by L. P. Dover
“How do you feel?” I asked as I got into Cooper’s car.
Everything about him seemed normal, but again it was the first day of his detox and only seven-thirty in the morning. Anything could happen at any given time. It was a gamble with him being around the guys because the last thing we wanted was for anyone on the team to know that he was addicted to pain meds. If Joel found out that I kept this information from him, I didn’t want to imagine the kind of trouble I’d be in, much less Cooper.
With a smile on his face, Cooper shrugged and backed out of my driveway. I loved seeing him smile, especially now that the truth was out and things were better between us. Riding to the field together was going to be interesting, considering that just yesterday I rode in with Luke. My how things have changed.
“I actually feel fine,” Cooper said. He wouldn’t look at me when he said it, so right there I knew he was keeping something from me. However, he did turn to look at me when he asked his next question, his gaze guarded … concerned. “When do the withdrawal symptoms start?”
Sighing, I reached over and rubbed his shoulder soothingly. I knew he was worried, even if he didn’t admit it to me. “That all depends. You might not have any symptoms since you’re taking it slow, but if you do have them it could happen in the next couple of hours or days from now. It’s different with each case. Are you worried about it?” I asked.
Shaking his head, he squeezed my hand that I had lying on his shoulder and smiled. “No, as long as I have you with me I’m not worried. You’ll see me through it, right?”
“I promise,” I murmured wholeheartedly. “I’ll be right by you until it’s over.”
When we got to the field and separated ways, I prayed that he would be okay, knowing very well he was going to have a tough time. As the day went on, I noticed a few changes in him. He didn’t realize I was watching him from the stands, but I wrote down every single thing I noticed that was different with him. Come on, Cooper, you can beat this.
Over the next few days I decided to keep notes on his behavior and symptoms so I could keep track of his progress and get more of an idea on the detox process. In school, I only studied the effects, but I had yet to see it all in person.
Three Days Later
So far, taking one less pill a day hasn’t bothered me too much; or at least that was what I told Kate. Yes, I’ve been a little short-tempered and irritable, but how the hell could I not be when it was so fucking hot and I had to deal with some of the cocksuckers on my team?
The idiot who asked me if Kate was good in bed shouldn’t have been so goddamned stupid to think I wasn’t going to lay into his ass. I mean, who in their right mind would ask something like that and not expect to get their ass kicked? Even Evan had a hard time keeping his restraint.
Kate wasn’t stupid, though; she knew I was keeping my true feelings and concerns to myself, but didn’t seem to think it was an issue. So for the time being I kept my weaknesses to myself. However, by the end of the day, the exercises she did with my shoulder really seemed to work. By the time she was done with me it was only my cock that was in pain. I respected her and kept my hands to myself even though it took a fucking miracle. That was another thing that had changed; my whole body had a new craving, and it wasn’t for those damn white pills … it was for her. Each time we were alone and her body would brush up against mine, it took all I had not to rip her clothes off and fuck her. Needless to say, my right arm got a good workout each night in the shower.
Much to my dismay, I was sure it was going to be like that again now that we were on our way to her house. Waiting for her to ask me to kiss her and touch her was outright torture. I could see it in her eyes that she wanted me, but she held back. I had no idea how to get her to let me in. I knew it wasn’t Luke because she’d told me she let him go, and I witnessed that the other day when he left her house pissed off. Unfortunately, the game still wasn’t over.
With Kate’s arms crossed at the chest, I couldn’t help but notice the mounds of her breasts pushing up through her pink tank top. She even had on short shorts for the first time since I’d met her. Usually she wore yoga pants or capris, but now she showed off those gorgeous, tanned legs of hers and all I wanted to do was feel how smooth they were wrapped around my waist. Maybe one day she’d give in, but until then I had to be patient. Unfortunately, I wasn’t exactly a patient man.
“What are you thinking about?” I asked, glancing over at Kate who kept her gaze directed out the window. “Are you thinking about how good it’s going to feel to get your hands all over me this afternoon?”
