USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

EXCERPT

“You look fuckin’ beautiful, Peach,” I hear growled in my ear.

I shiver at that rumbly, gravelly voice, and my heart begins to race. I love that tone, and I freaking adore that he thinks I’m beautiful. I also love that he calls me Peach, I have no idea why, but it’s something that makes me weak at the knees whenever he calls me it. 

I’m in Dynamite, a club in New York City. It’s owned by the Italian mafia, and it’s one of the top hotspots to be at. As my sister is close to the wife of the man who owns this place, we’ve been treated like royalty since we arrived. We didn’t have to queue, and we’re in the VIP section. I prefer it up here as I’m free to dance with my girls and just have fun.

I lean back against the man and look up at him. 

Shadow. 

The man makes me weak at the knees with just one steely look. I’ve known him for less than a month, yet he makes my body react in ways I never knew possible. We haven’t kissed or even fucked, and yet he has this strange pull on me. It’s as though we’re magnets, drawn to each other. But there’s so much more to him than meets the eye, he’s smart, funny, and he always has time for me. He’ll always make it a point to come and talk to me whenever he sees me, just like now, which I freaking love. 

“Hey, Shadow,” I say thickly. “How are you?”

His eyes are bright as he looks down at me. His tongue flicks against his lip ring. “I’m good, babe. You and your girls look as though you’re celebrating.”

I nod. “Yep,” I say, popping the p. “My girl Esme is engaged.”

His eyes narrow. “You don’t look happy ‘bout that, Peach.”

I pull in a ragged breath, there goes my knees. “Peach?” I ask, needing to know why he calls me that. He started from the very first day that I met him.

“Your shampoo,” he growls as his hands go around my waist. His grip isn’t tight, but it’s not soft either. “You always smell of peaches.”

I smile. I love that he likes it. “Yeah, it’s my shampoo.”

“So, Peach, why aren’t you happy that your girl’s engaged?”

I sigh as I spin around and face him. “I love Esme. She’s my best friend. But her taste in men is awful and her fiancé is an asshole. She’s my girl, though, and she loves him, so I’m here celebrating with her, and I’m keeping my mouth shut.”

“Why not tell her he’s a dick?” he asks, his brows knitted.

“She’s my best friend, Shadow. Us girls are stupid sometimes where men are concerned. I’m not going to lose her by telling her what I think. I can’t take the chance that she’ll end up hating me because of it, so I’ll be here when it’s over. I’ll make sure that I’m here to pick up the pieces.”

He nods, seeming satisfied. “I understand that, but is she really your friend if she doesn’t listen to you?”

"It’s not that simple. Esme and I have been best friends since we were in diapers. When you have someone that you love so much, you’ll do anything to protect that relationship, and having the one person you trust the most come for it, it’s going to hurt.” I take a sip of my drink, hating that I’m going to even talk about the hardest time of my life. “I’ve lived through someone I love being so caught up in a guy that she didn’t see them for what they were until it was too late. I couldn’t help Octavia, but I’m going to be there for Esme.”

His thumb and finger capture my chin and tilt my head towards him. Those steely brown eyes of his are fierce and filled with determination. “You're not to blame for what happened to your sister,” he growls. “That bastard should have never laid his hands on her.”

I nod, my throat constricting as I remember the pain I felt when my sister was in the damn hospital bed, after brain surgery. I thought she was dead. I thought that I’d never see her again. I blink furiously, trying to stop the tears from falling. This is supposed to be a good night, a happy and joyous occasion.

“So, what brings you here?” I ask with a raised brow once I’ve manage to get my emotions under control.

His smirk has the butterflies in my stomach swarming. “Now, Peach, that would be tellin’, wouldn’t it?”

I shake my head. I know what these men are like. They get bored of the club women and decide to come to the club to find someone else to fuck the night away with. “Horny, Shadow?”

“Wasn’t ‘til I saw you in that fuckin’ dress,” he growls, his breath hot against my skin.

I run my hand along his chest. “It’ll look even better on the bedroom floor,” I say a little huskily.

He flicks his lip piercing once again as he gives my body a once over. His hands tighten on my hips. “You want someone to fuck you, Peach?”

I press closer to him, my boobs squished against his chest. I hitch my voice a little lower. It’s a lot more flirtatious, and a whole lot more husky. “Ending a night with an orgasm is always the way to go, wouldn’t you say?”

His eyes darken, and he brings his lips to mine, not kissing me, just inches away. “You’re playing with fire, Peach,” he hisses, his cock thick against my stomach.

Good. At least he’s affected just as I am.

“Sometimes, Shadow,” I begin, keeping my gaze firmly on his, “I like the burn.”

“Fuck,” he snarls, his hand moving from my hip and tangling into my hair. He doesn’t hold back. He slants his lips against mine and kisses me. He takes the breath from me as he slides his tongue into my mouth and dominates me. I’m only able to cling to him, holding on for dear life as Shadow shows me just how fucking talented he is at kissing. I can’t help but wonder what else he’s talented at.

He pulls back and stares down at me, those brown eyes of his dark and dangerous. “You’re mine tonight, Serenity.”

I grin at him. “Hmm,” I purr. “Your place or mine?”

“Yours,” he says. “I hope you’re not working tomorrow, Peach. I’m going to enjoy my night with you.”

My heart races. I’ve wanted Shadow since the moment I met him, and that hasn’t changed. I don’t think it ever will.

* * *

The moment we enter my house, he’s on me. His lips slam against mine, and he kisses me hard. He sweeps his tongue into my mouth and makes me weak at the knees. I’m breathless.

I start to walk backward, my hands reaching for his zipper. I’m so damn horny. I need him. I need him to fuck me. I’m going crazy with the burning that’s inside of me. I need to quench the fire.

