For Keeps (8 page)

She wondered when the alarm clock would go off and she’d wake from what felt like a very unlikely dream. If anyone had said that she and Cooper would end up discussing a relationship, she would have sent them to see a psychiatrist. “As long as I get to call you my boyfriend.”

* * * * *

Allie giggled when Cooper stumbled on the last stair to the second floor of their building.

“Is that funny?” he asked, towing her along with his hand as he walked backward to her door.

“Maybe. A little.” The most frustratingly innocent look appeared on her face. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t laugh. You can’t help the fact that you have gigantic feet.”

He leaned against her door and pulled her close, digging his hand into her silky hair. “You know what they say about guys with big feet.”

“They trip a lot?” Leaning into him, she raised her chin. Her full raspberry-pink lips were the most alluring invitation.

“I might have to get you back for that one.” He pressed his lips against hers and she rose to her tiptoes. Their tongues playfully circled.

“Mmm. Revenge sex. Sounds good. Would you like to come inside or shall I undress you in the hall?” Allie whispered with hot breath against his neck.

The rush of electricity to his cock made it nearly impossible to remain standing. “Inside. Please.” He stood behind her as she unlocked the door, drawing in the scent of her hair and caressing her hip with his hand. No time was wasted once they were inside.

She dropped her keys onto the entry table, where they made a terrible clatter. He took her purse and tossed it onto the chair. It promptly tumbled to the floor.

“Now where were we?” she asked as she turned to him.

He’d originally thought he wouldn’t make it beyond the threshold of her apartment. He’d even considered taking her against the door, but after everything they’d finally said to each other, that seemed like an activity for a different night. All he wanted was to make love to her. “We were exactly where we need to be,” he said as he cupped her jaw and kissed her tenderly.

Allie arched her back and wrapped her arms around him. “So we’re really having kitchen sex?”

“Not what I meant,” he said. He took her hand and their fingers twined as he led her to the bedroom. As soon as they were through the door, he swept her small frame into his arms and placed his knee on the bed. He set her down gently before he began to unbutton his shirt.

Allie scooted back across the comforter and propped herself on her elbows. She gnawed on her lower lip as he dropped his pants to the floor. “I’m liking this,” she said.

“Oh yeah?” Cooper spread out next to her. His fingers tangled in the bow on the side of her dress. “What about this?” He pulled on the tie and the fabric gaped at the neckline, revealing more of the curve of Allie’s ample breasts. His cock swelled against the fabric of his boxer briefs.

“I like that a lot too.” She trailed a finger down her chest and nudged the open flap of her dress away, but another layer remained. She took his hand and led it to the smaller tie inside the dress. “One more.”

He pulled the knot loose and skimmed his hand across her smooth stomach, baring her to him. Her skin was like moonlight, a soft, shimmery glow to every heavenly inch. “You’re so beautiful, Allie.” He kissed her belly and she raked her hands into his hair. “I’m a lucky guy.”

“Come here,” she whispered.

He grazed his mouth along her midline until he reached her lacy black bra. “I am here.”

“Kiss me.”

He brushed his lips against hers and they fell into a kiss unlike any other. He sank against her, the movements of her tender lips an open invitation. They had been like two interlocking pieces of a puzzle before. Now it felt as if an unknown barrier between them had evaporated. As their tongues mingled, she bowed into him, rolling him to his side with surprising strength. Cooper relented and Allie had him on his back, still knee-deep in the kiss.

She straddled him and sat back, shrugging her shoulders. The dress slid to her elbows. His breath came jaggedly as she rid herself of the garment. Her magnificent curves begged for his hands, especially after she reached behind and unhooked her bra, baring her breasts to him.

He reached up and molded his hands around the firm mounds, circling her tightly beaded nipples with his thumbs.

She moaned and dropped her head to the side, eyelids heavy. “God, that feels good.” Her hair cascaded over her shoulder, a few tendrils falling forward on to her chest.

