Page 15 of 4-Ever Theirs (4-Ever 1)

Except with the lights turned low and a mismatched pair of candles burning on the kitchen table, it was impossible to deny that this evening would have the ending she’d often wished it would.

When they’d set the table and the last item was down to five minutes remaining in the oven, Cooper surprised her. He came up behind her and rested his hands on her hips, pulling her back to his front so that there was no denying his arousal.

Maybe by jumbo condom assortment, he’d actually been referring to the size of each condom, not the quantity in the box. Hmmm.

Automatically, she tipped her head to the side and exposed her neck. He didn’t disappoint, leaning down to kiss her there. Shivers exploded along every nerve ending in a four-inch radius. It was so easy, and so addictive. She wanted more.

“You’re certain?” he whispered. “This is what you want?”

“Yes,” she gasped as she rocked backward against him.

Instead of pulling her closer, he set her away. When she spun toward him, a muscle in his jaw ticked. “Go get dressed for dinner then. I left you something on your bed. Wear it if you like it. Or don’t if you’d rather not. I love you like this, Andi. In your comfy clothes with your hair wrapped up in that clip like you always have it. I only thought you might want to try something different, that’s all. Maybe it’s time each of us grow up, just a little. Become who we’re meant to be someday.”

She could see it then, him wearing the hell out of a designer suit, arguing high-profile cases. In the not too distant future, Cooper would be a man of power and wealth. One who would back up his gentleman tendencies with a suave flair no woman could resist.

For him, and herself, she would do this. See if she could be the kind of woman he would need.

Andi darted into her room and gasped when she spotted the dusky-purple silk wraparound dress set out with stockings, a crocheted wrap and matching heels. Sure, they were basic, practical, but she loved them and could see wearing them often. He hadn’t tried to make her into some slutty version of herself, but a more sophisticated one instead.

She hoped she could live up to his vision of her.

For a few minutes, she sat on the edge of her bed, fingering the lush fabrics.

“How’d I do?” he asked from the doorway, his voice husky.

“Amazing.” When she looked up, her eyes widened. She had been talking about his selections but the word certainly fit the man before her now. He’d cleaned himself up, put on a black button-down shirt and a new, pressed pair of slacks. The fact that he’d left the sleeves unbuttoned, rolled up on his forearms, and hadn’t bothered with socks or shoes somehow only heightened his attractiveness.

“Damn, Cooper.” She fanned herself.

“Mind if I watch?” he asked with a jerk of his chin toward her pretty dress.

At first nervous, she grew bolder when she whipped her T-shirt over her head then shimmied out of her yoga pants. Standing before him in a basic black bra and panty set, she wished she had something fancier to tempt him with.

He didn’t seem to mind in the least, jamming his hands in his pockets as if to keep from reaching for her.

Knowing she could affect him, even a little, was all the encouragement she needed.

Andi smiled as she started with the stockings, rolling them up her calves as she savored the caress of the fine material on her freshly shaved legs. Next, she stepped into the shoes.

Cooper groaned. “You could stop right there and I’d be happy.”

“Wouldn’t want to risk burning myself with dinner.” She winked.

“Then you’d better hurry up and get that dress on.” His composure fractured, just a bit.

Andi loved it.

She did as he instructed, though, letting the garment fall into place with a swish around her knees. When she looked in the mirror across the room, she was proud of herself and the way she looked. Not super model material, sure. But for an average woman, she rocked his dress and the newfound confidence his appraisal inspired.

“You’re gorgeous, Andi.” He came closer and wrapped his hand around the back of her neck, angling her face upward.

Before either of them could think too much about the boundaries they were crossing, he swooped down and kissed her. It was long enough, sensual enough, and satisfying enough to curl her toes and make her forget about dinner in favor of a different sort of hunger entirely.

Except right then the smoke alarm went off.

“Son of a bitch!” he shouted, and tore into the kitchen.

Andi laughed, her heart full of joy. She admired his goofy grin as he rescued their dinner before it sustained too much damage. Just a little extra sear on the edges.

Together, they ate. They talked and laughed and shared comfortable silences.

When she pushed her plate aside, he stood and stalked to her place at the table.

Andi rose, going all the way to her tiptoes so that she could wrap her arms around his neck and pull him toward her for another taste of his smile. This time he didn’t bother keeping things between them polite.

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