Cole (The Ride Series) Read online

  I was dumbfounded when Cole stalked into the apartment as the police were finishing up our statements. He eyed me for a moment before disappearing into my room and returning with my robe. I gratefully pulled it around myself and looked up at him beyond relieved, if not surprised to see him.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked quietly.

  “We’ll talk later,” he replied firmly, turning to one of the officers to ask for details. Their conversation was just a blur of sound to me as I tried to make sense of everything that was happening.

  I realized with a jolt that I should just leave town. As much as it pained me, I was bringing nothing but trouble for Kat and now for Cole.

  “I’m stayin’,” Cole said firmly once the police had taken their reports and pulled away in their cars. The apartment felt eerily quiet with all the commotion over.

  I saw Kat sag with relief at Cole’s decree and I nodded, grateful to have his presence as well.

  “What do we do about the door?” I asked, looking at the now splintered front door.

  He looked down at the baseball bat by my feet and took it over to the door wedging it underneath the handle forcing it closed. “Anyone opens it, the alarm will sound, but I doubt anyone would dare with my bike parked out front,” he said confidently.

  He was probably right. And I couldn’t deny that I was relieved to have someone else take care of things for a change. I hadn’t known Cole long but I already trusted him, something beyond rare for me.

  “Bed, babe,” he said softly, taking in my frazzled state.

  I nodded before turning to Kat. “I’m so sorry Kat,” I whispered, my voice hoarse with emotion.

  “Don’t you ever say you’re sorry. This is not your fault. I won’t ever accept that type of apology. Got it?” she demanded. Kat had already done so much for me and now I was bringing my shit directly to her door. There was no way I couldn’t be sorry, but I knew her well enough to bite my tongue.

  I nodded without speaking and headed off to my room. I heard Cole speak to her for a few moments as I crawled back underneath the covers, but I couldn’t hear what they said. He entered the room moments later, ditching his jacket, shirt, and jeans--leaving him in nothing but boxers. I was too upset to appreciate the view, which was unfortunate.

  He crawled into bed and didn’t hesitate pulling me against him.

  “How did you know?” I asked quietly, resting my head on his firm chest. His skin was warm and he smelled amazing. My senses were rapidly returning it seemed.

  “Wes did a drive by,” he explained. “Why didn’t you call?” he demanded lightly.

  The thought honestly hadn’t even occurred to me. “Because it’s the middle of the night and we’ve been on one date,” I replied, clearly baffled by his question.

  “You’re so not getting this,” he muttered, but didn’t elaborate.

  I lifted my head and looked him in the eye. “I’m gonna leave town Cole, it’s for the best,” I said softly.

  His eyes narrowed and his grip on the back of my neck tightened.

  “I’ve been patient and tried to let you figure it out in your own time but clearly that isn’t gonna happen,” he sighed, exasperated. “Babe, I’ve staked my claim. You’re mine. You’ve been mine since you got on the back of my bike,” he decreed.

  My eyes widened in shock.

  “You know it, I know you do. You’re the exception to my rule,” he whispered, roughly giving me another neck squeeze and bringing his forehead to mine.

  And I realized that I did know that, I’d been fighting it, but I knew it. And while part of me wanted to squeal with joy, the other part felt complete trepidation.

  “All this shit, it’s not your responsibility or your fault,” he continued. “We got word that fucker Jake and some others are making plays against us,” he informed me. “I’d a been in this shit whether you were here or not. You’ve just proved to be a damn good way to get us riled,” he muttered.

  That did make me feel better I had to admit. But I was still confused.

  “So this isn’t just Jake trying to fuck with me?” I asked, my brows furrowed. It’s what I’d assumed all along.

  I felt Cole’s entire body stiffen, we hadn’t talked about the details, but I assumed his father had filled him in on my history, the pieces he knew anyway.

  “I don’t doubt he’s fucking with you sweetheart,” his deep voice rumbled. “But there’s a lot more to it than just that,” he explained. “And for now, the less you know, probably the better,” he added.

