Cooper (HC Heroes Series Book 5)

by Donna Michaels

His touch changed, grew bold and delicious, and his mouth brushed over her shoulder, kissing and nipping his way to her neck. Goosebumps spread down her body in a delicious shiver. His erection was thick and hard and poking her back, making her crazy with anticipation. He brushed his thumbs over her nipples, and she pressed into his touch, trying to talk her legs out of buckling.

  A heartbeat later, Cooper turned her around then dipped her like he’d done downstairs on the dance floor, only this time it was so much better. Sexier. Erotic. He leaned over her to capture a nipple in his mouth and covered the other breast with his hand, rolling the peak between his forefinger and thumb.

  Abby moaned and grasped his head, arching up into his touch. His mouth switched to her other nipple while his hand roamed down her body, caressing his way to her back, where he cupped her butt and groaned.

  “Sweet ass,” he murmured against her skin, before he picked her up and carried her back to the bed, where he set her down until her back hit the mattress.

  His shoulders—glorious and broad—blocked out most of the light as he loomed above her. He looked magnificent, all sinewy and ripped, and hungry. And those gorgeous eyes of his were fathomless and open. He stared into hers, letting anticipation drum between them, and it did—loud and strong—driving her a little bit insane before he finally bent to kiss her.

  On contact, a needy, desperate sound rushed up her throat.

  Hungry and eager, she opened her mouth for him, sliding her tongue against his, thrilling at the deep groan that rumbled in his chest.

  She—Abby Sharp—was making this virile, magnificent man crazy with need.

  That fact empowered her and filled her with so much desire she trembled.

  Abby wanted more. She needed to feel more. She wanted him on her. Wanted him in her.

  As if he wanted those things too, his forearms hit the bed and he covered her body with his.

  Yes…

  She moaned. He felt so good. Abby had fantasized about lying under Cooper for years, but the reality was so much better. He shoved a hand in her hair and cupped her head while he ran the other down her side, leaving goosebumps in its wake. The need she felt in his touch had her spreading her legs and arching up to rock against him.

  “You’re killing me,” he uttered against her neck as they broke for air.

  The feel of his entire, hot, hard body all pressed up against her was too much, and she couldn’t stop her hips from undulating again. He muttered a curse and pressed back with his impressive erection.

  “Mmm…” She cupped his face, thrilled at the feel of stubble against her palm. “You’re driving me crazy, too.”

  Watching her thumb skim over his lower lip, she tried not to think about her inexperience. She hadn’t really ever encountered this foundation-rocking, earth-slipping movement before.

  He whispered her name in a low, husky tone that told her he was feeling just as unnerved. That made her feel better, knowing she wasn’t alone in this uncharted, emotional frenzy.

  With her name on his lips, he slowly lowered his head and kissed her again, long and deep and wet. The sensual kiss shut down what little brain power she had left. And…good glory, he tasted hot and intensely male.

  “I want you, Abby,” he murmured. “I’ve wanted this for a long time.”

  “Me, too,” she whispered, brushing her thumb over his jaw. “I’m all yours, Cooper.”

  At this, he let out the sexiest damn groan and his mouth covered hers with a hunger she felt to her toes. His lips devoured, taking what he wanted without apology. Their embrace went from aroused to frenzied and wild. He touched her everywhere, and she touched him right back as they took turns on top. She kissed and licked, and nipped, enjoying the journey south, down his delectable abs.

  Man, she loved how his hard body quivered under her touch.

  Suddenly, she was flat on her back with her wrists clamped in his hand and pressed high above her head.

  Abby moaned. She couldn’t help it. Cooper covered her completely with his entire weight. Out of her mind with need, she wrapped her legs around him, bringing him in tighter against her.

  “Damn, you’re hot,” he murmured against her neck then he sank his teeth in that special spot behind her ear.

  She gasped and angled her head to give him better access.

  Yeah. There.

  Her eyes fluttered shut, she was so overwhelmed with sensation. The air changed. Amped up. It was intense. Utterly insane, and totally delicious.

