Primal Howl: Primal Howlers MC, #1

Raquel

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About two months ago...

"Are you ready?" Sierra, my best friend and roommate, bellowed up the stairs of the townhouse we shared.

Give me a sec! I called back as I unplugged my curling iron, hearing her footsteps as she rushed upstairs.

She peeked her head into my bathroom. Come on, slowpoke. I want to get my drink on.

I chuckled. Keep your panties on, I’m coming.

I’m not wearing panties.

"Gross, Sierra, I did not need to know that."

My bestie wore a black leather mini skirt, knee-high boots, and a tight pink, deep V-neck t-shirt that hugged every curve. I was dressed a little more conservatively in a pair of dark skinny jeans, knee-high boots, and a Harley-Davidson t-shirt that hid my squishy bits nicely.

We were heading to Smiley’s in Colorado Springs, a notorious biker bar on the edge of town. My brother happened to be the president of the Dogs of Fire MC in Savannah, so I was pretty familiar with the establishment and who frequented it. The building welcomed everyone, and it was considered sacred, neutral ground, so the bikers tended to behave themselves.

I’m hoping to find me a sexy biker to fuck me against the wall, Sierra said.

"Sierra! I admonished. You promised you’d be good."

She grinned. Oh, I plan to be.

I rolled my eyes. Good lord, woman, behave.

No. What does your brother say?

Well behaved women don’t get shit done, I said, sliding lipgloss onto my lips.

She sighed. I wish Tristan was single.

I smiled. A lot of people do.

Tristan was my older, half-brother. His father had married my mother a few years after his first wife, Tristan’s mom, died. I was just as close, if not closer, to him than my full-blooded younger brothers, and he was often my rock when I needed someone to lean on.

Are you sure he’s committed to Olivia?

I laughed. Honey, not even Liv can run from Tristan, and believe me, she’s tried. He is totally devoted to her.

Sierra sighed. I want a man like that.

You’ll find one, I said.

Brando’s legal now, right? she asked.

If you mean, legal to drink, yes. He’s twenty-one.

Corwin’s prettier though.

Down tiger, he’s only nineteen.

Damn, she hissed, and I smiled.

Both my baby brothers were already heartbreakers, but she was right. Corwin had model good looks, where Brando was more rugged. But, really, the difference was whether you liked Ashton Kutcher more than Channing Tatum. Corwin was lean and tall, whereas Brando was still tall but built like a brick shithouse.

Does Tristan know you’re going to Smiley’s without ‘protection’? she asked.

He won’t care.

That’s a no, she retorted.

I’m twenty-four years old, I don’t need to tell my brother anything.

Um, okay, sure, we can play it that way, she said. If he finds out, though, I’m playing dumb.

It’s fine. I know Smiley. He’ll watch out for us. I faced her again. I’m ready.

Good. I already called for a car.

We headed outside and the ride share was already waiting for us. The bar wasn’t far, but the driver still wasn’t sure about leaving us. This is rough place, he said in broken English.

We’ve been here before, I said, pushing open my door. Thanks, though.

Sierra followed me out and we walked inside, met at the door by a giant of a man.

IDs. We handed our IDs to him, then he glanced at us, handing them back. You sure you’re in the right place?

I smiled. We’re good.

You run into issues, you let me know.

Okay, thanks.

Moving through the crowd, we sidled up to the bar and Smiley walked over to us. Hey, beautiful.

Hey, Smiley, I said.

Does Doc know you’re here? he asked.

What’s with everyone thinking I need to tell Doc everything?

He smirked. Well, you be careful.

We will, I promised.

What can I get you?

Shots, I said. Patrón, please.

Put it on my tab, a guy from our left said. He was creepy looking, his slicked back hair giving him a greasy look, and I planned to stay as far away as possible.

No, that’s okay, I said.

I insist.

I sighed. I appreciate it, but it’s really okay.

Bitch—

Don’t call her a bitch, asshole, Sierra hissed.

There a problem here? a tall, sexy as fuck biker asked. He had his arms crossed, so I couldn’t see the patch on his cut, but it could say Satan’s Devils and I wouldn’t care. Lordy, he was pretty. Blond hair, a little longer on top, fell onto his forehead and drew focus to his eyes, which were almost an ice blue. He had a full beard and I ached to run my fingers through it.

What’s it got to do with you? Greasy demanded.