He kneaded, plucking and gently twisting her taut skin with his fingers. She unleashed another moan, even more enthusiastic this time, telling him to make sure extra attention was paid to her breasts. She rocked forward, her center grinding against his aching cock, the final vestiges of clothing still separating them. He focused on the feel of her generous, silky skin beneath his hands to quiet his deep need to be inside her.

Allie abruptly shifted and moved back between his legs, pulling down his boxer briefs and freeing his erection. He could have sworn his cock twitched to greet her as she licked her lips. She lowered her head and wrapped her fingers around the base, swiping her thumb across his balls. That one touch was such a monumental relief. He couldn’t fathom the scale of the grand finale.

She started with only her tongue, lapping at the head and swirling her way around before sucking him inside her mouth. Her touch was delicate, frustratingly so, as every pass she made only excited him more. White-hot tension in his belly burned.

He tugged on her arms and she brushed her lips across his stomach before she kissed him. Her nipples tickled his chest and he smoothed both hands around her waist. His hands dipped lower to a pleasant surprise, the velvety soft skin of her bare ass. “How did I not know you were wearing a thong?” he asked between their lips.

She giggled quietly. “You like that?”

“I prefer naked, but this is a close second.”

“I’ll remember that. They aren’t my favorite, but I didn’t want panty lines in that dress.”

He rolled her on to her back. “I would never want you to be uncomfortable.” His fingers raked beneath the waistband and he tugged the thong down past her hips. “You can just skip panties next time.”

“Not sure I have the guts to do that.” Warmth radiated from her cheeks as his lips found hers.

“I swear I’ll make it worth your while.”

She reached down and wrapped her slender fingers around his cock. “There’s a condom in my bedside table,” she whispered into the sensitive hollow below his ear.

He wasted no time lunging for the drawer, opening the pouch and rolling it on. He hovered above Allie as she spread her legs wide. He ran his fingers along her slippery folds. “You’re so wet,” he said.

“I want you.”

“Good.” He teased her opening with the tip of his cock and slowly entered, wanting to feel every subtle squeeze of her body as it formed around him. “Because I want you too.” Every sense became keenly focused as her tender skin enveloped him in the most unbelievable warmth. Her body hungrily pulled on him and she raked her fingernails up his back. The pressure in his loins was impossible to comprehend, pleasure and unattained release at war beneath his skin.

Allie tilted her hips until they truly were one, his pelvis flush against her body. Her breaths became clipped and close as she locked her feet beneath his ass. She met his every thrust with equal force and moaned when he added a slight twist at the end of each pass. “Oh yeah, right there.”

He smiled to himself as he realized he’d hit her sweet spot. It was enough to take his mind off the pressure building in his body, but only for a minute. Her breasts bobbed with every movement and he closed his lips around her nipple. He swirled his tongue and sucked, her skin as sweet as ever but slightly sweaty now.

She trembled beneath him, her body alive with electricity that seemed to home in on his cock. Her breaths grew shorter again, his heart pounded in his chest. He thrust with greater force and with a quake in her thighs, Allie called out, arching her neck and raising her shoulders off the bed. The curve of her lips, reveling in the pleasure, was more than he could take, and his own release rocketed from him. The waves were fierce, calming gradually as he pulsated inside her.

Cooper rolled to her side and took her hand, raising it to his lips. “Do you need anything?” he asked before scooting off the bed.

“I’m perfect,” she purred, rubbing her foot across the crisp white comforter.

Yes, you are.
“Be right back.” He quickly got rid of the condom and returned to Allie, who was casting aside extra pillows. “Is that why they call them throw pillows?”

She’d lit two candles while he was gone and the faint light cast an incredible glow on her skin “Maybe.” Giggling, she tugged back the comforter and climbed into bed.

He scooted in next to her, placing his arm beneath her head. She curled into him, dragging and circling her fingers through his chest hair.

“Are you still up for some shopping tomorrow?” he asked. His body warmed as she hooked her leg over his.

