Pieces of Me

by Laura Farr

  “Trust me. It’s perfect,” she assures me with a grin.

  “You know where he’s taking me, don’t you?”

  She nods and mimics zipping her mouth closed before throwing away the key. “My lips are sealed, so don’t even ask.” She claps her hands together and grins. “I think you’ll love it, though. Who knew my brother could be so romantic?”

  “Romantic?”

  “You’ll see,” she replies cryptically.

  “Are you Daddy’s girlfriend, Lexi?” Bella asks, climbing down from the breakfast bar and walking over to me. I glare at Maddie, who is snickering next to Alex, before squatting down in front of her. Bailey chooses that moment to acknowledge that I’ve entered the room and bounds over to greet me. As he barrels into me, I lose my balance and fall backward onto my ass. Bailey barks and pushes into me, licking my face. I hear Maddie and Alex laughing from the other side of the kitchen and I can’t help joining in with them as I pat Bailey on the head.

  “What’s going on?” I hear Cooper say. “Shit. Lexi, are you okay? Bailey, bed, now.” On Cooper’s command, Bailey moves off me. I see the concern on Cooper’s face as he crosses the room and kneels beside me. I might be on my ass on the kitchen floor, but it doesn’t stop me noticing how hot he looks. He’s wearing a pair of jeans and a dark t-shirt that stretches tightly across his hard chest. “What happened?” he asks, pulling me from my lustful gazing.

  “I’m fine, Coop,” I assure him. “Bailey just got a bit excited and I lost my balance. That’s all.” He stands up and offers me his hand. Taking it, I let him pull me up. “Well you two were helpful. Thanks.” I scoff at Maddie and Alex, who are still laughing. “I’d still be being licked to death if it were left to you two!”

  “God, that was so funny,” Maddie manages to say between fits of laughter. Cooper ignores her and turns to me.

  “Are you ready to go?” I nod, and he turns to Bella, scooping her into his arms. “Be good for Aunt Maddie and Uncle Alex, okay? I’ll come and give you a kiss goodnight when I get home.”

  “Lexi, too?” Bella asks shyly.

  He looks at me and I nod. “Lexi, too. See you later, princess.” He puts her down, and she runs over to Maddie. I give her a small wave as I follow Cooper out of the kitchen.

  “Have fun,” I hear Maddie shout as we walk toward the entryway. When we get outside, Cooper slides his arm around my waist and pulls me toward him.

  “Hi,” he mutters, wrapping both of his arms around me as we stand on the porch.

  “Hi.”

  “You look beautiful.” Butterflies erupt in my stomach as he bends his head and gently brushes his lips against mine. “Let’s go.”

  “Are you going to tell me what we’re doing yet?”

  He shakes his head and grins. “Nope! You’ll find out soon enough.” He takes my hand and leads me to his truck, holding the door open as I climb in. Winking at me, he jogs around the hood and jumps into the driver’s seat.

  As we pull out of the driveway, Bella’s question plays on a loop in my mind. I’m acutely aware that I never answered her, but honestly, I’m glad I didn’t get the chance to. I have no idea how Cooper wants to handle things, and to say I feel a little anxious about it would be an understatement. The last time something happened between us, and Bella saw, Cooper didn’t speak to me for a week. While I understand why now, I can’t bear the thought of him freaking out again. I know I should speak to him about it, but it feels like it has taken forever to get to this point and I don’t want to ruin it. I’m pulled from my thoughts as he reaches across the cab and rests his hand on my leg. I lace my hand through his and smile, pushing down the uncertainty I feel.

  Fifteen minutes later, we pull up at Oceanside’s marina. As Cooper parks the truck, I look around in awe. I see row after row of boats of all shapes and sizes, and I wonder what we’re doing here. Panic suddenly builds in the pit of my stomach that he’s brought me to the marina’s upscale restaurant that looks out over the water. I really hope not as I’m dressed in jeans and Converse.

  While I’ve been panicking about being underdressed, Cooper has climbed out of the truck and is holding the passenger door open for me. As I turn to look at him, I breathe a sigh of relief when I see a wicker picnic basket in his hand.

  “Where are we going, Cooper?” I ask as I take his hand and climb out of the truck.

  “Follow me,” he says cryptically.