Oh, I don’t know, Stimpy, maybe because you’re harassing my woman and she just got here.

Oh, shit, Orion. Sorry, man. Didn’t realize she was with you. Stimpy raised his hands and walked away.

Orion focused on me. You good?

Yes. But you didn’t need to do that.

Sierra leaned in close and without looking at her, I knew she was swooning.

"I know your brother, Raquel, I did need to do that," he said.

I forced myself not to react. My brother?

He smiled and I nearly lost my mind...and my panties.

Doc, he said. You know, the president of the Dogs of Fire, Savannah.

How could you possibly know Doc’s my brother? I asked. I’ve never met you.

He leaned against the bar, now fully facing me and I craned my head to look up at him.

My old man’s the president of the Primal Howlers. I’ve known your brother for a while.

Of course he had.

Yum, Sierra breathed out, for my ears only.

Orion pulled out his phone and swiped his finger over the screen. I’ve got a picture of you from your Christmas party last year. I never forget a face. Handing me the phone, I saw the photo from the charity event the club put on every year, handing out presents to the foster kids in the area. I was standing beside my brother and laughing. I think he’d made some inappropriate joke right before the picture was snapped. Plus, you look a lot alike.

I frowned. Translation: Doc sent you this to keep an eye on me.

He slid his phone back in his pocket. I plead the fifth.

I’ve been here several times and I know Smiley well, so how come I’ve never seen you?

Because I didn’t want you to see me.

I narrowed my eyes. Have you been stalking me?

You can stalk me, Sierra said. Anytime.

Orion grinned at her. I’ll keep that in mind.

Patrón, Smiley said, setting shot glasses in front of us and pouring tequila into them.

Orion gave him a chin lift and Smiley nodded, refusing to take my credit card.

I’ve got this, Orion said.

Um, no, you don’t, I countered.

Smiley chuckled. Like your spunk, sweetheart, but your money’s no good here.

So, we can drink as much as we want? Sierra asked. For free?

Go for it.

Challenge accepted, she retorted, and Orion smirked.

I shook my head. Sier—

Before we drink too much to care, Sierra said, will you introduce me to your club members? Just in case I want to go home with someone...

I groaned. Sierra, seriously, put it back in your pants.

You wanna come sit with us, you can, Orion offered, nodding to the tables where several of the Primal Howlers were congregating.

Hell, yeah, Sierra answered immediately. Show me the way to the testosterone.

She headed toward the group and Orion turned to follow, but I grabbed his arm and he faced me again. She’s impossible when she’s drunk, so I don’t want any of your guys taking advantage.

They won’t. Orion smiled. But what about you?

What about me?

Are you impossible when you’re drunk?

I shrugged. You’ll have to get to know me better to find that out.

I like a challenge.

You think that now, but give it time, I retorted. You’ll change your mind.

He laughed as he led me to his group.

Holy shit, Raquel?

A tall man rose to his feet and grinned. He looked like Orion, only his hair was darker.

I feel like I’m at a disadvantage, I grumbled. Do y’all know who I am? Everyone at the table nodded and I groaned. Just when did Doc put the edict out to watch me?

Two years ago.

Really? I ground out. Right before I moved to Colorado. Of course he did.

I’m Sundance, the man said, shaking my hand.

Orion chuckled and nodded to the man who was towering above me. Sundance is the president.

That made sense. Orion looked just like his dad.

Indicating the man sitting in the chair next to Sundance, Orion said, That’s Rocky, our VP, next to him is Moses, our Sergeant, and the two practically fuckin’ in that chair are Mozart and Nellie.

Nellie pushed off Mozart’s lap and reached her hand out. We don’t get out much.

I smiled, shaking her hand. It’s nice to meet you.

You too, sweetie.

Has anyone ever climbed you? Sierra asked Sundance. I got an A in my mountaineering class, in case you were wondering.

Sundance dropped his head back and laughed. You wanna climb me, baby, you feel free.

See what I mean? I glanced up at Orion. That’s after one shot.

Orion grinned. It’s all good. She’s safe here.

I nodded. I appreciate that.

* * *

Orion

Doc’s baby sister was a fuckin’ knockout in person. This could be a problem. Jesus Christ, her petite, curvy body could bring me to my knees and I’d happily genuflect for as long as she wanted me to.

