Chapter 19
19
Isla
COOPER WAS WAITING for her when she pulled into his driveway. He watched her with a sharp gaze, barely blinking as she climbed out of her car and walked his way. Like he’d been waiting forever to see her. Which wasn’t true. He saw her all the time.
Cooper took every opportunity to invite her over, either before she worked or after. All the other times, he stopped by her place. Checking on her during his shifts or before he went home. Making sure she was safe and sound.
It was nice. Sweet.
Friendly.
God she hated that freaking word, but it was the only one that applied to their situation.
Because not a single unfriendly thing had happened since that one indiscretion a week and a half ago. Not a kiss. Not a wayward touch. Hell, Cooper hadn’t even mentioned the fact that they’d seen each other come. He just went on like it never happened.
And she was starting to get annoyed. Especially since it was so obvious he wanted her the same way she wanted him.
At first, she’d sort of thought Griselda was just cocky when she said it was easy to see a man’s desire. But now that she was looking, Gram-Gram was right. It was there in literally everything Cooper did. The way he made her coffee and breakfast whenever he could. How he called or texted anytime he had a free second. The chicks. The driving lessons. The movie nights on his couch.
And the way he looked at her. Like he wanted to eat her up with a spoon.
But the man hadn’t made a single move.
On the plus side, she’d obviously grown as a person since coming to Moss Creek, because she didn’t for a second think his lack of momentum was because she was undesirable or unsexy or boring.
She was desirable and she was sexy.
Also boring, but that was okay. Boring was way better than exciting in her book.
Except today, she was about to be more exciting than usual. Hopefully Cooper put on his big boy pants, because shit was about to get real interesting.
“Morning.” He tipped his head at her, gray eyes drinking her in as she walked his way. “You hungry?”
“That’s one of the H words I am.” She breezed past him, stomach already filled with butterflies. “What about you?” She turned, peeking at him over her shoulder. “How many H words are you?”
Cooper stared at her, eyes wide, looking dumbstruck. “Uhh.”
“That’s what I thought.” She marched through the open garage door and into the house, pausing to look back his way. “Are you coming?” She paused to flash him a smile, hoping he read into the words the way she wanted him to. “Because I’m starving, and if you wait too long, I might just start without you.”
Without waiting for him to answer, she strode into the house, depositing her shoes in the mud room before hanging her coat onto the hook next to Cooper’s. Then she took a deep breath, straightened her shoulders, and prepared to seduce Cooper Staks.
Again.
Only this time, she wasn’t going to let him take two steps back.
Walking into the kitchen, she found Cooper standing at the stove, serving up portions of the egg bake she loved so much. It hadn’t been a shock to discover Cooper could cook—he’d made it pretty clear he wanted a family, and families had to eat—but his skills were way more developed than she’d expected. Because it wasn’t just that Cooper could cook. He enjoyed it. Just like he enjoyed cleaning and taking out the trash and caring for the horses and chickens.
All things that showed he wasn’t just looking to be a husband—he was looking to be a partner.
So, while she still thought Eric was an idiot, on some level she was grateful to him. He was the reason she appreciated Cooper like she did. The reason she valued him for who he was. The reason she was about to turn his whole life upside down.
And there was no reason to waste any more time.
“It’s kind of hot in here.” She crossed to the table, pausing in his periphery to peel off the sweater she’d pulled on over her newest purchase. The lace tank she wore wasn’t overly risqué—she’d seen people wear similar things in public—but it was way sexier than anything she’d worn around Cooper in person. The relatively low neckline followed the curve of her boobs, and it was just a little see-through. Not transparent, but her nipples were definitely discernible.
Cooper glanced her way, doing a double take as he fumbled the spatula he was using to serve up breakfast. It hit the floor, and an idea sparked. One that might accidentally kill him, but the man was going to get a clue one way or another.
Stepping in before he could bend down, she crouched, letting both knees fall to the floor as she picked the utensil up. Lifting her eyes to meet his, she held it up, but stayed right where she was.
