Page 19 of Enticed

“You don’t know?” I fire back, ignoring his confession and pushing him away before walking towards the door. The fight-or-flight response is strong in my chest as I surrender to the flight.

“Clara… what do you want me to say? I know you wanted that as much as I did!” He throws his hands up in the air, his voice alive with irritation.

“I don’t know, Cooper… but surely you have to have a better reason why you kissed me than that you don’t know,” I say. “You’re so confusing! But talking about this right now is not a good idea. Thank you for checking on me. I appreciate it. But that kiss…” I shake my head, unsure of how to process this. I turn back to unlock the door and speed down the hall into the living room where people have gathered again.

I can feel the heat of my anger and arousal making my cheeks turn red, but I avoid eye contact with anyone until I can sense my normal color returning.

I can’t believe he did that. Now? After months of back and forth, flirting and fighting this pull I know we both feel? Why suddenly did he feel the need to lay his lips on me today?

So many questions fly through my mind as I make a mental list of even more shit to discuss with Dr. Martinez when I see her on Monday. Apparently I have a mile-long list of shit to process.

The party goes on for a few more hours, well until after dark and Kane has clearly proven he cannot party like he did in his twenties anymore. I keep myself busy, helping Perry keep the house tidy, empty trash, and refill bowls of chips to distract me from the wheels spinning in my head.

“Pathetic,” Drew comes up beside me as we watch Kane snore on the couch. Amy is curled up in a chair next to him, sawing her own logs.

I chuckle. “Yeah, I think he had fun though. Hell, this is nothing compared to how I get on my birthday…”

“Or even a Friday night, huh?” Drew winks at me, referencing our encounter last week.

“Yeah, that too,” I cringe, knowing that I definitely need to settle down on the public intoxication.

“Want me to help you get him to bed?” Cooper asks Drew from behind me as the hairs on my neck stand up tall. I’ve been avoiding him since our kiss earlier and even now, I can’t stand to look him in the eyes.

I’m so lost right now trying to process what I’m feeling. The last three months have altered me in more ways than one—making me question everything about who I thought I was. And Cooper’s actions are confusing me even more. My mind is just a jumbled mess.

“Yeah, I can’t lift him on my own. The man is solid muscle,” Drew answers as they both move around me and lift Kane off of the couch.

“Just lay him on our bed, boys,” Olivia calls behind them, her feet landing right next to mine as we watch them carry the birthday boy to his bed. I’ve been avoiding her for the past few hours as well—the last thing I want to do is get in a fight with her about why her brother and I were alone in a room together if anyone saw us leave the gender reveal earlier.

I can still see the warning on her face when she threatened me to stay away from Cooper months ago. And given my track record with men, I can’t blame her. I’m not the relationship type. But I’m not sure if that’s the same for Cooper—and maybe that’s why she doesn’t want me to get involved with him. Maybe he is the type to stick to one woman and give himself over to someone else completely. And if I hurt him, it could ruin our friendship.

I just never considered after the passage of time thatIcould be the one ending up hurt in the end, with the way I’m feeling right now.

“I’d say the party was a success, Liv.” I turn to her, admiring the love oozing from her eyes as she rubs her belly.

“I can’t believe we’re having a girl, Clara. I hope she has friends like the four of us someday,” she tears up as she pulls me into a hug, resting her head on my shoulder. “You girls are the people I know I can count on, more than anyone. I trust you with my life and I know you wouldneverbetray me. Every girl deserves that,” she says as we part, and a part of my heart crumbles when I realize that the feelings I’m harboring for her brother threaten that bond.

“Yeah, I agree, Liv. She’ll be lucky if she finds even one friend as fantastic as me,” I bump her hip with mine, using my humor as a distraction as I follow her into the kitchen and help her and Perry clean up completely.

The guests didn’t leave too big of a mess and most people start to leave shortly after Kane was put to bed—but I feel like the mess I’m making by sneaking around with Cooper—is one that will be a hell of a lot harder to clean up.

Chapter 7

Clara

“Good afternoon, Clara.”

“Uh, yeah. Same to you.” I shift nervously on the dark grey couch across from Dr. Martinez, twirling my hands together to keep them busy. An itch that feels like I’m about to crawl out of my skin scurries across my flesh as I watch the woman across from me study my posture and face.

“Is this your first time seeing a therapist?”

“Yes, and I’m not gonna lie, Doc… I feel really awkward right now.”

Dr. Martinez chuckles. “That’s alright. Most people who walk into my office expect a far different experience than they actually get. Kane told me he gave you my number, but please know that anything we discuss in this room stays between us.”

“Doctor-patient confidentiality… yeah, I understand,” I nod.

“Perfect. So why don’t you tell me what made you call… what is it that you need help processing today…” she offers me a kind smile and I’m not gonna lie, the woman’s demeanor instantly puts me at ease. Her dark hair laced with greys is cut short and frames her face, her tortoiseshell glasses perch on her nose as she looks at me above the rim, and her petite body sits high in her chair, showing her professionalism and confidence in her work.

---