“As long as you are. I don’t want to force you to buy lamps and pillows if you don’t think you need that stuff.”

He pressed his lips against the top her head. “It’s your job to tell me what I need.”

“Oh, really?” she asked with a chirp.

“Yes, really. I already have what I want.”

Chapter Eight

Cooper took Allie’s hand as they strode down the sidewalk to Metro Style Furniture, his fingers tightly wound around hers, strong and commanding. His intentions were no longer in question and that was a relief. She had no clue where they would end up, but right now, the two of them as a couple felt as right as anything she could imagine.

He opened the door and ushered her in with his hand on her lower back. She’d put on a red cotton sundress and strappy wedge sandals that morning, now that summer weather had arrived with an expected high in the eighties. Cooper wore long khaki shorts, a black t-shirt and flip-flops. Their eyes connected when he removed his sunglasses inside the store.
How can he be so damn handsome?
Surely he’d been given someone else’s share of good looks. His electric smile made her chest flutter with excitement, the boundless promise of a new romance. Perhaps everything between them would someday turn into love.

He hooked his arm around her waist and pecked her on the forehead. “You look so hot in that dress,” he said. He unsubtly allowed his hand to wander down to her ass and a look of surprise crossed his face. “Oh my God.” His eyes doubled in size. “Are you trying to kill me?”

She playfully smacked him on the arm and her face felt hot. It had seemed like a good idea when she’d left the house. The night before with Cooper had given her an extra boost of confidence. Now that they were standing in the middle of a high-end furniture store and he’d realized she wasn’t wearing any panties, the plan seemed harebrained at best.
Am I just trying to act like a twenty-five-year-old?
“I’m keeping you on your toes,” she said, trying to play it cool.

“Wow. Okay, well, don’t get mad if I start dropping stuff and asking you to pick it up for me.”

Before she could come up with a witty retort, Melanie the salesgirl came striding toward them in a skinny black skirt, teetering on patent leather stilettos. “Mr. Hale. Hello. It’s wonderful to see you again.”

Allie felt a strange vindication as Cooper tugged her closer.

“You remember my girlfriend, Allie,” he said, squeezing her shoulder.

Melanie’s red-stained lips stretched into a thin line. Her posture straightened and she tossed back her hair as if she hadn’t a care in the world. “Of course. What can I help you with today?”

“Allie thinks I need some home accessories. She couldn’t stay the other day to help me pick anything.”

“Certainly. What did you have in mind?” Melanie directed the question at Cooper, nearly ignoring Allie’s presence.

Cooper glanced over at Allie. “Lighting, right? And some pillows. Maybe some artwork.” There was a smolder in his eyes, a curious contrast to the conversation.

“That should cover it,” Allie said.

Melanie showed them the lighting section and the wall of throw pillows in various colors near the back of the store. She left them alone soon after. Cooper played along with the idea of browsing, but essentially did nothing more than agree with everything Allie said. He kissed her on the temple a dozen or more times. In no way did he seem to have shopping on his mind.

“What colors were you thinking?” she asked as she scanned the collection.

“I don’t know. Blue?” he replied.

She pulled out a robin’s-egg-blue pillow with large white buttons. “No. Too beachy. We need something masculine.”

“Mmm. Yes. Masculine.” He traced his fingers along her spine, standing so close that his breath rustled her hair. Now he poked a finger beneath the skinny strap of her sundress, nudging it off her shoulder.

Allie caught it and yanked it back. “You’re terrible,” she whispered as she feigned a serious perusal of the pillows, fighting a giggle. “What’s gotten into you, anyway?”

“I’m just enjoying the fact that I can touch you in public without it being weird.”

“Touching me is one thing,” she muttered. “Undressing me is another.” She set her purse down on the floor so she could reach for a pillow on a higher shelf. She stood on her tiptoes, but it was still too high.

Cooper maneuvered behind her and placed one hand on her shoulder. His other hand skimmed the length of her outstretched arm. “Let me help.”