  I nodded, surprisingly fine with that.

  “So no more talk of leaving town or apologizing to your best friend for that piece of shit,” he said, firmly looking intently into my eyes. He doesn’t deserve anything of yours, not one fucking thing but especially not fucking guilt. You get that?” he demanded.

  I nodded. “Yeah, I get it,” I said softly before I cleared my throat for what I had to ask next. “How much do you know?”

  Whatever he saw in my expression made his eyes soften as they looked back into mine. Clearly he understood what I was getting at. “Enough. Not what’s in your head or what you remember, of course. But I know your father was a good man who did the best he could when your mama died,” he said softly as I bit back the emotion that was growing in my chest, threatening to suffocate me. “I know that Jake fucking Silvera had something to do with him getting killed. I also know that Jake and you had something when you were kids that obviously he thought more of since he expected you to be at his side when he took over runnin’ the club. Clearly you had other ideas, because you split the first chance you got,” he said, and I thought I detected a hint of pride in his tone. “And I know that you’re as hard as nails as you are soft and sweet, and you’ve got something I want not only to protect, but selfishly something I want for myself, too,” he murmured while kissing my forehead.

  Wow that was sweet. I sagged into him unable to convey with words how much gratitude and longing I felt for him in that moment. He was unlike any of the men I’d grown up with. He had a hard edge for sure, but his heart was as warm as they came.

  “Sleep, babe, everything’s gonna be fine,” he assured me.

  “K,” I muttered.

  “Can Kat come to the barbeque, too?” I muttered, half asleep.

  I was sure I felt him smile. “Yeah, babe.”

  Then it was lights out.

  I woke up feeling warm and I smiled when I felt the wall of Cole behind me. He was pressed to my back yet again with an arm thrown over my waist, pulling me close. I’d never been with someone who liked to cuddle, and it was a welcomed change. My skin began to hum with the awareness of him and I grinned as I scooted my behind that much closer to his boxer covered body. He growled softly in response, and his arm got tighter around me. My whole body lit up as I rolled to face him. His eyes were wide open, sleep only a memory as his gaze bore down into mine. His hand trailed down my torso, clenching at my waist and I could tell it was taking all of his restraint from launching himself at me.

  I looked him over, my eyes hungrily devouring his form and thought, “fuck it.” I sat up and slowly pulled my camisole over my head.

  I saw his eyes widen in response, his pupils dilated and his nostrils flared. It was the most animalistic response I’d ever seen in a man before, and it sent a rush of wetness between my legs.

  “You are the sexiest fucking thing I’ve ever seen,” his deep voice rumbled as he did in fact launch at me, throwing his body over mine. He pulled me into a passionate kiss as his hands trailed like liquid fire down my smooth back and into my shorts, cupping my ass.

  “You have no idea how much I’ve wanted to have my hands on this ass,” he groaned, squeezing me firmly.

  I sighed in response as his hands pulled my shorts down and off my legs.

  His mouth trailed from my mouth to my neck and further still until it reached one of my nipples. I heard my own intake of breath when he took one in his mouth and sucked, nibbling sl
ightly until I was fighting back a loud grown. It occurred to me absently that Kat was home and that the walls were by no means thick.

  His mouth continued its exploration as he moved down past my breasts to my stomach and further until he reached his goal. I’d never felt that comfortable with having a man’s mouth on me, but there was something so erotic about watching Cole and the hungry look in his eye when he looked up at me, that all thought of modesty fled my brain. He pulled my legs apart forcefully and dove in like a man starved.

  “Oh, God,” I breathed softly as he sucked and nibbled until my legs were shaking and I could feel my body building up to something mind blowing. It was mere moments before it washed over me as sweat broke out across my brow and I had to throw my arm across my mouth so I didn’t cry out.

  It was then that we both heard the front door open and Kat’s car start up.

  “Thank fucking Christ,” Cole muttered, his mouth sending incredible sensation down my inner thigh.

