Page 45 of Verdict

“Really?” I whispered.

I didn’t know what came over me. Exhaustion from dealing with Ellie, or the vulnerability and honesty of his words. But when he slowly nodded, eyes still locked on mine, I grabbed his face and pulled his mouth to mine.

His hands were instantly in my hair, dragging me closer as his tongue slipped between my lips. He angled my head, deepening the kiss. I straddled his lap, feeling his thick, hard length beneath me. Between my yoga pants and his joggers, there was nothing left to the imagination.

My hips moved on instinct, drawing a deep groan from his throat. I could’ve come just from dry humping this man.

“You’re going to have to slow down if you want this to last, Trouble,” he rasped. “Like I just said, it’s been a minute.”

He pulled my top over my head and tugged my bra down, giving himself instant access. His mouth closed around one breast while his fingers rolled the other nipple.

I dropped my head back with a moan. “Fuck, Coh. That feels so good.”

Cohen leaned forward and grabbed the back of his t-shirt with one hand, yanking it over his head. I raked my fingers down his sculpted chest, a slow smile tugging at my lips.

“You know what I haven’t done,” I said softly, “and I’ve wanted to?”

His brows lifted.

“Fuck on my balcony.”

Chapter 13

Cohen

Iwatched as Ava slid off my lap. She peeled her yoga pants down her long legs, then her panties, navy eyes locked on me the entire time. I swallowed hard.

Fuck, she's sexy.

Completely naked now, she held out her hand for me to take.

As she led me toward the balcony, I couldn’t stop myself from watching the sway of her hips, the perfect curve of her ass with every step. Was this a monumentally bad idea?

One hundred percent.

We’d established boundaries. Friends. Co-parents.

But when it came to Ava, I had no control. I’d take anything she was willing to give me. I’d never craved a woman the way I craved her. Ever since she’d blown up my world, I hadn’t been able to touch anyone else—hadn’t even wanted to. Nothing compared. Nothing ever would.

Tonight felt different, though. Something had shifted. I felt closer to her.

Out on the balcony, I spun her around to face the lake. No buildings behind us. No neighbors close enough to matter. Just water, the stars, and her.

“Grab the railing,” I directed.

She did as she was told, hands braced against the metal as she arched back, giving me a perfect view.

"Good girl." I dragged a hand slowly down her spine. “Now this,” I muttered, “is a fucking view, Trouble.”

She glanced over her shoulder, dark blue eyes on fire; it nearly undid me.

I leaned forward, pressed a kiss between her shoulder blades, then slid my fingers between her thighs. She was already soaked.

“Baby,” I murmured, as I continued to brush my fingers through her slick pussy, “you’re already so wet for me.”

Her head dropped forward on a soft whimper. I eased a finger inside her, then found her clit, circling just enough to make her back arch.

“Fuck, Coh,” she groaned.