  He kissed the curve of her neck, nipped at her collarbone then kissed the side of a breast, before gently sucking on the tip. The feel, the movement was so wonderful, so perfect, she arched up, pushing more into his mouth. A moan gushed from her lips, full of hunger and need, which would have mortified Abby had she been alone in the frenzy. But she wasn’t alone…given the low, sexy sound that rumbled through Cooper’s chest. It conveyed hunger and impatience, and she knew he felt it too.

  Relentless and intoxicating, he continued to tease her nipples with his talented mouth. Never one to remain idle, she slid her hands over his ribs and hips before reaching around to cup his fine butt. He made that rumble sound again, and thrust against her before releasing her breast to draw back and glance down at her naked and writhing beneath him.

  “So much better than my fantasies.” His smoldering gaze slammed into her.

  She cupped his face and blinked. “You fantasized about me?”

  Chapter Nine

  That thought went a long way to pump up Abby’s ego and erase years of self-doubt. A good decade of them, at least.

  Cooper’s chest was warm and deliciously hard against her as he lowered his lips to within an inch of hers. “I fantasized about you a lot.” Heat and honesty lit his eyes, and the sight would remain in her heart forever. The man was digging in deep.

  The sudden urge to taste him was strong. As if on the same page, he brushed his mouth over hers, kissing her slow and lazy, building a fire from all that he left simmering inside. When he finally ended the kiss, he stared down with so much heat and intensity, she shivered.

  “I can’t wait to be inside you.” His words liquefied her bones.

  She grabbed his butt again and rocked up, her good parts pulsing in anticipation. “Today would be nice.”

  “In a hurry, are you?” Chuckling, Cooper used his knees to spread her legs farther, then reached down with his hand, and holding her gaze, slid his fingers between her thighs.

  At the first stroke, Abby cried out, so darn needy and ready it was pathetic. But it was good, too. Gloriously good. His touch was so delicious, so perfect, she nearly lost it on the second stroke.

  “So wet.” He stroked her again, and lowered his head to kiss her nipple, rasping his tongue over the tip, and then he did it again.

  Breath hitched in Abby’s throat and she swallowed to ease the dryness. Cooper dragged his mouth down her ribs, over her belly, and then her hip.

  He lifted up to glance at her nakedness and sucked in a breath. “So perfect.”

  “Cooper—”

  She was dying with need.

  His large hands palmed her thighs and he nudged her further apart, until he wedged his shoulders between her legs and took in the view.

  Her heart was pounding relentlessly in her chest. For a split second, Abby felt self-conscious at being wide open, but then desire blazing in his eyes wiped it away. She needed him to move. To do something.

  To touch her.

  The brilliant, intuitive man leaned forward and lapped at her, ripping needy little sounds from her throat. She didn’t care. Tomorrow was a good day to be embarrassed. Not right now. She shoved her fingers into his hair and held on. Her body quivered. Need pulsed through her. She rocked into him and moaned when he added his thick finger.

  He was good. So good.

  She trembled and strained, every muscle taut and seeking release. Cooper continued to lap, and Abby clutched him with a fierce desperation, so close to the brink. This was new. It�
��d never felt like this. Like she needed to climax or her heart would stop beating.

  In tune to her need, he held her at the edge for a beat before sending her over with a long, sure, perfect stroke.

  Fast and powerful, her orgasm burst through with merciless speed. Cooper brought her down slowly as she shuddered against him. Attentive. Thorough. Everything she’d expected…and more. He was so much more than she’d dreamt. Abby wanted to ask him what he’d just done to her, but that would require talking, and she still needed a moment to find her voice.

  After a moment he lifted his head, his gaze smoldering as he grinned at her. “Your taste, Abby…mmm…it’s fantastic.”

  His words sparked heat low in her belly, shocking her that she could recover so soon. He drew back and fished a condom out of his pants on the floor.

  “And you look fantastic.” She placed her hands behind her head and grinned at him.

