Series: Cobalt Empire Series by Krista Ritchie
Total pages in book: 234
Estimated words: 226965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1135(@200wpm)___ 908(@250wpm)___ 757(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 226965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1135(@200wpm)___ 908(@250wpm)___ 757(@300wpm)
He has too many friends for that.
“Honestly,” I say, “I’m not a fan of fame after what I’ve seen Xander go through.”
Ben winces. “Yeah but…that’s different. Xander is different…” His voice trails off, and I know I struck a tense chord. Xander’s not a good name to toss around Ben.
It’s been a month, and the most they say is “hey” and “hi” and the occasional “what’s up” – which never has an actual verbal reply. Just a head nod.
Sometimes I feel like an invisible wall sitting between them. Only, they both can see me but can’t see each other.
I don’t want to make this night awkward before it’s begun, so I ask quickly, “Are you tired or do you want to stay up?”
His lips slowly stretch into a grin that is too attractive for words. Literally. Words fly so far out of my head the dictionary might as well be planted on the moon.
“I’m not tired at all, Fisher.” His voice is like a cool wind traveling over my skin, creating goosebumps of anticipation.
It is not a sexual suggestion, Harriet. But damn, my body wishes it were one. This dry spell is seriously messing with my head, and we still have the entire night to go.
25
HARRIET FISHER
We end up on the pull-out sofa together. Side by side. Not before I changed in the bathroom. I’m wearing a baggy Evanescence band tee over my black Thursday panties. Unfortunately, I forgot to pack my pajama shorts. I usually just sleep in an oversized T-shirt, so it didn’t cross my mind.
Until I had to walk back into the living room. Fabric barely covering my thighs.
Ben just smiled.
Which, really, felt more intimate than it should. He makes no attempt to act like I’m an ugly duckling. It’s very clear he finds me at least a teeny bit hot, and I also haven’t exactly pretended he’s a grotesque swamp monster.
He is fucking gorgeous.
I try to stare at the laptop balancing on his thigh and not up at his eyes. I’m still thunderstruck that the Cobalts don’t have a television in here. I thought that was a basic living room requirement.
Ben has bent one knee, his arm resting on top, lounging comfortably above the sheets and navy-blue quilt. My brain has circled back to the fact that this is where we’ll both also be sleeping. Together. I try not to get into too much of a thought loop or my cheeks will be cherry-tomato red.
He scrolls through a streaming service when he says, “He lives three floors below me, you know.”
I frown. “Who?”
“Xander.” Oh, his mind must not have left his cousin.
“I didn’t know he lived in this building until the entrance security mentioned the Hales.” I crunch on a kernel of popcorn. He gave me the bag earlier. “Do you…talk to him?” I realize how silly that question sounds when I say it.
His brows hike. “I think he’d rather eat staples.” He takes a handful of popcorn when I hold out the bag. “But I mention it in case you want to say hi to him or whatever. I know you’re friends.”
Not like I’m friends with you. Those words sit on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t seem to release them through my swelling throat. He shoves the popcorn in his mouth, chewing slowly while swiping through movies.
Setting the popcorn bag aside, I sit up a little against the mound of fluffy pillows and hug my legs to my chest. My T-shirt rides up. I’m not full-on flashing Ben, but that’s not even worrying me right now.
I glance over at him. “Does sitting in class together count as friends?” I wonder. “It’s not like I have his number.”
“You’re definitely friends, Fisher.”
I don’t know why that makes my stomach roll worse. I should be happy that he thinks Xander and I are friends, but in a way, it feels a little like betrayal. No?
His eyes are on the laptop screen as he adds, “I would understand if you wanted to be more than friends with him. Most girls would kill for the chance.” His gaze flashes over to me. “He’s Xander Hale.”
This is not where I thought the night was going. Ben giving me permission to date his cousin. I’m so much farther in the friend zone with Ben than I even thought. Does he not feel even a smidge of attraction toward me? Has it been one-sided this whole time?
That…doesn’t make sense.
His muscles are flexed. He’s letting out tighter breaths through his nose.
My cheeks are hot. “I’m not really interested in Xander like that.” And there’s a good chance Xander wouldn’t like me if he really knew me. Not all people would be as cool as Ben hearing about my past blow job deals. Or even proposing to blow their brother.
His shoulders loosen as he leans back into the pillows beside me. “Then he’ll be a good friend to you.” He runs his fingers through his hair before holding on to the top of the laptop. Like he’s bracing for something. He checks behind his shoulder. Coast is clear. Then his voice becomes a whisper. “I’m leaving the city in November, so you’ll at least have him to hang with.”