My One and Only(71)

Chapter 22

When Cooper froze, Haleigh feared she’d crossed the line too early. This was their first date after all. Not that they hadn’t been dancing around this for more than two weeks. And according to Cooper, he’d wanted her a lot longer than that.

“Or not,” she said, trying to hide her embarrassment. “Forget I said that.”

Lifting her chin, he asked, “Are you serious?”

“Well,” she hedged. “I was, but since you aren’t dragging me to the house, I’m guessing I’ve read this all wrong.”

“Do you think I brought you here because I intended to get you into bed?”

“No,” she answered. “Coming here was my idea, remember? Look,” she said, stepping away, “I’ve ruined a really good night, so let’s pretend the last couple minutes didn’t happen and you can take me home.”

“The last thing I want to do is take you home,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “You just took me by surprise is all.”

“Like I said, I screwed up.” Mortification threatened to choke her. “You aren’t there yet. That’s fine. Really. We have plenty of time.” Unable to look Cooper in the eye, Haleigh bolted for the driveway.

She’d nearly reached the entrance to the garage when he caught up to her.

“Hal, I’m there,” he said, stepping in front of her. “I’m all the way there. Hell, I’ve imagined there for longer than I’m willing to admit.” Taking her hand, he grinned like a guy who’d just been offered his dream machine. “And if you’d like to come up to my bedroom, we can make a good night even better.”

The look on his face banished her insecurities, while the warmth of his hand reignited the spark she thought she’d smothered. Feeling oddly bashful, she nodded. “I’d like that very much.”

They crossed the yard in silence, exchanging heated glances filled with longing and anticipation. By the time they stepped through the back door into the kitchen, Haleigh felt like a teenager sneaking off to have sex for the first time.

Though this felt nothing like the first time had. No doubt or fear. No feeling pressured or guilty. Tonight was about enjoying a man who believed her to be truly beautiful, inside and out. And maybe by morning, she might believe a little bit, too.

By the glow of the stove light, they crossed the kitchen still hand in hand and Cooper led Haleigh up a creaking wooden staircase to a spacious room at the top. The bedroom ran the length of the house and featured a window at each end, one presumably looking over the front porch, and the large one to her right providing a view of the back of the property. From her vantage point, she could see the garage they’d just visited, as well as the scene of their first kiss illuminated by the light of the moon.

“When I bought the place, this second floor wasn’t finished,” Cooper said, walking her to the window. “I turned it into a master bedroom and had the large windows installed so I could see out over the property.”

“You did the work?” she asked, wondering if there was anything the man couldn’t do. The space was simple, but well-furnished in a sleek, masculine style, with hints of country charm.

“I hired out stuff like plumbing and electrical, but with help from Spencer and Ian, we knocked this out over a few weeks’ time.” With a gleam in his eyes, he tugged her toward the monstrosity in the center of the room. “The bed is really comfortable.”

“Is it now?” she asked with a smirk. “I should try it myself to be sure.”

“Yes,” he said, dropping onto the mattress. “Yes, you should.”

Strong hands dug into her hips as Haleigh grasped powerful shoulders and closed the space between them. Her clothes felt restrictive as she straddled his lap, impatient to feel him against her. Cooper’s eyes darkened as he stared into hers, and nothing in the world mattered in that moment but the man beneath her and what they were about to do.

Sliding a hand behind her neck, Cooper took her mouth in a kiss filled with fire and possession, longing and raw desire. Her hands tangled in his hair, and with every lick and suck Haleigh lost a little more control.

When they came up for air, her hands dropped to the buttons on his shirt. “This needs to come off,” she panted. “I need to touch you.”

“Whatever you want, baby,” he said, holding her in place while she opened his shirt. “I’m all yours.”

God, that sounded good. Haleigh would take Cooper over a pile of money any day. As soon as the last button surrendered, she slid her hands along his broad shoulders, dragging the shirt over perfectly defined biceps to trap his arms against his sides. “You’re so gorgeous,” she breathed, unable to keep the awe from her voice.