Page 36 of Enticed

Me: Sucks for you because I was just told to power down my electronic devices for take-off, so you’ll just have to wait until later for that information. Have a safe day at work, Cooper. Talk to you soon.

Cooper: You’re not getting out of this. I’ll be in contact tonight.

I giggle at his response before shutting off my phone and bracing for my flight. I’m not afraid of flying—I just hate being trapped in my seat for a length of time. Luckily, the flight from Oregon to Seattle is pretty short, and I used that time to contemplate all the fantasies I want to make a reality with Cooper.

Once we land and I claim my bag, I catch an Uber to my hotel and contact the client I’m here to meet. It’s a gym outside of Seattle—Weightless—the second location for the company, whose focus is not on the scale. In fact, they don’t have one in the building and strongly urge their clients not to weigh themselves and focus on all the other benefits to working out, eating right, and investing in your health. The concept behind their gym is total body transformation—emotional, mental, and physical. After their first location in Seattle had seen incredible success, the owner was eager to open another location about fifty miles away, hence the need for more advertising.

It’s small businesses like this that Pearson Advertising loves working with, and this client is no exception. By the time I’ve walked through the location with Nellie, the owner, and we’ve developed a plan—including radio commercials, fliers for a free one week trial at the local organic juice shop down the street, a social media campaign, and a booth at a local farmer’s market—I’m spent. My feet are aching from my heels and all I can think about is the jacuzzi tub waiting for me in my room—including a filthy romance novel—followed by uninterrupted sleep late into the morning since my flight doesn’t leave until two in the afternoon.

The minute my ass hits the bottom of the tub and I crack open my book, my phone buzzes beside me. I can’t even fight the smile that graces my lips when I see the flash of Cooper’s name on the screen.

“Hello?” I answer, wiping the water from my hands on a towel beside the tub.

“Okay, tell me those fantasies woman,” he demands, instantly making me laugh.

“Well, hello to you too, Cooper.”

“Shit. Sorry,” he apologizes before the tone of his voice rises two octaves. “Hi, Clara. I hope your day was perfect, the birds were singing, and your meeting went spectacularly, earning yourself yet another promotion.” Then it deepens right back up and makes my body shiver. “Now spill…”

“When did you become this bossy alpha type male, Twiggy? I have to say, I kinda like it,” I tease him, wanting to hear more of this side of him.

“I’ll show you bossy, Clara. Just you wait. Now tell me…” his voice is deep and warm, sending a bolt of arousal between my legs.

I shift in the tub, reclining so my back is resting more comfortably against the porcelain. This week, Cooper and I have been talking so much that I’ve grown to expect his nightly calls, even when he’s on shift.

“Are you working right now?” I ask, already knowing the answer to that question. He’s been working Sunday through Wednesday for weeks now, and the occasional Friday and Saturday nights if needed. His shift just changed at the beginning of the month, right after he picked me up from Tony’s last.

“You know that I am, so stop stalling.”

I chuckle. “So you’re asking me about my dirty fantasies when you’re supposed to be protecting the citizens of Emerson Falls? That doesn’t seem very responsible, Deputy.” My hand strokes up and down my freshly shaved legs, loving how just hearing Cooper’s voice is making me hot and bothered. Good thing I brought my Womanizer on my trip with me. I never pass up the opportunity to explore myself sexually, especially with a new toy. If I don’t know what I like, how am I supposed to direct a man to finish me off?

“I’m currently parked, waiting for a call from dispatch if needed.”

“Hmmm…”

“Christ, are you in the bathtub?” Cooper sounds exasperated and I can just picture him running his hands through that thick head of hair.

“Yup,” I pop the p and continue, splashing the water around some more to tease him. “And even though I know you’re dying to know all my deep, dark secrets, Cooper—I think it would be better to just show you, in person—tomorrow night.”

I can hear the hiss come from his lips through the phone. “Fuck, really Clara? Are you sure?”

I scoff at him. “You’re the one who’s been heavy with the dirty talk for weeks now, and I finally tell you I’m ready to fuck you, and now you’re being the gentleman?”

Cooper’s chuckle fills the line. “Good point. I can’t help it—you bring out this possessive caveman quality in me, Clara—but then my subconscious still tells me to be a gentleman. It’s like I want to fuck you and pet you at the same time.”

I smile at his revelation because that’s exactly what draws me to him. I know he’s going to do incredible, tantalizing things to my body when we finally cross that line. But I also love knowing that he cares about me as more than just some woman he wants to fuck—because I feel like that about him too.

“I’ll let you know when I get back into town tomorrow night,” I reply.

“My place or yours?” He asks, and then I have to pause to think about logistics.

“Which ever would be less conspicuous. Your truck has been at my house before late at night, so people might not think too much about it. But your place is a little further away from people we know.”

“My place it is then. Do you want me to pick you up from the airport?” His voice isn’t full of lust with that question, just genuine concern for how I’m going to get home.

“No, I’ll manage. It’s an hour drive both ways,” I turn down his offer because little does Cooper know, but I’ve got a surprise in store for him.

“Okay. I’ll talk to you tomorrow then?” He asks just as I hear a call through his radio. “Shit, I’ve got to go, Clara. Sleep well…” he trails off.

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