Cope’s eyes flashed a brighter blue—the color of hope and pleasure. “Okay?”
“Okay,” I echoed.
Cope didn’t wait. He’d been taking me in a teasing rhythm, but now he took me in a way that would brand me forever. Those fingers inside me twisted and curled. Cope’s lips closed around my clit, and he sucked hard.
I cried out, pulling harder on the chains. That bite of pain drove me higher as the tip of Cope’s tongue teased that most sensitive place. My legs trembled as Cope’s fingers pressed that spot inside me, the one that had little black dots dancing across my vision.
I wasn’t sure if I was even breathing anymore, but I didn’t care. I’d given myself over to Cope. There was trust there. Something I hadn’t given in so long. Trust that gave me back the freedom I hadn’t known I needed.
Pressing myself harder against Cope’s face, I let every sensation wash over me. I took everything he had to give. Those fingers moved faster as Cope flicked his tongue against my clit. I shuddered, black dots filling my vision again.
I reached for them, everything in me pulling taut like a bowstring. Then Cope fired the arrow. His lips closed around that bundle of nerves, and he sucked deep as his tongue pressed down.
I didn’t just break. I shattered.
The pieces rained around us as I finally let down the last walls I’d built all those years ago, the ones that had kept me safe but also kept me alone. Cope rode the wave with me, coaxing it to last longer than I’d ever dreamed possible. Until my legs gave out altogether.
He caught me with his free arm, my hands on the chains steadying me, then held me up as he pulled the last of every feeling from my body.
The world was fuzzy as Cope’s fingers and mouth left me, as he held me up while freeing my hands. He scooped me into his arms. “Thanks for letting me in.”
I looked up at the slightly hazy vision of him. “Thief,” I muttered.
His mouth curved. “Never afraid to play dirty when it comes to you.”
35
COPE
I knewSutton was still worried about me when she didn’t take the sunrise shift at the bakery. Instead, she helped me make breakfast for the three of us but watched me with hawk eyes.
“Mom, are yousureit’s okay for you to help?” Luca asked from his spot on the banquette along the kitchen wall.
Sutton sent him a slightly exasperated look. “I’m not going to ruin breakfast.”
Luca didn’t look convinced. “Your baked stuff is amazing, but your scramble game isn’t the best.”
Sutton turned accusing eyes toward me. “You’re spoiling my kid.”
I chuckled, holding up both hands in surrender. “I solemnly apologize for being the most kickass chef to ever walk the Earth.”
Sutton scowled. “With an ego to match, Hotshot.”
Luca giggled. “He is pretty awesome.”
“Do you have all your gear ready to go?” she asked him, artfully changing the subject.
Luca’s face scrunched in thought. “I’d better double-check.”
He was off the bench seat and running for the mudroom before we could say another word.
“You gotta give it to the kid,” I said. “He’s dedicated to hockey.”
Sutton sighed, a wistful look in her eyes. “I’d really hoped for golf.”
I laughed, leaning over to press a kiss to her temple. “Sorry, baby. He’s got hockey in his bones. It’s a done deal.”
Sutton’s eyes found mine. There was a warmth in the turquoise that was different than before. Things had changed last night, and even though parts of that transformation scared the hell out of me, I wouldn’t let fear destroy what was brewing between us.
