Page 44 of Boots & Scars

I straightened up and surveyed my work, feeling a small sense of accomplishment despite everything. The floor was now clear of any dangerous debris that could harm Cooper if he stumbled through here later.

I put the cleaning supplies away in the kitchen cabinet where I had found them, making sure everything was back in its proper place. Then I tied up the trash bag filled with broken glass and carried it outside to the garbage bin. The night air was cool against my skin as I hurried back inside, eager to check on Cooper.

As I re-entered the house, I wrinkled my nose at the lingering scent of alcohol. I wished he had a candle or some air freshener to help mask the smell. Heading to the kitchen sink, I washed my hands thoroughly, scrubbing away any remaining traces of the night's events.

With a deep breath, I made my way back to the bathroom, steeling myself for whatever state I might find Cooper in. As Istepped inside, my heart sank. He was passed out on the floor, his body sprawled awkwardly across the tiles.

I sighed heavily and knelt down beside him. "Cooper," I said softly, gently shaking his shoulder. "Cooper. Come on. Let's get you to bed."

He mumbled something incoherent, his words slurring together. "You don't want to go to bed with me, sugar," he finally managed, his eyes still closed. "I'll ruin you."

I felt my cheeks flush at his words, a mixture of embarrassment and something else I couldn't quite name. "Oh, you will?" I asked, trying to keep my voice light as I helped him sit up.

"You can't even imagine all the things I'd do to you," he continued, his voice low and rough.

Curiosity got the better of me, and I found myself asking, "What would you do?" I hoped that keeping him talking would make it easier to get him upstairs to his bedroom.

He leaned heavily against me as I helped him to his feet, his breath hot against my ear as he spoke. "First, I'd kiss you until you couldn't breathe," he murmured. "Then I'd trail my lips down your neck, tasting every inch of your skin. I'd leave marks too, just so everyone knew who you belonged to."

My heart raced at his words, and I swallowed hard, focusing on navigating him out of the bathroom and towards the stairs.

"I'd take my time undressing you," he continued, his words punctuated by the uneven rhythm of our footsteps. "Savoring every reveal, worshipping your body with my hands and mouth."

I felt heat rising in my cheeks and spreading through my body as he painted a vivid picture with his words. We reached the bottom of the stairs, and I tightened my grip on his waist, preparing for the climb.

"By the time I was done with you, you'd be begging for more," he whispered, his voice filled with a dark promise. "Begging forme to take you, to claim you as mine, in every which way you probably never even heard of."

I bit my lip, trying to ignore the way his words affected me. This was Cooper Sinclaire, my skating professor, and he was drunk. I couldn't let myself get caught up in his fantasies, no matter how tempting they might be.

"That sounds nice," I said softly as we made our way up the stairs, my arm wrapped securely around Cooper's waist.

He chuckled, the sound raw and unguarded, so different from his usual controlled demeanor. I glanced at him, and my heart skipped a beat at the sight of his smile. Even in his drunken state, with his hair mussed and his eyes slightly unfocused, he was beautiful.

"You're fucked, sugar," he said, his words slurring slightly.

"Nice," I replied, unable to help the small smile tugging at my lips.

When we reached the top of the stairs, Cooper turned right, leading me down the hallway. I held onto him tightly as he guided me to his room, my heart pounding in my chest with each step.

We entered his bedroom, and Cooper stumbled towards the bed and collapsed onto it, his body sinking into the soft mattress. I stood there for a moment, looking at him sprawled out before me.

I knew I could probably leave at this point. Zach was likely waiting for me at the party, wondering where I was. But as I watched Cooper's chest rise and fall with each breath, I found myself unable to turn away.

I wanted to make sure he was okay, that he wouldn't choke on his own vomit or do something stupid in his drunken state. So, I pulled out my phone and scrolled through my TBR list, searching for something to occupy my time.

Spotting a chair next to the bed, I sat down and made myself as comfortable as possible. With one last glance at Cooper's sleeping form, I opened the ebook and started to read, the soft glow of my phone screen illuminating the dimly lit room.

14

Cooper

Iwoke up with my head pounding like a drum in a heavy metal concert. The damn headache was so fierce, it felt like my brain was trying to claw its way out of my skull. I couldn't shake the image of Everly fucking Hawthorne from my mind. The alcohol must have stripped away all the barriers, letting my fantasies roam free. And there she was, embedded in every thought.

I wasn't on the living room floor like I'd expected. Somehow, I had made it to my bedroom. Had I walked here? I couldn't remember. Everything was a blur, a messy kaleidoscope of half-formed memories and fragments of last night.

My eyes swept across the room, trying to make sense of it all. The dim light filtering through the curtains did little to help. As my gaze landed on the armchair in the corner, my heart skipped a beat. There she was—Everly.

She had to be some kind of illusion. Maybe a trick of the light or my alcohol-addled brain playing games with me.

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