Page 15 of Relief Pitcher

“Because there’s always time to call for help during a surprise kidnapping.” He gave me his number anyway.

I texted him the knife emoji. Vaguely threatening or adorable inside joke?

“How come your roommates think you don’t know how to cook?” He leaned against the counter and crossed one leg over the other. Something about the pose was hot as hell.

“Some people need food and water to survive and vampires need blood, but I live off their exasperated sighs.”

Cooper chuckled.

“We’re only open for half-days on Sundays, so we can have a team meeting after we close. Part of the tradition is taking turns picking a theme for our next potluck dinner at the meeting. I find increasingly inventive ways to fuck with them through my food choices, and if I knew how to cook or they knew I could Google, I’d have to actually put work into what I brought.”

I consistently impressed myself with how I could connect nearly any theme to mac and cheese or something microwavable.

Cooper assessed me. His attention had me squirming. “You like to tease, don’t you?”

If he only knew.“Some might say it’s my love language.”

The oven timer went off.

“I’ve got it.” Cooper slid the oven mitt on and reached over to tug my hips back away from the stove with one hand as he pulled down the oven door with the other. I wasn’t sure he realized he’d done it with how apprehensive he had been, but I had to admit I liked being manhandled by him.

He wrapped the crispy bacon in paper towels while I plated the scrambled eggs, then popped the toaster button down with the bread I’d pre-placed. I was impressed with myself. Three different foods were ready at approximately the same time. My chest swelled, watching him dish up something I’d cooked.

“How’s it looking out there?” I asked once we settled at the dining table with our food.

“It’s a big tree. Might take a while.” He looked at me, and then his glance darted away.

“That’s no problem as long as you don’t mind being stuck with me. I’ve got to hop on a FaceTime with my roommates for a bit since I’m missing a special brunch before a couple of them have to open the brewery, but otherwise, no plans today.”

“Oh shit. Sorry about that. I can call a friend to bring another chainsaw over.”

“This is much better than helping Austin deep clean our production area after brunch. Take your time.” I gave him a genuine smile.

It was a nice getaway to hang out with a hot guy for a few hours. Even if I wasn’t getting sex out of the deal. Sharpening my flirting skills was never a waste of time. I liked Cooper the mountain man.

I licked my lips as I gave him a lingering look. “Mind if I use your shower?”

“Yeah, of course. I’ll get you a towel.”

“Thanks.”

Cooper collected our dishes and offered to do them since I’d cooked.

“Thanks. I’ll go brush my teeth.”

I stripped out of habit before brushing my teeth. My turquoise panties were jarring in the log cabin bathroom. I wasn’t used to seeing myself in them anywhere but at home. When I decided to wear them yesterday, I thought they would give me a confidence boost for my meeting at the coast and get me excited for the guy I was supposed to meet up with last night. I didn’t expect to be wearing them while stranded with some stranger in the woods.

There was a knock at the door a second before Cooper’s voice. “Here’s a towel—”

I dropped the toothbrush in the sink as I caught Cooper’s eyes in the mirror. I’d picked up some vibes from Cooper that he might not hate the idea of finding men attractive, but seeing a man in lace panties was entirely different.

I squared my shoulders and waited for the laugh or disgust. I never let people see me in the panties except on the extremely rare occasion I hooked up with someone who’d explicitly mentioned they were seeking someone with that interest. After wearing them to a generic hookup and having the guy kick me out because of it, I’d learned to be more careful. Fucking toxic masculinity.

I braced for one of many possible reactions from Cooper but never expected the hunger in his eyes.

“Expecting a jockstrap?” I asked.

CHAPTER9

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