The Alpha's Diversion

The Lesson

Cat.

She expected the feeling of riding a motorcycle to be similar to riding a bicycle- the openness of the air, the way you balance and shift yourself to turn. But the added weight and bigger dimensions made even the similarities feel different.

Cory showed her the basics and then they switched places. She cranked it and got a feel for the clutch and shifting gears. She was able to ride in a straight line but didn’t feel comfortable turning it. Cory laughed and assured her they’d practice that next time. She’d imagined learning enough today that she’d be able to drive the short distance back to town, but she realized quickly that was wishful thinking. She’d have to drive Cory’s car back for him as he followed her.

After their lesson, she sat on her bike, enjoying the feel of it. The cafe racer had a classic look, and after riding it, she was glad that Bobby had chosen a smaller motorcycle for her. It would take longer to get comfortable with than she thought, but she loved it already. The rush of the wind through her hair, the power of the bike between her legs, the adventurous feeling she had when she was on it- she was sold on being a biker chick!

She glanced up to find Cory studying her, his eyes unmistakably laced with desire. Blushing, she quickly averted eye contact as she tried to come up with something to say that would steer the conversation in a safe direction.

Addis.

He hadn’t intended to drive to the place he’d heard Cory and Cat agree to meet, hadn’t even realized he’d stored the information. No, that was a lie. It made him mad as hell, but he remembered everything about that night; it had been playing in his head on repeat the past few days. He’d gone on several runs and doubled up on training sessions. Still, the memory of her invaded every moment. Only his mom, Reed, Jeb, and Flint knew about Cat, but it was becoming increasingly difficult to explain his bad mood to those around him.

And now, even though he should be avoiding Cat, he found himself on the edge of the woods, watching her with the rogue like some kind of creep. He pinched the bridge of his nose as he took a deep breath. What the hell am I doing here? When did I become a masochist? He had just decided to leave when he heard a noise behind him. Turning quickly, he was met with Jeb’s annoyingly satisfied grin.

“Not interested, eh?”

A groan from Addis was the only response Jeb got.

"Well, let’s get a look at her.” He stepped beside Addis, still hidden by the foliage. “I’m not used to watching girls from this angle. Do you do this a lot?”

“Jeb.” Addis’ voice was gruff and thick with warning.

“Just curious. Don’t get mad,” he chuckled before his voice softened. “She’s a looker, isn’t she? I can see why you couldn’t stay away.”

If anyone else had spoken about Cat that way, Addis would’ve wanted to rip their tongue from their mouth, but Jeb was like a brother.

“I don’t know why I came. Let’s get out of here.”

He turned but Jeb’s hand pressed against his chest, stopping him. “Wait,” Jeb growled.

“I’m not talking to her, Jeb. It was stupid to come. Let’s get out of here before she—”

“I said wait. Flint said he didn’t trust that rogue and now I know why.”

Addis turned quickly, his ever-present anger rising quickly to the surface at what he saw.

Cat.

“Thanks for the lesson, Cory. We should probably head back.”

Cat tried to make her voice sound light as she climbed off the bike. She wanted to avoid any awkwardness with Cory and could tell he wanted more out of their afternoon together than she did. She hoped her subtle hint would be enough.

But as soon as she straightened herself, it was apparent she wasn’t going to be that lucky. He stalked towards her and put his hands on either side of her, resting on the bike and caging her in. His face was close to hers and she could smell his cologne. He’d worn too much. She’d noticed it earlier, but the wind as they rode had masked how overpowering it was. She hated it when men doused themselves in the stuff. It made her want to choke, and she instinctively turned her head to the side in what should have been another obvious sign to Cory that his attention was unwanted.

“Cat, I’m sure you’ve noticed how interested I am in you. I’d like to take you out to dinner tonight- anywhere you want to go.”

"Listen, Cory. I appreciate the offer but I’m really not looking for a relationship right now. I only want to be friends.”

She expected him to back away after her confession. Anxiety rose in her chest, anticipating how he’d react. To her surprise, he only smiled.

“Come on, Cat. Give us a chance. I know we’d be great together. Don’t you feel the chemistry between us?”

He leaned into her neck seductively and she tried to back away as she reached up with both hands, pressing firmly against his chest.

