“What do you want from me? Do you want me to prove it somehow? Here,” he said as he dug into his pants. “Here’s my phone. Go through all of the calls, the texts, go through my social media for all I care. You’ll find a lot of messages from women, but you’ll see I haven’t responded to anyone other than you, Mel, Cindy and my mom. I don’t have a need to talk to every woman that approaches me and that goes double for sleeping with them. I’m over all of that.”
I stared at the phone in his extended hand. It would be easy to put my fears to rest by invading his privacy and making us both feel like shit. However, that wasn’t the way I wanted things to be with us. If we were going to have anything beyond a friendship, we needed to trust each other implicitly. “I don’t want your phone,” I said quietly. “That would just make me feel like some kind of skeevy, asshole.”
“So, what is it going to take for you to believe me?”
“I don’t know,” I muttered. “I wish I had an easy answer, but I don’t.”
“Jo, I thought we were already past this. I explained at work that I wasn’t seeing Victoria anymore. It was a fucking one night fling and she went all bunny boiler on me. Hell, she calls up my mom and invites herself to lunch, but as soon as I find out she’s coming, I cancel. I haven’t hung out with her since that night. Not even as friends. I know she’s obsessed with me, but there’s nothing I can do about it. I certainly don’t encourage it.”
“That’s not what she told me,” I said, but even as I said it, I realized I believed Cooper more than I did Victoria. There was sincerity in his voice. Why would he offer me his phone if he had something to hide? Suddenly, I felt like a fool. Cooper had been nothing but good to me since I arrived and this is how I repaid him, by believing a known liar over him? I took a deep breath. I had to explain to Cooper why I brought this up, “She told me that you’re still sleeping together. Apparently, you go over there whenever the bar closes, but I don’t believe her. I believe you. I’m sorry I ever doubted you.”
Cooper groaned. “The woman is a complete psycho and she’s clearly jealous of the fact that I’ve been spending so much time around you.” He shook his head. “How did you even talk to her that fast? Did she text you or something?”
I shook my head and nodded in her direction. “No, she’s right there with a friend of hers.”
Cooper turned and glanced at Victoria.
The woman wiggled her fingers and winked back at him.
My blood boiled and I wanted to slam her head into the table. I blinked. That was violent. What was happening to me?
I glanced up when Cooper shifted in his chair. He yanked out his wallet and flagged down our waitress before paying for the bill and telling her to keep the change. He took my arm and lifted me to my feet before he took my hand.
“We’re just leaving?” I asked as I raised a brow. “This doesn’t exactly make me feel confident you’re telling the truth.”
“Be quiet,” Cooper said as he shook his head. “You’ll see what’s going on.”
I pressed my lips together and let him drag me over to Victoria’s table. As soon as we stood near it, my heart began to race.
Cooper squeezed my hand tight.
Victoria’s eyes flickered down to our joined hands before she narrowed her eyes. “Cooper,” she drawled. “How good to see you, darling. I didn’t know you were here.”
“Why are you lying?” Cooper snapped. “That’s all you’ve been doing over the years and I’m fucking sick of it. You have no right to interfere in my love life and get the woman I love all upset over a bunch of lies and bullshit. We both know I dumped your ass a long time ago and I’ve never called you back, responded to a single text, message, or one of your ridiculous surprise pop ups at my work. I don’t want anything to do with you, Victoria. Don’t come around to the bar. Don’t say hello if you see me somewhere. Don’t try to make any kind of contact. Do you understand me?”
Victoria pursed her lips. “Y-you don’t have to put on this front for her—”
“Stop it!” Cooper thundered and all eyes in the place flew to him. “If you don’t stop right now, I’m going to go to the police and file a report. I told you ages ago that I’m not attracted to you like that and you still won’t give up. Enough is enough. Don’t come near me, or Ivy again. You got that?”
Victoria nodded slowly as tears filled her eyes. Finally, it seemed she had got the message.