  I follow him down a set of narrow steps that lead to the dock. We walk about halfway down the wooden walkway before he comes to a stop in front of a beautiful boat. My eyes go wide as I glance past him and see just how stunning the inside of the vessel is.

  “Are we taking a boat out?” I ask in excitement. He nods and takes my hand, gesturing for me to climb on board. I do, and he follows, setting the picnic basket down on the floor. “Cooper, this is beautiful,” I gush as I look around in awe. The interior is stunning, made up of walnut trim and cream-colored leather seats. Just past the sitting area are some steps that lead up to the helm, where a polished walnut steering wheel sits. Walking up the steps, I lift my hands and gently place them on the wheel.

  “It suits you,” Cooper says. I turn to see him smiling up at me.

  “Is this… Is this yours?”

  He bursts out laughing and shakes his head. “No, Lex. Unfortunately not!”

  “Whose is it then? How do you know what to do?”

  “It belongs to some friends of my parents. When me and Maddie were kids, we used to go out with them some weekends. Richard and Sarah never had any kids, and when I got old enough, Richard used to show me how to steer. I got pretty good over the years. This isn’t the boat they had when we were kids. They’ve upgraded since then.”

  “And they’re just letting us take it out? On our own?” I ask incredulously. He laughs again and nods.

  “I did some work on his house earlier in the year. I cut him a deal, and he owes me a favor, so I cashed it in. We aren’t going far. Just along the coast to a little cove I know of.”

  “I think this is probably the best date I’ve ever been on. Very impressive, Mr. Matthews.”

  “Well, I’m glad you approve.” He climbs the steps and wraps his arms around me, my back to his chest. “I can’t wait to have you all to myself for a few hours.” He moves my hair from my neck and brushes his lips over my skin. “No interruptions,” he whispers. I shiver at his words, heat pooling in the pit of my stomach. I tilt my head to look at him and press my lips to his in a searing kiss. “Let’s get out of here,” he says, his voice husky. I nod and step aside so he can do what he needs to.

  I watch as he starts the engine and maneuvers the boat out of its slot in the marina. He looks sexy as hell, and as we head out into open water, I sidle up next to him and wrap my arm around one of his. He lifts the arm I’m holding onto and puts it around my shoulders, kissing me on the head as he pulls me into him.

  Five minutes later, we’re sailing parallel to the shoreline. Leaving Cooper’s side, I walk down the steps and around to the front of the boat, resting my hands on the chrome railing. The light is beginning to fade, and as I look back toward Oceanside, the lights of the town twinkle in the distance. It looks beautiful from here.

  “Lexi,” I hear Cooper shout over the roar of the engine. “Do you want to try?” He points to the steering wheel, and I nod enthusiastically as I make my way back to him. I climb the steps and he moves to one side so that I can stand in front of him. “Okay. Take the wheel with both hands,” he instructs. I feel him move behind me, his chest pressed against my back. His arms come around me and his hands cover mine on the wheel. “We’re headed over there.” He points to a spot in the distance. He removes his other hand and steps away. Panic floods my body as he climbs down the stairs.

  “Cooper!” I shout. “Where are you going? I don’t know what I’m doing!”

  “Just keep it steady, sweetheart. You’re doing great,” he yells back. I can’t help but smile as I hear him call me sweethea
rt, but I still feel apprehensive that I’m up here alone.

  “What if I hit something?” I hear him burst out laughing as he climbs back up the steps.

  “And what exactly are you going to hit, Lex? We’re in the middle of the ocean.”

  I shrug and pout. “You never know. There could be a whale or something.” He’s still laughing, so I look over my shoulder and stick my tongue out.

  “I think any whales will avoid us, babe, but I’ll be the lookout in case any get in your way.” He tickles my side and I squeal before swatting his hand away.

  Fifteen minutes later, Cooper’s taken over the wheel and we’ve anchored in the shallow waters off a secluded bay. The light is fading, and I see Cooper check his watch.

  “We made it just in time.”

  “In time for what?”

  “Look.”

  I turn to see where he’s pointing and my breath catches in my throat. The bright sphere of the sun is just beginning to set on the horizon in a blaze of oranges and yellows. The cloudless sky around it is aglow with color, and as it slowly slips further into the ocean, the light seems to set the water on fire.

