Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45131 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Clara never expected Rebel to show up at her family farm night after night, locking the place down tight and stealing her heart in the process. But when danger creeps too close, Rebel will burn through anything standing between him and keeping Clara safe
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
1
REBEL
The Hounds of Hellfire MC clubhouse was filled with relief when we returned, the tension from earlier finally giving way to laughter and easy camaraderie. My muscles were still taut from the confrontation we’d just come from, my hands flexing instinctively as the adrenaline slowly faded. I stood slightly apart, observing quietly as my brothers spread through the space, each drawn toward their women like magnets, the embraces that followed unmistakably possessive.
The comfortable intimacy between the couples created a sense of envy in my chest. Not that I’d admit it out loud. It had been a damn long time since I’d let myself think about settling down or wanting someone that close.
Ace, our treasurer, moved immediately toward Poppy, his stride swift and purposeful. The intensity in his eyes told anyone watching exactly how much he needed to see her after what we’d just handled. We’d eliminated the threat against her, and I could only imagine his relief.
He caught her face in his big hands and kissed her deeply, unapologetic about his claim as he pulled her tight against him. Our president, King, approached them, a tiny lift at the corners of his mouth as he handed over the leather property vest he’d probably had for weeks. Ace had made it clear that Poppy was it for him right after they met.
Poppy’s eyes widened, her cheeks flushing with pure happiness as Ace settled the vest over her shoulders. It was impossible not to notice the way they looked at each other—raw, fiercely protective, and completely in love.
My gaze drifted slightly to the left, and every muscle in my body suddenly locked tight. Standing beside Poppy was a woman I’d never seen before, but in a single breath, she owned every ounce of my attention. A strange, possessive heat rolled through me as I took her in.
Thick chestnut hair was loosely braided and hung over one shoulder. The low lighting in the lounge was just bright enough to catch copper highlights threaded through the strands. She had the kind of curves that made my pulse spike hard. Her lush hips were wrapped in worn jeans that hugged her like they were made just for her. A simple flannel shirt was knotted loosely at her waist, accentuating those curves and drawing my attention exactly where it shouldn’t linger in public.
She wasn’t just beautiful, she was fucking captivating. Her skin was kissed by the sun, a delicate warmth that made my fingers itch to touch. She seemed completely unaware of my eyes tracking her every move. Her smile was bright and effortlessly radiant as she spoke with Poppy, her eyes dancing with animated laughter as she admired the newly presented vest. She had no idea I was watching, completely oblivious to the possessive heat coiling through me with every passing second.
The intensity of my reaction caught me completely off guard. As I watched her, that unexpected longing tightening my chest wasn’t envy anymore. It was something deeper, more primal—a fierce, instinctive recognition that she belonged to me.
She took a step back and bumped directly into my chest. Instinctively, my hands shot out to grip her arms, steadying her. Heat sparked through my fingertips at the contact, catching me off guard. When she spun around, those amber eyes met mine, wide and startled for a brief second before her full, pouty lips curved into a bright smile that sent another shock wave straight to my groin.
“Oops! Sorry about that.” Laughter bubbled beneath her voice as her gaze moved over me, curiosity and surprise clear in those mesmerizing eyes.
I managed a stiff nod, but words failed me. A brooding scowl tugged automatically at my features, masking the turmoil inside me. As my stare swept slowly over her face, the subtle flush on her cheeks, the curve of her neck, and those lush curves, I couldn’t hold back the muttered curse under my breath. “Fucking hell.”
Her smile faltered slightly, her brow furrowing in confusion as she turned back to Poppy and rolled her eyes in amused frustration. “I can’t imagine what it would be like to belong to one of these guys.”
Something possessive snapped inside me, instantly accepting what my body already knew—she was mine. Before I even realized what I was doing, the words were growling out of me, low and rough with irritation. “You’ll know soon enough.”
She whipped around to face me again, her hands landing firmly on those curvy hips, her chin lifting stubbornly as her brows rose. The defiance in her stance sent another hot rush of desire through me, nearly stealing my breath. “Pardon?”
I didn’t answer right away as my eyes held hers for a long, tense moment. I was acutely aware of Ace’s gaze on us, and the surprised silence that had fallen over the others nearby. But I was too caught up in this overwhelming certainty to care.