(Iron Tzars MC)
Motorcycle Club Romance, Suspense, Age Gap
Date Published: October 13, 2023
Danica — Wylde’s an incorrigible flirt. I know he acts like
he’s a player, but I’ve seen another side of him. Kids from all
over the area flock to him because he’s Wylde — the guru of all
things electronic. He has endless patience with the teens looking to learn
his skill in video games, but he has none with adults. I love his twisted,
sarcastic sense of humor, and that streak of protectiveness he shows on
occasion. He’s wicked smart and I love watching him use his
intelligence and his wit. Plus he’s hotter than sin. So I flirt
back.
Wylde — I’ve got it bad. I come to the coffee shop just to be near
Danica. The tiny barista has more heart than most people I’ve met. But
she’s the kind of woman who’ll want forever, and that’s
not me. But when I realize the danger she and her sisters are in, I’ll
do whatever’s necessary to keep them safe. Once Danica knows what
I’m capable of, I know she’ll run screaming into the night, and
I’ll never see her again.
WARNING: Wylde features a protective hero, a determined heroine and
includes graphic violence and adult situations that may be triggers for some
readers. Eventual happy ending and no cheating, as always.
EXCERPT
Copyright ©2023 Marteeka Karland
Wylde
“I’ll take a double ristretto with iced vanilla double shot and
organic chocolate brownie decaf, please.”
The line behind me groaned.
One guy grumbled from behind me, “Some of us got places to
be!”
“Yeah,” someone else volunteered. “You shouldn’t
get something so complicated when the line’s so long.”
I just grinned, loving the disgruntled mutterings. Did my heart good.
“It’s amazing what you can wait for when you’re, you know,
early. My recommendation to people in a hurry is to start earlier. Then
you’re not in such a rush.” I leaned in over the counter for a
stage whisper at the woman getting ready to serve me. “Too much stress
can lead to gas.”
The young woman gave me a star struck smile, eating me up with her eyes and
actually licking her lips. What can I say? I have that effect on women. Even
if this one was a little young for my tastes.
“That was a… double… uh… and vanilla…
decaf?” She graced me with a dreamy smile. The girl had no clue what
she was doing, but I wasn’t about to push her. Mainly because I saw
the one person in the whole place who could make this situation
better.
Danica James stepped behind the counter as she tied her apron around her
slender waist. She rolled her eyes, giving me a look that said I was being a
drama queen again. Instead of saying anything, she pulled out a big mug with
the coffee shop’s logo on it and filled it full of black coffee.
“Anything else, Wylde?”
I grinned as I paid for the cup and the coffee. “Nope. Thanks,
Danica.”
She raised an eyebrow, glancing at the tip jar pointedly. “Just put
the tip in, Wylde. See how it feels.”
Yeah, we had a thing going. And I always waited until she said it before I
put in my tip. She always said it.
“What? Is that it?”
“Asshole.”
Yeah, the groans behind me were amusing as shit.
“You’re welcome.” I threw up a hand and headed back to my
table where I’d set up my laptop for the morning. I loved coming here.
Not for the glacially slow Internet or the stimulating company that amused
me so much. Hell, I didn’t even come for the coffee, though it was the
best in town. No. I came for Danica James.
The woman was sin and sex with a snarky attitude. She knew my drink as well
as my moods and accommodated both. If I were the kind of man looking for a
woman for my own, it would probably be Danica. Not only was she beautiful
and sassy, but she was kind, as well. I’d seen her giving out the
leftover pastries to a few homeless people who hung out a couple of blocks
from Henry’s Coffee Shop on multiple occasions. I’d also seen
her paying for them out of her tips so her boss didn’t get in a twist.
I made sure to contribute as much as I could and not look like a creepy
stalker. I also was pretty sure she knew what I was doing.