When she and her friend walked in, I recognized her immediately, and knew she might be in trouble when Stimpy approached her. What came out of my mouth after that, was done while I was obviously in some kind of fugue state, because I’d never declared anyone as belonging to me, and certainly not in a place as public as Smileys.

Goddammit, that was not my smartest moment.

Because now she was marked as mine.

And I liked it.

* * *

Raquel

By the third shot of Patrón, I was feeling pretty loose. I blamed Orion and the way he made me feel. Safe. Relaxed. Accepted. I also blamed Sierra. She kept handing me shot glasses with the liquid deliciousness that I’d never been able to resist.

When she tried to hand me the fourth, I shook my head. If I have another one, I’m gonna go home with someone.

I’m good with that, Orion said. If it’s me.

I rolled my eyes. Keep dreaming, big man.

He chuckled as he stood, then leaned down, whispering in my ear, Baby, I’m your dream come true and you’ll figure that out sooner than later.

I couldn’t stop a shiver as I shook my head and laughed. God, I was hungry. I hadn’t had sex in two years, and I was just tipsy enough to want Orion to whet that appetite. Or oil the creaks. Or get me wet and oily.

Oh, who was I kidding? I’d let that man oil me up even if I was sober.

I watched him walk up to the bar, his ass looking unbelievable in his Levis, and I imagined him taking me from behind. He returned with a beer, a grin from ear-to-ear, and leaned down again to whisper in my ear. You keep lookin’ at me like that, I’m gonna take you somewhere private.

I licked my lips. Don’t make promises you can’t keep.

His eyes widened slightly, studying me for a few seconds before sitting down again.

Why are you called Orion? I asked.

He smiled. Mom. She figured since our last name was Graves, she wanted me to remember to look at the stars, so she’d always call me Orion, instead of Adam.

Adam Graves, I said. That’s a good, strong name.

He chuckled. Yeah, I guess so. No one ever calls me by it, but I guess it’s a good one.

I like it. I smiled. Do you have siblings?

Drake and Violet. Both younger, both a pain in the ass most of the time. He cocked his head. Done with the twenty questions?

I haven’t decided yet.

He grinned. Give me your phone.

I raised an eyebrow. Why?

Just give it to me. I handed him my phone and he typed something into it, then handed it back. You’ve got my info now. Use it.

For what?

Anything you want.

I pivoted to face him. Anything?

Yeah, baby, anything.

I bit my lip and smiled. You might regret saying that.

Pretty sure I won’t, he said, taking a swig of his beer.

I’m gonna need you to stock up on condoms.

He spit his beer out and I laughed.

Jesus Christ, he hissed as his biker buds turned to look at him.

You okay? Sundance asked him.

Yeah, I’m good, Pops, he said, staring at me.

I grinned and took a sip of water, watching his eyes blaze with desire.

Yes, this man was going to WD-40 the shit out of my body.

Raquel

Two days later...

I arrived home from class to find Orion leaning up against his bike, checking his phone, and I couldn’t help my stomach from fluttering as I parked my car.

I climbed out and walked toward him. Are you stalking me again?

Depends. He grinned, slipping his phone into his pocket. Do you like surprise visits or should I expect a cop to arrive and escort me off the premises?

How did you know where I live?

Sierra slipped me your address before you left the bar the other night. She said something about you needin’ your world rocked.

I rolled my eyes. That woman needs to be leashed.

I know a few guys who could do that for you.

I couldn’t stop a laugh. I may get their numbers from you later. What are you doing here?

It’s a nice day. Was gonna see if you wanted to go for a ride.

It’s been ages since I’ve been on a bike, I breathed out.

It’s long overdue then.

Let me grab a jacket.

Sounds good.

I rushed inside the townhouse, dropped my bag on the floor, and rummaged through my closet for my old leather jacket. It was buried in the back, so I had to wrestle it out from under other coats on the floor.

Sierra was at work, so I sent her a quick text, then headed back to Orion and his gorgeous Harley-Davidson Fatboy. After shoving my purse into one of his saddlebags, he handed me a helmet, and threw his leg over the seat. I climbed on behind him and we took off for the open road.

I wrapped my arms around his waist and took a deep breath, the thrill of being on the back of a bike surging through me as Orion expertly drove the back streets, then opened it up when we hit the freeway.

Lordy, I’d missed this.

We drove for a good twenty minutes before he pulled off and I knew exactly where we were headed.

"Oh my god, are we going to