"The food's too fancy for my tastes," I add.
"I'm going to disagree with you on that. But then again, I love food, so I can't be disappointed."
I chuckle as the plane picks up speed as we barrel down the runway, the nose finally tilting up and we're airborne. Eden snuggles in closer to me, looping an arm through mine and nuzzling her head against my shoulder. She's exhausted, and I doubt her eyes will be open much longer.
I glance down at where our arms are intertwined. It's a simple act. Eden and I had always been physically affectionate. We couldn't be within a few feet of each other when we were first dating and not be touching each other somehow. It could have been holding hands as we walked, or having our legs pressed together at a football game as we sat on the bleachers, or her foot tapping against mine under a table as we studied. Of course, on those times we'd spend the night together, usually in my dorm room, we'd be wrapped around each other.
This reminds me of those times, when we were so in love we had to be touching, and yet part of this is not quite right.
Eden and I aren't in love.
We're not just having sex, though, either. That was stupid to think this could be something as simple as "just sex" with our history.
But we're somewhere in between. There's care and a deep intimacy. But I'm not sure either one of us is consumed with the other the way we were. Or at least I'm not sure I am with her.
Or maybe I am but it's just a different type of consumption. Maybe as we're older, things don't have the same vibrancy as they did with youth leading the charge with our hormones.
I don't know.
Don't know what any of this fucking means except for one thing that has become perfectly clear.
I could never in a million years leave Newberry to live in Los Angeles. Eden's world, her life there, is so antithetical to the type of person I am, I know I'd hate it there. And I know that despite what I'd come to feel for Eden as things progressed, it would never be strong enough to ever get me to go there with her.
This trip was nice. Eden was a superstar tonight. Her home is lovely. I met her business manager, and despite the screwup over the donation for the school fire, I like her. She cares for Eden and keeps her straight. Samuel was awesome, and that was the highlight of the trip.
But I'm glad to be leaving, and honestly, I'm completely fine with never going back there.
Chapter 21
I can't believe she bitch slapped me...
Eden
"Coop, seriously," I whine as he pulls me down the sidewalk. "I'm tired. I'm still on West Coast time and don't feel like going out."
"We've been back in Newberry for three days, Eden," he tells me firmly. "You are not still on West Coast time."
"But I'm still really tired--"
"You just spent twenty minutes riding my dick, and when I came you told me you could have gone another twenty more," he points out to me.
It's true. I loved getting Coop off a little bit ago, holding that power over him and I could have gone for another round. I give a frustrated huff as Coop pulls me closer to the front door of Tilley's, making me confront my unease.
He knows my hesitation. He knows my vulnerability.
Apparently he's going to make sure I get over it. Right here. Tonight.
"Just wait," I say as I stop and pull my hand from his. My heart is constricting with anxiety. "I just...can we...let's just get an out-of-the-way table for dinner."
"Eden," he says reassuringly as his hands come to my shoulders. "Everyone in town has received the memo about the mix-up with the fire. No one hates you. No one is going to bother you. People will probably give you some friendly waves and you may get a request for an autograph or two. But trust me, you're a member of this community and have been for your entire life. Just accept it."
I shake my head fervently. "It's not just that."
"Then what is it?"
"It's just...I don't want people to think I'm using you," I blurt out.
Coop's eyebrows furrow inward, and then immediately widen with understanding. "It's because people out in LA thought that, right? Several people mentioned it to you at the awards ceremony...that I was a good way to get over Brad."
I nod, my eyes lowered in shame. The people in this industry can be brutal and catty.
Coop is having none of it, though. He lifts my chin with his fingers, forcing my gaze up. "This is Newberry. It's not LA."
His message is important. He's saying that the people here are different and are not like the people there. Still, I have to ask. "Do you think that?"
Coop's head actually jerks back like I hit him. Then he gives me a chastising look. "Seriously, Eden? You have to ask me that?"
