Page 162 of Something Rad
Cooper goes up on her tiptoes, my hands grab her face, her arms sling around my neck, and, all at once, our lips crash together.
When it happens, it’s not like anything I could have imagined. It’s like fire and electricity burst from where our mouths connect, shooting straight down my spine and settling in my core.
We’re kissing.
Cooper and I…are kissing.
If you can even call it that. I’ve certainly never experienced a kiss anything like this before.
It’s angry. Rushed. Furious. Rough. Frantic.
Necessary.
It had to be done. There was no way out. We broke the rules. Everyone was watching us, waiting.Expecting. We’re doing this for show.Onlyfor show. We broke the rules. But only because we had to. We didn’t choose to do this. We neverwantedto do this…
So why does it feel so goddamn incredible?
Cooper’s mouth on mine feels like a tall glass of lemonade after a long hot day. Crisp, refreshing, electric, and sweet.God, she tastes so sweet.Like citrus and honey. Sugar and wine. Candy and the slightest hint of mint. I flex my fingers, antsy and eager for more but forcing myself to hold back. Without thinking, my right hand slides up the side of Cooper’s neck and tangles into her hair. I stiffen for a fraction of a second.
I probably shouldn’t do that. It feels hypocritical. I told her not to touch my hair. I…I don’t like it–
A sound escapes Cooper that’s barely audible, but with the way it feels against my mouth combined with the way she suddenly seems to melt against me, softening in my arms as she lets it out, it puts the amateur little moan she gave to Paul to shame. I can’t help but smile into her kiss.
I think it’s safe to say Cooper likes it.
Not able to help myself, I grab a bigger fistful of her fiery hair, giving it the slightest tug to the side so Cooper will angle her head, giving me better access to her. I can taste the wine coolers she was drinking still lingering on her lips and it’s all I can do not to brush my tongue against the seam of her mouth in hopes of diving deeper for a stronger hit.
Approximately one second later, right as I think I’m about to lose my restraint, Cooper beats me to it, opening for me. She’s hesitant at first, slow to explore. I don’t want to push her, not wanting to cross a line or go past her comfort zone. I’ll let her come to me.
And God, does she ever.
Cooper’s tongue just barely grazes against mine, the candy sweetness nearly forcing me to let out a groan of my own, before she tightens her hold on my neck and pulls me down further, completely entangling with me in just about every way possible.
Heat rushes through my chest, prickling, setting my every sense on fire. It continues its path, traveling downward.
And settling right in my groin.
Shit.
Cooper and I must become aware of the hard weight growing between us at the exact same time, because both of our eyes shoot open. Our gazes are both heavy lidded and cloudy as we stare back at each other until, suddenly, another switch is flipped, realization hitting us and reality crashing down.
The reality that we’re in a room packed with half of our class. That all of them are looking right at us. That they’re looking at us as we have our tongues halfway down each other's throats. That Cooper and I are standing in the middle of a circle. That we’re entirely wrapped around each other. That we’rekissing. That we’re kissingeach other. And, most presently concerning, that her red lipstick has smeared and stained across both of our faces, Cooper’s cheeks are flushed the color of a fire truck, and my dick ispainfullystraining against the seam of my Levi’s.
Both of our eyes snap fully open, wide with panic. Cooper is the first to pull away, pushing off of my chest so hard that I nearly lose my balance and she goes stumbling a few steps backwards. We’re both breathing hard, varying looks of shock and bewilderment flashing across our faces. I reach up slowly, wiping the back of my hand over my damp mouth. As I do so, Cooper’s brows pull together, her expression melting into one like anger. I tilt my head at her, looking between the smear of red on the back of my hand and her twisted up face.
“Well, holy shit.” Ginger’s voice breaks through the bubble that is me and Cooper.
“Damn,” Brad mutters.
A chuckle sounds, and I think it’s Kate Andrews, but I can’t peel my eyes away from Cooper. “Geez, is it hot in here or what?”
I hear a throat clear to my side. It’s Denise. “Well, that was…interesting.”
“To say the least,” Paul says.
Cooper’s spine slowly steels, her face relaxing. She reaches up, swiping at the corner of her mouth as she turns to face Paul, walking right up to him. “I’m glad you enjoyed the show,” she says. She attempts a half-hearted flash of a sexy grin and spins on her heel, not meeting my eyes as she storms past me. “You’re taking me home now,” she mutters as she brushes harshly against my shoulder.
“Well, shit,” Paul raises his voice, calling after her. “Who knew you were hiding all of that, Cooper? If I’d have known a few years ago, I would’ve been all up in–”
