Page 26 of Dancing Hearts

“Doll, I will always worry about you.” He walks to the door. “I’ll be right back,” he tosses over his shoulder before leaving and locking the door behind him. I settle back and laugh at this episode of FRIENDS as if it was the first time I saw it.

Before I know it, Cooper is coming back in the front door. “Honey, I’m home.” Even though he is joking, it makes butterflies swim around in my stomach at the idea of him coming home to me at night. He puts the pizza in the kitchen, so I start to get up off the couch to help him. He comes into the living room shaking his head. “Sit your ass down. I’ve got this.” I laugh, but do as he asks. “I got a pepperoni pie and an antipasto, plus soda. So just tell me what you want and we’ll eat in front of the TV.”

“I’ll have a slice of pizza with a little antipasto. Oh, and a glass of soda

. Thank you.” He nods at me before going back to the kitchen to get our food. Once we are both settled on the couch, we dig in. Holy shit, it tastes amazing. I don’t know if it’s because I am so hungry or if it really is that good. Either way, I can’t help the moan I let out. Cooper swings his head toward me and I laugh. “Sorry. This is just so good.” We enjoy our food while watching FRIENDS and I can’t believe how this night has turned around. I never would have thought when that crazy bitch had me pinned to the floor that I would be sitting here enjoying the night with Cooper.

We finish eating and I give Cooper the remote to find something else to watch. I love that show, but I know he is just watching it to be nice. After a bit of pushing on my part, he finally flips on some tattoo show. “Come here.” He guides me over to him and has me lay my head in his lap. He is gently stroking my head and my eyes begin to feel heavy.

Next thing I know, I am being laid in his bed. I open my eyes and look into his tender ones. “Go back to sleep, doll. I’ll be in in a few minutes,” he whispers while pulling the comforter over me. I’m so exhausted I just close my eyes and drift back to sleep.

I wake up and it takes a minute for me to realize where I am. Once I remember I am in Cooper’s bed, I notice that I am completely enveloped in him. His front is pressed against my back. His leg is draped over mine, and his arm is wrapped snuggly around my waist keeping me close. I can feel his soft breathing on my neck and it is the happiest I have woken up in, well, probably ever. I smile and rest my hand onto one of his. I glance at the clock and bolt up completely knocking Cooper off of me. “Shit!” I’m frantically trying to untangle myself from the covers when I feel him place his hand on my shoulder. I spin my head around to look at him, and momentarily, I am stunned by the sight I see--sexy as hell Cooper with his hair completely disheveled, his eyes tired with sleep, and his panty-soaking chest on full display.

“What’s the matter, Emma? Are you in pain?” I can’t help but smile. He is so fucking sweet.

“No, I’m not in pain, Cooper. I’m late for work. I need to go; thank you for last night.” I go to climb out of bed, but he yanks me back and leans over so his face is hovering over mine. He has a brilliant sleepy smile on his face while he moves the hair off my face.

“Emma, do you really think that I wouldn’t take care of everything for you? I called Terry for you. I told her you would be out the next two days while you recover from last night. She was completely understanding.” This man is so full of surprises. How can one person be so considerate, caring, and understanding? Not to mention, romantic, alpha, and sexy as hell.

“Thank you, Cooper. I would have been fine to go in today though.” I smile at him as my hands find their way to his shoulders. He kisses my nose and chuckles.

“I wanted to be sure, doll.” This time he kisses me and it is starting to do things to me. The longer he kisses me, the more turned on I am becoming. We break away to catch our breath, and I run my hands up and down his colorful arms. “This is the best way to wake up, that’s for damn sure. I like having you in my bed, in my arms.”

“Cowboy, I feel the same. Last night, although started out shitty as hell, was amazing. No one has ever cared for me the way you did. You made me feel cherished.” I feel myself blush with my confession. He kisses me gently before laying down and guiding me to the crook of his arm. He sighs before he kisses my head.