"No," I say immediately, shaking my head. "Wait, yes...I need to ask. I mean...no. I know you don't think that of me, but maybe I just need reassurances. And we can go in. I can do this. It will be fine. Silly of me to worry, really. I'm just regular old--"
He cuts off my nervous diatribe with a hard kiss that ends sweet and soft.
I lick my lips when he pulls away and open my eyes. My hands are clutching his arms and my body is pressed into his. When did that happen?
"That was nice," I murmur.
"That was necessary," he tells me with a grin. "Get out of your head, babe. Let's go have a nice dinner, okay?"
"Okay," I say with complete capitulation. He's right. Everything is fine between us. And the town knows the truth.
However, I'm not going to lie, my anxiety starts thrumming slightly when Coop opens the door to Tilley's. He motions me inward and I take two steps before I'm given an absolute heart attack.
It seems like a thousand people at once yell, "Surprise!"
I shriek, jump a good three feet in the air, and I was so scared I would have run straight out the door had Coop not wrapped his arm around my waist. I take in a deep breath and my eyes start to focus on people.
Missy stands front and center, holding a platter of cupcakes. Clay and Jeannie stand beside her.
And Bonnie from the Pit Stop, and Mason, and George, and Suzanne.
Mr. Pearce, my attorney, and Mrs. Raynor, my high school English teacher.
There's Carla from the library and Dale from the barbershop.
My eyes sweep the small crowd standing just inside of Tilley's and I recognize dozens of people from my past who are still here but I haven't run into yet.
"What is this?" I ask to no one in particular, my hand fluttering over my heart.
Coop's hand goes to my back and he pushes me forward. "This is a very overdue Welcome Back to Newberry party."
Missy grins at me. "All these cupcakes are for you."
I laugh as I look at them. "You're awesome."
Everyone smiles at me.
The smiles are all genuine.
They like me.
"Thank you, everyone," I say, my voice quavering. "This was totally unnecessary and also very unexpected, but it's one of the nicest things anyone's ever done for me."
Then the crowd starts to swarm me and I'm in the middle of hugs, back slaps, kisses on the cheek, and I think Peter from the dry cleaners copped a feel on my ass.
Didn't matter. I was officially welcomed back home and I was happy about it.
--
"I do believe this is the first time we've ever danced together," I remark softly as Coop leads me in a two-step around the dance floor.
Our bodies are close, his cheek to my temple, but he pulls his head back abruptly without missing a beat of our dance. Cocking an eyebrow at me, he says, "Prom. We danced at prom."
"No," I correct him firmly. "We stood in the middle of the basketball court at the high school gymnasium and swayed back and forth. That was not dancing."
Coop laughs, spins me around, and continues leading me in the dance I didn't know five minutes ago but learned quickly. I've always had good rhythm. I am surprised Coop knows it, though, since he didn't dance when we were in high school.
Tonight has been
amazing. I'm still all tingly from the adrenaline rush I received after being surprised, and then it continued, knowing that I had a lot of longtime amazing friends in this town. I talked to people about my parents, and some even had some funny stories to tell about my grandmother after I'd left town. People asked me about my career in a genuinely interested way, and asked if I would be coming back to visit more.
That was the only question I couldn't answer.
"So how did you learn to dance?" I ask Coop, mainly to get my mind off of that question.
"It's the fastest way to get in all the girls' pants," Coop answers me mischievously.
My jaw drops. "You did not just say that to me."
His grin gets bigger. "Will I or will I not get laid tonight when we get home?"
"I'm thinking not," I grumble with a mock pout as he whirls me around the floor.
"This is Newberry," Coop says softly as he presses his cheek back to my temple. "Not a lot to do here, Eden. Tilley's is where we all hang out. I guess I just learned it."
"With another woman," I mutter.
Coop chuckles, presses me closer to him. "We've had this conversation. You know I wasn't celibate the last fourteen years, right?"
"Yes," I huff out. "I still don't like to think about it, though."
"Not easy for me to think about it either," he replies in a low voice. "You being with others, that is."
