Cooper

by Hazel Parker

  “Stop frowning and cheer up that I visited you,” Jane scolded.

  I forced the frown away and tried to smile again, to which she nodded triumphantly. We were walking towards my apartment unit, as she’d been waiting for me to arrive in the lobby from practice. Jane texted me beforehand that she was there, which made me rush home right away and almost forget about the incident on the race track.

  Almost.

  A flash of Sara’s face entered my mind, particularly those cool blue eyes. Something pleasantly hot settled in my stomach, and before I knew it, I was grinning as I ushered Jane inside. My apartment was pretty minimalistic, located on the second floor because I didn’t like waiting for elevators. It was also decorated with stuff that reminded me of home, such as a painting of a ranch scene and some cowboy hats hanging on the living room wall. Jane was chattering a mile a minute, and I barely paid attention as Sara’s cool, clipped voice slid through my ears.

  And then Jane said something that grabbed my attention.

  “You’re going to absolutely love her, I promise.”

  “Her?” I echoed.

  Jane beamed, her eyes sparkling again. “Yes, you doofus. Haven’t you been listening? I have a friend who’s perfect for you, and you’re going on a date with her tonight. You’ll love her.”

  She looked so excited that I didn’t have the heart to refuse Jane—hell, I never had the heart to refuse her, whatever she asked of me. She’d set me up on dates before with women she thought were perfect for me, but none of them worked out so far.

  I might as well give this one a try, I thought. It would be a fun change of routine, considering I’d been practicing and watching racing for days now without any break. While I didn’t sleep with race bunnies anymore, I did go around on a date or two with some interesting women that led to…well. I had needs, after all, and there were women willing to take care of them and be taken care of. But they were fleeting, none of them serious enough for me to consider seeking them out again and visa versa.

  Who knew? Maybe this would turn out better.

  I grinned. “Count me in. Just tell your friend not to fall in love with me on the first date.”

  Jane replied by smacking me on the arm again.

  *****

  The woman’s name was Nancy Bennett, and she was very pretty and bright. She was also very smart, a writer just like Jane but more focused on writing humanitarian pieces that dug deep into the well-being of society. Our date was practically seamless, starting from the meet-up at the restaurant. While Nancy wasn’t really familiar with racing other than the basics, she seemed genuinely interested, which made it easier to talk about it whenever she asked questions.

  She was three years younger than me, which was pretty much the age range I usually went for whenever I sought out women—not too young that they’d end up making me feel uncomfortable and downright perverted, and not too old that they’d end up looking for any sort of commitment. I could tell she was in this for fun and was probably just doing Jane a favor when she agreed to this so-called blind date, but ended up enjoying herself, too. It was all working out, really, and was the best date I’d had in a long time. There was just something missing, though.

  There were no sparks between us.

  At least, not as intense as the sparks I felt for someone else.

  I shook it off my mind, thinking how unfair and rude it was to be thinking about someone else right now. I focused on the woman in front of me, studying her animated features as she talked about her latest work and the hilarious antics that happened before she could get to her story subject. We had a good laugh about it and talked about all other things, growing comfortable with each other as the minutes passed by. I could tell we were friend material, but anything more, I didn’t know yet. Maybe if I made some kind of flirting move, I could see if the sparks would intensify and see where it would lead.

  I was just about to test that out when something caught my eye—a flash of blue and a familiar figure entering the restaurant door, which I was facing. The body alone, covered that it was, had my own body reacting right away, but it was by looking up and seeing her face that I confirmed it was really her.

  Sara was coming in with someone: a tall, distinguished guy who looked to be in his early forties and was wearing a very expensive business suit. Sara was more casual…if you could call her powder blue dress that. It only made her skin milkier and my mouth water. Her hair was tied up in a loose bun, and somehow, I missed the curls spread out on her shoulders. Gorgeous pink lips.

  They took a seat on the other end of the restaurant, and Sara offered the guy the same smile she gave me. It was reserved, but maybe with a little touch of friendliness in it. God, even when she was being friendly, she looked untouchable—and somehow, some damn how, that only made me want to touch her more.

  It was insane. It was also irrational, as I’d never thought about any woman this much. I was young, and I wasn’t blind. Nor was I pretentious, and I knew without a doubt that there would be other women out there who would be easier to be with: case in point, the woman sitting right in front of me. There was no need to obsess over this one woman who wouldn’t give me the time of the day, because she was older and apparently had older tastes, too. Plus, I was never attracted to older women to begin with, and couldn’t figure out why I was so attracted to her.

  “I’ve never been to a ranch before,” Nancy was saying, tilting her head and giving me an interested look. “Any chance you and Jane can take me to one when you visit back home?”

  It was said in a friendly tone, but I didn’t miss the hope there too. She really wanted me to say yes more than anything, and the thought came to mind that maybe I had misread the friendship thing earlier. I watched her eyes as I decided to test it.

  “How about Jane take you? I’m sure she’d love to introduce a friend of ours to the family.”

  And there it was: the flicker of disappointment before she covered it up and smiled at me.

  “That would be great.”

