Page 22 of The Final Temptation (Men of Honor 3.5)
He’s got that right.
We make our way into the banquet hall and are immediately assaulted with loud music and a sea of bodies. We wind our way through the crowd to find Jaxson and Julia at one of the tables in the center of the room. Julia stands then meets me halfway and pulls me in for a hug. “Everything okay?” she asks in my ear.
I squeeze her back tightly. “Yeah, actually, everything is perfect.”
She steps back and gives me a big smile. “Looks like we got our wish,” she says, glancing over at the guys. “Well you got yours, I only got half of mine, but at least he’s here with me.”
“It will happen one day, Jules, I know it.” And I do because I see the way he looks at her, everyone does. “Come on.” I sling my arm around her shoulders as we walk over to the table.
The first half of the night surprisingly speeds along and I’m having a good time. We take pictures, Julia and I dance while the guys glare at anyone who comes near us. At one point I thought Bobby Wright was a dead man when he started dancing behind Julia, but with one look from Jaxson he backed his ass right to the other side of the dance floor. As the night wears on I become more anxious for midnight to hit. Every time Cooper looks at me his eyes are intense and hold promise. Every gentle touch, whether it be on my leg or back, has tremors racing along my skin and my body humming with arousal.
After the announcement of prom queen and king, we decided to pick up a pizza and go to the beach where Jaxson and Julia always hang out. Cooper and I went in my car while Jaxson drove his truck, and it took some major self-control on my part not to maul the sexy bastard on the way over. But I knew it would only make it harder on the both of us. I understand now how important it is for him to wait until that clock strikes midnight.
So here we are, the four of us sitting in front of the ocean, our feet in the warm sand and the ocean breeze misting across our faces while we chow down on pizza from Antonio’s. Both Julia and I are wearing the guys’ jackets since it’s a little cooler this close to the water.
Once we finish eating Cooper pulls me between his legs. I lean back against his hard chest and try not to moan when I feel his erection against my lower back. Jesus, has that bad boy been like this all night?
When Julia walks back from throwing out our garbage she goes to take the seat next to Jaxson but he surprises us both by pulling her in the same way Cooper has me. I watch her soft expression break out into the biggest smile.
“So, girls, how does it feel to almost be done with school for the rest of your lives?” Cooper asks.
“It feels a little weird,” I reply first. “If you think about it we have been in the same routine for the last twelve years, thirteen if you want to count kindergarten. Wake up early and go to school, every Monday you pray for it to be Friday, you look forward to the weekends and summers but also love seeing your friends at school every day. As much as I’m going to enjoy not having school work anymore, I don’t think I’m really feeling this bill business that will start coming my way soon. I’m quite content to have my dad still buy me everything.” They all chuckle but what they don’t realize is I’m partly serious. Who the hell wants to grow up and have more responsibilities? Well, okay, Cooper makes it a little more appealing. I’m assuming he wouldn’t be cool with me living off my dad forever.
“Well I’m not done with school yet,” Julia says, cutting into my thoughts. “If I get into the University of Charleston I will have four more years of it. But I have decided to take a year off because, like you said, I need a break after twelve years.
“You didn’t tell me that,” Jaxson says in surprise.
“I just decided a few days ago after talking with Grams about it.” She pauses then turns back to look up at him. “Why? You don’t think it’s a good idea?”
“I think it’s a great idea. Take a break, have fun for a year then go to college. I have no doubt that you will get in and end up being the best teacher any kid can have.”
She smiles up at him. “Thanks, Jax.” He leans down and gives her a kiss on the forehead.
I roll my eyes and shake my head. Seriously, how can she not see this shit?
“Have you given any more thought to those business courses? It sounds like Eddie really wants you to take over the shop for him,” she says, talking about the mechanic shop he works at.
There’s a slight pause, and out of the corner of my eye I see him briefly glance over at Cooper before he clears his throat. “No, not yet.”
What is that all about?
“That’s okay, you have time,” she replies with a shrug, missing the exchange.
A comfortable silence settles over us as we listen to the sound of the waves crash against the shore, but I swear I can hear a clock ticking every second. I know Cooper does too, since he’s checking his watch constantly. The last time he checks it I lean over and see we still have a half hour. I hear him blow out a frustrated breath behind me. “You know what, fuck it.” Before I can register his words he hauls me up to my feet. “We’re out of here, we’ll catch up with you guys tomorrow.”
He yanks on my hand to propel me forward but I plant my feet in the sand then reach down and swipe my shoes. I barely have them snagged when he pulls on me again. “Bye,” I yell back to Jaxson and Julia with a wave.
