by S. A. Wolfe
“Cooper, we are paired up for the wedding. That’s a date.”
“No, it isn’t. That’s a duty.”
“Well, if I go on a date with you because I lose a bet, then that’s a duty, too.”
Cooper chuckles arrogantly. “When you’re on a date with me, it won’t feel like a chore or a duty.”
“Says the horny man. Besides, we never agreed to when this potential date would take place. I could hold you off for another year. ”
“Not going to happen.”
“What makes you so sure? A little groping today has certainly made you very cocky.”
“Because you like me, and it’s more than what happened in this pantry … or on the porch.”
“This is a bad idea. It will get too complicated.”
“No, it’s very simple. I’m going to bring you to your knees.”
Twelve
The rest of the day, I spend too much time thinking about how Cooper can bring me to my knees.
Everyone stays until dinner, and Lauren is very pleased that we’ve accomplished getting more than thirty-five necklace tray set-ups completed. Over the next week, Lauren and I will have to string beads and add in the lockets and pendants Cooper purchased for us, which is the part that makes me feel a little cheap. He gives us this extravagant gift, and I can’t keep my hands off him. The two events are not correlated; however, it didn’t occur to me that I should probably have brought this up with him. That discussion wasn’t going to happen with everyone around, though.
The conversation in our workroom was devoted to the uncomfortable temperature and humidity level in our old house, and Lauren’s wedding and her baby—and I do mean Lauren’s wedding and Lauren’s baby. You’d never know Leo is getting married or about to be a father with the way she went on about the decision-making process, which clearly required only her vote. We had a few laughs over that.
Cooper would pause occasionally and glance my way or give me one of his wicked grins, but we didn’t corner each other in secret for another kiss or grope. When he left, his elbow grazed my arm on his way out the front door, the small gesture feeling completely erotic because it was intentional. It sent an arousing tremble cascading from my arm down to my toes. As if he knew, he looked back at me and winked before descending the stairs to his bike.
After everyone leaves, I pack a small backpack with water and some hiking essentials Leo insists I take tomorrow. I then dig out some old, high tops and lay out some light weight leggings and a T-shirt. Because of the bug factor, I need to be covered, but I also don’t want to roast.
Cooper has said he will pick me up at seven to get an early start before the heat sets in. The idea of a long, sweaty hike with Cooper doesn’t keep me awake, though; it’s the thought of him bringing me to my knees.
So, what? Hell, I’m pretty sure I could bring him to his knees, too. However, this whole knee business is precisely what we should both be trying to avoid because this is where things can go wrong and get messy. People get hurt or angry or both. Moreover, who the hell needs that in their life? Not me. Kcuf!
“You’re going to have to walk faster than that if we want to beat the sun,” Cooper says, turning around to watch me catch up to him.
We’ve been trudging up the slow incline of a wooded path for five hours. I’m drenched in sweat, have blisters breeding on my feet, and two mosquito bites I keep scratching. I’m wearing two sport bras to prevent my breasts from doing their own bouncy line dance, but the bras are a bitch. They are practically strangling me and making my hot, itchy skin worse.
Cooper, on the other hand, looks great in sweat. His hair is pulled back into a short ponytail at the nape of his neck, and he’s wearing cargo pants and a threadbare white T-shirt that’s plastered with sweat to his chest and abs.
“I need more water, and then I need to take a piss,” I say when I reach him.
I couldn’t sound or look more butch, and at this point, I don’t care. I hate hiking, but maybe this was a good idea after all. Maybe Cooper will see what I look like under duress. In an apocalyptic world, I would be ugly, stinky, and mean. The sight of me should be a big turn off.
Cooper lets out a laugh and hands me one of the water bottles since he’s carrying all the extra weight. I grab it and gulp half of it before handing the bottle back.
“You carry it. I’m already too top heavy,” I mutter as I stalk off to find another private spot where I can kill more wildlife with my never-ending urine supply.
