“The only illegal thing we did was go through the red light.” She shrugged. “Anyway, I don’t know if security at the shopping center saw us well enough to identify us.”

  “What about the man in the car?”

  “Same with him,” she said. “Besides, we didn’t damage anything.”

  “Except for Dutch’s ego.”

  She laughed. “That was pretty cool.”

  “Do you think Dutch will stay away from Smokey’s?”

  “Yeah,” she answered. “I don’t think he’d want his tough guy image damaged.”

  “So, that’s that then.”

  “As far as Dutch goes, yes.”

  He didn’t say anything for the longest time, but when she glanced at his face, it became clear there were a lot of words he had to say rattling around in his brain just waiting for a connection to form -- or courage -- to come out of his month. She could wait. She had enough questions of her own to deal with right now. “How do you feel?” he asked finally.

  “Fine. We didn’t fall or hit anything.”

  “But how do you feel?”

  “I’m not going to fall into old habits, if that’s what you mean.” Aside from rescuing an innocent little dog, the ride had proved to her that she was okay on a bike, after all. “I don’t want to get high. I don’t even want a beer.”

  He let out a relieved breath. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

  “So, I guess the thing about you being a motorcycle isn’t going to be a problem,” she said. “I’d like for us to go on rides.”

  “Gott sei dank.”

  “You don’t have to thank God. I guess we were fated to be together.”

  He held out a hand toward her, still holding Squirm with the other. “Mate?”

  She wrapped her fingers around his. “Mate.”

  “I love you, Allison Hall.”

  She rose, dumping Mimi from her lap. Mimi’s answering meow was quite petulant. Spoiled cat. Then she closed the tiny distance between her and Kurt and placed herself on his knees with her arms wrapped around his shoulders. That also embraced Squirm, who ignored the attention, as he always did. “I love you, too, Kurt Mannhof.”

  She kissed him, just a brief pressing of her lips against his. They’d had enough excitement for one day, given their frolic in the pool and then the chase after Dutch. Simply being in his arms felt so normal, so right. They didn’t have to have sex all the time. They had years before them to explore each other’s bodies and the best way to share pleasure. “I’ve been thinking about my life a bit lately,” she said. “Yes, I’m sober, but I’m not really fixed.”

  “You’re perfect for me.”

  “You’re biased.”

  “Blinded by love,” he said.

  “I thought I owed it to my parents to keep Smokey’s going,” she said. “But I don’t think that’s what they would have wanted for me.”

  “What have you decided?”

  “I don’t know.” She shrugged. “Maybe you can help me figure it out.” He kissed her, setting off a spark of desire. Maybe they hadn’t had quite enough excitement, after all. “I thought we might visit the others tomorrow,” she said. “I kind of like the idea of being in an exclusive club.”

  “And go on a nice long ride?” he asked.

  “Absolutely.”

  “Hang onto Squirm.” He scooped her up into his arms. “We’ll stop at his cage to put him away.”

  “And then?”

  “No animals in the bedroom for a while.”

  * * *

  It felt so good to ride again. And this time, Allison found herself in a small crowd of women who had been blessed by Klaus Mannhof with bikes who were also the hottest men who’d ever walked the planet. And she’d seen them all nude long enough for them to shift. If she were the bragging type, she might have pointed out her Kurt outshone the others. But being the newest of this elite biker club, she’d defer to the more senior members.

  Now they rode up into the hills. No more excessive speed or sharp turns. And certainly no more running red lights. Just biking the way she’d done before the drugs and the misery. A steady, sweet glide through gorgeous scenery still within the city limits.

  Claire rode up beside her and nodded her approval of how she was riding. She’d only learned the basics of driving so far, and Kurt corrected all her mistakes so she seemed like a seasoned biker. She wore the club leathers -- black with a crimson M on the back -- and the helmet the club had presented her with.

  She’d begun to understand the dynamics of the group, with Claire as de facto CEO, a role she played in real life. Lauren turned out to be the quiet one the rest of them always listened to. Charley was the clown, Rae the academic, and Megan the writer. She still had to learn the personalities of the men.

  Claire pulled ahead of the rest and indicated a turn off the main road. The path took them among redwoods. It was so cool and quiet here, as if the giant trees could filter out the sounds of the city, creating pure peace and beauty. Eventually, they arrived at a picnic area, and all of them set their kickstands and turned off the Mannhofs’ engines.

  “I’ll walk down a bit to act as lookout while the guys shift,” Charley announced. “Make it fast.”

  Allison removed Kurt’s clothing from her backpack, and the others did the same. The bikes did their magic, turning the air around them blurry while the transformation took place. Then, they were men. All of them naked. She did not sneak a look at any of the others’ packages to compare them to Kurt. No, she didn’t. Well, maybe just a little.

  Kurt gave her a wicked grin as he dressed. “See anything you like?”

  “Just you,” she answered. “Honest.”

  “Don’t feel shy,” Rae said. “We’ve all checked the guys out.”

  “I’m still getting used to everything,” Megan said.

  “It is a little overwhelming,” Allison confessed.

  “You guys are all dressed.” Charley had returned. “I missed all the fun… again.”

  Charley’s Mannhof, Nick, put his arm around her shoulders. “We have plenty of fun.”

  There were two picnic tables, so the group paired off, Mannhofs with their mates. The strength of the couples’ bonds came through so clearly, with the small touches and private smiles. To think, she now had the same thing with a man she hadn’t known existed a week earlier.

  “So, how’s it going?” Lauren asked. A simple question on the surface, but she’d shared with Lauren her fear of reverting to bad habits if she got back into riding.

  “Good,” Allison answered. Kurt slipped an arm around her waist, telling her silently she didn’t need to share any more information if she didn’t want to. Lauren sat quietly, not expecting more, just accepting Allison’s answer as the truth. “Really good, as a matter of fact,” Allison added. “I’ve decided to make some changes in my life.”

  “Most of us did, with the help of our guys,” Rae said.

  “I’ve been operating Smokey’s mostly as a punishment for not being with my parents when I could,” Allison said. “I’m going to keep their house but sell their bar.”

  “I’m sure Dutch is going to be very disappointed,” Charley said.

  Kurt smiled. “Dutch won’t be coming around Smokey’s.”

  “We… um… taught him a little lesson in humility,” Allison said.

  “I want to hear about that,” Megan said.

  “Later.” Kurt gave Allison’s waist a little squeeze. “Allison has another announcement to make.” Everyone’s gaze fell on her. Ten pairs of eyes, not including Kurt, who already knew what she’d decided. Steve had isolated her from everyone, and she hadn’t made any friends since she’d come home. These people had all welcomed her into their exclusive club, and she’d never be alone again. Talk about being overwhelmed… in a good way.

  Kurt just kept his arm around her. And smiled. “There’s a pretty good university in the next city,” she said. “I figure the money from the bar will get me through the rest of college. And then, veterinary school.”

  “That’s perfect,” Rae proclaimed.

  “With your love of animals,” Charley added. “Can’t miss.”

  “We’re here to support you,” Claire said. Everyone nodded and murmured their agreement, even the men. It had seemed like a dream when she’d thought the idea up in the middle of the night. The more she sat with the decision, the righter it felt. And now, she had a whole clan for moral support.

  And a mate for life. Kurt kissed her to seal the deal.

  Alice Gaines

  USA Today best-selling author Alice Gaines has published several sensuous and erotic works. She prefers stories that stretch the imagination, highlighting the power of love and sex. Alice has a Ph.D. in psychology from U. C. Berkeley and lives in Oakland, California, where she sings in her church choir.

  Mannhof Series Reading Order

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