Chapter 37
COOPER
I poke my head into Ryan’s office. He’s on the phone but waves me in.
I sink into the chair across from him, letting my gaze wander around the space before landing on him. My heart swells just from looking at him. I’ve never felt anything close to what I feel for Ryan—not even remotely. I’m afraid to say that I love him. My past hasn’t exactly given me a clear picture of what love is. But this? Whatever this is, it feels different. It feels big.
Our eyes meet, and he winks at me, his lips curving into that sexy grin that never fails to make my pulse quicken. Damn. He’s effortlessly handsome. And mine. How did I get so lucky?
“Alright, thanks, Jon. Talk to you next week.” His voice snaps me out of my thoughts as he ends the call, still not taking his eyes off me. “Hey, babe. You ready to go?”
“Yep.”
Ryan gathers his things, standing with a stretch that pulls his shirt taut against his chest. As he moves around the desk, his eyes sweep over me, smoldering with intent. “Then let’s get out of here,” he says, his tone dropping slightly. “I’m getting hard just thinking about what I want to do to you when we get home.”
A flood of warmth zips through me, but I can’t help the laugh that escapes me. “Oh my hell. Can you keep it in your pants for one minute?”
He steps closer, leaning down so his mouth is just inches from mine. “You love it,” he murmurs, his voice low and teasing.
And dammit, I do.
I love how he says when we get home . Technically, it’s not my home, and I don’t live there, but I love the sentiment. Ryan moves tomorrow, so tonight is our last night at Vivian and Leo’s.
I laugh, nudging his arm. “Who says I’m putting out?”
He smirks, his confidence practically oozing. “Last I checked, you were pretty into my giant cock.”
“Oh, I dig it, BDR,” I tease, narrowing my eyes. “But don’t forget, I’m going shopping with Vivian tonight.”
He swings the door open, ushering me toward the elevator. “I haven’t forgotten. I’m talking about later—when you get back.”
The elevator doors slide open, and we step in together. As soon as they close, I wrap my arms around his waist, pressing into him. “You know,” I say, my voice dropping seductively. “We have a lot of history in elevators.”
He chuckles. “Yes, we do.” His lips meet mine, his tongue dragging slow and deliberate over my bottom lip. “Shit. You’re getting me hard.”
“I love making you hard… Boss,” I say, biting my bottom lip to suppress a grin.
“Damn. I like it when you call me boss,” he says, his eyes darkening. “Can we incorporate this into the bedroom?”
I cock a brow. “Oh? You’re into role-playing now, are you?”
The elevator doors slide open, and Ryan slides his hand into mine as we walk toward the parking garage.
“I never said I wasn’t.”
“I mean, it seemed like you weren’t into it.”
He shakes his head, grinning. “Babe, I told you what to do, watched you touch yourself, and then you sucked me off while my hands were cuffed to the railing. What’s not to like?”
The way he says sucked me off—Jesus, it shouldn’t turn me on like this, but it does. I can’t help the small smile that tugs at my lips as I glance at him. “Well, you didn’t like not being able to use your hands. And then there was the whole Leo and Vivian situation…”
We reach the car, and Ryan opens my door, chuckling. “Well, that’s the thing, babe. This time, you’re the one getting handcuffed, and I’m the one in charge.”
He shuts the door as I slide into my seat, the cold leather seeping through my pants, sending a chill up my spine. When he opens his door, I raise a brow at him. “Why do you get to be in charge? Did you buy a uniform?”
He slides into the driver’s seat. “No, I just get to be the boss… You can be my secretary.”
I look at him, trying not to laugh. “So… you’re going to be a boss who handcuffs his secretary? Sounds a little creepy to me, Ry.”
“That’s not what I—” He stops mid-sentence, shaking his head, clearly flustered. “I just want to be the one torturing you while you’re handcuffed.”
“Oh, now you want to handcuff the secretary and torture her?” I say, making a concerned face as he pulls onto the road. “Sounds like we need a different storyline. Maybe you’re a criminal who kidnaps me. And to make you less creepy—for whatever reason—I consent to you handcuffing me and having your way with me.”
Ryan drags a hand through his hair, shaking his head. “Never mind,” he mutters.
I laugh, leaning over the middle console. “I’m not mad at the idea, Ryan,” I whisper in his ear. “Maybe I’ve been a bad girl who needs to be… punished.” My lips graze his jaw, and I feel his muscles tense as he tries to focus on the road. My hand trails lightly over his thigh. “Are you going to punish me? Show me who’s boss?”
He exhales sharply, gripping the wheel tighter. “Jesus, babe. You’re making me want to pull over and fuck you in the back seat.”
“Don’t threaten me with a good time.” My hand slides over the hard length swelling against his pants. I let my fingers glide teasingly over him. “Have I been bad?” I murmur with just enough seduction to make him look at me.
Ryan chuckles darkly, his voice low and wicked. “Oh, you’ve been so bad. You’re gonna get it.”
God, I love when he plays along.
I exhale slowly, the heat of my breath brushing against his neck. “What am I going to get?” I whisper, nibbling on his earlobe and trailing kisses down to his collarbone.
He swallows hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “I’m going to bend you over and give you my hard cock the second I park this car.”
I grin. “Promise?”
The light turns green, and moments later he pulls into the parking garage. Before he can even put the car in park, I’m climbing on top of him.
“We have to hurry,” I say between hot, breathless kisses. “I told Vivian I’d be ready to leave five minutes ago.”
“Dammit,” Ryan mutters, sliding his seat back as far as it will go. “There’s no room in here.” His hands fumble with my pants, and I reach down to help, quickly shimmying out of them. “Aren’t you worried we’re going to get caught?”
