Cooper: If that means you’re willing to give us a chance, then yes. If not, don’t bother.
Daniella: See you soon then.
Chapter Nine
I had been to Cooper’s townhouse every holiday the past four years and even a Superbowl party where I brought my then-boyfriend who got way too drunk and embarrassed me. We broke up a month later due to lack of interest on my part. It startled me to realize the explosive chemistry I had with Cooper was rare. A first.
How could I think the two of us would just be a weekend fling? Did our past make everything better, more intense? I’d trusted him for so long. Did that make the sex the best ever?
I knocked on his door, wishing I went home to shower or at least spray perfume on. My hair was still a mess from fooling around with him all night, and my face burned from where his five o’clock shadow rubbed against me. It felt like an hour went by before he opened the door. He wore jeans that hung low on his hips, his strong stomach on display since he was shirtless, and his lip curved up in his signature smirk.
My heart damn near fluttered in my chest seeing him there, and I knew this was the right move. I’d regret not exploring our explosive chemistry and learning more about the softer side of him I’d missed out on all these years. My stomach swooped, and I hoped he’d hear me out.
“You got over yourself then, huh?” he asked, not moving to let me inside.
His brash tone made me stand up straighter. “Yes, I did.”
“Say it.”
“Say...what?” I asked, pursing my lips at the way his heated gaze moved from my face to my bare legs.
“That you’re giving us a real shot. That it wasn’t just a weekend fuck, and you really are into me.”
His tone was even, but the last part made my throat tighten up. Was his ego all for show? Was this beautiful, wonderful man worried that I couldn’t possibly want him?
“Cooper, I want this, you,us.I crushed on you at fourteen and never really stopped.”
“So all that hating nonsense was a lie?” he asked, his eyes lighting up as he stepped closer to me. He put a hand on my hip and pulled me closer, his clean scent tickling my nose as I chewed my lip.
“Yes, I just wasn’t aware of it until this weekend. You said all that banter was foreplay, and well, you were right.” I gulped and fidgeted with my hands. “Can I come in?”
“I don’t know. I like seeing you squirm on my step.” His eyes danced for a second before he cupped my face and pressed the softest kiss against my mouth. Relief andjoymade my blood sing in my veins when his lips touched mine. We still had a shot—I didn’t ruin it with my insecurities. I reached up to lace my arms around his neck to deepen the kiss. He groaned for a second before picking me up, and he closed the door behind us. “No, stop it, Dani.”
“Stop kissing you?” I said, shocked and a little embarrassed. After exploring every single part of each other, kissing seemed the most innocent. “Why?”
“Because baby, we need to clear up a few things before we do thisfor real.”
“What things?”
He sat down on his recliner, my legs still wrapped around him, and he ran his nose along my jaw for a few seconds. “Goddamn it, you smell so sweet.”
“Is this your idea of a talk?”
“You’re distracting.” He pulled back and looked at me. “We have a lot on the line, but I think the risk is worth it. Are you absolutely in?”
“Yes.”
“You talked to your brother?”
“Yes, I did. He’s not loving this, but he supports it.” I gulped when he nodded. “What about you though? You need to clear it up with him, right? He’s your best friend.”
“Baby, wanna know a secret?”
“Um sure?” My breath caught in my throat at the way his tone dripped with amusement and heat. “Why are you giving me that look?”
“He failed to mention one of the other reasons we stopped inviting you around in high school.”
“What’s that?”