We're silent for a few moments as we move counterclockwise around the edge of the floor. I catch people watching, and I know they're wondering.
I'm wondering too.
This thing between me and Coop...is it headed anywhere beyond what we have right now?
As if he senses the direction of my thoughts, he lifts his head again so he can look down at me. "There may have been others, but no one like you."
I blink at him.
"Ever," he tacks on firmly as the song comes to an end. "And that's all I know right now."
My lips curve upward as we stop on the dance floor. I look up at him and tell him the truth. "I don't know much either, other than there's been no one like you, Coop."
He bends down and touches his lips lightly to mine.
And changes the subject in a completely different direction. "Have fun tonight?"
I nod, and I know he sees the happiness shining in my eyes. "This was amazing."
"You about ready to go?"
I nod again, and this time I know he sees my eyes darkening, because bedtime with Coop is the best time.
"Still have that same color lipstick you wore to that awards ceremony in LA?"
I cock an eyebrow at him and drawl, "Yes. Why?"
Coop pulls me in closer, tilts his head to put his lips at my ear, and whispers, "Because I want it smeared on my cock tonight."
"I can arrange that." My voice is husky and my legs rubbery at the thought. I love taking this man in my mouth. Love the sounds he makes and that look in his eye that I believe only I can really give him.
Coop starts to lead me off the dance floor. "Let's start saying our goodbyes."
I glance at my watch. It's late, almost one A.M. "Okay. I'm going to use the restroom first."
We separate, and I head to the women's bathroom. It's starting to clear out so there's no line like usual, and I'm able to get in and out quickly. Just as I step out of a stall, I'm confronted with Ashley Barton. She's flanked by her cronies, Simone and Kerri, the same two who were with her the night she accosted me here in Tilley's.
The night Coop broke up with her.
Her arms are crossed over her chest and she's glaring at me. She's been here most of the night, and obviously not part of the group of people to welcome me back to Newberry, but clearly here on the hunt for a new man. She's dressed like a hooker with a black bra under a mesh shirt, a short skirt, and black cowboy boots. Her makeup is heavy and her eyes are glassy from booze. I actually wonder what Coop saw in her.
"So the prodigal daughter is now the town's favorite girl," she sneers at me.
And fuck that grates on me. That she can't let it go and just move on. I know I should turn the other cheek, but I know if I don't stand up to her, this will always be a thing.
"Not sure about the town's favorite," I tell her with a wink. "But I am Coop's favorite."
As expected, her face gets red over the reminder. She drops her arms and balls them into fists, but I think Ashley's mostly blustering heat. She doesn't concern me, especially since at five eight I've got a good four inches on her.
"Not for long," Ashley practically spits at me. "He doesn't do commitment. You'll be yesterday's news before too long."
"Like you?" I ask sweetly.
Her face goes a deeper shade of red and she takes a step toward me. I stand my ground and decide to torture her some more.
"Ashley," I say, exaggerating a deep and caring concern for her. "Coop isn't--"
That's all I get out before her hand flies out so fast I can't react. She slaps me right across the cheek so hard my head snaps to the side. My hand comes up involuntarily to cover the burning skin and I stare at her in shock.
She actually hit me.
Leaning in to me, her eyes alight with triumph, she says, "Have a lovely evening, Eden. I hope you choke on Coop's dick and then it falls off."
Well, that was mature. Of course, I goaded her, which I guess was sort of juvenile.
I can do nothing but stare as Ashley flips around and sashays out of the bathroom, followed by her giggling girlfriends.
In a daze--not because I'm hurt, but because I'm still shocked I was just bitch slapped--I walk up to the mirror above the sink. I pull my hand away and her wince at the red print left behind.
Bending over the sink, I run cold water and use a cupped palm to bring it to my face to cool it. I do this several times, and after drying off, I grimace over the fact I still have a red handprint on my face.
This is disconcerting, because Coop is going to see it along with everyone else in Tilley's. My mind races back to night before last when Coop spanked my ass in bed. It made me wetter than I've ever been, and then he spanked me as he fucked me from behind. And he didn't hold back either.
