Page 71 of Boots & Scars

I nodded, still trying to catch my breath. But even as we prepared to step back into reality, I couldn't help but lean in for one last taste of him—a fleeting kiss that promised there would be more moments like this.

As we separated and started to leave the closet, I felt a smile tugging at my lips. For now, I was content to bask in the afterglow of our stolen moment together.

The moment Cooper and I stepped out of the skate closet, I froze. A couple of students stood there, eyes wide with curiosity and mischief. My cheeks burned with embarrassment; I hadn't expected an audience.

Cooper sighed, his expression darkening. "Dammit," he muttered under his breath. "Don't you have anything better to do than come here on break?" His voice barked out like a drill sergeant, echoing off the rink walls.

I shot him a look, hoping he'd catch the silent plea in my eyes. This wasn't helping. But he ignored me, too caught up in his irritation.

"What are your sizes then? Come on, I don't have all day."

Needing a moment to compose myself, I excused myself quickly and headed to the restroom. The cool tiles under my feetdid little to calm my racing heart. I ran the faucet and let the cold water splash into my hands before patting my face with it.

Staring at my reflection, I took a deep breath. "You're falling for him," I whispered to the girl in the mirror. The realization hit me hard, sending a thrill through my veins.

My heart skipped a beat at the thought. Part of me felt excited—like I was standing on the edge of something wonderful and terrifying all at once. The other part of me worried about what this meant for us both.

I took another deep breath, feeling the coolness of the water still lingering on my skin. This was uncharted territory for me—raw and real in ways I'd never experienced before.

I took a deep breath, my eyes locked on my reflection in the mirror. Cooper wasn't exactly who I expected Prince Charming to be. He wasn't traditionally handsome; he was mean, abrasive, even violent. But with me... it was like he softened. And I liked that I got to see a side of him no one else did. He treated me well, and he was a good kisser.

I wanted more, I realized with a sudden clarity that made my heart race. I wanted to do more with him.

The blush crept back into my cheeks, but I didn't look away from my reflection. I wasn't ashamed of what I wanted, and I knew he was the right person. I wanted it to be with him. But how could I ask? What could I do?

"Hi Coop, I'd like to have sex with you today," I said to my reflection, testing out the words.

No. No way.

I shook my head, dismissing the idea.

"Hey Coop, I was thinking, maybe we could take our relationship to the next level?" I winced at how awkward it sounded.

No, that wasn't right either.

I took a deep breath, gathering my courage. "Hey Coop, I really want to have sex with you. What do you say?"

Absolutely not.

I wished they taught something like this. How did sex even happen? In every book and show I watched, it seemed to come naturally. But every time Cooper and I made out, he would pull away. I was positive it had to do with him not wanting to rush me, so I knew I had to figure out a way to tell him I was ready.

But how?

I huffed a breath.

There needed to be a class on this. It was all so… complicated.

With one last look at my reflection, I steeled myself and headed back out into the rink area.

I stepped out of the bathroom, the cool air from the rink biting at my cheeks. My eyes immediately landed on Cooper, who was in the middle of attempting to teach two students how to stop while skating. He looked frustrated, his usual calm demeanor slipping as he barked out instructions.

“Bend your knees! Shift your weight!” His voice echoed across the ice, but the students wobbled, their skates scraping against the surface awkwardly.

A smile tugged at my lips. Watching him lose his patience was oddly endearing. I grabbed my skates from behind the counter and sat down, ready to lace them up. The familiar ritual of tightening the laces grounded me, each pull and knot bringing a sense of normalcy back.

Just as I was finishing up, the doors to the rink swung open with a loud creak. A group of guys walked in, their presence immediately noticeable. But I paid them little attention, too focused on making sure my skates were laced just right. I didn’t want any distractions.

I tugged at the last lace, securing it tightly when a shadow fell over me. I looked up, my breath catching in my throat.

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