Allie felt lightheaded as he pressed his pelvis against her ass. His clean, citrusy smell was distracting. The tingly touch of his hand against her bare skin was maddening. “It’s the white ones.” She pointed to a pair of pillows and he plucked them from the shelf for her.

“These?” He cradled them in his arms for her to see, but he never took his eyes off her, his lids heavy, his stare pointed.

Melanie walked another customer closer to where they stood and cleared her throat loudly. She began to chatter away about an Italian designer, glancing at Cooper repeatedly.

“Yes. I think those will work.”

A half hour later, Cooper paid for three pillows, a pair of lamps and a large modern print to go above the sofa. He paid zero attention to Melanie during the checkout process, other than to say thanks when she handed back his credit card. He asked for everything to be delivered, saying he didn’t want to deal with shopping bags when they were on their way out to lunch. Allie wasn’t convinced he cared about any of it, but she felt confident that he would be happy with everything once it was all in place.

They grabbed some sandwiches at a deli down the street. She’d assumed they were going to dine at a sit-down restaurant, but Cooper had other plans. They walked a few blocks to a nearby city park and ate while sitting on a bench beneath the sprawling canopy of an impressive oak tree. A warm June breeze ruffled the trees and grass while she marveled at his strong profile, lit from behind by the sun.

“Thank you for bringing me here,” she said. “This is much nicer than sitting in a restaurant.”

He smiled wide at her. “I’m glad you like it. I thought it would be more romantic.” He leaned closer and pecked her on the forehead. “I run through this park a lot,” he added. “Sometimes I almost wish I didn’t live in the city. I like having the trees and grass to look at. I feel like I can breathe.”

Allie finished her bite of sandwich, considering his words and the more serious tone he’d taken. “Do you sometimes feel like you can’t breathe?”

He twisted his lips, his eyes narrowing as if deep in thought. “Don’t you? It’s just with work and having my own company, it starts to feel like a lot. I have all of these people who depend on me, especially my brother. It’s a ton of pressure. You know what I mean.”

She nodded. “I do. John in the art department has two kids under the age of three. Our receptionist’s husband is in grad school. It would be awful if I had to let someone go or close shop. That’s why I’m not entertaining Ian’s offer. It’s too big a risk.”

“Ian’s offer?” He bent his leg to face her, slinging his arm across the back of the bench. His forehead folded with concern.

Fuck. Why did I let that slip?
Allie closed her eyes for a moment, pinching the bridge of her nose. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have mentioned it. I don’t want to tell you my work problems. We’re having such a nice time.” She reached out and trailed her finger along his forearm.

“I want to hear about what happened with Ian. What kind of offer?”

Allie exhaled and began to dig in her bag for some gum. “He called me yesterday and said that the higher-ups are really pissed that I’ve supposedly stolen some of their clients. He thinks he can save face by purchasing my company. I told him to take a hike. I know he’ll come in and fire everybody.”

“What did he say to that?”

“He told me that he wouldn’t take no for an answer. And that I should know better than to make him mad.”

“He threatened you?” He scrunched up his napkin and crammed it into the paper deli bag before crumpling it all into a ball.

An uncomfortable lump formed in her throat. She could see Cooper’s temper bubbling to the surface. Ian had a temper and her father had always had a very short fuse. She had little patience for any man when he was being a hothead. “I’m not worried he’s going to do something if that’s what you’re asking.”

He pulled Allie’s hand into his lap. “I want you to tell me if he’s crossing the line. I hate the idea of him bullying you or trying to tell you what to do. Don’t let him take advantage of your past relationship.”

Allie bristled at the thought. “Don’t worry, I can deal with Ian. He’s a lot of hot air.”

“I know you can deal with it.” The look on Cooper’s face said that he was unconvinced, but that he was at least trying. “Just don’t be afraid to tell me what’s going on. I want you to share this sort of thing with me. You are my girlfriend, after all. I care about you.” His voice softened to a deep velvety tone.

