Read Online Cipher (The Cipher Series) by Cindi Madsen - Free Book Online

play.”
    Cody’s lips moved to hers. “You’re so hot.”
    “You’re pretty hot yourself,” she said, running her hand down his perfect face and then parting her lips against his. He laid her back against the couch, swirling his tongue around hers. His hands slid up, under her shirt, slipping beneath her bra. He pressed his hips against hers.
    Summer’s heartbeat skyrocketed, and her thoughts got fuzzy.
    “ Summer,” he said on an exhale. The tips of his fingers on her skin made goose bumps break out across her skin. He dragged them down her stomach. “I’m so glad we’re finally doing this.” He undid the button of her pants and she sucked in a breath. Wait? Doing this?
    Oh holy crap, she still wasn’t sure.
    And until she was…
    “Wait, Cody,” she rasped.
    He ignored her, moving to undo her zipper, so she had to push him. “Stop.”
    “Damn it, Summer!” He sat back and glared at her, that angry muscle working in his jaw again. “When you told me your dad was going to be out late, I thought you meant…You know. That we could finally—”
    “Well, I didn’t!” Summer scooted away from him, re-buttoning her pants. Her breaths were still coming too fast, and she missed his weight on top of her, even as she was thinking inviting him over was a mistake. “I meant what I said. That I could use the company. That we could hang out.”
    Cody shook his head. “It’s not enough anymore. I think you’re just playing with me. I tell you I love you, and you never say anything back. You constantly push me away. You’re a tease. I put up with a lot that I wouldn’t have to with someone else.”
    Hot tears sprung to her eyes, and she tried to quickly blink them away. “You said you were done pressuring me.”
    “Do you love me?”
    “You know I do,” she said, surprising herself. Maybe she’d held back saying it, but she knew she did love him. That was why it was so hard to fight with him. To not have sex, when she wasn’t even sure exactly why she was holding back. It wasn’t like the desire wasn’t there.
    “Well, I’m sick of going home frustrated and in pain every night,” Cody said, his voice harsh. “Is that how you want me to feel?”
    An ache formed over her heart, deepening with every beat. “You’re trying to guilt me into it?”
    “No, I’m just saying, I’m done with this. You tell me to go, I’ll go.” Cody’s eyes bored into hers. “But if I do, I’m leaving for good. This is it.”Summer clenched her jaw. He’d given her an ultimatum. Give it up or he’d find someone else. Pain squeezed her chest and more tears were rising, blurring her vision. “Go then! Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”
    Cody stood and headed for the door.
    This is it. If he walks out the door, it’s over.
    He didn’t even turn back and look at her before slamming the door behind him.
    ***
    Summer jerked up on the couch when she heard Dad come home. Her eyes burned from a combination of crying and staring at the television, and she had that special kind of headache that came from letting all of your emotions explode out of you in the span of a couple of hours.
    “Hey, kid.” Dad flopped onto the couch next to her and sank back against the cushions. “What are you still doing up?”
    Summer took a deep breath, trying to keep her voice steady. “Couldn’t sleep. How was the play?”
    “Tiffany liked it. I got a little bored.” Dad’s eyebrows knitted together as he studied her face. “Have you been crying over that boy, because I was serious about the two-strike rule.”
    Suddenly, she felt like a little kid, and damn it, she wanted her mommy. She leaned her head on her dad’s shoulder, blinking against the fresh wave of tears. “We broke up. It’s over.” Telling Dad also ensured she wouldn’t fall for another sorry apology, even if Cody attempted one.
    Dad tentatively patted her knee, as though he wasn’t really sure how to comfort her. “Do you…want to talk about