Page 41 of Forbidden Dreams
I raised a brow, thinking that would be imminent.
Then he grabbed my clothes and handed them to me. "I don't think anyone would come in here, but your brothers have been known to check on me."
I hurriedly pulled on my panties and then my jeans. "Why didn't you say anything before?"
"I didn't want you to leave." His gaze dropped to my chest.
"You were distracted." I hooked the clasp on my bra, then grabbed my sweater.
His gaze slowly lifted to my face. "Can you blame me?"
My lips quirked. I supposed it was flattering, but after his abrupt departure the other night, I should be demanding answers. But then again, we weren't in a relationship. I'd gone into both encounters willingly. I had no one to blame but myself if I got hurt.
I gestured at his open pants. "You don't feel the need to cover-up?"
"I'm fairly sure if your brothers saw this, they'd turn around before they saw you."
"We still have to be careful. Our jobs are on the line," I whispered, not wanting anyone to overhear us and investigate.
He pulled up his zipper and buttoned his jeans as he moved closer to me. Then he cupped the back of my head and kissed me. It was slow and sweet. He lingered as if to say that he wasn't nearly done with me yet.
When he pulled back, he said, "You should go. I'll clean up."
I waited a beat for him to say something else, like This was a mistake or I want to do it again, but when he didn't, I nodded. "Yeah, okay."
He stepped back, his hand falling away.
I wasn't sure what this was, and I should stick around to find out. But I also didn't want anyone to see us. I was fairly sure my hair was a mess and I looked like I'd been freshly fucked.
I'd never hidden a relationship, one that could blow up our lives. And would prove to everyone that I was just as reckless as they'd always assumed.
I swept past him, determined to hold my head high. I was a modern woman who could have an affair when I wanted to. And I didn't need to feel guilty or ashamed.
But I couldn't shake the lingering fear that I was getting in over my head. I had no idea what his motives were. Yeah, it felt good in the moment, but did I want something purely physical with none of the usual constraints of a relationship?
Maybe it was better this way. If we weren't in a relationship, then Cooper couldn't decide that I wasn't enough for him. That I was too impulsive.
We could enjoy each other for however long it lasted, then go our separate ways.
I was busy with the upcoming events, ensuring everything was lined up as planned. But I couldn't stop thinking about that brief encounter in the ballroom. How Cooper hadn't been able to control himself around me.
I'd never had anyone who wanted me so badly that they ignored all sense of reason and took me wherever we were. It was dangerous and exciting but also a little reckless. And I wanted more. He fed some part of me that I didn't know existed. The part that needed a little impulsivity, a little spontaneity in my relationships.
I tended to gravitate toward the studious types, assuming that they'd rub off on me. When in reality, they quickly tired of my personality.
Whereas Cooper was a little more like me; he didn't have the perfect background, but he was hardworking and conscientious. And he didn't mind a little risk in his life. It was the perfect combination.
Of course neither of us wanted anyone to find out about us. It was clear that we both needed to keep our interactions secret. I wanted to know when we could do it again.
He'd woken up my body, and now all I could think about was getting him inside me again. Fucking me against a wall was hot. He'd displayed his brute strength and, at the same time, made me feel cherished and protected.
But I couldn't exactly text him and ask for him to drop by for sex. We'd set the stage for spontaneous interactions. I wasn't sure if there were rules about this sort of thing. But I would think you wouldn't discuss plans to meet ahead of time.
The fact that it was purely a surprise is what made it so hot. Maybe that's what I really wanted, excitement, and it had nothing to do with Cooper. I'd have this reaction to any high-stakes fling.
I was quickly becoming addicted to it. I was on edge waiting for the next time he might show up late at night in my office. And I kept trying to think of places I could pop in on him and have my way with him. But I was worried about getting caught.
I didn't know how often my brothers stopped by or whether any hotel employees would wander into the dance hall.
