Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Cara moistened her lips as she pressed her back to the door, the coolness of the surface seeping through her shirt. An infinite number of questions swarmed her mind, but only one passed her lips. “Do you think I’m pretty?”
“No, Cara.” Coop visibly swallowed. “I think you’re beautiful.”
“Are you saying that so I’ll sleep with you?”
His lips twitched. “No. I’m being honest, just like I promised.”
“Do you think my ability makes me a freak?”
Coop ran his hand through his hair as unease covered his face.
He did. But would he be honest about it?
She waited, unmoving. His answer determined how the next few days played out.
Either they’d be having sex hanging from the chandelier, or he’d be packing a pair of blue balls.
She wouldn’t make it easy on him either.
Coop crossed the room and rested his palm on her cheek.
“I think that you’re complicated. I think that it’s a shame you avoid physical contact.
I think that you genuinely try to help people.
I think you’ve proved enough for me to give you the benefit of the doubt.
So the answer is no, Cara. I don’t think you’re a freak, just beautifully complicated. ”
Beautifully complicated like a painting with brilliant colors or paint by numbers? It didn’t really matter which. That description really did fit.
A sensuous light passed between them. A delicate thread started to form between them. There was a tingle in her stomach and a jolt to her pulse. The startling fire blazing in his eyes heated her body as his gaze raked over her face and landed on her lips.
He wanted her, and she held the key to a night of naked Twister. All it would take is saying yes, and he’d ravish every inch of her body. She leaned into his touch and closed her eyes. No visions. Nothing. Why him? Why was he so special?
He was slowly breaking down her resolve, and he was right.
No way could she handle six more days on the island with the looks he was giving her.
No way could she handle the sexual frustration.
Damn him. No strings attached. Not seeing his secrets leveled the playing field more than she liked.
Silently she realized that she relied on her ability of knowing, even more than she’d thought.
What would her life have been without her special gift?
Would she be married to the wrong man? How many more mistakes would she have made?
“You’re thinking too much.” Coop’s voice was a whisper against her ear.
His body was there for the taking. Just one word and they’d both find release. “Since you were honest with me, let me be honest with you.”
Coop kissed her neck. “Okay.”
His touch made it difficult to think as he pulled her body flush against his.
“I don’t date cops.”
“We aren’t dating.” He continued a path down her neck as he threaded his fingers through her hair.
“I don’t know how to do one-night stands.”
“You could, with me. You’ve never had one without the intimacy of having the visions.
” Coop’s hand slid down her backside, and he pressed their bodies together.
“I can wait, for now, but mark my words. I’m going to get you out of your head if it’s the last thing I do.
I think you need it more than you realize. ”
“What are you going to do?” she asked as he stepped back.
“I promised you honesty, but don’t make me answer that.” He released her. Her neck felt cold from the absence of his lips. Her pulse skittered at what he might plan. Coop was oblivious to it all.
He crossed the room and pulled out dress pants, a shirt, and a bag of toiletries. “It’s a surprise that I think you’ll enjoy.”
Cara took a deep breath and gave him a worried smile before watching him walk into the bathroom. What the hell was he doing to her?
She needed to catch her breath. She needed the sexual tension in her body to dissipate, and fast, or they’d never make it to dinner with her aunt. She’d be too busy seducing him. Cara grabbed her phone and knocked on the bathroom door. “I’m going to step outside and make some calls.”
“Don’t stray too far. You need to get ready for dinner.”
“I’ll be quick.” She walked out the door and sat in one of the lounge chairs. The evening breeze kissed her skin as she took a moment to regain her composure before she dialed Becca. The phone went to voice mail. “You need to call me back as soon as you get this.”
She ended that call and called Harper. That sister answered on the first ring.
“What’s up, Cara? Did you find her?” Harper asked.
“Nope. She left me a message though that said she’d be back on Sunday. Have you heard anything?”
Harper was silent.
The silence hung like a noose around Cara’s neck. At any given moment someone would tighten it. “What aren’t you telling me?”
