Saying nothing specific about his trip, he mainly asked about Aaron and if anyone hassled me. I told him I was fine except for missing him. This comment sent Cooper's horniness into overdrive, and he proved how much he missed me when we got to my place.
The next day, I hadn't seen him except in passing when he ran over, sucked on my lips a little, then told me that he was in a hurry. I spent the next few hours worrying he was in a rush to meet someone else. At some point, I'd become convinced he was losing interest.
On my way to the parking lot to wait for Skye, I heard a motorcycle approaching and turned to find Cooper pulling up. His gaze was dark and intense.
"Why don't you like sex?" he asked, a smile fighting at the corners of his lips.
Glancing around in horror at everyone who heard him, I muttered, "You've got to be kidding."
"Look, Farah," he said, finally grinning while climbing off his bike. "One bad lay shouldn't mean you give up all fucking forever."
"That was very charming. It should be quoted on romantic Hallmark cards."
"Yeah, I do have a way with words. Seriously, though, sex is fun. I get that you fucked a limp dick who lasted only a minute or came in your eye or shoved it up the wrong hole or whatever the problem. That doesn't mean you should give up on getting properly fucked."
"Stop talking," I said, still glancing around at the other students. "People can hear you."
"I don't give a shit about people. Besides, I'm sure they'd agree with me. Even if they didn't, my only concern is getting in your pants."
"Well, maybe this weekend."
"Don't tease. Seriously, my dick gets hard every time I see you."
"Stop saying stuff like that."
Cooper leaned down and nuzzled his lips against my hair. "Did limp dick talk to you like that, so it brings up bad memories of his shitty moves?"
"Yes, he was a pig, just like you."
"Fortunately, you love pork."
Walking away, I wanted to either laugh or cry. Embarrassed, I felt exposed and betrayed. Yeah, betrayed! I told Skye in confidence my views on sex because I wanted her to understand why I hadn't humped Cooper the moment I met him.
Cooper roared up behind me on his bike and then reached over, grabbed my backpack, and pulled me to a stop. Turning to him, I tried not to cry right there. Yet I hadn't been so embarrassed since I leaked on my period and no one said anything for half of the day. I didn't know why everyone was giggling until Tawny told me at lunch. While that was temporary high school crap, I'd enjoy this embarrassment for four years.
"Hey," he said softly, wrapping his arm around my waist. "Don't be sad. Bailey told me because she knows I like you. She wanted to warn me that you aren't playing cold because you're a bitch. You just have your issues. Don't cry."
Wiping my eyes, I refused to look at him. "I'm embarrassed."
"Because some guy gave you a bad fuck? Shit, half of the girls in school can claim that from the last month. You need to stop taking everything so personally. You don't like sex because you had sex with an asshole. They don't know what they're doing and don't want to learn. I'm a good student, though."
Smiling slightly, I glanced at him and exhaled slowly. "I'm not a bitch."
"I know. You're sweet, and I was just playing with you," he said, wiping a tear from my cheek. "Want a ride home?"
"Yes, please."
"Look at those manners. Like I said, sweet as sugar. Sweet like those pretty lips I'm going to suck on when we get to your place."
"Of course, there'd be a condition for the ride."
"Nothing's free," he said, giving me a wink.
"Just lip sucking?" I asked, staring hard at him.
"Oh, I want under your shirt too, but I'll build up to that."
"I have a lot of schoolwork."
"So do I, but I'm planning to make time for my hands and your tits to become acquainted."
Rolling my eyes, I climbed on behind him. "I told you how they don't like being called that."
"Well, if they want me to be sweet to them, then they need to be sweet to me. As I pointed out, nothing's free in life."
Wiggling my breasts against his back, I waited for the groan. Cooper glanced back at me and frowned.
"I need to start wearing sweatpants, or else you'll kill me."
"I don't understand," I said, batting my eyes innocently. "Are you talking about this?"
Wiggling my breasts against him again, I jumped when his hands went to my bare thighs. Stroking from my hips to knees, Cooper gave me a grin. "I'm getting you naked this weekend. Even if I have to lie, cheat, and steal, I'm hitting a home run with you, baby."
