Page 67 of Flashback for the Forward

Fed up with tossing and turning, I flung off the covers, eliciting a disgruntled meow from Cinder, who lifted his head to find out what the commotion was all about.

Sliding off the mattress, I pressed a kiss to his furry head. “Sorry, boy. Go back to sleep.”

I crept on tiptoes to the door, turning the handle silently as I pulled it open.

Like he’d been every night since my arrival, Cole was asleep in the hallway. A week or so ago, he had upgraded to an air mattress after a lecture from the Surf’s training staff. I was grateful for their insistence that he take care of his body because it eased some of the guilt I felt over him being uncomfortable while playing protector.

For a while, all I did was stare. Because, let’s be honest, the view was spectacular.

He was dressed in only a white T-shirt and black boxer briefs; the thin fabric clung to his muscular frame, every ridge highlighted. He’d certainly filled out during our time apart, and you wouldn’t hear me complaining. At twenty-eight, the man was aging like a fine wine, and I could only imagine how incredibly sexy he’d look once a few grays filtered into his full head of black hair.

He was completely relaxed, unguarded. Sheets were tangled around his legs, and one arm was positioned over his head.

Cinder rubbed against my leg before curling up beside Cole. Before passing out again, he fixed me with a look that said, Well, what are you waiting for?

Even the cat knew I was hopelessly in love with this man.

Dropping to my knees, I crawled onto the air mattress, taking up the empty spot to Cole’s right.

Heat radiated off him, and I snuggled closer, absorbing the warmth. His scent surrounded me, and I couldn’t resist burying my face against his neck, inhaling deeply.

Cole stirred, a moan sounding, but he didn’t wake.

With our bodies pressed flush, I was finally able to turn off my brain and let sleep claim me.

Chapter 20

Cole

A weight pinned me to the mattress when I woke. It was too heavy to be Cinder, and when I blinked the sleep out of my eyes, I saw that Bridget was completely sprawled out on top of me.

This was new, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like it.

A calm settled over my soul at the thought of having her exactly where she belonged. I was a damn fool for ever letting her go, but I would never make that mistake again.

My hand smoothed over her short chestnut tresses, the light spilling in from the high windows of the foyer drawing my attention to the natural auburn highlights threaded throughout. Her face was upturned enough that I could count the freckles dotting the bridge of her nose—there were exactly thirteen of them, same as always.

Goddamn, she was the most beautiful creature I’d ever laid eyes upon.

Before I could drink in my fill of her, Bridget moaned, shifting against me as she roused.

I bit back a grunt. My morning wood was so hard it bordered on painful.

“Morning.” The greeting came out sleep-roughened.

Black lashes fluttered against her cheeks before lifting to reveal her brilliant green stare.

Her forehead creased, confusion leaking into her tone. “Cole? How did you—” Then her memory must’ve kicked in because she groaned, covering her face with both hands. “Oh my God. I’m so embarrassed.”

“Why are you embarrassed?”

Her hands fell away, a huff flying past her lips. “Because last night you were earning the crown of consent king, and then I go and climb into bed with you without asking while you were passed out.”

I murmured against the top of her head, “You won’t hear me complaining.”

“I’m sorry,” she breathed out.

“No apologies needed. I liked waking up next to you. It’s something I never got to do . . .” My voice trailed off. “Back then.”