Page 82 of Retribution
Cobra placed his finger over her lips, silencing her. “We’re on the same page. I love you too, sweetheart.”
She looked up and met his gaze. “Really?”
“Really. Shit, I’m as surprised as you are. I never thought I could fall in love. What the fuck do you know?” He chuckled then swept his lips over hers.
“I never thought I could find a man who wouldn’t try and control me. I always thought that’s just what men do—they hurt a woman and try to break her spirit. Then I met you.”
Cobra smoothed down her hair with his palm. “For me, women were only for pleasure or passing time. In the back of my mind I never trusted any of them, so I never gave anyone a chance, until you. I don’t know what it is, darlin’, but you slipped into my heart and my mind, and there’s no fuckin’ way I’m letting you out.”
“I don’t want to get out—ever.”He loves me! I’ve never had a man tell me that. They always took from me.Dakota kissed his hand. “Why do you love me?”
“You’re an amazing, strong, smart, and resilient woman, and as a side note, you’ve got the sexiest ass I’ve ever seen.” Cobra laughed and fondled her naked butt with a grin. “What’s there not to love about you? You bring out the good shit that’s been buried pretty damn deep inside me. You make me feel like there’s hope and that I want to share my life with you. You’re the best part of me, Dakota.”
Her mind went blank at the same time that her heart swelled tight in her chest. The way she saw it: Cobra’s love was a beautiful and wonderful gift—the best gift in the world. His love would iron out the bumps in her past and pave the way for a smoother and healthier future.
“What’s going on in there?” Cobra tapped her skull with the side of his finger and kissed her forehead. “Do I need to retract everything so you don’t run out of the room screaming? You started it.”
Dakota laughed then smiled at him. “I was just thinking how lucky I am to have met you. It has to be fate. I mean, I just picked this town with my eyes closed and my finger hovering over a damn map. And then there you were, and my life has changed in ways I never thought could be possible. I didn’t think what we have together existed at all. I just love you so much.” Her lips trembled and she buried her face in the covers.
“It exists, darlin’. I love you too.” With two fingers under her chin, Cobra tilted her head back. “You got any questions you wanna ask me?”
Her forehead screwed up in a frown and Dakota clenched her teeth, unsure if either of them should tread down this path. Once they started talking about it, they couldn’t leave it alone, because it defined everything.
“What, uh, what are you going to do about the club? About being a nomad? The lifestyle …” She paused, allowing his brain to fill in her questions.
“Yeah.” Cobra drew her closer to him and stared over her shoulder. “The brothers want me to come back and be part of the club again on a full-time basis. And I know you got your job.”
“None of those work with being a nomad,” Dakota said softly, swallowing past the sudden tightness in her throat. “And love doesn’t just change life or reality. It’s fantastic, but it’s not magic.”
“Hey, none of that fuckin’ pessimistic shit from you, got it?” He smiled and kissed her lightly on the lips. “Your love is worth everything to me—you need to know that. If we need to switch things up to make it work, then that’s what the fuck we’ll do. As long as we’re together, we can figure it out. One thing you should know is that I’m not planning on going back full-time in the club.”
She widened her eyes. “Is it because of me?”
“Nah. I made that decision when I went nomad. I like being able to help the club out when needed and see my brothers when I’m in the area, or at Sturgis. Going back full-time isn’t for me anymore.”
Dakota cupped the back of his neck and tugged him to her, and then she kissed him, long and hard, and with enough passion to set the bed on fire. “I’m not obsessed with my job. It’s just another tattoo shop. There are thousands of them around the country.”
“A nomad lifestyle is so fuckin’ freeing, but it can be hard too. I just wanna make sure you know what you’re getting into.”
“We can talk about it some more, but I’m pretty sure I’m good with it. I can’t see you settling down in one place with a nine to five job.”
“Yeah, that would fuckin’ suck, but I’m not against putting down some roots as long as there are still months spent on the road.” Cobra raked his fingers through her hair. “We still gotta talk about it, but we got time. I planned on staying in town until the weather changed. The landscaping gig pays pretty well.”
“The shop’s not too bad either. I seem to be getting more referrals, which means I get a small commission on those clients.”
He nodded. “We got time. As long as I can keep you safe and not like—”
“No, we’re not talking aboutthatanymore, Cobra. You have to know it wasn’t your fault.”
“If I had—”
“No,” Dakota put her finger over his mouth. “It’s over and I’m okay. You didn’t do anything. I won’t listen. You saved me.” She kissed him on the chin. “End of story.”
Cobra grunted and inclined his head forward just as her stomach growled. A smile broke across his face, softening all its hard angles. Dakota rolled off the bed and padded over to the fruit basket and rummaged through it.
“Strawberries! I didn’t see those in there.” She grabbed two then walked over and climbed onto the bed. Dakota bit into the fruit. Intense flavor exploded over her tongue. “That’s so sweet and delicious. Try one.” She brought it to his mouth and he bit into it, sending juices slipping down her fingers and wrist while she giggled and drew it back, popping the rest into her mouth.
“You’re feisty.” Cobra cocked his head.
