by Tyra Brown
“I didn’t mean to offend you, Faith, honest.” He fell in line with her as they walked towards the estate. They walked silently for a moment.
She started up the stairs to Mrs. Robinson’s room but she turned and said, “I’m sorry, Mr. Robinson, I'm in a mood today, you didn’t offend me. I think renewing the gardens is an excellent idea and whatever you decide will be beautiful.” She nodded slightly and headed up.
Cooper headed to his study, she seemed different that day, but he couldn’t figure out what it was. He set about getting his paperwork done before dinner.
Chapter 8
The rest of the afternoon passed uneventfully. Faith sat in front of the vanity in her room lost in thought and silently thinking about her reaction to Cooper. She had hoped that the distance between them would have made it less difficult to react to him whenever he was around. It was no use. Faith had to admit to herself that she felt something real for Cooper, the issue was that she needed to make it stop and keep her distance. She just didn’t know how to do that. She would soon find her answer.
Dinner that evening was not as uneventful as the afternoon. They had just sat down at the table, Cooper at the head and his mother at his right side. Faith was seated next to Mrs. Robinson and Linda was on Cooper’s left. They chatted happily about the weekend ahead, Mrs. Robinson doing most of the talking.
“Do you have plans this Saturday, Miss Parks?” Only she could tell he meant more by that than just the casual way he said it.
“Perhaps.” She simply couldn’t resist.
“Mr. Robinson, Miss Wilson has arrived.” After Mr. Robinson nodded, Reagan exited the room to bring her in.
Cynthia Wilson was the epitome of high fashion. She had auburn hair in an artfully arranged pile of curls falling around her shoulders. Her clothing, quite literally, was from a fashion show in Paris earlier that year. Tall and sleek, she wore a black pant suit and spiked heels. She completed the outfit with red lips and pearls.
Both Faith and Linda could only stare as Cynthia made her exaggerated entrance.
“Cooper, darling…I’ve been so worried, I had thought you were sending a car for me.” She pouted as she reached him at the table. “I had to get here on my own.”
Cooper stood and smiled weakly as she embraced him in a side hug.
“I apologize, my dear, I spent a lot of time going over the plans for the repair of the west gardens. Time simply got away from me and by then you were on your way.”
So he had known she was coming. Faith felt herself sinking down further in her chair.
“Everyone, this is Cynthia, I wanted to take this dinner as a way of introducing you formally. As you know, we have been seeing each other for some time and well I wanted to let you know that she has agreed to become my wife.” He looked around at the faces staring at him. He could see shock and confusion in his mother’s face, and a touch of sadness with Linda but Faith, she was like a stone. He could read nothing.
Feeling the ball of dread curl up in her stomach, Faith knew this was the one way to make sure she stopped all the craziness she felt for Cooper every time she saw him. She also knew she could think more about it later when she was alone. For the moment, she had to be strong.
“Congratulations to you both.” She extended her hand to Miss Wilson who took a moment to hesitate before barely touching her hand in response.
“You must be Linda.” She smiled a sour smile at Faith.
“No, actually I'm Faith, this is Miss Watson.” Faith gestured toward Linda who was still looking down at her now cold soup.
“Oh I do apologize, you just seem older than Miss Watson, I simply deduced…well anyhow.” She turned back to Cooper who was now turning slightly red.
Faith walked back to her seat swiftly in time to speak to Mrs. Robinson quietly.
“It’s okay, ma’am, but why are you upset?”
“How did you know I was upset?” she said breathlessly.
“I know you, Mrs. Robinson, just breathe we can talk about this later.” She patted her arm and gave her a squeeze.
Dinner went on as planned and the strained silence was only interrupted when Miss Wilson would make strange demands on Reagan or Linda about the food. Either it was too cold or too hot or under seasoned. It was obvious that Cynthia Wilson was very much used to getting her own way.
“So, Miss Parks, what do you do here in Cooper’s employ?” she asked simply while eating her custard for dessert.
“I am a nurse and I am here with Mrs. Robinson, and I try to help Linda whenever I can.”
“Oh yes that reminds me,” she turned towards Mrs. Robinson. “We shall spend some time together and become best friends, you and I. Perhaps a shopping spree together, I’m sure Cooper wouldn’t mind.” She batted her lashes at Cooper as she said it.
“Of course not, I’m not sure that’s something Mother is up for just not now though, dear.” Cooper glanced over at his mother who was trying hard not to say a word.
“Oh of course she is,” she railed. “Every woman loves to shop, no one wants to wear the same old thing every day.” This last part she said as she glanced back and forth between Linda and Faith.
“I have plans,” Mrs. Robinson said with a silent calm.
