Page 2 of Bandit's Bounty

My cheeks now blood red from being humiliated so publicly, I glanced at the woman who was plastered against him, not shocked to see her hand trailing down to cup his dick. As he continued to berate me, his words settling deep into my soul, I realized one thing—being scorned was something I would never let happen to me again.

Ever.

Chapter One

Sloane - Present day

“Why am I doing this again?” I ask myself as I put the items I have for Karsyn and Harmony in my trunk.

Both women invited me to a barbecue at the Iron Howlers MC clubhouse since the stuff they ordered from me was finally finished. When I tried to protest, I was told it was a ‘family day’ so there’d be no club girls around, just the brothers, old ladies, and kids. My biggest concern was, of course, the fact that I suspected the Spiked Raiders would be there.Hisclub.

Ever since that fateful, mortifying day, I have gone out of my way not to see him. Granted, finishing up my college degree then getting my business started helped a lot, but Redwich wasn’t a huge town at all. Still, I’ve been successful at not seeing him and I want to keep it that way.

His words are burned into my brain, likely to never be erased, and there are nights when I can’t sleep that I hear them once again.

Not my type.

Just a good lay.

I prefer someone a little less uptight.

By the time I got home that day, I felt lower than the slime trail that a slug leaves. My self-esteem and self-worth were shot to hell, and my outward appearance reflected that. No more did I get all dolled up for school. Instead, I wore sweats, t-shirts, and either flip-flops or sneakers. My makeup sat unused in my vanity, although I never stopped my skincare routine. I may have good genes, but I also knew enough to keep taking care of it, so I did. Still, it wasn’t until one of my professors pulled me aside and expressed concern that I realized I was allowing him to live rent-free in my head.

Once that reality came to light, I started to heal. I mean, it wasn’t like he promised me forever, after all. Hell, I wasn’t even looking for that at the time since I was so focused on getting my education. I guess what hurt the most is he did it in the most brutal way possible, by obviously messing with that club girl.

Shrugging, I finish loading my car, pushing thoughts of Dane into the recesses of my mind. “Time to get back on the horse again, Sloane,” I mutter as I round the back of my vehicle to the driver’s door. “He’s not the end of your story.”

“Who are you here for? No club whores today, it’s a family day,” the prospect advises me after I pull up to the gate.

“Karsyn and Harmony invited me,” I reply. “My name is Sloane.”

I watch him pull out his phone and send a text. Long minutes pass as I patiently wait until he nods to himself then hits the button to pull into the compound. “Park over there,” he says, pointing to the side where I can see other vehicles.

“Thanks,” I reply, before putting my car in gear and driving to where he indicated. “Stupid man,” I mumble as I pop my liftgate before shutting off my Jeep and climbing out. “Always thinking they’re in control.”

“You okay?” a deep voice asks, causing me to nearly jump out of my skin.

Turning, I see a man standing there, wearing an Iron Howlers cut. Dark hair, a strong, chiseled jaw, and arms that look like they’re bigger than my waist. Okay, maybe not my waist because I’ve got more of an hourglass figure with ass and tits for days, but still, they’re huge.

“Yeah, I’m good, thanks,” I reply, pulling one of the tote bags toward me.

An earthy, delectable scent teases my nose before I see his arm reach past me and grab the bags.

“No need in you carrying these, sweetheart,” he says when I look at him. “Name’s Bandit, what’s yours?”

I suspect that’s his road name, but honestly, since I swore off bikers anyhow, I’m immune to his charm.

That’s a lie. I’m probably on a one-way ticket toward Hell at this point, because he’s the best-looking man I’ve ever seen. He even puts Dane to shame in my eyes. Still, I’ll be cautious because the last thing I want to have happen again is to be utterly humiliated.

“I’m Sloane. Karsyn and Harmony invited me,” I tell him as we walk toward the clubhouse door.

“Well, you’re in luck since they’re both here,” he teases, opening the door and ushering me through.

“Thanks again,” I tell him as I spot the two women I’m here to see.

Instead of leaving once he sets the tote bags on the table, he steps back after helping me with a chair and hovers.

Yes,hovers. As though I’m some kind of precious commodity or something. I don’t understand why, either, because in the grand scheme of things, I’m nothing really. Just a licensed horticulturist and herbalist who makes her living creating various items that are all natural.

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