Chapter 11
Aspen
Cooper didn't stalk into my office all growly and demanding and have his way with me. That didn't happen, right?
I couldn't have been that impulsive that I slept with the man who was responsible for renovating the bathrooms. And my brothers' best friend.
Unfortunately, I couldn't scrub the memory from my brain because I had to work in this office and at the desk where he'd pressed me over the surface and had sex with me.
The same room where he was able to pull on his clothes so quickly and disappear within minutes of orgasming.
His words—That shouldn't have happened—were playing on repeat in my head, along with his quick exit. I didn't think I'd ever been so humiliated in my life.
He hadn't reached out since, and I was avoiding the dance hall where I'd heard renovations had begun. I didn't need to hear him tell me that it was a mistake again, and it shouldn't have happened.
Repeating the words he'd already thrown around so callously would only make everything worse.
Instead, I waited until Friday, well after I knew the crew would be gone. There weren't any Sterling trucks on the curb in front of the inn, so I slipped inside to check on the progress because I promised Eve I would.
I hoped to snap a few pictures and report to Eve that everything was on schedule. It would be better to hear that from the supervising contractor himself, but that wasn't going to happen. Not while I had a shred of self-esteem left in my body.
Eventually, I'd have to talk to Cooper and pretend nothing had happened. But I wasn't ready to do that today.
I passed the front counter, which was empty for the night, pushed open the doors, and headed toward the bathrooms at the back of the space.
"What are you doing here?" The rough voice startled me.
I spun to find Cooper leaning against the wall a few feet away.
"The lights were off. I didn't think anyone was here."
"I was just finishing up." His eyes were dark and unreadable.
I lifted my phone. "Eve wanted an update on your progress. I thought I could get a few pictures to satisfy her curiosity.
He stepped forward. "So you'd stop by after the crew was gone for the day?”
Relieved he understood, I nodded. "I can come back later if you're still working."
"Oh, I'm done,” he said as he continued moving purposefully toward me.
Why was he moving closer to me as if he was the predator and I was his prey? "Great. I'll just slip in the bathroom and get those pictures."
He tipped his head to the side, his gaze intent on me. "You don't want an update?"
I licked my lips, my heart suddenly racing because he was now inches away. So close I could reach out and touch him. "Sure."
His hand dived into my hair, and his free hand went to my hip. "Let me give you a first-hand account." Then his lips were on mine, and he was backing me against the wall. He easily lifted me so that I was pressed against it. My legs wrapped around his waist, and his cock pressed against my pussy.
I whimpered, loving the way he manhandled me.
"I want to fuck you."
It was so raw. So honest. I felt myself soften. I was helpless against the onslaught of his mouth, his hands, and his words.
He rolled his hips, grinding his dick against my center.
I gripped his hair, losing myself in the sensations.
He lifted me away from the wall and carried me to an out-of-the-way corner where there was a small seating area. "No one's going to come in here."
"Are you sure about that?" I asked, breathlessly.
"I'm positive."
I decided to trust him. To believe that he'd protect me and never put me at risk. When I was with him like this, I felt safe.
"I want you so much." His voice was possessive.
I wasn't going to argue with him because I wanted him too. I wondered if he'd walked out of my office the other night because he was conflicted, and it wasn't a rejection after all.
But right now, I wasn't going to think about my brothers or our work. I just wanted to feel. He set me on my feet, and I unbuckled my jeans, shoving them down my legs and off. I lifted my shirt over my head, unhooking my bra as his mouth closed over my nipple.
I held him tight to me, feeling so wanton being with him in the open like this. I'd worked the front counter. I knew that no one else would be working unless there was an emergency. But it didn't lessen the excitement that someone could walk in at any moment. It only heightened my desire.
He shoved his jeans over his hips, slid a condom over his dick, and then lifted me. Then he hesitated, every muscle in his body straining. "You want this?"
I noticed he didn't ask if I wanted him. I had a feeling that was too vulnerable a question for him. "Yes."
With a growl, he slid inside me, and my head fell back against the wall. Then he moved, grinding against my clit with every snap of his hips.
I tugged on his hair. "I need more."