When I return from yet another unhappy tree, I take the rubber band out of my wet hair and try to realign my ponytail on top of my head to get the sticky hair off my neck. Cooper is standing with one hip cocked, watching me and wiping his face with his T-shirt. His sunglasses are perched on top of his head, and even in all this bug-infested, sweaty grime, he looks good with his tan, washboard abs on full display for me.
It seems unfair. I’m an attractive woman, and sometimes, I even crack the beauty ranks, but I think it always takes effort. Makeup and hair are part of my arsenal, and my body is my weapon, at least when it comes to men. I’m well aware that I should be flogged for my anti-feminist thoughts, and my mother would be the first in line with the whip. Regardless, that’s who I am.
I will never be one of those fun-loving athletic women who looks good dripping in sweat with twigs in my hair. However, in my defense, I don’t shy away from confrontation and being slighted or wronged in any way because I’m also not afraid to use my other weapon, my smart mouth. Boobs will sag and beauty fades, but as long as I’m alive, no one will ever be able to shut me up.
“What are you laughing at?” I glare at Cooper.
“You. You’re so miserable, but you haven’t once asked to go home, even though I brought you to the one trail most people hike in winter when there’s less foliage and insects.”
“You did? You did this on purpose?” I ask testily.
“Yep.”
“Jesus Christ, you must really like me in order to put up with this shit.” As I walk past him, I consider flinging my backpack at his head.
“I do. I didn’t think you’d last this long, especially when we went past that hornet’s nest. There’s a clearing up ahead. We can stop for lunch.”
“Super,” I grumble and jump back on the trail, letting him follow me this time.
A half hour later, we come to the clearing where there’s rocky terrain and a view of the valley below. After I steer us towards a big boulder with a flat top, Cooper climbs up and holds out his hand to pull me up. We sit down on the warm surface and spread our lunches out.
Cooper has two apples, a sandwich on some type of rustic bread, a big bag of dried cherries, a jar of peanuts, and energy drinks. Lauren made my lunch the night before and put it in the fridge for me, so I have no idea what I’m eating. I thought she was being nice, but as I open the bag, I see she was playing with me. I pull out a bag of Goldfish crackers and a whole log of salami.
“What the…?” I say, looking at the salami.
“That’s what you packed for lunch?” Cooper asks, wolfing down a handful of cherries.
“I didn’t pack this; Lauren did. I guess she thought it would be funny. Ha! Jokes on her. I love salami.” I peel back the casing before taking a mouthful of the greasy meat. I have to chew until my jaw aches before I can swallow. I wash it down with the water Cooper gives me.
“Imogene, share my lunch.” He spreads out a paper napkin and puts an apple and half his sandwich on it then hands me the bag of peanuts and cherries. “As much as I love watching you try to eat that thing, that salami is going to make you sick.”
“I’ve suddenly lost my appetite,” I say after the third chunk of fatty meat slides down my throat.
“Eat the apple at least. Really. You need your energy for the rest of the hike.”
“Why? Isn’t it all downhill after this?”
“I might want to have my way with you on this rock,” he says, sla
pping his hand against the flat top.
“Then you chose the wrong aphrodisiac. I’m not in the mood. Hiking makes me want to shower and sleep.”
When Cooper leans over the lunch spread and kisses me, I don’t hesitate to drop that stupid salami to enjoy the kiss.
“Mm, you taste like salami. I love a woman with a big stick of meat.”
“Okay, enough.” The apple from his tongue lingers on my lips so I pop one of the cherries into my mouth to erase him. “Tell me why you quit the FBI. I want the real story, not the one about wanting to slow down and move to a sleepy, little town. You’re only twenty-nine. Adrenaline dudes like you don’t move to Hera, they move out. This town is so quiet it’s practically in a coma, so something must have happened for you to quit the action.”
Cooper stops eating and turns to me. I can’t read his expression because he’s wearing sunglasses, but his mouth is stern with lips pressed closed tightly. He sighs and takes an extra T-shirt out of his backpack and bunches it into a ball before putting it behind his head to lie down. He then clasps his hands behind his head, leaving no doubt that the question agitates him.
