Damaged and the Beast (Damaged #1)

“I don’t have a swimsuit,” I lied. “I’ll need to get one.”


My swimsuit was on its last thread, having been worn going on six years. I wondered if I could find a new one under twenty dollars.

“You could just wear one of Bailey’s. She has a million and she’d share. She likes you.”

“I like her too,” I said then frowned. “Will your parents be there? Bailey said I couldn’t come into the house without them there.”

Cooper’s lack of a reaction told me Bailey was blowing smoke up my ass to get me to talk to her brother. I sighed at how they played me so easily.

“Chicks lie,” he said, shrugging. “What can I tell you?”

“If she’d let me borrow one, that would be great. There’s no pool at our apartment complex and I’d hate to buy a suit if I’m not going to use it a lot.”

“Stick with me, baby, and I’ll have you running around half naked twelve hours out of the day. You’ll be naked the other twelve.”

“I was wondering where horny Cooper went?”

“Speaking of twenty four seven,” he said, giving me a wink. “I hope the horniness will get easier after I’ve gotten a taste.”

“You’re kinda gross, you know?”

Cooper wiggled his eyebrows. “Haven’t you heard? I’m very talented at that sort of thing.”

“Who would I have heard that from?”

“Skye.”

“You and Skye?”

“No, but she knows. Ask her.”

“No way.”

“You’ll ask her,” Cooper said, glancing over my shoulder at the arriving waiter. “You’re curious now.”

“Maybe.”

The waiter set down our desserts and I took no time digging in. The food was so good that I had a physical reaction to it almost like when Cooper kissed me. My body softened and relaxed in a weird comforting way.

“Good, huh?” he said, eating half then leaving the rest for me to finish.

“Aren’t you hungry?” I asked, wanting more.

“I’ll have another dinner later.”

My heart jumped and I spoke without thinking. “You’re going on another date tonight?”

Cooper lost his smile and glanced around the restaurant. Twisting his lips, he finally settled on a grim frown. “I thought you said you felt it too. I thought you understood, but you think I’m going on another fucking date?”

Cooper’s voice was no more than an angry whisper, but other customers glanced in our direction. Lowering my gaze, I didn’t know how to answer.

“I’m sorry,” I finally said. “Can I still have your dessert?”

Sighing, Cooper pushed the plate to my side of the table. “If it’s just me, you should tell me. I don’t want to be a fool.”

“I told you I felt it too,” I replied in a quiet voice, avoiding his gaze.

“Like I said, chicks lie.”

“So do guys. I’m afraid I’ll be a fool believing you like me so much.”

Cooper eased back into his chair and the rigidness left his jaw. “I’ll let it go because I know you have issues. I just don’t want you pretending because it’s real for me.”

“I didn’t mean to act like it wasn’t for me. I’m just not used to attention from guys and you’re not an average guy. I feel like it’s a joke for you to like me.”

Cooper’s dark eyes studied me then a little more irritation left his face. “You have those walls up and that’s why guys don’t make a move. When you’re too tired, the walls come down a little. Like the night at the party when guys were making moves. Even with you wearing that uniform, they wanted you. I think deep inside you know they do, but you like to pretend you’re undesirable. It makes you feel safe.”

“Safe from what?” I asked, fearing his answer.

“You’re alone here. Vulnerable. You need to feel in control because you aren’t in control. When Bailey feels out of her league, she gets loud and rude. You just shut down and put up all those walls. You can’t know how hot you were when you let one of the walls come down and told me about your dream to be a teacher. I’d never seen anything more beautiful.”

Swallowing hard, I couldn’t respond. Wouldn’t respond with a trite thank you or I like you too. I just remained silent and ate the cannoli and hoped we could kiss later. I couldn’t believe I wanted to feel him against me, but I craved the closeness he promised. I also believed he wouldn’t push too far. He was waiting now. No matter his talk of tight jeans and medical attention, Cooper would wait.

“I’m glad I couldn’t go into your parents’ house the other day,” I said as a lame way to admit how much I enjoyed myself.

“Sometimes when Bailey lies, magic happens.”

“I ate way too much.”

“But it was good.”

“It was great,” I said then took a deep breath to build up my courage. “My mom won’t be home for a while. We could sit and watch TV and do the heavy petting you mentioned.”

Cooper stared at me expressionless. Finally, he shivered. “Took all of my self-control not to throw you over my shoulder and run back to your apartment. I’m good now though.”