Page 16

CHAPTER 16

SCARLETT

“ W hy does it feel like I haven’t seen you in ages when it’s only been since last night?” I ask Autumn.

“It’s weird, right?”

“I’m still adjusting to you sleeping at Rogan’s so often. Is this what parents feel when their kids go off to college?”

She laughs. “That depends on the parents.”

“Oh, true. We know my parents barely noticed I was gone.”

“They noticed but they didn’t mind,” she corrects.

“Right. That’s probably more like it.”

“Did you come home last night after the gala?” she asks.

“Yes, but first we stopped at the grocery store for cake and ice cream.”

“He didn’t like the carrot cake either?” she asks. After being best friends for twelve years, Autumn is familiar with my distaste for desserts that include vegetables.

“Nope. And, frankly, I don’t know how you can stomach it.”

She laughs, curling her legs under her on the couch. “It tastes good. You should give it a chance.”

“I have, and it’s a never again for me.”

“So did you and Cooper have fun last night?” she asks.

“We did.” I roll my lips together. “You’re not going to believe this, but he’s a virgin.”

Her teeth press into her bottom lip. “Uh, yeah… I actually knew that already.”

My lower jaw momentarily drops. “How did you know?”

“He told Rogan.”

“And of course Rogan told you,” I finish for her.

“And I promised not to tell anyone.”

Grabbing a throw pillow, I smash it into her. “I’m not just anyone, Autumn.”

“I know, but there was no reason to share that with you. The two of you are in a pretend relationship, not a real one.”

She’s right. And I can’t remember a time when Autumn’s broken a promise she’s made.

“I guess I see your point.”

“What made him tell you?”

“We were talking about his upbringing and how his faith played a big part in him not having a girlfriend. I asked when he lost his virginity and he said he hadn’t.”

“He must think of you as a close friend if he confided in you,” she says.

“I hope so. Especially since I agreed to teach him about sex.”

Autumn’s brow lowers. “What do you mean ‘teach him’? Are you talking about in a hands-on way?”

“Yes. We’ve renegotiated our agreement to include no-strings sex.”

“Oh my God. You’re taking his virginity?” she yells, whacking me with one of the throw pillows so hard my hair blows in every direction.

I laugh, pushing the flyaway strands back from my face. “I’m not taking his anything. He’s asked for my help and I’m giving it to him.”

“How is this going to work?” she asks, looking concerned.

“The round peg goes in the round hole.”

She hits me with the pillow again. “You know what I mean.”

I laugh. “Well, we’re starting out with some fooling around and working our way up to sex.”

“When does this begin?”

“Last night.” I smirk.

Her eyes open so wide, I’m worried they’ll pop from their sockets. “You little slut. What happened?”

“We made out and did some dry humping.” I fan my face. Just thinking about the result of all that is making me hot all over again.

“I bet he enjoyed that,” she snickers.

“Oh, he did, for sure.”

“He has no idea does he?” she asks, shaking her head.

“No idea about what?”

She studies my face for a moment. “That you’re going to ruin him for other women.”

Why does the thought of that turn me on even more?

“Oh, I don’t know about that.”

“I do. Poor guy doesn’t know what he’s getting himself into. Be gentle with him. He’s a genuinely nice guy.”

I feel the crease between my eyebrows forming that happens whenever I frown. “What do you mean ‘be gentle’? I’m not a bitch to men.”

“No, I mean with his heart. Make sure you let him down easy.”

“There’s no reason to. We’re friends, and that’s the way we’ll stay.”

“That’s a naive view to take considering you’re fucking gorgeous and you’re going to be his first sexual experience. He’s bound to develop feelings for you.”

I wave away her concern. “He’s too focused on his career for that to happen.”

“I guess we’ll have to wait and see.”

My head slowly tics from side to side. “Look, I know you’re looking forward to telling me ‘I told you so,’ but that’s not going to be the case.”

“For both of your sakes, I hope you’re right.”

My phone dings, letting me know I have a text.

Cooper: I’ve got the house to myself. Want to come over?

“Who’s that?” Autumn asks.

“It’s Cooper. He wants me to go over to his house.”

“He got a little taste and now he wants some more,” she says.

He’s not the only one who wants more.

“It sure seems that way.”

“So, are you going?” she presses.

“Yep.”

I tap out a reply.

What time?

Now.

I’ll leave soon.

I push myself up from the couch.

“You’re leaving already?” she asks, her tone incredulous.

“No. I’m gonna take a shower and then I’m leaving.” I wiggle my fingers in a wave before I walk away.

Cooper lives about ten minutes from me, so the drive passes quickly. I park in the driveway behind his Corvette and look over the front of his gray-sided house as I walk up the brick path to his front door. I push the doorbell and hear the loud chiming followed by the sound of a lock being undone. And then Cooper is standing in front of me, smiling his perfect smile.

“Hi,” I say, my lips reflexively curving.

“Hey, come on in.” He steps back, allowing me to pass by before he closes and locks the door. “Would you like something to drink?”

“I’m all set, thank you, but will you show me your home?”

“Sure.” He takes my hand, leading me around. “This is the great room. It’s my favorite area of the house, at least indoors.”

