by Snow, Jenika
“I like your house better,” I tell her honestly, not letting her know how deep my thoughts are going—not yet.
“You do?” she asks softly, her voice surprised, and I hear the pleasure in it. She likes that I prefer her house.
“It feels like a home, not just a place to kill time.”
Her lips bloom with a smile so big that it makes her eyes light up.
“I’ll make dinner.”
“Good, baby,” I whisper, moving close to her. Her gaze is trained on my lips and I give her the kiss we both want. “I can’t wait,” I tell her as I leave.
Her softly spoken “Me either” follows me out the door.
She has no idea that I’m not talking about our date, or the dinner she’ll make. I’m talking about fucking her. Tonight’s the night. Tonight, I’m claiming my woman.
Chapter Thirteen
Jo
“Shit,” I say as I step back from the stove, shaking my finger and looking down at the digit. It is an angry red, a nice little asshole blister starting to form. I walk over to the sink and turn on the tap, letting the cold water wash over the burn.
My mind is on Cooper, but then again, when isn’t it?
The stream of fading light comes through the little window above my sink, and I lift my head and stare out, praying that this isn’t a prelude to how tonight will go. I am a nervous wreck, not because I am cooking dinner for Cooper, but because tonight I want things to really progress.
I want to be his.
I want what we shared in my bedroom last week to go even further.
I want him to take my virginity.
Lord, even thinking that has me becoming flushed.
I told myself I wasn’t going to fall for him, that pushing him away was the best idea, but the truth is I fell for him the moment I saw him step into the office. I knew my heart was going to be his before he even kissed me.
And it is his, every last bit of me he owns, even if he doesn’t know it.
I turn off the water, watching as the sun sets behind a line of houses in the horizon.
Cooper has been taking things slow, giving me time, letting me decide. And it’s because of that that I am falling harder and harder for him every day. He’s broken all the preconceptions I’ve had about fighters. He’s not like the jacked-up muscleheads that come through the gym doors and train.
He’s different.
He’s mine.
I turn and face the kitchen, staring at the small table I set up for dinner tonight. I wanted to make something fancy, something new, but I stuck with an old trusty, knowing that it will at least taste good. I also won’t have to worry about burning it or serving him shit.
So, spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread and a side salad it is. Hell, I even baked a chocolate cake, similar to the one we had when he first came to my place … when he made me lick the frosting off his fingers.
And there goes my flush again.
Half an hour. That’s how much time I have to get myself looking presentable. My hair is a wreck, my clothes are covered in spaghetti sauce stains, and I probably smell like garlic.
Sexy.
I can’t help but grin. Tonight is the night I am going to finally give myself over to the man I am falling in love with.
Thirty minutes later and I am dressed and more nervous than ever. I check on the food in the oven, satisfied it’s staying nicely warmed, and head to the bathroom for one more lip gloss application.
The heels I put on—fuck-me ones, if I’m being honest—clack on the hardwood of my floor as I head into the bathroom.
As I stare at myself in the mirror, my reflection shows a woman who is ready to take control of her life. I left my hair down, the waves falling over my shoulders. I lift my hand up and push the locks to the side, imagining Cooper doing that right before he tangles the strands in his hand and pulls my head back so he can kiss me.
The shirt I’m wearing is low cut, teasing at cleavage, my intent to make Cooper crazy with desire. My fear is offering myself up to him and him putting the brakes on, saying we need more time, that he wants to go slow.
That I don’t want. That I can’t handle.
I’m just putting on a fresh layer of lip gloss when I hear three knocks on my front door. I freeze, brace my hands on the corners of the bathroom counter, and stare at my reflection.
Here we go.
I’m not much of a seductress, and my innocence might come off as awkward and forced. But I’m sure as hell going to try and show Cooper exactly what I want from him.
I take one long deep breath before turning and leaving the bathroom and heading toward the front door. I grab the handle and pull it open, seeing Cooper leaning against the banister, a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other.
The first thought that comes to mind is how I’m going to need that liquid courage to make this go smooth and not at all weird.
The second thing that comes to mind is what a sweet gesture it is that he brought me flowers. I find myself smiling, because seeing him with that bouquet almost seems out of place for Cooper. He’s big and strong, all man, yet he’s acting all gentlemanly for me.
He pushes away from the banister and rakes his gaze up and down my body, taking in his fill.
“Damn, baby.” He’s just a foot from me now, his gaze locked on my cleavage. “You look good enough to eat,” he says in such a deep, dark voice that I feel myself shiver, feel myself become wet.
That’s all it takes for me to get worked up where Cooper is concerned.
“I hope you brought your appetite.” I close my eyes and inwardly wince. God, did I actually just say that? When I open my eyes it’s to see this half-lidded expression covering Cooper’s face. It’s so potent I find myself taking a step back.
“Don’t tempt me, baby.” He takes a step forward and I inhale, smelling something spicy and masculine come from him. I want to say it’s cologne, but it feels more like it would be Cooper’s natural scent, like what I know a real man would smell like.
