Page 24 of Cop-Off

“You better get to it then. I wouldn’t want you getting into trouble.”

Their playful teasing may have brought a smile to both their faces, but it did nothing to cut through the sexual tension. Cody’s heavy breaths were only getting heavier. He needed to get her upstairs before something exploded. Threatening to light the fuse, Cat's tongue playfully traced his ear, sending shivers right through him and making it really fucking hard to concentrate on walking. Which is what he was trying to do as he made his way back to the hallway and climbed the stairs.

Not much further.

Once they’d finally made it to his room, he placed her straight onto the bed. Following her down, he put all his weight on one hand while his knuckles on the other dragged over her cheek and down the nape of her neck.

Staring down at the goddess before him, his throat felt tight. Raw. But he pushed out words anyway. “Tonight, I want to make good on that promise and hold this beautiful body of yours all night long. That okay with you?”

“That depends,” she whispered, their mouths close, her lips brushing his as she spoke.

“On?”

“What do I get out of it?” He felt her lips curve up against his.

“What do you want, kitten?”

“I have some ideas...the kind that are better if I show you.”

Her delicate fingers began unclasping his belt. Slowly. Warm air fanned his chin as her breathing picked up. But each move she made remained measured. His button was next and then his zip. He stayed still. Hovering above her as she wrenched the black cotton pants and boxers down.

Lifting her legs, she wrapped them around his waist again and tugged. Then she wriggled and readjusted until he was at her center. To which he responded with the most feral growl that had ever ripped right through him.

“I miss the feel of you inside me.” If she carried on like this, he was going to blow. “Take me, Cody. Take me hard. I want to feel you all week.”

Fuck. Me.

This woman was made for him. Custom built. A fucking goddess. One he was about to devour. And then go back for seconds.

***

Cody’s deep and extremely well-earned rest was interrupted at around four. At first, he thought Cat was just fidgeting again. She’d done a lot of that before she’d finally fallen asleep in his arms. This time though, the change in her breathing was what alerted him to the fact something was wrong. That and the trembling.

“Sweetheart?” He moved the hair out of her face, hoping to get a look at her. “What’s going on? Are you okay?”

A shake of her head flicked the hair back over her cheeks.

Carefully, he manoeuvred them until they were on their sides. Still close, but he needed to see her. After rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he began assessing. And it didn’t take long for it to click.

Shortness of breath, trembling, beautiful eyes squeezed shut with tears dampening her cheeks. Cat was having a panic attack.

“It’s okay, kitten.” His big hand surrounded one side of her face as he tilted it toward him. “Breathe with me, okay? In...and out. That’s it, sweetheart, you’re doing so well. And again, in...that’s it...and out. Good girl. One more time. Do it with me. Deep breath in...and out.”

He continued to breathe with her, encouraging every deep breath that she took. After a while, the tears subsided. And slowly, he could see her fighting to come back to him.

“That’s it, sweetheart. I’m right here. Come back to me. You’ve got this.”

Her chest was no longer heaving and she’d stopped trembling. But those big blues were wide with worry. And that broke his heart. Instead of holding his gaze, she buried her head back into his chest. He used the opportunity to wrap his arms around her and hold her tight.

“You’re okay.” His lips pressed kisses to the top of her head. “I’ve got you.” More kisses. “Everything’s going to be alright.”

God knows how long they stayed like that. But he didn’t let go. Didn’t push her to talk. Just held her. Her eyes had already told him everything he needed to know.

CHAPTER NINE

Cat wasn’t sure what she was looking at right now, but she had to admit, it was a welcome distraction. When she’d first come into Fairy Baked this morning, she’d convinced herself she just needed a sugar high. But really, she needed to talk to someone. Someone who wasn’t her best friend.

Speaking to Libby meant worrying Libby. She also knew that she’d have no issue asking a million questions until Cat caved and told her everything. And she wasn’t ready for that. Rachel, on the other hand, the proud owner of the luminous pink bakery she was currently sat in, was a new friend. One with some boundaries. Libby had introduced them as soon as Cat had got into town and they’d hit it off immediately.

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