He takes a seat on the couch first, reaching for my hand to tug me into his arms. For a second, I almost let him take this where we both want it to go.
Instead, I pull back enough to breathe.
“I’m going to change,” I murmur, brushing my thumb along his jaw, grounding myself. “I still smell like beer.”
A corner of his mouth lifts, his eyes dark but amused. “You smell fine.”
“Liar.”
I step away before he can pull me back in, heading toward the bedroom. I can feel his eyes on me the entire time.
I trade my work jeans and fitted top for pajama shorts and an oversized T-shirt, the kind that hangs loose on me. Stepping into the bathroom, I flip on the light and quickly pull my hair up into a messy bun and wash my face. I pause when I’m finished, staring at myself in the mirror, trying to calm the flutter in my stomach.
There’s no doubt that last night shifted something between us.
When I step back into the living area, Cooper is still sitting on the couch. His jacket is gone now, elbows resting loosely on his knees. He looks up the second he hears me.
The air shifts as his gaze moves slowly over me, trailing down to my bare legs and up until his eyes lock on mine.
“Better?” he asks, voice lower now.
“Much.”
He leans back against the couch and reaches for my hand, tugging gently until I step between his knees. His good arm circles my waist and guides me to straddle his lap. He pulls me closer to him until barely an inch separates us.
Every so often, my eyes drift to his shoulder. I can’t seem to shake the worry tugging at me. He notices every time.
He leans in, resting his forehead against mine, his nose brushing softly along my cheek like he’s trying to redirect my thoughts.
“I’m okay,” he says gently. “I promise.”
I nod even though I’m not sure I fully believe him.
“I might know of one thing that would make it feel better,” he murmurs, his voice lowering as his mouth hovers near mine.
I lean back just enough to see his face, brows lifting. “Oh? Do tell.”
A slow, playful smile curves his lips—one of those dangerous ones that makes my stomach flip before I can brace for it.
His fingers slide to the hem of my shirt, tracing the edge lightly, and my breath stutters when they brush over my skin.
He leans in again, lips grazing the sensitive spot just below my jaw before trailing lower, slow enough to make me feel every inch of it.
“You,” he whispers against my skin.
Chapter Fifteen
Cooper
I’m slow to wake up the next morning.
Beside me, Brinley shifts closer to me. Her knee presses lightly into my thigh, her fingers curling around my side. I smile when I realize she’s lying on my pillow. She might try to fight it, but even in her sleep, she finds herself pulled toward me.
It’s like neither of us can control what we both know is inevitable.
For a few minutes, I just lie there and soak in the warmth from her body.
This closeness between us is happening so quickly, and it’s starting to feel dangerous. Not in a bad way, but it makes me picture things I shouldn’t want. Not when I don’t know how much time I’ll have with her.
