14. Nese
NESE
Too shocked to do anything other than watch Coop bolt into the house, I stand in the pool for a long while. Approaching the ladder, I climb up and out, dripping over to a chaise lounge where there’s a towel. Wrapping it around me, I collapse onto the chair, staring up at the inky sky.
I replay everything that just happened, from his discovering me to our splash fight to his making me come. What an orgasm that was! For that reason alone, we need to go all the way. I bet it would be phenomenal.
Why should we deny ourselves? We’re two consenting adults without any entanglements—the perfect recipe.
My hands rise to the arms of the chair to lift me up, but then I consider what he said before and collapse back down.
About his ex-wife. How she did a number on him—perhaps her memory made him stop?
Come to think about it, I never saw him hook up on tour.
He’s always friendly, chatting with everyone.
But when the others disburse with their evening’s entertainment? He’s already slipped away.
Ever since I freed myself of the cult, I don’t deny myself anything. If I see something I fancy—be it a piece of clothing or a man—I take it. A much healthier way to live, if you ask me. Right now, I want Coop. He wanted me, too. I glance at the pool, as if seeking confirmation. I know he did.
Aloud, I state, “Coop, tonight is not ending like this.”
Not by a long shot.
Standing, I wrap the towel around my body and leave to search for my enigmatic host. The one with magic fingers. I’m ready to experience more of that!
Outside what I assume to be his bedroom, I debate whether I should knock or barge right in. Or bring him a gift to warm him up. He enjoyed the bread I made, so I hightail it into the kitchen. With two slices in hand, warmed in the microwave and slathered in butter, I return to his door.
When have I ever given this much thought to having sex? It’s usually a quick yes, followed by a fuck in whatever room’s closest. But with Coop, it’s different somehow.
Shaking my head, I decide to knock. “Special delivery!”
The other side of his door is quiet. I reach back to bang on it once more when it opens. Coop’s now wearing the grey sweats I picked out for him to use at his retreat. No shirt. No shoes. My earrings are nowhere to be found. Only the UC pendant around his neck.
He studies me from against the doorjamb. “Hey.”
I thrust the bread forward. “Thought you might be hungry.”
His hazel eyes dip to my present. “I’m good.”
“Come on. Everyone needs a little pick-me-up. Especially when it’s the warm bread you love.” I brush past him and enter his space. Finding a dresser, I lean my towel-clad back against it.
“Listen, Nese, I’m not sociable company tonight. I appreciate what you’re doing, but it’s best if you return to your room. Or go to the Media Room and watch something—I have all the streaming services.” He stays at the threshold.
Choosing to ignore him, I place the bread down on the dresser and unwrap it. I pick up one slice and take a bite. “It’s as good as when I first made it.” I take another bite.
He sighs and walks across the room. Without a word, he takes the other slice from the top of the dresser and starts munching.
When both slices are gone, I walk around his bedroom. Pick up some framed photos, most of which are of UC. Some are people I don’t recognize. I hold up what I presume to be his parents.
“Those are my parents. The other one there is my brother and his wife and son.” He straightens. “I’m the godfather.” Then he deflates. “She’s pregnant again.”
I nod. Me? I don’t have any desire to have kids. Him, though? I can tell from his body language they’re in his orbit. “So you’re the doting uncle who sweeps in, brings fabulous presents from all your travels, then breezes out. Sounds like a perfect set up to me.”
“Something like that. Andy—he’s my brother—invited me to a party they’re having to celebrate the pregnancy.” He looks away. “I can’t go because we’re going to be in Australia.”
Despite the rippling undercurrent, his tone is even. Does he really want this in his life? “Are you happy or sad you have to miss it?”
“Maybe a little of both. Family parties can be crushing, but I did want my own family for a while there.” His brown hair shakes. “Probably for the best I’m single. Let Andy have the kids. I’ll stick with making music that lets people forget their real lives for a while.”
“Very practical of you.” I pick up a photo of a pre-teen Río arm in arm with Coop. “Oh my! What the fans wouldn’t do to see this picture!” I giggle.
He approaches me, and plucks the picture from my fingers.
“He was such a drummer, even back then. It took UC a few missteps before we found our core.” He shows me another shot of the band on stage.
