by Nikki Ash
Spotting a couple of the women giving the guys lap dances I wonder if they are getting paid but then I really look at these guys and see how hot they are; there’s no way they would need to pay any woman to dance for them. There are several bottles of liquor covering the table with tumblers and shot glasses all over. One of the guys – who has only one woman dancing on his lap while he grabs her ass with one hand and drinks something that looks like vodka from his other hand – sees us walking over and nods his head to the guy I’m with.
We get up to the booth and one of the other guys pats the girls on their ass to move them out of the way so he can let my guy sit down. Hmm… my guy? That has a nice sound to it. What the heck am I thinking? I am only here for seven days and this guy is way out of my league. I have college to focus on for the next four years. Yes, I would like to date but something tells me this guy is nothing like the college guys I will be meeting at ULV.
He wraps his arms around my waist and settles into the booth pulling me into his lap with him. I fall down willingly and cuddle up close to him crossing my legs the best I can so nobody gets a peak up my dress. He begins to nuzzle his face into my neck and a shiver goes down my spine. He must feel it because he laughs softly. Moving my hair off of my neck he presses his mouth against my skin where my shoulder meets my neck. I feel the soft brush of his cool lips against my warm skin and I sigh outwardly. If my panties get any more drenched I am going to need to excuse myself to go remove them in the bathroom.
“Yo, Coop. How’s it going?” Cooper pauses what he’s doing to me to look up at the guy speaking to him. Coop? Is that short for Cooper? Where have I heard that name before? Hol-y Cow! This is the VIP guy…the special guest who invited us in… Looking around at the women once again I wonder why in the world he would invite us up when he already has women like them surrounding him? Maybe he invited Kayla up. She is pretty hot but even she isn’t up to the same level as these girls, although I would never tell her that. As he goes to respond to his friend I cut in giving voice to my thoughts.
“Did you invite my friend Kayla up here?”
“Whose Kayla?” He looks at me with genuine confusion. God, he is so beautiful. A girl could easily get lost in this man.
“The girl the bouncer invited in by a VIP guy named Cooper.”
“I don’t know who Kayla is but I did ask the bouncer to invite you, and whoever was with you, in. As I was getting out of my car I saw you walking to the end of the line.”
“Did you see my friend Kayla? She was in the silvery sequin dress. Are you sure you didn’t mean to invite her in?”
He chuckles and moves his hand to my chin to bring my face in closer. He smiles slightly and stares deep into my eyes. God, his eyes are hypnotizing. Focus, Liz!
“No, baby. I meant to invite you in. To be honest I didn’t even notice your friend but she is more than welcome to join us up here. I thought you would come up here when you walked in but when I saw you head straight for the dance floor I realized if I wanted you with me I would have to come get you myself and I am damn glad I did.”
He situates me closer to him on his lap and pulls my legs up and over his thighs while keeping his arms around my waist and then looks back at his friend.
“’Sup, Kaden? Didn’t see you here a little bit ago. Did you just get in?”
His friend nods and they start talking about some fight that they went to a few days ago. I attempt to listen to their conversation but it’s hard to concentrate because while Cooper is talking, his fingers are rubbing across my stomach in a way that is giving me butterflies. He moves his other hand up to my face and moves my hair from out of my eyes like it’s the most natural thing ever.
They stop talking and he looks back to me like he has something to say. His mouth opens then closes and then he makes a face that has me falling into a fit of laughter.
“Are you trying to think hard about something? You look confused.” I can’t stop laughing. How is it possible that a man so sexy can also be absolutely adorable at the same time?
“I just realized I know your friend’s name but I don’t know yours.” His eyebrows are scrunched up and he is giving me the cutest pout with his bottom lip jutting out just a little bit. With this look alone, I bet he could get any woman to do anything he wants.
“My name is Lizbeth but everybody calls me Liz,” I say still grinning at his facial expressions.
“Are you from around here, Liz?”
“Um, kind of. I live a little further north, about two hours.” I decide not to tell him exactly where in case he is an axe murderer after all. And I decide not to mention after this week I will be living in Las Vegas. It doesn’t really matter at this point since I won’t see him again after tonight.
“How long are you in Miami for?”
