“What are you thinking?” Codyasked.
“I don’tdeservethis.”
“What?Sex?”
“No. I don’t deserve to feel thisincredible.”
“Why?”
“I can’t stop thinking about Nate’s parents, about what they must be feeling right now,”shesaid.
“Nate’s the boy from the trial?” heasked.
“Yes.”
“I’ll keep telling you this until you believe me—it wasn’t your fault,”hesaid.
“Intellectually, I understand what you’re saying. But emotionally, I still feelresponsible.”
He sighed and pulled her into his arms. After kissing her forehead, he rubbed his hand across her back. She snuggled against him, grateful that he was so understanding. He was one of the few people in the world that didn’t blame her for losing the trial. A part of her never wanted to leave the room. If she could find a way to stay with him, locked away from the pressure of returning to Dallas, she’dtakeit.
Chapter7
Cody yawnedand patted the bed beside him, searching for Abby’s curvy form. He’d slept like he’d been hibernating, so he wasn’t quite ready to open his eyes. But when he didn’t find her, he relented and forced one bleary eye open. He turned his head to one side, the side she should have been lying on. When he didn’t see her curvy little butt, he rolled from his belly ontohisside.
“Abby,” he called softly. “Where are you,honey?”
When she didn’t respond, he groaned and slid to the edge of the bed. He stood on wobbly knees. After finally convincing her that the trial verdict wasn’t her fault, he’d made love to her for hours. It would be a wonder if he could walk today, but it was totallyworthit.
He padded to thebathroom.
“Abby, are you in here?” heasked.
Again, no response. That was weird. Maybe she’d gone down forbreakfast.
He returned to the bedroom and picked his clothes up off the floor. As he dressed, he couldn’t stop picturing the expression of total ecstasy on her face as she trembled beneath him. He couldn’t wait to have her tight little body wrapped around his again. Even his bear couldn’t sit still while he tried to put hissockson.
Calm down, bear,he chided.We’ll find her in a minute. She’s probably in thekitchen.
Our mate’s in thekitchen?
Wait, what? No!Did the creature actually think Abby wastheirmate?
She’s not in the kitchen?his bearasked.
No, she’s notourmate.
Yes she is,his bearsnapped.
That’s impossible. Sure, she’s hotter than the Minerva Terraces, but she’s notourmate.
His bear growled in dissent. Why was the creature so convinced that Abby was their mate? It didn’t make sense. Mating with a pure human wasn’t something he wanted. During the few times he’d dreamed about having a mate, he’d always pictured her as a bearshifter.
Besides, Abby was very clear about her intentions. She’d set down firm rules that he intended to follow. This was a no-strings-attached relationship.Sexonly.
A rumble in his chest indicated his bear’s annoyance. He wasn’t sure how to convince his bear that he was wrong, but he’d worry about that later. Right now, he wanted to find Abby and drag her perky butt backtobed.
He hurried into the bathroom and took in his disheveled appearance. Oh, boy. Madison was going to kick his ass when she saw him.Eh, she’ll getoverit.