Kate perked up and laughed. “No, but I’m sure you are. Actually, I was thinking about a lot of things: you, the game, and—”
She didn’t get to finish her sentence because my cell phone started ringing nonstop in my bag. I wasn’t going to answer it, but Kate fetched it and handed it to me. It was Mason. Shit, I need to answer it. I didn’t want to do it in front of her, but I had to know what he found.
Taking a deep breath, I answered it, “Hey, what’s up?”
“Cooper, it’s Mason. Do you have a minute?”
Hesitantly, I peered over at Kate. Thankfully, she was too busy fiddling with her phone to pay attention. “Yeah, go ahead,” I told him.
“All right, I’ve looked into everything and let me tell you it’s pretty fucked up. You already know that Kate found Scott after he overdosed on pills. Apparently, Scott’s mother, Marianne Easton, had gone a little crazy after that. She vandalized Kate’s car and spray painted the word murderer on it. She also had friends and family follow her around, and even show up at the hospital where she was doing her rotations at. It took a toll on Kate and she ended up having a nervous breakdown that landed her in the hospital. After that, she completely dropped out of school and moved back home to Charlotte.”
What the hell? I had no clue she went through all of that shit. No wonder she was screwed up over it. If Scott’s family tried to mess with her like that again I was going to step in and do something about it.
“And that’s all? Nothing else as far as recent or the past year?” I asked.
“Nope, nothing at all. If your friend feels like she’s in danger, we can get a restraining order. Until then, that’s all I can do. I hope this helps.”
“It does. Thank you for calling me back. If something happens do I need to call you or is there someone local that I should speak to?”
“Yeah, I’ll text you his number. His name is Sam Lennox. He used to be my partner, and is one hell of a good detective. I gave him the heads up already, so if you have issues he’ll be there to help you.”
“Thank you,” I added again.
“You’re welcome, and good luck with the game tomorrow. I have a lot of money riding on it so you better make sure you win.”
“Don’t worry, we will.”
After we hung up, Kate turned in her seat to face me, furrowing her brows. “Is everything okay? You looked a little worried there for a moment.”
“No, everything’s fine,” I replied, turning my gaze to the road. “So back to my question earlier … you said you were thinking about me. What exactly were you thinking about? My good looks? My charm? What?”
Chuckling, she smacked me on the arm. “All of it, actually. I just wanted you to know that I really admire what you’ve done over the past couple of days. I know it hasn’t been easy cutting back on the pain meds, but I can see you’re working through it as hard as you can. I really admire you for that.”
She reached over and grabbed my hand, clasping it with hers. “You’re going to be great at the game tomorrow. I can’t wait to watch you play.”
With my other hand, I traced along her fingers with my own. “You’ll be there, so I know I’ll do fine.” Lifting her hand, I gently kissed her palm and watched her shudder.
She kept her body turned to me, watching me with her sensual gray eyes and biting her lip. If she kept doing that I was going to have to pull the car over and bite those l
ips myself.
“Cooper,” she whispered.
Finally pulling into her driveway, I turned to her and lifted a curious brow. “Yes, love.”
She licked her lips and averted her gaze for a moment, taking deep breaths in and out … almost nervously. “Kate? What’s on your mind?” I asked. “You can tell me.”
When her gaze lifted to mine, I knew without a doubt that things were about to change. All I wanted was to hear her ask me the one question that would change everything. It just so happened that what came out of her mouth wasn’t a question, it was a demand.
“I want you to kiss me,” she murmured softly. “And don’t hold back.”
It’s about fucking time! She’s mine.
I finally said it. After days of senseless agony, I gave in and told him to kiss me. However, it wasn’t just a kiss I wanted … I wanted all of him.
Everything moved in slow motion, especially when Cooper’s lips touched mine. Immediately, my body lit up hotter than the summer sun and I was on fire, burning from the inside out. I grew impatient, needy, as he held me firmly in place with my face between his hands, opening my lips with his tongue and thrusting deep and hard. I wanted to get closer, but I couldn’t because of the damn center console of his car.
