"It's just that when we talked about this last week, I said that I thought we should just have fun. You know. Keep it simple."

Allie's heart rose up into her throat. Why did I have to complain about work? I never should've mentioned Ian. "Oh." She separated herself from him slightly and her shoulders felt as if they were frozen. "I'm sorry. I know I'm not very fun all the time."

"What? No. That's not what I'm saying. You're very fun. It's just that being out there in the office with you, I wanted to show you off and I realized that I haven't done anything to give me the right to do that. You're so amazing. You deserve more than me just showing up on your doorstep for dinner and s.e.x."

She swallowed, her pulse racing. "I thought you wanted to keep things loose."

"I do. I mean, I'm busy and you're busy and it's easier that way, but then I see my brother undressing you with his eyes and I want to kill him."

Her cheeks flooded with warmth. "That's silly. He was not."

"Yes, he was. So was Phil. And Mark in accounting." He shook his head. "a.s.sholes. I'm sorry about that." He tugged her closer. "Being with you in that situation made me see how much I want you for myself. I know that makes me sound like a macho jerk."

"No, it doesn't. It's sweet." Goose b.u.mps spread along her arms as she considered his words. "Are you saying you want more? Because we agreed that we would preserve our friendship above all." Everything her sister had said rang in her head. "Regardless, I think we need to clarify what we're doing."

He took a deep breath and peered into her eyes in a way that made her feel transparent. "I want you and I don't mean s.e.x. I want to be with you. You're the only person I want to talk to at the end of the day. You're the only person I want to spend my weekends with. The question is what do you want? Because none of that matters unless you're happy."

Even with the pained tone of his voice, Allie felt the c.r.a.ppiest parts of her day fall away. He wants to make me happy. No man had ever said that to her. "I feel the same way. All I wanted to do after my bad day was call you. I want to be with you too."

"Not just for s.e.x, right?" He smiled wide and their eyes connected. His chiseled features were so pleasing in the soft light of the room. He tightened his grip on her waist and lowered his mouth to the corner of hers. "Does this mean I get to call you my girlfriend?" He nuzzled her ear with his nose.

She wondered when the alarm clock would go off and she'd wake from what felt like a very unlikely dream. If anyone had said that she and Cooper would end up discussing a relationship, she would have sent them to see a psychiatrist. "As long as I get to call you my boyfriend."

Allie giggled when Cooper stumbled on the last stair to the second floor of their building.

"Is that funny?" he asked, towing her along with his hand as he walked backward to her door.

"Maybe. A little." The most frustratingly innocent look appeared on her face. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't laugh. You can't help the fact that you have gigantic feet."

He leaned against her door and pulled her close, digging his hand into her silky hair. "You know what they say about guys with big feet."

"They trip a lot?" Leaning into him, she raised her chin. Her full, raspberry-pink lips were the most alluring invitation.

"I might have to get you back for that one." He pressed his lips against hers and she rose to her tiptoes. Their tongues playfully circled.

"Mmm. Revenge s.e.x. Sounds good. Would you like to come inside or shall I undress you in the hall?" Allie whispered with hot breath against his neck.

The rush of electricity to his c.o.c.k made it nearly impossible to remain standing. "Inside. Please." He stood behind her as she unlocked the door, drawing in the scent of her hair and caressing her hip with his hand. No time was wasted once they were inside.

She dropped her keys onto the entry table, where they made a terrible clatter. He took her purse and tossed it onto the chair. It promptly tumbled to the floor.

"Now where were we?" she asked as she turned to him.

He'd originally thought he wouldn't make it beyond the threshold of her apartment. He'd even considered taking her against the door, but after everything they'd finally said to each other, that seemed like an activity for a different night. All he wanted was to make love to her. "We were exactly where we need to be," he said as he cupped her jaw and kissed her tenderly.

Allie arched her back and wrapped her arms around him. "So we're really having kitchen s.e.x?"

