Chapter 14 #2
“Maybe he should be the practice dummy then.”
“Sutton…”
“Cooper,” she mimics.
“You’ve been drinking—”
“And I could still recite the entire periodic table or list all NHL MVPs from the past decade.”
That makes me laugh. I almost choke because I was inhaling when she cut me off.
“Prove it,” I dare.
Sutton groans dramatically, head falling into the headrest, and the smirk on her lips is tempting me. She rattles off the elements—in order—till she gets to osmium, that’s when I stop her.
“Okay.”
“Okay, what?”
“You are only mildly, just a teensy bit, intoxicated.” One corner of my mouth creeps up the side of my face. Muscles as loose as my tone.
“And smart.”
“And smart.”
“Don’t forget you told me I’m beautiful.” I won’t. Ever.
“You are only mildly, just a teensy bit, intoxicated, smart, and beautiful. Better?”
“Much.” Sutton settles back into her seat, she shifts, dropping one of her knees down. Then the other. “So you gonna kiss me?”
“Do you want me to?”
“You want to.” Want is too little a word for this. Need. Might die if I don’t. Desperately crave. Poisoned, and this is lifesaving.
“For practice?” I hope she doesn’t catch the instability in my tone. My brain is playing a three-way game of tug-o-war.
“Practice.” She hunches a shoulder as if she too is using the word as a scapegoat.
Motioning her to me, I curl two fingers in my direction. “Come here,” I beckon, dipping the words in honey and demand.
Sutton scoots closer to the center console. Leans forward, propping her elbow up on it. I watch her. How slow she swallows. How her eyes are heavy, loaded with desire and impatience.
I exchange the hand under her chin for my pointer finger. Push it up so we are level, and drag her closer. I start to close the gap, tugging on the final threads of my sanity.
There’s no going back for me after this.
Our mouths are the closest they’ve ever been. I can see the specks of emerald green in her hazel eyes. There are new freckles on her left cheek.
Dangerously slow, I rub the thumb of my free hand over the patch of them. I cup her cheek, but my hand is too large against her face. My fingertips graze and sink into the roots of auburn hair.
Sutton lets out a warm exhale.
Stop delaying. Kiss her. My mind screams at me, but I want to relish in this moment for a second longer. Make sure my brain is clear. I don’t want to miss a thing. I want to be present.
“Cooper,” she pleads, “please.”
I plant my lips on hers, take her bottom lip between mine, in a singular kiss. A test to see how badly she wants this, too.
Intrusive thoughts slice through me. Seconding guessing that this is nothing more than a joke to her. That I’m a joke to her now that she knows what I’ve hidden away.
But it isn’t. She wants this, maybe even me. Sutton doesn’t let me pull back, instead kisses me.
What have I been missing out on?
Her mouth is pliable, moving with mine. Flexing and conforming to each push and pull. It’s as if we’re puzzle pieces that fit. I swallow the throaty moan that comes out of her when my tongue dips into her mouth. My own feral one chasing after it.
I need her closer. Sutton must need the same, she climbs over the console, lips never leaving mine.
I can’t lie. This isn’t my first car make out session—or hook up. No other girl has ever gracefully maneuvered herself into my lap as Sutton has. I usually end up with an elbow to the face or gut, and a knee to the balls. One time, I even landed myself a black eye.
Not tonight.
I undo her ponytail holder with one hand, slip it onto my wrist. Use the other to pull the lever to recline my seat back. Her hair becomes blackout curtains, cascading around us in a sea of red and curls and cherries.
When have I not been blacked out by her? Senses overwhelmed by her?
My left hand, free, finds her waist. I hold onto her. Let my fingertips graze the bare skin between her waistband and the bottom of her shirt.
When I pull her against me, she lets out a breathy whine.
Sutton moves her kisses from my mouth to my jawline. Onto my neck. She bites down on the curve, and I hiss.
“Sorry,” she says, slightly frantic and embarrassed.
“Don’t be. I liked it.” I move her mouth back to my neck. “Do it again.”
She does. Sucks on the skin after, before kissing it and finding her way back to my mouth. I capture her swollen lips, dragging the bottom one with my teeth.
“Vampire fetish?”
A husky and needy chuckle comes out of me. I pull her against me again.
“I believe it was you who made us stop our family road trip because she had to have the newest book.”
“And wasn’t it you whom I found in the middle of the night with a flashlight under the blanket reading my book?” Sutton’s question broken and between kisses.
“Whatever you say, Team Jacob.”
Her mouth falls open, and I imagine everything I want to do with it.
I kiss her again. More explorative than the first. Her tongue sinks into my mouth.
When we break apart, this time, I know this kiss is over.
It takes Sutton a minute to form a sentence, breath fogging up the glass. Her chest quickly rises and falls. “What did you think? Any tips?” She swallows quickly as if the questions are soured milk.
At least they’ve soured me. That kiss…it ruined all other kisses. I don’t want anyone else knowing how she kisses, or to feel the clinging and possessiveness of her lips on their skin. She tasted sweet tonight, I bet she always does, and it’s a decadent treat that I want reserved for me.
“I don’t know. Might need another.” I lean in to her, but she swats at my shoulder, turning her head to let my mouth meet her cheek.
“Seriously.” She giggles.
I shake my head no.
“Come on, Coop.”
Maybe I should give her a bad tip? Tell her something that’ll make her a bad kisser. Suggest not to use her hands to touch and explore. No pulling at their hair, or kissing down their neck, leaving trails of herself everywhere.
“Kiss anyone like that and they’re a goner.”
“Okay, okay.” She eyes me wearily. “I should go.” She climbs back over the console, almost knocking over the remnants of her milkshake. “Thanks for this.” Sutton opens the door, taking her trash.
Left on the floor of the passenger seat is her leather boots.
I open my door to get out, grabbing them quickly.
“Dave, wait.” She turns to face me. “Your boots.”
“Oh, yeah. Thanks.” Sutton outstretches a hand for them. “Elliot would probably kill me in my sleep if I lost these.”
“Here.” I kneel in front of her, requesting a foot with my open palm.
Taking the left shoe, I put her foot in them gently. My hold on the sole, then ankle. I zip up the boot, my other hand smoothing up her calf.
I’m focused on the closing leather, making sure not to pinch her skin, but sneak a quick peek up at her. She’s staring down at me raptly. Before repeating this on the other leg, I squeeze the top of her calf which causes a sharp inhale from her. Then move to the next leg.
“Thanks for the ride,” she says when I stand back up.
“I can drive you the rest of the way.”
“No, I’m fine. I…I uh…” I can tell Sutton’s flustered, her skin flush. “Need to clear my head. The air will help.”
“Text me when you get home?”
She leaves without a response, but my phone buzzes as I pull into my driveway.
Dave
I’m home.
Good.
Dave
Thanks for practicing…
Anytime
Dave
You’re pretty good at it too
Best kiss ever?
Dave
LOL
If I say yes, will it go to your head?
Nah. Might just make me wanna kiss you again.
Good night, Sutton
Dave
Good night, Cooper