Page 13 of Craving Cooper

“It shouldn’t take that much thought.”

I shake my head, unsure what to say next, just as Mallory comes out of the house, carrying two tall glasses of iced water. I could use a drink, but just for a second or two, I’m distracted by how good she looks. It’s not like I haven’t noticed her before… both at work, and this morning, when I stepped outside of my apartment and saw her standing there waiting for me. She’s a beautiful woman, and any man would have to be blind not to notice her.

I guess the thing is, I’ve grown used to seeing her wearing skirts and blouses, with her long blonde hair tied up somehow to keep it out of the way, although there are usually a few stray strands, which she’s left framing her lovely face… but that’s beside the point. The point is, today she looks different. Not only is her hair hanging loose around her shoulders, in very sexy waves, but she’s wearing cut-off shorts that reveal her fabulous legs, and a gray t-shirt that clings to her curves every time it catches in the breeze. It would be impossible not to admire her, and while that’s perfectly normal for me, the fact that she works for me means it probably wouldn’t be a good idea to get caught doing it. I’m about to look away when she stops walking, almost spilling the water, and stares at me, licking her lips. There’s something very erotic about that move, and even if I’m not sure what’s caused her sudden stillness, my cock responds to the sight of her slightly open mouth and glistening lips, and all the possibilities that brings to mind.

“Are those for us?” Brady says, breaking the moment.

Mallory startles, turning her attention to him, and steps forward, handing over the glasses. “Yes. Sorry.”

“No need to apologize.” He smiles at her, taking a sip of cool water. I copy him and am just about to thank Mallory for bringing out the drinks when Addy comes flying through the door. Her earlier shyness has clearly been forgotten, and she runs straight up to Brady, who quickly hands me his water, bending down to lift Addy into his arms.

“How’s it going inside?” he says to her, standing up again.

“Okay,” she replies, and he nods his head. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure. You can ask me anything.”

She tips her head in the cutest way imaginable and says, “You know how it hurts when you fall over?”

“Yes.” Brady nods his head, waiting for her to get to the point.

“Well… does it hurt when you fall for someone?”

I can’t help smiling, although I have no idea how Brady’s going to handle that question, and I glance at Mallory, confused by the blush on her cheeks. That’s kinda cute, too, and for a second or two, I’m distracted again… until Brady clears his throat.

“Sometimes,” he says. “It depends who you’ve fallen for, and how they feel about you.”

“What is falling for someone?” Addy asks. “Is it like tripping over them? Because that would be really careless.”

Brady chuckles. “I guess. But it’s not quite the same as tripping over, and it’s not something you can control. It just happens.”

Addy nods her head, like she’s thinking, and then rests it on his shoulder, before she quickly pulls away. “Ew,” she says, pulling a face.

“What?”

“Your t-shirt. It’s all wet.”

“Sorry. I’ll take it off.” He lowers her to the floor for a moment, yanking off his t-shirt and then lifts her into his arms again. “Better?”

“Much.” She rests against him and he smiles, kissing the top of her head.

He’s taken to being a step-father like a duck to water, and although I’ve never heard Addy call him anything other than ‘Brady’, it wouldn’t surprise me if the word ‘Daddy’ crept in there sooner or later.

“Are we moving house today or not?” Laurel’s voice makes us all jump and we turn collectively to see her coming out of the house, carrying a large box.

I dump the glasses just inside the back of the truck and go over to take it from her. “We’re just taking a break,” I say and she smiles up at me as I relieve her of the heavy burden she was carrying, and she comes to join us by the back of the truck, where I put the box by my feet.

“Addy told us it’s going okay inside,” Brady says.

“Yeah. We’re nearly finished… thanks to Mallory.”

She turns, and Mallory shakes her head, blushing again. That really is adorable, and I have to smile. She’s staring at me, and just for a second, she smiles back. Once again, my cock responds, and although I know I shouldn’t be thinking about her like that, I contemplate her delicate pink lips wrapped around my dick as I hold her long blonde hair behind her head, and…

“I didn’t think you liked showing off your tattoo,” Laurel says, bringing me back to reality, which is probably just as well.

“I don’t mind when I’m among friends,” Brady replies with a smile that’s directed at me.

Does Laurel honestly think I wouldn’t have known about his tattoo? He told me about it a few days after he had it done, which has gotta be something like nine or ten years ago. It seemed out of character, although I didn’t question it, and he didn’t explain the meaning behind the design of laurel leaves and roses. I only worked out the significance of that at the beginning of this year, a few days after he told me he’d been in love with Laurel since just before she went to college. He’d decided to wait for her to return, never expecting that when she did, she’d fall straight into the clutches of Mitch Bradshaw. The outcome of that brief liaison is currently being held in Brady’s arms, and even though Mitch did the right thing and married Laurel, I’m pretty sure they both wish he hadn’t. At the time, I’m imagine Laurel was relieved. She probably even believed herself to be happy. But she didn’t know Mitch. Not like Brady and I did. We’d grown up with him. We knew what he was capable of.

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