“My friend, Kayla, and I are here for seven days. We are staying right up the road at the Miami Beach Resort; it’s a graduation present from my parents.” I don’t mention it’s my high school graduation since I am supposed to be twenty-one to be in this club and if he knew I was only eighteen he might be completely turned off. I am already in shock that he would want me when he could easily have his pick of women in this club.
While we continue to make light conversation, the whole time he’s touching me in some way. They aren’t meant to be sexual touches but they still cause the same reaction from my body. He looks past me at somebody walking over and tells me that I have company. I look behind me and see Kayla is walking over sporting a huge knowing grin across her face.
“Well hello there handsome. I take it you are the nice gentleman that invited us up here.”
“That would be me” he responds nodding once. He moves his hand off my stomach to shake her hand and I immediately feel cold like I need him touching me to feel warm.
“My name is Cooper and my friends here are Kaden…”
He points over at a guy sitting nearby who he gives her a chin nod. “Bentley.” He points over to the guy who no longer has the two women giving him a lap dance but is sitting by himself and staring right at my best friend like he wants to eat her alive.
“And the guy over there is Caleb.” He points to the other guy who had gotten up to give Cooper his seat earlier.
He looks over at Kayla and back to me smiling. “Guys, this is Liz and her friend Kayla. They are down here for the next week celebrating their graduation.”
“Nice!” Kaden shouts over the music since the song that is now playing has serious bass going on.
Bentley walks over to Kayla and asks her to dance and of course she says yes. As she is walking away with him she turns around and gives me a huge, over exaggerated wink. I wouldn’t be surprised if they are having sex by the end of the night. Hopefully they make it out of the club first.
Would you like something to drink?” Cooper asks me pointing to all the bottles on the table. I know I shouldn’t drink since I am technically not twenty-one but how ridiculous will I look not drinking at a club? After saying yes, he grabs the bottle to pour us each a shot and then shoots his back. I follow his lead and shoot mine down quickly. It burns like a bitch the whole way down.
Six shots later, and I’m definitely feeling more than good. Kayla has come back over with Bentley and is drinking right along with us.
We are currently dancing our asses off on the table to Beyoncé’s remix of Single Ladies while taking another shot of whatever this yummy Vodka stuff is. The other women are dancing with Kaden and a couple of other guys who have shown up during the last couple hours. Bentley and Cooper are sitting in the booth below us laughing while they continue to drink.
Every time I look down at him I can see him staring at me with what I think is lust in his eyes. The song ends and Cooper stands up to help me down off the table while Bentley helps Kayla. I realize how drunk I am when the room kind of starts spinning as he helps me get my footing once I’m back on the ground.
“I don’t think you are a single lady tonight,” he jokes and winks at
me while helping me straighten up my dress.
When everybody decides to head out, I know I have a decision to make: Do I have sex with Cooper tonight? Kayla has clearly made her decision but still asks me if it is ok since it means I will be going back to the room by myself. I am not about to pussy block my best friend so of course I tell her to go. Since she is going back to Bentley’s room they tell me they can drop me back off at our room on their way.
Cooper texts somebody, and it must have been to let his driver know he is ready to go, because when we walk out to the front his expensive and shiny SUV is waiting for us. We all pile in and he gives the driver the name of the resort I am staying at.
The entire car ride he sits with his hand in my lap and his fingers rubbing over my knuckles. When I look at him he gives me a small smile, takes my chin in his hand, and places soft kisses all over my face. I try to focus but his lips brushing across my temple, my cheek, corner of my mouth are distracting me.
I am still attempting to debate as to whether or not I should invite him up when the SUV pulls up. He tells his driver he is going to walk me up to my room real quick and helps me out of the vehicle. Kayla gives me a smile when I turn around and hug her goodbye whispering to be careful.
We get to my room and I turn around to come face to face with Cooper. I am now up against the door and he is using his palms to hold him up and over me. I look up at him wanting to invite him in but knowing I am too drunk to want to sleep with him. I really want my first time to be memorable and I can’t imagine remembering any of this after all of those vodka shots.
