He grinned as he took a step closer to me. “I won’t tell him about the look on your face as you watched me with another woman. I won’t tell him about the lust in your eyes.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I whispered as I took a step back.
My back hit the wall, but he continued to step closer. He stopped right in front of me and rested his hands on the wall next to my head so that he was caging me in.
“You’re a terrible liar, Claire. Even now, you want me. Your pupils are dilated, and your breathing is uneven. You know what I can do, and you want it. You want to be the one on my bed with my head buried between your legs.” He leaned closer so that his lips touched my ear. “All you have to do is ask. I promise, you’ll be screaming when I’m done with you.”
“You’re seeing things that aren’t there,” I said breathlessly.
I hated how much I wanted the man in front of me. I’d never wanted someone the way I wanted him. I’d known that I was attracted to Cooper before Robert left, but I’d been able to control it. With Robert gone, Cooper was no longer pretending not to notice that I was interested in him. He knew, and he was doing everything he could to make me fall from grace. God, I wanted to.
He chuckled as he lowered one of his hands and cupped my breast. I sucked in a shocked breath as he ran his thumb over my nipple. In my thin cotton shirt and bra, I knew it was visible.
“Your body is telling me a different story. I bet if I slid my hand into those tiny shorts of yours, I’d find you drenched, wouldn’t I?” He released my breast and slid his hand down my stomach. He continued down until he was cupping my throbbing center through my shorts. “You’re hot for me, Claire. No matter what you say, I know the truth. The question is, what are you going to do about it?”
I stared into his green eyes. They were full of lust and uncontrollable need. I knew if I told him yes, he’d have me on his bed in less than a second.
His thumb pressed on my core, and I sucked in a sharp breath as pleasure spread throughout my body. It begged me to say yes even though I knew it would destroy everything I had with Robert. Having a moment of pleasure with Cooper would be more than Robert had given me. It would be everything.
I shoved Cooper’s hand away before pushing him away and darting for the door. I threw it open and turned back to look at him. He hadn’t moved. He still had one hand pressed against the wall with his back to me. Finally, he turned his head so that our eyes met. I took one look at him before I turned and ran.
When it came to Cooper, it seemed like all I could do was run.
I avoided the house for the rest of the day. Instead, I drove aimlessly around Morgantown as I tried to calm down. Cooper had more power over me than I’d realized. I had hated him at first, but after he’d shown me the kinder side of him, I’d realized that I did like him. Cooper was one of the most complex people I’d ever met. I felt like I saw a different side of him every time I peeled a layer of him away. Arrogant Cooper, secretive Cooper, kind Cooper, erotic Cooper—they all made him what he was. The more I knew about him, the more drawn to him I felt.
By the time I made it back to the house that evening, I’d made a solid plan. I would avoid being alone with Cooper at all costs. I didn’t care if that meant staying away from the house until Robert came home. I would do whatever it took to keep him out of my head. I refused to be that woman—the whore, the cheater. I wouldn’t be the woman his friends thought I was. Robert wasn’t perfect, but that didn’t make it okay for me to fuck around on him behind his back.
The house was quiet as I walked up the stairs and turned toward my room. Just as I reached my door, I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. I stopped and glanced back to see Cooper’s door opening. The man I’d seen with Cooper before stepped out into the hallway. He headed for the stairs, but he froze when he saw me.
For some reason, I felt the need to talk to this man. I let go of the doorknob and started walking toward him. He stayed where he was as I reached him. I looked up at him, studying him. His eyes held the same pity from last time as he watched me.
“Who are you?” I finally asked, breaking the silence.
He looked away, refusing to answer me.
I sighed. “I don’t know what it is about you, but I know you’re not just Cooper’s friend. Since he refuses to tell me, why don’t you?”
He finally looked back to me. “I’m just his friend.”
“Bullshit,” I said. “Tell me the truth.”
“Claire? What are you doing?” Cooper stepped out of his bedroom.
I looked up to see him approaching us, but his eyes were glued to his friend.
“I’m just talking to your friend, Coop. Is that a problem?”
“I should be going.” The man started walking down the stairs.
I glared at his back until he disappeared out the front door. Once he was gone, I turned to Cooper.
“What are you up to?” I demanded.
“Why do you always think I’m up to something? I had a friend over. Is that not allowed, Stepmother?”
I winced at the title, and he smirked. He was back to being arrogant Cooper.
“You know what? Never mind.” I turned and stormed down the hall to my bedroom.
“Claire?” Cooper called.
“What?” I nearly shouted. I was so aggravated with him.
“Your ass looks amazing in those shorts.”
I slammed the door.
I woke up a few hours later, gasping for breath. I covered my eyes with my arm, willing my body to calm down. Even in sleep, Cooper had still found a way into my mind. His hands had caressed my body until I begged for more.
I’d never had a dream like that before. It had felt so real. Even after waking, my body was still humming with need and craving release. I hated that Cooper was in my head. I hated that I wanted him. I hated how he made me feel.
I sighed in defeat. No matter how determined I was to stay away from him, he was always there, right on the edge of my mind. My decision to avoid him was for the best. Robert said he wouldn’t be home for a few more days. That gave me time to get a grip on my raging hormones. As long as I avoided Cooper, I would be okay.