“Cooper,” I moaned breathlessly.
He nipped my ear and groaned low in his chest, “Yeah?”
“Let’s go inside.”
Immediately, his lips stilled against mine and he pulled back ever so slowly, his gaze heated yet uncertain. “Are you sure this is what you want?”
“Yes,” I claimed breathlessly, nodding my head. “I want this.”
I didn’t have to say anymore because in one quick move, he opened his door and came around to mine, lifting me in his arms and carrying me to the door. After fumbling with my keys, I finally got it opened and dropped the keys on the table in the foyer as we passed. Shifting me in his arms, he wrapped my legs around his waist and I gasped as he pushed me into the wall. Holy hell, he’s intense … wild. He lifted my hands above my head and held me prisoner while he bit his way along my collarbone and down to the mounds of my breasts.
Groaning, he pushed his hard cock between my legs and rocked his hips, sliding me up and down against the cold, smooth wall. I could only imagine what it was going to feel like to have him inside of me. I knew it would hurt since it’d been two years since I’d been with anyone, but I was so damn turned on I didn’t even care. I would welcome the pain just to end the relentless throbbing between my legs.
“Where to?” he asked, grabbing my breast with his firm hand. “The living room? Your bedroom? Where do you want me to fuck you?”
He massaged and squeezed them so hard I could barely think, and even more so when he pinched my nipples to get my attention. I cried out as the pain shot through my body on down to my clit; it felt amazing. “Where to?” he repeated more forcefully. “If you don’t tell me where, I’m going to fuck you right here against the wall.”
Gasping, I bit my lip and rolled my hips, watching his eyes roll back in his head. Two could play at that game. Fucking against the wall didn’t sound like a bad idea. My clit pulsed so violently that I could barely speak; I was so close.
“My room,” I stammered. “I want you to take me on my bed.”
He knew where my room was so as he climbed up the steps, I kicked off my shoes, making them tumble down the stairs along with my socks. Next, was my pink tank top, and with one hand, I lifted it up over my shoulders and threw it off the side of the staircase.
Cooper moaned deep in his chest and chuckled. “Eager, are we? I seem to recall it was your fault for taking so long.”
“Yeah, but the tension makes it so much better.”
Bursting through the door, Cooper dropped me on the bed and took off his shirt before covering me with his body. “Are you sure this is what you want, love? Once we start there’s no going back. I want you to know what you’re getting in to.”
Slowly, I glided my fingers down his washboard abs and slid my hand inside of his shorts; his cock was so thick and hard I could barely wrap my hand around him. Oh yes, it’s going to hurt. Holding him tight, I pumped the full length of his cock up and down gently until a strangled moan escaped his lips. Reluctantly, I let go.
“I think I can handle it,” I remarked amusingly.
“Well, then you better be ready.” With his blue gaze on mine, he reached behind me and unclasped my bra, throwing it across the room before closing his lips over my nipple, sucking it hard … feverishly.
“More,” I rasped, arching my back.
Lifting my hips, he slid off my shorts and my underwear and lowered me back down. “I’ll give you more,” he growled, spreading my legs wide.
He flicked his tongue across my clit, making me jump, and did it again. His breath teased my sensitive flesh as he breathed in and out, licking inside of me. Over and over, he licked and sucked my clit until I couldn’t take it anymore.
“That’s right, love. Come for me and let me taste you,” he commanded.
Doing as he said, I exploded from the inside out, reaching down to grip handfuls of his dark tresses as he tasted every drop of my desire. When he lifted his head and climbed up my body, I smiled and muttered breathlessly, “Cooper that felt amazing.”
My body quivered as it came down from its orgasm induced high, and Cooper was all too happy with my reaction. “I think I’m addicted to your mouth,” I teased. “I want more.”