Cooper could sense the change in his mother’s attitude. He had hoped she would be happy about the engagement. She had been on him about a new family and the heir. He felt the pressure rising from his friends. This was the right thing. It answered all of their needs.
“Cynthia dear, Mother is usually tied up in the afternoon.” He said it with a finality that Faith knew too well, but Miss Wilson didn’t seem to have the same intuition.
Feeling much like the third wheel, but unable to leave without being rude, Faith tried to focus on her dessert. Cooper was being bombarded by questions from Miss Wilson from everything about the food and a new cook once they were married, to the library and how dreadfully boring it was. At one point, Faith glanced at him and found herself locking her gaze with his. He seemed to be focused more on her than listening to the rambling going on around his head.
“Cooper, do you hear anything I’m saying?” She was angry and that snapped him back to the present.
“Of course, darling, I'm taking in all of your concerns.”
Her pout was exaggerated as she went on. “I seem to have a headache coming on, I must be going, Cooper.”She noticed the look he had given that nurse earlier. She would have to watch her, that one.
“It was nice to meet you…I’m sorry what was your name again?”
“Faith.”
“Yes that’s it, the nurse, I’m sure we will see each other more as the wedding gets closer.” She smiled at Cooper as he helped walk her out the front to where Reagan had her things and her car waiting.
Wanting to be gone before he came back, Faith took her plate to the kitchen and went out the side door to the gardens. She inhaled the sweet smells deeply and felt the warm breeze on her face. She had asked for a way to help her move past Cooper Robinson once and for all and he had found a way to do just that. Maybe a part of her had liked feeling that connection? Either way it didn’t matter now, he was engaged to marry Miss Wilson. She was more suited to him with her stylish ways and the fact that she was beautiful didn’t hurt.
The wind whipped at that moment and she found peace in that small sign. Her hair a mess, she took it down the rest of the way, letting the wind whip through it and she smiled.
Chapter 9
The next few days passed without incident.
One night Faith was sitting in her room, in her long satin gown and brushing her hair slowly. With a sigh, Faith suddenly smiled when an idea came to her. Walking around the room, she found her sewing kit and pulled out some sharp scissors. Walking over to the mirror, she went to work trimming her hair until it all fell right under her chin. She even decided to give herself some bangs for something new.
She turned and twisted her head around in the mirror a few times and decided
she was happy with her work. She went back to brushing her hair and thought about Cooper’s response. Would he like it? She took a moment to look at herself in the mirror with more scrutiny. Was there anything he would like about her? She knew she wasn’t anything like Miss Wilson. She was really on the shorter side. She also knew she was a little more filled out than Miss Wilson. She had never worn heels that high before, so she couldn’t even try to pull off an outfit like that.
Frustrated, she put her brush down and frowned. What difference did it make anyway? He was getting married and it was best she try to forget all about him…and what she felt for him.
Suddenly there was a knock at her door. Startled, she walked over and leaned against it, not opening it.
“Who’s there?” She whispered.
“It’s Cooper, I just got home and was wondering if you wanted to join me for some tea. Linda made some scones and…well I wanted to know if you’d like to join me?” He stammered slightly.
She could feel her heart beating faster. Knowing what she should do, she responded, “I’d like that, I’ll meet you down in the kitchen in a few moments. I...have to get dressed.” So much for doing the right thing. She put on her matching robe and slippers and after one last glance at herself, she headed downstairs.
Cooper worked at setting up the cups and saucers as he waited. He laid out the simple fare on the table top and sat and waited for her. He had tried to stay away, to avoid her, and what she had said that night. He sat lost in thought for a moment until he saw her. As always, he smelled the scent of honeysuckle before he actually saw her.
As always, he was unprepared for the effect she had on him. She was in all silk and walked in front of the light, it was almost angelic. She had cut her hair, it now framed her face and she was, as always, beautiful. But she was also too good for him. He grimaced and stood up as she came in.
“I like your hair.” He said it without thinking and he enjoyed her slight embarrassment as she tried to hide as she reacted to his words.
“Thanks, it was a mess. This helps I think.” She reached up and touched the ends subconsciously. She sat down and admired how nicely he had arranged everything. They enjoyed tea and made small talk for a while. He was rarely in this relaxed state and she enjoyed it when he was like this.
“I’m not complaining, but you’re in such good spirits tonight, anything new causing it?” She smiled warmly at him.
“Yes actually, I’m finally wrapping up a large project at work and it’s nice to have the weight off my back is all.” He poured her some more tea.
“Well good I’m glad for you, Cooper.” She nibbled on another scone.
“Hmm.” He didn’t elaborate and she had to think this was an improvement of sorts.
“I'm glad you’re here, Faith, I really am, these months have been better because of you...” He was gently rubbing his thumb over her wrist. The sensation was too much but she was unable to pull away.
