Page 18 of Liberty

And when he saw me, he smiled.

“Hey, you.” He opened one arm to me, giving me a side-hug. It wasn’t too much, and I appreciated it.

I leaned into him.

He smelled good—a little like coconut, but still masculine.

It made that same heat pool between my thighs.

“I got us a table at the restaurant, so are you ready?” he asked.

He took my hand, and together we walked to the other side. The hostess seated us immediately, calling him Mr. Vance. I assumed they knew each other from working here, and didn’t comment on it.

Neither did he.

I wasn’t surprised that the menu was mostly seafood. We were on the beach; it was what people wanted.

And I wasn’t going to say no to a plate full of coconut shrimp and pineapple rice.

Cooper ordered us a bottle of wine without asking, and I didn’t mind. I showed my ID cheerfully, glad to still get carded.

“So, did you have fun surfing?” he asked.

I felt my face get hot. “I was worried about it at first, but it ended up being pretty fun. I’d love to try it again sometime.”

He nodded. “If I have any more slots open up, I’ll let you know. People drop all the time, and I don’t rush to fill the spots that get cancelled. I’d rather give them out for free.”

“That’s really nice of you. But if somebody else seems interested, let them have it. Okay?”

He shrugged. “I guess I’ll just have to take you on my time off.”

I blushed.

Because my mind did not go to surfing when he said that.

Dinner was wonderful. The conversation was easy, and Cooper kept slipping in little comments that sounded, well…sexual.

Was it just me? My mind was in the gutter.

Maybe Kylee was right.

Maybe I did need a hookup.

And maybe Cooper was the answer.

Time passed quickly. We ate dinner and ordered a piece of key lime cheesecake for dessert. Around us, the restaurant emptied out. It wasn’t until our waitress approached and whispered to Cooper that he looked at his watch.

“Holy shit. They closed ten minutes ago.” He laughed nervously and smiled at the waitress. “Can we take a bottle of wine to go? And you can bill my room.”

She nodded. “Of course, Mr. Vance. I’ll grab that bottle and you’ll be good to go.” She looked my way and smiled.

I felt important. Which was weird, but I liked it.

Cooper removed his wallet from his pocket. He folded a bill and tucked it under his dessert plate. We chatted for a moment longer, until the waitress brought him the wine.

When we stood, he took my hand again. “Come up and have a drink with me?”

“I’d love to.”

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