"Not what I meant," he said. He took her hand and their fingers twined as he led her to the bedroom. As soon as they were through the door, he swept her small frame into his arms and placed his knee on the bed. He set her down gently before he began to unb.u.t.ton his shirt.

Allie scooted back across the comforter and propped herself on her elbows. She gnawed on her lower lip as he dropped his pants to the floor. "I'm liking this," she said.

"Oh yeah?" Cooper spread out next to her. His fingers tangled in the bow on the side of her dress. "What about this?" He pulled on the tie and the fabric gaped at the neckline, revealing more of the curve of Allie's ample b.r.e.a.s.t.s. His c.o.c.k swelled against the fabric of his boxer briefs.

"I like that a lot too." She trailed a finger down her chest and nudged the open flap of her dress away, but another layer remained. She took his hand and led it to the smaller tie inside the dress. "One more."

He pulled the knot loose and skimmed his hand across her smooth stomach, baring her to him. Her skin was like moonlight, a soft, shimmery glow to every heavenly inch. "You're so beautiful, Allie." He kissed her belly and she raked her hands into his hair. "I'm a lucky guy."

"Come here," she whispered.

He grazed his mouth along her midline until he reached her lacy black bra. "I am here."

"Kiss me."

He brushed his lips against hers and they fell into a kiss unlike any other. He sank against her, the movements of her tender lips an open invitation. They had been like two interlocking pieces of a puzzle before. Now it felt as if an unknown barrier between them had evaporated. As their tongues mingled, she bowed into him, rolling him to his side with surprising strength. Cooper relented and Allie had him on his back, still knee-deep in the kiss.

She straddled him and sat back, shrugging her shoulders. The dress slid to her elbows. His breath came jaggedly as she rid herself of the garment. Her magnificent curves begged for his hands, especially after she reached behind and unhooked her bra, baring her b.r.e.a.s.t.s to him.

He reached up and molded his hands around the firm mounds, circling her tightly beaded nipples with his thumbs.

She moaned and dropped her head to the side, eyelids heavy. "G.o.d, that feels good." Her hair cascaded over her shoulder, a few tendrils falling forward on to her chest.

He kneaded, plucking and gently twisting her taut skin with his fingers. She unleashed another moan, even more enthusiastic this time, telling him to make sure extra attention was paid to her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. She rocked forward, her center grinding against his aching c.o.c.k, the final vestiges of clothing still separating them. He focused on the feel of her generous, silky skin beneath his hands to quiet his deep need to be inside her.

Allie abruptly shifted and moved back between his legs, pulling down his boxer briefs and freeing his erection. He could have sworn his c.o.c.k twitched to greet her as she licked her lips. She lowered her head and wrapped her fingers around the base, swiping her thumb across his b.a.l.l.s. That one touch was such a monumental relief. He couldn't fathom the scale of the grand finale.

She started with only her tongue, lapping at the head and swirling her way around before sucking him inside her mouth. Her touch was delicate, frustratingly so, as every pa.s.s she made only excited him more. White-hot tension in his belly burned.

He tugged on her arms and she brushed her lips across his stomach before she kissed him. Her nipples tickled his chest and he smoothed both hands around her waist. His hands dipped lower to a pleasant surprise, the velvety soft skin of her bare a.s.s. "How did I not know you were wearing a thong?" he asked between their lips.

She giggled quietly. "You like that?"

"I prefer naked, but this is a close second."

"I'll remember that. They aren't my favorite, but I didn't want panty lines in that dress."

He rolled her on to her back. "I would never want you to be uncomfortable." His fingers raked beneath the waistband and he tugged the thong down past her hips. "You can just skip panties next time."

"Not sure I have the guts to do that." Warmth radiated from her cheeks as his lips found hers.

"I swear I'll make it worth your while."

She reached down and wrapped her slender fingers around his c.o.c.k. "There's a condom in my bedside table," she whispered into the sensitive hollow below his ear.

He wasted no time lunging for the drawer, opening the pouch and rolling it on. He hovered above Allie as she spread her legs wide. He ran his fingers along her slippery folds. "You're so wet," he said.

