“Some would say it’s a mom thing, but I’ve always been good with reading people.”
His baby blue eyes locked on hers, darkening to a seductive shade of navy. “What am I thinking right now?” he asked his voice husky and suggestive.
Her teeth slid over her bottom lip as heated desire coursed through her body. “I’d rather not say.”
“Come on, Sarah. Tell me.”
With the wine giving her the courage she would normally lack, she met his suggestive gaze with her own. “That you’d rather skip out on dinner and bring me back to your place.”
He pulled at the collar of his shirt, and she smiled, knowing that her self-assured honesty was affecting him.
“Is that what you want?”
She eased back in her chair, trying to seem cool, despite the raging fire in her veins. “I mean we did drive all this way, and I’m kind of hungry.”
His jaw ticked, giving her a power she never knew she possessed or ever craved.
“I promise it’ll be worth the wait,” she said with a seductive swipe of her tongue across her top lip. She had no idea who this vixen was who took control of her, but she was kind of loving her.
Cooper tilted his head from one side to the other like he was releasing tension. “If that’s what you want,” he said his voice gruff and sexy as hell.
She wanted to rip his shirt off and see those abs for herself. She wanted to taste his lips and see if he tasted as sinful as he looked. Most of all, she wanted to feel his hands on her, sliding across her bare skin and exploring her body like he explored countries.
But she also didn’t want their conversation to end, because despite the sexual attraction that was radiating off of them at unprecedented speed, Cooper Hayes was interesting, and she had never been more intrigued.
Chapter 4
Cooper shifted in the chair, trying to adjust the rock-solid erection that was pressing harshly against the fly of his jeans. He’d never been so easily aroused, but seeing the seduction in Sarah’s eyes, the desperate desire that she tried to hide beneath that dark sultry gaze, he’d lost control. He couldn’t stop thinking about those perfect tits that peeked out just enough over the neckline of her black dress. He tried to imagine her nipples, debating if they would be an erotic dark pink or a beautiful shade of brown.
He hoped by the end of the night he would put an end to the mystery. Also help cure him of his current dry spell.
For a minute there, he thought his dick was broken. He’d gone on dates when he’d first come home, but the meaningless conversation used as a segue to meaningless sex started to bore him—a concept he couldn’t even begin to fathom, no less understand.
Now, he knew nothing about him was broken. He’d never been more primed and ready to go in his life. Maybe he was just looking for something different, for someone who he actually enjoyed spending time with and didn’t view their conversation as a stepping stone to sex.
As much as he wanted to bring Sarah back to his place, he was just as happy to sit here, eating dinner and talking with her. She was fascinating. The fact that she didn’t let anything stop her from going to college, not even a baby, and that she managed to create a business from the ground up was a testament to the kind of person she was. Driven, brave, and undeterred.
“I got lucky,” she said in reference to her business, but Cooper knew that was her being modest.
“How so?”
“Bex Shepard was photographed wearing one of my pieces on a red carpet, and after that my demand sky rocketed.”
“The actress?”
She nodded as she forked a piece of chicken into her mouth.
“Now you can’t deny how great your work is if one of the biggest up and coming celebrities was caught wearing one of your pieces.”
“I didn’t realize you were up to date on pop culture.”
“I’ve had a lot of free time on my hands the past few months. TMZ and E! News have kept me company a time or two.”
Sarah laughed, and it was a sound that he could get used to. It was light and stripped of all the superiority that had consumed her on their first encounter. He decided that he would do everything in his power to make her laugh as often as possible.
“Why do I have a feeling you have no problem finding company?” She took a sip off of her second glass of wine.
“I guess I’ve gotten picky.”
“Oh,” she said, her eyes darting down to her plate. The moment of shyness was short lived when she cleared her throat and looked back up at him. “Tell me more about your travels.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Anything. Everything.” She slid her teeth over her plump bottom lip, nibbling on it for a moment before releasing it. “What were you doing this time last year?”
“Chasing the cheese,” he said with a smile.
“Chasing the what?”
“In England, in Gloucestershire at Coopers Hill, they have an annual event where people chase a nine pound round of Double Gloucester cheese down the hill.”
“For what purpose?”
“To catch it.”
“What do you get if you catch it?”
“The cheese,” he said with a laugh. “Other people have walked away with sprained ankles, a couple cuts, and bruises. I got some guy’s elbow to the eye and walked away with a nice shiner, but it was totally worth it.”
“All that for cheese that’s been rolled down a hill and probably touched by a hundred dirty fingers?”
“If you catch it, you also get bragging rights. It’s not about winning; not much in life is about that. It’s about the experience and being able to say that you were a part of something. To me that means so much more than winning.”
“That’s a good way to look at life. Nowadays people are so focused on being the best at everything.”
“I grew up with five siblings with parents and grandparents who allowed us to make mistakes. Never put too much pressure on us to be the best at anything. All they cared about was that we were grateful, courteous, and kind to others. Besides, my brother Matt wins everything. I gave up on winning a long time ago and let him enjoy the glory. I don’t need wins to be happy.”
“What do you need? To be happy that is?”