He steps inside, shutting the door with his foot, closing us in together. His scent is more potent now, more intoxicating. Without breaking his gaze from mine, he sets the wine and flowers down on the foyer table and strides up to me. The wall has stopped my retreat, one I hadn’t even known I was making until this very moment.
“Baby, I need to kiss you.” His mouth is on mine before I can answer, before I can beg him to devour me.
I can feel the hard, huge outline of his cock pressing against my belly, and a moan of hunger leaves me.
Maybe convincing him to fuck me tonight won’t be so hard after all.
Chapter Fourteen
Cooper
I pull my lips away from Jo, close my eyes and bend down so I can rest my forehead against hers. The room echoes with the sound of our breathing. Her sharp little fingernails are biting into my back and she’s holding on to me, her body trembling.
“I missed you, sunshine,” I murmur when I’m finally able to catch my breath.
“I missed you too,” she answers, sounding breathless.
When we break apart, Jo is licking her lips. Her eyes are wide and the pupils are shining with desire. She’s so fucking easy to read. She wants me just as much as I want her. She’s not playing a game with me, trying to lure me in until she has me addicted to her. That’s not Jo. With her, what you see is what you get.
“Is dinner ready?” I ask, my voice hoarse with the need to lose myself inside of her.
“Yeah, I have it warming in the oven,” she responds. I know she probably went to a lot of trouble, but food is the last thing on my mind right now.
I lean down and pick her up, cradling her close to my body. She lets out a surprised squeal, holding to me tightly as I start walking down the hall toward her room.
“What are you doing?”
“I need inside of you, Jo. I can’t wait any longer,” I respond, my words growled out, sounding animalistic at best. I hear her gasp
and force myself to stop walking. “If you’re not ready for this you need to tell me now, sunshine,” I warn her, praying that if she asks, I can hold back.
“I’m more than ready, Cooper. I feel like I’ve been waiting for you my whole life,” she whispers.
It’s a simple statement, but it’s one I feel run through me with the force of a freight train. Jo has no idea what she’s given me. If she knew everything in my mind and my heart when it comes to her, it might scare her. She’ll realize that once I claim her as mine. And once I’m in her, she’s never getting away from me.
I make it to her bedroom in record time. I try to breathe, work through the hunger I have for her. Jo deserves a man who will go slow and take his time with her, make things special. I’m not fucking sure I have that in me right now. Hell, when it comes to Jo, I’m not sure I ever will. This woman makes me lose my head, logical thought goes out the window.
As I let her slide to the floor, she holds on to me, our gazes locked the entire time. I may not have given her the words I need to just yet, but we both know how important this is. We both know this means something … means everything.
I continue holding her gaze with mine as I sift my fingers through her hair.
“You’re so fucking beautiful, Jo.”
She blushes at my compliment and it makes me smile. I let my fingers drift to the side of her face, stroking my thumb along her delicate bone structure.
“So are you,” she says, and I laugh before I can stop myself and her color deepens to a dark red. “Handsome, I mean. Not beautiful. I don’t think guys are supposed to be considered beautiful, but you are really…”
“Are you nervous, sunshine?” I ask, letting my fingers trail down the curve of her neck. Jo’s breathing is ragged, her shirt is showing deep cleavage and it allows me to watch her breasts move with each breath—I can’t seem to tear my attention away from the fucking amazing show. Her nipples are hard and poking against the fabric of her shirt. Just seeing her like this, hungry to be fucked, hungry to belong to me, makes my balls ache and my cock is so hard it wouldn’t surprise me if the damn thing ripped through my jeans.
“A little. I… I’ve not done this kind of thing before, Cooper.”
“What kind of thing?” I press, loving that I’m going to be her first man… loving that I will be the only man for her.
“Had sex.” She swallows. “I haven’t done anything like this.” She sounds so nervous. “I’m making a mess of this,” she says with a sigh.
“What we’re going to do, Jo, is not just sex.”
“Cooper, you don’t have to—”
“You’re special, Jo. What we do together is special.”
“I know,” she answers, but I’m not sure she does. It’s my duty to show her, and I will…
“Take your shirt off for me,” I order, taking a step away from her.
“Oh.” The way she’s so nervous about all of this is endearing, but also makes me feel like fucking laughing out loud. That’s what Jo does to me. I’m so turned on my cock is throbbing and yet I’m happy and want to laugh too. If I needed another sign to show me that she’s different, that she truly matters, that would be it.
She pulls her shirt up, whipping it over her head. Instead of throwing it to the floor, she gathers it up against her chest and hides her breasts from me. I take my shirt off and hold it by the tips of my fingers.
“Let yours go and I’ll let mine go too. We’ll do this together.”
Slowly, so slowly I almost wonder if she’s actually going to do it, she holds her shirt out and then lets it fall to the floor. I do the same—although much quicker. She’s wearing a black silk bra; the cups are thin and her nipples are clearly visible. I can’t wait to get it off of her, but first her pants need to be gone.