  Shit. I didn’t mean to lead her on. In fact, I didn’t think I was leading her on, considering I was keeping the flirting minimal and staying on safe topics. I decided to be more careful from now on, not wanting to hurt her. But I wasn’t going to lie to her and tell her that I wanted her even though I didn’t, because there was no point. I just didn’t play that way.

  Our main course arrived, distracting us from the conversation enough to appreciate the restaurant’s dishes. I tried to not pay attention to another woman altogether: I really did. But for some reason, my mind was fucked up, and I found myself glancing out of the corner of my eye in Sara’s direction from time to time.

  She looked like she was having a great time—if you called smiling from time to time and minimal conversation a great time. I didn’t know her that well yet, but I wondered if Sara laughed. I also wondered how her laugh would be. Would it be as cool and polished as she was? Would it be bright and cheerful? Or husky, throaty?

  Something in me ached to know. Again, it was irrational, and I couldn’t figure out why I was stuck on that thought for a long, long time. I wondered if Sara threw my schedule away, as I had a feeling she would. Or maybe she didn’t, because she’d end up using said schedule to purposely stay away from me.

  Shaking my head, I tried to erase her from my mind and focus on the date at hand.

  No point in dwelling on someone and just getting disappointed about it.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  SARA

  “Isn’t this great? Enjoying a lovely meal while talking business? We should have thought of this sooner.”

  No, we shouldn’t have.

  I bit the words off and tried my best to smile. I’d learned the art of schmoozing once I took over Gary’s business: something that challenged me in the beginning, considering I was the type who often spoke my mind with no holds barred. But apparently, that wasn’t appreciated much when it came to the marketing field, as we were supposed to please our target market
even if they were being idiots.

  James Panel wasn’t exactly an idiot, but he was the slick type of businessman who smiled too much and told the most outrageous of stories that were most likely bullshit. I’d detected too many lies and false promises in our conversation since we arrived at this restaurant. Had I just been a rookie, I’d have dropped him instantly and cut the date short.

  But James was one of the most sought after investors in the city, and I still wondered what he had to offer and how my business could benefit from it. As they said, the personal shouldn’t get in the way of the professional, which was the motto I tried to remind myself of tonight as I obviously didn’t like him personally.

  “It’s nice,” I replied to his earlier comment, cutting my meat with precision. A part of me was hankering for a cheeseburger and maybe some greasy fries, but I let myself eat the softly roasted pork.

  James babbled on and on about his great investments, telling tall tales about how everyone loved him and he had power unlike any other. I read his bio and googled his business, and I was pretty sure he was exaggerating on some points. Still, I didn’t call him out on it, nodding my head instead and stirring the subject back to my interest in a deal between us rather than listening to him bragging about whatever achievements he had.

  It was a headache, really, and I found myself subtly checking my watch from time to time. When the main course was done, and there was a tiny break before we ordered dessert, I took hold of the chance and excused myself to the restroom, telling him to go ahead and order me a crème brulee. Then I was leaving the table, breathing a sigh of relief once I got to the hallway leading to the restrooms.

  Of course, James would pick this place, considering how he was trying to soften me up. I knew he was interested in investing, particularly since Gray Denton was getting more popular as the days went by and was the face of our brand. If James invested, it would help him earn a pile more money and get himself associated with more power.

  The question was, was more power exactly what he needed?

  “You should look straight ahead while walking, not at the floor, you never know what you’ll miss.”

  Because of my absorption in my thoughts, it took a while for the words to register in my brain. Then, the voice. The familiarity of it had my back straightening right away, and I looked up into sparkling gray eyes that regarded me curiously.

  Surprise filled me that Cooper was here—then, more surprise that he didn’t look surprised at all.

  “I was thinking,” I replied for lack of anything to say.

  He tilted his blond head. Belatedly, I realized this was my first time seeing Cooper out of his track outfit, or the usual white shirt and jeans that he wore during practice. Currently, he was wearing a dark gray cashmere sweater that only emphasized the color of his eyes and the broad lines of his shoulders. It made me hyperaware of just how attractive he was all over again, which in turn made me annoyed that that was the first thought to pop in my head. Damn it.

  “Thinking of?”

  “Just things,” I said offhandedly. “Are you not…?” I trailed, horrified when I realized I was about to ask him if he was out on a date. Of course he was. You didn’t come to a restaurant like this just to be alone or just to hang out with some buddy. Cooper caught on and nodded his head.

  “Yeah. And are you enjoying yours?”

  His question only confirmed that he already knew I’d been here for a while now. I nodded my head firmly. “Of course I’m enjoying it.”

  “Hmm. I’m curious about something, Sara.”

  The way he said my name…it was so casual and somewhat intimate, like he’d been saying it for so many years now and we were familiar. It bothered me—or rather, it bothered my belly, which was getting those stirrings again.

  “Curious about what?”

  He stepped forward. Closer. Not close enough to warrant an intrusion of personal space, but close enough for me to smell him—a hint of aftershave and the musky smell of man beneath it. He smelled absolutely delightful and that bothered me all over again, which was why it took me a while to finally digest what he said next.

