Page 20 of Verdict

Ava rushed on, clearly flustered. “I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t a last resort. It really hurts. Ugh, this is so embarrassing… I just—”

I held up a hand and took a breath, like the adult I was trying to be. “Okay. I’ll do it.” I paused. “But I’m not responsible if I get hard in the process," I joked—sort of.

I said adult I was trying to be.

She laughed, and the tension eased slightly. “No judgment here. You do realize you’ll taste breast milk, though, right? That freaks a lot of people out.”

“I’ll survive,” I said. “Isn’t it sweet or something?”

She groaned, a hand covering her face. “God. This is so weird.”

“Yeah, it is,” I teased. “Go put Ellie down. Let’s knock this out.”

She disappeared into the bedroom and came back quieter, more reserved than I’d ever seen her. I stood and took her hand, guiding her to the couch.

“Sit.” It came out more like a command. “I’ll kneel. It’ll be easier.”

She did, and the urge to say good girl was real. I shoved it aside.

Focus, Jordan. Stop thinking with your dick.

Ava pulled her tank top down first, then slipped her bra down, eyes fixed on anything but me. I caught her chin and forced her eyes to mine. "It's okay," I said softly. "I wouldn't do this if I didn't want to help."

She nodded, breath shaky.

Her breast looked engorged—too full. I cupped it carefully and took her nipple into my mouth, sucking firmly while massaging the tight, soft skin beneath my fingers.

What felt like eternity passed.

And then finally Ava's head fell back with a sigh of relief as my mouth filled with warm, faintly sweet milk. I pulled away and swallowed.

“That it?” I asked.

Her smile was radiant. “Yes. Oh my God. Thank you! It feels so much better!”

After slipping back into her bra and pulling her tank top back up, her hand cupped my jaw and stroked it softly.

I froze.

Her eyes dropped to my mouth, and then mine to hers. She leaned in slowly, brushing her mouth against mine—asking.

I answered. I'm a weak man, okay?

The kiss turned hungry fast. My tongue slid against hers. Her hands gripped my hair. Mine found her hips, her breasts, everywhere I’d been trying not to touch. My control slipped.

But can you blame a guy? It’s been a while.

“Cohen,” she whispered, breathless. “I need you.”

I hesitated. I should stop this. This was a spectacularly bad idea. She’d made it very clear the first time that this would never happen again.

“Are you sure? You just had a baby—” I didn't stop. I trailed kisses down her neck.

“I saw my doctor two weeks ago, I’m cleared,” she said quickly.

Thank you, Jesus! Relief hit hard.

I paused and pulled back. “Shit, I don’t have a condom,” I admitted.