Freedom to Ride (Ravens MC) Read online

  Deanna’s jaw dropped open in surprise and Nate winked at her, breaking the awkward moment and making her giggle. Just then Deanna heard a faint cry and realised that Holly had been disturbed by all the noise.

  As they all cooled down they decided to call it a night and head home. Before Deanna left the room she hugged Bruce, thanking him for the game, and he gave her a knowing wink as he left.

  Logan, with an arm around Heather, approached her.

  “I’ll get you back for that, you git,” whispered Deanna as she hugged him. “I’ve never been so embarrassed in my life.”

  “Listen, I did that because you both needed a push. Don’t be scared. He’s a good bloke and he adores both you and Holly. Give him a chance,” Logan replied seriously.

  Deanna didn’t know how to respond so she simply gave Heather a hug, thanking them both for a fun night before the couple left. Turning back, Deanna noticed that Nate had disappeared and Megan was sat with Fraser, whispering with their heads close together.

  “I’m going to call it a night once I’ve got Holly settled. Night you two.”

  Megan jumped up from the couch and approached her. “Deanna, I can’t believe what just happened but please just let it happen,” said Megan. “If it’s meant to be, which I think it is, give him a chance. It’s obvious he’s crazy about you. I know you’re scared so just explain to him that you need to take things slowly. Okay?”

  “Okay,” Deanna whispered back. She knew what Megan had said was the truth and said from the heart. She was scared to start something with Nate but the connection between them was undeniable. She didn’t want to fight it anymore.

  Megan and Fraser left the room with their arms wrapped around each other, heading towards Megan’s bedroom.

  Deanna turned off the lights in the living room, deciding to clean up in the morning and headed towards her bedroom. On entering she saw Nate bent over the cot with an outstretched finger gently stroking Holly’s cheek, soothing her back to sleep. She tiptoed to Nate’s side and he turned, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Deanna rested her head on his chest to watch her sleeping daughter.

  After a few contented minutes she stepped away from Nate and sat down on the end of the bed. She couldn’t help but release a sigh as her head flopped forward, everything that had happened in the past few minutes replaying in her mind. Nate’s feet came into her line of sight as she felt his fingers under her chin, tipping her face back to look up at him.

  “Are you alright?” he said gently.

  “Yeah, just tired,” she replied, smiling at his concern.

  Crouching in front of Deanna, Nate looked closely into her face, trying to see whether she regretted what had just happened between them. He was glad to see she didn’t appear to but he did recognise apprehension in her gaze.

  “I know you’re scared, but I would never hurt you. I am nothing like your ex,” Nate declared.

  “I know.”

  “This thing between us, I can’t ignore it anymore. I know you feel it too. If you don’t want to explore it you have to tell me now.”

  Deanna remained silent but her smile grew bigger. Nate took that as a positive sign.

  “You’ve made me so happy. There isn’t anythin’ going on between me and Vanessa. I told her ages ago that what we had was over, but she won’t take no for an answer. She’s been trying to cause problems at the garage with some of the other lads, so I know I need to get rid of her. I’ve been looking for her replacement but it’s taking a while, which is why she’s still here. If we’re going to be together I’ll make sure she’s gone tomorrow. I won’t have that bitch anywhere near you. She can be a real pain in the arse and you are not going to have to deal with her. Okay?”

  “Yeah. It’s . . . I . . . Logan told me a bit about you two. He said that she was only here because of her job at the garage. I was relieved about that because I didn’t like thinking of you two together,” Deanna responded, feeling stupid admitting her jealousy.

  “You’ve nothin’ to be jealous of. We’ve never been serious and haven’t been together in a long time. Since you showed up I haven’t been able to get you out of my head. To tell the truth, I’ve been curious about you ever since Logan mentioned you weeks ago. I was looking forward to meeting you. When you arrived and stood in front of me covered in cuts and bruises I thought you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. You and your daughter are very important to me,” Nate stated, leaning forward to give Deanna a tender kiss.

