The Biker Alpha's Obession

Chapter-9 Fireworks

Hope’s POV

Leon drove like a f*****g madman, taking the winding roads at a speed that made my heart hammer against my ribs. I was clinging to him like a Koala clings to a eucalyptus tree.

And yet, I had never felt so alive.

The road stretched ahead of us, dark and wet beneath the night sky. Tall pine trees rose on either side, their silhouettes disappearing into the mountains ahead, while stars filled every inch of the sky above us.

I threw my head back, letting the cool wind rush through my hair, carrying the scent of pine, rain, and my mate. A laugh escaped me before I could stop it.

For eighteen years, life had always felt like something I had to be careful with. But with Leon, everything felt different. The speed, the wind, the sheer recklessness of it all was exhilarating.

Leon climbed higher and higher along the winding mountain road until the trees began to thin. When we were almost at the top, he slowed and pulled onto a grassy edge overlooking the valley before killing the engine.

He reached down and untied the knot he'd made with his jacket, releasing me from his hold.

The moment he turned around, his dark eyes found mine. His breathing was still heavy from the ride, and in the sudden silence, I could hear my own heart pounding just as hard.

Before I could say another word, he crashed his mouth against mine. The kiss was deep and hungry, and I kissed him back just as fiercely, the exhilaration of the ride still rushing through me. When he finally pulled away, his thumb brushed slowly across my cheek, his eyes searching mine.

“I don't like what you're doing to me,” he whispered, catching my lower lip between his teeth.

“I should be the one saying that,” I breathed.

Something unreadable flickered through his eyes before he pulled back, his jaw tightening as though he were trying to get himself under control.

“Did you wear your swimsuit underneath?”

I bit my lip and nodded.

“Take off your clothes, then.”

The command sent heat rushing through me, but I hesitated. It had been easy to just strip when the alcohol made me reckless. Now that I was sober…not so much.

“I...” I swallowed. “Can you turn around?”

Understanding flitted through his eyes, but instead of simply turning around, he climbed off the bike and came closer. His calloused hands settled gently against my cheeks as he held my gaze.

“Don't ever be ashamed in front of me.” His voice was low, almost rough.

“You're f*****g gorgeous. Absolutely breathtaking.” His thumb brushed over my cheekbone. “I may not remember everything that happened that night, but I remember enough of what's underneath those clothes, and the memories have kept me awake more nights than I'd like to admit.”

My throat tightened, and for a moment, I couldn't find a single word.

“And I forgot to tell you something,” he murmured, his gaze dropping over me. “You look f*****g sexy in this dress.”

His hands slid up my bare thighs as he leaned closer, our noses brushing.

“I love those cute little dresses and skirts you wear.” His mouth curved into a slow, dark smile. “But this...” His fingers dug into my flesh. “This is more like it. This bold, sexy version of you.”

His eyes locked onto mine again.

“Now take off your clothes, doll. I have something to show you.”

I climbed off the bike and slowly pulled off my boots, followed by the leather jacket and finally the dress, until I stood before him in nothing but my simple white bikini.

I could feel Leon's gaze on me every second. When I finally looked up, his amber eyes had darkened, and the intensity in them sent a fresh wave of heat through me. Then he began taking off his own clothes, his eyes never leaving mine.

And I realized the memories I had of that first night hadn't done him justice.

My eyes moved over him, taking in his broad shoulders, thickly muscled chest, and hard, defined abs. The dark tattoos covering him only made him more striking and lethal, stretching across nearly every inch of skin. Even the sharp V of his hips was covered in dark ink, the tattoos disappearing beneath the waistband of his boxers.

My mouth went dry when my gaze dropped to the hard bulge pressing against it. Heat flooded my body, and I bit down on my lower lip, suddenly very aware of exactly what was waiting beneath that thin layer of black fabric.

“Don't mind that,” he murmured, noticing my gaze. “...Yet.”

My cheeks flushed, and before I could respond, he reached for my hand. “Come.”

He pulled me along the narrow trail until the trees opened before us. A lake stretched beneath the mountains, hidden away among the towering pine trees. The moonlight shimmered across its dark surface, while the peaks rose beyond it beneath a sky crowded with stars.

My breath caught. It was so secluded and beautiful that for a moment, I could only stare. Leon glanced back at me, a faint smile touching his lips.

“You know how to swim?”

I shook my head. “My parents never let me.”

His eyes flickered with understanding. “Then stay close to me.”

He released my hand and walked to the edge before diving into the water, sending a huge splash across the lake.

I bit my lip, staring after him. For a moment, that old instinct to hesitate crept in.

“Oh, come on,” my wolf nudged. “Forget all those unnecessary fears, baby. You're not the old Hope anymore.”

She was right.

I smiled and cautiously stepped into the water, letting it climb around my legs as I waded deeper. The cool water felt heavenly against my flushed skin. Suddenly, warm arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me closer.

I gasped, grabbing Leon's shoulders as I surfaced beside him, his amber eyes gleaming in the darkness.

“Look up,” he whispered.

I followed his gaze just as the first firework exploded across the sky.

Colors burst overhead, reflecting across the lake and illuminating the mountains around us. I stared upward, mesmerized by the display, feeling as though I had stepped into another world.

I'd watched the Lunar Awakening fireworks every year from the city square with my family. I'd always thought they were beautiful.

But this was different.

No crowds or music were blaring from the square, no people talking over the explosions. Just the mountains, the lake, the stars, the fireworks, and Leon holding me in the middle of it all.

“Wow...” I breathed.

When I turned back toward Leon, I realized he wasn't watching the fireworks at all.

He was watching me.

Something about the way he looked at me made my heart stumble. Before I could stop myself, I reached up and gently brushed my fingers along his rugged cheek.

“Thank you,” I whispered with a shy smile.

“I wanted you to actually experience the fireworks,” he murmured against my ear.

“Maybe you're not quite as dangerous as you try to look," I smiled up at him.

Leon's expression changed, turning somber.

“You still don't know me, doll,” he said, his jaw tensing.

“Why do I feel like that's a lie?” I asked, reaching out to gently caress his face. Leon didn’t respond.

“Let's watch,” he said instead, turning me around until my back rested against his chest, his arms settling around my waist.

When the final fireworks faded, we walked back to DeathRider in silence. Leon seemed to be brooding about something.

“Thank you,” I murmured, turning toward him. “That was beautiful.”

He lifted his gaze to mine before stepping closer and tipping my chin up. His hand slid slowly up my back, his fingers brushing the strings of my bikini top.

“I need you now,” he whispered, his voice rough with restraint. “Tell me to stop, and I will. But if you let me get any closer, I don't know if I'll be able to.”

My heart hammered against my ribs, desire burning through me despite the nervous flutter in my stomach. I wanted him. And I wanted him now.

There was no point pretending otherwise.