by Unknown
“You heard?”
He nodded. “I heard their little toast anyway, not the parts before that though. Care to share?”
“I was telling them that I think I’m ready to get back out there. I mean I could relate to Heidi’s story before Nathan wised up. My love life has been through a rough patch for quite awhile, and I’m thinking maybe I should take my cousin’s advice. What do you think, Coop, should I find someone to ‘spice it up’ with?”
“Well that depends…”
“On?”
“It depends on what guy you decide to choose.” Meagan blushed as he reached across the table, placing her hands inside of his. His thumbs caressed her palms back and forth in a soothing gesture, and he watched her intently.
“I tell you what, you’ll be the first guy I come to when I decide to pursue this, and I’ll let you know then who I choose to pursue it with, deal?”
“Good enough.” He laughed and then stood. “Well, Ms. Morales, as much as I love where this conversation is heading, and the lovely company that comes along with it. I do believe I’m needed back on stage now. Are you ready to get back to work?” He held out his hand as she got out of the booth and waited until she had everything she needed before leaving her again. Steadying herself against the table as she watched that perfect ass drift further and further away, she finally finished cleaning off the table and smiled to herself for dropping him a few subtle hints.
Unbeknownst to either of them hatred lingered from the other side of the bar as their whole conversation was being watched through narrowed eyes.
Chapter Six
“Ugh,” Meagan groaned, pulling up a chair to take the pressure off of her feet for a moment. “My feet are killing me. Do you ever get used to it?”
“Eventually.” Ashley laughed as she watched Meagan slip off her shoes and stretch her toes. “Soak your feet for awhile when you get home, and you should be as good as new in no time. I used to do that often before I bought these extra padded insoles to put in my shoes.”
“Great advice, thanks. I’ll have to get a pair of those for myself too,” Meagan said, as she slipped her shoes back on and hopped off the chair to help out. She began to tie up the garbage bags and pile them in the corner to get ready to take out.
“So, you and Coop? Now that’s a much more interesting subject.” Ashley smirked.
“Me and Coop?” Meagan shrugged. “I’m not really sure what you want me to say here.”
“You’ll open up when you’re ready. The two of you have been denying your attraction since the beginning, but tonight it looked like you were making progress.”
“I guess we are.” Meagan grinned leaving her answer vague on purpose. Ashley and Cory did the same thing before Cory finally wised up a few weeks before, and they’ve been in bliss ever since. But, it was fun teasing her about it since Meagan now found herself in the same position Ashley started in. They’d become good friends since she began work, so she knew she’d give in any moment and spill the beans.
“And...”Ashley probed, “What kind of progress are we talking about here? Come on, give me something. Me and Cory are rooting for the two of you, you know. I mean, you’re interested, right?”
“Definitely.” Meagan giggled. “I was actually telling Coop that I was ready for something more with someone and asked him if he thought I should do it.”
“You didn’t.” Ashley laughed. “Go on.”
“Then he said it depended on who I chose, so I told him that when I decided to make my move, he’d be the first to know about it.”
“Good for you.” Ashley patted her on the shoulder. “I’ll look forward to seeing how all of this plays out for you.”
“Me too,” Meagan agreed, bending down to grab a couple of bags. “I’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, I’ll start lugging the bags out while you finish tying up the rest so we could get out of here.”
“Sure thing, I’ll meet you out there in a minute or two. I’m just going to let the guys know we’re almost done here. It’s dark enough this time of the night, but back there can get a little creepy. In fact, why don’t you just wait a minute and I’ll get one of them to help us out.”
“Nonsense, it’ll only take me a minute.” Meagan shrugged off her concern knowing it would only be a minute. She planned on leaving the door open anyway so what’s the worst that could happen?
“Fine,” Ashley called out, feigning a pout as Meagan looked back.
“Oh, Ash, you know I love you right?” Chuckling Meagan turned back around and out the back door.