  Getting to his feet, he reached forward to slowly run his thumb down her cheek, making her eyes slide shut with pleasure.

  “Get some sleep babe,” he said before walking out of the bedroom, closing the door quietly behind him.

  Deanna flopped back onto the bed smiling up at the ceiling. She couldn’t believe it. She was so happy, the giddiness inside making her feel like a teenager again.

  Changing into her onesie she climbed into bed, her last thoughts before drifting off to sleep were of her wonderful gentle giant.

  CHAPTER 8

  Deanna woke the next morning and, looking around, she tried to understand what had disturbed her wonderful dream. As she listened she heard shouting coming from somewhere outside.

  Hurrying out of bed she looked into Holly’s cot to find it empty, obviously one of the others had taken Holly for her breakfast. Entering the living room she saw Holly playing on the floor with Megan watching from the couch sipping a cup of coffee.

  “Morning Megs, thanks for taking care of Holly. Hiya baby,” said Deanna as she knelt on the floor beside her daughter, kissing and giving her a cuddle.

  “Mornin’. You have a good sleep? I popped in a few minutes ago when I heard Holly waking so thought I’d let you sleep. You were making the strangest noises,” Megan responded.

  Deanna paused, unsure how to answer. “I don’t know what you’re taking about. I don’t snore.” But she vividly recalled the fabulous dream she’d had of herself and Nate in an intimate embrace sitting on his bike during a rainstorm. She must be losing her mind or some of what had happened last night must have crept into her dreams, recalling Logan running around in the rain in his underwear.

  “I didn’t say you were snoring. You were making these odd noises in the back of your throat. Sounded like a dog whimpering in pain,” Megan said, flashing a suggestive smile towards Deanna.

  Deanna ducked her head quickly but not before her best friend caught the embarrassed flush on her face. It was then she remembered why her dream had been interrupted when she heard shouting again outside.

  “What’s going on out there? That shouting woke me up,” Deanna said, nodding her head across the road towards the source of the noise at the compound.

  “Why? Did it interrupt the best part?” said Megan, not giving up until she had a little bit of detail from her embarrassed friend.

  Megan’s comment made Deanna laugh. “You’re not going to give up are you? Well if you must know, yeah it did. But that’s all I’m telling. The juicy parts are for me to know and you not to find out,” Deanna replied smugly.

  Megan snorted in response. “Whatever. I’m sure that there’s someone else who would love to know the details. I’m also guessing he was the lead male role in the story.”

  Deanna narrowed her eyes and as the girls stared at each other they broke into uncontrollable laughter at their ridiculous conversation.

  “You should have seen your face. Deanna, you have to try and hide your thoughts better than that. I knew straight away what your dirty little mind was thinking. I don’t blame you though, he is one mighty fine man,” Megan said still chuckling, winking at Deanna.

  Deanna couldn’t think of a response so she stuck out her tongue at her friend, knowing what Megan had said was true.

  Just at that moment the front door flew open, banging against the wall to reveal a furious tall blond woman standing in the doorway.

  “You fuckin’ bitch. He’s mine. You’re not gonna steal him from me,” the woman
screamed.

  Deanna quickly sat up to see Vanessa looking so angry that steam could have been pouring from her ears. Megan rose to her feet holding Holly protectively in her arms.

  Vanessa barged into the room just as some of the lads came running from the compound towards the house. When Deanna spotted Nate the expression on his face shook her, it was the first time she had seen him look so furious.

  “You look at me bitch when I’m talkin’ to you. You should’ve kept your fat ass miles away and not shoved it into my man’s face. He does not fire me and then replace me with a slag like you. It doesn’t happen. I’ll get you back for this bitch, so you’d better watch yourself,” Vanessa hissed just as the men reached the door.

  “Vanessa, get out. I told you to pack your bag and clear off. You do not speak to Deanna like that and you certainly don’t swear in front of Holly,” Nate growled in a low menacing voice.