On her knees in front of him.
Cooper didn’t even glance at the spatula. Just stared down at her, his chest heaving with each labored breath he took.
She should probably do something else, but had no idea what. This was all very new to her and she was sort of making it up as she went.
Cooper stared at her a second longer before clearing his throat and turning his gaze to the offering. “Thanks.” He took it and spun away, dropping the damn thing into the sink without another word.
So maybe she’d given him too much credit. Maybe Cooper really was just as clueless as her grandpa when it came to things like this.
Gross. That wasn’t a visual she needed infiltrating her mind, regardless of its relevance.
With a sigh, Isla got to her feet, feeling all sorts of awkward and shy about what she was about to do. But it had to be done.
“Cooper?”
“Yeah?” He stayed facing the sink, his hands gripping the edge of the counter like he was holding on for dear life.
“Do you remember what you said the other night?”
His knuckles turned white. “No.”
She inched closer, caught in a limbo of frustration and fear. Angst and arousal. “You said you’d do anything for me.” She closed in on him. “Did you really mean that?”
Cooper’s whole body was tense, shoulders creeping up to his ears. “You know I meant it.”
She did. That’s why she was there. Doing what she was.
Trying to seduce the man who’d somehow convinced himself he shouldn’t be more than her friend.
It was the only explanation she’d been able to come up with for why Cooper was acting the way he was. How he could be so hot over the phone, and then revert to just the best friend she’d ever had in person.
“Could I ask you to do something for me then?” She kept her voice soft. Low. Like she was trying not to spook a wild animal. “You can say no.”
Cooper finally turned to look at her. Almost immediately, his eyes went to the lace stretched across her boobs, lingering for just a second before lifting to the ceiling. “Fuck.”
There it was again. That word. Said the same way. It bolstered her confidence. Fed that little brave bit of her Cooper had been nurturing.
He was probably regretting that now.
Stepping in close, she rested her hands on his chest, a careful touch meant to soothe him. To help him relax a little. “Do you want to know what I’d like for you to do?”
“No.” It was almost a groan, but then his eyes dropped to hers. “Yes.”
She lifted a brow. “Which one?”
“Both.” Cooper’s gaze dropped to her mouth. “But mostly yes.”
“You asked me what I liked better. Hands or mouth.” She managed a shaky breath before throwing down the gauntlet. “I’d like you to help me figure that out.”
Cooper went completely still, his nostrils flaring as he stared her down. She hadn’t taken all of Griselda’s advice, but this was pretty darn close.
And it looked like it was going to be a bust. Looked like Cooper was fully committed to being just her fr?—
Isla yelped as her feet left the floor, her body launching up and over his shoulder as Cooper hauled her off the ground. The hardwood passed in a blur as he carried her through the house.
Then everything tilted again. This time she went right side up. Her butt connected with something soft, but the drape of her hair across her face blocked her from fully seeing where she was.
By the time she managed to shove the strands out of her eyes, Cooper had the waistband of her leggings gripped in his hands and was peeling them down, taking the lacy panties that matched her cute little tank top with them.
She’d kinda hoped he’d get to see the whole ensemble, but it didn’t seem like a great idea to stop him. To give him the opportunity to pause and reconsider.
And thank God she didn’t, because in the next heartbeat, his mouth was on her, hot and wet and unbelievably amazing feeling.
“Oh my gosh.” She was propped against the back of the giant sofa in his living room, seated at one end while Cooper knelt in front of her, his face buried between her thighs. The sight was wicked and possibly the hottest thing she’d ever witnessed.
And that included watching Cooper make himself come.
She struggled for air as he gripped her behind the knees, spreading them wider as his lips and tongue worked against her flesh. There was no hesitant teasing. No careful exploration. He just went for it. Taking. Giving. Claiming.
Ruining.
That wasn’t anything new. He’d ruined her for any other man long ago. One more reason he needed to get with the program. He was the only one she wanted. The only one she trusted.