“Cory, I’m not interested. You’re making me uncomfortable.”

She didn’t think Cory would force anything, but she didn’t like how persistent he was being. She was replaying Jo and Leo’s warnings about him in her mind and mentally kicking herself for not listening. There definitely wouldn’t be a next time.

“Cat, one dinner…” he murmured against her shoulder.

She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth, ready to knee him in the groin if necessary, but his lips never touched her skin. Realization hit that her hands were in midair instead of pushing against his chest. She opened her eyes, but it took a moment for her mind to catch up.

Cory was sprawled out on the ground, and there was a man on top of him, delivering brutal punches to his face. Another man quickly arrived, leaving Cat even more confused because they were in a pretty isolated spot. It was why they had chosen it for Cat’s lesson.

The second man grabbed the first man by his arm, which was reared back in anticipation of another blow to Cory’s face.

“Addis, that’s enough. You’ll kill him.”

Addis?! It took a long second for her mind to connect the name to the man at the bar. Not because she’d forgotten him. That wasn’t possible. But she certainly hadn’t expected to see him here, in the middle of nowhere, beating up Cory.

He stood but continued to watch Cory, who rolled over and groaned as he spit blood onto the dirt. Pushing up, Cory turned, his face pale with fury and marred with red patches that would soon bruise. His lip was busted, and his left eyebrow was bleeding so heavily, Cat was sure he’d need stitches. She grimaced at the violence written all over his face.

“What the f**k was that about?” Cory spit out at Addis, as he glanced between him and his friend.

“Don’t speak to me like that, rogue, or I’ll teach you another lesson. When a lady says she’s not interested, you don’t lean in for a kiss. You back the hell up.”

Cory glared but didn’t respond.

Addis stepped towards him slowly, dangerously close to his face, and lowered his voice. Cat strained to hear but could only see Cory’s eyes widen before he visibly gulped and nodded, turning quickly, and getting in his car. His tires squealed as he sped away, leaving Cat with Addis and the stranger.

It took so long for Addis to turn towards her that Cat began to wonder if he would. She found herself in a bit of a predicament. Her last interaction with this man had been unusual, if not unpleasant, and now she found herself with him, his friend (who was also being silent), and a motorcycle that she couldn’t safely ride back to town.

It was Addis’ friend who turned his attention to her first, his face full of concern and his voice slow and gentle, as if she were a skittish horse that he was afraid of spooking. She wondered by his expression if she looked fearful. She certainly didn’t feel that way. Anxious, sure. She was having a difficult time processing what had just happened- why Cory had come on to her so strongly when he’d never done that before, where Addis had come from, and why he was so angry.

“Did he hurt you?”

“No,” she shook her head, maybe a little too forcefully. She wasn’t sure what they saw and didn’t want them to get the wrong impression. “I just wasn’t interested and I…I guess he thought he could change my mind. But nothing happened. I’m fine.”

He studied her a moment longer, as if he wasn’t sure she was telling him the truth. Finally, he spoke to Addis, whose back was still turned to both of them, his shoulders showing his heavy breathing.

“We need to get her back home, Addis. You saw her. She can’t ride that thing back to town.”

“Why were you guys even out here?” She wondered aloud.

“Um, Addis and I were checking on some traps.”

“That’s illegal in town limits.” She wasn’t sure why she said that, inwardly groaning as soon as the words were out. She was unnerved at the situation, not thinking straight, and hated the way she must sound to Addis.

Addis finally turned around, his fierce expression making her forget any concerns she may have had for the local wildlife. She was more concerned with her own life. He looked furious.

“Why did you come out here with him?”

She felt the irritation building in her and straightened her spine as she glared at him. “He was teaching me how to ride a motorcycle, not that it’s any of your business.”

“Yes,” he spoke low and with effort, as if he were using all of his energy to maintain some semblance of calm. “But why would you come out here alone with a man like him? He’s obviously not to be trusted.”

Her mouth gaped open. “Are you blaming me?! I thought Cory was a nice guy. I didn’t know that would happen! How dare you! I didn’t ask you to come save me. I had things under control.” Crossing her arms against her chest, her eyes dared him to contradict her. “You can leave, Addis.”

Unexpectedly, his hard expression vanished, and he laughed. This annoyed her more than his anger would have.