"I want you."

"Good." He teased her opening with the tip of his c.o.c.k and slowly entered, wanting to feel every subtle squeeze of her body as it formed around him. "Because I want you too." Every sense became keenly focused as her tender skin enveloped him in the most unbelievable warmth. Her body hungrily pulled on him and she raked her fingernails up his back. The pressure in his loins was impossible to comprehend, pleasure and unattained release at war beneath his skin.

Allie tilted her hips until they truly were one, his pelvis flush against her body. Her breaths became clipped and close as she locked her feet beneath his a.s.s. She met his every thrust with equal force and moaned when he added a slight twist at the end of each pa.s.s. "Oh yeah, right there."

He smiled to himself as he realized he'd hit her sweet spot. It was enough to take his mind off the pressure building in his body, but only for a minute. Her b.r.e.a.s.t.s bobbed with every movement and he closed his lips around her nipple. He swirled his tongue and sucked, her skin as sweet as ever but slightly sweaty now.

She trembled beneath him, her body alive with electricity that seemed to home in on his c.o.c.k. Her breaths grew shorter again, his heart pounded in his chest. He thrust with greater force and with a quake in her thighs, Allie called out, arching her neck and raising her shoulders off the bed. The curve of her lips, reveling in the pleasure, was more than he could take, and his own release rocketed from him. The waves were fierce, calming gradually as he pulsated inside her.

Cooper rolled to her side and took her hand, raising it to his lips. "Do you need anything?" he asked before scooting off the bed.

"I'm perfect," she purred, rubbing her foot across the crisp white comforter.

Yes, you are. "Be right back." He quickly got rid of the condom and returned to Allie, who was casting aside extra pillows. "Is that why they call them throw pillows?"

She'd lit two candles while he was gone and the faint light cast an incredible glow on her skin "Maybe." Giggling, she tugged back the comforter and climbed into bed.

He scooted in next to her, placing his arm beneath her head. She curled into him, dragging and circling her fingers through his chest hair.

"Are you still up for some shopping tomorrow?" he asked. His body warmed as she hooked her leg over his.

"As long as you are. I don't want to force you to buy lamps and pillows if you don't think you need that stuff."

He pressed his lips against the top her head. "It's your job to tell me what I need."

"Oh, really?" she asked with a chirp.

"Yes, really. I already have what I want."

Chapter Eight.

Cooper took Allie's hand as they strode down the sidewalk to Metro Style Furniture, his fingers tightly wound around hers, strong and commanding. His intentions were no longer in question and that was a relief. She had no clue where they would end up, but right now, the two of them as a couple felt as right as anything she could imagine.

He opened the door and ushered her in with his hand on her lower back. She'd put on a red cotton sundress and strappy wedge sandals that morning, now that summer weather had arrived with an expected high in the eighties. Cooper wore long khaki shorts, a black t-shirt and flip-flops. Their eyes connected when he removed his sungla.s.ses inside the store. How can he be so d.a.m.n handsome? Surely he'd been given someone else's share of good looks. His electric smile made her chest flutter with excitement, the boundless promise of a new romance. Perhaps everything between them would someday turn into love.

He hooked his arm around her waist and pecked her on the forehead. "You look so hot in that dress," he said. He unsubtly allowed his hand to wander down to her a.s.s and a look of surprise crossed his face. "Oh my G.o.d." His eyes doubled in size. "Are you trying to kill me?"

She playfully smacked him on the arm and her face felt hot. It had seemed like a good idea when she left the house. The night before with Cooper had given her an extra boost of confidence. Now that they were standing in the middle of a high-end furniture store and he'd realized she wasn't wearing any panties, the plan seemed harebrained at best. Am I just trying to act like a twenty-five-year-old? "I'm keeping you on your toes," she said, trying to play it cool.

"Wow. Okay, well, don't get mad if I start dropping stuff and asking you to pick it up for me."

Before she could come up with a witty retort, Melanie the salesgirl came striding toward them in a skinny black skirt, teetering on patent leather stilettos. "Mr. Hale. h.e.l.lo. It's wonderful to see you again."

