"She has a boyfriend, Seth, and for now he's still living. Ryan is her friend and more than likely she has plans with him since I think Mike and Seth have opposite shifts at the fire department." Jacob looked at his watch again. "I'm sorry to rush, but I've got to make a phone call before it's too late."
"No problem, I'll be there. As long as you keep your clothes on this time. What time should I come?"
Jacob laughed. "Come on, we were just teenagers."
"Whatever. It happened every time." Jacob was definitely one of those drunks who had to remove clothes before the end of the night. Nick was the loud one and Mike always seemed pretty laid back and watched everyone else do stupid shit. Cooper usually sat back with him.
"Alright, alright. We can reminisce about all that tonight, or not. It's four now, so six would be good." Jacob was already opening the door to his truck.
"I'll be there." Not too much of a problem as long as he could make it from his truck to the house. Just the thought of seeing her had his knees shaking. She's just a girl who isn't single anymore. The one he always wanted, but just a girl.
Chapter Three
"What're you up to tonight, Baby Bear?" Nick wore his raggedy hat at the table as usual and used the nickname she hated as a child, but grew to love over the years.
"I'm going to the movies with Ryan." She had some personal things to discuss with him. Heat rose to her cheeks just thinking about it with her brother right there. Way too personal.
The door swung open and Jacob came through with his perfect hair, black V-neck cotton shirt and a goofy grin on his face. He had the phone up to his ear. "Alright, thank you so much."
He touched the screen to end the call and grinned at her. "We got it."
"Great! More work for me, but that's awesome." Another contract for a chain was a huge deal.
"And I've got some more news. Guess who I saw just a few minutes ago?"
"Elvis?" Nick answered as he took a ridiculously big bite of his sandwich.
They resembled each other enough that people who just met them would mix them up sometimes. Until one of them spoke and you could tell the difference. Nick was constantly joking, while Jacob usually behaved a little too uptight and serious.
Mike stepped into the room with only a towel around his waist while using another to dry his blonde hair. With his personality a mixture of Jacob's and Nick's, he was the only one out of them who inherited their mother's hair color while she, Nick, and Jacob inherited their father's dark brown hair. "He's not really dead. Everybody knows that."
Sophia couldn't stop her laughter as she listened to her idiot brothers. It didn't matter that they were older than she. They were all still immature. She turned her attention back on Jacob and smiled. He didn't seem the least bit happy with Nick or Mike's comment. "Who'd you see?"
After a few more seconds of glaring at the other two, Jacob kissed her on the cheek. "Thank you, Baby Bear, for caring. Even my twin doesn't care. He can only make jokes."
"Come on now, let's hear it. It better be pretty damn good since this conversation has built your news to be more interesting than it probably really is." Nick ducked as a banana went flying at him. "Hey! Don't waste food like that."
"Anyways, Cooper is back in town." Jacob grabbed the other half of Nick's sandwich and took a bite. Not that it mattered since Nick had already started eating the banana his brother had thrown at him. "I invited him over for dinner and a couple drinks."
He spoke with his mouth full but Sophia was too shocked to fuss about his rudeness. "Cooper?"
"Yep. He's staying back at his grandparents' old house."
"Sounds good to me. I'll get dressed and head out for some groceries." Mike left the room.
Sophia couldn't stop her stomach from turning. He's back and I'm not single. It didn't matter, because what happened between them had been nothing more than his emotions getting out of control. That would be the only possible reason why he'd kissed her.
Waking up from Jacob saying her name that night had been heart-breaking. She had silently hoped he'd stay anyways, but he left. Seven years had gone by and he decided to show up.
She now dated one of the hottest bachelors in town. Other than her brothers, but that was just gross to think about. Every single woman in the area tried to get her brothers' attention.
Especially, since she had Seth all to herself. Now Cooper had come back and the feelings she had for him were coming back with him—and she hadn't even seen him yet.
She glanced at her watch and gasped. "What time is he coming?"
"I thought you were going out with Ryan?" Nick smiled at her.