Ashley was right the back alley was a little creepy, especially at night. Only a dim shine from the light in the parking lot gave her a glimpse of the dumpster a few feet away. Carefully setting the door so it would stay open, Meagan proceeded down the steps to discard the heavy baggage. Her heart raced as she made a dash for it, throwing them over so she could return before Ashley met her. Easy peasy, right?
Wrong.
As soon as her body turned to go back, she’d slammed into something hard and cried out as she fell backwards on her ass.
“Get up, bitch.”
She froze, with eyes going wide as recognition hit her. She recognized the voice almost immediately. Shit!
“I said, get the fuck up.” Greg reached down and yanked her forward so that she was pressed right against him. His grip then tightened as he pulled her into a dark corner and backed her against the wall, the dumpster partially hiding them from view. “There now isn’t this a little better?” He thrust his hips into her so she could feel his excitement against her stomach, making her whimper.
“Why are you doing this to me?”
“Because you’re a fucking tease, and I don’t like the way you embarrassed me.” His body pressed against her tighter and he moved his grip from her arm as she continued to whimper.
Why me?
She could smell his rancid alcohol laced breath as he spoke, and when his hands began to explore, her fear began to turn into anger. “I’m not a tease. You’re just a fucking asshole who can’t take no for an answer. I wasn’t interested. You just weren’t smart enough to take the hint.” She squirmed trying unsuccessfully to break free of him.
“I outsmarted you now though, haven’t I you little bitch? I saw you in there tonight laughing it up with Nathan and Coop. Do you know that he shares his woman? Is that the way you are too, Meagan, do you share yourself with Nathan and Coop? Well, I’m about to get my turn now.”
His hand yanked hard on her hair, pulling her head back to try and keep her still while the other locked around her throat and began to squeeze. It was now or never, a time to escape or die trying.
Just then the door to the bar creaked as Ashley brought out the rest of the garbage, and Meagan prayed she’d have the chance to warn her. “Meagan?”
Greg flinched. Shifting himself as she struggled to breath, moving just enough to free her right leg and with all the strength she could muster kneed him in the groin. He groaned, loosening just enough so she could take large gulps of air.
“Ashley, run,” Meagan squeaked, trying desperately to overstep Greg into safety but it wasn’t enough. He lunged for her throat again knowing he didn’t have much time.
“Coop, Cory, help...” Ashley’s voice faded in the background as Meagan’s struggle continued on.
“No!” she screeched, throwing her leg up again only he blocked her, predicting her move. Lunging forward she caught him off guard and managed to fall on top of him trying to scramble away again, anything she possibly could do to create some distance.
He grabbed for her ankle and pushed her backward, scrapping her hands and knees as she tried to kick him off of her, and just as she was trapped again, she was finally freed.
Pinned beneath him one minute, in the next moment she was being lifted away. It was all so surreal, and she panicked again. “Relax, Meagan, it’s me Cory, honey. I’m just going to bring you back to the bar with Ashley. You’re safe now. I’ve got you.”<
br />
“B-but, Greg, h-he...”
“I know, honey, shhh.” Cory rubbed the back of her head. “Coop and Brett have him covered until the police get here. Don’t worry he’s not going unpunished for this.” The last part came out as a frustrated growl.
Meagan looked up startled, and then began to cry once she realized even Cory wanted to go out there and kick his ass. Hell, she wanted too as well, and when Ashley’s shaking arms came around her as soon as Cory gently placed her in a chair, the reality of it hit her like a ton of bricks. That asshole tried to rape her, could have killed her, and if it wasn’t for these people right here he might have succeeded. They’d come to her rescue again.
“God, Meagan, I was scared to death.” Ashley’s voice shook a little as she looked Meagan over. “You look terrible.”
“Thanks, I feel it.”
“Cory, can you go get the first aid kit while we wait for the ambulance to arrive. She’s got scrapes and bruises everywhere.” Ashley stood as Cory left the room, and began to try and fix Meagan’s tangled hair.
“My throat hurts the most. How does it look?”