  “Oh, my god, Cooper. This is amazing. It’s like we’re close enough to touch it.” I reach for his hand and we stand side by side as we watch it disappear over the horizon.

  “Wow, that was beautiful.” I turn to him and go up on my tiptoes, kissing his cheek. “Thank you.”

  “I’m glad you liked it. Are you hungry?” he asks, slipping his arms around my waist.

  “Actually, now that you mention it, I am pretty hungry.”

  “Wait here and I’ll grab the picnic basket.”

  My eyes follow him as he jumps down the steps and picks up the wicker basket he brought on board with him. Lifting one of the leather seats exposes a hidden cupboard, and he reaches inside, pulling out a blanket. “We’ll eat on the deck at the front,” he says gesturing behind me. I nod and follow him. Taking the blanket from him, I lay it out.

  Inside the basket, there are rolls with different fillings, potato chips, strawberries, and a tub of cream. There’s also a bottle of wine and a couple of cans of soda. He even remembered paper plates and a plastic wine glass. I’m impressed.

  We unload it all, and he looks at me sheepishly. “I’m sorry the picnic’s not better. You know, anything to do with cooking isn’t my strong point.”

  I look at him in surprise and frown. “Are you kidding me? Cooper, this is incredible. I can’t believe how much effort you’ve gone to, and the picnic is perfect.” On my hands and knees, I crawl across the blanket and kiss him. “This is, hands down, the best date I’ve ever been on,” I whisper against his lips. He grins at me and I smile back. “Now, let’s eat.”

  “Let’s eat,” he agrees, tossing me one of the rolls. He opens the wine and pours me a glass.

  “Aren’t you having one?”

  He shakes his head. “Nah, not with the boat. I’ll stick to soda.”

  I nod and take my glass from him, sipping on the wine.

  “So, my parents are back from their vacation in a couple of weeks. I know you’ve met them before, but I’d love for you to come and see them with me,” he says just as I’ve taken a huge bite of my turkey roll. Swallowing my mouthful of food, I take a gulp of wine before answering him.

  “Oh, erm…sure.” I take another mouthful of wine and push down the wild panic that’s threatening to surface. I met his parents a handful of times before we left Oceanside, but I was a kid. I’ve never really done the whole meet the parents thing. Greg’s parents were both dead, although knowing what I know about him now, I guess they could have been alive and he just didn’t want them to know about me. “Do they…do they know about us? I mean that we’re dating? We are dating, aren’t we? Oh shit. You meant for me to meet them as your housekeeper, didn’t you? Either is fine with me.” I feel my face flush as I realize I’m rambling. Taking another gulp of my wine, I drain the glass, my eyes looking anywhere but at him. Hearing Cooper laugh, I raise my head.

  “God, you’re cute when you’re nervous.”

  “Who says I’m nervous?”

  “The empty wine glass.” He raises his eyebrows, and I burst out laughing.

  “Maybe,” I concede, holding it out for him to refill. “Sorry.”

  “Don’t apologize. My parents don’t know about us. They don’t know about Mads and Alex, either.” He chuckles before taking a mouthful of his soda. “They’ll be surprised to come home and find out both of us have met someone.” He reaches for my hand, enveloping it in his large one. “I don’t want to introduce you as the housekeeper,” he says quietly, his thumb circling my palm. “I want to introduce you as my girlfriend, if that’s okay with you?” My eyes go wide and excitement flutters in my stomach.

  “Cooper, I would love that, but are you sure? You don’t think it’s too soon?”

  He shakes his head. “It feels right, Lex. Life can be cruel and unpredictable. I found that out in the hardest way possible. What I thought was my forever turned out not to be. But I feel like maybe you’re a second chance at happiness. Right now, I want to hold onto that. It’s scary to walk away from the past, and I’m sure I’m going to struggle sometimes, but I want this. I want us.”

  “I want us, too, Cooper,” I whisper, swallowing down a lump that’s formed in my throat from his words. While this might only be our first date, it feels like we’ve been heading toward this moment since we first met weeks ago.

  Biting down on my bottom lip, I know I must tell him about Bella. After what he said to me, I know he isn’t going to run again.

  “I think maybe we need to speak to Bella. She asked me earlier if I was your girlfriend.”