“Emma, when I saw Shelly on top of you last night it was like a fucking nightmare. I felt like I had let you down by not being there to protect you.” I go to interrupt him, but he places a finger over my mouth. “Let me finish. Never in my life have I felt like I feel about you. You have quickly become very important to me, and I protect what is important to me. You mean a lot to me, doll. I need you to know that.” My heart is beating frantically and I feel tears stinging my eyes.

“Cooper, you are becoming very important to me too,” I say through the thickness in my throat. He squeezes me tighter to him.

“What do you say to some breakfast at the diner?” Part of me wants to say ‘hell yes, I’m starving,’ but the other part wants to say ‘No I want to stay in this bed and have sex.’ I wiggle my ass and he roughly grabs my hip holding me still.

“I’m trying to be good here, Emma. Don’t make me break my resolve.”

“Why, Cooper?” He rubs small circles on my hip with his thumb.

“Why what?” I don’t know if he really knows and he wants me to say it or if he really doesn’t know. Thankfully, my head is turned so he can’t see the blushing and embarrassment.

“Why haven’t we had sex yet?” Never in my entire life have I had to ask a guy this. I can feel the burning of embarrassment running down my neck. He nips my ear before licking the shell of it.

“Emma, make no mistake. I’ve never wanted someone more in my life. Your silky soft skin, perfect tits, and tight wet pussy have me constantly hard. I just don’t want to fuck things up. I want us to know each other just a little better, because I already told you once my cock is inside of you, you are mine. I won’t let you go after that.” Well, this is doing the opposite of what he wants. My pussy is aching with need now and I am soaking his boxers. He licks the shell of my ear causing me to moan.

“Cooper, if you don’t want me to break your resolve, I think you better stop.” He chuckles before kissing the side of my head. Asshole, he knows exactly what he’s doing to me. He smacks my ass while climbing out of bed.

“Let’s go, get that sexy ass out of bed. We are going to breakfast.” Once he leaves to go to the bathroom, I roll onto my back and stare up at the ceiling trying to wrangle in my hormones. After a few minutes, I’ve talked myself down and I climb out of bed. I find my dress draped neatly across a chair along with my panties, socks, and boots. I put my dress back on, but stuff the panties in my purse that is sitting on the floor. I put my socks and boots on and go to look at myself in the mirror.

“Oh holy shit.” I look like hell. My hair is a knotted mess and I’ve got no makeup on. I look around his dresser and find a comb. Damn, this is going to hurt, but it’s all I can find. I carefully comb my hair, which does, in fact, hurt. Once I get all the knots out, I put it in pigtail braids. I smile at myself, looking much better. Still no makeup, but I think I have a compact in my purse. I check and thankfully, I do have it with me. At least I look human again.

Cooper walks back in the room and winks at me. “Looking beautiful, doll.” He pulls out a green T-shirt and jeans before putting them on. I turn away before I have no control over my body. Finally, we are both ready and head out to breakfast.

EMMA AND I ENJOYED A great breakfast and came back to my place. She stayed for a little while, but wanted to go home and get some fresh clothes. I wasn’t happy about letting her go. I want her to stay here with me, but after assuring me that she would come back I unwillingly let her go. That was about two hours ago. I’ve done the payroll, lined up a band for Saturday, and even straightened up my apartment. This girl has quickly gotten to me and I fucking love it. Last night made me realize that I have feelings for her. When I wasn’t there to protect her from Shelly, it ripped my heart in half. I needed to show her just how important she was to me, so I took care of her. I washed her, fed her, and held her while she slept. I was up for hours just watching her sleep. It brought a peace to me I haven’t felt in years, not since I lost my dad. It was an amazing feeling. One I don’t want to lose.

I am sitting on my couch with the TV on, but not paying any attention when my phone rings. “Hello?”

“Hi sweetheart. How are you?” I smile at my mom’s voice. She sounds so happy.

“I’m good, Mom. How are you?”

“Don’t worry about me so much, Cooper. You have your own life to live. Which by the way, are you still seeing Emma? She was a delight when I met her.” I rest my feet on the coffee table and take a sip of water before I answer her.

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