  I pulled him up toward me and pulled his boxers off with both feet. “Tell me you’re on the pill,” he said, his tone desperate as he looked down at me.

  “I’m on the pill,” I replied without hesitation.

  “I’ve never not used a condom, not ever. But I don’t want to use one with you. Do you trust me?” he asked quietly.

  “I trust you,” I nodded. And I did. It was shocking what I would trust this man with.

  He kissed me then, long and deep before I felt him slide inside me.

  “Ah,” I protested only slightly.

  “Baby, you are so fucking tight,” he rumbled, his lips at my ear. “I’ll go slow until you get used to me.”

  “Okay,” I replied breathlessly.

  He slowed his rhythm, gently sliding in and out until I only felt pleasure and no pain.

  “I’ve got it now,” I told him, my hands gripping his firm shoulders.

  “Christ you feel good,” he groaned as he picked up the pace.

  I’d never felt anything like this before. I’d had sex before, but I realized I hadn’t come close to experiencing the full potential of the act. With Cole’s body moving inside and over mine, I immediately began to feel a quickening that I’d never felt before.

  “Oh, God,” I cried out, feeling almost afraid of what was about to happen. It felt so intense, like I wouldn’t be able to handle it.

  “Let it go, baby,” he commanded gently.

  As it turned out, I didn’t have much choice in the matter, and my orgasm washed over me in a rush as I clenched around him, my nails raking his back. I didn’t even recognize my own voice as I cried out. I absently heard him groan with his own release into me before he collapsed on top of me, breathing hard into my neck.

  After a few moments he rolled off, lying on his side so we were facing each other. His hand stroked the curve of my hip as we looked at each other.

  I blushed and let a small giggle escape, making his face light up.

  “Now she’s blushing,” he muttered making me laugh. “You okay?” he asked, his face serious. “I would have been gentler, I didn’t realize…” he trailed off.

  “That I’ve been a nun for a few years?” I teased. “I’m great Cole, amazing,” I assured him.

  “Good,” he sighed, squeezing my hip.

  “Good that I was a nun?” I teased him. Our light hearted moments seemed so few and far between that I relished them when they happened.

  “That too,” he grinned, kissing me again.

  “Shit,” I swore, realizing what time it was. “I have to get ready for work,” I said sitting up and running my fingers through my wild mane of hair. From behind, I felt his warm hand caress my naked back reverently.

  “Then let’s take a shower,” he suggested, his lips against my shoulder.

  I shivered slightly. The thought of taking a shower was certainly tempting.

  “Okay,” I grinned, turning my face to his and kissing him softly.

  We padded naked to the bathroom and I was shocked that I didn’t feel more self-conscious being completely naked in front of him in broad daylight. It certainly helped that every time I caught him looking at me it was with such blatant appreciation that it was clear he liked what he saw.

  “You have the most beautiful body I’ve ever seen,” he murmured, reaffirming my earlier thoughts as we stood in the shower with the warm water cascading over us. His hands trailed down my arms and over my hips as though he wanted to appreciate every inch of me. “Not gonna lie, I spent a lot of nights thinkin’ about what you look like. And baby, you surpassed my expectations,” he admitted as he grinned.

  “Stop,” I pleaded, blushing. I didn’t admit out loud that the same was true for me as well. Cole’s body was breathtaking. My hands moved appreciatively over his expansive chest to the six pack below. The man was seriously cut. The raw strength emanating from him was overwhelmingly hot.

  He kissed me then, his tongue sliding over my lips with a gentle request for me to open to him. I obeyed immediately and melted into him as our tongues tangled. I’d never showered with a man before and so far it was safe to say that I was thoroughly enjoying the experience.

  His fingers continued their exploration, moving to more intimate areas of my body as he flitted them teasingly over each nipple.

  I sucked in a breath and pushed myself into his hands.

  “So impatient,” he murmured with a smile.

  “Nun, remember?” I answered breathlessly as his hand slipped between my legs.