My eyes slowly take in all the details of the large space. From the hardwood floors to the beige walls, and the brick fireplace with built-in bookcases on either side. “Holy massive sectional,” I say.

He laughs. “That’s the most comfortable piece of furniture you’ll ever sit on.”

“I guess I better try it out, then.”

He releases my hand. “Go for it.”

I lower down and wiggle my ass into the leather. “Nice, but I don’t know if I’d say it’s outrageously comfortable.”

Cooper moves over to sit beside me. He pushes a couple of buttons, raising my feet and reclining my seat. “How’s that?”

“Hmm, this changes everything.”

“Right? And now for the pièce de résistance,” he says in a French accent, pushing another button. But nothing happens.

“Why didn’t it work?” I ask. He holds up his index finger, and ten seconds later, I realize why when my entire backside feels warmth. “Wow. I bet this is nice to sit on in the winter.”

“It is. You’ll see,” he says, reminding me there are still months left in the football season. Months that we’ll no doubt be taking advantage of. I rub my hand over the soft, sumptuous leather. Maybe we’ll even have sex on this baby sometime. “How do I get out of this thing?”

“I’ve got you.” He laughs, adjusting the controls until I’m sitting up. He stands, offering his hand to me. I take hold and he tugs me to my feet, leading me through the dining area and around the long farmhouse table with matching chairs. The kitchen is on the far side of the great room, and the light-gray cabinets and black granite countertops and backsplash give it a masculine feel.

“This is beautiful.” I run my hand over the large island. “Did you pick everything out yourself?”

“I chose the granite, and Cassie helped me with the paint color for the cabinets.”

“Where’s your bedroom?”

“I thought you’d never ask.” He races toward the stairs and then up them, tugging me along. I laugh, which only makes it harder to keep up. We head down the hallway, and he calls out what each room is for. When we reach the last door on the right, he pushes it open.

“Wow, this is huge.”

“That’s what she said,” he jokes.

“That remains to be seen,” I droll, but from the feeling of him between my legs last night, I’d say he’s well enough equipped to get the job done.

His king-sized bed dominates the space, with plush gray bedding that looks incredibly inviting. Large windows let in plenty of natural light, and there’s a cozy seating area in one corner with a small sofa and armchair.

Cooper grins, looking pleased by my reaction.

I walk farther into the room, running my hand along the soft duvet. “Your bed looks so comfortable.”

“Want to test it out?” he asks, his voice low and suggestive.

My heart rate picks up at his words. I turn to face him, finding his blue eyes dark with desire. “I thought you’d never ask,” I say, echoing his earlier words.

In two quick strides, Cooper closes the distance between us. His hands grip my waist, pulling me flush against him. Our lips meet, and all the pent-up desire from last night rushes to the surface. Melting into him, I wrap my arms around his neck and press myself closer as his tongue sweeps into my mouth.

Without breaking the kiss, he walks us backward until my knees hit the edge of the bed. I sit, scooting back on the mattress as he follows, hovering over me. His gaze feels like a caress as it roams over my face.

“You're so beautiful,” he murmurs, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

I pull him down for another kiss, relishing the weight of his body on mine. My hands slip under his t-shirt, exploring the hard planes of his back. Cooper groans into my mouth, his hips pressing into mine.

“Can I take this off?”

I nod eagerly. “Yes, please.”

Sitting back on his heels, he grips the back of his shirt and pulls it over his head in one smooth motion. I drag in a surprised gasp at the sight of his bare, sculpted torso.

“Like what you see?” he asks, one side of his mouth arching upward.

“I love it.” I’ve never seen anything that compares, and I’m unable to keep my hands from exploring. My palms land on his pecs and slide down to his abs, where my fingertips trace out the shape of his eight pack.

Cooper shudders under my touch, his eyes closing for a moment. When he opens them, my breath is stolen by the desire swirling in his irises.

He tugs on the hem of my shirt. “It’s your turn.”

I lift myself from the mattress as he slowly raises the material, his knuckles grazing my stomach. When the fabric clears my head, he drops it on the bed, devouring me with his gaze.

He leans down, pressing a soft kiss in the hollow between my collarbones. “You’re so fucking stunning.”

“So are you.”

His lips move lower until he reaches the swell of my breasts and then he pauses. “Can I?” he asks, his fingers gliding along the edge of my bra.

My breath catches in my throat. “Yes.”

He reaches behind me, fumbling with the clasp. When he finally gets it undone, he slowly peels the bra from me, his eyes widening as he sees my naked breasts for the first time.

“Jesus. You’re perfect.”

“Touch me,” I whisper.

His Adam’s apple bobs in his throat as he nervously swallows. Grabbing his hands, I raise them to my breasts. He gently cups them and then his thumbs brush over my nipples. Arching into his touch, I let out a soft moan.

Cooper lowers his head, dotting kisses along the top of one breast before taking the nipple into his mouth.

“Oh,” I cry out, his mouth sending waves of pleasure through my body and between my legs. His tongue swirls around the taut peak before sucking gently. My fingers tangle in his hair, holding him to me.

He switches to my other breast, and his stubble scrapes against my nipple. Feeling the need building between my thighs, I rock my hips upward, seeking friction for my clit. After last night, it’s not going to take much to push me over the edge.