“Yes. That’s half the fun.” I grin against his mouth before he captures my lips in a deep, heated kiss.
* * * * * ? * * * * *
“What do you think about this for the night of the dinner?” Vivian holds up a gorgeous mini dress that Robert brought to the dressing room.
“It’s beautiful. You’ll look stunning in it,” I say.
“No, not for me.” She holds it up to me. “For you. Oh my God. You have to try this on. This color on you is to die for.”
I glance at the price tag—nearly five hundred dollars. Normally, I’d splurge on something like this for a special occasion, but with having to buy an entirely new wardrobe, it’s just not an option right now.
The look in her eyes makes it hard to say no, though. “Alright. I’ll try it on.”
“Yes,” she says excitedly. “Robert?” She calls out. “Can you bring some shoes for Cooper to try on with this dress? Size…?” she looks to me.
“Six,” I say, glancing around. Shopping with someone rich is an experience I’ve never had. Brad made really good money, but nothing like Leo—and it’s not like he let me spend it freely. Watching Robert respond to Vivian’s every request, bringing her item after item, feels almost surreal.
He knows her, too—they’ve been chatting and laughing like old friends. But it’s clear it’s just because she shops with him often. We’ve been here a little over an hour, and thirty minutes ago, Robert had someone else pick up food for us.
Now, we have an entire spread of food and clothes in a massive dressing room together. I’m not going to lie—it’s been a lot of fun.
Vivian has a stack of clothing piled up for the wedding trip—for her, Leo, and Isla. She’s even thrown in a new suit for Leo.
I glance down at my modest keep pile. I’ve found a lot of things I want, but I’ve been picky, only choosing what I love and know I’ll wear often. Essentials for work, a few casual weekend items, and a handful of pieces for the trip.
Stepping into the dress, I pull the straps over my shoulders and zip up the back. Crap. It’s gorgeous—and it looks great on me.
Vivian gasps the moment I turn around. “You look incredible in that. You have to get it.”
I grimace, genuinely bummed. “I can't. It’s too much.”
“Oh no, hun. I’m getting it for you,” she says without hesitation.
“No, no,” I say quickly, shaking my head. “I don’t feel right about that.”
“Cooper,” she says, her tone soft but firm. “It’s for my wedding. I’m buying this dress for you. Please, let me. You wouldn’t need this dress normally. And, in fact, I want to cover everything you’re buying for the trip.”
Damn. She knows. She knows what Brad did to my clothes.
“Vivian,” I say, swallowing hard. “I can’t let you buy me a bunch of clothes… Did Ryan tell you what happened?”
She makes a face. “Am I that transparent? I’m sorry. It just makes me sick for you.” Running a hand through her hair, she sighs. “Look, I know it’s weird and uncomfortable to take help or have someone else buy you things, but… Leo insisted that I get you to accept.”
“God, that’s so sweet of you guys,” I say. “But also a little embarrassing. As much as I appreciate it—and even need it—it just feels weird.”
“I get that,” she says, nodding. She glances down for a moment, her hands fidgeting in her lap. When her eyes meet mine again, they’re filled with tears.
“Cooper,” she begins, her voice trembling, “I know what it’s like to be in a situation where you need to lean on the people around you.” She swallows hard, blinking quickly. “I don’t know if you know why I moved to Chicago, but I lost my husband—and my unborn daughter.”
Her voice cracks, and a lump forms in my throat, tears stinging my eyes as I watch her choke back emotion.
“God, sorry,” she says, laughing awkwardly as she wipes at her eyes. “Anyway, I just remember people always asking what they could do to help, or saying the stupidest shit, not knowing what to say. And it was so annoying. Sometimes, it made things worse.” She pauses, taking a shaky breath. “But I needed them, Cooper. I needed their help. I had people coming to clean my house and bring me groceries because often times, I couldn’t even get out of bed. And it was so embarrassing. God, I wanted to die sometimes.”
Tears stream down my cheeks as Vivian bares her soul to me. This gorgeous woman, who seems to have it all, lost everything she loved. I appreciate her so much in this moment—her honesty, her vulnerability. No one but Ryan has shared something this personal with me before. It means more than I can put into words.
“So, please. Let us help you in the way we know how.” She laughs again, wiping at her cheeks. “If it makes you feel any better, this is like a dollar for Leo.”
“Oh my God,” I laugh, shaking my head. “It does. A little.”
“I know you’ll feel weird about it for a while, but then you’ll put this dress on, look in the mirror, and say, ‘Damn, I look good,’ and you’ll forget all about it.” She clasps her hands together in a prayer. “Please?”
I scoff, rolling my eyes. “Fine. I’ll let you. But just know that I feel very weird about this.”
“I know,” she says, her grin widening.
“But,” I add, meeting her gaze, my voice softening, “I’m also truly grateful. Beyond words. Thank you.”
Vivian pulls me into a hug. “You’re welcome… Can we also please get you some sexy lingerie for this trip? To wear for Ryan—because I’m also just so happy for him.”
I laugh. “I guess if it’s for Ryan, then… okay.”
“Yay!” She claps her hands together, practically bouncing with excitement. “Robert?” she calls out again, her voice ringing through the dressing room.
I smile as Vivian starts explaining to Robert all the things I’m going to quote-unquote ’need’ . Her enthusiasm is contagious, and I can’t help but laugh softly to myself.
Wiping another tear from my cheek, I feel a deep wave of gratitude—for Vivian, for this moment, and especially for Ryan. Not only do I get to be with this incredible guy, but he’s brought wonderful people into my life. Generous, kind, beautiful friends who make me feel seen and cared for in a way I never expected.