Love in the City (The Complete Collection Boxed Set)

by Liv Morris

  “So, a job interview? I’m thinking it didn’t go so well. Right?” Spot on, Sherlock.

  “You must read minds.” My sarcasm answers his question.

  “Sorry about that.” I examine his face to see if he seems sincere. His dark eyes have softened and to my surprise, I think he’s truly sympathetic. Honestly sorry. Rather refreshing.

  “Thanks. It was beyond bad.” I hold up my vodka toward him. “I wouldn’t be sitting here drinking by myself this early in the day if I’d hit a slam dunk.”

  He scoots over my way. Now he’s sitting on the stool next to me. We’re side-by-side now. He swivels his body toward me, and I feel his knee touch mine, knee-to-knee, skin-to-skin and I shiver.

  “Well, I think we should do what we can to turn this day around for you…?” He ends with his brow raised in question. I’m deducting that he wants my name.

  This is tricky for me. Do I tell him Amelia or Millie? I only have seconds to ponder this. I’m thinking Millie. It’s casual. We’re in a dive bar. The nickname is used mostly by my friends. I want to be his friend or get friendly with him. Easy guess on which one I use.

  “I’m Millie.” I shamelessly bat my eyelashes at Coop. Remember, I’m drinking on an empty stomach and my first vodka tonic is now all ice. My normal restraints are falling down. “And thanks. It’s been a rough day.”

  “Well, the day is young. I bet we can turn it around.” The word “we” makes me want to scoot closer to him. Have more than just our knees touching. And guess what? I do…

  “I like that idea.” I want to add “and you,” but refrain. I need to ease into flirting even if I’m totally okay with him easing into my panties. My naughty thoughts make me snicker as I’m not usually this much of a bad girl.

  “All right then. We have a plan,” Coop commands and I melt. “Make Millie another one of what ever she’s having, Joe. I’ll have my standard.”

  “Coming up.” Joe takes my glass and tosses the melting ice into a sink. “You still want that burger, young lady?”

  “If I’m going to have another drink, yes, I better.” I’m really feeling buzzed at this point. The carbfest from last night’s pizza seems to be long gone.

  “Have the cook throw one on the grill for me too,” Coop adds.

  “So where were we?” Coop says winking at me. I feel my face flushing turning red. “Helping Millie forget about her shitty morning. That’s my game plan now. Are you okay with that?”

  All I can do is nod my head and wonder what he means by game plan. But regardless, I’m totally on his team and shaking my pom poms while cheering, “Go Coop!” I’d be okay if he wanted to round a few bases with me too. A home run might be pushing it though.

  “Sure, I’m game.” And with that comment, my life forever changes.

  Chapter 4

  One thing leads to another. One drink becomes too many to count. And before I know it, I’m in big trouble with a capital T. R. O. U. B. L. E.

  I’ll spare you the mundane details and go straight to the sordid ones. They’re what you want to know about, right? Do I hear an, “Amen, sister?” Yes, I think I do.

  It’s now pushing three in the afternoon, and I’ve sufficiently soaked myself with enough vodka to prune a pickle. Joe’s bar has had a few more folks drop by for the day, but Coop and I are in our own little bubble at the bar, chatting, flirting, and drinking. Finally, he makes his move, steps up to bat, goes for a home run.

  “Whatta ya say we go back to my place?” He speaks with a voice that makes me melt like butter over hot toast. He’s so smooth. And I fear this means he’s had some major practice with that line. Like there’s a bevy of babes strung across Atlanta who have heard this same question and most likely have succumbed.

  In my drunken haze, I try but can’t look away from his eyes as they blaze with lust at me. Millie. The girl next door who’s now being asked by a hot piece of ass to go home with him. It’s decision time and I decide right then that I need to go visit the ladies’ room, needing to regroup or possibly throw up if my head doesn’t stop spinning.

  “Hold that question, Coop. I’ll be right back.” My words sound slurred even to my own ears. Placing my hand on his hard as a rock forearm, I start to rise off the barstool. “Could you point me in the direction of the ladies’ room?”