He thrust harder, deeper, and I was lost to the sensation building inside me. An inferno waiting to be unleashed. I moaned when he struck that spot inside me and chanted his name when he did it again. I was so close.
"You look so gorgeous taking my cock."
That was all it took for me to let go, the waves of pleasure crashing over me. I trembled as he continued to move through the orgasm. It was almost too much.
Then he thrust one last time deep, dropping his head to my shoulder.
I gripped him tight to me. I didn't want to let him go. Would he get dressed and run away again? Or would he stay and own what we were doing?
I was prepared for the worst, but it didn't make it hurt any less.
He eased out, then slowly let my feet come to the floor.
I was naked when all he had to do was pull up his pants and button them. I waited to see what he'd do. Would he break my heart again?
Instead, he removed the condom and threw it in a nearby waste can. "I'll take care of that before I leave."
I raised a brow, thinking that would be imminent.
Then he grabbed my clothes and handed them to me. "I don't think anyone would come in here, but your brothers have been known to check on me."
I hurriedly pulled on my panties and then my jeans. "Why didn't you say anything before?"
"I didn't want you to leave." His gaze dropped to my chest.
"You were distracted." I hooked the clasp on my bra, then grabbed my sweater.
His gaze slowly lifted to my face. "Can you blame me?"
My lips quirked. I supposed it was flattering, but after his abrupt departure the other night, I should be demanding answers. But then again, we weren't in a relationship. I'd gone into both encounters willingly. I had no one to blame but myself if I got hurt.
I gestured at his open pants. "You don't feel the need to cover-up?"
"I'm fairly sure if your brothers saw this, they'd turn around before they saw you."
"We still have to be careful. Our jobs are on the line," I whispered, not wanting anyone to overhear us and investigate.
He pulled up his zipper and buttoned his jeans as he moved closer to me. Then he cupped the back of my head and kissed me. It was slow and sweet. He lingered as if to say that he wasn't nearly done with me yet.
When he pulled back, he said, "You should go. I'll clean up."
I waited a beat for him to say something else, like This was a mistake or I want to do it again, but when he didn't, I nodded. "Yeah, okay."
He stepped back, his hand falling away.
I wasn't sure what this was, and I should stick around to find out. But I also didn't want anyone to see us. I was fairly sure my hair was a mess and I looked like I'd been freshly fucked.
I'd never hidden a relationship, one that could blow up our lives. And would prove to everyone that I was just as reckless as they'd always assumed.
I swept past him, determined to hold my head high. I was a modern woman who could have an affair when I wanted to. And I didn't need to feel guilty or ashamed.
But I couldn't shake the lingering fear that I was getting in over my head. I had no idea what his motives were. Yeah, it felt good in the moment, but did I want something purely physical with none of the usual constraints of a relationship?
Maybe it was better this way. If we weren't in a relationship, then Cooper couldn't decide that I wasn't enough for him. That I was too impulsive.
We could enjoy each other for however long it lasted, then go our separate ways.
I was busy with the upcoming events, ensuring everything was lined up as planned. But I couldn't stop thinking about that brief encounter in the ballroom. How Cooper hadn't been able to control himself around me.
I'd never had anyone who wanted me so badly that they ignored all sense of reason and took me wherever we were.
It was dangerous and exciting but also a little reckless.
And I wanted more. He fed some part of me that I didn't know existed.
The part that needed a little impulsivity, a little spontaneity in my relationships.
I tended to gravitate toward the studious types, assuming that they'd rub off on me. When in reality, they quickly tired of my personality.
Whereas Cooper was a little more like me; he didn't have the perfect background, but he was hardworking and conscientious. And he didn't mind a little risk in his life. It was the perfect combination.
Of course neither of us wanted anyone to find out about us. It was clear that we both needed to keep our interactions secret. I wanted to know when we could do it again.
He'd woken up my body, and now all I could think about was getting him inside me again. Fucking me against a wall was hot. He'd displayed his brute strength and, at the same time, made me feel cherished and protected.
But I couldn't exactly text him and ask for him to drop by for sex. We'd set the stage for spontaneous interactions. I wasn't sure if there were rules about this sort of thing. But I would think you wouldn't discuss plans to meet ahead of time.