“Cooper.” His name tasted so right on her tongue. Felt so right passing through her lips.
He groaned, the vibration moving from his mouth to her clit, the added sensation too much.
“I’m gonna—” It was all the warning she could get out before her legs locked at the sides of his head, a hand going to his hair as she sailed right over the edge, falling disappointingly fast. She’d really been hoping to last longer—to enjoy more—but at any rate, she had her answer.
Mouth was superior to hands. Without question.
Then again, she hadn’t experienced Cooper’s hands, so maybe that decision was a bit premature. She’d reserve judgment until the theory was fully tested.
Isla floated on a cloud of climactic bliss as Cooper’s mouth slid over her skin, teasing the insides of her thighs. The back of one knee. Brushed across the swell of her hip and nipped at her navel.
Definitely not the actions of a man who just wanted to be her friend.
He carefully worked her panties and leggings back into place, gently reassembling her outfit before standing and pulling her up along with him. “You ready for breakfast?”
Was he seriously going to service her—sexually—without asking for anything in return? “What about you?”
“What about me?” Cooper acted like he didn’t know what she was getting at as he moved her back toward the kitchen.
“Don’t you want me to…” Isla licked her lips, because honestly, she’d been looking forward to the opportunity to get her hands—and mouth—on him. “Help you decide what you like best?”
“I know what I like best.” Cooper didn’t slow down. Just kept walking, the press of his hand on her back ensuring she kept walking too.
She waited for him to elaborate, but when he didn’t, she asked, “What do you like best?”
“Making sure you eat breakfast.” He pulled out a chair and tipped her into it. “Juice or coffee?”
This was… not a good sign.
She thought a face-to-face—or more aptly, a crotch-to-face—type of interaction would force Cooper to deal with the immediate aftermath instead of having time to reset.
Apparently not.
“Coffee, please.” She stifled a sigh, forcing on a smile as he turned to her with a steaming mug, setting it in front of her before going to work heating up her breakfast.
Whatever was holding Cooper back had him in a death grip. Had him locked down to the point he could flip like a switch. And it was starting to seem like she’d have to throw a breaker to stop it.
Cooper made up their plates then sat down beside her like he did most mornings, falling right into their normal conversation about what she had planned for her day and what shifts he was working.
And she didn’t really hear any of it. Her mind was too busy trying to figure out how in the heck to handle the man currently acting like he hadn’t just put his mouth on her and dished out the best orgasm she’d ever had.
Reciprocation was off the table. He’d shut that right down.
She’d sent him naughty photos. Done naughty things with him over video chat. Now they’d even done them in person, and still Cooper was jumping ship to plow forward in the dinghy of denial, paddling for friendship shore.
She hated to admit it. But she needed help.
Breakfast finished and the chicks checked on, she left Cooper to go about his day and set out for Grady and Evelyn’s. Hopefully Griselda was still in town so she could ask her grandpa’s girlfriend for advice on how to seduce a man who obviously wanted you but refused to make the leap.
Life was weird.
After parking in her normal spot beside the barn, Isla went in and got to work clearing away the morning dishes while Evelyn took care of Hudson. Friday was laundry day, so she dug into that, starting a load of whites before going to scrub the first-floor bathroom. She was three loads in before her grandfather and Griselda finally rolled in, looking a little flushed and windblown.
Or—now that she knew all she did—possibly mattress matted.
Gross.
“There’s my sweet granddaughter.” Her grandpa gave her a tight hug, squeezing her a few seconds before letting go. “How’s it feel to be out on the road and free as a bird?”
“Fine.” Isla pushed on a smile even though earning her driver’s license was the least of the things she wanted to talk about right now.
“Wonderful.” He gave her cheek a gentle pat. “I’ve got some errands to run so I’m going to leave my sweetheart in your care.”
Perfect. “I’m happy to keep her entertained while you’re gone.”
