Chapter One

R oam walked into the hotel bar lobby, glancing around to see if he recognized anyone. The upscale hotel had been invaded this weekend with his brethren tattoo artists.

He was bone tired and ready for a little bit of downtime. His twin brother, War, who was also the President of their MC, had come to him last week. War had offered for him and his wife Remi to do whatever was needed to give Roam a break. War had also told him in no uncertain terms to quit blaming himself over what had happened. It was easier said than done. There were days where he felt like the biggest failure, at least in his personal life.

He loved being a father, but man, single parenthood, even with all his help from his MC family, was brutal sometimes. He'd been coming to these tattoo conventions and competitions for years but had missed the last couple. Having little ones seriously impacted what he could do. He was thankful for his MC family for helping him keep his head above water after his skank of a wife left.

She'd never been the love of his life. She'd been a woman who he'd gotten pregnant and decided to make the best of it with her. Instead, she'd rejected everything he loved about the MC, then about nine months ago, she'd left him, cleaning out their accounts and disappearing while a babysitter watched their three kids. The note she left said she'd never wanted kids and that he was a disappointment. His brothers had said he was better off without her. He believed he was, but when the kids were older, how did he explain what had happened? How did he tell his kids she didn't want them and have them understand it was a problem with her, not them?

His business, which he shared with one of his MC brothers and the MC, was flourishing. If he wanted, he could have appointments set at Bluff Creek Ink twenty-four hours a day and still not keep up.

He was going to enjoy every second of this time away. When his dad, Baron, had seen him off, he'd been surprised. Baron had grasped the back of Roam's head, like he'd done a lot in high school, and pulled him in for a hug. Roam had fought not breaking down in his dad's arms. Baron's arms had been a safe place from that first time Baron had picked them up on the side of the road where his mom's car had broken down when he and War were three. Baron's words reminding Roam he was a great father and to use this time to relax had been something Roam hadn't realized he needed. It seemed like he hadn't had a break in months.

After not seeing anyone he knew, even though the room was almost full, he took a seat at the bar. He'd considered offering a card to the guy with the cockatoo tattoo on his shoulder that looked like Roam's three-year-old had drawn it, but tonight, he wanted to relax. He didn't want to deal with someone else's friggin' screw up. Kids had definitely made a difference in his language. He had three kids who he planned on helping go to college, trade school or whatever they wanted after high school. Of course, he had to start over saving again after the skank took the kids' accounts too. Then, add in Bear, one of his brothers in the MC, kids having a swear jar, and Roam had been working on curbing his language. Friggin', fudge and freaking hell had taken the place of Roam's favorites.

He signaled the bartender. Just that simple gesture of being alone and ordering a drink had the stress leaving his shoulders. Tonight, no one needed baths or being read to. He was all alone with no responsibilities.

"Club soda with lemon."

After realizing he was going down a path that wasn't good for him or his children, he'd made the decision to stop drinking. He didn't crave the alcohol, but he'd used it as a crutch. If he had a drink in his hand and a bottle beside him at the clubhouse, then people didn't ask how he was doing. He knew they came from a good place, but he was tired of saying he was fine when he wasn't. But he also didn't want to discuss how his life was a train wreck.

His kids deserved the best version of himself, and he'd spent entirely too much time drowning his sorrows over a woman he didn't love. His depression had been more about his failure to make a family and give his kids what he'd had growing up with his parents. He didn't like failing and even though he hadn't loved her, he'd wanted to give his kids a family. His dad, Baron, had helped him see it wasn't his fault. After being President of their MC for years before handing the gavel to Roam's twin, Baron had a lot of experience thinking and talking through a situation.

Roam was still looking for his ex because he wanted to be done with her. By law, they were still married even though she'd abandoned them all. He didn't consider himself married, but in the eyes of the law, they were only separated. Sure, if separated meant ghosted with all his money. His lawyer had filed all the paperwork even though she couldn't be found and now it was a waiting game until a certain amount of time had passed.

"Is this seat taken?"

"Nope," Roam answered, then turned after he clocked a slim, tattooed feminine arm beside him. Once he had her in his gaze, he was glad the tables were full. She was tiny, with pink hair and tattoos all over—her neck, across her chest and collarbones, both arms, which made him wonder about the ink that might be hidden by her clothes. The work was very well done.

