Cop-Off (Love Burns #2)

CHAPTER SEVEN

Watching Cody and Dylan’s rapport during lunch actually made Cat’s ovaries hurt. It also made her realize she had no idea who this guy really was, or what he’d been through. He was a single dad. A widower from what Libby had said. And here he was, killing the whole parenting thing and looking damn fine while doing it.

Guilt started to churn in her belly. She’d been a massive bitch to him. Repeatedly. He wasn’t exactly innocent, but she was woman enough to admit she’d never really given him a chance. Not until now. Mind-blowing sex can really force a girl to self-reflect.

“Cat?” Dylan excitedly jumped in his seat opposite her. “Mrs Tucker said I can stop by after school to see Snowcone whenever I want.” The name Snowcone still made her laugh. Poor cat. “You can come with me, if you want.”

Cat had to blink a few times. Was that an invite? She had so many questions. Was it okay to hang out with the child of the man you’d slept with? Especially when you weren’t even dating said man or had even been on a date with him.

And let’s not forget, a week ago you were ready to stab him in the eye.

The silence around the table reminded her that she needed to speak.

People are staring. Stop freaking out and answer the kid.

“Uh, sure, Dylan. I’d like that. Snowcone is awesome.” She could feel the heat of Cody’s gaze on her, but she didn’t dare look. “How about tomorrow?”

Tomorrow was the right answer it would seem, as Dylan began bouncing on the yellow cushioned seat again. “Yes! Dad, can I? Can I?”

Cat still didn’t look at Cody. She impressively managed to do a whole scan of the Burger Factory without flicking to him as she waited for his deep voice to rumble.

“If it’s okay with Cat, it’s okay with me, bubba.”

Bubba? Oh god, he was killing her with this cuteness. That was it, she needed some air. Excusing herself from the table, she snuck out the front door and went about sucking in as much oxygen as she could. Maybe that would help her now very frazzled brain.

“Hey.” The next thing she knew, one of Cody’s hands was on her elbow and the other was under her face, tilting her chin up with a single digit. “You okay? What happened back there?”

Nothing but burnt amber held her in place. And not exactly helping her de-frazzle.

“Uh, yeah. I’m fine. I-I just needed some air.” She winced at her own lie. For some reason, the way he was looking at her was making her want to spill all of her secrets.

“Try again, kitten.”

Goddamnit.

When she didn’t reply, he was the one trying again. “Please. Talk to me.”

Why whenever he was this close did her heartbeat make a very loud and abrupt appearance? Where was it the rest of the day...just chilling?

“I freaked out,” she whispered, still not believing she’d actually admitted that out loud to him. The man had actual magical powers.

“I got that, sweetheart. Wanna tell me why? Was it Dylan? You don’t have to go tomorrow if it’s too much. I’ll make something up to get you out of it.”

“No!” She was quick to protest. “It’s not that, I swear. I want to hang out with him. He’s a good kid.”

Damnit, that smile of his was at full wattage now, burning away what little sense she had left. “Then what is it?”

Fuck it. She wasn’t going to get any answers until she asked the questions.

“It’s just I, uh, I don’t know what the rules are here. Other than today, I’m not sure we’ve had an actual conversation, let alone defined what’s going on between us. Is it okay if I hang out with Dylan? Is there a certain amount of time you like to wait before you introduce him to girlfriends? Not that I’m your girlfriend. Or will be. Shit. This is all coming out wrong.”

Luckily, he put an end to her word vomit by covering her mouth with his. But he didn’t take her. Not the way her body was crying out for him to do. He just let their parted lips lightly brush against each other, capturing them, then letting them go, and repeating the process again. Every swipe of his tongue sending tingles down her spine.

She couldn’t take anymore teasing. She needed more. Guiding her hand to his face, she let her fingers run through his beard as she pulled him closer, trying to get deeper.

He let her take what she wanted, his own control faltering as their tongues tangled. With one big step, her back was against the cool concrete wall, a growl vibrating down her throat as she said goodbye to yet more of her senses.

