Page 12 of Wrecked

Cooper seems almost uncomfortable as he stares at me.

The drawn-out quiet gets to me. “Can I help you?”

“I heard Shane gave you keys to the apartment. I was just wondering if you’d seen it.”

I step aside so he can see past me into the living room. “I’ve seen it.”

Cooper peers inside, then back at me, and I wonder if he’s expecting me to ask him to come in. God, I’m so tempted. There’s something about this guy that draws me in. I’m the moth; he’s the flame. The only problem is, I have a feeling this flame is going to burn me if I’m not careful.

And after the way he pulled back from me at the shooting range after asking me if I’d ever kissed a man, I can’t even imagine why he’s here.

The words‘do you want to come in?’are on the tip of my tongue, so I take an evasive maneuver for self-protection. “Actually, I was just heading out,” I tell him as I step out into the hall and close the door behind me.

He nods. “Where to?”

Where am I going? I have no fucking clue. Just anywhere this guy isn’t.

Since he seems to be waiting for an answer, I go with the first thing that pops into my head. “I need groceries.”

As he nods, his gaze locks onto mine, and the tension thickens.

That old Katy Perry song comes to mind—how does it go? Something like,He’s hot, then he’s cold. He’s yes, then he’s no. He’s in, then he’s out.

I wait, curious to see which mood he’s in right now. Hot or cold?

But he doesn’t say a word.

I’m tired of playing this game. I don’t have time for guys who don’t know what they want. I give him a moment, hoping to see a sign of some emotion besides indifference. No such luck. “I guess I’ll see you around.”

He nods curtly. “Yeah. I’ll see you.”

I walk toward the elevator and push the button to go down. When the doors open and I step inside, he follows me in.

He stands beside me and faces the doors. “There’s a nice little family-owned grocery store just a couple of blocks away. They sell quality fresh produce, fish, and meat. I’d be happy to show you.”

Mr. Hot-and-Cold wants to go grocery shopping with me?Seriously?

Part of me wants to say no—for the sake of my sanity. But another part of me is dying to spend time with him and get to know him better. I swear, honestly, he’s the most attractive man I’ve ever met. He’s everything I look for in a man—he’s older and, well, he’s bossy as hell. And for some reason, that turns me on.

“Sure. Why not?” I try to come across as nonchalant. I try to sound casual, but the teenager-me is giddy with excitement because the dominant older boy wants to spend time with me.

Cooper pushes the button for the underground garage. “I’ll drive,” he says in a gruff voice that threatens to make my knees buckle. It’s not a question or even a suggestion. It’s just a given that he’s going to drive.

And I amsookay with that.

An image of me on my knees before him flashes through my mind, me opening my mouth and taking him in deep. Cooper thrusting hard and fast, demanding, fisting my hair, groaningand growling because it feels so damn good. I give really good head, if I do say so myself.

That image morphs into another one of me on a bed, on my hands and knees with Cooper behind me, spreading me open and—fuck!

I realize the elevator has stopped and the door is open. Cooper’s halfway out, holding the door and staring back at me with an odd expression on his face. “Are you comin’, kid?” Suddenly, he’s got a southern accent.

My face heats up, turning beet red, I’m sure. I step out of the elevator and head toward the Escalade. “Sorry. I was, uh, sorry.”

I hear his quiet chuckle as he takes his sweet time sauntering over to the big SUV. By the time he’s behind the wheel, I’m already in my seat, buckled in.

As he starts the engine, he gives me a heated look, and now I’m wondering if he’s a mind reader. It’s almost like he knows what I was thinking back there.

He shakes his head as if to clear it. “Let’s go get you some groceries.”