  “Your fat bitch can go fuck herself and take her little shit wi . . ,” Vanessa cut off when Nate grabbed her arm and dragged her out of the house, slamming the door behind them, leaving Deanna and Megan in stunned silence.

  Deanna turned her startled gaze to Megan who looked back in equal shock. Holly began to wriggle in Megan’s arms, obviously upset with the shouting and wanting her mum, the raised voices bringing back bad memories. Deanna took Holly in her arms giving her a reassuring cuddle.

  “You okay sweetie?” Megan asked quietly.

  “Yeah. Wow, what a nasty piece of work. I can’t believe that just happened. Guess we know now what the shouting was all about.” Deanna tried to joke, not wanting to let the hurt she felt at Vanessa’s words show.

  “What on earth did Nate ever see in her?”

  “I don’t know, but she is beautiful. He said that he’d finished with her a while ago but she just wouldn’t give up. He warned me last night that she could cause problems.”

  “Well, if that bit . . . I mean girl ever comes near you again I’ll knock her out. If Holly hadn’t been here I would have ripped out her throat for what she said to you.”

  “She’s not worth it and it’ll be the last time we’ll see her anyway.” But Deanna wasn’t so sure, remembering her threatening parting words.

  Just then the front door opened again and Nate entered the room with a couple of the other members following closely behind. He walked straight up to Deanna, looking intense.

  “Are you okay? I’m sorry she got in here. She went to pack her bag and when I looked back she’d gone. That bint is done and she’s not comin’ back. She does not get away with insulting you or Holly.”

  “It’s fine, don’t worry,” Deanna replied calmly, trying to soothe him as she could see that he was on edge.

  She reached up and cupped his cheek, his eyes closed and he rested his forehead against hers. Holly wriggled in Deanna’s arms so she could nuzzle into his chest, seeking comfort from him. Nate opened his eyes to look down at her and then to Deanna as he wrapped his arms around the pair of them, burying his face in Deanna’s glorious hair. They felt so right in his arms and he knew he could never let them go.

  After a few minutes of peace Deanna pulled away and noticed that everyone had disappeared, obviously to give them some privacy. Nate brushed a soft kiss against her lips, a curious expression on his face as he asked, “how good are you on a computer?”

  “What . . . why?”

  “I haven’t been able to sort her replacement and I really need help in the office over at the garage. I was wondering, if you’re still looking for a job, would you be interested?”

  She smiled at his sheepish expression but was thankful for him asking as she really wanted to help out more around the place. If Megan agreed to look after Holly when she was needed at the garage then it could work out.

  “I worked at a vet’s years ago and dealt with ordering supplies and admin duties so I do have some experience. Are you asking me to be your new office girl?”

  “You’d save my hide. I hate anythin’ involving paperwork. I need someone desperately. Please?”

  “Okay, since you asked so nicely. I’ll need to check with Megan to see if she can look after Holly. She isn’t starting her job for a couple of weeks so I’ll have time to arrange something else by then.”

  Nate had contacted his friend who owned the hotel but he only needed one waitress. Deanna had told Megan to take it as she had Holly to look after and had less experience at that type of job than Megan.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll sort somethin’ else by then if Megan doesn’t mind looking after Holly for the time being. Go speak with her and then come over to the garage and I’ll show you the ropes.”

  Bending down he kissed her and gave her a saucy wink before returning to the garage. She was surprised by his playfulness and just knew he was going to be nothing but trouble. The thought brought a goofy smile to her face as she happily went in search of Megan.

  CHAPTER 9

  He was still furious, finally understanding that the bitch Deanna had well and truly disappeared. He couldn’t find her anywhere and there was no sign of the little brat either. Deanna’s boss refused to say anything, obviously guessing she had run from a dangerous situation.

  He was growing seriously restless, having no sleep for days as he watched her few friends’ movements, but none of them revealing anything.

  As he tried to sleep, his mind filled with dreams of retribution.

