Page 15

CHAPTER 15

COOPER

“ I don’t usually talk about such personal things with anyone besides Autumn, but it doesn’t feel awkward to be having this discussion with you. In fact, it’s strangely comfortable. So what’s your plan to lose your virginity?” she asks.

A choked sound slips from me.

Her lips stretch wide in a grimace. “Sorry. Was that too blunt?”

“More like unexpected.”

Her eyebrow lifts. “Really? We just got done discussing how often we masturbate. It seems like any topic is on the table.”

I scratch my forehead. “I guess that’s true.”

“So what’s the plan, Coop? Will you find another virgin and learn together? Or hire an escort to get it over with?”

“Fuck no. I’m not hiring an escort, and finding another virgin my age would be like searching for a tiny diamond in the entire Atlantic Ocean. I’m gonna trust that it’ll happen at some point. Maybe I’ll get drunk and it won’t matter who it is,” I say flippantly, but I don’t mean it. The idea of having sex with some woman I don’t know doesn’t sit well with me.

“You’ve waited all this time, shouldn’t it be with someone you care about?”

“Yes, but I don’t plan on getting into a relationship. Football is my focus, remember?”

“I do remember. But the first time you have sex can be awkward. Why not do it with someone you already know and trust?”

I laugh. “You’re the only female friend I have. Are you volunteering?” I toss out the question like it’s a joke.

Wait. Is she?

“Yes.” She doesn’t wait for me to reply before continuing. “We’re friends who trust one another and get along well. Obviously, we can talk about anything. I already know you’re a virgin, so there’s no need for some awkward pre-sex confession. What do you think?”

Well, that was unexpected.

“I don’t know.”

“You can learn everything about pleasing a woman with me. And, honestly, you’d be doing me a favor because I haven’t had sex in a long time and I miss it.”

Lost in thought, I stare down at the coffee table. Apparently, she’s said her piece and put the offer out there. Losing my virginity is a personal choice, and she’s making sure I don’t feel pressured in any way.

“I accept your offer,” I say, glancing at her.

“Are you positive that’s what you really want? You should take some time and make sure you’re one hundred percent on board with this plan, and if you are, we can go from there.”

My legs drop from the coffee table, and I set my bowl down before moving closer to her. “I’m already sure.”

“You may think you are?—”

I jump in, interrupting her. “Scarlett, I’ve been attracted to you since the first time I saw you. How could I not want this?”

“I’m not saying you don’t want to have sex. I’m saying?—”

I silence her arguments by pressing my lips to hers. This time there’s no hesitancy or tentativeness. This kiss is only for us. Her mouth parts and my tongue slips inside, tangling with hers, and the world around us seems to fall away.

She tastes like a combination of cake and desire, and she feels like perfection in my arms.

One of her hands slides up my chest, her fingers curling into my t-shirt as she pulls me closer. The kiss deepens, a mix of tender exploration and unrestrained passion. This is long overdue. Her other hand threads into my hair, her nails repeatedly grazing my scalp.

My heart pounds like a drumbeat in my ears. It’s so loud, I’m convinced she can hear it. Every nerve in my body is lit up like I’ve touched a live wire, and my dick is harder than it’s ever been in my life.

When we finally pull apart, we’re both breathless. Her eyes are wide, and there’s a flush creeping up her neck that has nothing to do with embarrassment.

“Cooper,” she whispers, her voice trembling slightly.

I cup the side of her face, my thumb brushing lightly across her cheek. “I’m sure. I’ve never felt more sure about anything except football.”

Her lips curve into a smile. “Yeah, that kiss proved your point pretty well.”

I exhale with a quiet laugh. “You’re the only one I want to share this experience with.”

She searches my face for a moment before nodding. “I’m honored you trust me so much.”

I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “You make it easy.”

She leans into my touch, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment. When she opens them, there’s a determined glint in the blue depths. “If we’re going to do this, we need to lay out some ground rules first.”

“Okay.”

“First, we need to be clear about what this is and isn’t. This doesn’t change our arrangement or our friendship. It’s just two friends helping each other out.”

I nod. “No strings attached. This is just an extension of our friendship.”

She looks relieved at my agreement. “Second, we need to be safe. I’ve had bloodwork run since the last guy I was with, and my results were all good. I’m also on birth control. But if you want to use condoms, I’m fine with that. I’ve never had unprotected sex before, but since you’re a virgin…”

Christ. The thought of burying my dick inside her has me ready to come right now.

“Why don’t we see how we feel in the moment?”

“That works.” She smiles. “And lastly, we need to be honest with each other. If either of us is uncomfortable or wants to stop at any point, we say so immediately. No judgment, no hard feelings.”

“Absolutely. Open communication is key.” I reach out and take her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I promise to be honest with you, Scarlett. And I want you to do the same with me.”

She squeezes my hand back. “I will. I promise. So… are we really doing this?”

Her question hangs in the air. Caught between anticipating all the fun we’re going to have and uncertainty due to my lack of experience, all I can do is nod. But one thing I know for sure—this is what I want. More than anything.

“You need to answer me,” she says, wrinkling her brow.

“Yes,” I say firmly. “We’re doing this.”

She bites on her bottom lip in a gesture that’s both nervous and undeniably sexy. “I guess we... should talk about when.”

Relaxing back on the couch, I push my hair away from my eyes. “I don’t think we need to schedule it like a dentist appointment.” A teasing grin tugs at the corner of my mouth. “Unless you want to pencil me in for next Thursday night at seven.”

