HURRICANE (Beasts of Prey Book 2)

by LC Lehesaho

  Because she is the best I've ever had.

  Cobra sucks my lower lip into her mouth, dragging her teeth over it. "You know how I feel, love."

  Her eyes scan mine, and there's a beautiful smile decorating her rosy lips, plumped up from kissing. I bring my thumb to her lower lip, which has a pale scar over it, probably permanent. She wears her scars so well.

  "I know, but would you say it to me, please?"

  The smile widens, and my heart melts from the sight of her. She is so goddamn exquisite.

  "I love you, Tiger Hayes."

  And she is so goddamn mine.

  ~

  I've been visiting Leo's cabin maybe twice before this, though it was years ago. It's never really been my thing, but now, listening to the crackling fire in the massive fireplace which reaches up to the rafters, I like this. Especially with Cobra by my side, my arm around her as she leans on my shoulder and her legs over my lap as we sit on the soft couch which is covered with white sheep hide.

  There are cinnamon-scented tealight candles on the little cups at the coffee table where I rest my legs, and I can't help but feel taken about the effort she's made. I've never considered myself as a romantic guy, but with her, I could imagine a trip to Paris to propose to her or some other fluffy and cheesy shit like that. Mostly because I know Cobra is a sucker for romantic things, and I want to make her the happiest girl in the world. I promised to give her everything she wants, and I'm not gonna break my promise, whatever it takes.

  Obviously, the cabin is bigger and classier than some regular family vacay shed in the woods because it's Leo's. There is still the essence present—a lot of natural colors, the wall's made from timbers, the fireplace with natural rocks. Then comes the classy part—the black stone floors, chandelier big enough to hang in it, and large widescreen TV with a gaming console—this is one thing no one, save for us, knows about Leo. He's a gamer, and this cabin is his man cave where he comes every now and then to take a break. No one knows precisely what he does in here because he always comes here alone, but I think I don't even need to know.

  Cobra turns the page of the book she’s reading, and reaches to take a piece of chocolate from the table, keeping her eyes on the book. There are focus lines between her brows as she reads, and it's cute as fuck. Her hand with the chocolate comes in front of me. I shake my head, already full of the food she made us while I chopped the wood and fired up the fireplace.

  "Your loss," she states, stuffing it into her mouth instead.

  "You know, baby," I say, looking around as I massage her calf. "We could have a hideout of our own."

  Cobra snaps her head back, looking at me with stunned eyes. "You mean like a cabin?"

  I shrug the shoulder she's not leaning on. "Cabin or house or whatever. Something of our own, ‘cause you know Leo, he won't be happy if we really move out of the mansion, and I know you don't want it either. Especially when Bear is having the baby there." Brush my fingers up and down her shin, turning my gaze to her. "But we could have a place where we could go to escape from the world. Just you and I."

  She bites her bottom lip, corners of her mouth turning up. "Are you nesting, Tiger?"

  "The fuck? No, what the—"

  Cobra slaps my pec, mischievous smirk on her face. "I'm kidding! I'd love to have a place with you. It'd be amazing."

  I squint my eyes at her, leaning closer and bite the tip of her nose gently. "You're the most horrible girlfriend I've ever had."

  "I'm your first and last girlfriend, so deal with it, kitty." She sticks her tongue out, still smirking. "But seriously, I really like the idea. We could build it ourselves."

  A spontaneous bark of laughter bursts out of me, even thinking about it. My eyes water as I look down at her deadpanning face. "I'm not fucking Bob the Builder, and neither are you, baby girl."

  Cobra shrugs. "We could learn. Like a project together."

  "Okay, I can do other kinds of projects with you, like have a baby or something, but no way in hell I'm gonna build a house with you," I snort, patting her knee. Her eyes are wide as she stares at me, making me rewind what I said that made her look so shocked. "What?"

  She swallows, gaping at me. "You'd really have a baby with me?"

  How can she be shocked about it?

  "Of course, we're gonna have a baby. What were you thinking?" I cock an eyebrow, unable to understand her reaction. "I thought you want to have kids?"

  She bounces her head, "Yeah, I do, but I didn't think that you'd... Huh."