“Of course you are.” He booped her on the nose. “You girls are two peas in a pod.”
She and Griselda? Two peas in a pod?
“You’re both so determined and hard working and smart.” He turned to Griselda. “And so very lovely.”
Aww. That was kinda sweet.
Her grandfather reached out to pull Gram-Gram close, planting a kiss on her lips before whispering something in her ear.
Griselda giggled—freaking giggled—her smooth skin flushing as she said, “Oh, Bernard. You’re insatiable.”
And there went aww, leaving so eww could take its place. Because gross.
As soon as her grandpa was gone, Griselda turned to her, lifting her chin. “Don’t look at me like that.” She sniffed, spine straightening. “I’m old, not dead.”
Fair enough. “Speaking of sex lives, I have a question.”
“Were we speaking of sex lives?” Griselda asked.
“You know we were.” Isla pointed at the door. “You and Captain Insatiable there started it.”
Gram-Gram’s lips softened into a hint of a smile. “You know, for a long time I was afraid you’d end up miserable because you were too timid to kick that ass you were with to the curb.”
She opened her mouth to argue, but honestly couldn’t. She did almost end up miserable. It wasn’t necessarily timidity that would have put her there so much as tunnel vision and lack of flexibility. Was it possible she was doing the same thing now? Had set her sights on Cooper and was unwilling to consider anything but what she chose to see?
That had her heart sinking. Her stomach clenching.
“I thought you had a question?” Griselda stopped her spiral.
Maybe permanently.
There weren’t a lot of people in this world she trusted with her private life, but somehow Griselda had become one of them. She was smart and successful, and if anyone could help her figure this mess out, it was the woman who still sort of scared her a little. “Remember our conversation about how you and my grandpa finally got together?”
“You mean how I seduced him?” Griselda peered at the polish on her nails. “Of course I remember discussing that. I was trying to help you work things out with that police officer who loves you.”
Isla winced. “That’s the thing.” She deflated a little. “I’m not so sure he loves me.”
Griselda’s cool gaze leveled on her. “Then you’re still being stupid when it comes to men.”
“Ouch. That was a little harsh.” She stood taller, not wanting Griselda to think she was still timid. She wasn’t. “And I’m not being stupid, I’m being realistic. I’ve tried everything and none of it’s worked.” Well… That needed a qualifier. “Permanently.”
Griselda angled a brow. “Did you tell him you’d find someone else?”
Isla groaned. “That just feels so mean. I can’t do that to him.”
“Fine.” Gram-Gram shrugged. “Then live your life without him.”
“I don’t want to live my life without him.” She practically yelled her rebuttal. The thought of it was so awful there was no way not to react accordingly.
“Then stop being timid and do what needs to be done.” Griselda laid it out like it was the only option. “Give him the kick in the pants he needs to get over whatever’s holding him back.”
“I’m not telling him I’ll find someone else.” She was putting her foot down on this. Hard.
“Then make him think someone else will find you.” Griselda offered up a second plan. One that was a little less evil, but still might do the job. There was only one problem.
“That would be great except I’m pretty sure no one else wants me.” And it didn’t actually bother her. There wasn’t anyone else she wanted, so why did it matter?
Except, now it mattered.
Griselda snorted. “I don’t believe that for a second.”
“It’s true. I went out with the Bridge Bitches and no one even looked at me.” She was a little embarrassed to admit it to someone as glamorous as Griselda, but this woman was her best shot at figuring this out.
“Well that was your problem.” Griselda said it like she was missing something obvious. “Those women cock-blocked you because they didn’t want all those cowboys crawling all over you as soon as you came to town.”
Isla blinked. “Did you just say cock-block?”
“That’s what you’re focused on?” Griselda rolled her eyes. “Call that idiot of a man and tell him you’re going out with my granddaughter tonight because she needs a night out.” Her lips slowly pulled into a smile. “I doubt you’ll still be questioning his feelings for you in the morning.”