I Found You

by Erica Marselas

  Cooper grabs me around the waist, giving me an all-consuming kiss on the lips, making my head spin. “I couldn’t have done this without you, baby.”

  “Yes, you could’ve. This is just your beginning Coop. Now go.” I shove him away and he grabs my hands kissing me swiftly on the cheek. Everyone is still going crazy around us and John comes over and grabs Cooper’s arm yanking him away.

  “Come on dude, give your woman a break…”

  “That’s never going to fucking happen…” he winks at me before moving to the stage.

  June 2nd, 2006

  Violet

  M y back is pressed against Cooper’s chest, his arms tightly around me. One hand plays with my nipple and the other rubs my clit. My leg is thrown over his as he slowly works in and out of me.

  His lips hover over my ear, whispering all the perfect things: how much he loves me, how he’ll never get enough of me, and will never let me go.

  Out of all the times Cooper and I have had sex, this is one of those times I feel the closest to him, truly feeling every ounce of love and heated passion he has for me. There is just something special and magical about this moment. We’ve been at this for the last hour—or god knows how long—and I don’t want the never-ending pleasure to end.

  My head turns so I can capture his lips with mine. His tongue swirls around mine, hungrily, making my head spin.

  “I love you, Cooper...” I moan.

  “I love you too baby, so much.” His slow pace is torturing, but oh so good. My stomach tightens and my core tingles with another impending eruption of euphoria. I’ve already had countless orgasms and I’m about to come again.

  “Let it go, baby. I love the feeling of you coming around me.” He pinches my clit and I cry out his name, tumbling over the edge.

  I push my ass back, my body still convulsing, feeling his dick swell and I know he’s almost there.

  “Fuck, Vi” He groans and grabs my hip, holding me still as he spills into me.

  His teeth sink into my shoulder, tweaking my nipple, starting his sweet torture of thrusting into me again.

  This man is a fucking machine today.

  “I don’t think I can get enough of you today, Violet. I just want to stay inside of you all day.”

  “I want you to stay inside of me too.” I pant. It’s true; I could live the rest of my life in this man’s arms.

  He slips out of me and before I can ask what he’s doing he rolls me on my back, my body instinctively wrapping around him. Resting his forehead on mine, his eyes shine with his adoration for me, as she slowly sinks back into me.

  “I love it, even more, when I can see you because when you come your irresistible.”

  There’s a loud bang on our bedroom door snapping us out of our fervent embrace. “Hey, bro. We're here!” Brody’s voice comes booming into our room.

  I try to push Cooper away, knowing our door isn’t locked, but he grabs my wrists and pins them above my head. He shakes his head, mouthing to me that I’m not going anywhere.

  “Fuck off, Brody. We’re busy,” Cooper growls, continuing to pump into me with his eyes locked on me, consuming me once again.

  Brody guffaws, “I’m sure you are, but we have rehearsal, and Violet is going dress shopping with Alexa.”

  “Give us five minutes.”

  “That’s all? I'm disappointed brother.” His final words echo through the room before we finally hear him walk away.

  “I have to remind myself why I gave him the codes. I think after today I’m going to change them.” He leans down and kisses me. “You think you can come again, start this day on top?”

  “Oh, it’s already started on top.”

  I’m practically flying.

  We walk into the living room with our arms wrapped around each other, showered, dressed and totally content.

  “Well, hello lovebirds,” Brody greets us. “It’s about time you come out. We’re already running late.”

  “I’m here now,” Cooper says, annoyed.

  “Oh, Violet, this is going to be so much fun.” Alexa stands up from the couch, pulling me into a hug.

  Alexa came into town yesterday to be with Brody and to go shopping with me for the award show. The two of them have been doing the long-distance relationship thing, and it seems to be working—while Cooper and I were on honeymoon he drove down to stay with her.

  Julie and Tucker have fizzled, though. Julie says she’s fine; that they had their fun but she knew it would never last.

