Chapter 25
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FIVE
ELLERY
“You’ve had dinner with my parents plenty of times, why would you be nervous?” I sit on the counter of his bathroom and grab each end of his tie.
“It’s different now. I’m your boyfriend, not just your friend.” He watches me in the reflection of the mirror. Although we both know the student has surpassed the teacher in regard to knotting a tie.
I’d asked him to teach me years ago, and we practiced almost the entire day, so now every time I’m around, I do his ties.
This is the first time since we’ve been a couple, and I like the way his hands rest on my legs, his thumbs running back and forth along my skin.
The fact I’m sitting here in a pair of silk underwear and a bralette proves how far we’ve come.
My parents demanded we go to the club for dinner—probably to show off Cooper to their friends—but I didn’t fight them on it because I can tell my dad sees Cooper as a problem when it comes to my future.
Cooper isn’t going to be like my mom and keep a good house and raise our kids and wait until I come home.
Nor would I want that. I want to be an active part of my kids’ lives, unlike my dad, who was only really involved when it came to big decisions, and even then, he dictated more than discussed.
“My mom loves you, and she’s thrilled we’re together.”
“And your father?” He eyes me.
“He’s happy—ish.” I laugh.
“Exactly. And you know I’m at a disadvantage there with all of his friends.” I finish, and of course he takes it in his hands and messes with it as if I didn’t straighten it enough.
I move to slide off the counter, not ready yet, but his large hand stops me.
“Not so fast,” Cooper says. “Thank you.”
He leans forward, and I press both hands on either side of his face, kissing him. Nothing deep or uncontrollable, just a little peck.
“Why are you prancing around this apartment in hardly anything?” His gaze falls down my body, and I instinctively push out my breasts.
He raises his hand and molds over my lace-covered breast, his thumb brushing over my nipple. I moan, and he brings his other hand up, doing the same thing with my other breast.
“You’re so damn sexy,” he whispers, although we’re alone in my apartment.
I place both my palms on the countertop and push myself back up as he bends down, and our lips meet. He steps in closer, and my legs wrap around his waist, our kiss deepening. Will there ever be a time I don’t want this man? Common sense says yes, but how was I only friends with him for ten years?
He strips his lips off me. “Yeah, we’re gonna be late.”
I giggle as he picks me up by my ass and carries me out of the bathroom into my bedroom. Dropping me on the mattress, he fiddles with his belt, but I place my hands on his.
“Allow me. We don’t want you all wrinkly.” I give him my best seductress look through my eyelashes.
Coming to the edge of the bed, I unbuckle his belt, unbutton his pants, and as I’m lowering the zipper, his hand cradles my face, his thumb running over my lips. Damn him and his ability to make me even hotter. At this point, I’m changing my thong before I go out.
“Fuck, babe,” he says like he’s about to come.
The flaps of his slacks open, and I slide my hand in, taking out his throbbing dick. I hold it in place with my hand, guiding it to my mouth. I lick up his shaft and cover the tip with my mouth, causing him to jolt.
I take him in inch by inch, swallowing just as the tip hits the back of my throat. His hand tightens on my face, and I’m glad he’s staying away from my hair. I don’t have time to redo it again.
“That’s it, Elle.” His tone is soft and seductive, turning me on even more, and I slowly release him, only to do the exact same thing again.
I keep him as far back in my throat as I can.
One thing I’ve discovered about Cooper is how much he loves it when I blow him.
And I know that when we really get going, he’s going to fuck my face.
It’s hot as hell making a guy who has control over everything in his life crazy.
On the field, his finances, his private life—but as soon as my mouth is on him, he loses it all, and I revel at being the one to cause it.
Just as I thought, I remove my hand from his shaft, and he grabs both sides of my face pulling me off and on his dick, the sloppy sound echoing through the room.
“Damn,” he says. “Your mouth… never enough… god. Tell me if I’m too rough.”
I shake my head, and his eyes focus on mine as he uses me to get himself off. “I’m coming,” he says a second later.
I nod, and he pumps into me three more times before he stills and pumps his release into my mouth. Once I finish swallowing, I slowly move my mouth off his dick.
“You’d tell me if I hurt you?” There’s so much concern in his eyes.
I chuckle and nod. “Yes.”
He picks me up and tosses me further onto the bed. “Now it’s my turn. Spread your legs.”
“We can’t be late.” I really just wanted him to be relaxed when he had to meet with my dad. You never know what’s going to come out of his mouth.
“If you think I’m gonna let you blow me, and I’m not gonna bury my head between your legs, you’re crazy.” His palms slide up my legs, parting them until he teases me over the crotch of my thong, sliding it over and dipping his head between my legs.
The man is good at everything, including going down on women. Part of me hates the women who have come before me, but then again, I’m thankful that I’m with him now. Those others don’t matter. They were fill-ins because he’s always wanted me like I want him.
It only takes five minutes before I’m screaming. God knows what my neighbors must think these days.
He puts my panties back in place and smirks as he lifts himself from between my thighs. “Good?”
“Cocky ass,” I say, getting up and putting my arms around his neck. “You know you’re good at that.”
“I’m just happy you enjoyed it.” He gives me a quick kiss and heads into the bathroom.
I changed my underwear and put on my emerald green dress. Knowing my parents’ country club, there will be dancing, and I’m excited to slow dance with Cooper.
We head down from my apartment to the car he ordered for us. We have to head north to the suburbs where my parents live, and neither one of us wanted to drive.