When he finally pulled back, she felt like sobbing. It wasn’t enough. She remembered all too well what else he could do to her. What else he could make her feel.

Heavy breaths hit her lips as one of his hands went to the wall beside her.

“Just for the record, I like the idea of you hanging out with Dylan. Correction: I fucking love it. And I have no clue if there’s a set time when I’m supposed to introduce him to anyone, mostly because there hasn’t been anyone. Ever. As for what’s going on with us, all I know is that I want to keep doing that . I’m telling you now, whatever I have to do to be able to kiss you like that whenever I damn well please...I’ll do it.”

Lord have mercy.

It wasn’t long before his words managed to puncture through her lust-filled haze. Wait a minute...ever? Is he for real? That meant she was the first since he lost his wife. Or maybe he just meant girlfriends. Yes, that was it. It had to be. He hadn’t had any girlfriends, only casual relationships.

Before she could clarify, Zach was faking a loud cough next to them, forcing Cody to take a step back, just in time for Libby and Dylan to appear next to him.

“We settled up,” Zach announced. “Should we hit the road?”

Apparently, there was no more time for chitchat.

***

The next day, Cat and Dylan were sat on Mrs Tucker’s floor. Having a perfectly lovely time playing with Snowcone. It wasn’t weird at all. He loved cats, she loved cats, Mrs Tucker had cookies. It was a good time.

That was until Dylan decided to test her blood pressure.

“Are you my dad’s girlfriend?”

Cat’s hand paused mid-stroke in Snowcone’s fluffy white fur.

“W-what?” It was one word and she still managed to stumble over it.

“I don’t mind if you are. You seem nice and you like cats. Maybe you can convince Dad to get one for us if you move in?”

Move in? Is this kid on crack?

“Uh, what makes you think I’m his girlfriend?” It was a fair question.

“I’m nine, almost ten...I’m not dumb.” The boy shrugged.

Was that an answer?

“Okay,” she said slowly, hoping there was more to come.

“My dad’s always looking at you. And he’s always smiling. My dad doesn’t smile a lot...except when he’s with me. But now he smiles with you, too. That means he likes you.”

Well, shit. Where was this kid three years ago when I was in dire need of this dating wisdom?

Cat hummed a reply and resumed stroking Snowcone. Dylan seemed content to do the same and placed his little hand back into the fur. She didn’t answer his earlier question and he didn’t ask again. Which was lucky, because explaining a hook up to a nine-year-old felt slightly problematic.

It was another twenty minutes before Mrs Molly returned to pick up Dylan and she had to admit, she was sad to say goodbye.

Cat wasn’t exactly the kid-whisperer or even a massive fan of children in general, but there was something about Dylan you just couldn’t help but like. He was always so happy, but not in an annoying way. In a warm and fuzzy way. She’d even go as far to say his presence was calming. Heaven knows she should be drinking in as much calm as she could get.

As if her brain was working against her, to dispel any ounce of calmness she’d carried home, the first thing she did when she arrived back at her apartment was pull out her phone. And poof! Just like that, it was gone. Back was the dread. Her daily text from her brother, Jack, was there.

Jack: Dad was doing better today. Think you’re going to be able to visit soon?

It looked like she’d be spending her evening in the company of another dose of guilt.

***

Cat rarely got nervous. She was too old for butterflies and blushing. Or so she thought. The moment Cody knocked on her door, the stomach ache started. And as soon as he reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her cheeks heated. They stayed as hot as Hades when he took her outfit in and let out a low whistle. And she was fairly certain they burned bright red when he told her that she looked like a “Fucking goddess.”

Now they’d returned to the scene of the crime. Casalingo. And were ironically given the same window seat she’d had before he’d carried her out of there.

A big-arse glass of wine secured, they’d just placed their order when her word vomit reared its ugly head. “Why don’t you smile?”

Uh-oh. Cody looked like he’d just been slapped in the face.