  "Leo would probably break my nose if I'd knock you up now before you graduate, but after that, just tell me when and I'm ready to put a baby in you," I tell her, kissing her forehead. "You're gonna be an amazing mom, and I can't wait to see your belly grow up with my baby inside."

  "My god." Cobra throws her hands around my neck, her expression happiest I've ever seen her. "We're gonna graduate in six months. Promise me we can make a baby then, please, please, please?"

  Gosh, she looks gorgeous like this.

  Full of joy.

  "Yeah, baby girl," I vow to her, my fucking heart bursting out of my chest. "I promise. I'll always give you anything you want."

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  "C'mon baby, are you even trying?" I tease Cobra and slap the top of her head with the focus pad in my hand. She counters with a quick, light jab to my stomach, making me jump back out of her reach. "Hey, hey, hey, stick to the rules, crazy ninja!"

  "I'll show you the fucking rules if you don't stop laughing at me!" she snaps back with an irritated scowl. "Puma didn't let me put gloves on even once, so I haven't had any boxing training over a month. Cut some slack!"

  "I'm sorry, little worm, let me comfort you." I step into her space, wrapping my arms around her to hug her, but she loads a harder jab to my side. "Ouch! Stop hitting me!"

  Cobra bounces from leg to leg in her fitted sweats, her tits making a delicious move in her sports bra, catching my attention very efficiently. She threw her hoodie off half an hour ago when she started to break a sweat, and truthfully, I've been a horrible training partner because all I can think is taking her on this open back porch.

  "Pads up, perv," she huffs, hitting her boxing gloves together. Still bouncing.

  And so is my dick in my sweats.

  Clearing my throat, I lift a right hand to the side, and instantly she punches it with her right cross. Obviously, the teasing activated her beast mode because no matter how fast, how unpredictably I change the targets with left, right, and middle with different heights, her quick jabs follow.

  She is a machine.

  The challenging first hour was just a warm-up because now she's in a better rhythm and balance than she's ever been.

  A sweat breaks out on my forehead, too, trying to get her to move even faster. Her skin glistens in the midday sun, her lean muscles working in perfect, deadly harmony, and she looks downright celestial.

  The back door to the porch opens, and I hear someone stepping out. After a couple of hits, Cobra stops, her chest heaving, and her eyes trail past me, lips melting into a smile. It makes me look over my shoulder, and Pietro nods at us with a million-dollar smile on his face. "Nice work, kid. I made coffee. You guys want some?"

  A spike of jealousy shoots from my core, making my skin itch. "We're in—"

  Cobra cuts me off, throwing her boxing gloves to the bench on the side. "Yes! I haven't been able to drink any coffee yet." She swallows her words, and I know what she left unsaid—her throwing up all morning. "Make me a famous Vega-sandwich, please? I'm super hungry." She looks at Pietro, answering his goddamn smile with full force. And all I want is to spin and turn Vega into a meatloaf and stuff him between his fucking sandwiches.

  Pietro is a great guy, friendly as fuck but way too fucking friendly towards my girl.

  "Sure thing." He glances at me. "I can make you one too if you want?"

  Motherfucker. Why does he have to be like that?

  "No, I'm good," I manage to growl through gr
itted teeth. Cobra fans her face, her cheeks blushed with sexy pink shade from the training, and grabs her hoodie before walking to Pietro, who keeps the door open for her like gentleman of the century.

  I follow her, ripping the focus pads off my hands and restrain the urge to feed them to Pietro as he holds the door for me too. Just when I start to open my mouth to tell him I can use the fucking door myself, he speaks.

  "Did you notice the canoes down at the lake? Leo bought them a while ago and reminded me to mention those if you two wanna try."

  I glance over my shoulder towards the lake, not knowing why I even bother because there is no way of seeing those from here. There's a cliff with sixty feet fall down to the water.

  "Okay, thanks. Maybe we'll try." I shrug nonchalantly and make my way to the open kitchen where Cobra is already filling her water bottle by the sink. The kitchen has an open view of the lounge, where the fireplace is, and it continues with the same style. Counters are the same kind of black stone as the floors, cabinets dark wood matching the timber walls.