"I am. I was just curious." She couldn't stay.
Jacob sat down on the free stool. "Just invite Ryan to eat here. I'm sure he wouldn't mind."
"I think we already have plans to see a movie tonight. I'm sure I can see Cooper another time." Or not.
"So I don't need to get you any drinks?" Mike walked back in with his blue jeans on and his usual plaid shirt with two buttons undone at the top.
"I'm good, thanks." She didn't wait on her brothers to say anything else, but ran up the stairs to the second bedroom. If she hurried, she could be gone before Cooper showed up. Luckily, she already had clothes laid out on her bed—a pair of faded jeans and white tank top.
She'd throw on some boots and be ready to go. After she got her clothes on, she studied herself in the mirror and winced. No make-up and frizzy hair didn't suit her. She spent a little more time than usual at straightening her hair and then applied powder and blush to her face. She wasn't into wearing a lot, but at least she had some color.
If she wasn't planning on stopping in at the fire station after the movie, then she wouldn't bother. And of course, if she happened to run into Cooper, then she'd make sure he regretted leaving.
She pulled on her boots, ran back downstairs, and took a glimpse of her phone. A text from Ryan said he was on his way. Good, it was only five-thirty and she would be gone in time.
Just then, the doorbell rang and she smiled. Thank you, Ryan.
Nick stuck his head out of the bathroom. "Can you get that, Sophia?"
"Yea! It's Ryan anyways. I'll see y'all later." She grabbed her purse and opened the front door. "Shit."
Cooper's dark brows rose and he took a step back.
"I mean, hi." She couldn't breathe. No, no, no. Why did the man have to look so yummy?
The worn out jeans had a few holes in them and a brown leather belt held them up. That white t-shirt of his showed off his tan well, as well as his thick arms. Sheesh! No one should be that tempting in a t-shirt. She spotted a tattoo on his left arm, which only added to his sex appeal, and she wanted his shirt gone to see how much of him the tattoo covered. His tanned skin made her mouth water and to top it off, he had to be wearing a camouflage cap. She always did have a thing for him in his hats.
Even more so when he had them turned backwards while he worked on his old truck or just out in the yard. Maybe she'd catch him doing that like old times…
Then she focused on his mouth and licked her lips. A well-trimmed moustache and beard framed his mouth and covered his jawline. The one time they kissed, he'd been clean shaven and she had the strange urge to kiss him just to feel the scruff against her skin.
Damn it, Sophia. No! You need to leave now.
He wasn't the boy she remembered. No, he'd become a man. She could see he'd aged over the years, but in an incredible way.
A throat being cleared had her jerking her gaze back up into those eyes and she was lost. They were bluer than she remembered. Then he smiled and she nearly fell to the ground. If somebody didn't save her, she was going to jump him. A crazy thought, but she truly itched to touch him.
"Sophia?" Ryan's voice pulled her out of her X-rated thoughts. She glanced past Cooper to see her friend had walked up behind him.
Cooper still hadn't spoken or she was just too lost in her own mind to realize if he had.
"Hey, Ryan." She moved out the door an
d past Cooper. Ryan had saved her once again and she gave him a huge hug. She had to be wrong, but she swore she felt Cooper's stare.
When she turned, he was glaring at Ryan and didn't look like he wanted to shake hands. If anything, she felt like she should stay right where she was to keep Ryan alive. "Cooper, this is Ryan. He's my best friend. Ryan, this is—"
"Cooper. I've heard a lot about you." Ryan smiled down at her and then held his hand out to Cooper, who took it.
Jacob picked that time to come up to the door. "Are y'all going to let all the air out and all the bugs in? Ryan, Cooper is in town and I invited him to dinner. I told Sophia to invite you, but she said y'all had a movie to go to."
"We can see that movie tomorrow night. I love Mike's cooking." Ryan placed his arm around her shoulders and she just wanted to crawl in a hole and die alone.
He knew all about what happened in the past and how hard it had been to lose Cooper. But despite all that, he agreed to stay.