"Roam," he said, holding out his hand. Her dark brown eyes were framed by thick lashes. Her hair was a light pink, which should look strange, but it suited her. Besides the tattoos, she had a medusa piercing under her nose that set off lush full lips, and her two nose piercings highlighted her dainty nose.

The touch of her hand had him wondering how quick he could get her alone. It had been forever since he'd been interested in someone. He wasn't sure why she'd caught his attention because she didn't have the huge bustline he was normally attracted to. She was slender with her rack not really needing a bra. Her tank top was black and set off the tattoos he could see.

"Jane," she said as she shook his hand with a firm grip. The fingers of her hand were tattooed also. Intrigued was an understatement of how he felt.

"Can I buy you a drink?" He motioned the bartender over.

"Club soda with either two shots of strawberry syrup or caramel syrup, whichever you have."

The bartender mixed it while Roam thought of what to say next. This trying to pick up a girl in a bar was harder than he thought. If he had needs, he took himself in hand or picked up someone from their Friday night parties but never the same girl. He didn't want anyone getting ideas. Small towns were bad enough with the limited amount of partners. He didn't need a Friday night hook-up thinking they were going to be his one and only. Once her drink was in front of her and she'd taken a sip and given the bartender a thumbs up, Roam decided he couldn't handle the silence.

"Are you here for the convention?"

"Yes. You too?"

"Yep. My partner is holding down our shop this week. It's been a couple years since I've been able to get away and go to one of these."

"Nice. Where's your shop?"

"Kansas, a small-town shop, but we're busy. Where are you from?"

"Woah, stranger, that's a little personal for a guy I just met in a bar."

Roam shook his head. Fudge . "Sorry. Just got out of a bad relationship. It's been forever since I've been attracted to someone and even longer since I've tried to make small talk."

Her laugh and a slight bump of her shoulder against his had him wondering if maybe he hadn't completely screwed this up. "Tell me about it but no sorry needed. I was a little rude saying you shouldn't ask me where I was from when I brought up the subject. I'm as out of practice making small talk as you are. It seems like all I do is work, take care of children and try to keep up with all the household jobs."

"Single mom?" God, he freaking hoped so. The more they talked and he watched her eyes, the more intrigued he was.

"Yep. I have a daughter who is three and my pseudo daughter, who is turning six next month."

"Wow, so why do you say pseudo daughter?"

"She's really my niece, but I've been in her life from the start. My brother isn't with baby mama anymore. I guess I shouldn't say anymore. He has custody and baby mama had some visitation. When he was deployed, somehow she took over full-time, but then five months ago, she just goes nuts in a store and assaults an employee and two other patrons. She's currently in jail. Luckily, I have paperwork giving me custody in my brother's absence."

Already a single mom and willing to take on her niece in a crisis. Jane's attitude was refreshing and nothing like his ex.

"What about you?"

"Single parent too but I currently live with my parents while my new house is being built. They're watching my three- and-three-quarter-year-old boy. He reminds me how close his birthday is all the time. They also have my twins, who are almost two. A boy and a girl."

Roam didn't want to go into the whole mess, and he hoped she didn't ask. Tonight, he was just a tattoo artist at a convention who was also a single parent.

Roam caught her watching him in the mirror behind the bar. Her eyes on him and the heat he could see had him wondering if he should take a chance with her. He freaking missed the connection and the intimacy of being with a woman. With Jane, the heat and interest were making his jeans uncomfortably tight. He didn't want to be that ass that only saw a quick time, so he refrained from adjusting.

The interest in her eyes had him wondering if maybe she'd be interested in dinner to continue their conversation. Then, after a meal getting to know her a little better, they could spend time getting to know each other in his room. No way to find out unless he asked, though he could feel the back of his neck getting sweaty with nervousness. What if she turned him down?

"Could I buy you dinner?"

Her eyes stared into his. Now that she was looking at him more closely, he could see they were dark but more a chestnut color with red tint to the brown. Her face was interesting and besides getting her into bed, he wanted to draw her. Drawing was his relaxation and his job. It had been months, though, that he'd pulled his sketchpad out at night and drawn. If it was out at night, he was working on ideas for tattoos for clients.

She exhaled, then placed her hand on his arm. He held back a shiver at her touch and wondered why she had such an effect on him. If the way he felt just sitting beside her was any indication of how they'd be in bed, then he couldn't wait for the fireworks to start.

"Sure, we could, but you and I both know you're offering to buy me dinner to eventually get me into bed. Why don't we just skip the dinner and get to the fun part? A night in Texas at a convention where we throw caution to the wind. Let's face it. As single parents, we deserve a little time to act like we don't have any responsibilities. Are you up for that, Roam?"