"Sure, whatever. Can we leave now?"
"Temptress."
"Dickhead."
"Beauty."
"Stud."
"A stud that needs sweatpants."
"If it's such a hassle, maybe we shouldn't fool around at my place?"
Cooper just laughed while pulling away from school. He was laughing again when he parked at the curb next to my apartment building.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing. When I don't get enough oxygen to my brain, it gives me the giggles."
Now, I was laughing as we walked to the front door. "My mom might be home."
"I'll be sure to feel you up silently then."
Grinning, I unlocked the door and pushed it open to find the air conditioner running high.
"My mom sometimes gets overheated."
"Lady issues. Check. No more info is necessary or desired."
Shutting the door, I turned down the air conditioner before finding two sodas in the refrigerator.
"I need a shower."
Cooper stared at me with a pained expression. "Sweatpants."
Laughing, I left him to my crappy cable. After a quick shower, I changed into a loose tank top and shorts. Feeling daring, I chose to wear panties, but no bra.
Returning to the living room, I found Cooper stretched out with his legs over the coffee table and his arms spread out along the back of the couch. He looked large and menacing and then he glanced at me and grinned.
"Would now be a bad time to mention I'm horny?" he asked as I opened my soda and joined him on the couch.
"If I never again heard a single thing about you being horny, I'd still be well informed."
After a gulp of soda, I braced myself, took a deep breath, and willed a little courage. Straddling Cooper, I rested my hands on his chest and smiled.
"No sex," I said, waiting for a beat before adding, "Today."
A grinning Cooper pulled me down for a kiss. Still feeling bold, I ran my fingers though his soft blond hair. He felt so perfect like he was mine.
Pulling away his lips, he gave me a questioning look. "No bra?"
"I don't have work tomorrow. I know everyone is going to that party, and I thought afterward we could solve your sweatpants problem."
Cooper caressed my lower lip with his thumb. "Earlier when I was teasing you, I realized you hadn't been treated well. That's why you don't like sex, right?"
Nodding slightly, I let my fingers drift over his jaw as he teased my lips.
"I promise you'll feel good with me," he said without bravado.
"I heard all about your skills."
"Finally asked around, huh?"
"Didn't have to. People come up to me on the street to share stories of your escapades."
Cooper laughed. "Hell yeah, they do." Running his fingers down my back, he studied me as his expression softened. "I've wanted you since that first day in Spanish class, and it's killing me to wait. I know you're nervous, but I'll make you feel so good that you'll forget about the loser from before."
"I'm not really that good myself," I said, losing my courage.
"You can lay motionless through the whole thing, and I'll still make you feel good."
Smiling slightly, I had already started worrying over disappointing him.
"I want you," he whispered, holding my face with both hands. "Fuck that. I need you, Farah. I need to help you knock down all of those walls. I promise it'll be great if you trust me."
"I do."
"You do," he said, his eyes locked on mine. "I see you lowering another wall, and nothing feels better."
Staring into his dark eyes, I believed everything would always be alright as long as he was with me. It was ridiculous, and my brain screamed for me to get a grip, but I ignored it.
"I have to be at work soon," I said, leaning forward, so my breasts were pressed against his chest. "Meaning, I'll need to put on a bra soon."
"Message received," he said, kissing me while his warm hands slid under my shirt and along my spine. When I pulled back to allow access, those fingers caressed my stomach and then moved between my breasts as if teasing. Before I could complain, his thumbs grazed my nipples.
Panic and lust rushed over me in equal amounts of intensity. My nipples didn't react the way my panicked brain wanted. Instead, they hardened as Cooper teased them so gently. If he had been any greedier, I might have freaked out, but he was in his mama's boy fucking mode.
Moaning into his mouth, I pressed my hands flat on his chest and tried not to freak out. It felt so good, yet I wanted to yank his hands away and ask him to leave. My body was on one page while my brain was in a whole different place.