Too late to do anything about it now.
I wipe up the last of the coffee and toss the dripping napkin into my nearly empty mug as Coop appears at our table, looking like God’s gift in tight, low-slung jeans and a black compression shirt that hugs every dip and curve of his sculpted body.
My cheeks flush and my skin tingles at the memory of having those powerful arms wrapped around me. Of having those calloused hands on my thighs. Of having those talented fingers rip sobs of pleasure from my lips as I climaxed.
“I had a feeling I might find you here,” he says, a crooked smile playing across his full lips.
I lift my gaze, forcing myself to meet his eyes, which makes it impossible not to look at the neatly stitched gash on his forehead. The bruise is fading and just a hint of purple remains, but it does little to assuage my guilt.
“So, what?” I demand, falling back on our old routine. The one where we bicker instead of peeling our clothes off. “Now you’re stalking me?”
“Hardly.” He shoves his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “Don’t you ever go to class?”
“Like you have room to talk.” I lift my chin and offer him a sweet smile. “Exactly how many times have you crashed one of my coffee dates?”
Haley clears her throat. “Speaking of class. I should get going or I’ll miss my studio time.”
She grabs her bag and slides out of the booth, avoiding my eyes.
Haley doesn’t have class, and we both know it. She probably thinks she’s doing me a favor by giving me some one-on-one time with Cooper, but that’s the last thing I want right now.
“Are you sure you can’t stay?” My voice is too high, too desperate. “I thought your class was canceled.”
“Nope.” She shoots me a quizzical look and slings her bag over her shoulder.
“Then ditch.” I pause, scrambling for something—anything—to change her mind. “We’ll get cupcakes. My treat!”
If I’m a pumpkin whore, Haley’s a cupcake slut. She has never said no to a cupcake. Not even once.
“I’ll buy you a dozen,” Coop says, fishing a twenty-dollar bill out of his pocket and offering it to her. “Ifyou give us a few minutes alone.”
Haley’s eyes light up and she snatches the bill from his hand. “Deal.”
I gape at her. There’s no other word for it. She just sold me out. “Traitor.”
She blows me a kiss and promises to save me a cupcake before she turns on her heel and saunters up to the counter, leaving me alone with Cooper.
He slides into the booth, sitting opposite me.
The playful guy who just bribed my BFF is gone. His eyes, which are normally so clear, are like storm clouds, and there’s not a hint of amusement in his words when he speaks. “We need to talk.”
My stomach clenches and for a second, I think my coffee might make another spectacular reappearance.
He’s pissed. I get it. The other night was a disaster and once he’s said his piece, we’ll go our separate ways.
No more Sig Chi parties.
No more late-night texts.
No more… Coop.
The worst part? I can’t even blame him. The guy can have any woman he wants, and he doesn’t need a walking disaster screwing things up or ruining his shot at the NFL.
“I really am sorry about the stitches.” I fold my hands in my lap where they can’t do any damage. “I totally understand if you never want to see me again.”
I said all of this on Saturday night, but maybe he’s forgotten. Or, more likely, blocked it out. Either way, there’s no such thing as too many apologies when you put someone in the ER.
“Wait.” Coop straightens and his brows knit together. “You think I’m mad about what happened at The Inn?”
