AllFreeNovel
Share Us
But life doesn’t always go to plan, and that’s okay.
I’ve let go of the rest, living my life as it comes at me rather than planning every little thing. No more checkboxes for things likelose virginity. Life experiences will happen when the time is right.
Cooper’s last test should be done soon. I go to his dorm and steal one of his shirts to change into. Slipping off my leggings, I kneel on his bed and tease him with a little underboob by holding his shirt up while I take a few photos. I pick out my favorite and text it to him.
Tatum:For boyfriends who finish finals [heart emoji] [fire emoji] Meet me at the gym.
Grinning, I get dressed. I leave his shirt on instead of switching back to mine, knotting it at my hip.
On my way to the gym, people call my name and wave. Between the viral videos and the time I spent throwing myself into every opportunity I could, a lot of people on campus recognize me. Once again, Coop and I have become SBC’s favorite couple. This time it’s for real.
I thought it would be different, but it turns out he wasn’t faking anything. It’s just like things were before. He walks me to and from class and leaves me notes every day. Today’s good luck message he stuck to the coffee he brought me this morning telling me to crush my last test is still tucked in my purse.
Cooper comes up behind me while I’m dribbling the ball, lost in my thoughts. He lifts me in his strong arms and buries his face in my neck.
“Damn it, T. I had to walk out of my biology class hiding a boner. You know what it does to me when you wear my stuff.” His teeth scrape my skin, making me shudder. “My girl’s too fine.”
I laugh, twisting to kiss him. We have a bet to see who can hold out the longest until finals are over. Making out is fair game, but whoever initiates anything past first base forfeits. Neither of us have cracked yet and we’ve both found ways to up the ante of our psychological sexy warfare between studying for our exams. He lets me down and goes to get the ball.
“How was your last final?”
It comes out slightly breathless as he dribbles the ball casually while he saunters in my direction, hitting me with the full force of his smoldering gaze. It’s his easy confidence that makes him look so hot doing that. Paired with the signature backwards hat and his thick brown hair curling from underneath and his smirk, I’m in full on thirst mode. Damn. I repeat,damn.
“The flashcards you made really helped. I definitely did better than midterms. I felt like I understood everything on the test.” His smirk stretches into a grin. “If you’re done checking me out, let’s shoot some hoops. Unless you’re ready to admit defeat.”
“Never,” I crow.
I’m determined to win bragging rights that I seduced him before my sexpert boyfriend could make me break first. The competition is fierce. I’ve been putting everything he’s taught me to the test, enjoying it more and more every time he groans before tearing himself away.
We start a game of one on one, chasing each other around the basketball court. Instead of blocking me, he holds my waist and lifts me to throw the ball at the net.
“That’s cheating.” My head falls back as I laugh.
“It’s a handicap for your height. Take it, Danvers, because you won’t beat me,” he croons against my ear.
I bite my lip. “I dunno, I feel like I’m winning.”
The game continues when he gets possession of the ball. I jump to block Cooper’s shot, but he’s got me beat with his height. His body moves languidly and I’m struck for a moment by how good he looks as he releases the ball. His focus shifts to me and he grasps my waist, pulling me against his firm body.
“This is the real winner,” he rasps.
Then his lips slant over mine before the ball finishes dropping through the net. I smile into the kiss, winding my arms around his neck. Both of us ignore the basketball bouncing off to the side of the court.
EPILOGUE
COOPER
Five Years Later
It’s early. My favorite time of day when I’m surrounded by the slosh of waves heading for the shoreline, saltwater speckling my lips. The sunrise hangs just over the beach, backlighting Tatum in a beautiful golden halo.
Damn, she looks good like this. Straddling a surfboard in bikini bottoms and a snug rash guard shirt, gaze trained on the ocean’s horizon to search for the next good wave.
“You’re ready.” I run a hand over her thigh from my seat beside her on my own board.
We bob on the steady rise and fall of the water’s surface, two of the few surfers out this morning. I’ve been teaching her before peak season hits so she’s not overwhelmed by how crowded it gets when tourists come to town. I’ve wanted to get her out here for years, but at the start of her break from her doctorate program, she finally accepted surfing lessons from South Bay’s top surf instructor.
I swipe water over my board. “This is the last step of beginner lessons for all my students—getting out there. You’ve got this, babe. You know what to do.”