He reaches for my dress and pulls it off my body. I’m panting as we break the kiss so he can pull it over my head. “Shadow,” I pant. I’m so damn needy.

He gives me that cheeky grin, the one that promises me a good time. “Take your panties off, Peach,” he says thickly, his eyes dark with lust.

I watch him as I slowly lower my panties and step out of them, leaving my heels on. His cocky grin turns into a full-blown smile as he strips down.

God, he’s so fucking beautiful it takes my breath away. He’s got tattoos all over his body. Full sleeves on both arms, his chest and stomach covered. I have a feeling that if he turned around, I’d see that his back would be covered too.

“On the bed,” he snarls.

I do as he instructs, my body shivering in anticipation. He doesn’t make me wait long. The second he climbs onto the bed, he positions himself over me, his eyes so bright and full of want. His hand goes to my pussy, and the moment he slides a finger inside of me, I release a long moan.

I run my hands along his body, loving the tautness of his muscles. I’m not shy about what I want and how I get it. Life is short, and you only live once. I always take everything with both hands and enjoy it, and I’m more than going to enjoy Shadow tonight.

I run my lips along his chest, tracing his tattoos with my tongue.

His finger is so thick as it pushes inside of me, and I gasp as my body accepts him. I cry out when he adds yet another finger, making my pussy stretch to accommodate him. He finger-fucks me hard and fast, and I pant as my orgasm builds.

“Please,” I mewl at him, needing to come.

When his teeth graze against my nipple, I detonate, seeing stars. His mouth covers mine, swallowing my scream. I close my eyes and let the orgasm wash over me.

My eyes open when he slides into me. “God,” I moan at his thickness. 

“Not God, Peach. What’s my name?”

“Shadow,” I moan, wishing I had his real name.

“Exactly,” he growls. His movements are slow and languid. It’s too much. I need more. “That’s what you moan, Peach—my fuckin’ name.”

“Harder,” I beg him.

He grins at me. “Peach, you get what I give you.” His voice is thick with need, his eyes dark with lust.

Fine. If he wants to be like this, two can play that game. Wrapping my legs around his waist, my fingers claw at the back of his neck. I need more. I need him to fuck me hard and brutally. 

Lifting up, I press my mouth to his neck, my teeth nipping at his skin. I do it again and again. I hear a deep groan in the back of his throat, and I know that I have him. My fingernails press deeper as I deepen the bite. I’m going to leave marks.

It’s almost as if I can see the control snapping in those amazing brown eyes of his. It’s like a switch being flipped. He withdraws from me and then slams back inside. I bite my lip to stop the moans from escaping. Over and over again he fucks me harder and harder, until I can’t hold back from crying out with every thrust.

“Yes,” I hiss. This is what I want. This is what I need.

“Fuck, Peach, I’m not gonna last much longer.”

“Yes,” I hiss when he thrusts deep. 

“Fuckin’ come,” he snarls.

My body tightens at his command, and within seconds I’m detonating, calling out his name as I do. 

He thrusts once, twice, three times, before he buries himself to the hilt and comes long and hard, releasing a long groan.

He pulls out of me and gets rid of the condom. The man had me so worked up that I didn’t even realize he’d put one on. I’m thankful he did.

I lie on the bed, my breathing ragged. I’m completely spent and feel thoroughly fucked. I’m going to need some time to regain my energy, but I’m definitely going to do that again.

“I need food,” I laugh as I climb out of bed. “I think there’s leftover pizza from earlier.”

He watches me with a raised brow as I move through the bedroom. “Keep walkin’ around naked, Peach, and I’ll fuck you before we eat pizza.”

My laugh is husky and throaty. “Is that a promise?”

His eyes darken, and I turn and walk out of my room. “Damn fuckin’ straight it is.”

​

* * *

Shadow’s lips collide with mine, and I groan as his tongue sweeps into my mouth. His fingers clench around the globes of my ass as he pulls me flush against him. God, he knows how to get me worked up. But I’m drained. As much as I want him, I can’t go again. I lost count of how many rounds we went last night. I’m deliciously sated.

The man is talented. He knows exactly what to do, and I reaped the rewards last night and this morning. I’ve fallen head over heels for him. God, I knew there was something special about him, but I never expected to fall for him as deeply as I have. 

He pulls back, both of us breathing deeply. Those amazing brown eyes of his are deep and filled with heat. I shiver under his gaze. “Gotta go, Peach,” he says thickly.

I nod, my lips feeling puffy from the kiss. “Okay,” I say a little breathily. “Wanna repeat—”

“I’ll see you around, yeah?” he says, cutting me off.

My heart shatters. Fucking breaks at his words. I wanted more. God, I thought we were on the same page. But no, he’s leaving.

“See you around,” I reply, my arms closing around my stomach. I’m trying to keep the hurt inside.

He watches me for a beat, before turning on his heel and leaving. I’m rooted to the spot, unable to move. He’s gone.

“Stupid,” I mutter to myself as the first of the tears fall. “God, so damn stupid, Seri.”

I walk into the bedroom. I need to change the sheets and shower.

I should have known better. I should have realized. Instead, I let my heart lead my head and now I’m in a position where I’m heartbroken and wondering what the future brings. I know what the men in the MC do, what they love. That’s women. I can’t imagine a life of seeing him hooking up with other women. The thought alone has my stomach rolling in horror.

No. I’m going to have to keep my distance—as best as I can, at least.

Note to self: never get involved with a biker or anyone else who only wants just one night. I can’t do it. I’ll always want more.

One day, I’ll find someone who will want more.

One day, I’ll find the man who will love me back.