“Trust me, you’ll get more, love. But first, are you… ”
He didn’t need to finish what he was going to say because I knew what he was going to ask by the way he looked down at my stomach and back up to me. “Yes, I’m protected, Cooper. I’m on the pill so we’re safe.”
With a devilish smile on his face, he pulled down his shorts and boxers, throwing them on the floor, his cock long and thick between his legs. “In case you’re wondering, I’m safe, too.”
I swallowed hard and nodded. “Yes, I know. I have access to your medical files, remember?”
Cooper chuckled. “I see. I guess I can’t blame you for looking considering my past. I just had to make sure we didn’t have any little Cooper’s running around anytime soon.”
“Oh, definitely, not,” I stated wholeheartedly.
I wanted kids, but it was going to be a long time before I even considered having one.
Smirking, Cooper lifted me up in his arms and sat back against the antique wooden headboard of my bed. Straddling his waist, I could feel his cock throbbing between my legs, and I teased him by only letting the very tip of him inside of me.
With short, gentle strokes, I glided up and down until his grip tightened on my hips and he growled, “You’re killing me, love. Ride me now or I’m going to take control, and I don’t think you’re ready for that just yet.”
In a way I wanted to see what he would do, but instead, I lowered down inch by inch until he was completely inside of me. “Cooper,” I moaned, slowly moving my hips to get used to him. It hurt at first, but I was so turned on and wet for him that the pain turned into a delicious ache.
“Kate, you feel so fucking good. I can’t believe how wet you are for me.”
With one hand tugging on my hair, he lowered the other one so he could rub my clit with his thumb. “Lean back so I can taste your nipples. I want them in my mouth when I come.” I had never been with a man that talked during sex like that. It was a rush and it felt amazing to feel desired, wanted.
His grip on my hair tightened and I arched my back, still moving my hips as he bit down on a taut nipple. “As much as I love you riding me, I think it’s my turn now, love.”
“Then do it,” I moaned.
Picking me up by the hips, we stayed connected when he flipped us around and collapsed on top of me. I wrapped my legs around his waist and held on tight as he thrust his hips deep and hard. Faster and faster he pumped, his lips still suckling on one of my nipples. The harder he sucked and pushed, the clo
ser I came to losing myself; we were both almost to the edge.
“Cooper,” I cried. “I’m so close.”
He growled low in his chest and held on tighter. “Me too, love. Oh fuck, you’re getting so tight.”
Digging my nails into his back, I screamed out my release at the same time I could feel his cock throbbing inside of me and coating me in his desire. Breathing hard, he kissed my neck and held on tight for a few minutes while he rested. When he lifted his head, he brushed the hair away from my face and kissed me gently on the lips, tracing them with his tongue.
“I think this is the kind of pain management I needed all along.”
I laughed. “Do you now? So your shoulder doesn’t hurt?”
He shook his head and bit his lip. “Not at all. So how about it, love? Do you think you can add a new regime to our pain management every day?”
Slyly, I bit my lip and smiled. “I think we can come up with something. Besides, I don’t think we’re done for the day. You know, water aerobics is wonderful for people dealing with pain. How about we try it out in the pool?”
“Hey, you’re the doctor,” he agreed matter-of-factly. “I have to do what you feel is best.”
“Oh, believe me,” I murmured, wrapping my arms around his neck, “it’s definitely for the best.”
After our pool exercises were done, Cooper offered to cook me dinner, which I couldn’t refuse; especially, when it happened to be spaghetti. Over the rim of my wine glass, I watched the way his muscles worked in his arms as he moved around my kitchen, shirtless and in only a pair of ripped jeans that hung low on his hips.
“So what inspired you to pursue a football career? What is it about the sport you like?” I asked him.
Cooper turned around and smiled, his blue gaze sparkling. “I think a lot of it had to do with my grandfather. I remember being a kid and playing out in the field behind his house, passing the ball back and forth with him. There were pictures with me as a baby with a football in my crib when I slept. I think it had always been ingrained in my mind since I was a little boy that I was going to play. I lived it and breathed it for all of my life. It’s all I know.”