I did.
Nico let me in, Mia listened, and even though her huge heart allowed her to move past my cruelty, the weight didn’t drop off my shoulders. Knowing Mia had the strength to forgive me made me feel worse because she’s so pure. She didn’t deserve what she got from me, and the regret and guilt amplified.
I pull the tie out of my hair, combing the braid out with my fingers as I expect it’s my father standing outside with another round of demands, much harsher today thanks to last night.
But instead of Dad, Cody’s there in his boxer shorts, the expanse of his chest stealing my breath.
“You’re not leaving my bed twice without a word,” he grumbles, running a hand down his face like he’s trying to rub off the sleepiness.
“There’s nothing to talk about. I’m sorry I—”
“No,” he clips. “No bullshit, B. I thought we were past that now. You can’t crawl into my bed in tears, expect me to hold you, then disappear without a word.”
I step back instead of forward. “I’m sorry, I won’t do it again, I promise.”
With an exasperated huff, he grabs my waist, slings me over his shoulder, and carries me into his apartment. He lays me on the bed, pulling the comforter to my chin.
“I’m not saying I don’t want you coming over when you need me. I’m not pissed off because you came. I’m pissed off because you left. You’re obviously going through some shit, and I...” He grips his neck, squeezing hard. “I want to help, okay?”
He crawls in and draws me against his chest. “Tell me what happened last night. Where were you?”
“Thank you for caring, but there are things I don’t want to talk about. I know what you thought when you saw me last night, but it wasn’tthat, okay? I’m fine.” I fling one hand over his torso, snuggling into his side. “You’re crossing more lines, Cody.”
He presses his cheek to my head, and I feel his jaw clamp tight, an internal battle stealing his attention from the determination he exuded moments ago. Using that to my advantage, I distract him further, sliding my hand down his chest until my fingers find the outline of his big, hard cock.
“You can’t keep evading,” he growls, arching his hips into my touch as I jack him off slowly. “Talk to me. I’ll listen.”
“So will my therapist,” I counter, and dip my head, planting open-mouthed kisses on his neck.
“You’re in therapy?”
I nod, tracing my lips along to his ear. “I thought she could fix me, but... it’s been a year, and I’m still broken.”
“You’re starting to piss me off,” he grumbles, his fingers ghosting my back, the touch possessive, firm but affectionate. “You’re not broken, B.”
“Careful there,” I say, arching back enough that we’re at eye level. “You sound like you’re forgetting you hate me, Cody.”
“What if I don’t want to hate you?”
“Then I don’t want to fuck you.” I kiss his jaw, inching toward his lips, then sit up, yanking my top over my head.
Cody’s on me in a flash, his big hands palming my small breasts. He circles his warm mouth around my nipple and sucks before tending to the other the same way.
“Show me how much you hate me,” I whisper.
He sucks harder. The sharp sting travels straight down between my legs when his tongue joins the fun, soothing the ache.
“You’re cheating,” I say, wrapping my arms around him as he kisses his way up between the valley of my breasts, pinning me to the mattress with his body. “No kiss—”
His lips come down on mine, restless, hot, demanding. “Lose that attitude, shut the fuck up, and take what I give you,” he murmurs, spreading my thighs to make room for himself. “You’ll talk, B.” He nips my lip before stealing another long, hot kiss. “You’ll tell me what happened last night.”
“No. I... I...” I swallow a harsh breath when he pushes my panties aside, quickly dipping two fingers inside. “That’s not fair.”
“Fair? You don’t play fair, so don’t expect it from me.” He dips his head again, the kiss as feral as our first. “Scream, kick, fight me all you want. I.Don’t.Care. You’ll talk.”
“God, I hate you.” I don’t mean it. And the words don’t ring true. It sounds like I mean a different four-letter word.
He flips me onto my belly, tears my panties off, and falls on top of me, his boxers long gone. His cock slides between my soaked lips, teasing, promising an orgasm.
