Page 37 of Hooking the Captain
“Me either,” I admitted. “But what about your parents?”
“I’ve never stayed this long before, so I doubt they’ll be surprised when I tell them I’m going back to Boston.”
I didn’t want him to feel like he had to choose between me and them, so I asked, “Are you sure?”
“I am.” He leaned over and kissed me again.
Kissing Coop was addicting. I eagerly opened my mouth, granting his tongue entrance, allowing him to deepen the kiss. My hands tangled in his hair to pull him closer. The way his lips felt against mine sent shivers down my spine. It was hard to believe that at the beginning of the summer, he’d never kissed someone before because he was an expert now. He pushed me back until I was lying across the bed, and he climbed on top of me. I ran my hands up and down his bare back, feeling every muscle ripple beneath my fingertips as I explored his body.
He reached for the button of my jeans.
“We should probably get going if we’re going to make check-out,” I said as he slipped the button through the slit.
“We have some time.”
“Only thirty minutes,” I huffed.
He stared at me with a flirtatious glint in his eyes. “That’s plenty of time to make you come.”
My last twoweeks in Hartford passed in a blur. I’d spent most of my time with my grandparents since it would probably be a while before I saw them again, and Coop had done the same with his parents.
“It was so great having you here,” Grandma gushed as I placed my suitcase in my trunk. “We’re going to miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too.” I leaned down to hug her and kissed her cheek.
Staying with her and my grandfather over the summer was supposed to have been my way of escaping my troubles. I never expected to find a promising job and, more importantly, someone who I saw a potential future with.
Grandpa moved in next to me and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “Good luck with the job. They’re lucky to have you.”
“Hopefully, they’ll feel the same way.” I smiled.
After a couple more hugs and promises to visit as soon as possible, I climbed into my car and started the two-hour drive back to my parents’ house. When I had explained my living situation to Coop a few weeks ago, I’d left out some details. Getting kicked out of Sigma Epsilon had left me no choice except to move back home.
Around noon, I pulled up in front of my childhood home in Beacon Hill. Before getting out of my car, I sent Coop a text:
I made it home. Missing you already
He quickly replied:
Me too. You should come to my place after work on Monday. I’ll make you a celebratory dinner for your first day on the job ??
I’d love that. See you then
Sliding out of the car, I tucked my phone into my pocket, grabbed my bags, and walked up to the federal-style house. Entering our code on the keypad by the door, I waited for the lock to disengage and then walked inside.
“Anyone home?” I called out.
“Ford?” My mother’s voice drifted down the staircase. “Is that you?”
“Who else has the code?” I teased as I bounded up the stairs and met her at the landing.
She pulled me in for a hug. “I’m so glad you’re back.”
“Me too.” I squeezed her back. “Where’s Dad?”
“He’s at the store picking up some lunch but should be back any minute. Why don’t you put your things in your room, and then we can eat while you tell us all about your summer.”
Disappointment washed over me at her suggestion. One day, I hoped I could move past the fear holding me back and tell them all about the man who made me happy, but I knew it wasn’t that day. Of course, with the NDA in place, I wondered if that would ever be possible.