She smacks my arm, rolling her eyes. “Oh my God, stop. This is serious.”

“I know. I’m just trying to lighten the mood a bit. We can do it when it feels right for both of us. No pressure, no schedule.”

Scarlett nods slowly, her expression thoughtful. “That makes sense. No pressure.” Her gaze flicks up to mine. “But I do think we should ease into it.”

“Ease into it?” I repeat, confused but intrigued.

She brushes a piece of imaginary lint off of her dress. “We should get comfortable with each other in that way first. Build more trust before we jump into bed.”

“What are you thinking?”

She shifts a bit closer to me on the couch. “Well, we could start with just kissing and touching. Get used to being intimate without the pressure of going all the way.”

My heart rate picks up at the thought. “I like that idea.”

She smiles. “So maybe we could start now? If you want to, I mean.”

I swallow hard, my mouth suddenly dry. “I want to.”

Scarlett moves until our thighs are touching. Reaching out, she cups my cheek in her small hand. “We’ll go slow, okay? You set the pace.”

I nod, leaning into her touch. As soft as a whisper, she brushes her lips against mine. I know this is the beginning of something special. We’re about to share something I’ve never experienced before. She’ll forever be my first in many ways.

Scarlett explores my lips with hers, tracing over every part of them, making my body hum. When she draws back, her eyes search mine, as if she’s giving me a chance to step away if I want to. But there isn’t a single atom in my body that wants to put an end to this.

I move first this time, capturing her mouth with mine. My hands find her hips, tentative at first, but then firmer as I pull her closer. Scarlett responds just as eagerly, her fingers tangling in my hair as she tilts her head to deepen the kiss. Our tongues twirl together in a dance that makes my head spin and my cock ache.

Scarlett moans softly into my mouth, the sound sending a lustful shiver down my spine. Her hands slide down my chest, her fingers tracing my pec muscles through my shirt. I pull her closer, wanting to feel every inch of her against me.

Our mouths remain connected as she straddles my lap. My hands roam the length of her back, pressing her into me. I feel the heat of her body through her thin dress.

She rocks down into my cock, and I groan.

She pulls back slightly, her breath coming in quick pants. “Is this okay?”

I nod, unable to form words. All the blood has left my brain and has gone to my groin. Scarlett begins pressing soft kisses along my jaw. “Remember,” she murmurs against my skin. “We can stop anytime.”

Sliding my hands down to her ass, I squeeze both cheeks. “No more talking.”

“Yes, sir,” she whispers, her warm breath wafting over my neck, fanning the flames of desire. She grinds against me, rolling her hips like she’s riding a bull, and it might be the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. It feels goddamn amazing.

Gripping her hips, I map out the curves to her waist, then glide my hands up over her rib cage and cup her breasts. Moaning, she arches into me and her head drops back. I circle her nipples with my thumbs, then sweep them back and forth over the pebbled peaks.

“That feels good,” she says.

I squeeze the soft flesh, wishing her dress wasn’t in the way, and say, “Keep moving.”

Scarlett resumes grinding against me, her hips rotating in slow, sensual circles. The friction against my cock is exquisite torture. I continue massaging her breasts, loving the way she arches into my touch.

“Cooper,” she whispers, her fingers tangling in my hair.

I press open-mouthed kisses along her neck. Her skin is smooth and warm under my lips. When I reach the sensitive spot just below her ear, she shivers and tightens her grip on my hair.

“That feels amazing,” she breathes.

Encouraged, I suck gently on that spot, drawing another moan from her. Her hips move faster against mine, building a delicious tension in my groin.

“Scarlett,” I pant, my hands leaving her breasts to clutch her hips once again. “I’m getting close.”

Her eyes are dark with desire as she looks at me. “It’s okay. Let go, Cooper. I want to see you come.”

Her words heighten the growing intensity, sending a jolt of pleasure through me. Tightening my grip on her, I guide her movements as she grinds against me. The pressure builds and builds until I’m right on the edge.

“Oh God,” I groan, my head falling back against the couch. “Scarlett, I’m gonna?—”

“Yes,” she encourages, her tempo increasing. “Come for me, Cooper.”

With a strangled moan, I explode. Wave after wave of pleasure washes over me as I come harder than I ever have before.

As the intensity fades, I slump back into the cushion, breathing heavily while Scarlett’s hands gently caress my chest.

“Wow,” I husk, still trying to catch my breath.

She smiles, leaning in to press a soft kiss to my lips. “That was pretty amazing.”

Running my hands up and down her back, I enjoy the closeness of this moment. “I can’t believe I came in my pants like a teenager.” I laugh. “And I’m not even embarrassed because I enjoyed it so fucking much.”

“Hey, no shame,” Scarlett says, cupping my face. “That’s what this is all about—exploring intimacy without judgment. I’m just glad you enjoyed it.”

“But you didn’t…” I trail off, suddenly feeling guilty I got off while she didn’t.

She shakes her head. “Don’t worry about that. This was about you. We’ll get to me another time.”

I nod, still feeling a bit overwhelmed by what just happened. “Thank you.” I brush a strand of hair from her eyes.

“You’re welcome. I enjoyed it too, you know. Seeing you let go like that was so sexy.”

“Really?”

She nods, her fingers tracing patterns on my chest. “I already can’t wait until next time.”

I chuckle. “I have a feeling you might be the death of me.”

She laughs. “You might be right.”