Wild Desire: A Curvy Girl Steamy Romance (Wild Heart Mountain: Wild Rider’s MC Book 14)

Morning sunlight streams through my bedroom windows, casting luminous patterns on my bedroom walls. I stretch lazily and roll over to face the light, letting it warm me in its glow. But it’s not just the sunlight that makes my body heat. Memories of what we did in the garden flood my mind.

Paul’s hands on me and the confession he extracted from me as well as the release. I’ve never told anyone my ambitions to write alien romance. Whenever I mentioned wanting to be a writer to my parents, their eyes glazed over. They insisted I study business in college and I stupidly went along with them, believing them when they told me it would set me up for the future. But the future my parents want for me is different from what I want for myself.

Paul made me realize that last night. And it’s not just the writing. I want him. I want his hands on me; I want to feel his beard tickle my throat. I want to feel what it’s like to make love to the gentle biker with rough hands.

A knock on my door has me sitting up in bed and wrapping the comforter around my shoulders.

Dad barges in before I have time to ask who it is. The expression on his face tells me everything I need to know.

“Morning!” I say cheerfully.noveldrama

His eyebrows are pulled together, and his mouth is set in a thin line. “What kind of stunt were you pulling last night?”

My cheeks heat. For a moment I think he’s talking about what Paul and I did in the garden. Perhaps a guest saw us and reported back to my parents.

“What do you mean?” I keep my voice calm, trying to gauge what Dad knows.

“Bringing a patched member of a biker gang to our party.”

Relief floods me, and I lean back on the pillows. Dad doesn’t know about our tryst in the garden. He’s just hung up about Paul.

“He seemed to be a hit,” I reply. “He collected three business cards, brokered a deal for distributing the Wild Taste craft beer in Europe, and booked two bikes at their repair shop.”

Dad’s frown deepens. “It’s a party, not a networking opportunity for the local MC.”

I scoff at his words. “Aren’t those parties one big networking opportunity?”

I’ll bet any money that both Mom and Dad had a hit list of important guests they wanted to speak to and a plan of who would speak to whom.

He folds his arms across his chest. “They are an opportunity to get to know our business associates in a casual environment.”

“Sounds like networking to me.” I slide out of bed and pull my robe over my pajamas.

Dad scowls at me. “You know how important these functions are to your mother and me.”

I know they’re more important than their own daughter. Anger flares inside me, and I tie the belt of my robe too tight.

“You missed my birthday.”

Dad looks confused for a moment, then his expression softens. “Ah, I’m sorry, Cassie. It was last week, wasn’t it?”

“Yes. You and Mom forgot because you were too busy planning your precious party.”

He strides over and puts a hand on my shoulder. “I’m sorry, Cassie. We’ll make it up to you. We’ll go to dinner tonight at the restaurant you like in Hope.” He frowns. “Not tonight, actually. I’ve got a late meeting. We’ll go Friday.”

“Isn’t Mom on a business trip on Friday?”

I keep track of my parents better than they keep a track of me. It’s not that hard. Their assistant sends me their schedule so I know where they are.

“Ah yes.” Dad frowns. “She’s going to visit a supplier in the Napa Valley. How about next week?”

Next week will be three weeks after my birthday. My best friend managed to put on a party for me despite having a toddler and a difficult pregnancy. My parents have to wait three weeks to celebrate my birthday.

“Don’t worry about it, Dad. My friends already celebrated with me.” I can’t keep the bitterness out of my voice. “My friends at the MC.”

The scowl returns to his face. “Is that why you brought that…man to the party? Because we forgot your birthday? It worked, Cassie. You have our attention.”

It was the original reason I invited Specs, but we had such a good time together. He was attentive and funny and interesting to talk to. And he can do wicked things with his hands. Bringing Specs to the party was a way to get my parents’ attention, but now I just want his attention.

“No,” I say. “I invited him because I like him.”

My father’s expression turns thunderous. “He’s in a motorcycle club, Cassie. He wears a patched jacket and has numerous tattoos.”

“Yes.” I stick my chin out. “He also served for twelve years in the military, is a certified accountant, and runs all the finances for the various legitimate businesses the club owns. He’s kind and funny and loves books. If you could see past your own ass, you’d see that he’s a nice guy.”

My dad’s eyes widen. I’ve never spoken to him like that before, and I regret the disrespectful tone as soon as I’ve used it.

“You never used to speak like this, Cassie.”

“How would you know? You’re never around. You’re too busy planning parties and schmoozing with your business associates.”

He shakes his head. “The business relationships we have are what pays for this house, your nice clothes, and that college degree you’ve got.”

He clenches his fist, and a vein throbs in his neck. “As long as you’re under this roof that your mother and I pay for, you live by my rules. And I forbid you from seeing that man again.”

The air goes out of my lungs. I’ve never seen my dad so angry. But he’s being unreasonable.

If I have to choose between living with my parents, who don’t notice me, and Specs who makes me feel seen, then the choice is easy.

“Fine.” I fold my arms over my chest and school my expression to neutral. I don’t want Dad to get a hint of what I’m about to do or he might try to stop me.

His eyes narrow, and I don’t think he believes he won the argument that easily. He’s about to say something when his phone rings.

He looks at the screen. “I have to take this.”

Of course he does. It’s a business call, and despite being a Saturday morning, his business associates mean everything to him.

“But we’re not done here.” He glares at me before leaving the room. I hear his voice fade down the corridor as he takes the call.

My father’s given me an ultimatum, and there’s only one choice.

I pull out my small backpack from my wardrobe. I need to pack light, only what I can take on the back of a motorbike.