Page 21 of Retribution
CHAPTER TEN
Cobra
For the pastfew days Cobra had spent far too much time thinking about Dakota. He tried to ignore the attraction and his desire, but it was impossible, and it irked him but also drew him like a magnet at the same time. The pull was off the damn charts.
Dakota pressed closer against his back as he steered the bike around a curve. Her arms wrapped firmly around his midsection and the feel of her firm breasts crushed against him made his dick jerk.
Cobra clenched his jaw then twisted the throttle back, and the bike lurched forward. Dakota’s hands slipped down and landed right on his growing erection. He gripped the motorcycle’s handlebars so tightly his knuckles were white.
For a man who prided himself on control, Dakota made him want to throw it out the damn window, snatch her up into his arms, and convince her to allow him to taste every inch of her body for hours on end, knowing he would never get sick of exploring her smooth, pale skin. A low growl vibrated through his chest. Her fingers pressed lightly against his bulge and his heart hammered beneath his breastbone like he was a fucking teenager cutting class to make out behind the bleachers. It was damn surprising and irritating as hell that he would be so interested in a woman this quickly beyond anything other than a quick roll between the sheets.
But there was something about Dakota, something rare and different.
I sound like a fuckin’ pussy.Cobra snorted as his lips thinned in frustration. He didn’t know anything about her except she was having car trouble and he’d stuck his fucking nose where it didn’t belong—twice, to save her pretty, fiery little ass. Now, here they were with her strapped onto him like plastic wrap and his head all tied up in knots like some kind of pathetic asshole.
Another curve around Sapphire Mountain, and a few strands of Dakota’s hair blew in the wind and wrapped around his arm. They were soft like silk threads and glistened in the sunlight. The only thing he knew was that like him, she had her share of secrets and some determined demons who kept trying to scratch their way to the surface. That was obvious, but he wasn’t sure if he wanted to know what hers were for fear that he’d be pulled in even more. The more time they spent together, the more he fought to keep his distance before his feelings got out of control. The fact that Cobra was even thinking about feelings pissed him off in a big way.She’s just a fuckin’ chick. That’s all.But deep down he knew the storm brewing inside him wasn’t so clear-cut and simple.
By the time Cobra pulled into the motel’s lot, he tried to shove all notions of her into the back of his brain.
He was thinking way too damn much. It wasn’t fucking healthy.
“Thank you.”
Her sweet voice startled him, and he turned toward her and held out his hand to help her off the bike.
“What’re you thanking me for?” The feel of her hand in his felt nice.Fuck!
“The beautiful ride. I loved it.” She leaned against him.
Cobra let go of her hand and took a step away. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. There are so many kickass roads in this part of the country that are awesome for bikers. Next time, I’ll take you to Georgetown Lake.”
Dakota shielded her eyes with her hand as she looked at him. “I love the water—it’s so calming yet energizing. When I was a kid, a group of us used to spend the summers at Monkey Rock. It’s a swimming hole in Pocatello.”
“Did you go there with your parents?”
“Sometimes, but most of the time they were too busy to go with us kids. My dad’s a long-distance truck driver and my mom works at Ridley’s—it’s a grocery store. I usually went with my friends.”
“Do you have any brothers or sisters?” Cobra surprised himself because he rarely asked questions or was interested in a person’s backstory.
“I have a sister who’s four years older than me. She’s married with kids. I also have two younger brothers, and then my brother Luke who’s two years older than me. We were real close. I used to hang out with him and …” Her voice trailed off as looked away from Cobra. A dark shadow crossed her face, erasing all traces of her cheeriness. “… his friends.” She stared vacantly into the distance.
I touched on something.
A car door slammed and Dakota jumped; fear etched her face.
“It’s just someone banging a door shut,” he said and grasped her hand in his.
She giggled. “I guess I’m a bit jumpy.”
“Why’s that?”
Dakota shrugged then shook her head. “Do you like rom-coms?” she asked, changing the subject.
Cobra decided to let it go and play along with her. “What the fuck are you talking about?” He let go of her hand.
She laughed. “Romantic comedies. You know—movies.”
“I don’t really watch movies, and if I do, they’re either horror, sci-fi, or action.”
