Page 3 of The Final Temptation (Men of Honor 3.5)
I shake myself from my frustrated thoughts when I pull up to Julia’s. She’s waiting patiently on the driveway and hops in just as I come to a stop.
“I’m so sorry, I slept in,” I apologize, knowing it’s a shitty explanation. I hate being late.
Of course, being Julia, she doesn’t get mad. “No problem, it happens. I’m hoping you’re going to tell me it’s because you were up late, making out with Coop.” She inquires with a hopeful smile.
I harrumph as I hit the gas and drive a little faster than I should. “No. I wish it was because of that.”
“Seriously?” she asks in surprise. “Did you go into the hot tub like we talked about?”
“Yup. I even wore my skimpiest bikini, and the bastard still didn’t bite.”
She reaches over and touches my arm gently. “I’m sorry, Kayla. If it’s any consolation, I know how you feel,” she says, referring to Jaxson.
“Yeah, well at least Jaxson still hangs out with you. For the last year it seems all Cooper does is completely avoid me and I don’t understand why. We used to be friends until he dated that bitch Brittany.” Just thinking about that whore has anger rushing through my system hot and fast. They dated over a year ago and it still infuriates me to think about it. She’s probably the biggest bitch I’ve ever met, and she always made sure to rub Cooper in my face. Thankfully, they only lasted a short month, like most of Coop’s relationships over the last few years. It was the happiest day of my life when he broke up with her.
“Well, tonight you could always…” Julia trails off at the sound of police sirens and glances behind us. “Uh oh.”
I look down at my speedometer to see I’m only going seven miles over the legal limit. I growl in frustration and pull over, not happy that we’re now going to be even later for school. The cop pulls up behind me and I stare in complete shock as Cooper steps out of the car. Are you freaking kidding me?
My stomach does its usual flip as I watch his gorgeous ass make his way over. Hmmm, maybe this isn’t such a bad thing after all. Getting my wits about me I roll down my window, then stick my head out and give him my best smile. “Well, hey there, Officer Sexy.”
With his aviators in place Cooper stares down at me, his expression unimpressed. “Kayla,” he greets in irritation before nodding over at Julia. “How’s it going, Julia?”
“Hey, Cooper.”
I’m annoyed that his greeting to her is friendlier than mine, but I shrug it off and decide to push his buttons like I always do. Reaching over, I finger his handcuffs at the side of his belt and give him a suggestive smile. “Nice cuffs, Coop. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to be cuffed to a bed. Maybe you can lock me up sometime.”
I hear Julia muffle her laughter but I don’t take my eyes off of him. His expression never wavers but I know I got to him because his jaw flexes. I love riling him up like this. I’m hoping one day it will finally make him crack and he will let all that frustration loose on me in the dirtiest ways possible.
“License and registration,” he says, ignoring my comment.
I tense. “What? Why?”
“Because you were speeding and I’m going to give you a ticket.”
My mouth drops in shock. “You can’t be serious.”
Now it’s his turn to smirk. “I’m very serious.”
“Give me a break, Coop, I was going seven over. You have to at least be going ten over to get a ticket.”
He stares at me like I’m an idiot. “I can give you a ticket for going one over the legal limit.”
I try to gauge his expression, still thinking he can’t be serious. He wouldn’t give me a ticket, would he? No, he wouldn’t, he’s just screwing with me, I know it. “All right, Officer Romeeooo,” I croon, dragging out the name. “Let’s be honest here, you really pulled me over because you missed my pretty face this morning. I missed yours too, but this,” I gesture between us, “will have to wait because I’m late for school.”
Julia snickers again, but unfortunately Cooper doesn’t find it as funny. “You’re going to be even later if you don’t stop stalling. Give me your license and registration, Kayla. Now.”
I gape at him as I realize he’s completely serious. With a huff I pull out my license and registration then hand it to him, knowing I need to get my ass to school. He takes it with a smirk then walks back to his squad car.
I look over at Julia. “I can’t believe he’s really going to give me a fucking ticket.”
She shrugs. “Maybe he’s just messing with you to prove a point and he won’t actually give you one.”
I shake my head, knowing he’s going to. He wouldn’t do all this then not follow through. Sure enough, he walks back a couple minutes later and hands me back my license and registration. I don’t bother to look at him as I rip them from him. When I go to snatch the ticket out of his hand his grip tightens on it, not letting go.
My irritation quickly vanishes when he bends down and leans in my window. His delicious, masculine scent penetrates my senses and completely short-circuits my brain. My heart pounds wildly and my breath catches in my throat as he trails his nose along the side of my cheek until his lips are at my ear. “You need to be careful of the games you keep playing with me and my dick,” he whispers, his tone as smooth as whiskey. “Because next time, Kayla, I will not be responsible for my actions, and believe me when I tell you, you are not ready for me, baby. Not yet.”
With that he presses the softest kiss to my cheek and drops the ticket on my lap before strutting his sexy ass away, as if he didn’t just completely tilt my world on its axis. I sit stunned for a long moment, wondering if I just imagined his words.
