Damaged and the Cobra Read Online Free PDF Page B

library, my study buddies waited. Nick
and Selena frowned when Dylan appeared.
    “He’s keeping me safe,” I said, answering their
questioning looks.
    Dylan grunted, clearly irritated to see me studying
with a guy. His jealousy gave me an idea.
    “Nick, you need a haircut,” I said, pushing his
long dark bangs out of his green eyes. “You look like a cute little puppy.”
    Staring at me, Nick took a moment to figure out my
sudden flirty interest in him. He smiled and reached for my bangs.
    “I like how you’re growing your hair out.”
    Selena ignored us both, but I saw her grin as if in
on the joke.
    “This is what you call studying?” Dylan muttered,
sitting closer now.
    Nick and I smiled then I stood up. “I want to get
cleaned up. You know, before we study,” I said, grinning at Nick again.
    Dylan focused his glare on Nick who only smiled.
“Your sister is hot, but I’m sure you’re used to guys saying that.”
    “She’s not my sister,” Dylan growled.
    Leaving the men to eye one another, I hurried to
the bathroom. Dylan never followed, just like I hoped. As he focused his
jealous attention on Nick who was likely ignoring him now, I slipped out a
backdoor and ran for the bus. If I missed it, I’d need to walk three miles. No
way could I reach Denny’s before Aaron left.
    Even running full speed, I reached the bus stop in
time to see it disappearing around a corner. Panic and depression ate at me,
but I started walking towards the restaurant. I was going to see Aaron tonight
and I wasn’t letting Dylan or fate stop me.

Chapter Eight - Aaron
    I’d been stood up once in my life and it was a girl
I didn’t really like. We’d both been pretty drunk when we agreed to meet the
next day for lunch. I hadn’t wanted to see her again once the beer goggles wore
off, but didn’t have the heart to stand her up. She hadn’t suffered from the
same weakness and never showed.
    Getting stood up that day was a relief. Having Lark
not show was like someone kicking me in the balls while tearing out my heart
and crapping on it.
    My muse might have a million great reasons to stay
away. I focused on the one reason I couldn’t bear. She hadn’t wanted me.
Despite all the smiles when Jade set up this dinner, Lark might only be playing
along. Maybe she knew I wanted her and she simply wanted a finished tattoo. Was
this her not so subtle way of making a point?
    As I waited for nearly an hour, the waitress must
have asked me thirty times if I wanted something or if my friend was coming.
The place was dead, but she clearly wanted me to put up or get out. I just smiled
and played on my phone. Anyone would think I was content getting stood up.
Inside, I was pissed and hurt and pissed some more. Not even pissed at Lark,
but at myself for pining for a girl I didn’t know. Over the last few weeks, I’d
affixed so many qualities onto her face and name. Lark could be anyone, but I’d
made her my muse. My ideal girl who won my heart before our first kiss.
    I was pissed at myself for being a fool. A weird
obsessive fool to boot. No wonder the girl played it safe and stayed away.
    A part of me wanted to go home and trash all of the
paintings I’d made of her, but I knew I wouldn’t. Even if I couldn’t win her
heart, she still inspired me. Despite her disinterest, Lark was still my
fucking muse and I wasn’t trashing anything with her lovely face on it.
    Eventually, I gave my waitress what she wanted and
left. My Harley was the only vehicle in the main parking lot and it looked as
lonely as I felt. Hell, I’d really hoped Lark was the one.
    If any night was a good time to speed, it was this one
and I raced out of the parking lot and towards Whiskey Kirk’s. I need a few
beers and time alone in a booth while working Lark out of my system. While I
considered calling Cooper to have him meet me and listen to me bitch, I knew he
was home with Farah. The guy loved playing family man in his big suburban
house. I suspected the