He points to Darren. “He was a good guy. I miss him every day—we all do. 007 probably the most, but he seems to be tight with Tris. I’m happy he found someone new. ”
“I’ve never had a true best friend like you and Río, or 007 with Darren or Tris. I’m getting close with Jenna and Hayden, though.” I look at the photo he’s showing me, then return it to the dresser. “What’s it like being on stage with your close friends?”
He closes his eyes. “It’s really awesome.
” His hazels open. “We know each other so well we can anticipate issues. For example, when Río breaks a drum head. The second that happens, we dive into a synchronized rhythm for him to change it while we keep the beat on our own instruments. Same if I break a string. We never have to say anything—simply give each other a look and we go into crisis-fixing mode.”
“Pretty cool. I’ve seen you do that from backstage a few times. I thought you had practiced it.”
“Nope. It’s instinctual at this point.” He walks over to the wall of windows.
“It’s more than onstage performing, though.
We get each other. It took a while for Tris to catch up with our shorthand and quirks, but he’s one of us now.
I have to admit, whether it was Bennett’s sexcapades—before Jenna, of course—or 007’s ongoing depression over Darren, we got each other’s backs.
That’s what playing in a band with your brothers does.
” He turns to look out the windows. “At least for me.”
“Gives new meaning to the phrase ‘Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.’ You guys are living it.”
“Very true.” He faces me. “I’m glad you’re making friends with Jenna and Hayden.” He pushes away from the windows. “It’s late. Why don’t you get some rest. We have shopping to do tomorrow.”
I don’t want the evening to end. Not like this. Since he’s in a chatty mood, I raise my chin. “Those sweats fit you perfectly. Retreat-goers won’t be able to concentrate on meditation with you in the same room.”
He glances down at his sweats. “Everyone wears something similar.”
“But they don’t fill them out like you do. I’m sure of it. And I’m a stylist, so I would know.” I take a breath. “Unless it’s Bennett. He could wear a burlap sack and still be sexy.” I pause. “Everyone else on the planet covets what you have.”
“Bennett is unique, true. But Jenna really saw through his packaging and gets beneath the surface. Ever since she came into his life, he’s been much more open and… happy. I’m glad for him.” He crosses his arms. “Same for Hayden with Río. She’s good for him too.”
He’s talked about the two band members who are coupled. “What about 007 and Tris? Are they simply adrift?” This conversation must be handled with care.
“They’re still finding their footing following Darren’s death. Well, that’s 007. Tris is the new guy. They’re doing their thing. It’s good.”
I cross the room and place my hand on his arm, ensuring my towel is still wrapped around my body.
“What about you, Coop? Everyone comes to you for advice, which you freely give. I heard you talking about your family, and it sounds like you want one. Do the other guys in the band know this about you?”
He shrugs off my hand. “They are aware of where I came from, and my history. They know enough.”
How can one person dole out wisdom to others so easily, yet be an island unto himself at the same time?
Still. I’m not here to provide any soul-searching routines.
I’m here to complete what we started in the pool.
“How do you let off steam, though? Carrying all the mental weight of the band has to wear on you.”
“Oh, I meditate and read my books. It’s all good.”
My hand returns to his forearm. “I don’t remember seeing you hooking up during the tour. It’s an excellent way to de-stress. I sidle closer. “When was the last time you got off?” I grin. “Well, you did get me off out there. But I mean you.”
His eyes deepen into a dark green. “I’m taken care of.”
I add a twist. “When was the last time someone other than you did it for you?”
“I think you should leave.”
He tries to brush by me.
I drop the towel.
He freezes.
“You were so good out there. I never came like that before.”
His Adam’s apple slides up and down.
I take a step closer. “Don’t you want to feel what you made me feel? My guess is it’s been a long time for you.”
His hands clench.
I want this man to go wild. He has to be fantastic in the sheets, if he could do that to me in the pool. I kiss his clavicle. “I want you.”
Beneath my lips, he’s rigid. As if he’s fighting himself. I tongue his tiny nipple, and that’s what does it.
Suddenly, his arms embrace my torso and he pulls me upward until our mouths meld. This kiss is wilder than before, as if the last vestiges of his restraint have been ripped away. I’m down for it!
His lips trail down, until they latch onto my nipple. He sucks and nips and laves, causing me to arch my back and seek more from him. My hand lands on the back of his head and I bring him closer to my boobs. He squeezes the free one.
“You’re so good at this.” Not a lie. Better than anyone else.