“That bad, eh?” I shoot a peanut at him and hit him on the forehead.
“If you do that again, I’ll take advantage of you here on this rock. You’re tired, and I’ve had a boner since I had to drag your nice ass all the way up the trail.”
“Really? A four-hour boner? I think you’re supposed to call for medical assistance when that happens. Besides, you can’t get in here,” I say, snapping one of the straps of my sport bras. “It’s like Fort Knox. I’m wearing a straitjacket, and I could barely get these on, so I doubt you can get them off.”
“Fine. I’ll work on your lower half.” He grabs my hands and pulls me down, trapping me on his chest.
“You’re avoiding my question, and I can’t read your eyes. Is that why FBI agents wear shades?”
He laughs and breaks into a grin, pinning me against him with one hand while using the other to take his sunglasses off. Then he flings my sunglasses off my face, too.
“You’re lucky those are cheapos from Target, or I’d be really pissed off.”
“If we’re going to talk, then I want to see your eyes.”
Fortunately, a large, dark cloud moves in front of the sun, and we’re suddenly covered in ominous shade.
“Lie down. Stay awhile.” He moves me down by his side and swiftly puts the balled up T-shirt under my head.
“Cooper, this isn’t comfortable. Something sharp is digging into my neck. Oh, it’s a big rock,” I say sarcastically, struggling to sit up, but Cooper pins me with his leg and then shoves his arm under my head.
“There. That’s better,” he says.
Since there’s no escape, I turn on my side and face him, snuggling my cheek into his arm. He uses the leg that’s pinning mine to pull me closer to him.
“Enough lovin’ here, mister. We’re on a fucking rock.”
“You swore.” He smiles, enjoying this power struggle.
“Kcuf you, E-loha.”
He laughs so loudly it echoes over the treetops. “I’m an A-hole now?”
“You have me pinned on a rock, and I’m tired and stinky, and these goddamn bras are killing me.”
“Bras?”
“Lauren told me I have to wear two sport bras when I do strenuous exercise; otherwise, I’ll ruin my breasts for life. I’m in so much pain right now, I’d rather be bulldozed by my own boobs than endure this stupid hike anymore.”
While Cooper holds me in his arms, he laughs into my neck.
“There. Are you happy? You win. I hate this, and I’d like you to call 911 and have me airlifted out of here. Now.”
Cooper is still laughing with his face buried in my neck. At least his arm is cushioning my head. He finally comes up for air and puts his other arm around me, under my back for more support. Then he leans over me with his face right above mine and my hands pressed against his chest. I’m in a Cooper cocoon, and it’s really not so bad.
His laughing subsides as he looks at me sweetly.
“This is the perfect opportunity to kiss me,” I say.
“I know. I planned this.”
“Sure. And you’re still avoiding my question.”
“I’m not, but I want to get in the right mood before I talk about something miserable.”
“Did you get shot?” I ask, actually becoming more curious.
“No.” He kisses my forehead. “I became very jaded about people. More jaded than you are about men.”
I manage to snake my hands around his neck and slip the rubber band out of his hair. While I pull his head to mine so I can kiss him slowly and thoroughly, our lips tenderly caressing, his hair fans around us. I gasp, causing him to smile against my lips. My heart flutters, telling me I’m getting all gooey-eyed over Cooper. He is beautiful, and I feel beautiful with him.
“You definitely have my attention,” I say then lick his bottom lip.
“I don’t want to ruin this by talking about my former job. There was a lot of ugliness in that place, and there’s a lot of good here, you being the best part. Do you remember when Carson brought me to the diner for lunch on my first day?”
I blush because I remember every detail of when Cooper walked into the diner on that day. I hid nonchalantly behind bus tubs and menus, but eventually, I had to take his order since Carson kept flagging me down. I wasn’t immune to Cooper’s sex appeal; however, I was confident that I was in a secure, permanent coupledom with Jeremy. I’d had no idea that I would become an obsolete party to that supposed dream relationship.
