“You can hear him?”I whisper-hiss.
He chuckles at my excitement.“Yeah.He’s always there.”
“Huh.”
The server returns with our food, and we both dig in.We spend our date talking about our childhoods and our lives.I learn that Cooper was born and raised here, that he’s still close with his parents even though he doesn’t see them much since they moved.He tells me about going to college, studying business, and all the fighting styles that he’s mastered over the years.
I tell him about living in Florida and wanting to get out, about my parents and Taylor.We talk about school, our odd jobs, and what we want out of our futures.
“I’d like to travel.That’s what Taylor and I were doing when we were kidnapped.We were on a road trip.”
“What was your favorite stop?”
I pop my last fry into my mouth.“I liked California.The beach, watching the surfers.And Seattle was nice.”
“You like the water?”
“I guess I’m just used to it after living in Florida.”
The server drops off our check, and Cooper pays.
He stands, offering me his hand.“Want to walk around a bit?”
“Sure.”
We spend the afternoon wandering around town.Cooper shows me all his favorite places, sharing stories from when he was younger.We stop in at the market for groceries, and Cooper orders us a pizza for dinner.We eat as we walk home, laughing as we juggle the grocery bags and our slices.
It’s the best day of my life.
When we walk inside, I’m happy, full, and getting tired.I help him put the food away while smothering a yawn.
“I think I’m going to shower and go to bed.”
Cooper suddenly seems nervous.“Me too.”
I wait to see what is bothering him, but he just stands there.
“Okay, well, goodnight.I’ll see you in the morning.”
Cooper stops me with a hand on my elbow as I turn to leave.“Landry, mate, will you sleep in my bed tonight?”He holds up his hands before I can say anything.“Just to sleep.”
I bite back a grin at the hopeful look in his eyes, and I know I can’t reject him.Not that I would.I want to be close to Cooper.I want to sleep next to him.Well, I want to do more than sleep, but I don’t tell him that.
“Okay.”
He grins, tugging on my hand as he leads me into his room.
“Wait!I need to get my pajamas.”
“Oh, right.”
I laugh as I turn and head into the guest room.I get ready for bed, putting on my pajamas and brushing my teeth.Then I walk down the hall and slip into his room.Cooper is standing next to his bed, and he scans my body as I enter.My nipples tighten into stiff points against the thin cotton of my tank top.
“Which side?”I ask.
“What?”
“Which side of the bed is mine?”
