Page 59 of Ice Cold Heart

I flopped onto the spot he vacated and watched him disappear into the hallway, careful to close the door behind him. He returned with a warm, damp washcloth. I’d never had someone else clean me up after sex. Cole kissed me softly, running the towel down my chest, my stomach, between my legs in gentle strokes.

No complaints, no backhanded suggestions, no cold shoulder.

Cole made me feel cherished. How was I supposed to keep my heart from dropping at his feet?

I didn’t protest when he resumed his spot and pulled me back against his chest. “Sleep or talk?”

Despite the exertion and multiple orgasms, I wasn’t tired. Relaxed. Content. Jello-like, yes. “Talk.”

His thumb stroked down my arm in a soothing, repetitive motion. “Coach warned me not to let anyone touch you.”

I stiffened, but his hold didn’t loosen. “You want to talk about my dad now?”

“I don’t want to keep anything from you. Your dad threatened the future of anyone who even thought about fucking around.”

Anger started to burn away the lovely lethargy I’d been enjoying. “It’s not his choice what I do with my body.”

“No, it’s not,” he agreed, calming some of my ire. “Does he know about your ex?”

I squirmed at the non sequitur. “No. My mom would rather light herself on fire than talk to Dad. All I told him was I needed to be somewhere else.”

“And he offered you his house with no questions asked.”

“Yeah,” I agreed softly.

I hadn’t considered my dad’s motivations for helping me—I was just glad he’d agreed. Maybe that was Cole’s point, but I’d already done my major emotional work of the evening by asking for sex.

“Your pillow talk needs work,” I teased.

He laughed, the sound rumbling against my back. “I’ll keep that in mind for next time. And there will be a next time, Avery.”

I didn’t have the energy to argue. “I should go.”

Cole didn’t move an inch. “Stay.”

“My dad’s expecting me home.” It was a weak excuse with his warmth wrapped around me, and he could probably hear the reluctance in my tone.

“Did he notice last time?”

“Nooo,” I dragged out the word, thinking through the repercussions. I’d left after the last sleepover because I’d been trying to avoid any resemblance to a relationship, but that ship had sailed when I agreed to an exclusive situationship.

I wanted to wake up with him again, and this time would be within the boundaries of our agreement. Might as well take advantage of the benefits.

“Then stay.” Cole kissed my shoulder. “I promised you a night of orgasms. We were cut short before, but tonight, I’m all yours.”

I rolled over, pleased to find him half hard against my thigh. “Does that mean when the sun comes up I have to share you?”

“Fuck, no. It means we nap, I go get you coffee and snacks, and we spend the rest of the day in bed.”

“You should have led with coffee and snacks. Instant agreement.”

Cole nuzzled my neck, rolling me to my back, and growled a happy noise. “Good to know. Now spread your legs, pretty girl. I’m having my snack right now.”

23

If someone had told me I’d be passing an English class with a B+ and getting regular naked time with my coach’s daughter this semester, I’d have assumed I’d been knocked unconscious during a game. After several weeks of living my best life, I had to accept reality for what it was.

Avery made everything better.