by S. A. Wolfe
While his kiss is gentle and wanting, I sense his urge to carry it on longer and also his hesitation because he wants to get me away from my home and work, my safety zone. I have been through this scenario before, though not with this man. I want to hold him a little longer.
I put my hands around his neck with my thumbs skimming the stubble on his jawline. My tongue is more forceful, and he responds with a slight moan as he leans into the cab to accommodate my wanton desire. Every little warning bell that was clanging moments ago is now silent. I do want to be with him, and these kisses are not enough.
Our mouths and tongues continue to tangle, duel, and tease each other’s senses for several minutes or perhaps longer. I’m not sure how long it goes on, but at some point, we part slowly and both exhale.
“I guess that was the appetizer,” Cooper says, a little breathless. “Damn good.”
I touch my lips and nod.
“I think you’re ready for this date. I know I am,” he says in a crisp tone, containing the hormonal fireworks we just set off. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you. You look very nice, too.”
He closes my door and gets in the truck before driving us out of town, heading for a new French restaurant in Kingston.
When we arrive, he makes me wait until he can open my door and properly escort me inside.
“Be prepared for a major turn on,” I say as I take his arm. “I’m very hungry and plan on eating extra bread and butter the minute it hits the table.”
“Good. I hate when I’m the only one eating,”
“Please tell me you haven’t brought dates to this place before. That would kind of ruin this dinner for me.”
“I’ve never been here. I picked this restaurant because it’s new for both of us. Of course, I was going on the assumption you haven’t been here.”
“I haven’t, but I’ve heard it’s very good and the reservation list has a bit of a wait.”
“I worked around that. Carson and I have been renovating the owner’s house,” Cooper says quietly as the hostess leads us through the small but packed dining room.
We’re seated at a quaint table for two by a window overlooking a garden. The white table linens and candles suit the understated opulence and decadent menu. It’s a “special date” restaurant with well-dressed couples at every table, except one which has a tired-looking couple with a baby.
The baby girl looks like she is about six months old, holding herself up in a wobbly state as she tries to grasp the big sunflower headband she’s wearing. She’s sitting in one of those little infant dining seats that attaches to the rim of the table, and her parents are anxiously trying to entertain her with little toys so she behaves while they eat. I’ve seen this before; the couple that wants a night out but loses their sitter, or worse, thinks they can tote an unpredictable baby along to a fine dining establishment. I feel a little sorry for the parents. They can’t possibly enjoy their meal when they’re afraid their child will misbehave and draw judgment from other diners who probably want a childfree-zone.
“She’s cute,” Cooper says, tipping his chin towards the squealing baby.
“I can’t believe Lauren and Leo are going to have one of those in a few months.” The baby is adorable; however, the thought of the responsibility that comes with being a parent gives me the willies, making me think I must be a late bloomer in everything with the exception of sex, which is a truly pathetic notion.
Cooper discreetly removes his glasses out of his shirt pocket and slips them on to read the menu in the dark ambiance.
“Oh, my God. You are too cute in those glasses,” I say, chuckling and shaking my head. “Seriously nerdy and sexy, mister.”
He looks up from his menu and raises an eyebrow at me. “If I wear them all the time, I’ll walk into walls, but I’ll do it if it makes you want to spend more time with me.”
“I’m flattered, but you don’t have to impair your vision for me.”
“Just in case, I’m going to keep them on all through dinner.”
“So you’ll get lucky tonight?” I ask, taking a big bite of the warm roll that was placed in front of me.
“Is that on the agenda? Am I in the running? Because I am up for the challenge.”
I laugh. It feels good to be out with a guy I have known for a while. The chemistry is more than friendship, although since we haven’t slept together, there’s no awkwardness of trying to label the relationship … yet.
Cooper is someone I want to sleep with, but he’s also someone I enjoy talking to. Each time we’re together, I learn something new about him, or he says something witty or intelligent that makes it that much easier to be with him. The fact that he’s wrapped up in a sexy package is icing on the cake. The cake I want to lick … and then eat.
When the waiter appears to take our orders and an extra moment to compliment Cooper on his glasses, for some reason, it makes me blush. Placing a hand over my mouth, I attempt to avoid giggling until the waiter leaves.
“I wasn’t exactly thrilled about needing reading glasses, but I definitely didn’t expect this reaction from … everyone,” he says.
“Hand them over,” I say, thrusting my palm out.
Without asking why, he takes them off and puts them in my hand. I slide the glasses on my face and blink a few times since the prescription lenses are making everything blurry for me.
“Well? How do I look?” I ask, focusing on the fuzzy blond image in front of me.
“You look hot. But you already looked hot. Those kind of make you look …”
“Like a sexpot teacher? A sexy English professor?”
“I see your point.”
I take them off and hand them back. “Put them away. You’ll get a headache if you wear them for anything other than reading.”
He grunts but folds the glasses and puts them back in his pocket. “I feel like I’m locking away my super powers.”
“Ha,” I snort.
