Page 4 of The Final Temptation (Men of Honor 3.5)
“Whoa.” Julia fans herself. “What the heck was that all about?”
She couldn’t have heard him, but I’m sure she felt the sexual tension. She had to; it still lingers heavily in the car. I pick up the ticket and see the amount for one hundred thirty dollars. Instead of feeling pissed like I ought to, the biggest smile takes over my face. I think today is going to be a great day after all.
CHAPTER 2
After school lets out Julia and I grab an ice cream then head over to the ball diamond. “Tell me again why we’re coming here?” she asks as we get out of the car.
“Because it’s the baseball game of the year—the sheriff’s department against the fire department. Sweaty, shirtless hotties with bronzed skin and toned muscles.” I shiver just thinking about it. “This is shit we do not want to miss.” Although, my eyes will be for one guy only.
My heart rate kicks up in anticipation at getting to see Cooper again. His words have been replaying in my head all day since our run-in earlier. 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. Oh boy is he wrong. I’m more than ready for his sexy ass. I’ve had a throbbing between my legs since this morning, hell, for the last three years. He is close to cracking, I can feel it. I just have to figure out what is holding him back.
I used to think it was our age difference; it’s almost three years, which is squat in my opinion. He never came right out and said it, but he would make the odd remark about it. I turn eighteen in a few weeks, the day after prom, so there is no way it can be that. But what the hell is it then?
Julia and I grab a seat up high on the metal bleachers with our ice creams and soak in the incredible view before us. My eyes sift through the shirtless hotties and immediately find the man I came to see, instantly recognizing his body and the tattoo that marks his defined shoulder blade. The American Flag, with the overlying script—To Serve With Honor—suits him perfectly. Cooper is the most honorable guy I’ve ever met. His integrity is what made me fall madly in love with him and I know he’s going to make an incredible sheriff one day.
I watch him tense suddenly then, as if feeling the weight of my stare, he turns around. I can’t see his eyes because of his aviators but I feel them as if it were his hands. We watch each other, a long moment stretching between us. He keeps his expression schooled, but it doesn’t last long. Giving him a flirtatious smile, I lick my ice cream the same way I want to lick his delectable, hard body.
Even from here I can see his nostrils flare and his jaw flex. I give him a sassy little wave with my fingers, enjoying his torment. He shakes his head in frustration then turns back around, dismissing me.
I look over at Julia and we both laugh. “Lord, girl, one day you’re going to push that man too far.”
“That’s the plan,” I tell her truthfully, without feeling an ounce of shame.
“So I heard Matt Greenwood asked you to prom today,” she says, quirking an eyebrow in question.
“Yup, but of course I said no. Which probably wasn’t a smart idea, considering I haven’t been making any headway with you know who.” I nod to where Coop is throwing a ball back and forth with another guy from the police department. “I may just end up dateless if I don’t think of something soon.” The entire thought is depressing. I’ve thought about just straight out asking Cooper, but I want to be certain of his feelings for me before I do. However, I’m running out of time and I may need to just bite the bullet and do it regardless.
“Well at least you have been asked. No one has even attempted to ask me,” she says sadly. “I don’t know why, I mean, I know I’m not a knockout or anything, but I’m a pretty nice girl and I can be a lot of fun to hang out with. Can’t I?”
“Of course you are,” I tell her truthfully; the girl is full of shit, she’s a knockout but she doesn’t know it, which only makes her more attractive. “I keep telling you, no one is asking because they’re terrified of Jaxson.”
“Why would Jaxson care?”
I roll my eyes. I love this girl to death but she is incredibly naive. “Because he wants you to himself.” She shakes her head, dismissing my theory right away. “Yes, he does. I tell you this all the time, Julia. The guy has it bad for you, but he’s too fucked up to admit it. Why do you think any guy who has ever remotely tried to ask you out never looks at you again? I’m telling you, Jaxson has laid claim, you just don’t know it.”
“I wish,” she mumbles.
“Trust me, I’m right. Either way, I thought you were going to ask him to go to prom with you?”
“I really want to but I know it’s not his thing. He didn’t even go to his own prom so I doubt he would come with me.”
I shrug. “You don’t know unless you ask.”
“Yeah, but I’m a coward. The entire thought of his rejection stings a little too much.”
I nod in understanding because I feel the exact same way with Cooper. “Well, if all else fails we can go together?”
She smiles. “I love that idea.”
Before we can say more, Mark Stevens climbs up the bleachers and takes a seat between us. Great!
“Well hello, ladies,” he greets as he throws an arm around each of us, his clothes reeking of marijuana.
“Mark,” I acknowledge, before glancing nervously over at Cooper. I see him watching us, his entire demeanor looking downright lethal. Crap! I was hoping he wouldn’t notice, he hates Mark and I don’t want him in a pissy mood after this. Looking away, I bring my attention back to Mark. “What are you doing here? Came to scope out the hotties like the rest of us?”