We climb in, and I really hope he’s more relaxed because my stomach is a bundle of nerves, worried about what exactly my dad might say to him tonight.
My mom spots us as soon as we enter the club. She excuses herself from the couple she’s talking to and wraps us both in her arms. Both of us have to bend down to her height, and she practically puts us in headlocks. “Oh, you two look gorgeous together.”
She kisses each of our cheeks and finally releases us, both of us having to find our footing after. For being small, she’s strong.
She looks us over again, her eyes filling with happiness. “I just can’t believe it.”
“Stop gushing over them, Dana.” My dad walks over to me first, putting his hand on my back and kissing my cheek. “Green has always been your color.” He extends his hand to Cooper. “Glad you could both make it.”
“Thank you for having us, Dr. Wallace,” Cooper says, polite as always.
“No more of that. Call me Ryan.”
I glance at my dad, surprised that he’s allowing Cooper to call him Ryan now that we’re dating when, for the past ten years, it’s always been Dr. Wallace.
“I heard about that homeless fellow you like. I’m sorry,” my dad says to me.
Cooper comes to my side and wraps his arm around my waist. I see my dad clocking it. He has no idea how much Cooper helped me that day. Losing a patient is horrible, let alone one that you’ve made friends with. I have no idea how family care or specialists deal with the losses.
“Sweetie, I’m sorry.” My mom’s lips turn into a frown. “That’s a shame.”
“Yeah. I keep thinking I should’ve done more.”
My dad shakes his head. “You can’t think like that. We’re there for medical treatment, not to get people extra help outside of those doors. People make their choices, Ellery.”
“I know.” I’ve heard this speech enough through the years. I can see why my dad picked emergency medicine. You get the patient good enough to either be transported to another office or to send them home. I’m starting to think that I want to be more involved in their care.
“Let’s sit and eat.” My mom heads over to a table of four.
At least none of the other members are joining us. I hate it when they do. It’s just not my scene.
Cooper pulls out my chair for me as my dad does my mom’s.
“Thanks,” I say, and he smiles, sitting in his own chair.
“You’re welcome.”
We all look over the menu, the waiter comes over, and Cooper and I agree to have the same wine my parents are having. My dad orders another bottle.
“Let’s toast to the two of you.” My mom raises her wine class. “It’s about time you two saw through that friendship facade. Welcome to the family, Cooper.” She smiles genuinely at him, and we all clink glasses.
“Yes, what did change to take you two from just being friends to more?” my dad asks.
Cooper and I share a look.
“It was that Bradley, wasn’t it?” my mom asks. “I told Ryan as soon as I heard that it was going to spur Cooper into action if he really wanted our daughter.” She playfully pats Cooper’s forearm.
“That’s part of it, but I think we just got out of each other’s way.” Cooper shrugs. “But I was seething with jealousy seeing the two of them together, especially when she showed up at the game with his jersey on.”
My mom laughs and sips her wine. “I love it. I never could make this one jealous.” She glances at my dad.
“His first love is medicine. So, it’s me being jealous until he retires.
Even then, he’ll probably find some way to keep his toe in it.
” She’s laughing, but I saw the times when Dad didn’t show up at my concerts or soccer games.
When she’d have to make excuses and pretend it didn’t bother her.
Or the nights he was supposed to be home, and she’d make a big dinner only for the two of us to eat at the breakfast bar.
She always put on a good face, and I never knew differently until I was in high school.
“Oh stop it, Dana, you know I love you.” My dad sips his wine.
She smiles up at him. “I know you love me, but I also know what you love more.”
I cross my fingers that this doesn’t turn into a conversation about dedication and how he cannot just leave in the middle of a case. That it’s not a nine-to-five job. Plus, I’m not sure how much more I want Cooper to overhear, although he’s already aware of how my schedule changes.
“I have another announcement,” my dad says.
I look at my mom, and she shrugs, looking questioningly at my dad. Cooper’s hand finds my thigh, and he squeezes.
“What is it?” I ask.
“I just accepted a position at Sherman Hope in New York as Chief Medical Officer for them.”
He’s so excited that we all numbly push our glasses toward the middle of the table in cheers.
“But dad…”
He raises his hand at me. “Don’t worry, guess what position I’m filling first?”
I’ve never seen him so happy before.
“What?”
“Head of Emergency Medicine, and something tells me it’s yours.”
Cooper’s wine glass slips from his hands, but he grabs it right before it falls, only a splash of wine landing on the tablecloth.
I swallow at the sudden dryness in my throat. “What are you talking about?”
“Yes, Ryan, because you never discussed this with me. I have friends here, and the last place I want to live is in New York.” My mom downs the rest of her wine and reaches for the bottle, but Cooper grabs it first and refills her drink for her.
My dad totally ignores my mom’s comment. “I’ve already told them how I want you with me. Yes, the hospital is a little smaller than Mercy, but you’re going to love it there. The patient care is wonderful.”
“I’m not leaving Chicago,” I say, but at the back of my mind, I’m thinking about how being the head of emergency medicine at my age would be insane. Am I even ready for something like that?
“Why not? We just need to get Cooper traded to New York, or better yet, you can live separately for the season. You can still see one another.” My dad smiles across the table at me.
“It’s a great opportunity,” Cooper says.
I’m not sure if he means it or not, but his smile is genuine.
How do I leave him when we’re just getting started? A long-distance relationship doesn’t seem like the best decision for us, but then again, maybe it would be a natural way to slow down our trajectory.