"Well, I'm cooking tonight."
Sophia grinned. No one wanted Jacob's cooking. Not that his was that bad, but it was nothing compared to Mike's. It helped that he worked at the fire department and loved to cook. Maybe she'd get out of the dinner after all.
Then Ryan spoke again and all hope was lost. "Hmm, well that'll be fine too." He smiled a little too big and Sophia about blurted that her brother was straight, just to rile him up.
But that would've been a mistake, considering no one else knew Ryan was gay except for her. People suspected sometimes, but he kept it quiet. The townsfolk wouldn't be too happy to find out the truth, especially his father who was also the preacher.
She didn't have a chance to change his mind as he walked into the house and Cooper held his arm out for her to walk ahead. As she walked back through the doorway, she tripped and braced herself for the impact.
Instead, her life just had to be worse. She didn't hit the ground and bust her face which seemed preferable right then. Nope, large hands grabbed her waist and pulled her up until her back ended up pressed against a ridiculously hard and hot body. Every nerve inside of her stood on alert and she started to shake.
"Are you okay?" His mouth grazed her ear and warm breath tickled her neck.
Every feeling, every longing she ever had for Cooper, flooded her at once. She had to make it through the night and then she'd make sure to stay far, far away from him.
"I'm okay." The words came out a little breathy. Biting her lip, she pulled away but made the mistake of turning to peep up at him. He wasn't smiling and she could tell his breathing was heavier than before. She had it wrong, though. No way could he have felt the same thing she had. "Thank you."
Sophia hurried off to sit on the couch beside Ryan. If she stayed away, then everything would be okay.
Ryan leaned over and chuckled softly. "I was sure you were going to have an orgasm right there in his arms. The way you closed your eyes and then that breathy sigh. Not to mention his own heavy breathing. I think you both just had sex with your clothes on."
Her whole body set on fire, she felt relieved at least that no one else heard what Ryan said, but they were close enough for his words to embarrass her. He liked to push her buttons. She took her opportunity to elbow him in the ribs.
"Ouch!" Even though he rubbed at his ribs, she didn't miss the twinkle in his green eyes.
Jerk.
****
Cooper kept finding it hard to breathe as he sat down in the recliner across from Sophia and her friend who had his arm draped over her shoulder. It took a lot of will power and the tight grip he had on the leather to keep from jumping up and punching the guy.
Ryan seemed gay, but he could just be thinking that since he wanted to rip the guy's face off for touching Sophia. If he wasn't her boyfriend, then surely the guy she was actually dating wouldn't want a straight guy touching her. No, Ryan had to be gay.
Didn't stop Cooper from glaring at him. It was better than staring at Sophia. Shit. She was so perfect, so damn sexy.
He wanted to punch himself in the face. Why did he ever leave her? Nothing had ever been more important than her. Not even his music.
She wore those jeans just right and he wasn't sure he could handle seeing her walking again. He'd nearly tripped with her earlier because he couldn't remove his eyes from her heart-shaped ass. It was official—he was a pervert, but those jeans were made just for her. He could tell she wore them often by the natural fade and the way the heels were torn from where she'd walked on them.
And then her cowgirl boots. He bit the inside of his lip and contained the groan fighting to be released. He saw girls all the time in cowgirl boots, but they were always new and just perfectly clean. No scuff marks or dirt. Sophia's were light brown, dirty, and even a little faded. Oh, she wore her boots because she liked them, not to be sexy—but it was most definitely the sexiest thing he'd ever seen.
"Hello?"
By the amusement on Ryan's face, that wasn't the first time he'd spoken. "I'm sorry, did you say something?"
Ryan threw his head back and laughed. "Yeah, I did. I was asking where've you been all this time."
Simple enough. "Texas. My uncle has a ranch there and I've been helping out for the past four years."
"Four?" Sophia's brows drew together and she tilted her head just a tad as she waited for him to reply.
"Yeah, four. I traveled for a while and finished some college courses before my uncle called and asked me to go help him out. It was something new." Man, he should've been coming back home. He wondered just how serious she was about her boyfriend.
