She hums and looks me in the eye.
“Can I be your second kiss too?” I ask her.
Chapter 18
Mae
MychestfluttersandI bite my lower lip. I always wondered what it would be like and for once, I’m not disappointed.
“Yes,” I whisper.
Cooper gently palms my cheek and draws my lips to his. I follow his lead, realizing I don’t have a clue what I’m doing, but whatever we’re doing feels good, really good.
I naturally tilt my head to the side, and he leans in, nipping my lip again, making me gasp, and he gently brushes his tongue against mine.
Warmth like nothing I’ve ever felt before slides down my chest and pools in my stomach, slipping lower and lower.
Cooper hums, and I lean in. My body has taken control at this point. I didn’t know it could feel like this. I hoped it would, but I expected a lot less.
“Come’re,” Cooper mumbles against my lips as he grabs my thighs, pulling me onto his lap.
I pull back and look him in the eye, mostly because I’m surprised with myself. I’ve never … done this.
“Is this okay?” he asks.
I nod, tongue tied.
Is this because he’s my first kiss, or is it more? I wouldn’t have said yes if I didn’t feelsomethingfor him. I don’t have time for that. These feelings are all new to me, but I’m aware enough to know this is more.
“Hey, where did you go?” Cooper asks me, cupping my cheek.
I force my eyes up to his, hoping I’ll come up with an answer by the time I get there, but all the possibilities get stuck in my throat.
“We can stop, Mae. It’s okay,” he says gently.
My immediate answer is no, please don’t. I needmore.I huff. “No, that’s definitely not it,” I rush out.
“Is it too much, too fast? Was it a bad second kiss? You can give me critique. I’m open to correction,” he says with a mischievous gleam in his eye.
A laugh bubbles out of me and I can’t help but smile. I like that he makes me smile.
“Talk to me. I want to know what you’re thinking,” he says gently.
I don’t know if it’s his openness or the way he simplylistenedto me, or it’s his desire to hear what I have to say, but I feel safe enough to try.
Pursing my lips, I search for the right words. “It wasn’t a bad second kiss.”
Cooper smiles and rubs his hands up and down my thighs. “Okay, that’s good.”
“It is.”
“And?” he says.
“And… this is as far as I’ve ever gotten with a guy, and I don’t know what to do next, and…”
“Keep going,” Cooper encourages.
I take a deep breath, somewhat appalled at myself for saying this out loud, but I seem to throw any and all caution out the door when it comes to Cooper. “And I’m a little overwhelmed, but in a good way,” I rush out.
