“I’m not even sure what that means,” he sputtered.
“Exactly what it sounds like. I want to learn how to turn you on.”
Now his cheeks were beet red, and from the harried way he was rubbing them, he probably realized he was blushing like a schoolgirl. “Why?” he croaked. “We’re…me…and you…are you saying you’re into me? Oh fuck. If I led you on in any way, I—”
“I’m not into you,” she cut in, rolling her eyes.
“Then why?”
“Because…” She inhaled a deep breath. “Don’t breathe a word of this to anyone, okay?”
“How could I? I have no idea what we’re even talking about.”
She ignored him. “I almost slept with Owen last night.”
Cooper blinked in surprise. “What?”
“We…he…we fooled around, okay? And there were some awkward moments, I guess.” Her cheeks flamed. “And then he stopped it, and referred to what we did as nice and fine.”
Cooper laughed. Evidently he’d gotten over his shock and was reverting back to his usual state of being: insensitive asshole.
“Don’t you dare laugh,” she snapped. “It’s not funny. It’s embarrassing.”
He had the decency to look penitent. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have laughed.” He sighed. “So what does this have to do with me?”
“I… God, this is humiliating…” She took a breath. “I think he thinks I suck at sex, and that’s why he stopped it.”
Cooper gave her a patronizing grin. “People don’t suck at sex, darlin’.”
“What if I do? I’ve only done it with one guy, and that was four years ago.”
“You haven’t had sex in four years?” he exclaimed.
Annoyance prickled her skin. “I’ve been busy. I went on a few dates, a couple of guys my brothers set me up with. But nothing serious.”
“And you want to sleep with Owen?”
“Yes. But I don’t want to be all clumsy and amateur about it. I want to feel confident and bold and sexy.” She gave him an imploring look. “I want to practice first.”
He sighed. “This has bad idea written all over it, Mad.”
Her chin lifted in determination. “I think I need to do this. I need to prove this to myself.”
“Prove what?” he asked warily.
“That I’m not some inexperienced loser.” As she said the words, her chest suddenly felt lighter. “Sex appeal isn’t my strong suit, all right? I’m a tomboy—look how long it took me to start dressing like a girl, for Pete’s sake.” She swallowed. “But I don’t want to be a tomboy in the bedroom. I want to feel feminine and desirable.”
“For Owen.”
“For me,” she corrected.
Cooper coughed again. “And I’m your guinea pig?”
“Don’t act like it’s such a horrifying idea. You love sex. You’ll have it with anybody.”
“Oh really?” he said with a mocking lift of his eyebrows. “Maybe I’m a virgin—ever think of that?”
She faltered, and he laughed. “No, I’m not a virgin,” he admitted. “But we’re friends, Maddie. It would be weird.”
“No, it wouldn’t. It would be perfect. We’re not in love with each other, and never will be. And I know you think I’m attractive, at least now that I’m looking all cute and sexy. And I think you’re attractive. So let’s just try it.”
After a moment of silence, he let out a heavy breath. “You’re drunk.”
“Not that drunk.”
“Fine, then you’re crazy.”
“Maybe, but can’t you just be a good friend and help me out? Let’s see what happens. If you’re attracted to me, we’ll know. And if you’re not, and can’t get it up, I won’t even be offended because at least you tried to help.”
“I can always get it up.”
The wounded look on his face made her laugh. She should have known that the way to gain his assistance was to suggest that he couldn’t spring a boner in her presence.
“Prove it,” she answered with a grin. “Be a good friend and take me home tonight.”
His sexy face scrunched up, both pensive and apprehensive. He was silent for so long she felt a burst of disappointment, knowing she’d lost, but then Cooper exhaled slowly and said, “One condition. Well, two.”
“Name them.”
“One, you don’t tell anyone about this, especially the boss.” He scowled. “If you two live happily ever after, I don’t want him firing me because I slept with his girl.”
“Deal. What else?” she asked.
“You help me with the renovations I’m doing on my place.”
She gaped at him. “You’re trading sex for manual labor?”
Cooper shrugged. “I don’t exactly have the cash to hire a crew to help me, and I know you know your way around a hammer and power tools, so…”