Allie felt a strange vindication as Cooper tugged her closer.

"You remember my girlfriend, Allie," he said, squeezing her shoulder.

Melanie's red-stained lips stretched into a thin line. Her posture straightened and she tossed back her hair as if she hadn't a care in the world. "Of course. What can I help you with today?"

"Allie thinks I need some home accessories. She couldn't stay the other day to help me pick anything."

"Certainly. What did you have in mind?" Melanie directed the question at Cooper, nearly ignoring Allie's presence.

Cooper glanced over at Allie. "Lighting, right? And some pillows. Maybe some artwork." There was a smolder in his eyes, a curious contrast to the conversation.

"That should cover it," Allie said.

Melanie showed them the lighting section and the wall of throw pillows in various colors near the back of the store. She left them alone soon after. Cooper played along with the idea of browsing, but essentially did nothing more than agree with everything Allie said. He kissed her on the temple a dozen or more times. In no way did he seem to have shopping on his mind.

"What colors were you thinking?" she asked as she scanned the collection.

"I don't know. Blue?" he replied.

She pulled out a robin's-egg-blue pillow with large white b.u.t.tons. "No. Too beachy. We need something masculine."

"Mmm. Yes. Masculine." He traced his fingers along her spine, standing so close that his breath rustled her hair. Now he poked a finger beneath the skinny strap of her sundress, nudging it off her shoulder.

Allie caught it and yanked it back. "You're terrible," she whispered as she feigned a serious perusal of the pillows, fighting a giggle. "What's gotten into you, anyway?"

"I'm just enjoying the fact that I can touch you in public without it being weird."

"Touching me is one thing," she muttered. "Undressing me is another." She set her purse down on the floor so she could reach for a pillow on a higher shelf. She stood on her tiptoes, but it was still too high.

Cooper maneuvered behind her and placed one hand on her shoulder. His other hand skimmed the length of her outstretched arm. "Let me help."

Allie felt lightheaded as he pressed his pelvis against her a.s.s. His clean, citrusy smell was distracting. The tingly touch of his hand against her bare skin was maddening. "It's the white ones." She pointed to a pair of pillows and he plucked them from the shelf for her.

"These?" He cradled them in his arms for her to see, but he never took his eyes off her, his lids heavy, his stare pointed.

Melanie walked another customer closer to where they stood and cleared her throat loudly. She began to chatter away about an Italian designer, glancing at Cooper repeatedly.

"Yes. I think those will work."

A half hour later, Cooper paid for three pillows, a pair of lamps and a large modern print to go above the sofa. He paid zero attention to Melanie during the checkout process, other than to say thanks when she handed back his credit card. He asked for everything to be delivered, saying he didn't want to deal with shopping bags when they were on their way out to lunch. Allie wasn't convinced he cared about any of it, but she felt confident that he would be happy with everything once it was all in place.

They grabbed some sandwiches at a deli down the street. She'd a.s.sumed they were going to dine at a sit-down restaurant, but Cooper had other plans. They walked a few blocks to a nearby city park and ate while sitting on a bench beneath the sprawling canopy of an impressive oak tree. A warm June breeze ruffled the trees and gra.s.s while she marveled at his strong profile, lit from behind by the sun.

"Thank you for bringing me here," she said. "This is much nicer than sitting in a restaurant."

He smiled wide at her. "I'm glad you like it. I thought it would be more romantic." He leaned closer and pecked her on the forehead. "I run through this park a lot," he added. "Sometimes I almost wish I didn't live in the city. I like having the trees and gra.s.s to look at. I feel like I can breathe."

Allie finished her bite of sandwich, considering his words and the more serious tone he'd taken. "Do you sometimes feel like you can't breathe?"

He twisted his lips, his eyes narrowing as if deep in thought. "Don't you? It's just with work and having my own company, it starts to feel like a lot. I have all of these people who depend on me, especially my brother. It's a ton of pressure. You know what I mean."