Damaged and the Beast (Damaged #1)

Laughing, I tugged at his shirt. “I really missed you and I didn’t take any shifts for this weekend. Hopefully, your ass will feel better by then.”


Cooper lifted a brow and gave me a little nod. “Oh, it’ll be tiptop by then.”

“I hope so,” I said, squirming free of his warm embrace. “Will you have your usual?”

“When do you go on your break?”

“In an hour.”

“I’ll wait to eat until then so you can join me.”

Smiling like an idiot, I missed him more than I should have. Even so, everything instantly felt better knowing Cooper was nearby.

Saying nothing specific about his trip, he mainly asked about Aaron and if anyone hassled me. I told him I was fine except for missing him. This comment sent Cooper’s horniness into overdrive and he proved how much he missed me when we got to my place.

The next day, I hadn’t seen him except in passing when he ran over, sucked on my lips a little, then told me that he was in a hurry. I spent the next few hours worrying he was in a rush to meet someone else. At some point, I’d become convinced he was losing interest.

On my way to the parking lot to wait for Skye, I heard a motorcycle approaching and turned to find Cooper pulling up. His gaze was dark and serious.

“Why don’t you like sex?” he asked, a smile fighting at the corners of his lips.

Glancing around in horror at everyone who heard him, I muttered, “You’ve got to be kidding.”

“Look, Farah,” he said, finally grinning while climbing off his bike. “One bad lay shouldn’t mean you give up all fucking forever.”

“That was very charming. It should be quoted on romantic Hallmark cards.”

“Yeah, I do have a way with words. Seriously though, sex is fun. Just because you fucked some limp dick who lasted only a minute or came in your eye or shoved it up the wrong hole or whatever the problem was doesn’t mean you should give up on getting properly fucked.”

“Stop talking,” I said, still glancing around at the other students. “People can hear you.”

“I don’t give a shit about people. Besides, I’m sure they’d agree with me. Even if they didn’t, my only concern is getting in your pants.”

“Well, maybe this weekend.”

“Don’t tease. Seriously, my dick gets hard every time I see you.”

“Stop saying stuff like that.”

Cooper leaned down and nuzzled his lips against my hair. “Did limp dick talk to you like that and so it brings up bad memories of his shitty moves?”

“Yes, he was a pig, just like you.”

“Fortunately, you love pork.”

Walking away, I wanted to either laugh or cry. Embarrassed, I felt exposed and betrayed. Yeah, betrayed! I told Skye in confidence my views on sex because I wanted her to understand why I hadn’t humped Cooper the moment I met him.

Cooper roared up behind me on his bike then reached over, grabbed my backpack, and pulled me to a stop. Turning to him, I tried not to cry right there. Yet, I hadn’t been so embarrassed since I leaked on my period and no one said anything for half of the day. I didn’t know why everyone was giggling until Tawny told me at lunch. While that was temporary high school crap, I’d enjoy this embarrassment for four years.

“Hey,” he said softly, wrapping his arm around my waist. “Don’t be sad. Bailey told me because she knows I like you. She wanted to warn me that you aren’t playing cold because you’re a bitch. You just have your issues. Don’t cry.”

Wiping my eyes, I refused to look at him. “I’m embarrassed.”

“Because some guy gave you a bad fuck? Shit, half of the girls in school can claim that from the last month. You need to stop taking everything so personally. You don’t like sex because you had sex with an asshole. They don’t know what they’re doing and don’t want to learn. I’m a good student though.”

Smiling slightly, I glanced at him and exhaled slowly. “I’m not a bitch.”

“I know. You’re sweet and I was just playing with you,” he said, wiping a tear from my cheek. “Want a ride home?”

“Yes, please.”

“Look at those manners. Like I said, sweet as sugar. Sweet like those pretty lips I’m going to suck on when we get to your place.”

“Of course, there’d be a condition for the ride.”

“Nothing’s free,” he said, giving me a wink.

“Just lip sucking?” I asked, staring hard at him.

“Oh, I want under your shirt too, but I’ll build up to that.”

“I have a lot of schoolwork.”

“So do I, but I’m planning to make time for my hands and your tits to become acquainted.”

Rolling my eyes, I climbed on behind him. “I told you how they don’t like being called that.”

“Well, if they want me to be sweet to them then they need to be sweet to me. As I pointed out, nothing’s free in life.”

Wiggling my breasts against his back, I waited for the groan. Cooper glanced back at me and frowned.

“I need to start wearing sweatpants or else you’ll kill me.”