  I plant my ass on one of the barstools placed beside the black stone island, eyes on her, and grab the plastic fork into my hand, feeling the need to fiddle something.

  Pietro loads the ingredients to his fucking Vega-sandwiches on the counter next to the fridge—next to Cobra—and I start to make a note of how colossal the guy is. Cobra's head nearly reaches Pietro's shoulder as they stand side by side, backs towards me. I'm not short, but that fucking monster is still a few inches taller than me.

  I want to haul Cobra on my shoulder, carry her upstairs, and fuck her so good she'll scream my name loud enough for Pietro motherfucking Vega to hear it.

  Like she did last night, but as a decent guard, he was outside, out of hearing range.

  They babble something about tomatoes and mayo, and my blood pressure keeps rising second by second when I watch Cobra stealing a piece of cucumber, eating it by his side with her delicate fingers. She laughs at something he says, the low vibrating timbre echoing in the cabin, and it's the sexiest sound in the world; bet he thinks so too because he makes her laugh again. Takes every inch of my self-restraint to keep calm and not to explode.

  The rational side of my brain knows I shouldn't be jealous, but watching her like this, talking and enjoying herself with some other guy than me, drags up every feeling I've been feeling for the past five years almost every day—the jealousy—the gut-wrenching anger.

  The fucking frustration of the fact that it first took me three years to make my fucking move, and then she denied me, slipped through my fingers like a wet fish every time I tried to get her close.

  Fuck, I know she's mine now.

  I shouldn't get wired up about this.

  But still, I see red and dream about Pietro's warm blood pouring down my hands as I slit his throat and watch the life fading away from his eyes.

  Pietro turns around, placing a coffee cup and a plate with a sandwich on the island—opposite side of me—and Cobra sits on the stool in front of it, a fascinated look on her face when she wraps her fingers around the white bread.

  She still hasn't put the hoodie back on. She really fucking should put it on.

  Pietro has a sandwich in the other hand and a coffee cup on the other as he leans his ass to the counter on the side, so he is one tip of our triangle.

  How convenient.

  "My gawd, this is so damn good," Cobra moans, throwing her head back, eyes closed like she's having an orgasm.

  Pietro laughs, starting to say something, but I'm done with this shit. I should control this, but I. Fucking. Can't.

  "Baby girl," I call her, the venom leaking through my voice. The plastic fork snaps in half in my grip, cutting into my palm but fuck if I care.

  She dips her chin, opening her eyes, and looks at me, cocking a brow. "What?"

  I see Pietro straightening, even though I keep my gaze drilled to my goddamn girl, and he clears his throat. "I'll go out. Enjoy your sandwich, kid."

  "I will, thanks, Pietro," she replies, smiling at him. At that, he strides from the front door, leaving us alone. Cobra tilts her head to the side, taking another bite before speaking. "What spilled your cup, handsome?"

  The tension inside me is ready to explode, and she is smashing the detonator like a fucking monkey trying to break a coconut. I swear to Satan, if I don't end up dead on a job, I'll die of high blood pressure at an early age because of her.

  "What do you think, gorgeous?" I counter, squeezing my fists. I feel the sticky blood on my palm, but zero fucks given.

  "You tell me, ‘cause I don't have a clue," she says calmly, taking a sip of her black coffee.

  "You could've at least put a shirt on and not to show yourself to motherfucking Vega like you're still single. Like you're not fucking mine." I jump up, slamming my palm to the table—the sting of the cut reverberating through my cells.

  Cobra doesn't even flinch, just licks the mayo from her fingers, eyes sparkling with amusement. Gosh, I want to fuck that smirk off her face.

  "Jealous much, kitty?" She licks her lips clean next, voice dropping an octave lower. My blood runs hot in my veins, most of it gathering into my cock, which is just as ready as me to show her who she fucking belongs to.

  "You like to play games with me, huh? I think I've mentioned once or twice that you really fucking shouldn't."

  "Who said I'm playing games, love?" Cobra keeps her smoky hazel eyes on mine as she sticks her tongue out and licks the white mayo from the side of the sandwich. I bite my cheek not to groan. She swallows it down, a salacious smile curving up her plump lips. "You are the one who started acting out without reason."