I go for my belt and I undo it. Her gaze drops down to my hands and the tip of her tongue comes out to tease along her lip. She has no idea what she’s doing or how sexy she is right now. I pop the button on my jeans and pull on one side so the zipper gives way.
“Now your pants, Jo,” I tell her softly.
“We’re doing this together?” she asks.
“Together all the way, sweetheart,” I assure her.
She smiles at that, the promise seemingly putting her at ease—at least a little. She peels the pants off, revealing matching panties.
“Your turn,” she says.
“Not quite.”
“I… What do you mean?”
“I don’t have underwear on, sunshine. Which means you have more to take off before I get rid of my pants.”
“Oh… I… maybe we should turn the lights out?”
“No, baby. I want to see you. I want you to see me. I don’t want either of us to forget what happens here tonight.”
“I wouldn’t forget, even if it was in the dark,” she argues stubbornly.
“Take your bra off, Jo.”
“You’re so demanding,” she grumbles and again I have to hold back my laughter. She has no idea just how demanding I plan on getting with her. “There!” she huffs, practically throwing the bra at me, while holding her arm over her breasts.
“Now those damn panties.”
“You don’t like my underwear?”
“I don’t like anything that keeps your pussy away from me, Jo.”
“Uh … I love lingerie so that might be a problem, Cooper.”
“No, it won’t,” I mutter with a sigh, because she’s still not taking those panties off. I move toward her and she backs up against the bed. I take another step and she tries to retreat again, but instead loses her balance as she bangs into the mattress and falls back. I grab her foot, lifting it to look at the heels she’s wearing. They’re sexy as fuck. “I want to fuck you in these, Jo. But not this first time.” I take them off while she’s holding her breasts tight to hide them from view. Her eyes are large and round with surprise.
I lean over her, covering her body with mine. I let her keep her arm over her breasts—at least for now. My attention is centered on those hot little black lace panties. They’re sexy, but they’re hiding what I want. I reach up and rip the flimsy fabric without much effort at all, tearing them from her body.
“Oh my God,” Jo gasps. “I really liked those panties.”
“I’ll buy you more,” I growl, bending so I can taste her. I inhale her sweet scent as I kiss the slickened lips of her pussy.
“Cooper,” she whimpers, her fingers tangling in my hair as she forgets that she was shielding herself from me. That’s good, though. That’s what I want. I don’t want to give her time to think about what we’re doing. I want her to be lost in the feelings and the desire that I evoke in her. I step away and push my pants down my legs, kicking them to the side. When I look at her again, her eyes have dilated and she’s leaning on her elbows to take me in.
“Jo?” I prompt, wanting her to tell me what’s going on in that head of hers.
“What if you don’t fit?” she asks, never taking her gaze away from my hard cock.
I don’t even try to hold back the bark of laughter that escapes at her question. I bring my hand up and stroke my cock slowly, squeezing my shaft so tight, to push back the cum that is already dying to come out.
“I’ll fit, sunshine. Trust me,” I promise.
“I … I bought …There’s condoms in my nightstand drawer,” she says, her face bright red again. I think about what she says. Logically I know I should put one on. I find I don’t want to. I turn to open the drawer and damn if I don’t laugh again when I see about one hundred magnum condoms in the drawer.
“Damn, Jo. You got high hopes for me, don’t you, baby?” I ask as I hold a handful of condoms up and let them fall back into the drawer.
“I wanted to be prepared,” she mumbles under her breath. “I wasn’t sure what to buy. I had to ask the pharmacist. I don’t think I’ll be going back there,” she says with a sigh and again I want to laugh, but I don’t.
I slide down beside her on the b
ed, lying on my side so I can face her. Jo immediately turns to face me. I slide my hand along her neck and make sure she’s looking at me. I need her to see my face when I talk.
“I appreciate the effort, Jo. I truly do, but you didn’t need to do it.”
“Oh … You have your own, right? I figured you would, but I wanted to make sure. I didn’t want you to think that I was…”
“That you were what, Jo?”
“Well, I mean I told you I wanted to have children. But I didn’t want you to think that I was trying to trap you, or use you to get … well … I mean …”
“Stop being nervous with me, Jo. There’s no need.”
“That’s easy for you to say,” she says with a tiny laugh. “I’ve never done this kind of thing before.”
“Thank fuck. I like that I’ll be the only man inside your sweet little pussy.”
“Whatever,” she says, rolling her eyes.
“I’m serious, sweetheart. If there had been a man before me, you would have had to visit me in jail.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I would have killed him. You’re mine, Jo. No one will ever touch you but me.”
“I … Cooper, you’re kind of freaking me out. You’re talking crazy.”
“I’m just telling you like it is. I’ll tell you something else too.”
“What?”
“I’m not using a condom, because I want to feel you when I take you. I don’t want any fucking latex between us. I don’t want anything between us.” I was probably scaring the fuck out of her. “And you want that, don’t you? You want me to go bare inside of you, to shoot my load deep in your body.”
“But, Cooper, I’m not on the pill.”
“And I’m glad. You want a baby, Jo? You better fucking believe that baby will be ours.”
“I … Cooper, what are you saying?”