Did it make him an asshole that her words had his dick steel-hard, and he couldn't wait to get her upstairs and explore each and every inch of her tattooed skin? Direct worked for him. Oh, did it work for him.

"Okay," he muttered, dropping some bills on the bar to cover their tab and tip, then grasped her hand. As they walked side by side, he realized how tiny she was. He had entirely too good of an imagination of what he wanted to do to her and with her. He led her to the elevator, ready to have her in his arms. The doors opened and the passengers exited. He and Jane got on the elevator, waiting for the doors to close, then he punched the floor number for his room. Turning toward Jane, he traced a finger across her jawbone before running the finger across her lower lip. He'd love to do more, but the glass elevator didn't allow for any privacy. He grinned at the heat building in her eyes. He enjoyed her directness, and the bonus of her wanting him as much as he wanted her was a huge turn-on. He imagined lifting her high against the wall until they were flush against each other. He craved the feel of her skin against his.

He slipped his hand behind her neck and cupped her face with the other. She was about a foot shorter than his 6 ft 4 inches, so he had to lean down to reach her lips. As he neared her face, he breathed in her light scent, deciding to enjoy each and every moment of their encounter. He coaxed her lips open with the lightest touch until her mouth opened. Instead of diving in, he savored the taste and feel of her. Freaking hell didn't adequately describe the heat racing through him.

He was completely unprepared for how perfect she was. Sex had become a stress relief when his balls hurt and he needed a release. Jane was something different. He wasn't going to worry about the why right now. He was going full speed ahead and savoring each moment of their time together. He wasn't a single dad to Grant, Casper and Georgia. He was a man in an elevator with a hot as fudge woman who he was going to commit to memory. When he was alone and drowning in single parenthood, he could recall this encounter.

The ding for their floor had him reluctantly pulling away. Kissing her was completely different than anything he'd ever experienced, and he wondered if the sex would be off the charts. He slid his arm around her shoulders as the doors opened and guided her down the hall to his room, hoping he didn't meet anyone he knew. He wasn't wasting a second of their evening together.

He opened the door and was glad he'd taken the time to make sure his room was neat. She paused in the front room of his suite. He had a spacious sitting area with a couch and chair, coffee area, bathroom and a separate bedroom with a king-size bed, which is where he wanted to see her.

He turned her back toward him. "Are you sure, Jane? I can still take you to dinner if you're having second thoughts."

She grinned and stepped closer, sliding her hand under his T-shirt, her fingers rubbing across his abdomen.

"I'm very sure that I want to have you and not even think about tomorrow."

A shiver worked its way down his spine at her touch. He stared into her eyes. He wasn't the guy who usually thought about feelings. His former wife had made sure of that, but with this woman, he wanted to be perfect for her. He wasn't used to expecting anything special, and something about Jane told him tonight had potential.

He grasped her around her waist, his large hands almost touching, and lifted her until her legs wrapped around him.

"Well, then I guess I better make sure you can't think."

He followed up his words by kissing and nibbling along her ear, down her neck and across her shoulder, appreciating the soft, silken feel of her skin. He walked them to the bed and put his knee on it, lying her down. Her pink hair and colorful skin against the comforter gave him a sense of satisfaction he hadn't felt before.

JANE SHIVERED AT THE cool comforter against her back, or maybe it was the man above her who was causing the shivers. She'd spotted him and been attracted as she walked into the bar. Tall with a strong jaw highlighted by a trimmed beard. His arms were defined and covered with tattoos. She'd sat by him because he looked fascinating, and his tattoos were works of art. When he'd offered to buy her a drink, she'd been ecstatic. As a single mom who also took care of her niece, she didn't have much free time.

When his touch had her interested in more than a drink, she'd wondered if he felt the same. Oakley's dad had never made her feel like Roam did.

Growing up in a rent-by-the-week trailer park with her mom and brother, she'd been focused on getting out of there and going somewhere else. She'd ignored boys in high school because they thought she was easy because of who her mother was.

She'd worked hard and apprenticed under a great tattoo artist. She'd loved working for him, and he'd even cautioned her to not fall for her baby daddy's charms. But she'd been na?ve, and he'd been a client. Three dates later, she decided she wanted to experience what everyone else talked about because she'd been a twenty-seven-year-old virgin. She was the quintessential example of "slept with a loser and got pregnant". He'd wanted nothing to do with her or the baby.

