Page 40 of Chasing Elliott
More importantly, would I ever admit that to him? Talk to him about it? Absolutely not.
As much as I wanted to stop it, to end what was brewing between us, I couldn’t. I wanted him in every sense of the word, and I knew he wanted me, too. I know this will end in devastation, not just for him but for me as well, so why was I willing to suddenly risk my own heart?
We pulled up to my townhome and Cooper parked the car in Kara’s empty spot, which meant she most likely went home with Benjamin. I forced a smile on my face as he opened the door for me, and I walked past him towards the entry.
Stopping outside the door, I turned around and faced Cooper who was giving me a gentle, careful smile. He cupped my face in his right hand and pressed his lips to mine softly but beforehe could pull back, I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him deeper.
One of his hands wrapped into my hair while the other gripped my hip tightly and Ipulled on his hair at the base of his neck which caused him to release a breathy moan. Pulling back, I looked up into his eyes and saw a hunger behind them as I bit my lip.
“I should probably go,” Cooper whispered as I fought back a laugh, noticing the conflict flashing behind his eyes.
“Or you can stay,” I told him, rubbing my nose softly against his. “Please, stay.”
Rather than saying a word, Cooper quickly pushed his lips against mine as he gripped my hips. He suddenly hoisted me up and my legs instinctively wrapped around his waist. One of his hands rested under my thigh as his other reached for the doorknob, my arms staying firmly around his neck, never breaking the kiss.
Cooper used my back to push the door open before he kicked it closed behind him. Iheard him flip the lock before he carried me toward the stairs and led us up to my bedroom. Hestarted working down my neck as we entered the room, a moan leaving my lips as I tilted my head to grant him better access.
As we entered my bedroom, he closed the door before falling onto the bed, pinning me underneath him. My back rested against my silk sheets as Cooper supported himself with his forearms which were resting on either side of my head. I reconnected our lips as my hands now trailed down his sides and gripped the bottom of his shirt, hastily pulling it off over his head.
Glancing up into Cooper’s eyes, I saw just as much passion in them as I knew my eyes held but there was also some hesitation lingering there. I leaned up and connected our lips oncemore, but this time more gentle, soft, not as needy.
Cooper deepened the kiss as he grabbed my hand and pulled me up to sit before heswiftly pulled off my cropped shirt, reaching to remove the bra underneath. He wasted no time in tearing it off before pushing me back down and kissing me once more.
Clothes were being torn off as we explored each other’s bodies with our hands and mouths until we were both left in just our underwear. I was now straddling Cooper and slowly started to kiss his neck and made my way down his chest. As I glanced up upon reaching his waistband, I saw that familiar hesitation in his eyes and stopped.
“Cooper,” I said softly, moving back up so I was straddling him, my hands resting on hisshoulders. “Can you just hold me, tonight?”
Surprise mixed with relief flashed across his face before he nodded, flashing me agenuine smile. I crawled off him and curled up beside him, his arms wrapping around me as hepressed his chest against my back.
“I’m sorry, for ruining the moment.” I felt his breath on the back of my neck and shook my head.
“Don’t be,” I told him truthfully, pulling his arms tighter around me. “It doesn’t always have to be about sex.”
I could tell he wanted to say something but chose against it, instead nuzzling his face into the crook of my neck. We both let out a soft hum of satisfaction and before I knew it he was fast asleep. Not long later I found myself dozing off to the sound of his soft snoring and the feeling ofhis breath rustling the loose strands of my hair.
I tiptoe down the stairs, trying to sneak into the kitchen to grab a late-night snack. I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and stand on the balls of my feet to try and reach the bag of chips from the cabinet when I hear a door close outside.
I quickly dart towards the stairs before realizing I wouldn’t be able to make it up to mybedroom in time. Glancing down the hallway, I decide to slip into the hall closet and close itbehind me. The front door bursts open, and I hear my mother laughing loudly.
“You’re my hero,” she slurs as I see two shadows from underneath the door. I watch as a pair of feet stop right in front of the closet before she was suddenly pushed against the doors.
“Tell me how you like it,” a deep voice says as my eyes widen. I put a hand over mymouth as my eyes begin to water once I recognize the voice.
My eyes shot open but I relaxed quickly as I noticed I was in my room. I felt a strong pair of arms wrapped around my waist and the sound of soft snoring behind me. I smiled as I held onto his arms and sighed in content.
I felt Cooper start to stir before he yawned loudly which caused his grip to loosen. Irolled over and faced him, pressing a quick kiss to his lips before I beamed at him. I trailed afinger down his bare chest as I bit my lip, looking up into his eyes.
“How’d you sleep?” I questioned. Cooper smiled as he brought a hand up to push some of the hair out of my face.
“Best sleep of my life,” he answered. “What about you, beautiful?”
“Great,” I informed him before I pressed a quick kiss to his nose.
Cooper’s phone suddenly went off and he groaned loudly before rolling over to search forit. Finding it on the floor beside his shorts, he quickly shot out of bed and started collecting hisclothes that were scattered around the room.
“Shit, I’m sorry, Elli. I’m late for practice,” Cooper rushed out before leaning over the bed and placing a brief kiss to my lips. “I’ll call you after, okay? Have a great day, Hurricane.”
Before I could even climb out of bed, I heard the front door closing. Chuckling quietly to myself, I slid out of bed and grabbed my silk robe before making my way out the door and down to the kitchen.