Normally I’d feel horrible, but what she was doing was shitty not just to me, but to Cooper as well. He’d clearly made himself transparent to her ages ago and she still refused to see the truth. That was on her.
“Yes,” she stated quietly.
Cooper sighed. “I really never wanted it to get to this point. We were friends once, and I hate to lose a friend, but you can’t disrespect Ivy. Period. Maybe one day, we can all get over this and move on, but until then, just give us some space, okay?”
“Is there a problem over here?” a man asked.
I stiffened. Great, we’re going to get kicked out and never be able to come back. I peered from around Cooper’s back.
He dug into his wallet and passed the man some money discreetly. “Sorry to interrupt the other guests, that’s not how my mama raised me. We just had to get something sorted out, and it’s taken care of now. We loved the food by the way, especially my girlfriend.”
I waved at the man, too dumbfounded to do anything else.
He looked me up and down and the snooty look was replaced with a soft smile. The man shook Cooper’s hand. “Happy to have you and we’d love to have you both again, so long as the shouting stays outside.”
“Of course.” Cooper laughed. “We’re usually better behaved.”
When we could go, I breathed a deep sigh of relief. At least, we weren’t going to be banned from the restaurant and Victoria had been put in her place. I thought about Cooper saying that I was the woman he loved and my heart fluttered.
We were quiet, until we reached the truck and Cooper pushed me up against it. “I don’t feel anything for Victoria, do you believe me now?”
I nodded quickly. “Yeah, I do. I was pretty sure you didn’t, but what she said got to me and I started to doubt you and then I just, I don’t know, freaked out a little that everything was going to be the way it was before and—”
“I love you, Jo. I always have and I always will. If there’s one thing you need to know about me it’s that I don’t want anyone but you. I don’t care what we go through, what bullshit crops up, none of that shit matters. The only thing that matters to me is you.”
I nodded again, my eyes watery and my mouth pulled into a smile. I had been so upset about the situation, but seeing Cooper stand up for me changed that. Now, I knew for sure that he put me before anyone else and maybe, I needed that until I fully healed from what Brian had put me through. “Cooper,” I breathed. “I’m really sorry I didn’t believe you.”
He cradled my cheeks in his warm hands. “You don’t have to apologize to me. I have a lot of making up to do for the choices I made when I was younger and a whole lot dumber… Look at me.”
I glanced up at him and tried to stop myself from crying. Why was I so emotional? Ever since I arrived back home, I’d been a train wreck of emotions. I’d learned to shut my emotions down while I was in New York, but something about Cooper brought them all back to life full force.
He wiped at my cheeks softly before he kissed each one gently as if I would break apart in his strong hands. “I want us to do this again, for real this time. You and I. And I don’t want anything to get in the way. What do you say, do you think you want to go out with me again? Do you want to be my girlfriend?”
My head moved on its own volition as I nodded and happily accepted it before I could actually speak again. My voice caught in my throat and I fought through tears to give him a real answer, “Yes.” I laughed softly. “Sorry, I’m really a mess, but I mean it. I want to be with you even if I’m all broken and damaged.”
“I don’t need you to be perfect, baby,” he smiled as he kissed my hand. “All I need is you.”
Cooper kissed me and I forgot the rest of the world existed. Every time his mouth pressed against mine he erased years of loneliness, damage and suffering. It was such an easy thing with him. And even though I had been livid just moments ago in that restaurant ‒ thinking he was sleeping with someone else ‒ it was just as easily forgotten.
Cooper had changed. It was apparent in everything he not only said, but the actions he took. He was the kind of man I could love and the one I had fallen for all those years ago.
I’m going to take a chance on him.
I couldn’t do it if it were anyone else, but for Cooper? Yeah, I’d give him the opportunity to show me that this was real.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Ivy
We barely made it through my door. The both of us were so desperate for each other. We were kissing, touching and fumbling with our clothes that we almost forgot to close and lock the damn door after us. Cooper reached back with his foot and slammed the door closed. I leaned against him, on my toes, as I kissed him wildly and he fought with the lock.
