Hot-Bites, Volume Two by Jenika Snow

Chapter Six

Jo

He’s cocky, so arrogant it’s as frustrating as it is arousing.

I’ve never met a man who was so sure of himself, and I’ve been around a lot of fighters. Those guys think they have dicks made out of gold.

But Cooper is in a class all his own.

I don’t say much, because in all honesty, I don’t want to make a fool out of myself. I pride myself in keeping my shit together, in not taking crap from anyone. My uncle taught me that when I was younger, and I’ve held on to it ever since. But I feel like I’ve met my match where Cooper is concerned.

He makes the walls I’ve built around myself crack, threatening to crumble. I have never let a guy get under my skin like this. Then again, no guy has ever made me wet with just a look.

Sure, I’m a virgin, untouched, inexperienced. And although I didn’t tell Cooper that little fact, I’m sure he knows. He’d be able to read me, see it in the way I hold myself.

He is smart and intuitive, as much as he is strong and masculine.

Cooper has watched me the entire time, and although I can feel his gaze, I refuse to make eye contact. All that will do is make me blush even fiercer, desire him even more. I don’t want him to see my reactions. I don’t want him to know—at least not completely—how he makes me feel.

Once we are done eating and leave the restaurant, I’m at a loss for what to say, how to end the night. I keep my focus averted for a long moment, but still feel him watching me as his fingers stroke along my arm.

“Thank you for dinner. It was nice.” I’m not lying, but even though it was nice, I know this can’t happen again. I don’t trust myself around Cooper, and I refuse to be another notch in his bedpost.

I need to be on guard around Cooper. I don’t want to be just another fighter’s groupie. Although if I am being honest, I actually have never heard of his escapades around the gym. Not once. And all of the men certainly talk about all the fucking they do. They brag about it daily.

But I’ve never heard Cooper’s name in the mix, and I find that comforting, endearing almost. Maybe he’s so focused on his fighting, on helping my uncle, that he only has time for that?

Wishful thinking on my part.

I look at him then, seeing this almost stoic little expression covering his face. I feel like he wants to say something, but he stays silent.

“Thank you again,” I murmur and turn to head back to my car, feeling slightly on edge because he isn’t saying anything. I’m nearly there when I feel his hand wrap around my wrist gently, pulling me to a stop.

I look over my shoulder at him, the wind picking up and blowing my hair across my cheek. I see the way he watches those strands, feel the tightening of his fingers on my wrist.

He pulls on my arm and I shift my body toward him. Then he takes a step forward, and I take one back. We do this little dance a couple of times until I feel my car stop my retreat. He’s so close now that I have to crane my neck back in order to look into his face. I feel myself start to breathe harder, taking in the scent of his cologne, noticing how masculine he is.

I can feel my heart beating hard behind my ribs. Can he see it? Can he feel it as he moves his thumb along my pulse point?

He moves close, his big body pressing almost to mine. He lets go of my wrist and I ball my hands into fists at my sides, trying desperately not to reach out and pull him closer.

This is insane.

He takes another step closer.

There’s nowhere for me to go and I’m really not sure I want to. Having him lean over me, so commanding, makes my knees weak and the insides of my thighs grow wet.

“What are you doing?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper.

“What does it look like I’m doing?” He looks down at my mouth.

I swallow the lump in my throat. “It looks like you’re invading my personal space.” I feel hot, a flush stealing over me, making my heart beat faster and my palms get sweaty.

“Tell me you don’t want this, that you don’t want me.” His voice is low. When I don’t answer he moves another inch closer. I can feel him now, his chest to mine, My nipples harden in response.

“I don’t know you. We should probably just say goodnight,” I say softly without any force in the words.

“Baby, we have all the time in the world to get to know each other.”

His gaze is on my lips again. I can’t help but lick them. A guttural groan spills from him, and I feel my panties become soaked for this man.

When he slowly lifts his eyes to mine, I see they are heavy-lidded, his arousal clear.

“What are you doing?” I whisper again, knowing that I want him to kiss me already.

“I’m making you mine, Jo.”