Page 62 of The Sexy Part
The heat of his body relaxes me. I close my eyes, my body going limp. I’m nearly asleep when I hear him whisper, “I like you too much.”
My heart squeezes because I feel the same way. I pretend I’m asleep, not ready to go there.
* * *
Cooper
The next morning I wake feeling alert and alive. I look down at Rowan sleeping. She looks like an angel. I kiss her temple and get out of bed. We kept each other up last night. I’ll have to wake her soon so she can get to work. I told myself to keep my distance, but I can’t help it. I’m so into her. Hopefully, she didn’t hear my confession last night. We agreed to light and casual. She’s not ready, and I need to be sure she’s choosing to be with me not because I’m helping her but for me.
I decide to surprise her with breakfast from Something’s Brewing Café. Nothing beats their coffee and fresh-baked muffins. I make the short drive to the café, get breakfast, and head back. The sun seems brighter, the sky more blue. I whistle to myself and stop short. I’m falling for her. I know what that feels like.
The only way to protect my heart is to get her life to the point where she can leave for a new place in the city or stay because she really wants me. Her small claims court date comes up in a few weeks. If she wins the maximum of ten thousand dollars, she’ll be free to go. Between that and the return of her condo deposit, she could pay off her wedding debtandget a new apartment in the city. I know exactly who can help with that—Cal Sanders, her dad. I looked him up before. He’s a corporate lawyer who always wins. He could demolish a small claims court.
I park in front of my place, look up his number, and call. I know she said she didn’t want to get him involved, but he’s her best option—free and experienced. Besides, it’s the least he can do to help the daughter he practically abandoned after her mom died.
This is my last rescue effort on her behalf, I swear. I’ll explain why I did it later. She’ll thank me in the end.
* * *
Rowan
I wake slowly, confused about where I am. Last night comes back to me in a flood of memories and sensations. Cooper and I were all over each other for most of the night. I jackknife upright. What time is it?
Shit. I have twenty minutes to get home, shower, and go to work. I can’t be late. I’m new and already messed up in my early days there. Why in the world did I spend the night? Cooper proved too hard to resist with his promise of one night counting as one time. I grab my clothes from around the room and quickly get dressed.
I rush out to the living room just as he returns holding a take-out tray of two coffees and a bag of what’s probably delicious baked goods. If this is what friends with benefits is like, I should’ve tried it out long ago.
“Morning,” he says. “Brought you the best coffee in the world and your choice of blueberry or chocolate-chip muffin.”
My throat tightens. He’s thoughtful, sweet, and a very generous lover. I tingle just remembering last night. “Thank you. Chocolate. I’ll need to take it to go. I’m so late.”
He gives me a soft smile that melts my heart. “No problem.” He takes out his muffin and hands me the bag and my coffee. Our fingers brush with the exchange, sending heat through me.
I meet his warm brown eyes, and all good sense goes out the window. “Friends with benefits can be more than one time, right?”
He cradles my cheek and kisses me before gazing into my eyes. “It can be whatever we want it to be.”
My entire body wants to sway into him, to merge once more. If I weren’t holding coffee and a muffin, I’d be tearing his clothes off.
I take a step back, worried about how strong the attraction is, how much I long to stay.
It’s okay. It’s just sex with a friend, right? Nothing to be scared of.
I turn and hurry out the door.
13
I speedwalk to work with my breakfast and make it there just as Hailey’s unlocking the front door. Oh, thank God.
“Morning!” she calls cheerfully.
“Morning.”
“Oh, looks like you stopped by Something’s Brewing Café. They’re the best. If you’re here in the winter, you have to try their hot cocoa with handmade marshmallows. To die for.”
I follow her inside. “That sounds amazing.” Part of me wants to stay. The saner part says staying would get me in too deep with Cooper. My heart’s not ready for another devastation.
“What did you get?”