Way to go, Cat. Why don’t you ask him how his wife died next?

“What?” Confusion marred those oh so handsome features.

Oh well. In for a penny, in for a pound. “Dylan told me you don’t smile unless you’re with him. I was just wondering why.”

“Did he now?” Cody carefully placed the beer bottle he’d been sipping on back onto the table.

“He did,” she confirmed. “Is there a reason, or...” she trailed off. Asking him if it was a case of resting bitch face didn’t seem all that appropriate anymore.

“That I’m a grumpy bastard?” he joked, not very convincingly. “Aren’t we supposed to save all this kinda deep stuff for the third or fourth date? Shouldn’t we be discussing favorite movies or colors or something?”

“You tell me...I’m not exactly an expert on dating.” That was the understatement of the century.

“And I am?” He let out a short, sharp laugh. “I told you the other day, there hasn’t been anyone since Ellie. I wasn’t lying. I’m flying blind here.”

Ask him.

One big gulp of her wine later, she did. “Anyone as in dating or anyone as in anyone ?”

“ Anyone ,” he confirmed. She found herself squirming under his serious stare.

Shit. Don’t panic.

It was too late for that. She was definitely panicking. That was not what she wanted to hear. The word ‘rebound’ was now being flung around and chanted on a loop.

As if he could hear it too, Cody was quick to speak again. “Whatever is going through that beautiful head of yours, you’re wrong.”

“How can I be wrong when you don’t even know what I’m thinking?” she sassed.

Another rather serious expression took over his features as their gazes locked. “You’re probably thinking I’m not over Ellie. Or I’m not looking for anything serious. You might even be thinking that I’m after a rebound.” Magical fricking powers. “If it was any of the above then I’m telling you now...you’re wrong.”

She wanted to believe him. Every fibre of her being did. Taking another sip of wine, she let his eyes on her warm her skin before she spoke again. When she did, her mind was made up.

“My favorite movie is Elf . My favorite color is green. And I haven’t been in a relationship or with anyone in over three years. Until Friday, that is.”

Heat flared in those amber eyes. So much damn heat, she was bound to set alight any minute now. So much, that she was expecting something sinful to leave his lips next. So, she was surprised when instead, he asked, “ Elf , huh?”

Leaning back in the wooden chair, she shrugged. “What can I say, I’m full of Christmas cheer.”

“Do you know the best way to spread Christmas cheer?” She didn’t need a mirror to know she was beaming back at him as he spoke. “Singing loud for all to hear.”

“You love it!” They exchanged matching grins as her finger remained pointed at him.

Yet another reason she was in too deep. This man was dangerous. Lethal. It was bad enough he was the kind of hot that made a girl beg to be handcuffed and swiftly punished, but he had to be funny too. Smart. An amazing dad. Ridiculously good in bed. And now, now she found out he freaking loved Elf .

Run now before he breaks your heart.

The truth was, there were a number of reasons she should be running. From her extreme bad luck of attracting nothing but commitment-phobes, to her personal life being an absolute car crash. Let’s also not forget the daily guilt that punched her in the face every waking minute of the day.

You’re such a catch.

Being the catch she was, she’d only intended to find a cowboy to pass the time with. Something casual. A chance to forget about her life for five minutes. But there was nothing casual about Cody. Not only was he directly linked to her best friend and likely would be for life, but he also had a child. Who she liked. A lot. Add in the best sex of her life, the scarily intense way he was currently looking at her and her damn stomach ache, and she was basically fucked.

There was no hiding from this man. She already knew he was the type to want it all. And even though her instincts were telling her to run, he was drawing her in like a moth to a flame. And a part of her knew it would only get worse.

“I lost you. Where did you go?” Cody’s eyes were still holding her hostage.

She didn’t want to lie, but there was also no way in hell she was going to tell him. So, she settled on, “Can we save that for the third or fourth date?”

He took a moment before answering. And when he did, he used that deep, gruff tone she loved so much. “Anything you want, kitten.”

Yep. Fucked.