Meant to Be (Sweetbriar Cove #1)(54)

"Ready to go?"

Cooper's voice brought her back to the pub. "What? Sure. Let's go." Poppy smiled and followed him to the door, but outside, she felt a flicker of insecurity. She hadn't planned on finding romance here; she hadn't planned on Cooper at all. So what would happen when she finished her draft, and it was time to get back to the real world again?

"You've got that distracted look." Cooper slung an arm around her as they stepped out into the chilly spring night. "Admit it, you're thinking about the next chapter you're working on, aren't you?"

"Busted." Poppy smiled quickly and pushed her doubts aside. There was no point worrying about the future just yet. They'd spent one night together, and yes, it was a life-changing, world-shattering night for sure, but she didn't even know what this thing with Cooper would become; it was still too fresh to tell.

She should just enjoy it now and save the questions for later. Much later.

Like after another night with him.



Cooper was lucky their highway patrol never ventured off the main roads, because he damn well broke the speed limit getting Poppy back to the cottage. All night, he'd been going half crazy with wanting her, and now they were finally alone, without Mackenzie giving him that "I told you so" look or Riley interrupting at the worst possible moment. He loved his friends, but man, they knew how to get in the way. 

"Come on." Cooper yanked open the passenger door, and lifted her down from the seat. "I'm about ten seconds from undressing you, and if we're still outside, so be it."

Poppy laughed, but he could see the desire in her eyes too, and it made him pull her across the front yard in double-quick time. "We'd catch frostbite!" she protested, rummaging in her purse for the keys. It took too long, and he had to kiss her again, right there up against the door. Her mouth was so sweet and yielding; he was already hard for her, needing the release only she could provide.

Because he knew this time. He knew just how good she felt, and there was no going back from that, not with his hands already sliding under her sweater, and Poppy making that breathy moaning sound as he kissed down her neck. He felt like a man possessed, and nothing in the world could have kept him from her.

"Keys," she murmured, struggling again to find them. "Bed. Now."

But Cooper already knew they wouldn't make it that far. The minute she got the door open, he pushed her through and slammed it shut behind them, and then she was in his arms again. Kissing him. Touching him. Her sweet mouth giving him everything as they tumbled back against the stairs. He'd lost his mind, but he didn't care. All that mattered was the hot blur of hands and mouths as he yanked off her sweater, and Poppy reached for his belt and shoved his jeans down. She moaned aloud, and damn, he had to take her. Right this minute. Right here on the stairs. He lay her out on the landing, bracing himself above her as he nudged her thighs apart and his mouth found her breast; he sucked one perfect nipple into his mouth, and she rose up, arching against him.

When he thrust inside her, it felt like coming home.

"Cooper," she gasped, and he thrust again. God, she felt so good. So right. She moved with him like she'd been made for this, every stroke, every touch driving them on together in this madness until he could feel her body clench and writhe. He was close, so close to hurtling over the edge, but he clenched his jaw and forced himself to slow. There. Deeper. Making every thrust last as watched her come undone. He needed to remember this. The color rising in her cheeks. The glaze that slipped into her eyes. And damn, the way her lips parted in a silent cry as the pleasure took her under, rushing in a shudder that swallowed him whole.

He fell against her with a cry, burying himself inside her one last time as his climax ripped through him and he wondered if he could ever get enough.



When Cooper woke, dawn was just breaking outside on the ocean, and Poppy was sprawled beside him in bed, half tangled up in the sheets.

He sucked in a breath. Damn, she looked beautiful. He could barely remember making it to the bedroom; they'd been too busy feasting on each other, exploring every last inch. All night, he'd worshiped her body, but somehow, he hadn't even begun to quench his thirst. Now, she looked so peaceful, it was hard to imagine she'd been the same vixen who had urged him on last night, driving him out of his mind with lust and pure, carnal need.

He gently brushed hair out of her eyes, and she stirred, yawning. "What time is it?" she asked, blinking awake.

"Early."

"Mmm . . ." Poppy rolled closer, warm and soft under the covers. "What time do you have to start work?"

"Not for a little while yet."