Page 73 of Clinch'd

South Beach, Miami is crowded, colorful and loud. It’s also beautiful and charming.

After a long flight overnight, we drop into bed for a nap. I wake to Cooper caressing my ass and grind into him with a groan.

He smiles wickedly and lifts my leg before sliding slowly inside. We rock gently together while he strums my clit and when I go over with a cry, he maneuvers me to my stomach.

With languid pumps, he strokes inside of me. My skin burns at every little touch, his fingers skimming over my spine, his lips pressing against my shoulder.

Closing my eyes, I buck beneath him, and he groans before grabbing me around my waist and sitting us up. Now I’m in his lap and I feel so achingly full that I moan and arch my back.

“So, fucking beautiful,” he rasps, grabbing my hips. “Fuck me, baby.”

“Coop,” I moan, riding his length while he pumps into me from below.

The sweet slide fires all the right places and I cry out as he bucks onto me, my eyes rolling as I go over and he follows behind.

After, I collapse to the bed, panting and he joins me, cuddling against my back. With a smile, I stare at us in the mirror on the closet door, admiring his silky dark head of hair resting beside mine.

“C’mon lazy bones, let’s go eat,” he says, breaking me from my reverie.

Grumbling, I smile and take a quick shower before donning a light dress and my sandals. Cooper pulls me out the door before I can think about hair and makeup, so I content myself with pulling my wet strands into a messy bun and swiping on lip gloss.

A concierge pulls up in a pretty little sports car that I admire while Cooper tips the man and his counterpart opens my door.

Cooper’s condo faces the ocean with floor to ceiling windows that open onto a balcony. The sleek furniture and fancy appliances match his flashy persona but before we dropped into bed last night, I couldn’t help but wonder if this is who he really is.

What is he hiding behind the mischievous smirk I’m coming to both adore and revile?

Distracted by the sights and sounds of the city, I take in the multi-colored clothes of varying sizes and hues. Women walk down the boardwalk in bikinis with amazing tans. Men move by on skateboards.

Reggae rises and falls as we pass a busy restaurant. The ocean is mesmerizing from my seat in the expensive ass sports car that no one here seems all that interested in.

I guess because everywhere I turn there are ridiculously high end vehicles parked between total beaters with surf boards hanging out the end.

Cooper slides into a spot without issue while I watch enviously before coming around to open my door with a pretty smile.

I caution myself to maintain my distance but it’s a stupid plea from a stupid girl because with Cooper, I have no more defenses left.

The restaurant is open to the ocean with loud music and bright red booths. We’re led to one with the best view to both people watch and take in the waves.

The pretty server blushes through taking our order before Cooper turns to me with his liquid eyes and says, “Well, baby? What do you think of Miami?”

With a smile, I wave at the ocean and say, “What’s not to like?”

His smile dims for a moment before he says, “Later, I’m going to fuck you in my pool overlooking that water.”

My skin heats and I resist the urge to fan myself which is no mystery to Cooper who merely grins wickedly.

Once the food arrives, I content myself with tasting the spicy dishes while Cooper eats a simple meal of grilled salmon and vegetables.

Pointing at his plate, I say, “It must be hard. To stay on a strict diet like that all the time.”

With a shrug, he sets his fork down beside his plate. “I’m used to it. After ten years, I don’t even crave anything different anymore.”

“Why do you do it?” I ask. I’ve seen the way he looks when he’s in that ring. There’s no joy, just a determination that I don’t understand.

It’s the wrong question though because his brows drop and the air around us becomes decidedly chilly. I regret asking when he turns to me and says, “My father died when I was fifteen.”

“Oh,” I rasp, reaching for his hand.

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