“Perhaps.” He released her hand and she stood to go.
“Faith...” he called after her and she stopped and turned back around.
“Yes, Cooper?”
“What do you think of Cynthia?” He leaned back in the chair.
Faith took a deep breath. “I hardly think my opinion matters.”
“It matters to me.” He watched her.
“I’m not sure to be honest. Often she seems sincere, but I don’t know what her true intentions are…something just seems off sometimes.”
He looked back towards the window. “Thank you Faith, I’ll see you tomorrow.” She turned to leave and was halfway across the room before she heard him call her name.
He wanted nothing more than to stay just like this. She raised her head to look at him and it was more than he could take. He crushed his mouth to hers. Tasting and exploring. He had wanted to kiss her since they met and it was better than he had expected. He felt her let go and he deepened the kiss. He slid both hands into her hair and pulled her head closer still. They fed on each other’s lips until finally the kiss broke.
“Cooper…”
“No, don’t talk...” He crushed his lips to hers once more.
He moved towards her like a cat chasing its prey and she backed up against the table as he moved over her. He was slow at first, he simply ran his finger across her neck, relishing at her quick intake of breath. He looked at her as he traced his finger across her chest and across the tops of her breasts. She couldn’t breathe, it was if she had never said a word. He kissed the tops of each mound lightly. He put his hands in her hair again and pulled her hard against him, crushing his mouth to hers. She was lost. The feel of his mouth, grinding into hers was a welcome one. She had tried to put up a defense against him and failed.
“You have to let go, let yourself feel all of the things I want to show you.” He kissed her mouth lightly. “If you want to say no I will, but understand if you do, I may not try again.”
She nodded yes to him as the rest of her defense slipped away. He was very matter-of-fact about things and she loved it. She felt him untie her robe and trail his fingers down her spine as it slipped to the floor. She was aware of every nerve ending in her body as his hands reached around and touched her.
“Don’t move.” It was all he told her before he began his descent.
Even in slow motion, Faith couldn’t stop the kiss, she welcomed it more than she should have and she shivered as she felt his other hand under the other side of her head. He raised back up, only once searching her face and seeing no resistance, he kissed her once more. This time deeper, longer and more demanding. She felt him cup the back of her head to tilt her towards him as the kiss intensified.
She didn’t want to fight anymore, couldn’t fight anymore. She stood and with one movement, she let her nightgown drop to the floor, leaving him speechless. She made her way over to him and he felt her tentatively put her mouth on his. This kind of forwardness was completely out of her comfort zone and he knew it.
She let him love her in a way she had never known. Most of it was undoubtedly because of his experience as a lover. She wanted to feel good, feel better. Her life was a mix of stress and planning and all she wanted was to feel something else. His skin on hers was like fire and ice and she let go, of her fears, of her stress of everything and he loved her completely. She met his every move and every action and she knew she was giving him as much as he gave her.
He lowered his pants and boxers and stood in front of her naked. She looked up to see him stand proudly. She looked down and saw the muscles ripple across his chest and arms when he moved. He had a flat stomach that was also rippling with muscles. Her eyes traveled his happy trail of hair to reach his throbbing member and she looked head on showing no embarrassment. Looking back up to his face she looked into his gaze.
He looked down at her and he saw the desire swirling in her eyes. He lowered himself to lie beside her as his hands traveled over her body. He caressed everywhere. Gliding his hand up, he captured her breast in his hand and brought it to his mouth to lick it then suck the nipple into his mouth. He heard her gasp and smiled against her. She was delicious but he wanted to taste all of her. Leaning over her, he balanced himself on his left arm and elbow as he ran his hand down over her stomach, using his pointer finger to circle her belly button. At her soft moan, his hand traveled further. He took her mouth in a deep kiss as his hand traveled further to find that special bud of nerves and desire. He rubbed it with the tip of his finger then dipped it even lower to insert one finger inside her. Stroking, he added another finger. She was moaning into his mouth and he spread her legs wide so he could settle inside her. He looked down inside her eyes and smiled. She was panting deeply and her eyes were half closed in desire.
He ran his finger over her clit. Faith was swimming in ecstasy with heat spreading over her body. She didn’t know what to do. Her hands were gripping the table and moaning as she tossed her head back and forth. “Please. I need you now.”
He slowly slid ba
ck up her body kissing it on the way. He positioned himself at her entrance and kissed her deep. She moaned deep as he pushed inside her to the hilt. She felt fuller than she had ever felt before. She broke the kiss to suck his ear lobe into her mouth. Moving her hands up, she dug her fingers into his back as he started to move. There was something building deep inside her and she couldn’t fight it. Heat spread up through her body. She looked up at him as he increased his speed. He reached his hand under her leg to grab behind her knee and lifted it up for a better angle.