Page 14 of Liberty

He stopped at a door and presented us with our new keys. “Here we go, ladies. Your new room.”

Kylee stepped back, letting me open the door.

The room was enormous, almost a palace on its own. Even in the dark, I could tell that the balcony looked out over the ocean. The central living room branched off, with a bedroom on each side.

We’d have a little privacy. That was nice, because from the way she was talking, Kylee was likely to find somebody to bring back while we were here. I wished her luck, but that didn’t mean I had to follow her lead.

Cooper helped us unload our stuff. Kylee and I carried our suitcases to our respective rooms, then came back to the middle.

It hit me how exhausted I was. I needed to get some sleep.

Cooper was smiling, though. “Well,” he said. “You ladies have a wonderful night, all right? I’ll see you around.”

His eyes lingered on me.

His gaze made me feel warm inside.

He turned and left, the door closing behind him.

I could feel Kylee looking at me.

I sighed and left the room, rushing after him.

He hadn’t reached the elevators yet. I hurried to catch up to him. “Cooper?”

He stopped and turned to look at me.

What the hell did I want?

I stood still for a moment, looking at him.

“What’s up?” he asked. “You okay?”

I nodded. Slowly, I reached out, touching the back of his hand. I took a step closer.

He lifted his hand to my waist, and I put mine on his shoulder.

He leaned down, and I closed the distance between us.

The spark was obvious. I suddenly understood what romance authors meant when they talked about that instant feeling of desire. I’d never been kissed like this, not once in my life.

I closed my eyes and leaned into it.

I felt that warmth again, low in my body.

Between my thighs.

I pulled back from the kiss.

Cooper looked at me, eyebrows raised.

I started to speak. “I—um—”

What was I supposed to say?

Finally, I forced some words out. “Thank you!”

And I ran back to the room.

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