By the next morning, the handprints were gone.
Maybe I can just stay in here until morning and all will be good.
My eyes staring back at me in the mirror tell me how very sad and pathetic I am.
I giggle and give myself a wink.
Oh well...it's an adventure, right?
I glance one more time at the print on my cheek and decide to own it. Chin up, shoulders back, I do my catwalk strut right out of the bathroom. I perform it all the way across Tilley's and then I spy Coop up at the bar saying his goodbyes. Someone nods at me over his shoulder, and he turns to watch me approach. His eyes travel up and down my body, which is modestly covered in skinny jeans, a flowing mint green blouse, and taupe high-heel pumps. But it's the walk that's got him, because I do know how to do it better than anyone in this room for sure.
Then Coop's gaze hits my face and his sexy smile slides right off and his jaw goes hard as he stares at my cheek.
"What the fuck is that?" he asks as I reach him, his fingers coming up to lightly touch my skin.
I shrug nonchalantly. "Ashley slapped me."
Coop's head snaps left, then right, looking for her. I don't even bother, because I wouldn't let him do anything. I can tell when he spots her because flames leap in his eyes. He takes a step in her direction while muttering, "That fucking bitch."
My hand comes to his arm and I murmur, "Don't, honey."
I turn my head and see where Coop is looking. Ashley's staring back at us with a big shit-eating grin on her face. She holds her beer up to us in a mock toast and takes a sip.
Coop takes another step but my fingers tighten. I can feel the anger vibrating off of him.
"Kiss me," I tell him, and his gaze leaves Ashely from across the room and slides to me. I repeat my request. "Kiss me...and make it good, okay?"
His lips
curve upward and his entire body relaxes. Both of his hands come to my face and he holds me in place as he brings his mouth down on mine. He bends my body back so I have to wrap my hands around his neck for leverage and he deepens the kiss. Coop tilts his head and kisses me deeper yet.
People start hooting at us, someone yells "get a bed," and women are laughing.
And Coop doesn't let up.
He drags me upright, brings my body into his, and slaps a palm on my ass, pulling my pelvis to his.
And he kisses me harder.
People start cheering over his public spectacle, and when he finally pulls his mouth from mine, I'm breathing so hard I feel like I might faint. Luckily, Coop's arm goes around my waist so my legs don't buckle.
Then he picks up his beer from the bar, which is almost empty, turns, and holds it up to Ashley in a mock toast. I look at her and she's glaring daggers at both of us. Coop just grins at her and finishes his beer.
Setting it back on the bar, he leans down and literally sweeps me off my feet. I throw my arms around his neck while he carries me out of the bar.
"Hope you're ready to go, Miss Goodnight," he says with a grin as people call out their goodbyes to us.
"That was awesome," I murmur, and snuggle into his neck.
"I can't believe that bitch hit you," Coop mutters.
"Doesn't matter," I whisper, snuggling deeper into him. "You kiss me like that, nothing matters."
Coop laughs as he carries me out the door.
Chapter 22
We've reached our expiration date...
Coop
I wait patiently as Hugo positions the excavator to dig out another dead bush. We're working on a project at city hall, pulling out a long hedge of diseased holly that has started dying. They're deeply rooted, so I had to bring in an excavator to get them out, but Hugo is the best heavy-machine operator on my crews so he gets the honors while I use an axe to cut out any roots not pulled up.
We've been at this all afternoon and I'm tired, dirty, and sore. I want a hot shower and then I want Eden, in that order. Then we can eat dinner. She said she was cooking something special but it can wait. My need for her seemingly cannot.
A tap on my shoulder startles me and I turn to see our mayor standing there. Kellen Stowe is two years older than me and has been our town's mayor for almost a year now. He's got a law degree and has a small practice here, but he's a third-generation Newberry citizen and loves this town a lot. Being mayor of such a small town isn't a full-time job, so he can still practice law as well.
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