She was hoping competing tomorrow would snag the interest of a shop large enough to pay her a living wage. The man she apprenticed under had let her go three weeks ago because he was tired of people asking for her instead of him. She didn't mind not working for him because he'd gotten a little handsy a couple of times, but the money was an issue.

At thirty-one, she had so many responsibilities, and tonight, she wanted to experience hot, sweaty sex with as many orgasms as he could give her before she had to go back to the real world where rent was coming up, and she had little ones depending on her for food, shelter, and love.

She was lucky that a neighbor lady had agreed to keep the kids this weekend. Otherwise, she wasn't sure how she could compete tomorrow. If she placed, she'd not only get back her entrance fee but enough to give her a cushion. But the real reason was finding a new place for the kids and her to have a home, but for now, she was going to enjoy each sexy inch of Roam. Tonight, with Roam, was the first time she'd felt that spark, that shiver that had her understanding what all the romance books talked about.

His warm breath and lips against her neck had her trembling and trying to rub her mound against him. He'd started an ache she needed taken care of.

His short beard was something she'd never felt before, and she was looking forward to seeing if it was itchy or just added another layer to the experience. She slid her hands under his T-shirt, sliding it up until he was forced to let her go to hold his arms up. Once his chest was unveiled, she wanted to trace every inch of his muscled chest with her tongue, but she settled for running her fingers over it, ruffling the light dusting of hair on his chest.

Roam tugged her tank top up and tossed it on the floor once it cleared her head. With her breasts being so small and the tank top being thicker, she'd foregone a bra. She hoped he wasn't disappointed by her small chest. His eyes lit, and he leaned over, licking across her nipple. When it immediately hardened, he grinned at her.

"So gorgeous and so freaking responsive."

While his lips and beard rasped across her breasts, his hand was sliding her zipper down and delving inside her jeans. His first touch had her raising to try to get his touch where she needed. His lips sucked her nipple into his mouth. She grasped the back of his head to keep him close. If he was this good at her breasts, she wasn't sure she'd survive when he got inside her. He gave her one last nibble on her breast, then kissed a path down to her heated center.

She wasn't sure when he'd removed her jeans and panties, and she didn't care. He spread her legs, then dove in and treated her pussy like it was the finest dessert. Her abdomen tightened, then she shook as ecstasy washed over her. Her first non-self-induced orgasm in forever was even better than she remembered.

His kisses up her torso brought her back to him ripping a condom wrapper open and then sliding the condom over his impressive girth. His finger brushed her cheek as he notched himself at her entrance.

"Still want me, Jane?"

She freaking loved he was still checking to see if she was on board.

"Oh yes, more than anything."

She slid her legs up, wrapping them around his waist as he eased into her, then moved his hips to pull out, then pressed in until he'd invaded her. He watched her face intently, though she wasn't sure what for. He slid his hand under her and then tilted her hips, pressing in, then pulling out. As he came back in, he rubbed something he hadn't before, and her eyes widened at the pulsing hunger thrumming through her.

"There it is," he murmured, then moved faster, driving into her thrust after thrust until she was clamping around him and pleasure rushed over her again. Her hands grasped his shoulders as his face tightened and he exploded inside her. He stayed over her, keeping the majority of his weight off her as he tried to catch his breath. A trickle of sweat slid down his cheek. After he'd caught his breath, he grasped the condom and pulled out. His lips grazed her forehead and then dropped a kiss on her nose.

"Let me take care of this."

He walked to the bathroom, and she wasn't ashamed to say she watched his butt clench as he moved that way. She listened to the water running and wondered if she should go ahead and grab her clothes. She'd never had a one-night stand, and it had been a long time since she'd slept with anyone. What exactly was the protocol?

He walked back in, carrying a washcloth. He leaned over, tugging her thighs open. He gently cleaned her and then placed a kiss on her mound before returning to bed. He threw the washcloth toward the bathroom. He flipped the comforter up beside her, lifted her, then placed her on the sheets before pulling the rest up and then lying down beside her. His arm slid around her, turning her face until she was lying on his shoulder. She glanced at the clock on the bedside table. Nine p.m. Registration was early at seven a.m. She should head back to her room and shower, but his arms around her felt so nice. She didn't even care they'd missed supper. She wasn't sure what she wanted, so maybe she'd just lay here a little bit longer, then leave in a while.