The dream though was a problem. I shivered as I remembered the way his lips had felt on my skin, both in the dream and in real life. His kisses were hypnotic. They drove all rational thought from my mind. They were like a drug, and I was a junkie, desperately craving my fix.
Before I realized what I was doing, my hand slid down my flat stomach to the top of my sleep shorts. My fingers slipped inside and went down to where my body was still throbbing with need. I closed my eyes as I flicked my clit. I felt myself blush as I continued to rub. I’d never done anything like this, and I felt ashamed for a moment before my need took over.
A picture of Cooper—shirtless with only a pair of jeans—flashed through my mind. My eyes trailed over his body, taking in his strong arms, solid chest, and tight abs. In my mind, I ran my hands over every bump and crevice of his hard muscles. His soft groans of pleasure only spurred me on. My fingers moved faster, and my back arched off the bed. I pictured running my hand across the top of his shorts before hooking my fingers inside. I slowly pulled them down, inch by inch.
Before I could discover what was hidden, I came—hard. I cried out as stars exploded in front of my eyes. The feeling of pure pleasure was nothing like I’d expected. When I drifted back down into the known world, I realized that I’d just given myself my first orgasm—with Cooper’s help.
Dear God, I was fucked.
The next morning, I awoke to the sound of someone knocking on my door. I climbed out of bed and stumbled over to the door. I opened it, assuming that Ellie needed something. I was surprised when I saw Cooper standing there.
“Coop? What do you want?” I was suddenly conscious of the fact that I hadn’t brushed my hair or teeth. I probably looked like a wicked witch.
His eyes trailed down my body, stopping on my chest for
a few seconds before continuing their descent. I crossed my arms over my chest, conscious of the fact that I wasn’t wearing a bra.
When his eyes found mine again, he smiled. “I didn’t mean to wake you up. I wanted to talk.”
“About what?” I asked.
He held up two envelopes. “Can I come inside, please?”
I nodded as I stepped back. “This had better be good. I’m missing sleep for this.”
I left the door open before heading to where he was sitting on my bed. I blushed as I remembered what I’d done on that bed only a few hours before. If he noticed the color in my cheeks, he didn’t comment.
“Sit down. I have a lot to explain, and I’m sure it’s going to shock you.”
I sat down, making sure to keep a few inches between us. “Okay…”
“You asked who my friend was. His name is Jason. He’s been working for me for a while.”
“Wait—he works for you?” I asked, confused.
“He’s a private investigator. I hired him a few months before my mom died.”
“Why would you hire a private investigator?”
“Because I don’t trust my dad.”
I raised an eyebrow. “You had your dad investigated? Why?”
“Because he’s an asshole, and I thought he was fucking around on my mom, but I needed proof.”
He held up one of the envelopes, so I could take it from him.
“And I got it.”
“Your dad was cheating?” I asked. It felt like the air in the room had been vacuumed out.
“Yes. Look in the envelope.”
I opened it and pulled out several photos. All of them had Robert with women I didn’t recognize. I counted three different women in the photos. In each one, Robert was holding, kissing, and touching the women in ways that made it very clear what had happened next.
I looked up at Cooper. “Why are you showing these to me?”
“Because you need to know.” He handed me the other envelope. “Those were all before my mother died. These were after.”
I opened the other envelope and pulled out more photos. I sucked in a shocked breath when I saw the first photo. “Sandra?”
He nodded. “Yeah, Brad’s wife. I wasn’t surprised when you told me she attacked you at the party. She wasn’t doing it because of my mom though. She was doing it because she’d slept with him and thought he was going to marry her. From what Jason told me, my father promised her that they’d be together.”
I flipped through the pictures. Most of them were photos of Robert with Sandra, but there was another woman as well. She was in the first set of pictures, too. All the photos had dates on them, and I noticed the last one had been taken a week before I met Robert.
“I can’t believe he cheated on your mom. I’m so sorry, Cooper.”
He shrugged. “It’s what he does. He’s always been an asshole, and my mom knew it. The night she died, I’d called her and asked her to come home. Dad was out of town, and I wanted to show her what Jason had found out for me.” He swallowed hard. “I was going to tell her everything, but she never made it home.”
The pain he felt was a living, breathing thing. Even I could feel it.
Without thinking, I dropped the pictures and pulled him to me. I hugged him tightly. “I’m so sorry, Cooper. I can’t even imagine,” I whispered.
“She died, not knowing what he was doing to her. If I’d shown her everything the day before when Jason brought them to me, she would’ve known. Maybe she wouldn’t have gone to Sandra’s house that night for dinner. Maybe she would’ve stayed home. If I’d told her, maybe she’d still be alive.”
“You can’t think like that, Cooper. Your mother’s death wasn’t your fault.” I pulled away.
He shrugged again, clearly not wanting to talk about it. “I have a few more pictures I want to show you.”
He pulled a small envelope out of his back pocket and handed it to me. “These were taken this week. Jason was here last night to drop them off.”