  “You know how badly I’ve always wanted to play dress up with you. I’m going to make you the prettiest girl at the ball,” she says in a sing-song voice, pushing my hair back, pretending I’m Cinderella.

  “Ugh, do I have to go, fairy godmother? I’d rather hang with the rats.” I flutter my eyes and put on my best pout. I hate shopping, but I guess I’m not allowed to wear jeans to the Grammys.

  “Well, you married a Prince so you’re going to have to deal.” She wags her finger at me.

  “I’m going to grab my bag and then we can go, Brody.” Cooper grabs my hand. “You come with me for a second.”

  He leads me to the music room and I still haven’t gotten used to my large face on the wall. It’s like going into a time warp because the portrait is from my sixteenth birthday when we went hiking with my dad. I’m sitting on a large rock that looked over the city, the sun at my back makes me look like I’m glowing, while I smile at the camera.

  “You’re as stunning as the day I took that,” he coos in my ear, causing a shiver to run down my back. It’s crazy how this man can still cause me to blush.

  He reaches into his back pocket to pull out his wallet. Slipping out a credit card, he hands it to me. “I want you to use this and get whatever you want.” I look down at the card and realize it’s his black Amex. The credit card Julie would call endless amount of fun with its non-existent spending limit.

  “Coop, I can buy my own dress. I don’t need this.” I thrust it back at him and he pushes my hand back.

  “Violet, don’t argue. I have a feeling the dresses you will be looking at will cost more than what you have.”

  I snort. “I’ll go to Kohl's then.”

  Why do I need a dress that costs twenty grand?

  “Violet Reid!” he exclaims grabbing my shoulders, I’m sure fighting the urge to shake the defiance out of me. “We’re married now. What’s mine is yours. What’s yours is mine. Plus, think of it as an advance on your paycheck.” He smirks, placing a light kiss on my lips.

  “Fine.” I reluctantly slip the card in my purse. No point in arguing about it. I won’t ever win.

  Gathering me in his arms, he pulls me tight to him. “I know you're still getting used to all this, but I’m glad you are finally able to share it with me. You’re a big part of why I’m so successful, so please don’t worry about whose is whose, okay?”

  I nuzzle my head into his chest and nod. “Thank you.”

  He lifts my chin, rubbing his thumb over my lips. “You’re welcome, and have fun. I shouldn’t be out too late. And remember, Tucker will accompany you and Alexa. I don’t trust anyone not to try and get close to you again.”

  “I understand. I love you.”

  “I love you too, baby.”

  Alexa and I are searching the racks at a high-end dress shop in Beverly Hills. I feel out of place dressed in a flowing pink summer dress, but I do have to admit the clothes here are breathtaking.

  Maybe this could be fun.

  “I’m guessing everything is real good with you and Cooper?” Alexa wiggles her eyebrows at me.

  “It’s been amazing,” I croon, remembering how last week we stayed at the hotel in Santa Monica. We locked ourselves in the suite, tucked away from the outside world, and we were finally able to get some peace and quiet. Before we came home though, we visited my dad. When I told him what my mom had done, he praised me for standing my ground, and didn’t blame me for not wanting to talk to her anymore. She hasn’t tried calli
ng me either, and Julie told me she was back in Arizona. Thank god.

  “How about you and Brody?” I ask Alexa.

  “It’s been good. We talk all the time when we’re not in the same state. He makes me feel cherished. I’ve never had that with anyone before, even though we're far apart. And the sex,” she whistles through her teeth, “is hands down the best I’ve ever had.”

  “I guess that means a lot coming from you.” I nudge her shoulder, laughing.

  “Oh, and like you can’t say that about Cooper?”

  “Cooper has always been the best, but now it’s even better. I don’t know how to describe it, I mean this morning...” I clamp my mouth down, realizing I’m about to say too much in the middle of a store, with who knows listening around us. The last thing Cooper and I need is someone eavesdropping and transcribing our sex life word for word to the press.

  “Oh, me and Brody heard this morning.” Her cheeks redden. “I’m glad you're happy. You deserve it.”