He couldn't ask about the asshole. It would be inappropriate and he'd only piss her off, by the way she pursed her lips. Maybe it was even petty to call the guy an asshole in his head, but he really didn't care. Anyone with Sophia couldn't be good enough. Not even him.
"I'm glad you had fun." She pushed up off the couch and walked away.
Yep, she was pissed alright. Maybe something lingered there between them. The feel of the grin spreading across his face shocked him. This smile was real. For once he was happy and all because of his sweet Sophia. Coming back home felt hard, but if he left again, it was going to be hell.
"You've done it now."
His attention pulled once again to Ryan. He fisted his hands as the guy shook his head and smiled. "It's none of your business."
Ryan leaned forward to place his elbows on his knees and narrowed his green eyes on Cooper. "You're wrong about that. She is my business and if you hurt her again, don't think I won't be there defending her. I may not act like I have a temper and you may think you can take me, but it won't happen. Don't mess with Sophia if you're not serious this time."
Respect for Ryan grew. Only a little. He couldn't believe the guy just threatened him. Cooper kept his body in shape, but Ryan was not a small guy and he wasn't stupid enough to think he wouldn't be a challenge. Of course, Ryan hadn't lived the last few years like Cooper.
"Cooper!" Nick's voice didn't pull his gaze from Ryan.
It might have been childish, but he wasn't going to be the first one to turn away. A small amount of satisfaction filled him when Ryan changed his focus to Nick. "What's up, Nick?"
"Nothing much. Sorry, I had to take a shower after Mike and Jacob. They hog it more than Sophia." Nick smiled at Cooper. "How the hell have you been? And where?"
He told the same story he'd just related to Sophia and Ryan.
"Well, we sure have missed you around here. I hate it's taken this long for you to come back home." Nick twisted to look into the kitchen and his nose wrinkled up. "Damn, I'm going to apologize in advance. Jacob really isn't that great a chef but he likes to cook anyways and we have to deal with it. It's always a good damn day when Mike can take over."
The door swung open and Mike came in, as if he had been waiting for his name to be called. His blonde hair curled out just a little from his hat. The fair-haired Johnson brother. Cooper jumped up and took one of the brown paper bags from him.
"Thanks. Oh, Cooper!" Mike still had a pair of sunglasses on as he carried the other bag over to the empty counter. After setting his load on it, he pulled off the shades and held his free hand out. "It's about time you showed back up."
Cooper pulled him for a quick hug and smiled. "Sorry I'm late."
Mike's nose scrunched up. "Damn. I thought Jacob was going to wait on me before he started cooking."
"I heard that! I can handle dinner for once."
Funny how he sounded so confident, but kept jumping around and dropping things every few seconds. Made no sense to him that someone would want to cook so bad if they weren't good at it. Cooper could cook, but was used to making food for himself if his aunt didn't ask him to dinner.
Entertaining a group of people wouldn't be as easy as fixing dinner for one. He leaned over to Mike who was watching Jacob and shaking his head. "Maybe you should go in there and help him."
Mike laughed. "Not sure he'll let me, but I want to eat edible food tonight and he won't have a choice."
As they started arguing in the kitchen with Nick sitting at the bar eating an orange, Cooper looked back over at Sophia and found her big blue eyes on him. Her gaze dropped instantly and a light shade of pink colored her cheeks. Now he had no doubt she was still attracted to him. The only problem remained her boyfriend and how serious they were about each other.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
C.T. Nicholson juggles raising three kids with her husband, a full time job, and still manages to get her writing in. Sometimes she even manages to get some sleep...sometimes.
Writing and becoming a published author is a dream come true. Everything she reads revolves around happily ever afters and her writing follows the same path. The fun of weaving new worlds, people, and species into existence is her true calling. She's a romantic to the core and wants nothing more than a happy ending. And of course sexy heroes and sassy heroines!
You can find more on C.T. Nicholson on her website.
Lost in Flames (Lost Series Book 2) Page 15