Chapter 26 Corinne
Corinne
Cooper had been nothing but a gentleman so far, and I’d had a nice time. So, why was my belly suddenly swamped with nerves? He’d promised me this wasn’t a date, and I’d believed him, stupidly at the time.
Now I knew there was something hot stirring between us, and I totally didn’t want to avoid it any longer.
When we arrived at his place, I noticed more details than I had before. The first time I’d been here, I’d been so nervous, and then the second was after I’d drank enough to intoxicate a small village. This time I could actually appreciate the clean, masculine lines of his penthouse with its open floor plan, soft gray wood floors, and cozy leather furniture. It also smelled faintly like Cooper-a mix of honey and leather.
“You have a lovely home,” I murmured as he led me farther inside, past the kitchen and into the living room.
He gestured for me to have a seat. Remembering what we’d done on this sofa a couple of nights ago sent a small ripple of pleasure through me. Jeez, had he needed to sanitize it afterward? I’d practically run out of here like my ass was on fire.
I took a deep breath and lowered myself to the couch.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
“Is everything okay?” he asked.
I nodded, feeling slightly nervous, and I wasn’t even sure why or how to put into words what I was feeling. I’d steeled myself a long time ago, convinced I couldn’t have something like this. A fling. A casual affair. And yet here I was, with this gorgeous, sexy man who made me want all that and more.
Cooper placed his hand on my jaw and drew me closer, bringing his lips down to mine. “Thank you for this,” he said against my lips.
“For what?” I hadn’t done anything.
He shrugged, placing one soft kiss against my mouth. “For coming out with me. For being here.”
That was when I suddenly realized it. Maybe us exploring this little affair was helping him as much as it was helping me. He’d admitted he’d been heartbroken before we met. I didn’t know why it had never occurred to me before, but now it made sense. Cooper needed this distraction as badly as I did.
I placed my hands on his chest, not to push him away but to show him that I was here, right here with him in this moment.
“Kiss me, Coop,” I whispered.
“Gladly.” He smiled briefly and then his mouth crashed against mine, hot and hungry for me.
We kissed forever, until the space between my legs had grown wet and so achy, I could have screamed. I’d heard of going slow, but this was ridiculous. He was so strong, so deliciously male. God, I’d never wanted anything more.
As if sensing my need for more, Cooper broke away from the kiss and lifted my shirt from over my head, dropping it to the floor while his eyes feasted on my ample cleavage.
He placed a kiss on the top of each breast, and discreetly adjusted his erection. I swallowed a wave of nerves as his right hand traveled under my skirt.
With his fingers in my panties, Cooper paused with his mouth hovering inches from mine. “I want to make you feel good.”
“You are,” I said on a sob.
“I want to make you come,” he whispered.
“Yes.”
His fingers moved in slow, lazy circles, drawing out my pleasure, making my hips rock to get closer. “Tell me what you want, little dove.”
I swallowed, my muscles tensing as his finger teased my opening, but didn’t penetrate.
“It’s late, and I . . .” God, my excuses sounded hollow, even to my own ears. “I should probably get going.”
Cooper pulled his hand from my panties and sucked on his fingers. It was so sensual, so erotic. The idea that he wanted to savor me sent a thrill through me. “You taste so fucking good.”
I watched him in stunned fascination. He was so open, so sexual-and it all came so easily to him. I admired him for that. What courage, what strength. I couldn’t imagine putting it all out there, saying those dirty words without feeling totally self-conscious.
“You sure there’s nothing that you want, beautiful?” His voice was rich and low.
It was now or never. My heartbeat was pulsing low in my groin, and I wanted him. Wanted him more than I’d ever wanted anything. Speak up, Corinne.
“Last time . . .” I huffed out a breath. “I liked what you did last time.”
A slow, devilish grin spread over Cooper’s mouth. “Thank fuck. I’ve wanted to bury my face in your pussy since I first saw you outside the museum in that skirt.”
I sucked in a breath. His words were so raw, so sexual-it was a huge turn-on.
“Let me take you to my bedroom. I want you to lie down and get comfortable.”
I nodded, letting him pull me to my feet, and left my shirt we’d discarded on the floor.
His room was handsomely decorated in black and white. Elegant and luxurious, but also strikingly simple, it fit him.
Arranging the pillows beneath my head, Cooper laid me out so I was comfortable on his massive king-sized bed.
With my skirt rucked up around my stomach, he hooked his fingers into the sides of my panties and drew them carefully down my legs and over my ankles. My bare flesh was already soaked, and as desperate as I was for his touch, I didn’t know how to put into words what I wanted.
“Don’t do that,” he said softly.
“Do what?” I lifted up on my elbows to watch him move between my thighs.