Page 22 of Tides of Discovery
“He doesn’t need to have a ‘claim’ on me.” Cooper’s professional demeanor slipped. “I already said no. Three times.”
Brad’s eyes narrowed slightly, but his smile remained. “No need to get defensive. Just trying to be friendly.” He leaned in toward Cooper again, his voice dropping. “The offer stands when you’re ready for some real company. I’m at The Westcott, room 212.”
Cooper didn’t respond and turned more fully toward me instead, trying to physically shut Brad out of our space. I could see the stress in the set of his jaw, the tight line around his mouth.
“Everything okay?” I asked quietly.
“Fine,” Cooper assured me, though Brad still watched him.
“One drink,” Brad repeated, and his hand moved to rest on Cooper’s shoulder. “What’s the harm? Unless your friend here makes all your decisions for you.”
Cooper stiffened at the contact. A flash of genuine anger crossed his features. Something protective and fierce rose inside me. I didn’t think, didn’t plan, didn’t weigh consequences. I just acted.
“He’s not my friend,” I said, my voice steady despite the sudden racing of my heart. “He’s my boyfriend.”
Cooper’s eyes widened. His gaze darted to my face in shock. Brad looked between us, clearly skeptical.
“That right?” he asked Cooper. “Doesn’t seem like you’re very couple-like to me.”
Cooper was still staring at me, surprise written across his features. I held his gaze and tried to communicate silently. This was a way out—if he wanted to take it.
Brad’s smirk grew more pronounced. “Yeah, that’s what I thought. Nice try, but?—”
I leaned toward Cooper, our faces just inches apart. “May I?” I whispered, just loud enough for him to hear.
Understanding dawned in his eyes, and he gave an almost imperceptible nod.
My heart hammered against my ribs as I closed the distance between us and pressed my lips to his. I’d meant it to be quick—just enough to sell the story—but the moment our lips met, everything else disappeared. The bar, the conversations, Brad, all of it faded away. All I knew was the softness of Cooper’s lips, the faint taste of lager, and the overwhelming reality that after years of imagining this moment, it was actually happening.
After a moment I reluctantly started to pull back, but to my shock, Cooper’s hand came up to the back of my neck and kept me there for a few breathless heartbeats before we broke apart. His eyes were wide, pupils dilated, and there was a flush high on his cheekbones that I’d never seen before.
Around us, whistles and catcalls erupted from the locals who knew us. Someone yelled “Finally!” and laughter rippled through the crowd. I barely registered any of it, too stunned by what had just happened.
“As you can see, I’m taken,” Cooper said, not looking away from my eyes as he addressed Brad. His voice was rougher than usual.
For a moment, he seemed as stunned as I felt. Then, with a deliberateness that made my pulse stutter, Cooper wrapped an arm around my shoulders. He finally broke our gaze to look at Brad.
“You should go,” Cooper said, his voice firm. “Now.”
Brad stared at us for a moment longer, his expression somewhere between disbelief and irritation. “Whatever,” he finally muttered. “Your loss.” He slid off his stool, weaving slightly, and disappeared into the crowd.
Neither of us moved. Cooper’s arm was still around my shoulders, and I was frozen in place, afraid that if I moved or spoke, the moment would shatter.
Finally, Cooper withdrew his arm and cleared his throat as he leaned back on his stool. “Well,” he said, “that was…unexpected.”
My brain scrambled to catch up with what had just happened. I’d kissed Cooper. Actually kissed him. And he’d kissed me back—hadn’t he? Or was that just part of the act?
“Sorry,” I said quickly as I tried to regain my equilibrium. “He wasn’t taking the hint, and I thought…I mean, I didn’t plan to?—”
“It’s okay,” Cooper interrupted. He reached for his beer and took a larger gulp than usual. “It worked. He’s gone.”
“Right.” I nodded and tried to read his expression. “Just a strategic maneuver.”
Cooper stared at me for a moment, something unreadable in his expression. Confusion, maybe. Then he smiled, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “My hero.”
I forced a laugh, trying to steer us back to familiar territory. “You looked like you needed rescuing.”
“That obvious, huh?” Cooper scrubbed a hand along his jaw, that telltale nervous gesture I’d seen a thousand times whenever he felt out of his depth.