  The play of light on his muscles and ridges had her itching to touch him again. But when her gaze dropped to his powerful thighs and…all his glory, she lost coherent thought. A proud grin twitched his lips, and with precise, efficient movements, he was sheathed and looming over her within a few seconds.

  Running a hand up her thighs, Cooper let out an appreciative groan and then another when he slipped a finger easily inside. “So wet.” He crawled up her quivering body and brushed his lips over her belly, ribs, and breasts on his way to her mouth. His kiss was frantic and hungry, and he dipped his tongue inside as he settled between her legs and nudged her opening with his thick tip.

  Acting on instinct, Abby angled her hips, giving him further entry, and when he pushed all the way in, their twin gasps of pleasure echoed off her bedroom walls. Then he began to move. Need hit her fast and fierce again, and she automatically rocked up to meet his thrusts. A delicious heat consumed her entire being.

  She’d never experienced anything like it.

  “Damn…you feel good,” he muttered, his big hands cupping her head as he deepened the kiss, sliding his tongue inside her mouth, matching the same delectable pace as his thrusts.

  Her body hummed and burned. Her fingers clutched his back as she hovered on the blissful edge again. Cooper shoved in—all the way—and Abby inhaled sharp and deep then exhaled when he pulled nearly all the way out. He did it over and over, until her eyes drifted shut. It was too much and not enough.

  Then he grasped her hips and changed the angle, driving deeper inside. That was it. She was done. Abby came with an intensity that stole her breath. And as the waves consumed her, Cooper shoved in deep and followed her over with her name on his lips.

  It was a few moments before Abby finally found her breath. But not her legs—they were still a quivering mess.

  Cooper rolled onto his side, brushed a kiss to her cheek, and studied her. “You okay?”

  She managed a snort. “Define okay.”

  “Never been so satisfied in your life,” he replied with a grin.

  She chuckled. “Then I’m definitely okay. That was amazing. Is it always that way for you?”

  A deep satisfaction entered his gaze and he lightly cupped her chin. “No. I have no idea what happened between us. My brain shuts down when you touch me.” He kissed her quickly, then stood. “I’ll be right back,” he said, and disappeared into her bathroom.

  She stretched and smiled. She was deliciously sore in places she’d never felt before.

  In less than a minute, he was back and surprised her when he pulled the covers down, waited for her to scoot under, then crawled in with her, hauling her tightly against him. Abby was unsure if he intended to stay the night or wait for her to fall asleep.

  She fought if off, expecting him to leave any minute. They hadn’t talked about it, but she knew Cooper was going to feel guilty about Carter. But when the seconds turned to minutes and he made no move to get up, his arm felt darn comfortable draped around her as he held her close, she sighed and snuggled in.

  Today was a hard day. But also, an amazing one.

  She rested her face on his bare chest and listened to his heart beat steady and sure under her ear. Not even the lingering worry about her brother could break the peaceful contentment that washed over Abby and lulled her into a dreamless sleep.

  ***

  The next morning, at the crack of dawn, instead of running on the beach, Cooper was finishing his morning workout in a much better way—between the sheets with Abby. He slumped against her, his face buried in her neck as they both worked to catch their breath and find a semblance of control.

  Damn, she was intoxicating. He remained there, eyes closed, dragging in air, cradling her close, still rocking his hips, prolonging their pleasure. Her warm breath hit his skin in spurts as she nuzzled his neck and clutched his hips.

  So intoxicating.

  Last night he’d wanted to move the earth for her, but he’d been just as blown away. The woman took him out of himself to a higher plain. It was amazing. She was amazing. So much so, he’d fallen asleep in her arms.

  What the hell?

  Abby was still breathing rapidly beneath him. He pulled out and set his forehead to hers.

  The plan had been to leave after she’d fallen asleep last night, but when he’d tried to slip out, she’d stirred and looked so damn gorgeous staring up at him with her soft, rapidly heated gaze, he’d caved, and they’d ended up putting his last condom to good use.

  By then they were both starved, and since the Pub had still been open, he’d headed downstairs for take-out and hit the bathroom for a condom refill.