  “Same back at you sister. Now come on, you’re supposed to be helping me find a dress.” I drag her to the back and let her use me as a life size Barbie to play dress up with.

  Forty-five minutes later, I’m standing in the dressing room surrounded by about twenty different dresses, all different styles and colors. I’m so overwhelmed.

  My phone buzzes in my pocket and I pull it out to see my husband’s face along with a new text.

  Coop:I LOVE YOU. HAVE FUN

  Oh, I’ll have some fun alright.

  I slip out of my dress, leaving me only in my panties. I cover my arm over my breasts and take a picture. I double check the number before I send it to him.

  The first dress I try on is an extremely short, prison orange, cocktail dress with sequins. Alexa thought I should have it for all the upcoming clubbing I might do—or whatever.

  I check myself out in the mirror; it’s not awful, but I kind of look like a pumpkin. For the fun of it, I take a picture and send it to Cooper to ask his thoughts before stepping out of the dressing room. If Alexa likes this I’m going to think she’s lost her marbles.

  Instead of Alexa waiting outside the room, I’m startled to find Ainsley staring at me with her arms crossed. She doesn’t seem the least bit surprised to see me as I am her.

  Wonderful.

  …And my day started out so well.

  She looks me over with her raggedy eyebrow raised at the sky and laughs. “Wow. You look hideous.”

  “Well, it’s a good thing nobody asked you,” I hiss.

  “I just don’t understand what he sees in you. I mean, he had me and then goes back to you. What? Did you have to drug him?” She cackles, thinking she’s funny.

  “No, but I question the beer goggles he was wearing the day he slept with you.”

  “It must kill you to know he had me, doesn’t it?” she retorts, using the only ammo she has against me.

  Too bad it won’t work.

  “Nope.” I tell her popping the ‘p’. “He’s told me about his mistake, I think the term he used was ‘she-bitch.’ Now, if you don’t mind…” I turn around heading back to my dressing room, wanting to get away from her, when her mouth opens again to spew her trash.

  “You’ll never keep him satisfied, remember that. You’re nothing but a poor little girl from the wrong side of the tracks. He’ll find someone so much better. And then where will you be?”

  I close my eyes to steady my temper. What I really want to do is punch her in her motherfreakin’ face, but it would mean letting her know she got to me. Her words don’t bother me, it’s her damn presence.

  “You seem to forget, I have the ring on my finger…” I hold up my hand, showing off my wedding bands. “He married me! He comes home to me! I sleep in his bed every night! And we have crazy monkey sex all the time, everywhere! I’m his everything, his ace of hearts,” I spit the song titles at her, and she pales. “You know it too, so if you don’t mind, I have things to do.” Marching into the dressing room, I slam the door in her face.

  Fucking Psycho bitch.

  And what the hell is she doing here? Doesn’t she live in Riverside?

  Once I calm down, I pick up my phone and see a message from Cooper.

  Coop:I’d much rather see that dress on the ground. And you naked with your legs wrapped around my ears.

  Yep, no worries for this girl. I have no doubt he loves me and only me.

  After trying on countless dresses, I finally pick two I really like. The price tag makes me sick though: five thousand dollars for some fabric. The other is a steal at two thousand.

  “What’s wrong?” Alexa asks me, placing her hand on my shoulder as I set my dresses on the counter to pay.

  “I’m still getting used to it. I don’t think being married to a pop star has hit me yet.” Everything is still new and we’re in this honeymoon stage where it’s only us. He’s still just Cooper to me. I don’t think it’ll hit me ‘till we go on tour and it’s in my face.

  “Try not to over think it. I know it’s different, but it’s kind of your life now.”

  “I know.” I exhale heavily, trying to own up to my new life.

  The cashier tells me the total and informs me they will be delivered to the house after they make a few alterations to the length. I give her the address and hand her Cooper’s card. It’s the first time I really looked at it and it has my name imprinted on the front.

  The sneaky bastard.