He held up his glass. “A good beer, good food, and a good conversation. Honestly, I couldn’t ask for more.”
The waiter came over and cleared their plates. “Would you like anything else this evening? Dessert maybe?”
“We’ll look at a menu, sure.”
“Oh no,” Sarah said, waving her hand.
“I know it’s not Monday,” he said, and she met his eyes across the table. “But come on, Sarah. Live a little.”
“I guess we can look.”
The waiter nodded and walked away with their finished plates before coming back and handing them the short menu.
Cooper didn’t even look at it. “See anything you like?” he asked, sliding it across the table.
Her eyes scanned over the slip of paper encased in a black leather holder. Her tongue dabbed at her lip and her eyes sparkled with desire. Something definitely caught her eye.
“So what will it be?” he asked.
“I couldn’t.”
“Oh, but you could, and you will.”
“I guess I can add some extra time to the treadmill tomorrow.”
Cooper smirked. “What I have planned for later, you won’t need to.”
She sucked in a jagged breath that had him debating if they should get the dessert to go.
“Have we made a decision?” The waiter asked, looking to Cooper who nodded to Sarah.
Cooper leaned forward. “Come on Sarah you know you want it.” He was aware of the sexual undertones in his words and by the flush on her chest, she was too.
“Chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream, please,” she said in a rush then slumped back in her chair as if the decision took a lot out of her.
“Good choice,” the waiter said as he
scooped up the menu and headed off to the kitchen.
“You’re a bad influence,” she said; she had no idea how happy that statement made him.
“Sometimes bad is good.”
“Or it’s just bad.”
He laughed. “Okay, Debbie Downer, let’s take it down a notch.”
She tucked a long strand of black hair behind her ear. “Sorry. Sometimes I can’t help it.”
“You don’t have to apologize. Just promise me one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“When given the choice to order dessert, order the damn dessert.”
Her lips quirked. “If I followed that mantra I wouldn’t fit into my pants.”
“I think it’s a small price to pay for a few moments of joy.”
“Says the man who can probably eat anything he wants without gaining an ounce.”
He rubbed his stomach. “What can I say? Good genes.”
“Asshole,” she joked.
The waiter returned with the dessert and placed it on the table with two spoons before leaving them again. Cooper waited for Sarah to dig in first, sitting back and watching her. She hesitated for only a moment before picking up the spoon and taking a generous portion.
As she brought it to her mouth, her eyes slipped shut and as she closed her lips around the spoon, her body relaxed and the most content smiled played at the edges of her mouth.
“Oh my god, that should be illegal. You have to try it.”
“I’m rather enjoying watching you eat it.”
She rolled her eyes before picking up the other spoon and holding it out to him. “Eat.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said with a laugh as he took the spoon from her, wondering if she’d be just as bossy in the bedroom.
***
Sarah sent a text to Gina, Joey’s Mom, to check on Tommy. He’d stayed over at Joey’s house before, but Sarah was always home, never far away just in case. Tonight was the first night she allowed herself to go out while Tommy was in the care of someone else, and while she was able to push the guilt from her mind at dinner now that she was in the Jeep, waiting for Cooper to get in the driver’s side, she had a moment of guilt.
Her phone buzzed with a new message as Cooper got in the car and engulfed her in that scent that made her hungry for him.
Gina: He’s just fine. The boys are watching The Lego Movie and eating popcorn.
Sarah: Thanks, Gina.
Gina: No worries.
“Everything okay?” Cooper asked as he turned the key in the ignition.
She tucked her phone back into her bag, letting the guilt float away. Tommy was at his best friend’s house, watching his favorite movie and eating one of his favorite snacks. She had nothing to worry about. Gina was as attentive a mother as she was, and she trusted her to make sure Tommy was safe and content.
There was no reason why she couldn’t have tonight.
“Everything is great.”
He put the truck in drive and turned out of the parking lot. He found her hand on her lap and laced his fingers with hers. Feeling bold after the two glasses of wine, she inched their intertwined hands to her bare thigh.
She caught his glance out of the side of her eye and turned to meet it. There was shock in those baby blues, but also raw, hot desire. She swallowed at the intensity and then unlinked her fingers, letting his hand lay flat on her leg, warm, strong, and arousing.
He let it stay there for a while as if he was waiting for her to change her mind. But she stood by her choices, and she stood by this, wanting desperately for him to touch her.
Slowly, he began to massage her heated flesh, sending a ripple of need to her core. Every caress broke down a door she had long shut until all the inhibitions that had plagued her were gone.
His fingers inched beneath the hem of her dress, working their way up and causing her to suck in a ragged breath. Goosebumps erupted on her skin, a sensual chill running down her spine. Her nipples tingled and hardened in desperation. Her focused and resolute mind fogged up with an insatiable craving.
Moisture pooled between her legs as he continued to inch ever closer to her forbidden flesh. He didn’t look away from the road as his thumb brushed the lace of her panties. She closed her eyes, absorbing the sensations that single touch ignited.