Click.
That was the sound of salvation. I was ready to rip off every shred of his clothing and feel those strong, calloused hands all over my body. I ached for it so hard it felt like I would die if I couldn’t get to him right away.
“Bedroom?” Cooper breathed between pants and me tugging his bottom lip between my teeth.
“No time,” I groaned as he yanked the dress off of me and threw it aside. “Couch. Go there. Sit.”
Cooper plopped down on the couch and kicked off his shoes and pants while I watched him get naked. I’d already taken off his shirt. When he was stark naked, I admired every line of his body. The man was built like a god with muscles and tanned skin that begged to be bitten, licked and caressed.
I ran my tongue over my lip as I stared at him in satisfaction. Cooper was a damn good looking man. When you matched that with his amazing personality, who wouldn’t want to climb into his lap and ride him off into the sunset?
There was a light spattering of golden hair on his chest, neat but manly and I was glad for it because I loved having something to run my fingers over. His broad chest dipped into tight abs and there was a line of hair from his belly button down to his groin. I imagined licking his skin and following that trail to the thick prize that waited at the end.
Cooper grinned at me. “Are you going to stand there staring all day, or are you going to come over here and show me what a good little cowgirl you can be?”
“I could stare all day,” I breathed. “You look like you should be on the cover of a magazine somewhere, not sitting on my couch.”
“But I am sitting on your couch,” he drawled.
“Lucky me,” I purred as I reached up and released my bra. I flung it away as I walked up to him.
His enraptured eyes followed my every move.
I slid my panties down my thighs and kicked them away.
“Holy hell,” Cooper muttered. “I’m never going to get tired of seeing you naked. I turn into an overly excited teenage boy every single time. You’re fucking breathtaking.” He reached out for me.
I pulled away. I held out a hand and shook my finger at him. “Uh…uh. You sit back and relax. I have something for you.”
“Oh?” Cooper asked as he arched a thick brow. “And what is that?”
“You’ll see,” I said as I tossed a mischievous grin in his direction.
“I like the sound of that already.”
I walked into my bedroom and gathered what I needed. When I came back, I dumped the condoms I had bought onto the couch. Cooper immediately went for one, but I smacked his hand.
“Those aren’t for right now. I told you, I have something for you. Now, be patient, or I’m going to change my mind.”
Cooper leaned back and licked his lips. He ran his hand up and down his impressively thick, hard shaft. “I like this side of you,” he breathed deep and husky as he gazed into my eyes. “This dominant, take control thing is really hot on you.”
I beamed at him. He had no idea how much it took to get me back to this point. I couldn’t remember the last time I had been assertive, but it felt so damn liberating. He really had brought me back to life. Cooper had saved me. “I’m glad you like it,” I said as I tossed a pillow onto the floor.
“Now what is the pillow about?” Cooper asked.
I ignored him. The man was amazing, but he was definitely still a man, impatient and eager to begin. Instead, I slowly sank down onto the pillow and my knees were protected from the carpet and the hard floor underneath. I wanted to be in that position for some time and I didn’t want to kill my knees and have to interrupt the fun.
My hands started at his calves and I ran them up until I brushed over his knees and encountered his lean thighs. Even they were muscled, strong from the hard work he put in at the bar. I gave them a squeeze, feeling and exploring them as my eyes followed each twitch and flex of his body against my palms.
Slowly, my fingers traveled upward as I admired the satiny texture of his skin and the heat that radiated from his groin. I leaned forward and flicked my tongue against his pre-cum stained cock. I was rewarded with a shuddery gasp. My eyes flickered up and he regarded me with his heated gaze as if he was ready to throw me down and fuck me right then and there. I grinned up at him and lowered my eyes once more.