Harper let out a lengthy sigh. “Um…I didn’t hear from her, but we did as you asked and we tracked her credit card and phone calls.”
“And?”
“She called Mom.”
“What?” Cara sat up and squeezed the phone in her grip. “When? Have you talked to Mom?”
“I just hung up with her.”
“Well?”
“Becca and Angela are safe. Trust me on that.”
A relief like nothing else swept through Cara’s entire body. The tension in her shoulders drained instantly. “Great. We’ll be on the next boat out. Where are they?”
“Um…there’s more to the reason Becca called.”
“Well?”
“She had another vision. Your eggs were accidently destroyed. She wanted Mom to break the news to you if the clinic hasn’t called you yet.”
Destroyed eggs she could deal with. Her sister in danger was a whole different level.
“Not a problem. I’ll freeze more. Where are Becca and Angela?”
“On their way to Mom’s.”
“Thank God. Thanks for letting us know. We’ll head back tomorrow.” Clouds formed over head as the sky darkened. “Hey, do me a favor and check in on Ian. He’s staying at my house.”
“No problem. Oh, and hey, Cara.”
“Yeah.”
“You’re on a beautiful island with a good-looking man. Try and enjoy your last night there. Everyone is safe.”
“I’ll try.”
Cara clicked the phone off and said a prayer as she glanced up at the night sky.
Cooper had the towel wrapped around his waist. His clothes were laying on the bed and he planned to get dressed in the room since he’d forgotten his boxers before getting in the shower.
Cara walked into the room. Her eyes ran over his naked body, and she licked her lips.
Did she even realize she had? A grin spread across her face, and her smile brightened.
“Becca called my mom, and she and your sister are heading back home. She must have seen they’d be safe.”
“I wonder what changed.” Coop muttered beneath his breath.
“Who know, I’m just glad it did.” Cara wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his chest. He ran his hand down her back, the heat from her body scorching his fingertips. His hopes of breaking Cara down to finally say yes were dwindling by the second.
“We have a reason to celebrate.” Coop cupped her cheek and pressed a hot kiss to her tender lips.
That had been the entire reason they’d come to the island, although he’d enjoyed planning in the shower what he’d had in store for Cara.
He hadn’t been kidding when he said he’d get her out of her head, and he had one night to prove it.
Cooper leaned into her savoring her lips as he pressing against her to show the desire stirring inside him. She needed him to make good on his plans. She just didn’t realize it yet, but she would. With the threat against his sister momentarily forgotten, he let himself get lost in Cara’s taste.
He teased her tongue as heat spread through his body. There would be no denying his desire, and by the time he was done with her, she’d be begging him to take her. He slowly broke the kiss and held her hazy gaze. “Go get your shower.”
She nodded as if unable to speak. He’d have her screaming before they rested their eyes.
She grabbed a dress and walked into the bathroom.
Cooper waited until he heard the shower before he picked up the phone and called the concierge with his request, and then he called the swingers committee to see if they could help accommodate with a blindfold. They’d been all too happy to oblige.
The stuff he wanted arrived while she was still in the bathroom getting ready.
He pocketed one of the items to use at dinner before canceling their plans with Betty.
He made new dinner arrangements. He’d planned a night she wouldn’t forget.
It was because of her that his sister was safe, and he knew exactly how to repay her.
After all, he had the golden touch, might as well put it to good use.
Cooper stood in front of the window staring out at the ocean beyond their pool.
Waves crashed against the shore as the moon hid behind the clouds.
He’d been lost in thought when Cara opened the door, stepping out of the bathroom in a little black dress and three-inch heels.
Her hair was in waves going down her back, and his fingers itched to run through the silky strands.
Her legs were bare and tan. She made him hungry, and not for the food he had waiting. She smiled, making his shaft twitch.
“How do I look?” she asked. “Remember you’re still being honest.”
“Honestly?”
She nodded, and he could see the hesitation in her eyes.
“As great as that dress is, it would look better pooled around your feet. Should I show you?”
A blush crept into her cheeks. That’s it, Cara. I’ll see your entire body do that before the night is over.
