Damaged and the Beast (Damaged #1)

“Not all you’re good for, but you have sexy lips. Like when I threw the bottle, you did this thing with your lips and made a perfect little ‘O’ shape. It was frigging hot and I almost forgot I wanted to beat the shit out of those guys.”


Nodding, I hoped he left me alone. Instead, he leaned forward and kissed me softly, licking at my lips without going any further. When he leaned back, his hand messed with the edge of my sweatpants down by the ankle.

“I’m glad you needed a ride tonight,” he said, his gaze on the TV. “I’m glad I was around when you needed that ride. It worked out, but you look tired.”

“I am.”

Cooper ran his index finger along my face and under my chin. “I’m messing with you, but that’s all it is. I’m just teasing. I know you’re tired and nothing’s going to happen tonight. You can rest your eyes until the pizza comes and I won’t take advantage of that. I want you to want it too. Not to be an unwilling victim like with those assholes at the party. I don’t take shit from girls. They offer it enthusiastically and I know you will too eventually, but you need to make me work for it first. I appreciate you keeping my seduction skills sharp.”

Grinning, I rolled my eyes. “Life must be great with your giant brain and even bigger ego.”

“Yeah, it’s pretty amazing.”

As he cupped my feet, I wished I had gotten a pedicure in the last… Well, I wished I’d thrown on a little polish. You know, just in case a pushy hot guy showed up and fondled my feet.

“Your sister is in my Algebra class,” I said, resting my head against the couch again.

“Bailey’s a cute kid, but don’t show her up. She’s insecure and turns mean when other girls get more attention. It’s not personal. She’s lost friends over the years for that shit, but she needs to be the center of attention. It’s because she was the youngest for a long time until Sawyer came along. As the baby, Sawyer can’t sneeze without my parents giggling like it’s the cutest shit ever. Now, Bailey’s super competitive. You should just be aware of her mental fuckups because you take things too personally.”

When Cooper ran his thumb along the arch of my foot, I moaned. Smiling softly, he continued both the massage and talking about Bailey.

“Even with the competitive shit, she’s a good friend. Loyal as long as she gets to be queen bee. She’ll pick you up in the middle of the night, hold your hair while you puke, punch a guy for treating you bad. She’s cool, but don’t show up looking prettier than her or she’ll claw out your eyes.”

Sharing his smile, I felt my eyes drooping. “How many kids are in your family?”

“Four. Two boys then two girls. Sawyer’s five and Daddy’s princess. It’s pretty lame how wrapped around her finger my pop is, but the kid is sharp and knows exactly how to get what she wants. She’d make a good lawyer, but likely she’ll want to marry someone and spend her days wrapping her husband around her finger. She’s got a talent.”

Watching Cooper with my half closed eyes, I wasn’t sure why I thought he was so scary? He seemed gentle and beautiful. Just the boy next door with a few tattoos. He was really a sweetheart and I read too much into his appearance.

“Do you have any siblings?” he asked, his voice sounding far away.

“A sister. Tawny. She’s almost eighteen.”

“Irish twins?”

Smiling, I nodded. “I miss her so much. She’s my best friend, but she’s gone.”

One minute, I felt my eyes growing hot and wet from thinking about Tawny. The next minute, I heard knocking on the door and Cooper’s voice low and distant. Opening my eyes, I realized I had fallen asleep. I checked for drool then watched him pay the delivery guy before locking the door.

When I started to stand, Cooper waved for me to stay put. “I’ll get plates.”

“Sorry about falling asleep.”

“Yeah, you were halfway through a word then you were out. I’ve never seen a sober person crash like that.”

“The last couple weeks have been stressful.”

When Cooper returned from the kitchen, I noticed he strutted no matter what he was doing. It wasn’t a showoff thing in front of guys, but the actual way he walked. Cooper set down two cans of soda then placed a slice of pizza on a plate and handed it to me.

“This one is heavy on the ham.”

“Thank you,” I said, taking a bite as my eyes fought to stay open. “I don’t know why you want to hang out when I’m half asleep?”

Cooper leaned over and kissed me softly. His lips sucked at my bottom lip for a second before he pulled back and relaxed into the corner of the couch.

“You pout when you sleep.”

“Huh?”

“Like an angry little pout,” he said, demonstrating with his lips. “It’s the hottest thing I’ve ever seen. I thought you might give me a real talking to like my old gym teacher. Man, did that bitch hate me.”

“I’m sure she had her reasons.”

Cooper snorted. “Of course, you’d take a stranger’s side over the guy who’s feeding you.”

“Maybe you called her a bitch forty times.”