  “Back through the hallway on the right.” He seems disappointed. Undoubtedly, it’s not the answer he usually hears.

  “Thanks. I’ll be right back.”

  “And I’ll be waiting for that answer, baby.”

  Holy shit… That little endearment and my vodka’d blood make me almost fall to my knees where I stand. But I pause, smile at him and head to the restroom. As I make my way to it, I can feel his eyes perusing my backside. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t add a little more sway to my hips.

  Once inside, I handle my business quickly and do what every girl should do when faced with a decision like this: call a girlfriend.

  “Hey, Millie. How’d the inter—”

  “Oh, my God!” I completely interrupt. “Priscilla, you’re never going to believe where I am.”

  “In Atlanta still, I hope.”

  “Yes, but I’m across the street from your apartment building at that dive bar, Joe’s Place”

  “Wait. What are you doing there? Are you by yourself?” She sounds worried but I continue on.

  “Well, yes and no. The interview went horrible. Terrible.” I have difficulty pronouncing those last two words. Too many “B’s.”

  “Oh no. What happened?”

  “’The Hair’ totally has the job, not me.”

  “Millie, you’re not making a lick of sense right now. And who’s ‘The Hair’? Have you been drinking? For Christ’s sake it’s only a little after three!”

  “I’ve been drinking, maybe even a tad tipsy, but I’ve run into the hunk of all hunks here. Coop the Divine.”

  “Now you’re really worrying me. So you’ve just met this guy. There at Joe’s?”

  “Yes. He’s a regular here. Tall and gorgeous. Built. I think he likes me too.”

  “Of course he likes you. You’re the hottest friend I have. Uber sexy. That was said in a non-lesbian way, okay?”

  “You’re so funny. I’m not even a little sexy.” I lean against the sink to steady myself. No more drinks for me. “I just wanted to let you know who I was with in case things heat up and I’m never heard from again. He’s asked me to go back to his place.”

  “Oh, Millie. I don’t think that’s a good idea. You really don’t know who this guy is, you’re drunk, and it’s only three in the afternoon.” She pauses and I hear her sigh. “And if he’s as hot as you say, I think your ‘never sleep together on the first date’ streak will be over.”

  “He seems like a nice guy, though. Joe, the old bar guy, knew him by name. Anyway, he’s been trying to cheer me up after the interview from hell.”

  “I don’t like this at all, Millie. Please be careful. If I don’t hear from you in a couple hours I’m calling this Joe guy.”

  “I promise to call. And what can happen to me in broad daylight?”

  “A lot, believe me.” There seems to be a bit of “been there, done that” in Priscilla’s words.

  “I’ll be careful.” Deep down inside I’m not sure that’s the truth. “Okay?”

  “Okay.” She appears to throw in the towel on talking me out of going home with him. “Remember, call me or else.”

  “Bye, Priscilla.”

  “Love you crazy.”

  “You too.”

  After getting off the call with Priscilla, I look into the small hazy mirror over the bathroom sink, assessing my reflection. I’m a little bright-eyed, and excited. It’s Coop making me appear this way. I know it has everything to do with him. A hot guy flirting with me, finding me attractive, and wanting to be with me. It’s as intoxicating as the vodka I’ve been drinking. And to be quite honest with you, I’ve not felt a thrill like this in a long, long time.

/>   Drinking early, alone, and having an encounter with an unbelievably hot guy who’s interested in me, well, let’s just say this isn’t my normal day. The thought of stopping whatever direction it’s going in makes me feel sad. I’m not ready to let anything kill the buzz I feel from being around Coop.

  It’s been awhile since a guy has shown any interest in me. Since graduating with my master’s degree in May, I’ve been cloistered in my hometown where the guys are either married or my distant relative. Recently, my life has been as boring as a fifth grade band concert. Maybe it’s time to spice things up? Throw caution to the wind?

  If I go home with him, that doesn’t mean I’m going to sleep with him, right? But realistically I know I’m fooling myself. Will I be able to say no if things heat up with him? Would I even want to? It’s been so damn long since I’ve been with someone and I’ve never felt this instant connection with any man like this before. There’s some weird, jazzed-up energy between us. One that really seems a shame not to be explored. But just how much exploring do I want him doing with me?