  _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

  A few days after starting work at the garage Deanna had settled in just as she hoped. Nate had shown her what the job involved and she had been relieved to find that the tasks were similar to those she’d done in the past. However, she wanted to learn more about the different bike parts, her fascination for motorbikes growing as she worked alongside them.

  Nate’s bike was her favourite. It was a huge Harley, gleaming black and chrome that thundered like a beast which she thought matched her giant perfectly. She was desperate to go for a ride with him as he’d promised, but the members didn’t go for long rides at this time of year because the roads were too dangerous.

  They had been talking about going riding in a couple of weeks’ time when the weather was supposed to improve. Deanna had been giddy at the thought and was looking forward to it.

  Nate had given her the grand tour of the clubhouse. She had only popped her head through the door previously, a little apprehensive of what she might find. But Nate had explained that as she was now working for the club and being his woman he wanted her to know her way around the whole compound.

  She had actually been impressed with the clubhouse, thinking it would be a complete mess with a bunch of men looking after it, but it was surprisingly tidy. Deanna hadn’t taken much notice the times she’d looked in before, but there was a long spectacular looking bar that ran down one side of the room. The whole bar front had black wings carved into the wooden surface, immediately drawing your eyes to it, the details of the carving being a true piece of artwork. There were also clean tables and chairs and, pushed to the sides of the room, were the biggest sofas she’d ever seen. She couldn’t resist sinking into one of them, asking if Nate could move one across the road to the house for her. His answer was a laughing ‘no chance’.

  There was a wall solely for framed pictures of each member and photos of the club over the years at different events. Deanna spent time looking at them, smiling fondly as she recognised some of the members. Paintings of ravens in flight were on the surrounding walls and over the bar hung a Saltire flag. There were also a few different landscape pictures of famous tourist attractions across Scotland. Although it was decorated in deep colours and dark wood furniture the clubhouse had a nice warm atmosphere.

  Nate had even sneaked her into the members’ room - the ‘chapel,’ which had a wooden table with a raven carved into the wood, surrounded by big leather chairs. Nate had explained that this was where they held all club meetings, including ‘Church’, which was their weekly meeting. Deanna watched as Nate sat down in hi
s chair at the head of the table, patting his knee and crooking his finger for her to sit in his lap. She’d jumped at the chance, a thrill running through her at how much power her man had in this room and as he’d grabbed her round the waist they’d kissed passionately. A knock at the open door interrupted them just as things were getting heavy and Logan popped his head in, watching the pair with a knowing smile. Unfortunately he asked Nate to deal with a customer outside who was causing problems.

  Deanna had come to realise during the time she worked at the garage that even though Nate treated her with patience and nothing but tenderness there was another side to him. He didn’t take any shit, was completely professional at all times, which gained him the respect of every member of the club, and he could be quite intimidating when the need arose. She saw not only her gentle giant but also the true President of the club and her feelings for him grew stronger each day. Power was definitely an aphrodisiac.

  Bruce’s wife was due any day and they were both excited at becoming parents for the first time, Bruce spending most of his time at home. Logan and Heather were still going strong, he spending most of his time with her when not at the garage or clubhouse, and was hardly ever at the house anymore.

  Megan and Fraser had finally admitted to Logan they were seeing each other and he had taken the news surprisingly well. Deanna thought it helped that he was in a good relationship, which was why he didn’t object, he only wanted his sister to be happy.

  Deanna eventually confided in Nate more of her past traumas so he could understand why she needed for them to take things slowly. He was the perfect gentleman about it. She had embarrassingly explained that she wasn’t really sexually experienced. A failed high school relationship and then, because of the loss of her parents, she hadn’t been interested in men until she had met Lee and he had had no interest in pleasing her in any way.

  Every night he was free from the club they spent time together and were usually the only ones left in the house. He helped Deanna bathe Holly and put her down to sleep. Afterwards he would give her a lovely kiss goodnight before going to his own room.