  “I see you don’t have any trouble spending my son’s money,” a voice sneers from behind me belonging to the one and only Mrs. Evelyn Reid.

  Lord, why are you punishing me?

  I turn around and see she’s standing next to sour face Ainsley. I should’ve known they were together.

  “Hello, Mrs. Reid. Fancy seeing you in these parts.” I plaster on my best, sickly sweet smile. “How are you?”

  “I will be a lot better once you and my son are apart.”

  My false smile drops and I wonder how much longer this is going to go on. “So, we’re back on this merry-go-round. When will you understand that we will always be together?” I turn back around to the cashier, who hands me back my card. Her expression is neutral, and I wonder how many cat fights she’s seen in this place to not even blink an eye.

  “As soon as you were out of the picture, he finally started doing better in school, stopped late night partying, and coming home drunk. Now he’s all over the tabloids with his floozy wife making a fool out of him.”

  I rub the sudden hammering in my temples with my index fingers.

  “Are you okay? “Alexa whispers in my ear, looking at the interfering witches standing behind us.

  “Yeah, I’m used to this,” I sigh, and turn back around.

  “Listen, Evelyn, we’re married now. Don’t you think it’s time to move on?” I glance out the window to where Tucker is standing. I think I’m going to need him for what I might do if she doesn’t get out of my face soon.

  Our eyes meet and I nudge my head for him to come inside.

  “Ainsley tells me you're going to be working as a manager on his tour. So, you just swoop in and take over Cooper’s life, but also take Brody’s place,” she says, totally ignoring my question.

  I look at Ainsley who has her nose stuck up in the air like the spoiled bitch she is.

  “Well, I think you were misinformed. Cooper had to beg me to take the job, and as for Brody, I’m helping him. I’m only his assistant. If anything, it’s going to make his job a little easier. You do know if it wasn’t for you and my mother’s meddling it would have all happened this way in the first place. You need to get over yourself. He’s twenty-one, don’t you think it’s time you let go of the reins?”

  Tucker walks into the store and comes to stand next to me. Beside me, Alexa watches the verbal tennis match, I'm sure having no idea what to do.

  “I see you still have a mouth on you,” Evelyn scoffs. “I hope the dress you picked for the Granting Hope Ball is tasteful. There will be childre
n there, and I would hate for you to embarrass my son again like you did at the reception.”

  “How did I embarrass him? He happened to like what I was wearing, thank you,” I spit.

  “You looked like a two-bit whore,” Ainsley’s big mouth butts in, “and that orange jumpsuit you were trying to pass as a dress didn’t help the whore factor. Poor Cooper. Does he know how bad your taste is?”

  I step forward about to slap the bitch when Tucker grabs my shoulder. I’m pleased when the little wench flinches.

  “Violet?”

  “What?” I snap, whipping my head to Tucker.

  “We should go,” he says calmly, instantly bringing me down a peg. I did bring him in to stop me from doing something stupid.

  “Yeah, Violet. You can’t let them get to you.” Alexa wraps her arm around me.

  “He gave you a bodyguard too? Really? You’re nothing important,” Ainsley scoffs.

  “Listen, Bitch, you need to shut your mouth,” Alexa snaps at Ainsley.

  “And who do you think you are?”

  “Her best friend. I also happen to be dating Brody. I’ve heard things, but I really didn’t think you were this bad, Mrs. Reid. Shouldn’t you just be happy for them?”

  “She will never be good enough for my son. And now I need to have a talk with Brody.” Evelyn’s beady eyes rake over my best friend. Oh no, she can be a bitch to me, but leave my friends out of it.

  “Wow! You’re such a special lady, aren’t you? I have no idea how you managed to raise such good kids when they had you as a mother…” The venom flows from my lips. I hope my words sting.

  “Let’s go, Violet,” Tucker urges pulling me out of the store to lead us to the car.

  “Freakin’ Bitch!” I scream, and a bunch of people turn their heads to look at me. Slightly embarrassed by my outburst, I hop into the back seat of the town car.