He looks nothing short of amazingly attractive. The candlelight only makes his arresting good looks more pronounced, and it isn’t just our waiter who notices, other women turn their heads nonchalantly to catch a glimpse of my date.
As I fantasize about his mouth, Cooper fills me in on the progress he and the other men have made on clearing out Carson’s building behind the parking lot. His eyes light up as he talks about painting and installing the new plumbing fixtures when the crew gets off work from their day jobs at the furniture factory. I have unintentionally created extra work for him, and he’s graciously telling me it’s fun.
He’s doing a very good job of charming the panties off me. At the very least, they’re working their way down to my knees. This is the kind of magic that ends once you sleep with someone. It’s the natural order of things. The predictability and boredom of routine eventually set in, and before you know it, the guy stops closing the bathroom door—Quarterback Cody!!—and they start wearing socks to bed—Wanker Jeremy!
“We’ll come pick up your tables and supplies at the house whenever you’re ready. I’ll set everything up for you at the new place,” Cooper explains as I stare at his lips. He takes a bite of his roll and regards me with amused satisfaction. “Huh. Either you want this roll or you want me.”
“Maybe both,” I reply.
He stops chewing and puts the roll on my bread plate. “Can I ask for our food to go?”
“No. We’re having a nice meal and someone else is serving me. And … I’m still thinking about this.”
His expression darkens as he leans forward, placing both of his hands down on either side of my place setting. “Think faster before I haul you off to the restroom for something else.”
I let out an incredulous laugh, but am interrupted by a high pitch squeal from the baby at the other table. She’s not crying, although she has her tiny arms raised as she emits a lengthy, ear-piercing shriek that shuts down every conversation in the restaurant.
&nbs
p; All heads turn to the baby who is continuing to screech as her pink-faced parents try to subdue her with toys and fascinating table utensils. The mother notices everyone staring at her and the baby, and she huddles as if trying to make herself smaller.
“Well done, little girl!” Cooper suddenly shouts in a booming voice and begins clapping. “Bravo!”
I look around at the bewildered faces of the patrons who would look petty now if they complained about a screaming baby in the restaurant. With Cooper leading the applause, I enthusiastically join in, and soon, all the other tables follow. People begin smiling and even laughing. They’ll all have a cute, little story to tell their friends.
“Good job. Crisis averted,” I say to Cooper over the applause. “You spared those parents from humiliation.”
The parents in question nod and thank the crowd for their understanding, and the baby goes back to gnawing on a rubber toy, unaware that she caused such a stir.
“I have a few nieces and nephews. My brothers and sister have been in the same uncomfortable situation. When in doubt, make people laugh. Anyone who was annoyed to be sitting next to a baby is a little less uptight about it now.”
“I guess you do have some super powers.”
“Hmm.” He gives me a questioning look. “I only use them for good. I’ll have to show you after dinner.”
Our waiter arrives with salads, which I dig into immediately to keep my mouth occupied so I don’t have to continue with the sex topic that was conveniently interrupted by the baby.
“Haven’t you been eating since you quit the diner? You look ravenous.” Cooper watches as I shove another mound of greens into my mouth.
“Tho gwood,” I mumble, chomping like a goat.
“Christ, am I making you nervous?”
“No,” I reply, covering my mouth with my napkin. Yes, you’re making me nervous! I’m thinking about nailing my first Viking!
As the main courses arrive, I start talking about the dead squirrel Leo and I found on the porch and cleaning the gutters in time for summer rainstorms. I’m rambling and my heart is racing while Cooper watches me in astonishment, as if he’s wondering how his date went from clever sexual banter to hyperventilating between each bite of her duck confit.
“This is so delicious,” I exclaim, picking up a forkful of duck to feed to Cooper. He frowns, but takes the food between his teeth and chews slowly without his eyes ever leaving mine.
“I’ve seen enough. We need to go, Imogene.” He’s using his deep, take-charge tone. He flags down our waiter, who swiftly removes Cooper’s untouched lamb and my mutilated duck.
“Why? You picked the restaurant, and I like it.”
“Baby, I have never seen you like this. You’re on the verge of becoming hysterical. I think it’s because you’re nervous about us and what’s running through that pretty head of yours about tonight.”
The waiter returns with our food wrapped as lovely little tinfoil swans. Then Cooper pays the bill as I gather our fragile swans. He puts his arm around me and walks me out to the truck where he opens my door and tosses the swans into the cab.
“Gah, you mangled their necks,” I say, reaching for the foil packages, but Cooper pulls me back. “Oh, kcuf! I was going to treat you, why didn’t you remind me? Let me go put the bill on my credit card.”
“Settle down.” Cooper pulls me tightly against him and strokes my cheek. “It’s me. There’s nothing to be nervous about, Imogene.”
Imogene sounds like the sexiest, most provocative word rolling off his tongue. I inhale slowly to compose myself.
“Do you know why I wanted this date with you?” he asks, gently cupping my chin.
“I guess it wasn’t about the food since you hardly ate anything.”