  I hear my heartbeat thundering in my ears as I dip my chin, glaring at her. "Without a reason? You were in your bra next to him, moaning over his fucking mayo sandwich like someone was fucking you. And when you do that," I throw my other hand towards her when she scoops the mayo again with her finger, "I wanna fuck you raw and trust me, every other guy wants to do it too when they see that."

  She bites her lip, the smirk widening. "Did anyone else see this, kitty? Or did I do this," she sticks the finger with the mayo deep into her mouth, sucking it off, "just for you?"

  My dick is so hard it fucking aches. I swallow, trying to keep myself on a leash. "Not the point. You were—"

  "I wasn't," Cobra cuts me off, taking a bite. "I'm wearing a sports bra, and with these sweats, I have more clothes on than at the gym when I'm sparring. Pietro is like a brother to me, and you know that. There is nothing for you to be jealous of."

  "I'm your foster brother, and it didn't stop you." I know instantly after saying it that I shouldn't have said it. But I'm still fucking mad, so I'm not taking it back.

  "Ouch, bringing in the big guns then." She stands up, strolling around the island, sliding her hand on it, and takes something out of her bag from it, but I can't see what. Cobra's hand comes to my bicep, turning me around, and pushing her body flush against mine as she brings her lips to my neck. I grab hold of her waist, feeling her hot skin under my hands. Her closeness is like taking a plug from the tub, and my rage starts to pour down the drain.

  Her hand palms me over the sweats, and she licks the way from my collar bone to my ear, her breathing making my skin shiver. "Apologize for acting out, and I'll show you how well I can handle my foster brother's big dick."

  Her words make me groan. She's so fucking hot, and I want her down on me right now, so I do as told. "I'm sorry, baby."

  She palms me harder. "For what?"

  I'm gonna combust at any second now from the way she turned the tables. This game she's playing—my game—is the one I fucking love, and it surprises me that it turns me on when she's taking the lead, or at least for now, it does. So, I keep playing. "For blaming you for shit you didn't do."

  "Oh, such a good boy. Well done," she purrs, sucking my neck before slowly crouching down in front of me. I look down at her, still enchanted by her beauty. The long pink ponytail reaches to her lower ba
ck, caressing her tanned skin. The graceful features of her face with big brown eyes framed with naturally long, black lashes are the ones I can never look away from. I plant my palms on each side of me, the cold surface of the stone awakening goosebumps up to my arms.

  "You know," Cobra says, sliding her hand to my thigh, letting my throbbing dick stay inside the sweats. I want to beg because I can't fucking wait anymore, but she keeps talking. "You're my everything. My best friend. The hurricane and the calm after the storm all at once. The one who owns my whole fucking heart, and truthfully, I don't ever want it back." She moves her position, sliding her other knee down to the floor, and bites her lip, lifting something in her hand in front of me. "Will you marry me, Anthony?"

  My heart loses its beat, and suddenly I forget how to fucking breathe when she opens the little box in her hand. There's a black braided ring—no, it's not braided. It's a snake, curled around to its tail.

  I stare at it, momentarily losing my ability to speak.

  "Are those tears of joy, or do I have to punch your balls for saying no to me?" Cobra asks, voice shaky, even though she tries to keep her smile on.

  I didn't even realize the wetness leaking from my eyes, and quickly, I wipe my face. "Oh, shit, baby, no. I'm not..." My voice comes out as a slurred mess, and I clear my throat, desperately trying to find my vocals. "I was supposed to propose to you in Paris or something, holy shit. Are you serious?"

  "Yes, I'm very serious. Tiger, please, focus. Is it yes or—"

  I scoop her up from the floor, lifting her straight to my arms, her legs wrapping around me. "Yes, of course, I'll fucking marry you, Cobra," I hurry to answer, kissing her between every word. "Fuck, I love you. Of course, I say yes."

  CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

  "Carry me upstairs then, and let's seal the deal," I laugh, tears now rolling down my cheeks as I gaze into Tiger's dark eyes, which are mirroring my happiness. Of course, I expected him to say yes, but hearing it and actually realizing it is now a real deal is overwhelming—in all the right ways. In the best possible ways. Seeing him so emotional about it makes my heartbeat thunder, and all I want is to feel him close.