knew she’d likely be gone most of the day.

  I got into the truck and waved at my dad. My hands shook a little as I started it up. Was I doing the right thing? Only one way to find out… And if I got there and Ranger didn’t want to see me, then I’d continue to the rodeo. We’d exchanged numbers before he’d left, but I hadn’t spoken to him in all that time. I’d gotten a few texts and nothing else. He’d claimed to be busy with personal stuff. It was possibly true, or he could have been trying to find a way to blow me off.

  My stomach clenched as I hit the highway heading out of town. My phone chimed with a message, and I swiped the screen long enough to see it was from my dad. It only said two words. All Clear. I took that to mean Beast didn’t have an issue with me stopping by. And if he’d okayed my visit, that had to mean Ranger wanted to see me. Right?

  “Don’t second-guess yourself now, Danica,” I muttered to myself and pressed the accelerator a little harder.

  I made a few stops along the way. Gas. Bathroom. Food. By the time I pulled up to the Reckless Kings’ gates, it was nearly dark, and I was tired as hell. My back hurt and I had a headache building. I rolled down my window and smiled at the Prospect manning the gate. “I’m here to see Ranger.”

  “Danica?” he asked, eyeing the horse trailer.

  “Yeah. I haven’t been here before, though, so I have no idea where I’m going.”

  He nodded and opened up the gate. “Turn left and look for the tan house with white trim. You’ll see a small corral off to the side with a makeshift barn for your horses.”

  “Um, what?”

  He grinned. “Ranger put up a corral today, with the help from some brothers. He wanted to make sure your horses had a safe place and didn’t have to stay in the trailer. You can’t miss it.”

  I thanked him and pulled through the gate and headed the direction he’d said. I passed a handful of homes before I saw it. The house wasn’t overly large, but looked to be a decent size. I’d expected a small round pen. Instead, I saw what had to be about an acre fenced and a shelter big enough for two horses. He’d also provided water and feed troughs. Tears burned my eyes as I pulled up out front. He’d done all this for me?

  I got out and Ranger stepped onto the small porch. A smile curved his lips and he hurried over to me. When he was close enough, I threw myself into his arms.

  “I can’t believe you did all this.”

  He held me tight. “Of course, I did. Couldn’t have you bring your horses all the way here and not have a place to keep them. If you stay for a while, I’ll expand the pasture.”

  “You’re too good to me.”

  He tipped my chin up and leaned down, brushing his lips against mine. My heart felt like it was racing, and I clung to him. The kiss was soft and slow. Heat flushed through me, and I leaned into him.

  “In case you were wondering,” he said, his voice a bit raspy, “I’m hoping you decide to stick around a while. Beast gave me permission to fence another three acres and put up a real barn. There aren’t any houses behind mine. Just lots of open land.”

  “That sounds like longer than a while,” I said, feeling both happy and scared.

  “A while. Forever.” He shrugged. “Either one works for me.”

  My eyes went wide. Forever? Had he seriously just said he wanted me to stay forever and acted like it was no big deal? I’d wonder who the hell did that sort of thing, but I already knew. Bikers. They were a different breed and tended to go after what they wanted. If Ranger had decided he wanted to keep me, I had a feeling I wouldn’t be returning home, unless it was just to visit.

  “Forever seems like a big commitment after just a few days together,” I said.

  “Want to know how long Venom and Ridley were together before he claimed her?” he asked.

  My brow furrowed. “How do you even know the answer to that? They aren’t part of your club.”

  “Fine. How about Lyssa and Beast?”

  I sighed, knowing it probably wasn’t very long. “Go ahead and tell me.”

  “He knew the second she walked into the clubhouse. All it took was one look, and she was his, even if she didn’t realize it right then. I’ve heard it was the same for Venom and Ridley.”

  “What are you saying?” I asked.

  He blew out a breath and looked up at the sky a moment before gazing down at me. “I want you. Not just for tonight, this week, or even this month. I want my name on your back, you in my bed every night, and everything that goes along with it. But I know you’re used to chasing the next rodeo, and I don’t exactly live near your parents. It’s a big decision for you to make, so I’m willing to be patient-ish.”

  “That’s not a word.”

  He winked. “Sure, it is.”

  “Let’s unload the horses, give them some hay and feed, and I’ll put my bags in the house. That’s about as far as I can think ahead right now. The drive here was exhausting.”

  “Come on, beautiful. I’ll help you.” He kissed my forehead, then went to the back of the trailer. He unloaded Pharaoh like a pro and led him over to the pasture. The second the horse had been released, he galloped the length of the paddock and back, enjoying his freedom. I knew Sunny would do the same thing.

  Ranger unloaded the second horse and helped me get them fed, then carried my
bags into the house. He paused in the front entry, looking conflicted.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  “I have a spare room.”

  “All right.” Where was he going with this?

  “I don’t want you to stay in it.” He looked at me over his shoulder. “I want you in my room. I promise, I won’t do anything you don’t want me to. I’ll be happy just holding you while you sleep. But if you’re uncomfortable with that, I’ll put your stuff in the second bedroom.”

  I chewed on my lip, knowing it wasn’t something to take lightly, especially since I’d never slept with anyone before. I didn’t know how he’d react to finding out I was a virgin. Although, since he’d already said he wanted to keep me, I had a feeling he’d be thrilled with the news.

  “Before you put those in your room, there’s something you need to know.” I shoved my hands into my pockets, hoping he wouldn’t notice I was trembling.

  “You pregnant?” he asked, his eyes narrowing.

  “No! What the hell, Ranger?”

  “Then what?” he asked.

  “I haven’t shared a bed with anyone before,” I murmured.

  “I haven’t either. Beds aren’t necessary for anything other than sleeping. Even then you can sleep in a chair or a couch.”

  “Not what I meant.” I felt my cheeks heat. “I’m a virgin. It’s why Viking pulled us apart at the clubhouse. He knew I hadn’t been with anyone before, and you were likely expecting things to go further than a kiss.”

  Heat flared in his eyes, and he gave a jerky nod. “Got it. I meant what I said. You can sleep in my bed, and I promise things won’t go any further. I’d never take anything you didn’t willingly give. You mean too much to me, Dani.”

  If I hadn’t already been falling for him, what he’d just said would have cinched it. I didn’t know men like him still existed, or how I’d gotten lucky enough to find one. He was like a damn unicorn. A biker who knew his way around horses, treated me like a princess, and respected me. I’d be an idiot to walk away from this man. The question was whether or not I was ready to go all in.