Cooper looks into my eyes and with this one sentence makes the decision for me. “If I come in, it would only be to sleep next to you. You have drunk too much for us to do anything else. When I take you, I want you to be clear headed and remember everything my body makes yours feel.”
And my panties are instantly soaked. I can’t even respond so I simply nod. He pulls out his cell phone and texts something to someone, probably to his driver to let him know to go ahead.
We enter the room and I excuse myself to quickly rinse off and change into my pajamas. I brush my teeth and blow dry my hair so it’s not soaking wet. As I exit the bathroom I see him lying in my bed in nothing but his boxers. For a second I am frozen in my place but I quickly gather myself and walk towards the bed to join him.
“Hope this is ok. I didn’t plan to spend the night out so I don’t have any clothes to change into.”
“No, I mean yeah, that’s cool.” I respond trying not to sound like the inexperienced teenager I am and pray he doesn’t notice.
I walk around to the empty side of the bed and climb in with Cooper. I wonder if he can tell this will be my first time sleeping with a guy. I can only imagine how many women he has slept with. I shake off the thought because it really doesn’t matter. Not quite sure how I am supposed to lie down, I roll onto my side awkwardly away from him. He doesn’t seem to notice how nervous I am as he pulls me closer to him, spooning me from behind.
“Mmm…are you tired?” he asks me softly.
Wrapped up tightly in this man’s arms makes me feel so protected. I can feel his bulge again through our clothes and I know he is turned on. I feel my cheeks heat up. Thank goodness it’s dark in here and I am facing away from him or my blush would give away just how inexperienced I am.
“I am exhausted but I feel energized at the same time. I want to go to sleep but I feel like I could stay awake all night. It must be the alcohol.”
He laughs softly into my hair. “What do you usually do when you can’t fall asleep?”
“Ok, don’t laugh at me. I usually count.”
“Count?”
“You know sheep or pigs, or some farm animal until I pass out.”
He closes his arms around me, kisses me softly on my temple, and begins counting.
“One sheep, two sheep, three sheep, four sheep…”
I can’t help but chuckle at this man counting sheep to help me fall asleep. My body relaxes and eventually I hear Cooper whisper in my ear “Good night, Liz.”
This feels better than I could have ever imagined. I never thought I could feel so safe and wanted by a man to the point I feel choked up and can’t even respond. With his soft breathing in my ear I let sleep overtake me.
* * *
Enjoyed this sample? Fighting For a Second Chance is free on Kindle Unlimited or available to purchase.
Fighting For a Second Chance
Other books from the Fighting Series
Fighting For a Second Chance
Fighting With Faith
Coming this fall
Fighting For Your Love
Acknowledgments
Readers: Without you reading and loving my books I wouldn’t be writing my acknowledgements for the third time! While I want to say I write for myself, the truth is I write for you as well. I am a reader first and foremost, and I know what it’s like to read a book and fall in love, to crave the escape it gives you. It makes me feel complete knowing that my words give you the escape I love and crave. Thank you for taking a chance on my books.
Lisa McKay: When we met we were two booklovers and you put up with my pickiness of books. When I couldn’t find the book I wanted to read, you told me to write the book myself. I started to write and you started to edit. I can’t believe we are here three books later. Thank you for always having my back, being a soundboard when I need it, and for being an amazing person!
Jessica Kennedy: While I seriously love your amazing teasers and they are many times my motivation to keep writing, you have become by friend and I am so grateful to the book world for bringing you into my life.
Dad: You motivate me every day to follow my dreams and passions. Even when I don’t believe in myself you believe for me. You have been doing this my entire life and I am so grateful to be blessed with a father like you.
Sabastian and Arianna: You both are my entire world. I love you more than life itself.
Bret: Thank you for listening to me talk books with you even when you have no desire to hear about romance novels and for helping me double check certain scenes ;) You are my best friend. I love you.
Bloggers and Authors: Without your support most people wouldn’t even know about my books or me. Thank you for opening up your arms to me, allowing me to takeover your blogs, promoting my covers and books, and sharing your love of reading with the world. I loved you as a reader and now as an author I truly respect you.
Thank you for reading Fighting For Your Touch! If you have any questions or comments please email me at: [email protected]. I encourage and welcome any and all feedback.
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