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My laugh is silenced when his mouth slants over mine, stealing my breath. The nerves melt away, along with the world.
TWENTY-EIGHT
TATUM
The bonfire is packed already, twice the size of the usual party at Mariner's Cove. I didn't witness Cooper's birthday first-hand last year, but I saw how big this end of summer party gets by doing some light stalking of Cooper and Jackson's social media. Any out-of-state South Bay College students who finished moving into their dorms ahead of the semester have shown up in droves, plus everyone local to close out the summer.
It's becauseeveryoneknows Cooper Vale.
Man. Myth. Legend of South Bay for his skills on a board in the ocean and surfing a crowd to flirt with whoever falls for his swoonworthy dimpled smiles.
Starting tonight, that legend is coming to a close so Cooper can begin a new chapter—hanging up his sultry playboy rep. And as his fake girlfriend, I'm helping him sell that change.
No pressure.
I wrap Cooper's promise to have my back around myself like a shield. It doesn't matter that I've never had a real relationship, or that I've only just crossed off losing my virginity from my experience list. As long as I remember that we're in this together, I won't crash and burn. It’s hard to believe my life seemed less complicated when I was sneaking around with Cooper as my tutor in the bedroom.
As we make our way through the crowd, I keep a smile plastered on my face. A shiver races down my spine each time Cooper brushes his palm against the small of my back, tingles spreading across the exposed skin my cropped sweater gives him access to. The move feels possessive, just like the ride over when his hand rested on my leg. Even if it's for show, my body's as convinced as the rest of the girls flicking pouty looks Cooper's way and the guys eyeing me like something they wish they had themselves that I belong to him.
That thought is still taking some getting used to—I’m Cooper Vale’s girlfriend.
Amidst the calls ofhappy birthdayand people shouting his name, he threads his fingers with mine and shoots me a crooked smile. "Want a drink?"
My mouth lifts at the corner, lips still tender and swollen from how long we made out in his Jeep before joining the party. I nod, spotting Simone talking to Jenny, the bubbly girl we met at the last bonfire.
"There's Simone," I say.
"Let's grab drinks, then head that way.”
He doesn't release my hand, grip tightening each time we're stopped by someone wanting to slap his back. Someone hands him a drink they poured from a keg when we reach the drinks table.
"Happy birthday, dude," the guy says. "No empties for you tonight."
Cooper chuckles. "Thanks."
They talk about surfing times during the semester. When I make to slip away to grab a water, he keeps me by his side, tucking his hand in the back pocket of my cut-offs.
"I'll catch you later, man. See you out there." Nodding with his chin, he snags a water bottle for me and steers us toward Simone and Jenny. His lips brush my temple and his voice lowers to a murmur meant only for me. "You have no idea how close I was to doing this last time."
"Last time?" My brain short circuits from the feel of his strong hand tucked against my ass.
"The other party. When I was dancing with you. When that guy was all over you." Cooper’s voice grows rougher, making me swallow thickly. "Now I can show them all you're mine."
"Is that so?" He nods and I bite my lip. "By that logic, I can do the same."
Ignoring the flutter moving through my stomach, I act before I can overthink it, sliding my hand into his back pocket. He stills our slow amble for a moment and I feel the curve of his mouth stretching into a wide smile against my temple.
"Claiming me back, Tate?"
"It's only fair, right?" I hesitate, peering up at him. "I mean, it should be equal."
Cooper gazes at me with hooded eyes. "It's fucking hot. Guys love it when their girl gets all confident like that.”
Heat prickles in my cheeks. "Noted."
He tugs me closer, the firm line of his body pressed against my side. "If we really want to sell this, we should slip away to the cave around the bend in the cove."
Humor dances in his tone, but I recognize the hint of seriousness. I prod him with my elbow.