  Luck had been on his side. They had one. Wasn’t exactly his size, but they’d made it work after fueling up on some delicious burgers.

  “You okay?” he asked, lightly tracing her jaw.

  She blinked at him. “Define okay.”

  He snorted at her repeat of last night’s reply. “Satisfied beyond belief.”

  “That…plus my bones seemed to have disappeared from my body.” She smiled. “Any chance you’ve seen them?”

  Pride puffed out his chest and tugged his lips into a grin. “Okay, that’s an affirmative to the satisfied beyond belief. As for your bones, pretty sure they left with mine a few minutes ago.”

  “Ah…I see.” She snickered and lifted up to glance over at the clock on her nightstand. “Hope they return soon because we both have to leave for work in less than an hour.”

  Damn. He wasn’t ready to leave her. Wasn’t ready to let reality set in and dim the pleasure trip he was on. At least Carter wasn’t in town. He had to face the man, and would, but he hoped to God the fallout didn’t hurt Abby.

  She cleared her throat and ran a hand down his chest. “Cooper?”

  “Yeah?”

  “My bones are starting to return. Are yours?”

  Awareness skittered down his spine, and his erection thickened against his leg. That bone had definitely returned. “Yes.”

  Smiling, he rolled onto his side and brushed her nipple back and forth with his thumb, loving the way it puckered beneath.

  Breath hitched in her throat. “Brain cells? Any of them return?”

  She’d blasted through his brain cells. He was never going to be the same again.

  “Why?” he asked.

  “Because…” She trailed a finger down his torso and stroked his abs while a wicked gleam entered her eyes. “Someone seems to have used up all the condoms. Do you happen to have a solution?”

  Heat spread through his limbs, resurrecting the fire and hunger that burned only for her.

  “As a matter of fact, I have plenty.” He grinned.

  “And quick,” she said. “We have work soon, remember?”

  “Got it. Satisfying. Quick and efficient,” he said rising to his feet. “Time for a shower.”

  Abby squeaked when he hauled her out of bed and carried her over his shoulder into her bathroom. Cooper was more than happy to show her how good he was at multi-tasking.

  ***

  Abby made it to Stef�
�s with two minutes to spare. This week’s morning coffee breaks were in the back of the graphic arts shop and it smelled deliciously of coffee and muffins when she walked in.

  “That aroma has my name on it,” she said, shrugging out of her coat before hanging it and her purse on a hook by the door.

  Stef smiled from her perch on the couch next to Mel, coffee already in hand, box of muffins open on the coffee table. “You’re awfully chipper this morning.”

  Abby poured herself a cup and shrugged. “I’m always chipper.”

  Granted, she had a good reason for it this morning.

  Correction.

  A great reason.

  “True,” Rylee said, sitting in a chair, eyes narrowed in contemplation as she gazed at the assortment of muffins.

  “But you’re not usually late,” Mel said, knowing look in her eyes. “Wonder what could’ve caused that?”

  Oh, no. She wasn’t rising to the bait.

  Abby glanced at the clock behind Stef’s desk. “I’m not late.” She rolled her eyes at Mel before sitting in the chair opposite Rylee.

  “Considering you’re usually the first to arrive, showing up five minutes after me is definitely late for you,” Mel pointed out with a grin.

  Rylee pulled her attention away from the muffins and glanced at Abby. “Oh my God.” Her eyebrows went up and a grin split her face. “You slept with Cooper.”

  Good glory, how in the world could they guess?

  She glanced around, as if he were behind her. “Keep your voice down. It’s not something the whole county needs to know.”

  It was bad enough she had to figure out how to tell her brother without him blowing a gasket. Last thing she needed was him finding out through gossip. She’d had a chance to tell him last night when he’d called. Cooper had gone downstairs to the Pub to get them something to eat when Carter called to check on her to see how she was doing because it had been the anniversary of Mindy’s death. But she couldn’t bring herself to tell him over the phone, and then after she’d hung up, she was glad she hadn’t. It really wasn’t the kind of thing to confess in a call or text. She’d just have to wait until he got home.