Chapter 5

Saturday 7.12am

Ellie

I groan as I come to wakefulness, encased in soft cotton sheets, and the smell of Cooper’s subtle aftershave in the room.

The hazy green of a digital alarm clock on my side of the bed lets me know not only did I sleep longer than usual, but I actually fell asleep with relative ease.

Between Cooper’s arms around me, acting like a security blanket, and the falling rain outside, I was so exhausted and so relaxed, I actually slept well for the first time in months.

I turn on my side, expecting to see him still asleep beside me, but the bed is empty.

Stretching my arms above my head, and yawning, I pull myself up to sitting and look around the room.

Either Cooper really likes dark colors or his decorator does. Everything from the walls, to the bedding, are all muted tones of either grey or black.

I roll my shoulders back and extend my knee to see how it’s feeling after the soak last night.

Even as pain shoots through my joint, a smile creeps over my face as I think about the way Cooper watched me.

Heat tracks over my skin at the memory. I don’t know what’s gotten into me since I met him, but for the oddest reason, I feel safe around him.

I shouldn’t. I don’t know anything about him other than the way he makes me feel.

And right now, aside from my knee, I’m feeling like I don’t want to leave this bed, let alone his house.

I’m deciding whether to get up and go find him when I hear him in the hallway.

He appears, wearing nothing but a pair of frayed jeans and carrying a tray of food. “Room service,” he says.

I laugh as he places the tray at my feet and leans over to kiss me. “Coffee, bagel, some weird fruit my housekeeper bought me, and a croissant,” he rattles off.

I grin at him and shuffle back so I can plump a few pillows behind my back. “Is that all you’re delivering?”

He growls low and gives me a wicked smile. “For now. I’ve decided you need an entire day in bed.”

My eyebrow rises as I take a bite of the bagel he’s buttered for me. “Really?”

He smiles and leans over so he can nuzzle my neck. “Yep. You need to rest that knee.”

I snort a laugh and shake my head. “That’s the only reason is it?”

A smile flickers at his lips. “Course not. But I figured it was worth a shot.”

Since staying in bed with him sounds incredible, I just smile, and carry on eating. “Okay. You convinced me.”

He grins and looks entirely pleased with himself as he climbs off the bed, and points at the tray. “Eat up. I need to go clean the mess I made in the kitchen.”

I do as he says, and enjoy every last mouthful, the extremely good coffee, and the absolute frivolousness of staying in bed.

It should feel weird, being in a stranger’s bed, having them wait on me hand and foot, but it’s just another thing about Cooper that feels entirely comfortable.

When I’ve finished eating and he still hasn’t returned, I ease myself out of bed, grab a robe he laid out for me, and hobble to the bathroom.

He’s so thoughtful, he’s even left a new toothbrush out for me. I use the bathroom and brush my teeth, still astonished at how amazing he’s being.

I finish up and limp back to the bedroom all the while wondering when this bubble is going to burst.

Instead of dwelling on what will happen when I need to leave, I decide to live in the moment and just accept that right now, this is exactly where I want to be.

I snuggle back into bed and sink against the plump pillows, and for the first time in my life, decide I’m going to let someone take care of me.

I’m entirely relaxed when Cooper comes back in the room with another ice pack, and pillows.

He takes a seat at my feet, and just like he did last night, expertly slides a few pillows under my leg until my leg is raised.

With a wink, he places the ice pack on my knee and runs his hand up my exposed leg. “Want to watch a movie?”

I laugh and nod eagerly. “What did you have in mind?”

He grabs a remote from his side of the bed and pushes a button. My eyes widen in surprise as the wall parts and a screen appears.

He grins at me as a menu comes up on the screen and he starts to scroll through a dizzying array of titles.

I don’t recognize the channel or the subscription service, so I squint at the screen. With a start, I realize I’m looking at his personal movie collection, some titles going back to the fifties.

“How did you get all those on there?”

He chuckles and sits on the bed beside me. “I know people,” is all he says.

I’m still shaking my head when he passes me the remote and leans back on his own set of pillows. “You can choose the first one,” he says.

My jaw drops and I’m not sure whether to jump him or ask him a billion questions I probably shouldn’t do.

Rather than set myself up to be disappointed, I go with the safer bet and find a movie instead.

***

Cooper

I expected to have been accumulating mega Brownie Points for watching a chick flick, but when the credits roll, Ellie doesn’t seem anywhere near as pleased as I thought she would.

I nudge her shoulder with mine. “You didn’t like it?”

She pulls a face. “It’s was okay. But completely unrealistic.”

I chuckle and switch the screen off. “Isn’t that the point of romance movies?”

Her eyes narrow. “Maybe. I get that it’s an escape, but I just don’t think love is as easy or as convenient as Hollywood makes it.”

I can’t say I do either, but I’m insanely curious as to why she doesn’t.

“You don’t believe in happy endings?”

She shrugs. “I want to. I’ve just never seen anyone get one.”

