Damaged and the Beast (Damaged #1)

“No,” he said, stepping forward and blocking me. “Hell, I figured you deserved to have a good time because you were the Denny’s chick with the messed up mom. Now, I know you’re the Denny’s chick with two messed up parents and a reason for all of that high strung shit you pull.”


Cooper leaned down and pressed his cheek against mine. “You’re going to stay here and play pool. You’ll eat lots of food and listen to my siblings act like idiots. I’ll kiss all over you while wanting to do more than kiss. Then, I’ll take you home with your stomach full and a smile on your beautiful face. That’s what’s going to happen here. If you can think of a reason you shouldn’t have fun for the afternoon, I’m all ears.”

Crossing my arms, I glanced around. “You push too hard and the way you talk makes me feel bad. I don’t want to defend my parents, but you force me to by making fun of them.”

“That’s no excuse to lose out on a little fun with a hot guy who’s got cash to pay for a big lunch.”

“It’s true that you’re hot.”

“I could flex my muscles if you need a little extra incentive.”

Grinning, I glanced at his strong tanned arms. “Sure, why shouldn’t I feel you up since you’ve got me pinned.”

“Oh, don’t play the victim, nerd. My crotch is right here in case you need to take a shot and make a run for it.”

Laughing, I ran my fingers over the bicep he flexed for my inspection. His skin felt warm and inviting. As his body heat traveled into me, I rested my head on his chest and wrapped my arms around him.

“I know I’m doing this dating thing all wrong,” I said as his arms draped me. “I should ask lots of questions and flirt, but I haven’t dated a lot of guys and I don’t really know how to flirt. I like you, but I’m scared you’ll hurt me or make fun of me. I feel like I should get away from you except I don’t really want away from you. I just don’t know what I’m supposed to do or say. I’m doing everything wrong, but I’m not doing it to be mean.”

Staring up at Cooper, I found the needy look from earlier and its intensity made me shiver. “I don’t care if you’re doing it wrong, just keep doing it. You’re driving me nuts here.”

Pressing his lips against mine, Cooper wrapped me tighter in his strong arms and I let myself enjoy his affections. Even with the loud music playing and bikers hanging around, I enjoyed the feel of Cooper against me. In his arms, I felt like someone new and better. After a long life of doing what I had to do to survive, I really needed to be someone new and better.

The kiss deepened to the point of sending hot waves of desire to parts of my body I really didn’t want desiring anything. Soon, my nipples were tips of arousal pressed against his chest. Between my legs, I felt an unfamiliar sensation. Before I might think about what kissing Cooper like this in a public place could lead to, he eased his lips away.

“If that bastard who hurt you was here, I’d tear off his head and let my dogs eat him.”

Smiling, I thought he was full of shit. “Going to jail over something that happened years ago doesn’t make any sense. Even though, it’s a hella sexy thing to say.”

“I kill him around here and there’s no jail.”

“You’re that special?”

Pressing his forehead against mine, Cooper smiled. “Yeah, I’m that fucking special.”

“Good to know,” I said, lowering my gaze.

“I’m not going to kill you,” he whispered slowly like I was dumb or nuts.

“I hope not. Your sister did say you and Tucker would leave me in a shallow grave if I used her nicknames for you.”

Cooper exhaled hard and glared at Bailey who sat on Tucker’s lap while Maddy rested her head on the table.

“Let’s play a game,” he said, easing out of the embrace so only one arm hung loosely around my shoulders. “If you win, I’ll give you a hundred bucks. If I win, we go back to your place and you lose the shirt and bra. Full second base action, but nothing more.”

“Why would I agree to that?”

“Duh, so you could win a hundred bucks. That’s like a week of tips from a twenty minute game.”

Lowering my head, I thought about what he was offering. While I wouldn’t mind getting closer to Cooper, I wasn’t ready for such intimacy.

“Why do you assume you’ll lose?” he asked, fixing the balls and setting them back in the middle of the table. “I’m good, but I’m not pool shark good. A hundred bucks is easy money and I’ll just have to find another way under your shirt.” Cooper inhaled and studied me as if thinking hard. “I can imagine a few ways to get that shirt off, but we’ll leave them for later.”

“Okay. I trust if you win you won’t do more than second base. My pants remain on and you’ll respect that. I trust you.”

“If you say how you trust me a few more times, it’ll sound like you really mean it.”

Rolling my eyes, I took the stick. “Can I start?”

“Sure, baby. I’ll just sit back here and watch you bend over.”

“Making pervy comments won’t distract my concentration. I’m accustomed to freaks cheating.”