Page 42 of Bound by Family
“Like to sit by the wall?” I tease.
“Nah, I just like to know what’s goin’ on.” He reaches over and grabs my hands. “You’re welcome to come over here and sit with me.”
My body screamsyes!but I stay where I am, knowing if I’m sitting that close to him, I won’t be able to not touch him. He’s too delicious not to, and after that kiss earlier, I want more. So much more. My body craves him with a need so deep it presses against my soul.
A flirty waitress comes and takes our order. Before I know it, the food is in front of us, and I’m sad this is almost over. A few hours isn’t enough time. Even eating slow and having a great conversation isn’t long enough. It’s just not. It royally sucks.
Cooper pays the check, and then we walk solemnly out to my car and his bike where he turns me and presses my body against the car, attacking me with his lips in the most delectable way.
I pull away abruptly. “Stay with me tonight. Don’t go back. We can find a place, just you and me, and leave first thing in the morning.”
He rocks back on his boots, hands still touching me. For a moment, I can’t believe those words just came from my lips, but I want it badly. From his expression, he doesn’t, which baffles me. He is a red-blooded male, and the way his lips attacked mine … He has to want this, too, right?
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked that. I need to get going.” I try to move away, feeling so damn stupid for even suggesting it. The foot in mouth syndrome hits yet again. I really should stick to text messages or just avoid people altogether.
His grip gets tighter on my hips, stilling me. When I look into his eyes, they burn with an intensity that he’s kept from me in our brief encounters. Something devilish and intriguing that makes my knees weak.
“Bristyl, if we go someplace private, I can’t guarantee I’ll keep my hands off you. It’s fuckin’ killin’ me to leave you as it is.”
“What if I don’t want you to keep your hands off?” I rise up on my tiptoes and place a soft kiss against his mouth. “I want this, Cooper. Do you?”
“Hell yeah.” He crashes his lips back down on mine and takes my breath away. Excitement and anticipation flood my system. “Follow close.”
He hops on his bike, and I get in my car. I can’t believe I’m doing this, but it’s Cooper. The guy who stays up with me all night, talking about stupid shit he shouldn’t care about. I want this with him.
I have nothing with me, which makes it all the more exciting. This impulsiveness to take what I want and not sit around, just thinking about it over and over like a movie reel.
We stop at a hotel I didn’t see on the way. Cooper gets off his bike and waves for me to stay inside the car.
Once he comes out of the office, I open the door and follow him. It’s a nice place. One of those hotel chains you see everywhere and on television.
Cooper closes the door to the room, his focus on me. It makes me feel sexy and desirable, something I haven’t really felt before. Sex has always been a means to an end for me. Especially with my brothers acting the way they do. This feels different. It feels real, honest, caring.
Then I remember. “I need to use the bathroom.”
His lip rise. He better not say I’m cute. I just need to freshen up. Hell, I was on a bike for hours and need to make sure everything is good.
He says nothing, so I slip into the all-white bathroom that holds the normal things—tub, sink, toilet. Lifting my arms, I smell myself. The deodorant is holding its own. Then I go pee and check everything down there. How embarrassing would it be if I sweat or something down there? Oh God.
After a quick clean up with a damp washrag, I flush, wash, look at myself in the mirror, and jump back. My hair is everywhere. I didn’t even think to put it back before the ride, and this is the thanks I get for that one.
Running my fingers through the knots, it takes a while before I see the light at the end of the tunnel. My face is just going to have to work. No zits, so that’s a good thing.
I’m such a dork. Only I would run into the bathroom when a hot guy looks at me like I’m his meal and worry about sweat. I’d bang my head against the door, but then he’d hear how big of a fool I am.
Sucking in a deep breath, I open the door. The sight before me is compelling. Cooper is lying back on the bed, T-shirt and jeans on, boots and socks off, arms locked behind his head, looking as cool as a cucumber. Or, I should say, as hot as the desert. My mouth suddenly feels really dry.
“Come here, beautiful.” He taps the bed next to him in invitation.
I kick off my shoes and climb in. He positions me so my head is on his chest and arm around my body before he strokes my hair. I’m thankful I took the few minutes to get the knots out of it.
His heart thumps in my ear at a rhythmic pace, calming me. This isn’t what I planned, but it’s nice. Relaxing almost to the point my eyes want to droop. Who knew he’d be such a great, warm pillow?
I lift my head and rest my chin on his chest, not wanting to fall asleep and miss a moment of our time together. “Are you tired?”
He pulls me completely on top of him, taking all my weight. “No.”
Cooper kisses me, moving his hand around the back of my head and filtering his fingers through my hair. That one move is so damn sexy it spikes my arousal into overdrive. My legs spread wide, straddling him, while he brings his other hand to the side of my face.
