Cobra let out a long breath, whistling through his teeth. “Fuck, Ryder. Can’t you ever just do simple?” He leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes.

After a minute he talked softly. “How bad do you want this bitch?”

“Bad. Give both my balls bad.”

“Christ. You’re fucked.”

“Yeah. I know.”

Chapter 9 ~ Ryder

As we stopped in the driveway of the house, Mia came out to greet her husband. I frowned, annoyed that the woman hadn't listened to me. I got out of the SUV and went to get Cobra’s door.

Mia spoke softly behind me. “Ryder. I know you said not to come out. But I can't help myself. I miss Cobra so much.”

“I know. Wait inside the back door. I need to help him in. He won't want you to see that. Go.” My voice was harsher than I meant it to be, but it was dangerous for us to be outside, anyone could have followed us. And I had my hands full helping Cobra; I didn't need to still worry about Mia’s safety too. Cobra was a huge fucker—even though he’d lost weight, I still needed all my strength to lift him out of the SUV.

“Thanks, brother. Saving a man’s dignity.” Cobra patted me on the back as I lifted him. Yeah, a man always wanted to appear tough and strong in front of his woman. She had to believe he could protect her at all times. Showing weakness was not an option, especially not for a man like Cobra, who believed in the laws of the jungle: survival of the fittest.

“No problem, brother.” I set him down and helped him get inside by supporting his body with my arm.

“Baby,” he breathed when his gaze landed on Mia.

“Cobra. I'm so glad you’re here, baby.” Mia’s voice cracked.

She slid an arm around his waist and stood on tiptoes to kiss him. So far it all seemed good. Between us, we helped the enormous man to the main bedroom. Sweat was pouring from his face due to exertion. There was still a long way to go for my best friend before he’d be back to his old self, but every day he got better, and that was something to be grateful for. I didn’t know what I would’ve done if the bastard had gotten killed that day.

“The kids?” Cobra asked.

Mia spoke softly as she wiped Cobra’s forehead. “I called Jade. She’s taken them to the new Disney movie. Gives us time to settle you in and talk.”

“Jade? Who’s Jade? Is it safe for the kids to be out with a fucking stranger?” Cobra growled. Yeah, he was getting better.

“Jade’s a friend. She’s the rental agent. She’s totally safe, and very cute. In fact, I think Ryder is sweet on her.”

Cobra’s gaze shot to me, his eyebrows lifted to his hairline. Fuck. Back in the house less than two minutes and Mia already told Cobra. Plus, after what I’d told him in the car, I’d never fucking live it down.

“Yeah? That true, Ryder?”

“Nah, she’s just a piece of ass. Mia should know me by now—I don’t get attached to bitches. Ever.”

“Really, Ryder? That’s why you brought her here the other night. Don’t think I don’t know she slept here.” She cleared her throat. “Not much sleep going on, but you know what I mean.”

I grimaced. “Mia. That’s how you thank a brother for taking care of you and your babies? By ratting on him the first chance you get?”

“Cobra’s going to see the spark between the two of you the minute Jade gets here with the kids. Anyone would have to be blind to not know the two of you are crazy for one another.” She turned to Cobra. “But they’re both so stubborn, baby. Neither will admit it. Jade says it’s too complicated with her family. Ryder has a hard-on the minute he sees her, but tries to pretend otherwise.” She laughed, sounding happy for the first time in weeks.

Grumbling, I left the bedroom and closed the door behind me. They needed their privacy—they had a shitload of stuff to talk about. And I definitely didn't want to discuss Jade with Cobra.

Stripping down to my boxers, I jumped straight into the pool and swam a few laps. The water was refreshing, and I enjoyed the strain of working my muscles. I dried myself off and I lazed around on one of those fancy reclining chairs I’d always seen rich people sip cocktails in. It was the first time in weeks that I just had a bit of time to myself, and lying in the sun after a swim was something I could get used to.

I must’ve dozed off. Jamie had climbed on top of me and stroked my cheek to wake me. Startled, I sat up, looking straight into those fucking blue eyes that haunted my dreams. Jade was back with the kids. With the sun behind her head, it looked as if she wore a halo. Her blond hair shone in the bright light, and her lips gleamed as she pouted them while looking down at me.

Standing with Isabella on her hip, her legs were parted, and with the sunlight behind her, I could see right through the flimsy material. Fuck me, if she wasn’t wearing a bright pink lacey thong. The silhouette of her legs through the thin fabric, long and perfect, made my dick jump.

Jesus.

“Hello, Ryder,” she drawled before her face split into a smile. God, it was the most beautiful smile I’d ever seen. Was Mia right? Was I going soft on Princess? Yeah, I wanted to fuck her all right. I was always up for that with any bitch. But never before had I been affected by a fucking smile. I hadn’t realized just how much I’d missed the beautiful bitch until her sweet face appeared in front of me.

She raised an eyebrow, and stared at my boxers. Yep, my erection stood proud, and tented the satin fabric. She was lucky I was even wearing goddamn boxers. I wanted to drag her to my room and fuck the daylight out of her.

Instead I just grunted, and placed a towel over my stomach, laying my hard cock flat on my belly. Her laugh was sweet and sexy. She knew she did this to me.

“Batman?”

“Was a birthday gift from one of the boys,” I explained. She hadn’t seen the others yet. I had the whole fucking Marvel comic club in my underwear drawer, compliments of the guys trying to be funny.

“It’s cute. Goes with your tattoos.”

Cute? What the fuck was she talking about? I was mean and angry. Never cute.

“Anyway, I’m just dropping the kids. Got to go.” The smile that had warmed my heart had faded, and she had that serious look in her eyes. Fuck.

“Stay. Let’s get a drink first. I'm sure the kids are thirsty. What do you say, Jamie, my man? Should Jade have a drink with us before she goes?”

Jamie always came through for me. He nodded his head vigorously. How could she refuse the kid? I was bargaining on that, knowing she wouldn’t stay for me.

“OK. Just a juice, then I have to leave.”

“Juice it is,” I said, happy that she’d be around a while longer.

I watched her ass as she swayed her hips, walking toward the house. Man, I could so get into that ass right now. Pulling on my jeans, I swallowed the lump in my throat as I followed her, grateful that she couldn’t see my hard-on still raging for her.

Just as we finished drinking our juice, Mia came to the kitchen.

“I heard the car. Thanks for taking the kids, Jade. Cobra wants to see them now.” She took Isabella from Jade’s arms, and took Jamie by the hand. “I owe you one, Jade. You’re a sweetheart.”

Jade flashed Mia a smile. “It’s my pleasure. Happy to help out at any time.”

We watched Mia and the kids for a moment as they left the room.

“I have to go now,” Jade said, avoiding my eyes.

“Princess.”

I blocked her path, pulling her to my chest.

“Ryder. Don’t.”

Her eyes darted to the door.

“They won't be back for a while. Relax.” Dipping my head, I whispered into her ear. “Bet you’re wet for me. You know I’m already hard for you.”

It had only been a few days since I’d seen Jade, yet I was desperate for her. I’d jerked off a few times in the mornings, and also in the evenings before falling asleep, imagining her tits swinging above my face and the feel of her wet cunt, but it wasn’t the same as the real thing. I needed to get inside her. Now. For real.