The urge to ask her more questions starts to grow but when I look at her, there’s a warning in her voice. “Don’t ask, okay? Let’s just keep things nice and simple.”

When she shifts closer and presses her lips to mine, I know the conversation is over.

I wrap my hand around the back of her neck and kiss her until I’m not thinking about anything else but her body.

I know she’s using sex to distract me, but right now with her hand stroking my cock over my jeans, she’s answering the only question that matters.

She unbuttons my pants, makes sure my cock is out and leans over. Her lip catches her teeth before she looks up at me through her long lashes and smiles.

I grip the headboard as her lips wrap around my cock and she starts to slide her mouth up and down.

She uses her tongue to lick my tip, sucking my jizz and making me crazy as she rakes her fingernails over my ball sack.

I grab her hair and pull her deeper until my entire shaft is consumed by her mouth.

She starts to hum, making vibrations travel through my cock. With every lick, every suck, I’m getting closer to telling her things I can’t do.

Before I reveal too much, I push her back, and she pouts a little as I lose my jeans. “I was enjoying that,” she says.

I growl. “Take off the robe.”

She obliges by ridding herself of her the borrowed bathrobe and tossing the ice pack away.

When she starts to open her legs, I push her back and plunge my tongue into her pussy.

She arches her back, and I can feel her starting to cream again, making me even hornier than I already am.

I lick her, tasting her until she’s quivering, and whimpering as she explodes in my mouth.

I wait for her body to still before I work my way up her body, pressing kisses to her flesh, savoring every part of her body, stopping to lick her nipples until they are hard little nubs.

She moans as I pin her to the bed, and let my tongue mingle with hers until I feel like I’m going to come just from the feel of her underneath me.

Her fingers start to creep towards my cock, and I know she’s ready for me to enter her, but I want to take my time.

I keep kissing her neck, her collarbone until she’s begging me to get in her.

I shift back and decide to have a little fun before I fuck her senseless.

With a grin, I position myself between her legs so I can see her pussy and push my finger inside her.

I alternate between licking her clit and pushing my finger inside her until jizz is flowing freely from my cock, and I’m out of my head.

When she begs me again, I don’t hesitate to act. I climb on top of her and let a loud gasp escape when my cock slips inside her.

I start to thrust and don’t stop until her nails dig into my ass and I can feel her muscles tense.

She sucks in a deep breath then lets out an almighty roar as she comes with my cock inside her.

I’m so turned on, so thoroughly pleased I made her come, I pump her harder, enjoying every thrust, every contortion of her face as she climaxes again, and again.

By the fourth time, my cock is no longer listening to my commands, and pleasure ripples uncontrollably through me as I explode inside her.

I’m still caught in the throes of an orgasm, eyes closed and mouth open wide, as the strangest thought occurs to me.

Whatever it is she’s hiding from, I’m not sure I’ll be able to resist finding out.

***

Ellie

Saturday 5.27pm

Since it was a little tricky to eat dinner in bed, I insisted Cooper let me watch him assemble dinner.

After watching him slice and dice the ingredients for the sauce, it’s apparent he’s trained somewhere professionally. “Where did you learn to cook?”

He eyes me and shakes some herbs into the bubbling pot. “I’ll tell you if you tell me something personal about yourself.”

I blink rapidly and shake my head. “What?

He takes a sip of his wine before he explains. “How I learned to cook is personal. So, if you want to know, you have to give me something in return.”

I swallow, irritation growing the more he stares unyielding at me. “Or we could just keep it simple. And have a few off-limits areas.”

He drops the spoon and refills his glass. “Sure. We can do that. But it would be nice to know more about you than just your name?”

When I don’t answer and stall by taking a large gulp of my wine, he just shakes his head. “You always this guarded?”

I raise my chin a fraction. “I’m just being sensible. This little fantasy isn’t going to last, so I’m not getting too invested.”

He frowns hard and mutters something under his breath as he returns to stirring the pasta sauce. “So you close the door before it’s opened?”

I fold my arms across my chest and try to keep from losing my temper. “I don’t like sharing personal things about myself. Not with you, not with anyone.”

With his eyes on the sauce, I can’t tell if he’s even listening, but after he’d been so sweet, I don’t want to ruin what I know will be the last night we spend together.

The thought knocks around in my head driving me to say something to smooth over the crack I just created.

“My life hasn’t been great, okay? Can you understand it’s difficult to share those things with someone I don’t think will understand?”

He looks up, and I’m relieved to see his face soften. He sighs and a wry smile appears. “Okay. You win.”

I wince. “It’s not a competition. I just don’t like to talk about myself.”

His expression doesn’t change as he pulls out two pasta bowls, and places them on the counter in front of me.

I’m more than a little curious when he expertly swirls the spaghetti on the plate and grates fresh parmesan over the top.

With a smile, he steps around the counter and grabs the bowls and places them on the table.