An hour later, I was banging away on a Discord channel I frequented,
helping noobs learn to play Fortnite. The other barista approached me, a big
smile on her face. She’d loosened a couple of buttons on her top so I
had a good view of her cleavage. Which, I admit, was a pretty good view. But
she wasn’t my style. Mainly because she was star struck by my good
looks, tattoos, and quite possibly my Titan GT77, but I didn’t think
so. She might surprise me, but didn’t strike me as the computer geek
type.
“Hey, Wylde.” She smiled and set a large black coffee next to
my empty mug. “Want me to freshen up your mug?”
I glanced at the cup she’d just set in front of me. “I think
I’m good. I’ll come to the bar if I need something.” I
smiled to take the sting out, but honestly, I could care less if she got
offended. She wasn’t stupid… exactly… she was just young
and thought she could lead guys around by their dicks. I’d seen it a
few times since she started. I’d also overheard her telling her
girlfriends she could get me into bed with a crook of her finger. I had to
chuckle at that.
Her smile faltered. “I was just being nice.”
I sighed and looked up from the chat session I was in. Normally, I’d
have my headphones on using voice chat, but it was crowded and I
didn’t want to disturb anyone. I could be a bastard, but I
wasn’t a complete asshole. Most of the time.
“Look, kid. I’m sure you’re nice and all, but you
ain’t my type. Tell your friends I’m gay or something if you
think it will help you save face. But I’m not interested.
‘K?”
All right. So maybe I was a complete asshole. Wasn’t the first time.
Wouldn’t be the last.
The girl stomped her foot. “You don’t have to be so
rude.” Then she turned and flounced off.
“Making friends, I see.”
Danica grinned at me from where she was wiping down a table while Little
Miss Thang had moved back behind the bar. She glared furiously at me before
going back to her phone.
I grinned at Danica. “I do my best.”
She snorted. “Right. You do your best to piss as many people off as
you can. Pretty sure you think they’ve made pissing people off an
Olympic sport, and you’re determined to win gold.”
I barked out a laugh. Which got Little Miss Thang back to glaring at me.
Only now, her anger spilled over to Danica. That wasn’t happening. I
met her gaze while I continued my conversation with Danica. The look I gave
her was probably not very pleasant.
“Well, you know what they say. Better pissed off than pissed on. I
mean, that’s not really my thing, but I could do it. Honestly, though,
she didn’t take the hint so I had to go the not-so-subtle
route.”
“Just be careful of your coffee if Jordan serves it. Not saying
she’d put laxative in it. Not not saying it either. Or maybe
salt.” She looked off, as if pondering which would be worse. “I
think I’d prefer the laxative.”
I sketched her a two-fingered salute and we both went about our business.
It was one of many reasons I liked Danica. She knew when to leave a man
alone, and she didn’t throw herself at me either. Hell, I knew she
wanted me. What woman wouldn’t? But she never let on like she did.
Which, I’ll admit, was part of the draw. It was also the reason I
didn’t pursue her. Once the chase was over, I’d get bored and
she’d get hurt. That was the last thing I wanted.
About the Author
Marteeka Karland is an international bestselling author who leads a double
life as an erotic romance author by evening and a semi-domesticated
housewife by day. Known for her down and dirty MC romances, Marteeka takes
pleasure in spinning tales of tenacious, protective heroes and spirited,
vulnerable heroines. She staunchly advocates that every character deserves a
blissful ending, even, sometimes, the villains in her narratives. Her
writings are speckled with intense, raw elements resulting in page-turning
delight entwined with seductive escapades leading up to gratifying
conclusions that elicit a sigh from her readers.
Away from the pen, Marteeka finds joy in baking and supporting her husband
with their gardening activities. The late summer season is set aside for
preserving the delightful harvest that springs from their combined efforts
(which is mostly his efforts, but you can count it). To stay updated with
Marteeka’s latest adventures and forthcoming books, make sure to visit her
website. Don’t forget to register for her newsletter which will pepper you
with a potpourri of Teeka’s beloved recipes, book suggestions, autograph
events, and a plethora of interesting tidbits.
Author on Instagram & TikTok: @marteekakarland
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@changelingpress
