Page 15 of Cop-Off

She knew what that look meant. He couldn’t leave her like this. The same way she couldn’t leave him hard, begging for relief. Using a single digit, he freed her lip and wasted no time sucking it into his mouth.

When he pulled back, they were both breathing hard. “Maybe just a little bit longer.” His hips jerked, pushing his jeans into her naked body, making her cry out.

Fuck it. I’m already screwed, might as well go down with a smile on my face.

***

Cat’s phone had been ringing all morning. Libby was not giving up. Damn her best friend, and damn this small town. News of her and Cody was definitely out. If Wade hadn’t dropped the bomb, then the people who had caught the show at Casalingo’s last night probably had. The latest text from Libby was also a bit of a giveaway.

Libby: Answer your phone, Cat! We need to talk about what I just heard and why I heard it from someone who is not you!

The bang on her apartment door was new. Not as new as the locks unclicking, though.

What the fuck? Does every bloody person in town have keys to this flat?

She was off the sofa and storming into the hallway seconds later, her face like thunder as her best friend gave her a sheepish wave.

“Seriously, you’re breaking and entering now?” Cat was not impressed.

“Well, technically I have a key so there was no breaking ... just entering.”

Smartass. Cat quickly snatched that blasted key straight out of Libby’s hand.

Note to self: change the damn locks. And get new friends.

“Come on Cat, turn that frown upside down,” Libby chirped. “From what I hear, you finally found yourself a riding partner.Oh my god,” her friend screeched. “Is that ... is that a hickey?”

Cat’s hand shot to her neck.

Shit. Kill me now.

Mortified, she quickly turned to leave. Taking herself back into the living room so she could at least bask in her shame in comfort.

“I don’t want to talk about it, Lib. You’d think you’d get the hint, what with menot answeringyour bazillion calls and messages.”

“Oh, I bet you don’t, babe. It gives a whole new meaning to thosetongue lashingsyou’ve been dishing out, right?” Libby whizzed past her, ignoring the scowl and making a beeline for the kitchen. “Shall I make us some coffee?”

Cat groaned in response, which Libby took to mean, “Yes, coffee please.”

Slumping back down onto the navy couch, Cat’s head hit the back of the cushions. Grimacing as she attempted to plot her escape, she realized that every scenario involved her leaving the flat. Which more than likely would end up with her bumping into the same people who’d witnessed her at her very best last night. One person in here was better than the whole town out there. Right?

A mug was pushed into her face a minute later, a grinning Libby patiently waiting for her to take it.

“Okay, spill.” Her friend plopped down into the armchair opposite and brought her own cup up to her lips.

Cat shot her a glare. She still wasn’t ready to talk about it. Not when she was still trying to process it.

“You’ve obviously heard all about it ... so I’m not sure what you expect me to tell you.”

“Uh, how abouteverything? Like why did Cody throw you over his shoulder mid-date? Why were you making out in his truck after? Was that the first time you’ve made out? What else happened? Did you sleep with him?Are yousleeping with him? How long has this been going on?”

So many freaking questions. And she didn’t want to answer any of them.

“Jesus Christ, Lib. Give a girl a break, will you?”

“I already did. I haven’t complained once about having to hear all of this juicy gossip from Zach and not from mybest friend.”

That sounded very much like a complaint to her.

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