I take my wine to the table and laugh as he pulls out my chair and affects an alarmingly good Italian accent. “Spero che ti piaccia mangiare questo tanto quanto mi piace mangiare te,” he says with a devilish smile.

Even though I have no idea what he just said, I get the distinct impression it’s filthy.

But if he’s flirting with me, or being dirty, at least he seems to have gotten over the need to pry into my life.

He watches me as I take a bite, and moan as flavor explodes in my mouth. “This is incredible,” I say between breaths.

His eyebrows lift, but he stays silent as I devour my food with way too much gusto. “Guess the cooking lessons were worth it then,” he says.

At the information drop, I fork another mouthful. “And the Italian?”

He shrugs and sips his wine. “I like to learn new things. Cooking was last year. Learning Italian is this year.”

When my bowl is empty, and my wine is finished, I push my bowl away and just shake my head. “Is there anything you can’t do well?”

He chuckles. “You want dessert?”

I shake my head and rise to my feet. “Not until I clear up. It’s the least I can do after you cooked.”

I snatch up a plate before he can refuse and slide the plates on the counter.

I hear his chair scrape against the floor and feel the shift in the air behind me, as he gently pushes me against the counter.

He pulls my hair back from my neck and presses a light kiss to my skin.

His hands snake under my shirt, and he runs his hand over my stomach and tugs it up so my bare breasts are exposed. “I can’t keep my hands of you,” he murmurs.

I lean into him, my back pressed against his chest as his fingers wander over my breasts until my nipples are stiffening and I’m moaning.

His hands drift south, tugging at my shorts as he slides his hand over my pussy. “I’m going to get you wet then bend you over the table,” he whispers in my ear.

I whimper, skin on fire as his fingers work their way inside me. “Do I have any say in this?” I breathe.

I can almost hear the smile in his voice when he replies. “Are you saying you don’t want me to?’

I lean against his chest and let him rub my nipples and my clit until I’m hardly able to hold my weight.

I can feel his hard cock pressed into the small of my back as he rubs me until I’m slick with need.

When I can’t stand it anymore, I spin around and kiss him hard. He grips me around the waist and I climb up his body until my legs are wrapped around his waist.

He walks me to the table, our bodies linked together as he places me down. My fingers grab at his jeans, and I fumble as my fingers seek out his cock.

When I meet his hardness, and my fingers slide over his tip, he moans and pushes my shorts to one side.

Before I can even blink, he slides his cock inside me and starts to pump me hard.

I wrap my arms around his neck and rock my body in time with him until we find our rhythm.

With his cock inside me, I lean back and enjoy the pleasure on his face as he grabs my hips and pulls me into him.

He thrusts me harder and harder, guttural sounds escaping from his mouth in between frantic tongue kisses.

When I’m sure he’s close to coming, he slows down and uses his thumb to stimulate my clit, until the pleasure is starting to build.

I grip his shoulders, pressure starting to grow with the skillful combination of his thumb and his cock, an unexpected orgasm erupts.

My muscles are trembling when I finally finish a long and very loud climax. When I’ve finished, he removes his hand and grabs me around the waist.

I think he’s going to finish, but true to his word, he manhandles me, spinning me around so my ass is facing him.

He slides back inside me with a grunt while his hands caress my ass. He slides in and out, muttering in Italian until I’m near dizzy with the need for him to thrust harder.

“Fuck me hard,” I pant.

He growls under his breath and starts to pump me so hard, and so deep, I can hardly breathe for the intensity.

I grip the tabletop, pleasure shooting through me, as much for his absolute enjoyment as my own.

When he starts to make indecipherable noises, I know he’s going to come. My nipples rubbing against the fabric of my t-shirt, near unhinge me as he ruts like he’s a stag in the wild.

As he comes shaking, roaring, I can’t remember a time where I was so utterly and truly fucked by a man.

It’s like he’s taken control of my body, and he can bring me to orgasm at will.

He pulls out, and I turn around, shaking my head at how incredibly hot the sex was.

I don’t even bother to filter myself as I lean, heavy limbed against the tabletop. “There is no fucking way you can top that. If I had a medal, I’d give you one.”

When he notices I’m struggling to stand a little, he grins as he sweeps me up into his arms. “Ti porto a letto, he says.

I wrinkle my nose and wrap my fingers around his neck. “What does that mean?”

“I’m taking you to bed,” he says with a smile.

Given what we just accomplished on the kitchen table, I’m a little worried my Italian Stallion is ready for another round.

But when we reach the bedroom, he just lays me down and winks. “You’ve worn me out, woman. I feel like I’ve run a marathon.”

I laugh and curl on my side so he can spoon me. “A sex marathon,” I say.

He laughs low, switches the light off, and drapes his hand around my waist.

I close my eyes, and for the second night in a row, I fall asleep, wrapped in Cooper’s strong arms, listening to his steady breathing and wondering how I’m ever going to be able to leave.