“Red. I can almost make out his handprint. It’ll probably leave a good bruise.” She walked away as she said it.
“Speaking of bruises…” Cory said as he handed Meagan a baggie filled with ice and gave Ashley the first aid kit. “Why don’t you put this on your cheek, it’s red too, and it looks a little puffy. The ice will help with the swelling.”
Nodding, Meagan didn’t feel like speaking anymore, her crying started again and she felt like being alone.
But, it didn’t work out that way. The police and an ambulance arrived shortly after first taking her to the hospital, and then getting a statement from her. Coop stayed with her the whole time, supportive when she needed him to be and at a distance when she needed the same.
Ashley and Cory followed, calling a frantic Nathan and Heidi. With a limited amount of visitors, it took everything to convince Nathan she was all right enough for him to go on home. Ashley and Cory took the hint leaving with them, but Coop stayed the whole time, and for that she was grateful. He’d saved her yet again, and it was him she wanted to stick around. So after careful observation and the doctors determining it was just a bunch of scrapes and bruises. She received her discharge papers, and followed him home instead of going to hers.
* * * *
Sunlight peaked through the curtains and landed on her face. The warm glow awakening her from sweet slumber, and she groaned as it all came flooding back to her.
“Morning.”
Meagan jumped at the sound of Coop’s voice, momentarily startled. “Hi,” she whispered, her hand reaching her tender throat right afterward. “I hope it doesn’t look as bad as it feels.” She hoped teasing him would ease the tension.
“Are you in pain?” He instantly moved from the chair across the room and sat next to her on the bed, concern evident in his expression.
“I’m okay, Coop, considering...” Meagan smiled shyly, and looked away. “Thank you for making me feel so safe last night. You’ve come to my rescue time and again, with the job, your friendship, and then last night—if you hadn’t ripped him off of me when you did—“
“Shh.” Coop silenced her by gently placing his finger on top of her lips. “You and Ashley are to never take the garbage out back again, you got it. You scared the shit out of me, Meagan.” He trembled as he reached out to pull her into a hug. “It’s over now, and thank God you’re okay.”
“Thank you,” she whispered again holding onto him tighter and in the heat of the moment it just felt right to move her hands down his arms, and press her lips against the side of his face. One peck and then another, she moved her face back to look him in the eye, and then decided to caress the sides of his face. His soft plump lips beckoning her for a taste, she went for it and whimpered with need as soon as she felt them against her own. Coop let her take the lead, and she loved him for it. Feeling vulnerable, she couldn’t help herself and had to feel the person she felt safest with as close as possible. The same person she was falling in love with. She’d fantasized the very moment and loved that he held himself back for her.
His mouth was firm, soft, and warm against her. Her lips lingering to savor his taste with a few pecks on the lips at first to make sure he wanted this as much as she had. Meagan took his groan as a surrender and went for it. Moving her body as close as she could get, she pulled him down on top of her and got comfortable.
She slid her arms around his neck and thread her fingers through his silky soft blond hair. Her tongue came out to trace his lips, making them part. She pulled her tongue back, nipping his bottom lip and then sucked on it. “You’re driving me nuts, Meagan.” Coop groaned again. “And, I’m going to really kiss you now before you kill me right here.”
Meagan chuckled before pulling him down again, and this time there was no going slow. She put everything she’d been holding back into their kiss. She wanted him, and wanted to leave no question in his mind to the fact that she did. Her tongue immediately sought entry caressing itself against his. A soft, silky, wet warmth of entanglement as they rubbed and tasted each other for the first time. It was fireworks. The butterflies in her stomach went haywire with need, as if an electrical current was flowing through him and into her, and she wondered if he felt it too.
Coop’s tender touch nearly undid her. He touched her as if she were the most precious gift in the world. Tenderly placing his hands along her jaw line, his thumbs moved up and down across the side of her neck and she winced once he hit a tender part. “Shit, Meagan, I’m so sorry.”