My heart was beating a mile a minute as I slowly opened the envelope. Inside were photos of Robert with the woman I’d seen in both of the other envelopes. Instead of kissing or touching each other as they had in the others, they were sitting in a restaurant, having dinner. Another photo showed them hugging. There were a few more, but none of the photos showed Robert doing anything that flat-out proved he was cheating on me.
“Either he knows he’s being followed, or his affair with that woman is over,” Cooper said quietly. “Regardless, he’s been photographed with her numerous times before, and he’s with her again…instead of being home with you.”
“Maybe he really isn’t cheating.” I stared at the photo of Robert and the mystery woman walking out of the restaurant.
She was beautiful with dark brown hair and dark eyes. She was slim but tall, much taller than I was. She screamed class while I felt like what I really was—a broken little girl who would never fit into Robert’s world.
Cooper snorted. “Doubtful. Dad does whatever the fuck he pleases.”
“Why did you show me these if they don’t prove anything?” I asked.
“Because you deserve to know what kind of man he is, Claire.” Cooper reached up and cupped my face. “You’re so damn innocent. You have no idea what you’re getting into with him. I’ve tried to warn you, but you wouldn’t listen. I knew I needed proof.”
“This doesn’t prove anything, Cooper. Yes, he cheated on Marie, but that doesn’t mean he’s cheated or will cheat on me.”
He shook his head. “You’re so blind, Claire.”
I watched as he gathered up the photos and shoved them in the envelopes. “I trust that you won’t say anything to him.”
“Of course I won’t,” I said. I wouldn’t betray Cooper like that. “Cooper?”
“Yeah?”
“Why do you live here if you hate him so much?”
He looked uneasy. “Mainly because I can’t touch the trust fund my mother set up for me until I’m twenty-one. Until then, I’m at his mercy. My mother was smart though, and she knew my father and I would never get along, so she set up the trust fund in her name, so he couldn’t touch it.”
I nodded. “That makes sense. Can I ask you something else?”
“Sure,” he said, looking annoyed.
“Why are you still having him followed?”
He paused before shaking his head. “It doesn’t matter.”
I called his name as he walked out of the room, but he ignored me.
Whatever Cooper was trying to find out about his dad, he obviously hadn’t managed to do it yet. If he had, Jason wouldn’t still be hanging around.
I had a feeling that this was just the tip of the iceberg when it came to secrets. The Evans men seemed to be full of them.
Two days had gone by without a word from Cooper. I hadn’t even been sure if he was staying at the house. Ellie had even noticed his absence and asked me what was going on. I’d shrugged, pretending that I knew nothing.
Robert had called me to let me know that things were going well in Pittsburgh. I’d almost asked him about the woman in the photos, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. If I asked him, he’d demand to know how I knew. I couldn’t ask him without outing Cooper. I had no reason to feel any loyalty to him, but I did. He’d shown me those photos in an attempt to help me. I wouldn’t use them against him. Whatever he was trying to catch Robert doing, he obviously hadn’t found the proof he needed.
Three days after Cooper had shown me the photos, I was climbing into my car to pick up Shelly, and one of the other garage doors opened. Cooper pulled in next to me and shut off his car. He climbed out of his car, his eyes never leaving mine.
I gave him a weak smile before starting the car and pushing the button to raise the garage door. I jumped when he tapped on my passenger-side window. I pushed the button to lower it.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“To pick up Shelly. I’m taking her to th
e zoo.”
He reached through the open window and unlocked the door. I raised an eyebrow as he opened the door and climbed in next to me.
“What are you doing, Cooper?” I asked.
“I could use a trip to the zoo, too.” He grinned at me.
“Really? I thought you’d have better things to do—like that chick.” The last words had slipped out before I could stop myself. I closed my eyes, cursing myself for saying that.
“Jealous?” He smirked at me.
“Nope,” I lied. “I just figured you’d rather spend time with your girlfriend instead of your soon-to-be stepmom and a little girl.”
“So, you’re jealous and fishing.” He grinned. “Wendy isn’t my girlfriend. She’s just a friend.”
I gave him a puzzled look. “I’m not exactly the best person when it comes to making friends, but I didn’t think you did that with your friends.”
“What? Have sex? You can say it, Claire. S-e-x. See? It’s even easy to spell. And I suppose you’re right. Wendy and I have a…mutual agreement. We’re friends, but we also entertain each other when one of us calls the other.”
“You’re an ass. Get out of my car, so I can go get Shelly.” I was disgusted and relieved at his explanation of Wendy. It was gross that he used her like that, but at the same time, it meant he wasn’t with her. The green monster inside me simmered down.
“Don’t get all pissy, Claire. I only called her because you decided to run from me.”
I shook my head. “Get out, Cooper. I’m done talking about this.”
“Nope. I want to see Shelly again. She’s a cute kid.”
“No, you just want to annoy me. I don’t feel like dealing with you today, so please just get out of the car.”
“I’ll be on my best behavior. I promise.”
I rolled my eyes as I threw the car in reverse and backed out of the garage. “So help me, if you’re an ass, I will leave you there.”
He laughed but said nothing. Instead, he turned on the radio and flipped the channels until he found the station he wanted. He looked over at me. “Is this okay?”
Deception Page 16
