Thunder cracks again, and lightning flashes against the walls. He takes my mouth again, making me forget all about the storm, branding me with his kiss, as he slowly slides me down his front to my feet.
He doesn’t let me go. Blood rushes in my ears as Cooper stares at me like I’m the only woman in the world.
He reaches for the buttons lining the front of my dress and flips the first one. His fingers pop each one until I can’t take it anymore and grab the zipper at my back, pulling it down.
“You could have mentioned a zipper,” he says with an amused grin.
I shrug and shimmy out of the wet dress, letting it fall to the floor with a slap. If I had even an inkling this was going to happen, I would have picked out my cute bra and panties.
He toes off his boots and sets them to the side of the door, and closes the distance between us, flipping his belt buckle.
I take the few steps back to my bed and drop onto it. My boots are still on, and I lean over to take them off, but his hand stops me.
“I’ll take care of that,” he says.
Leaning back, I watch him undress, pulling his wet shirt over his head and dropping it to the floor.
He pops the button of his jeans and pushes them over his hips, leaving him in his boxers.
I lick my lips, catching a hint of what I’m about to experience, and my heart thuds nervously.
A part of me was terrified that I’d freeze up, because I’m not ready to be so raw and vulnerable with someone. But I’m not worried about Cooper taking care of me, giving me what I need because he’s been doing that since day one, and I hate that it took me this long to notice.
“I have to ask you something, and I want to make sure you understand that I don’t care about your answer either way. I only care about you.”
“Okay,” I say hesitantly.Is it hot in here?
“I was your first kiss, so it would be fair to assume I’m your first … everything,” he says, and I swear he’s blushing, but it’s hard to tell in the dim light.
I nod, and he releases a breath.
“Okay, I uh — I didn’t want to assume anything or scare you or, I don’t know, go too fast or something,” he says nervously.
I shake my head, then attempt to take a full breath.
He chuckles. “I’m not entirely sure what that means.”
I clear my throat and look him in the eye. “It means you can do whatever you want.”
His head tilts, and he reaches for my mouth, dragging a thumb beneath the dip in my lip. “You should be careful with statements like that, stubborn. I’m not sure you know what you’re asking for.”
I lean back from his touch, spreading my knees, surprising myself. “I’m pretty sure I do, Coop, otherwise you wouldn’t be here right now.”
The corner of his mouth tilts up, and he says, “I think it’s my turn to tell you something.”
I wait with bated breath because I don’t have the slightest clue what he is about to say.
“I’ve been celibate since Naomi was dropped into my arms. I’m not a virgin, but I might as well be.”
“And here I was thinking you’d know exactly what to do with me,” I mutter.
“Hey.” He laughs. “That’s not fair. I know I’m charming. I’m aware. But people also assume things. I’m not some playboy.”
I smile. “Could have fooled me.”
He narrows his eyes. “I didn’t want to be that kind of father. Coming home late, having random women over. Leaving her with other family members so I could go out all the time. She deserves better, and honestly, on top of running the ranch, I’ve never had time for it.”
“But I thought you were dating.”