She cleared her throat. “I’m starved.”
He grinned and lifted his brow. “I am too, but that will have to wait until after our plans.”
Her cheeks darkened from the light pink to a rosy shade.
Coop moved to stand in front of her and leaned in to whisper in her ear. “I promised you a night you’ll never forget.”
Her breath hitched, and her chest heaved against the fabric of her dress. “If anything I do frightens you, or you want me to stop, all you have to do is say the word; otherwise, I won’t. Tonight is about getting out of your head and just feeling the pleasure. Pick a safe word.”
“Excuse me?”
“A word that you wouldn’t normally say, that when I hear it, I’ll immediately stop whatever it is I’m doing.”
“I..” She shook her head.
“What vegetable do you hate most?”
“All of them.”
His lips twisted into a smile.
“Pick one.”
“Squash.”
“If I hear squash, I’ll stop. Otherwise, tonight is about experiencing pleasure.” He slipped her earlobe into his mouth and gave it a gentle tug. “Say you understand, Cara.”
She nodded.
“I need to hear it. Tell me you understand.”
“I understand. Cooper, this is a bad idea. I’m not sure what you’re in to, but I’ve never...had need of a safe word. And why would I only get one? Why couldn’t any vegetable stop whatever it is you have planned?”
Coop moved behind her and rested his hands on her hips. He slowly slid them down her side, inching her dress up against her body. “Fine, you can use any vegetable. Are you going to use one now?”
“No.” Her body trembled as he lifted the dress higher.
“Good. No panties.” His words were hot in her ear as he slid his fingers beneath the elastic and lowered them down her legs, letting the dress fall back into place. “You won’t need them.”
Her breath caught as he slowly stood and pulled her back against his chest, letting her feel exactly what he had in store for her.
“Promise me one thing.” She lowered her gaze. “Promise me, no sex without a condom.”
“You have my word,” he said, stuffing her panties into his empty pant pocket and then patting the other one to make sure the blindfold was still in place before taking her hand.
He led her out into the night and fresh air.
The urge to bend her over and take her in the room had him raging hard.
“I promised honesty, and honey, you’re about to experience it first-hand. ”
“Oh God.”
He laced his fingers with hers as they strolled toward the hotel. “Relax, Cara.”
“How am I supposed to do that?” she asked and lifted her brow.
He pulled her to a stop and against his chest. “Do I need to take the edge off?”
Her bright eyes widened, and she licked her lips. That was the only answer he needed. Instead of heading inside the hotel, he pulled her into one of the pool tents and closed the curtain. He held her head and kissed her hot mouth as he slipped his hand under the hem of her dress.
Cooper ran his hands over her folds. Her body trembled from his touch. He swallowed her moan as he slipped his fingers inside of her. She was wet and needy, and it took every bit of his resolve not to take her where she stood.
He broke the kiss but held her gaze. “You have to be quiet.”
Her breath caught again as her cheeks reddened. “Then you might want to remove your hand.”
He grinned and inserted another finger with the first, making her bite her lip as her eyes slid closed.
She clenched his fingers as if in search for more, and it pained him not to give her exactly that. His cock pressed hard against his zipper as he continued the slick slide in and out of her channel, soaking his finger.
He rubbed her clit with his thumb until he could feel her spasms start.
He took her lips again as she clenched his shoulders, digging her nails into his skin.
He pressed on the bud and devoured her moan as her orgasm hit.
He continued stroking her until she became limp in his arms, only stopping when her hooded eyes slid open.
“Now I know how to keep you quiet.” As if the words turned her on, her fingers clenched him again.
She nodded. “And I might need to practice my screams just to get you to do it again.”
“Better start warming up those vocal cords.” He eased his fingers free and slipped them into his mouth, sucking her juices. He moaned. “I know what I’m having for dessert.”
Cooper grabbed one of the towels from the stack and cleaned the evidence from her skin. “How did that feel without any visions?”
“Incredible.” Her words were laced with desire. Exactly what he wanted, and they’d just begun.