Ruled. Anne Marsh

bike parked by the curb is a big, death-defying, powerful menace. Black leather saddlebags hang off the side that I’d bet my sheet cake he doesn’t use to transport groceries or crap from a Target run. Riding anywhere with a strange man would be crazy.

      He has a friend with him, too, another man I’ve never met before. When I peer over Rev’s shoulders a little myopically (the best princesses don’t pair glasses with fairy wings and this particular princess has run out of disposable contacts), the guy offers me a slow grin and a little waggle of his fingers. He certainly makes pretty eye candy, but I prefer Mr. Tall, Dark and Grumpy.

      I narrow my eyes at him. “It’s the dress, isn’t it?”

      He doesn’t bother to hide his amusement. “You think I’ve got a thing for sparkly shit?”

      There isn’t a man alive who looks rougher and fiercer than Rev. I’m trying to figure out a polite way to tell him so when he tucks the phone back inside my dress before I can so much as squeak out a protest. The backs of his fingers brush against the top of my boobs, issuing an invitation of their own.

      I have to be more cautious. From the rising volume of the squeals emanating from the backyard, cake consumption has concluded and the party will be wrapping up as the sugar highs hit, the early departers fleeing past my RV parked out front. Spotting the princess in an R-rated embrace with a biker would be bad for my business. You can’t be a dirty girl and host children’s birthday parties for a living. The moms will kill you. Fortunately, the moms aren’t mind readers. I’m only a party-perfect princess on the outside. Riding anywhere with Rev would be career suicide.

      My bad voice promptly weighs in. But only if you get caught.

      “I don’t do bikers.”

      Something flashes across Rev’s face. “You don’t get hurt on my watch. I promise.”

      “You’re not an ax murderer?”

      He reaches into his pocket and pulls out the wallet attached to his belt by a silver chain. Silently, he flips it open and holds it out so I can read his driver’s license. There’s a military ID underneath it, too, the kind of card that gets you into Nellis Air Force Base.

      “Your name isn’t Rev.” According to the State of Nevada’s laminated plastic, he’s one Jaxon Brady.

      “Road name,” he says tersely.

      I examine the license again. He’s also turning thirty-three in four weeks. I bet he won’t be booking a celebratory princess party.

      “Wow.” I hand back his wallet. “Former navy?”

      He nods, as if it’s no big deal. “SEAL. You’d be safe with me.”

      He’s not big on talking. Or negotiating, asking, or sweet-talking. I’ve always trusted my instincts, though, and right now they’re on board with Rev Brady. Completely, totally, 100 percent in favor of getting on this man’s bike and riding off with him. Somewhere. Wherever he wants to go. He’s big and strong and tempting. He’s fought for our country and kept everyone safe.

      How bad can he be?

      The little voice in my head pipes right up. How bad do you want him to be?

      That voice needs a gag.

      “Think about it,” he says and then he turns and saunters toward his bike. I stand there, watching his ass the whole way, and wondering why I don’t mind his attitude. He’s scary as shit. He’s not Mr. White Picket Fence and he’s not promising happily ever after, but the man has a fantastic butt and I’m lonely. That’s all it is. I need to get out more, need to make a point of seeing someone.

      Someone else.

      Anyone else.

      There are absolutely, positively no bikers anywhere in my future.