Damaged and the Beast (Damaged #1)

He smiled softly as his dark eyes studied my face. “Let’s break down another wall, baby.”


We stepped off and I panicked immediately. I even tried to brace my fall, but Cooper held my hand as we dropped into the warm dark water. The lack of light scared me again, but I felt Cooper pulling me back to the surface. Kicking my legs, I held onto him.

Cooper never let go. Not when we fell or when we kicked our way to the surface or even as we floated on the peaceful water. He held on and I was safe.

Smiling at him, I glanced up at the deck. It didn’t seem like such a big deal now, but I would have bailed if not for Cooper.

“Thank you,” I said as he grabbed the inner tube Tucker threw down.

“I’ll never let you go,” he told me.

Soon, as we floated, I leaned over to kiss him. Cooper wrapped an arm around my waist and tugged me closer. The kiss deepened and I nearly let go of the inner tube. Cooper kept me afloat though. When his lips left mine, we just watched each other while floating on the lazy waters. After a long few minutes passed, I faced away from him.

“I really like you,” I said, leaning my head on the tube and still looking away.

“Why do you sound sad?”

“I didn’t expect to meet anyone right away. I wasn’t really ready.”

Cooper tapped my shoulder so I would look at him. When I finally did, he frowned. “Why do you need to be ready?”

“I just need to prepare for things. It’s how I stay comfortable with life.”

Cooper leaned his forehead against mine as we floated into deeper water.

“There’s no preparing for me,” he said then grinned. “I don’t even know what I’m doing from minute to minute. Could be worse though. I could be Tucker.”

Smiling, I glanced up at his brother who was preparing to cannonball into the water. Maddy didn’t want to jump though and they were having a minor tiff. When I looked back at Cooper, I found him watching me in a weird way.

“I forget how you had nothing growing up and every little good thing is a big deal. I need to remember that.”

“Today is a really good thing,” I said, blinking away the stupid tears. “It’s unexpected is all. Moving here was so big for me then I met you and it’s a lot.”

“I’ll be patient,” he nearly whispered. “I really want you, Farah. I also really want you to want me. I’m starting to get the hang of being with you.”

“Maybe I’m too much effort?”

“No fucking way. It’s just I normally get what I want five seconds after I want it. This is new and I need to adjust. You’re worth adjusting for.”

I held onto the tube with one arm then reached out and caressed his face. Tracing his lips, I couldn’t believe how beautiful he looked under the late summer sun.

“After we swim a little more,” I said, smiling confidently, “can we go to your apartment?”

“To talk about school and study?” he asked like a smartass.

“Among other things.”

Cooper’s grin became tender. “You’re even more beautiful when you relax. Like the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Right now, you look very relaxed.”

“I’ve never done anything like this. The way you live. The comfort of it…” I paused, unable to explain. “Yes, I’m very relaxed.”

“Hell yeah, you are.”

“Hell yeah, I am.”

Wiggling around in the water, Cooper groaned. “And these are loose shorts too, but it just doesn’t help.”

“Won’t going to your apartment only make that problem worse?”

“Maybe, but it’ll be worth it. I’m going to ruin you for other guys, remember?”

“Oh, I remember.”

“But do you believe?” he asked with complete sincerity.

“That you’re talented in bed? Oh, I believe alright.”

“Asked around, have you?”

“No,” I muttered, frowning now.

“You really don’t get curious about me? I was curious about you right off the bat.”

“I’m curious, but that doesn’t mean I’ll stalk you or hit up people for dirt. I don’t know anyone around here, remember?”

“True,” he said before dunking himself underwater. When he reappeared wet, shiny, and pretty damn irresistible, I smiled like I wasn’t uncomfortable with how attractive I found him. “You want me,” he said, grinning.

“Of course.”

“It’s all over your face.”

“I didn’t know I was so easy to read.”

“To me, you’re an open book. Well, your face is. I sometimes can’t see the rest of you behind all of those walls.”

“I’m trying.”

“Oh, I know,” he whispered, sliding his body against mine in the water.

When Cooper pressed our bodies together, I felt how hard he was, but I wasn’t sure what to do? Were we having sex in the water?

“Relax,” he whispered, grinding softly against me. “I know you’re turned on. We’re just playing, okay?”

Looking into his eyes, I nodded. No sex. Just a little help for his pants problem. Everything was fine, I told myself. Of course, I worried about an audience.