I studied Cope for a long moment. His light-brown hair clung to his forehead in spots so I brushed it back with my free hand, something I had done countless times to Luca. But this felt nothing like that. “Do you want to talk about it?”
A guardedness swept across Cope’s dark-blue eyes. “Not especially.”
I tried not to let that hurt. I wasn’t especially good with secrets, not with everything I’d gone through with Roman. But I breathed through the sting, reminding myself I didn’t have the right to all Cope’s wounds, the things he buried deep. And it wasn’t as if I’d given him all of mine. Sometimes, every single thing about me felt like a half truth.
“What can I do?” I finally asked. That was the only question that really mattered, wasn’t it?
Cope stared at me for a long moment, his hand never releasing mine. “Stay.”
24
COPE
I woke to flames,the sort of heat that could burn a man alive but was so enticing you’d happily be reduced to ashes. It was everywhere, pulling me in deeper until I was lost.
The form in front of me arched, letting out a soft moan. My eyes flew open, finally taking in the source of the heat. Sutton’s blond hair lay in wild waves around her. Only pieces of her features broke through it all: long lashes that fluttered with each exhale, her adorable nose, her plump lips, slightly parted, in the perfect shade of pink.
My dick stiffened where it had made itself at home against her ass.Shit. Shit. Shit.But I didn’t move. Didn’t release my hold on her. I couldn’t.
Sutton had woven some sort of spell around me. One that held me captive. The only thing was, I didn’t want to escape.
She let out another of those little moans, and my balls responded with an ache that would likely require a very cold shower later. She shifted and then froze, suddenly becoming aware of her surroundings. But I still didn’t let go. I knew I should. Knew I was the last thing Sutton needed, but I couldn’t make myself release her.
“Morning,” I rasped, my lips teasing her ear.
“You’re awake,” she squeaked.
“Not sleep-talking.”
“You, uh—I should move.”
My mouth curved. “Should you?”
“You, um, have…” Her words trailed off.
“I’m hard, Sutton. Because it’s morning, and I’m pretty sure I’ve been holding you all night. Plus, your ass is perfect.”
She let out a choked laugh. “Thank you?”
“Really, I should be pissed as hell. This is torture to wake up to.”
Sutton shifted then, pulling away and making me groan. She rolled over to face me, the early morning light casting her in a pink glow. Those damn bumblebee sweats made her look even more adorable. “Are you okay?”
“You mean other than having a hard-on from hell?” I asked.
She pinned me with an exasperated look. “Cope.”
I chuckled and then took a mental survey. I felt far better than I had any right to. “I’m good. Thank you for waking me. And for staying.”
Sutton’s expression softened, and her fingers found mine beneath the covers, linking us. “Of course. How do you feel now? Were you able to sleep?”
I stared back at the woman opposite me. “Slept better than I have in over a decade.”
Those turquoise eyes flared. “A decade?”
I shifted slightly, not releasing Sutton’s fingers. “I haven’t slept well since we lost my dad and Jacob.”
“Nightmares?” she whispered.
