Until Cobi (Until Her/Him #7)(17)

At the thought of lying in the dark alone, fear starts to weave its way through my system like the intricate details of a spider’s web, but instead of saying no, I nod while whispering, “Yeah.”

“Liar.” His thumb slides across my cheek. “You’re a pretty liar, but you’re still a liar.”

“I’m not a liar,” I state, as he takes the water cup from my hand and sets it on my bedside table.

“You are, but I figure with time that will change, but even if it doesn’t, I’ll learn to read you.”

He stands, and my heart races, thinking he’s going to leave. But then blood starts to rush through my veins when he takes off his badge and drops it next to my water, and then he pulls out his cell phone and wallet, doing the same with both of them. I open my mouth to ask what he’s doing, but shut it when he gets in bed next to me, resting his back against my headboard and shoving his arm behind my shoulders, pulling me closer to him. Every part of me freezes solid when he cups the back of my head and forces my cheek to his hard chest. “Relax, and try to get some sleep.”

I almost laugh. Does he honestly expect me to relax while he’s not only in my bed but holding me against his muscular body? Relax when his smell is making me dizzy?

“Relax, Hadley. I got you,” he says softly, while his fingers slide through my hair. Squeezing my eyes closed, I debate telling him there is no way in hell I’m going to be able to relax with him around, but my muscles start to slowly loosen with his fingers working their magic, the steady beat of his heart against my ear, and his even breathing. “That’s it, baby. Sleep,” he whispers right before I fall asleep, and once again, I sleep like a baby with Cobi watching over me.

“So you’re here again.” At that statement from Brie, my eyes slowly blink open. They widen when my vision clears and I see the time on the clock next to my bed.

“Yep,” Cobi states, and my heart begins to pound.

“So did you spend the night again?” At Brie’s question, I toss back the blanket and roll off the bed, ungracefully. I look like a fish out of water then almost fall on my face.

“Don’t answer her!” I shout, pulling open my door and rushing out of my room. I skid to a halt in front of the kitchen island where Brie and Cobi are standing on opposite sides. “Do not answer her. It’s a trap.”

“A trap?” Brie narrows her eyes on me.

“Yes, a trap.” I look at Cobi. “Do not answer her.”

“So don’t tell her we slept together again?” His lips twitch as his eyes fill with humor.

“Again.” Brie raises a brow at me.

“We did not sleep together,” I snap.

“We didn’t?” Cobi questions, and I turn to glare at him.

“We didn’t sleep together.”

“We did,” he states with a casual shrug while picking up his coffee then taking a sip.

“You slept with him twice?” Brie asks.

“No. Okay, yes, we did sleep together, but we didn’t actually sleep together. I mean, we did actually sleep together.” I look at Cobi when he starts to laugh. “This is not funny.”

“So you did or you didn’t sleep together?” Brie frowns, looking confused.

“Fine!” I toss up my arms. “We didn’t have sex; we just slept together.”

“That’s what I said. We slept together,” Cobi says, and Brie starts to laugh.

“If you’re both done annoying me, I need to go get ready.”

“I also gotta head out,” Cobi states, looking at the clock on the microwave. “You mind if I steal your girl for a minute?” he asks Brie.

“Not at all. A minute, a month, forever maybe.” She winks at him, and he laughs.

“Come on.” I take Cobi’s hand and drag him into my room then shut the door. “Can you please stop charming my friend?”

“So now I’m charming?” A growl sounds in my throat and my hands ball into fists as I stare into his humor-filled eyes. “Should I start making a list?”

“Sure,” I snap, “and why don’t you add ass to it?”

“Not sure I like that one.” He grins. “Unless you’re referring to the quality of my ass.”

“Don’t you need to leave?” I wave my hand at the door he’s standing next to.

“You’re the one who hauled me into your bedroom, baby.”

“Well then, you can go.”

“Can I get a kiss goodbye?” His eyes drop to my mouth, and mine drop to his.

My pulse quickens and my stomach dips. Yes, all the yesses! My mind screams, but “Absolutely not” leaves my mouth.

“Absolutely not? That’s pretty firm, considering the way you were just looking at my mouth.”

My eyes turn to slits. “I was not looking at your mouth.”

“Liar.”

“She lies all the time!” Brie shouts from the other side of the door, and I groan while Cobi starts to laugh.

“Shut up, Brie, and get away from my door, you spy.”

“I dropped an earring,” she says, and I roll my eyes toward the ceiling and hold them there, praying to get caught in a vortex that will send me to another time or place.