Page 67 of Love Thy Neighbor

Like being with Cooper like this is where I was always supposed to be.

“They match?” he asks, his eyes still scanning my body, surprised to see that my bra and panties do indeed match.

I nod, so happy I wore my lacy pale pink set tonight.

“For him?” he asks, referring to my long-forgotten date.

I shake my head. “No. They always do.”

“Thisis what you’ve been hiding from me all these years?”

It’s a question, but not one he really wants an answer to.

He mutters something I can’t quite make out, then slides his gaze to mine.

“You’re so fucking sexy, Caroline.”

NowI’m blushing.

He’s complimented me before, but the way he’s rasping out his words now… It’s a whole different level.

He steps into me, tucking my hair behind my ear and tilting my chin up.

“I need to know you’re one hundred percent okay with this. Because if I take this towel off, there’s no going back.”

“I’m still wearing something,” I counter.

“Not for long,” he promises, his eyes darker than I’ve ever seen them before.

I gulp.

Am I ready? Do I want this?

Yes.

“I want you, Cooper.”

He closes his eyes, pressing his forehead against mine.

“Fuck I love hearing you say that.” I hear him swallow. “I want to take my time. I want to be gentle. But I…I don’t know if I can.”

“Then don’t. I don’t want you to hold back. I wantyou. All of you.”

The words are barely out of my mouth before his lips are on mine and he’s kissing me harder than he ever has before, hands crashing through my hair.

He pulls away just as fast, still holding on to me.

“Take your panties off and get on the bed.”

“What?” I ask, my head all fuzzy from the kiss.

“The bed,” he tells me, putting distance between us. “Take your panties off and get on the bed.”

I nod and reach behind my back to unhook my bra, but he stops my efforts. “No. Later.”

“But—”

“I said later.”

---