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“I’ve got it. Go get your shower. Just hurry, or I’ll be forced to join you.”
“That’s not the threat you think it is.” She stands on her tiptoes, kissing my cheek before she smiles at me and takes off down the hall. Something about it, the affection I see reflected in her eyes, makes my heart skip. It’s not much. The slightest bit of a flutter in my chest, but it’s enough to throw my world off its axis as she walks away.
It’s more than just want with her. More than just our mutually beneficial relationship. It’s a downright need that’s flowing through my veins right now. Need to make her my girl. Need for everyone to know it. Which is a big fucking problem since she seemingly doesn’t need anyone, and I never have before either.
31
Beatrix
“So how long have you and Cooper been together?” Carly asks me as we grab some drinks and snacks before we head outside to watch the fireworks the next night. Cooper’s parents took Lizzy and Carly’s kids into town to have front-row seats and hit some of the fair booths for treats. But the view from the deck is still pretty good, and there are two big outdoor couches and a fire pit we can all sit around. Plus, Cooper had promised additional benefits to having some alone time after the show. I smile before I remember I’m supposed to be answering a question.
I’m still hating the way I’m meant to be cozying up to Carly like another fellow Rawlings’ brother girlfriend. I wish I could find a way to tell her the whole truth without causing more drama, but Rob’s made sure that it would be awkward as hell.
“Not very long. Just a month or so.”
“Really? That’s it? You guys seem… wow. I’m just surprised.”
“We knew each other before. We were friends. Seeing other people, you know how it is.”
“I do. It was the same with me and Rob. I liked him from afar. His friend has been dating one of my friends for forever. But he always had a girlfriend. She never came out with us, so I never met her, but when they broke up, I figured it was my chance to shoot my shot, you know?”
“Yes. I get that.” Is this what hell is like? Forced to talk to your ex’s new girlfriend about their meet-cute like you’re besties in a bar bathroom? I mean, I don’t dislike her, nominally speaking, she seems like the kind of person I would get along well with. It’s just very awkward forming a friendship in this particular scenario.
“Need any help?” Cooper comes inside just as I’m trying to gather up everything onto trays, slightly worried about whether I can do it without dropping anything.
“I think we have it,” Carly answers, overly ambitious in her own endeavors. “I was just telling Bea here how cute the two of you are. I can’t believe you’ve only been dating for a month.”
“Well, I mean… When you know someone’s your person, you know, right?” Cooper gives her his most charming smile as he comes up behind me, tugging my ponytail gently and kissing me softly on the mouth.
“That’s what I was just saying to her about me and Rob!” Carly laughs, but I’m too caught up gazing into Cooper’s eyes when he lets my hair go to answer. His eyes search mine for a moment until we hear someone clear their throat.
Rob’s standing on the other side of the kitchen, his eyes burning into Cooper and me until Carly turns around and greets him happily, and his scowl fades to a furrowed brow.
“Fuck,” I whisper as I return to gathering up the ingredients.
Cooper wraps an arm around my waist and leans over me until his lips brush the shell of my ear.
“Oh, I will fuck you later. We can make it loud enough for him to listen to if you want.” He says it low enough so only I can hear before he grabs a marshmallow and pops it into his mouth, smacking my ass as he walks away and winking at his brother before he grabs some of the drinks and heads for the door.
I can see Carly giggling and whispering something to Rob out of the corner of my eye, so I quickly finish my prep and hurry after Cooper. I’m glad Rob’s happy, and Carly seems like an absolute sweetheart, but this trip has met my awkwardness quota for the entire year.
Before the fireworks even start, we’ve demolished a round of s’mores and had some sweet wine and sangria. The wind coming off the lake is a little cold tonight, and Cooper’s brought out a blanket for us. He pulls me into his lap and tosses the blanket over both of us before he settles back on the pile of outdoor pillows he’s created at the back side of the couch.
There’s been a subtle, almost imperceptible vibe between the two of them ever since Rob walked into the kitchen. It’s like they’re pacing around each other waiting for the other to make a wrong step. Cooper, for his part, seems more than amused by the development of getting to play my doting boyfriend in front of Carly than anything else.
When I look over at Carly, she’s lying in Rob’s lap, already softly breathing like she’s asleep. I imagine being a mom to two rambunctious girls is a lot. I’d probably be sneaking naps in whenever I could, and I smile a little at her for having the chance to have a night off. The more we talked tonight, the more I think I like her. She just has unfortunate taste in men, not that I can judge. My eyes shift to the mistake in question. Rob’s half-asleep, too, his eyes struggling to stay open in a way that makes me think he’ll be out cold soon.
There’s a distant boom though that draws my attention to the sky. Brilliant red illuminates it, followed in quick succession by white and blue. A moment later, there’s a barrage of starry fireworks, one right after another, making the dark, navy-blue sky look like a brilliant backdrop.
“You’re so pretty, Trixie. I love watching all those colors light up your eyes,” Cooper whispers, wrapping an arm tight around me, and I lean back against his chest, looking up at him and smiling. The man gives me butterflies, and I can’t help how much, in moments like this, I wish we could be something real. Something more than a secret summer fling while I hide out.
I run my hand down his thigh and watch the next round of fireworks light up the lake. His hand runs over the small sliver of skin that’s been exposed between my shirt and the top of my shorts, and his thumb slips back and forth. It’s an absent gesture, or so I think, until I feel his fingers creep under my shorts.
“I know I promised later, but I think I might be too impatient. Think you can be quiet enough to let the fireworks drown you out?” He grins.
“We shouldn’t.”
“Then tell me to stop,” he says softly, his fingers creeping lower, dangerously close to the lace band of my panties. “Say, ‘Please, don’t make me come,’ and I’ll do whatever you want, Trix.”