It had been so long since she’d been touched and even then it was nothing worth noting. She wanted to know what it felt like to orgasm, to know that heady need that made people unable to keep their clothes on when they were together.
The more Cooper’s thumb rubbed against her the more she realized that tonight she would find out what all the fuss was about. She would finally know why people loved sex so much.
His finger looped into her panties and pulled them aside, exposing her to the open air. His finger slid against her, and her head fell back as a moan slipped from her lips.
“God your wet,” he said in awe.
She expected to be embarrassed at his declaration, but instead was more turned on than before. She moved against his finger, showing him what she desired most. He didn’t disappoint, dragging his digit through her juices before plunging it inside.
She cried out, her body arching off the seat, pushing her mound against his hand. He pulled out slowly, her walls tightening around him and trying to drag him back in.
“I could make you come,” he said, pulling her panties back into place before putting his hand back on the steering wheel as if he didn’t just have her seeing stars. “But I’d rather wait until I can see your face.”
She sucked in a much needed breath, trying to calm the sensory overload that was racking her body. She adjusted her dress, smoothing it back into place and sitting up in the seat. Her eyes drifted to the bulge in Cooper’s pants, happy that she wasn’t the only one feeling the aftershocks.
The sexual tension hung in the air, heavy and obvious. They still had a good ten minutes before they were back in Red Maple Falls and another ten before they pulled into Cooper’s driveway.
Sarah tried to focus on the road ahead of her and not the clawing desire to reach across the console and release his straining erection. God. Who was she? Sex was always the farthest thing from her mind, but now it was all she could think about.
Every flex of his hand made her think of them roaming her body. Every breath made her hyper aware of him and that finger that was just inside her. She wanted him more than she’d ever wanted anyone before. When they passed the sign welcoming them back to Red Maple Falls she let out a relieved sigh. So close, she thought. So close.
It was as if her body knew. She shifted in her seat, the slight rub of her panties rubbing against her swollen clit sending an unexpected shudder through her.
“You still wet?” Cooper asked as he turned onto Main Street.
His erotic words, flowing so easily from his mouth, made her even more hot and bothered. She nodded, afraid if she spoke it would come out in a raspy gasp of undecipherable sounds. He rested his hand on her thigh, inching back up to that forbidden spot until his finger ran across lace.
She bowed toward his touch, hungry for more.
Like before, he hooked his finger into the lacy material and pulled it aside. His thumb brushed against her swollen nub, and she cried out at the intense pleasure that consumed her. He rubbed tight toe-curling circles, each one more intense than the last.
She felt the truck speed up, but her mind was too occupied with Cooper’s touch to care. She was teetering on the edge when the Jeep came to an abrupt stop. She opened her eyes and was amazed to see that they were in Cooper’s driveway already.
He tossed the truck in park and grabbed her face, drawing her lips to his. He devoured her in a single kiss that far surpassed any kiss she’d ever had. His tongue pushed past the divide, plunging and searching with delicious strokes.
His fingers thrust into her hair, angling her head and deepening the kiss.
Her hands slipped beneath his shirt, discovering his hard, defined abs. She trailed her
fingers along his heated skin and rested on his back, urging him closer.
Pleasure rocked into her as his finger pushed inside her. A cry tore from her mouth, but was muffled by Cooper’s lips. He pulled back, resting his head against hers. “We should move this indoors,” he said between heavy breaths.
She tilted her chin to the side, capturing his lips and moving toward him. He leaned back, and she moved with him. When his back pressed against the driver door, she kicked her leg over his legs, straddling him.
His hands settled on her hips as his tongue slid against hers in an erotic dance of give and take. She vaguely heard the click of the door, the slight cool night air brushing against her skin. He grabbed her ass and slid out of the truck, holding her tight against him, never once breaking his lips from hers.
She wrapped her legs around him tightly as he carried her up the steps and into his tiny home. The door slammed shut behind them, and he pressed her against it.
Never in her life had she done anything like this. It was deliciously wrong, and she didn’t want to stop. Not now. Not ever. It felt too good.
His hands roamed up and down her body. She writhed against him, using the heel of her foot to push him closer. A desperate need to feel every inch of him took control.
Her hands ran through his hair, loving the soft feel of the light brown strands before he grabbed her wrists and pinned them above her head, leaving her restricted and vulnerable.
Their mouths crashed together, teeth clashing as their tongues tangled. It was hot and frantic. Sexy and desperate. Beyond any passion Sarah had ever experienced.
Cooper ripped down her dress, dipping his head and dragging his tongue along the black lace of her bra. Her head fell back against the door as he peeled one cup away, releasing her.
“Light brown perfection,” he said and before she could ask anything he took the tight bead into his mouth, swirling his tongue around the sensitive flesh. He gently scraped his teeth against the hardened peak, tugging softly.
“Yes, just like that. Please, don’t stop,” Sarah moaned. White hot bursts of light sparked behind her eyelids as she pressed into him.
“You like that, huh?” Cooper growled as his lips trailed a fiery path over her breasts to the crook between her neck and shoulder, biting and licking before continuing his path.
Catching Cooper (Red Maple Falls, #4) Page 5