“I seem to remember hearing something about that.” She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek, happy that the conversation was turning away from the topic of Ian.

Cooper wrapped his arm around her, keeping her close. “I seem to remember that someone has a special surprise for me under her dress. I think we should get back to the apartment so I can experience it for myself.”

“I believe that can be arranged.”

* * * * *

The rain battered the bedroom windows of Allie’s apartment Sunday morning. Cooper turned to his side, molding himself around her. She murmured something that sounded like “good morning” and settled herself in his arms, her back to his chest. He smiled and closed his eyes, drawing in the sweet smell of Allie’s silky hair.

That quiet, contented moment was unfamiliar territory for sure. Allie was the first woman he’d called his girlfriend of his own accord. Every other time he’d given the designation, it was only to keep his butt out of the doghouse. He’d never imagined himself in this scenario, happy with a serious girlfriend. He’d never pictured it with Allie, but sometimes life was full of pleasant surprises.
Just don’t fuck it up.

His mother had been putting the heat on for the past four years, ever since Brian was married. He didn’t totally understand why he was expected to “settle down”, but if he ever did, he could imagine doing it with Allie. They could talk for hours, make love for hours too, both satisfying in a different way. She seemed to understand him, his dreams and aspirations. Aside from her super independent streak, he couldn’t see a single flaw in her, and he had to admit that her desire to take care of things on her own was one of the things that had first attracted him to her.

Cooper’s stomach growled and Allie giggled softly.

“I take it you’re hungry,” she murmured, flopping to her back so she faced him.

“You know me. I could always eat.” He smoothed his hand over her bare hip and kissed her neck. “Among other things.” Waking up next to her, naked, was a sensory experience that went unmatched. Her powder-soft skin begged to be touched and explored.

Allie distanced herself and scrunched up her nose. “Morning breath.” Her wavy hair was a kinky, sexy mess.

“Maybe after breakfast. Do you want me to make something for you? You wouldn’t even have to get dressed. I can bring it to you.” He waggled his eyebrows, causing a smile to spread across her face.
God, I love it when she looks at me like that.

“You sure you can handle it?”

He climbed out of bed and plucked his boxer briefs from the floor. “I’m sure. Eggs?”

Allie punched her pillow and fluffed it before she settled in again, her hair splaying in several directions. She clutched the sheet to her chest and grinned. “Toast too, please.”

“Got it.”

Cooper padded into the kitchen after throwing on a t-shirt. He went to the fridge, pulling eggs, butter and shredded cheese out onto the counter before starting a pot of coffee. He knew his way around Allie’s kitchen better than his own. They’d been spending so much time at her place, he wondered for a fleeting second whose unit they would ditch if they ever decided to move in together.

He slid a pat of butter into the skillet just as there was a buzz on Allie’s intercom. He strode across the kitchen and pressed the button. “Who is it?”

There was no answer, just another buzz.

“Hello?” He flipped the kitchen towel over his shoulder.

Again no answer, just a third buzz.

He groaned as he heard the butter sizzle. He pressed the button to open the front door to the building.
Probably the deli dropping off to-go menus.

Allie traipsed into the kitchen in her robe. “Did I hear the buzzer?” There was a loud knock at the door. Her forehead wrinkled. “That’s weird. I hope it isn’t Mrs. Clark from across the hall. She’s such a busybody.” She loosened the tie of her robe before wrapping the garment around her more snugly and tying a knot. She pecked him on the cheek before she made it to the door.

“There’s coffee.” He poured beaten eggs into the hot pan, pushing them around with a rubber spatula.

When he heard Allie’s voice, his entire body when on alert.

“What are you doing here?” she asked in a cold tremble.

He rushed to the door and his stomach dropped when he saw Ian in a rain slicker and jeans, his salt-and-pepper hair looking wet. He was holding a white paper bakery bag and two to-go cups. The tension in Allie’s body was palpable. Cooper’s shoulders tightened in agreement.