Chapter Four

Draven swung his leg over the bike and roared it to life. He should have said something when he had realized she wasn’t aware of the mic, but she spoke so fast that he hadn’t had a chance to put a single word in there. The fact that he liked what he heard had nothing to do with it. Well, not much, anyway.

She pulled her visor down and hopped onto the bike. Having her wrapped around him as she’d pointed out had Draven smiling all over again. He definitely could get used to it.

“That wasn’t nice,” she scolded before he could say anything.

“I’m sorry.” He wasn’t. Not really. Learning that she found him hot enough to be worried about the mating pull was great news—for him.

She sighed and wrapped her arms around his chest. “Let’s get this show on the road. Today counts as day one, right?”

Draven adjusted her arms so that they were low on his waist. “No, it’s thirty full days. Tomorrow will be day one.” He didn’t know for sure if that was accurate, but he’d take any advantage he could get. She was eager to leave before they’d even started. So what? He wouldn’t let it get to him. He had thirty days to enjoy his mate’s company and convince her that she couldn’t live without him, and he couldn’t wait to get started.

As soon as he swung the kickstand out of the way, her arms tightened around him, and she settled so that nothing but the clothes on their backs separated them. His body heated a couple of degrees at her nearness alone. He could just imagine what it would be like if they were skin to skin.

“When we go around corners, just follow my lead. Lean in when I do.” She’d mounted the bike like a pro, but he wouldn’t chance her getting hurt. Giving basic instruction would only take a moment. It was bad enough that all each of them had was a helmet and gloves. Phoenixes, in general, didn’t overdo the protective gear, but then, they didn’t die if they wrecked. His mate, however, was mortal—for now anyway. “If you need a break, just let me know.”

“Got it,” she answered a little breathlessly.

He revved the motor and she gasped.

“I’m glad to have you with me, Cortney. I know you’re not thrilled about the situation, but I’ll do my best to make you happy,” he told her before pulling out.

***

Between the vibration of the motor and her chest pressed against Draven’s back, it was all Cortney could do to keep from moaning by the time they hit the highway. It was a nice day, but not crazy hot. She shouldn’t be so warm on the back of the bike, but her whole body felt as though tiny flames licked at her skin. The sensation stole her breath and had parts of her—parts she now found impossible to ignore—throbbing.

Her heart beat faster, and she struggled to keep her hands where they were. She became more restless with each passing minute. When she adjusted her arms and her hands found a small strip of Draven’s exposed skin just above the waistband of his jeans, she should have moved it right away. She didn’t.

Draven stiffened but kept the bike steady. “Are you doing okay back there?” he asked, his voice a little deeper than before.

Cortney wanted to say yes. She needed to prove to both of them that she could resist the pull between them, but they’d barely been on the road for a half an hour. If the sensations rushing through her grew much more intense, she’d either come right there on the bike with him listening in, or she’d start tearing at his clothes. Already she had her thumb under the hem of his shirt and was stroking his hot skin.

“I think I might need a bit of a break,” she said, her voice breathless.

“Hang on. We can get off the main road in just a minute.”

She didn’t try responding. Opening her mouth again at this point would have released the moan she was trying so hard to keep back. She just needed to get off the bike. To put some space between them for a few minutes. Then she could breathe, and the haze of lust making her crazy would dissipate. “Hurry,” she whispered as another wave of throbbing pulses washed over her.

He turned down a dirt road, slowing only enough to drive safely as he went around one bend, then another before pulling the bike to the side.

As soon as he gave her the okay, she was off the bike and practically sprinted away. Now that she wasn’t plastered against him, the air felt cool through her T-shirt, making her moan and her nipples pebble against the thin fabric.

“Just take a few deep breaths,” he said, still straddling the bike.

She flipped her visor up and followed his direction. In through her nose and out through her mouth. “It’s not working,” she said more to herself than to him when she’d done it a few times, and the need continued to build rather than fade.

He swung his leg over the bike and took a few steps toward her.

“No, stay where you are. I can’t be close to you right now.”

“I know you don’t want to hear this, but it won’t go away on its own. It has to do with the pheromones we emit,” he told her as he came closer still.

“Of course it will.” She refused to believe otherwise.

“It won’t.” He stood before her and unfastened her helmet. Then placed it on the ground at their feet, before removing his own. “You need to come so the mating craze will ease off for a while.”

His eyes glowed a bright amber. It was both mesmerizing and a little frightening. His dark hair stood on end, and she wanted to run her hands through it. Not to brush it into place, but to grip so she could kiss him—hard.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. She licked her lips, and her gaze flitted to Draven’s mouth.

He brought his hands to her hips and pulled her closer. Every inch of him was hard against her softer body. When his erection pressed against her belly, she moaned, and her eyes drifted shut.

“As much as I want to take you right here, right now, I won’t,” he whispered into her ear.

His lips at her earlobe had her breath hitching in her throat. “Why?” she asked, her tone more plaintive than it should have been.

He turned her in his arms, pulling her back flush against his chest. She didn’t fight the urge to sway against his body.

“Because you deserve more. You’re not sure about this yet—about me—and I’m not going to push you. But you should know, I’m not a saint. If you keep rubbing your ass against my cock like that, I may have a change of heart.”

Cortney stopped moving. Draven was right. She wasn’t ready for this. She had a career to get back to, but her body was going up in flames, and she had no way of dousing the fires he ignited. She whimpered at the thought of riding again without relief.

“Will you let me take care of it for you?” he asked as he gripped her hips, his fingers digging into her through the material of her jeans.

“I don’t know…”

“We have two options. We could get back on the bike. I can take you faster and just listen to those sexy little sounds you were making again and hope I don’t wreck the bike when I hear you come behind me. I bet they get louder as you get closer to orgasm, don’t they?” He pressed his cock more firmly against her ass. “Or, you can stand there. I will stay behind you and keep all my clothes on. I’ll only use my hands and my mouth as far as either will reach from where I stand. Once you’ve climaxed, we’ll get back on the bike and go again until you tell me to stop.”

She whipped her head around and looked at him over her shoulder. “I won’t need to stop again.”

“Then you’ll be more comfortable for the rest of the ride.”

She wanted to wipe his self-assured smile off his face, but right then, all that mattered was easing the throbbing between her legs so she could breathe again. “I won’t need this, or anything else for the rest of the month.”

“Then I guess I’d better make this one count. Pick your orgasm.”

Heat rushed up her cheeks, but she knew what she wanted. She could have a machine induced orgasm by herself at home. And since it was his fault that she was suffering, it was only right that he help her through it. She nibbled on her lip for a second. “Like this. I want you to make me come like this,” she finally blurted out.