  He laughs and shakes his head. “I might have known she’d figure it out! What did you tell her?”

  “Nothing. Bailey chose that exact moment to say hello, and the next thing I know, I’m on my ass. She’s going to ask again, though, Coop.”

  “We’ll talk to her soon, before my parents get back.”

  I nod and move to sit closer to him. He throws his arm around my shoulders and kisses me on the head. I’m not sure this night could get any more perfect.

  After we’ve eaten, we tidy away everything, except the strawberries and ice cream, opting to have them for dessert in a little while. It’s fallen dark, but the front of the boat is illuminated by a couple of lights.

  “Come and lie with me, Lex,” Cooper says, patting the blanket next to him. I scoot over and lie down. He winds his arm around my shoulders and I place my head on his chest. His heart is pounding under my ear, and I smile, knowing that he’s affected by being close to me. I feel him kiss my head and I look up at him and smile.

  “Are you warm enough?” he asks. I nod, but snuggle closer to him anyway.

  We lie like that for a few minutes before he moves me so I’m flat on my back. His body hovers over mine, and nervous excitement flutters in my stomach in anticipation of him kissing me. His eyes hold mine, and the light from the boat makes them look even bluer…if that’s possible.

  “You have amazing eyes,” I tell him, reaching up and cupping his face with my hand, my thumb stroking his cheek. His stubble tickles my skin as he nuzzles his face into my palm. I move my hands and wind them around his neck. “Kiss me,” I whisper.

  “With pleasure,” he mumbles as he lowers his head. He peppers kisses around my jaw before his lips finally meet mine. The kiss starts off slowly, and I run my fingers through the hair at the base of his neck. I feel him bite down gently on my bottom lip, so I open up to him. His tongue duels with mine and he kisses me until I’m breathless. Breaking the kiss, I reach for the bottom of his t-shirt.

  “I need to touch you, Coop,” I whisper. Reaching for the bottom of his t-shirt, I tug it over his head. My hands run up and over his hard pecs, and I feel his body react as I touch him. Pushing on his chest so he rolls over onto his back, I climb on top of him and straddle his hips. His hands come around my waist, his fingers digg
ing into my skin.

  “Fuck, Lexi. Have you any idea how sexy that was?” He pushes his hips against mine, and I can feel how turned on he is. Rocking against his erection, he lets out a moan before dragging his hands up my body, cupping my breasts through my tank. His thumbs circle my nipples and they pebble against his touch. Heat pools between my legs and I rock harder against him.

  Moving to lie next to him, I brush my lips against his and feel his hand track up my back and wrap in my hair. Deepening the kiss, I stroke my hands down and over his rock-hard abs, pausing when my hand comes to the button on his jeans. Breaking the kiss, I lift my eyes to his.

  “Is this okay?” I ask, unsure if I’m moving too fast. He nods, and I slowly unbutton his jeans. Sliding my hands inside his boxers, I hear him take a sharp intake of breath as I take him in my hand. Pushing his jeans and boxers out of the way, I pump his length, circling the head of his cock with my thumb.

  “God, that feels good,” he moans.

  Releasing his cock, I move down his body, settling between his legs. Holding the base of his erection, I lower my head and lick up the length of him, circling his head with my tongue.

  “Shit,” he moans, his hips lifting off the blanket. Taking all of him into my mouth, I move up and down, sucking and licking as I go. My hand still grips his base and I rub my legs together, desperately trying to ease the ache that’s getting almost unbearable. Cooper’s hands are in my hair and his breathing is becoming erratic. “God, Lexi. I’m close, baby,” he warns, but I carry on, taking him even farther into my mouth. He moans and calls out my name as he comes, hot cum hitting the back of my throat. Swallowing, I circle his length one last time before releasing him from my mouth.

  Reaching for me, he pulls me up his body and wraps his arms around me. “Wow… That was… Wow.” I chuckle as he struggles to form a sentence and I can’t help but grin, knowing he enjoyed it.

  Once his breathing has returned to normal, his lips find mine and he kisses me urgently, his tongue pushing into my mouth. His hands are underneath my tank, and I gasp as I feel him pull the material down on my bra. Sitting me up, he tugs off my top and makes short work of removing my bra.