“I wanted to be out with you like regular people who enjoy each other’s company. I liked going to the estate sale with you, but that’s business. And I like the dancing classes, but that’s for Leo and Lauren. Tonight is about you and me doing our own thing.”
“Sorry I got a little strung out in there. A lot of things are happening at once, and I don’t have it as together as I should.”
“Come home with me, Imogene, and for tonight, let’s not play these roles.”
“What roles?”
“Where you say something funny to blow me off, and I say something funny to continue the pursuit.”
“I’m tired of being funny.”
Cooper sighs, looking worried, as if he’s expecting me to reject him. “Imogene, you’ll always be funny, sexy, and beautiful no matter how little effort you put into it. I don’t want to change you. I want to be with you.”
“Let’s go to your house.” My voice doesn’t waver this time.
Cooper looks down at me with a slight curve of his mouth. Then he leans in and kisses me again. It’s an erotic slow dance of lips and tongues, and everything is warm, soft, and sensual. My body reacts instantly with shivers of excitement and need.
He takes one last nip at my lower lip then slowly pulls away. “I’ve been waiting for you to say that.”
He wastes no more time, hustling me into the truck then speeding to the interstate to get us back to Hera.
“Text Leo and tell him he’ll get his truck back tomorrow,” Cooper commands as he zooms onto a rural road that only the locals know about.
I’m a good faker, but I am so nervous my fingers have trouble texting on the bumpy dirt road that Cooper plows onto. I try to rewrite the text: U get fuck tom.
“Oh, whatever,” I mutter and push send.
“You okay?” Cooper glances over at me. “Second thoughts?”
“Let me see. I washed my hair, shaved my legs, and I have my guy-gettin’ dress on and my best panties. I’m ready for takeoff.”
Cooper barks out a laugh. He takes my hand and holds it for a moment until we come to a barricade on the dirt road, then he grabs the stick shift.
“Well fuck that,” Cooper hisses. “Hold on to the handle and your panties because we’re going around this sucker.”
I yelp, grabbing the door handle and the headrest as the truck jolts as we go off road, driving through a shallow ravine and then up a steep hill to go around the barricade.
As we come back down and hit the road on the other side, Cooper guns it.
“I guess you really like short cuts,” I say, letting go of the headrest.
“I really like getting you home quickly.”
Fifteen
I’ve never been to Cooper’s house. All I know is he’s renovating it with the help of Carson, Dylan, and some of the men from Carson’s contracting business.
When we arrive at a log-style home nestled in the woods, there’s one front light on; otherwise, the area is pitch black. I grab the foil swans by their twisted necks and hop out of the truck, hearing rushing water in the distance.
“Are you on the creek?” I ask.
“Yep.” Cooper slips an arm around my waist, practically pulling me to the front door.
I yank off my heels when we get inside while Cooper flips on some light-switches.
“Wow,” I exclaim. “Lauren was right. You are tidy.”
“Tidy?” He winces.
“I always expect single guys to be slobs, but your place is clean, and you must be the first guy who doesn’t have his furniture arranged around a TV.” I take in the Blackard Designs furniture and a few prints on the walls, creating a very rustic and comfortable appearance.
“That’s my sister’s doing. When Greer visits, she moves everything around.”
“Greer? That’s nice. And how many brothers?”
“Three brothers. They’re just as nosy and annoying as my sister.”
“Still, it must be nice. Lauren and I always felt cheated not having siblings.”
“That’s why you two are so close, though.” He puts an arm around my waist and kisses my temple. “Let me give you the ten-second tour. It’s a small place, not much to
see.”
“I like it.” I nod in approval as I look around the room.
“Good.” He takes my hand and pulls me down the short hallway to the kitchen. It looks like something out of a 1970s sitcom.
“Oh, my,” I laugh. The kitchen has a sort of deranged festive theme going on with orange Formica counters and carpeting and dated, dark brown cabinetry and appliances.
“Scary, right? It’s like a pumpkin exploded in here. Even the fridge is painted orange. Who does that?” he asks as he tosses our food packages that no longer resemble swans into the fridge. “This is my next project after I finish adding the screened porch. I’m ripping everything out of here. There’s concrete under the felt carpet so I’m going to polish it, similar to what Carson has at his house.”
“Do you cook?”
“No, but I can’t even drink my coffee in here. This is a really hideous sight first thing in the morning,” Cooper laughs.
I laugh, too. It helps to calm my nerves.
“Come see this.” His striking eyes are gleaming as his laughing mouth grazes my forehead.
He takes me through a door to the porch off the side of the kitchen. It’s huge, practically a whole other room that could easily hold fifty people, and smells like fresh cut wood. It has three sides open to the forest and sits on stilts close to the creek. Everything except the screen and outdoor furniture is in place.
“It should be finished in a few weeks. I have to put up the screens and stain the wood. And Greer wants to help me pick out the furniture, but I think this is where I’ll probably spend most of my time.”
“It’s fantastic, Cooper. This is where you’ll be able to drink your coffee every morning.” I am smiling big time because I am in awe that he’s doing this. It also means he’s sticking around Hera, and that gives me more joy than I’ve expected.