  “I’m curious if you’re really this broody over a date you say you enjoy…or if you’re lying through your teeth about actually enjoying it.”

  My head snapped up in an instant. “Excuse me?”

  “I noticed that you never laughed, not once.”

  I narrowed my eyes. So he had been watching me. “No one needs to laugh to enjoy something.”

  “On the contrary. People react when they enjoy something. A bigger smile, a laugh or two…a moan, maybe. Depends on what it is they’re enjoying.”

  My breath hitched in my throat at the last suggestion, and my mouth was suddenly dry. I could have thought it was an innocent statement, considering his innocent tone…but there was nothing innocent about the small smile playing on his lips. Absolutely nothing. In fact, he looked positively smug, like we shared some intimate secret. It shouldn’t have made my heart beat so fast, but it did, and some not-so-polite images flashed in my mind and had me taking a step back.

  “Are you trying to get a rise out of me, Mr. Oli— Cooper?”

  The smile turned into a rakish grin, and God, that dimple should be illegal. It was so deep, and my finger itched to touch it.

  “Is it working?” he asked.

  I lifted my chin, leveling him with a look and trying to ignore that intense gaze. “Not really.”

  “Ah. Worth a try. I guess I’ll just have to try harder.”

  “There’s no need,” I muttered. “Because we aren’t going to be seeing each other that much.”

  “I like how much we are seeing each other these days. I wouldn’t mind a bit more.”

  Oh, God.

  “I would,” I shot back. His grin only intensified, but I was already nodding my head and muttering a goodbye. Then I was out of there like lightning and entering the restroom to get a grip on myself.

  Part of me half-expected him to follow, but thankfully, he didn’t. I looked in the mirror, watching my pink cheeks and hating how affected I was. I took a deep breath. Then I did what I was supposed to do before bumping into him and hurried back to my table, embarrassed that I was away for quite a while now and James must be wondering.

  When I got back, I was met with another surprise: a bowl of gelato on my side of the table. I eyed James’ chocolate cake. “Was there no crème brulee?”

  James smiled. “There was. But I figured gelato would suit you better. Crème brulee and chocolate cake are just so fattening, you know. I’m sure you are watching your figure.”

  Irritation flickered inside me, one that I tried to stifle. His tone was casual and confident, almost like what he was saying was right. It wasn’t. He didn’t have any control over me or what I ate, and I wanted to tell him exactly where he could shove what he figured. But I swallowed the words and gave him a tight smile, letting him make noises over his delicious-looking chocolate cake before I broached the topic of the investment again.

  James got into it for a while, and I found myself calming down as I slowly ate my dessert and realized it wasn’t that bad. I was still craving the crème brulee, though, and noted to just order some later to go.

  A faint laugh caught my ears, one familiar and low. I glanced in that direction and found Cooper sitting with a woman—of course, it was a very pretty woman. And of course, they were obviously enjoying their time as they grinned at each other. Cooper in a sweater really was a surprising sight to see, but he looked so comfortable in it—just as comfortable as he did in casual clothes, actually. I had a feeling he would look comfortable in whatever he wore, as his confidence carried it well.

  The woman leaned her head closer, and Cooper followed. They were murmuring to each other over glasses of red wine, and I watched as his eyes filled with mirth. Another laugh came, and I remembered his words. Was a moan next? Was he going to take this woman home and…?

  Those gray eyes turned towards me.
<
br />   My gaze dropped before returning to look at James, who was still talking. I controlled my emotions and tried to stop my cheeks from heating up, telling myself to calm down. I didn’t even know what James was talking about anymore, but I was going along and nodding my head every now and then. Heck, I even smiled wider than usual, almost as if to prove this was the most enjoyable conversation on earth. Things were going along fine.

  Until James placed his hand on top of mine, shocking me enough to stare at him for the first few seconds.

  “I’m sorry?” I asked.

  James smiled. “You look positively glowing, Sara. I’ve decided we should cut the business conversation short and just enjoy the night for now. We could always talk about business on our second date. Or our third.”

  What?

  I looked at his expression and realized he was giving me a meaningful gaze. Oh, no. Politely, I slid my hand out of his grip.

  “Why not discuss it right now? It would be much more beneficial.”

  “Like I said, we can do it another night.”

  “I prefer finishing up tonight,” I said through gritted teeth. It was an effort not to raise my voice on top of his petulant tone, but I managed.

  James looked stunned for the first few seconds before it was followed by severe disappointment. I didn’t try to pacify him, giving him a cool expression that only said one thing: I meant what I said. He must have thought so, too, because his expression cleared bit by bit as he regarded me now in a rather different light.

  “I guess we can,” he said reluctantly.

  That’s right. I’m not some woman you can just string along. I know how to play the business game.

  That was another thing. Men like James seemed to think women like me were just the face of the business and nothing else, but he had another thought coming after this. I began to discuss the terms I wanted, watching as shock filled his face. Then, it was followed by awe as I didn’t so much as blink, meeting his gaze the whole time. He stammered for a little bit, then made some excuses. But I kept on with the unrelenting approach, knowing that eventually, he was going to break.