Page 62 of Verdict

Thoughts of Cohen flooded my mind anyway. All the times we’d crossed the line. All the times I’d wanted to again and stopped myself. The way his voice dropped low when he said my name. The way his hands felt against my skin. How well he knew my body.

Heat pooled low in my belly, an ache building between my thighs.

Before I could overthink it, I slipped my hand beneath the covers, trailing lower. My head tipped back against the pillow, eyes closing as I circled my clit, fingers sliding inside to the image of him—his mouth at my ear, his breath hot against my skin, his hands on my body.

The one man who would never choose me.

That thought alone should have cooled me down.

It didn’t.

But I still couldn’t quite get there. My body was ready, but my mind wasn’t. The noise in my head was too loud. I pulled my hand away with a frustrated groan, the ache still humming beneath my skin. Restless and wired.

Needing something… needing him.

I threw the covers off and slipped out of bed, bare feet quiet against the hardwood floor. The hallway was dark, the house asleep. I told myself I was just checking to see if he was awake. That was all.

I tiptoed down the hall toward Walker’s old room.

This is such a bad idea.

I stopped outside his door, heart pounding in my chest. I pressed my ear gently against the wood.

Silence. He must be asleep.

Remember what happened last time?

We had just gotten our friendship back on track. Just found our rhythm again. Boundaries were safely back in place.

I rested my forehead softly against the door and let out a slow breath. This wasn’t just about sex. That was the problem.

I stepped back, forcing my feet to move, turning quietly toward my own room. Where I belonged.

Once I was back under my covers, I stared into the dark, pushing Weston’s words aside and trying to ignore the truth settling heavy in my chest.

Don't wait too long. Some things don’t stay on the table forever.

I didn’t just want to fuck Cohen tonight.

I wanted more. The kind of more neither of us was supposed to want.

Chapter 18

Cohen

Hudson Fuller.

Joined the Aviators back in July. Ace prospect. And the newest member on my shit list.

Taking advantage of a short break in practice, I headed toward the on-site daycare to check in on Ellie. It was her first week here, and I hadn’t gone more than a few hours without making sure she was good.

I rounded the corner—and stopped dead in my tracks.

Ava and Hudson.

Standing a little too close in the hallway.

They were so caught up in each other that they didn’t notice me. So, I did what any mature, emotionally evolved adult would do.