Oh, no, no, no, no, no...
“Don’t be. Please don’t stop.” She reached for him again, but he kept a safe distance. “Coop?” Shit! She felt like kicking herself for ruining the moment, and it was such a good moment while it lasted. She bit her bottom lip to fight off the sting of rejection she felt. It was ridiculous, but still there regardless, and he cursed again when a stray tear fell down her cheek.
“You know I’ve been dreaming about kissing you since the moment I laid eyes on you.” She saw him smile before placing himself at her side again. Coop stretched out onto the bed and reached out to hold her. With her body nestled next to him Meagan sighed, and laid her head against his chest to listen to the soothing sound of his beating heart while he held her.
“Then why didn’t you?”
“Because I knew you’d been burned, and I wasn’t sure you’d be ready for anything I was ready to give you. I did, however know that I couldn’t let you walk out my door without knowing I could see you again and it worked out perfectly that you needed a job, and I had one available. I also knew I needed to go slow with you and that if you wanted me I’d have to let you make the first move. I’m not sure how you feel Meagan, or what place I’ll have in your life, but I’d rather have you as a friend than nothing at all.”
“But what if I’m ready for more?”
Coop chuckled startling her, and she shifted to look at him again. “Then say the word, sweetheart, and I’ll give it to you, but there’ll be nothing too physical until you’re all healed. I’m not going to risk hurting you like I did a minute ago, no matter how great that kiss was.”
“It was pretty good, wasn’t it?” She grinned now that the sting of rejection was confirmed unwarranted. He wanted her, and damn it she wasn’t about to let him go. “I’m saying the word then, Coop, I need you in my life, and I want to be so much more than just your friend from now on, if you’ll have me.” She smiled again at seeing the heat in his eyes, and at the feel of his excitement pressed against her leg. She rubbed against it, and her smile grew wider as he growled.
Halting her leg, he held onto it and spoke again with effort. “Not until you’re feeling better. Make no mistake that I want you. That my answer is yes, but just not now.” He gently removed her leg from where he held it on top of him, and slipped away. “Now I’m about to take a cold shower, but before I do I have one fav
or to ask.”
He stood at the edge of the bed and waited for her to say something before he continued. “Anything.”
“I’d like you to consider staying here for the next little while. We could take it day by day if you like, but I like having you around and knowing that you’re safe with my own eyes. You’d also be able to get as much rest as you needed here and...”
“I get it.” Meagan interrupted, “And, I’ll consider it as long as I don’t outstay my welcome. Truth be told, I kind of like having you take care of me at the moment and I feel safe with you. I love my cousin and his family, but they’d probably hover and I’m not sure I’d want that at the moment anyway. I want to move past this, and move on with my life.”
“Good, because I’ve already got Rafe to drop some of your things off this morning. I figured he’d be easier to deal with than Nathan would at the moment. They’re all worried sick and I’m not sure how much longer the foursome will stay away. You’re loved here by so many, Meagan, so whenever it gets tough please remember that, and I’m here if you need anything at all.”
She couldn’t help but wonder if he was one of those many who loved her, and when she didn’t say anything after he spoke, he nodded as if satisfied and headed towards the bathroom.
She finally did it, making her move, and now had to figure out how to break past his stubborn barrier, because now that she voiced her need for him, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to wait much longer.
What she needed was reinforcements, and knew just who to call to help her out.
Chapter Seven
“So how is the plan of seduction working out for you?” Ashley asked, with a wiggle to her brow.
Meagan grimaced, making Zoey and Heidi chuckle. “That well, huh?”
“Oh yeah, so well in fact I’m beginning to wonder why I even bothered asking the three of you to help me out.” Meagan pouted. “I’ve tried flirting, and touching him as much as possible. A brief touch on the arm as we’re talking, cuddling on the couch, or even sliding my body against his as he’s walked by on occasion. Hell, I’ve even wore that sexy silk teddy you sent me the other night, and nothing, not one spark of desire.”