  His hardness strained between us as he slipped two fingers inside me. My hands clenched onto his strong forearms in response as my legs began to shake underneath me.

  “So wet already,” his deep voice rumbled with pleasure. “I like that, baby.”

  I kissed him passionately in response, my fingers twisting into his hair. My hand traveled down his body as I took him into my hand. He sucked in a harsh breath and grabbed my ass with his free hand. He continued to work between my legs until I was panting and completely lost to his touch.

  “Hop up darlin’,” he directed, pulling my ass up so that my legs wrapped around his waist.

  “Oh shit,” I said and I sucked in a breath as he pressed me into the wall and slid inside me with one thrust.

  “Tell me if it’s too much,” he rasped, forcing himself not to move.

  My body felt deliciously full with him inside of me at this angle and I didn’t want him to hold back.

  “I will, just give it to me,” I practically begged.

  “Fuck, just hearing you say that could send me over the edge,” he growled as he pulled out almost to the tip and thrust back in with a force that made me cry out. He picked up the tempo, slamming into me much harder than before and I loved each and every second.

  My legs began to shake as I tried to control the chaotic sensations he brought out in me.

  “Don’t fight it,” he grunted, pressing deeper still. “I’m close, you with me?”

  “Yes,” I hissed through my teeth as I climbed higher still. His thrusts intensified and sent me flying over the edge with a force I didn’t know was possible.

  Seconds later he groaned his own release into me, his lips against my neck.

  We stood there for a few moments with my legs still wrapped tightly around him and listened to the sound of the water hitting the tile.

  Too soon, he pulled away setting me gently on my feet. He tenderly moved my wet hair back from my face leaning down to kiss me chastely. Only then did we actually get to the business of showering.

  In the end I was late for work, but it was well worth it.

  Chapter Six

  Kat enthusiastically agreed to go the barbeque with me, seeming to enjoy that I was asking her to go out for a change. I told Cole we’d meet him there when we were off work and ready.

  “What does one wear to a biker barbeque?” Kat asked with a raised brow as we stared at her closet.

  “One wears jeans, or a casual dress and some kick ass sandals or
boots,” I answered her with a smile. At least in this area I knew what I was talking about. I was already dressed in tight fitted jeans that showed off my backside, a form fitting halter tank top, and ankle boots. I put my hair up in a messy bun allowing a few chunky pieces to fall around my face.

  “Do you think Sal will be there?” she asked innocently once she’d selected her outfit. We were doing our makeup side by side in the bathroom.

  I nudged her with my arm. “Took a shine to him did you?” I teased.

  “Perhaps.” She rolled her eyes.

  “I don’t know, maybe.” I shrugged. “I’m not sure who will be there aside from Wes and Connie. But you know, Kat,” I began after a pause, “these guys aren’t typically relationship material,” I warned. “I just don’t want you to get hurt,” I explained. I knew Kat could hold her own, she’d always been incredibly confident and feisty. But I’d never seen her take an interest the way she had in Sal and it was my duty as her best friend to warn her.

  “I know,” she said and smiled at me warmly. I’d always been a bit of a mother hen with her, she was used to it. “I’ll proceed with caution,” she assured me. “Plus, you know me, since when am I looking for a relationship anyway?” she said as she wrinkled her brow with distaste.

  “True,” I laughed.

  We headed out through the door that Cole had repaired before he’d left that morning. My stomach fluttered with excitement at the thought of seeing him, but I also felt nervous to see his father again and to go to a party at the club. I’d been to a million Sinners’ barbeques but that felt like a lifetime ago.

  We arrived well after dark and could hear from the street that things were in full swing.

  “Here goes,” I muttered as we walked toward the building I’d been to once before. But instead of going inside, I did as Cole had instructed and came around the side since everyone was out back. The music was loud but voices and laughter were louder when we reached the back. It was a simple space with a large concrete patio, a couple of picnic tables, and plenty of folding chairs strewn about. There were large fires going in two fire pits, with flames dancing and providing hints of the desert that lay beyond.