Page 52 of Say I'm Yours
I shake my head and pull my hands back. Cooper grabs his fork and knife, and we dig in. Dinner is nice, we talk a little about the farm and how he wants to change a few things. There’s a lot more to Cooper than I ever knew. I always knew that he was smart, but he has some ideas that are inspiring. He explains a little about the project Presley’s working on, and I go into some of my plans for next year. We talk long after our plates are empty and beers have run dry.
“Ready for the movie?” he asks in one of the very few lulls in conversation. I glance at the clock, realizing we’ve been talking for well over an hour. Time flew by, and we didn’t have any time where it was weird or we didn’t have something to talk about.
“I should clean up.” I start to grab the plates, but he grips my wrist.
“Leave it. Live a little. Let’s watch the movie and then we can take care of the dishes.”
He releases my hand, and I put the plate down. “Okay.”
It’s so not in me to do this, but different is good sometimes.
Cooper pops in the DVD before turning with a grin. “You excited?”
“Curious.”
He chuckles and sits on the couch. Both of us sit on each end, I’m not sure what the hell is supposed to happen, so I’m going with better safe than sorry mentality. “I won’t bite,” he says as he drapes his arm over the couch.
Jesus. Here I go.
I scoot closer as Cooper watches me with an open arm. My butt hits his leg, and he adjusts himself so we’re even closer. My throat goes dry as my body rests very much against his. I can’t tell if I’m uncomfortable or the nerves are because of how attracted I am to him right now. I’ve never been blind to Cooper, but he’s always been—brotherly. Between today and now dinner, things shifted a little. He never once made me feel small or as if I was just Presley’s friend. He talked to me like a woman.
Tonight has felt good, and this feels good, too.
The movie comes on screen, and I can’t hold in the laugh as I tilt my head so I can look at him. “You did not!”
“I thought we could use a repeat.”
“Goonies never say die!”
Cooper’s other arm rests on my knees, and he holds me tight. When we were kids, Presley and I were so obsessed that we wore the VHS out. We would run around the house, searching for the gold and pirate ship we believed were hidden somewhere. Cooper would tell us we were naive, but it didn’t stop him from looking with us.
I nestle in, not thinking about the fact that he’s Cooper. He’s a man that I’m on a date with, one who I also find attractive. The movie plays on as we stay cuddled together. We both laugh at our favorite parts, and I jump a little when Ma talks about cutting out their tongues, which makes him laugh against my ear. The heat from his breath sends a shiver through me.
I try to cover it over by playing with my hair, but Cooper doesn’t miss it and tightens his arm a bit.
My head lifts a little and our eyes meet, causing a knot to twist in my stomach.
There’s no mistaking what’s burning in his green eyes. The heat is clear, and he wants to kiss me.
I should move my head and stop it.
I could clear my throat and leave the room.
I could, and probably should do all that, but I don’t think I want to.
I don’t want to look back and wonder.
Instead, I turn into him a little more, resting my hand on his chest. “Do you want me to move?” I ask, staring and waiting for something to change.
“Not at all.” Cooper’s head drops a little, giving me another chance out. He moves slowly, measuring each shift in my body.
I lift my lips just a smidge. “Okay,” I say as we grow closer.
His mouth is right there. He could kiss me, but neither of us moves.
Fuck it.
I push myself up and plant my lips on his. His arms go around me instantly, and he drags me closer. I kiss him without restraint and let my mind go so I can feel.