“I remember it very well.” His voice is deep and seductive. “There was this obnoxious waitress who was trying to ignore me. Although, I thought she was pretty and there was something special about her, so I was going to keep trying. I could only get her to look sideways at me, but I was sure that she’d eventually come around and let me ask her out.”
I laugh softly at his preposterous retelling of my behavior, which happens to be quite accurate. Thank God my parents fired me.
“If you were so interested in me, why didn’t you ask me out back then?”
“Believe me, I was going to. In a matter of days, Jeremy moved away, and I thought I would swoop in and nab you before that fool changed his mind. But you were so angry with him you were taking it out on me every time you saw me. I decided you needed a cooling off period, and then I’d ask you out. I didn’t know it would take a fucking year for you to get over that idiot.”
As I stroke the blond stubble along his jaw, he closes his eyes. “Cooper, before we kissed, what made you think I was interested in you? I was pretty nasty to you.”
“That was your shield. It was the way you looked at me and still do. You never looked at Jeremy like that. In that one week I worked with him and saw you together, I figured out that you treated him more like a brother than a boyfriend. You weren’t in love with him.”
“Everyone thought I was heartbroken over Jeremy, and I was a bit, but mostly, I was angry at him. Then I was angry at every guy after him.”
“As you know, I see people in a different way, and I figured it out right away. You wasted too much time being angry at a guy who had already checked out. He was a nice guy to work with, but he would never be ready for you.”
“We were together day and night, we never fought, and he seemed happy.”
“I’m sure he was thrilled to have you, but it was going to take him years to grow up. I’m a grown-up, Imogene, and I wouldn’t have moved out of this dinky town if ... He was a dork for what he did.”
“I wasn’t really in love with him. You got that part right,” I say, hoping Cooper will say more disparaging things about Jeremy to make me feel better.
“You made a mistake being with that guy. He was a boy. You need a man.”
Cooper leans down and kisses me again, angling his head to take more. All the sensations he generat
es are nothing I’ve experienced with Jeremy or any other guy, for that matter. It’s as if he’s consuming me in the gentlest yet most sensual way. Maybe I have only been with men who were bad kissers and never knew it until Cooper. I don’t know what it is, except that I don’t want to ignore him or look away from him anymore. I look forward to these secret kisses and wonder how long the game will last before we go back to being regular, non-kissing friends again.
“Have you heard anything I said?” he asks, smiling at my dreamy state. I hope I don’t look as silly as the teenage girls who swoon over him.
“Yes. Jaded, obnoxious waitress, boys, men, and some other stuff.”
“Huh, I guess that’s a start.”
“A start to what?” I ask, stroking his scruffy jaw. “Life lessons from Cooper? I don’t think so, mister. Move on and tell me why you quit your big career.”
Cooper groans and rolls onto his back so we’re lying side by side with his left arm under my head, bent so he can hold my hand. He is quiet as he looks up at the dark sky.
“Spit it out. Those clouds look like a storm is coming in, and if I see lightening, I’m going to make you run and carry me piggyback all the way down this mountain.”
“I could do that.”
“Cooper, stop evading the story. Just tell me.”
“You were right about me being an adrenaline junkie. But I also wanted to be different than my dad and brothers. Most of them are cops in Brooklyn where I grew up. My dad is retired from the force and owns a bar with my younger brother Peyton, who’s not a cop. They all thought I should join the force, though. But I was also a good student like my mom. She’s a very successful CFO at a hedge fund. I studied my ass off and took a full load each summer so I could graduate NYU in less than three years. I was twenty.”
“I didn’t know that,” I say with genuine surprise.
Cooper smiles. “Yeah, I’m sure you had me pegged as some kind of flunkie, but you have to be a college grad and pass the tests to get into Quantico. I became a little obsessed with neural science during college. I liked studying the brain and human behavior. It was a lot of work, and I sacrificed most of my personal life to get into the FBI Academy. Some experience was required, so I was a cop for three years before I tested for Quantico when I was twenty-three.