  Pushing away from the sink, I make my way out of the restroom and walk out to the open bar area and see that Coop’s gaze is trained on the hallway leading to the restroom. Our eyes instantly meet. Just knowing he’s waiting for me, watching attentively makes me happy, very damn happy.

  I walk slowly to him, enjoying the head to toe appraisal he gives me. He has a sexy smile that gets wider across his face with each and every step I take.

  “Well, hi there,” I whisper now standing in front of him where he’s sitting on the barstool looking deliciously handsome. Eat him alive delicious, in fact. And his blatant perusal of my body has left me feeling almost breathless.

  “Hi there,” he quietly answers back. But his voice doesn’t sound weak like mine. It’s seductive as if some kind of naughty promise is behind it. My knees suddenly become a little weak at the thought.

  “Well, I’ve been thinking about your question.” I pause and as I do he reaches for me, grabbing my hands in his then pulling me forward. He widens his legs as he sits atop the stool and brings me to rest between them. His hands rub softly up and down my forearms. I feel him pressing his legs against my hips keeping me in place. I can’t move from his hold. Constrained. Hunter to prey.

  “And do you have an answer for me? I’m hoping it’s yes.”

  All I can do at this point is nod and agree with him. He’s touching my skin, his legs pushing against my body. I’m experiencing complete sensory overload and I’m so lost I can’t even answer back.

  He’s grinning back at me and looks as happy as a man whose horse just won the Derby and I’m his prized blue ribbon.

  “I’ve settled up with Joe here.” I notice that our drinks and dishes have been cleared away from the bar. Coop anticipated my response. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad.

  “So I was a sure thing?” I ask raising my brow.

  “A man can hope, Millie.” Just hearing him mutter my name, makes me lean against him even more. Our faces are now close together. Lips not too far apart. I smell his woodsy scent and my eyes close for just a second as I breathe it in, so masculine and heady.

  “You okay, Millie?” he asks, his voice laced with concern. “Have you had too much to drink?”

  I open my eyes and see his eyes looking intense and a little worried. I swear they can see right through me down to my soul. I’d find this a little creepy if the intensity between us didn’t turn me on so much.

  “I’m doing real good.” Truthfully I am. Who wouldn’t be in my shoes?

  I look straight into his eyes and bite my lip, flirting with him. Being coy. From the hungry look in his eyes, it works.

  “Let’s go, you!” And in a flash he’s standing up by my side with his arm wrapped my shoulders. At his height, that’s where his hands naturally land on me. I’m now melting into him walking stride for stride to the door. But not before he says goodbye to sweet old Joe.

  “See you later, Joe.”

  “See you around, Coop. Make sure that nice young lady gets home safely.” I swear I hear an admonishment in Joe’s voice, like a father, telling us to be home by curfew.

  “Will do. You know me, Joe.” Coop’s response is followed with a chuckle. I’m hoping that’s not a laugh because he’s not one to get girls home safely. At least two people, Priscilla and Joe, know that I’m leaving with this man.

  I dig my sunglasses out of my purse before we hit the door. I know the sun’s going to blind me if I don’t as I’ve been inside of this cavern-like place for over three hours.

  Coop opens the door for me. I exit outside and wait a couple feet ahead of him. There are only three cars in the gravel parking lot, a rather beat-up truck, with rust just about everywhere, and a red compact car. But neither one of them say Coop to me.

  I’m thinking the last one of the three—a hot looking sports car. I have no clue what the make is but everything about it screams expensive. It’s dark navy blue, shiny, and brilliantly sparkles in the sun like Edward Cullen, that brooding, hot vampire in Twilight.

  Glancing back at Coop, I see him pulling a set of keys out of his pocket. He points a receiver toward the sports car and I hear a beeping sound. I’m assuming this signals the doors of his car are unlocked now.

  I guessed right, but what the heck does this guy do? I can’t even imagine how much a set of wheels like this costs. Likely more than the entire year’s salary of the art teaching position I interviewed for this morning.