My hand wrapped around his cock and I squeezed it gently before I slipped my hand up to the crown and lathered him with his own pre-cum. I worked my hand up and down his throbbing shaft and he went from mostly hard to completely rock hard and ready to go, but I still wasn’t quite ready.
I lapped at his flesh and Cooper muttered something incomprehensible as he jutted his hips out toward me for more. I traced the crevices of his inner thighs and watched shockwaves ripple along his skin as his length bounced against my mouth. Slowly, I opened my lips wider and accepted him. The head of his cock was warm and only slightly salty from his juices. I moaned at the delicious taste of him.
Cooper groaned and when I glanced up, he stared back at me with his mouth slightly agape and his fingers looking for purchase. I grinned and took it as a good sign. With one hand, I encased his cock with my palm and with the other I fondled his balls, massaging and lavishing them with my tongue before I traced a path back up to his dick.
“Jo,” he groaned and bucked his lips further into my mouth. “What the...Shit! What the hell are you doing?” He hissed.
“Enjoying you,” I said shortly so I didn’t break up the fun. “Really, really enjoying you.” My tongue flattened as I licked the underside of him before I popped him back into my eager mouth. I twisted and bobbed my head as moans spilled from my lips and vibrated up his shaft.
Cooper leaned back, his head tilted as he panted and shivered under my tongue.
I took in more of him, inch after inch that stretched my mouth and left me nearly breathless.
“Oh fuck,” Cooper spat as he lifted his hips from the couch and I breathed through my nose. “Fuck, Jo. I love this so fucking much. Your mouth is perfect. This is insane.”
I grinned at each thing that fell from his mouth. It was like he couldn’t stop himself and I loved each word that I heard. I slowly came off of his cock for air and he gasped. Apparently, I’d drooled a little and quickly wiped it away. When I glanced back up, Cooper had ripped open a condom and was furiously rolling one onto his length.
“What are you doing?” I laughed. “I wasn’t done yet.”
“I am,” he countered.
Before I could protest, he scooped me up and wrangled me onto his lap. I straddled him and felt his heat as I rubbed myself against his sheathed cock. Back and forth, I worked my hips making him even slicker with my wetness.
Cooper reached underneath me and rubbed my clit until I had to hold onto his shoulders to keep from falling off and onto the floor. “Cooper,”
I groaned as I squirmed against him. “No more. I can’t—I can’t take anymore or I’m going to—”
Cooper picked up speed and I threw my head back as I spasmed against him. My body rocked on its own, looking for more and more pleasure as he got me off with his hand. By the time the world made sense again, I was already grabbing him and I lifted myself a bit to slide him inside.
“Shit,” he hissed. “You feel so good.”
He was breathless and so was I. As he sank inside of me slowly, I felt myself open up for him bit by bit until I slid down his shaft and he was firmly inside me again. His cock twitched and I groaned as I shook my head and tried to remind myself to calm down a bit.
“You look amazing,” Cooper mumbled as he leaned forward and kissed my chest. He lifted his head and pulled me down to him. “I can’t believe I get to do this with you again and again.”
I moaned and kissed him back just as hard and fast as he kissed me. Our lips fit so perfectly together. We pulled back, but only a little bit so we could still hold onto each other tightly. I raised my hips and lowered them a few times. Each movement made Cooper moan my name and I had to admit I could really get used to this.
Cooper sucked one of my breasts into his mouth and made my nipples get even harder. He sucked one after the other before his tongue flicked over them roughly. Just the nipple stimulation was almost enough to get me off alone, but I wanted a big one, one huge, ridiculous orgasm that would probably knock me unconscious.
I moved faster as I rode Cooper harder. He grabbed my ass and squeezed it while he lifted me up and down helping me so we could pick up the momentum. The wet sounds of our skin slapping together egged both of us on until we were whipped up into a wild frenzy.
Cooper lifted me up and turned me around until my back was pressed onto the couch.
I didn’t even protest about having to give up being in control. Every muscle in my body ached and my legs refused to stop trembling.
Let’s Start Over Page 16