  “Wow, Coop,” I say walking toward his car and standing by the passenger door. “This is magnificent.”

  “Thanks, I’ve had it a couple of years. She’s my baby.” His baby? Spoken like a true guy. Boys and their toys. It’s so true.

  But this is more than a toy, it’s a statement that says, Hey I’m rich. Look at me. Now more than ever, I really think this guy’s totally out of my league.

  “I bet it’s a chick magnet too.” I speak before I can catch myself. Those words would’ve been better thought than actually said. But I can’t take them back now.

  “Well, it’s not a deterrent,” he retorts sarcastically. I feel him at my side, his body lightly touching mine as his hand rests momentarily on my back. Even this slight connection between us makes me want to check my back and see if it’s smoking where we’re touching, the feeling between us is so hot and sizzling.

  Coop opens the door for me. He’s definitely scoring points for being a gentleman. But once I slide into the seat and feel the hot leather against my legs, I immediately scream.

  “Holy shit. My legs!” I shout and push myself back out of the car. Coop’s arms grab my shoulders and hold me in place.

  “Millie, I’m so sorry. I should’ve warned you. Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. I think.” I turn around with the back of my legs facing him. “Do they look red?”

  I’m looking at Coop over my shoulder and watch as he squats down behind me. His face is parallel to my ass. This close of an inspection is a little unnerving. I fear those little bitches called cellulite bumps might be right at his eye level. You know the ones I’m talking about. Cottage cheese on the legs.

  “Not red, but definitely hot babe. Real hot.” He gently grazes his hand over the backs of my thighs. Just a whisper of a touch and I’m feeling like my legs are on fire again. The sensations he gives me, well, I’ve never experienced anything like it before.

  He raises up beside me. I’m motionless. Still tingling.

  “I have a clean t-shirt in the back of the car. I’ll put it on the seat. Those legs are going to stay protected. I might have plans for them later.” He winks at me while reaching in the back seat and grabbing a duffle bag.

  Later? Plans? I watch him carefully prepare the hot seat for me. It’s sweet how concerned he is but going home with him is crazy, nuts. However, I don’t think I can or want to stop what’s already in full motion.

  “Okay, my lady. Your seat awaits.” He’s such a charmer and I�
�m thinking he’s likely going to charm the shorts right off me.

  “Thanks.” I ease into the car once again, holding the shirt in place. This time everything’s fine and the heat doesn’t reach my legs.

  He walks around to the other side and I notice the expensive wood on the console. Gadgets and displays everywhere. He said he was looking for a new job too. It was something we both had in common, but what the heck did he used to do? He didn’t tell me much just that he had a job-related injury that made him leave his last position.

  He opens his door and climbs in next to me. I watch as his legs fold and the rest of his tall body eases into the seat next to me. Even though we were closer sitting leg to leg in the bar, it feels more intimate in the car as he closes the door. We’re cocooned in this small space, like there’s no escape.

  “I need to get the air blowing.” Coop pushes on a remote that’s located on a key chain and the car starts. I feel a cool blast of air hitting me right after the engine turns.

  “I love your car. It’s so cool, literally. My car takes forever to cool down.”

  “Well, I’m glad you left yours at your friend’s apartment.” I’d shared with him earlier that I was in Atlanta applying for a teaching job and was staying at Priscilla’s apartment across the street.

  Ending up at Joe’s? Best damn thing I did today, maybe this week. Heck, likely my whole life, but I didn’t have a clue about this yet.

  “Me, too.” A worry hits me. “Are you okay to drive? We’ve been drinking all afternoon. I’m not sure how I’m walking or talking, really.”

  “I’m good. I had my usual at Joe’s. Lemonade. Straight up.” Oh, he’s not been drinking but making sure my drink was never empty.

  “You’re kidding me. No alcohol?”

  “None. I knew I’d be driving home.” He gives me a quick side-glance and I swear he looks apologetic. “But I promise to catch up when we get to my house.”

  “You better. I’m light years ahead of you now.” I lightly punch his shoulder half in fun, half in anger for not joining in earlier with me.