Charming Cupid Page 5
Next I counted back from 1000. By the time I got to one, I was more alert than when I’d been at 999.
Hoping the third time was the charm, I grabbed my phone and opened an app I’d downloaded with soothing music that was supposed to subliminally suggest that I fall asleep. Thirty minutes later I was wide awake staring at the ceiling fan.
Finally I did a relaxation exercise where I visualized each muscle in my body loosening. The only problem with my visualization was that I had a guest star assisting me in loosening my muscles. Without meaning to, I was fantasizing about Cooper touching every area of my body that I was supposed to be relaxing. Those visuals had my body strung so tight with arousal it made drifting off to dreamland impossible.
Since sleep was a cruel beast that I was unable to tame, I decided that I might try to relax my body with a little manual stimulation. Most of the time when I pleasured myself I needed some sort of outside inspiration or a toy to aid in my release. But after seeing Cooper half naked, my body was primed and ready to go.
I shut my eyes and was instantly transported into a fantasy where Coop was on top of me, his lips pressed against my neck. I imagined the weight of his sculpted body pinning me in place as I slid my hands beneath the drawstring waistline of my pajama bottoms. A swirl of tension built low in my belly as my fingers dipped beneath the lace of my panties that were already damp with desire.
“I want you so bad.”
I heard him whisper between kisses as his mouth moved down my body. He stopped when he reached the peaks of my breasts and his tongue traced magic circles around my nipples. My forefinger mirrored those circles around my swollen clit. I moved my other hand beneath my tank top and squeezed my nipple between my finger and thumb, the entire time imagining it was his lips, his teeth nipping at my pebbled flesh.
My breathing grew even more labored as my fantasy continued and he turned his attention to the needy area between my thighs. As I fantasized about his mouth covering my sex, my inner walls began to pulse as my body started building toward orgasm.
“You taste so good.”
His deep voice was so clear in my head as I squeezed my eyes shut and my thighs together. My finger began flicking my pleasure nub. Faster and faster it moved as I imagined Cooper’s tongue in its place. My release slammed into me and my body seized with bliss.
“Cooper,” a hoarse cry ripped from my chest.
The sweet relief I’d been yearning for was short-lived. Mere minutes later, I lay in bed staring at the shadows of the ceiling fan cast on the far wall. My chest was rising and falling rapidly and I was more awake than I’d been before.
With a sigh, I gave in to the inevitable and swallowed a sleeping pill. I flopped back down into bed and groaned. Even with the pharmaceutical aid, I had a feeling it was going to be a long, long night.
CHAPTER 7
Coop
Water streamed over my head and down my shoulders and I tried to let it bring a little clarity to my thoughts. After seeing, scratch that, catching Vanessa staring at me on the balcony last night, I was more determined than ever to make this weekend count. I just had no idea how to go about doing that.
I was used to making a plan and executing it. I couldn’t remember a time that I’d set a goal and been unable to achieve it. Sure, sometimes it took longer than I anticipated. Sometimes the path wasn’t quite as clear as I expected. But I always adapted. That was the key to success: never lose sight of the end game.
When I was playing ball, one thing I excelled at was calling audibles in the huddle. There were a lot of theories about what made me such a successful quarterback, but I knew that flexibility was my true gift. My eagle vision, cannon arm, and accuracy rate wouldn’t have mattered if I hadn’t been running winning routes.
The Oasis was basically the gridiron and I just needed to figure out how to progress down the field.
Jade was right. I relied too much on the charm offensive. To be fair, I’d had a 100 percent success rate with that strategy in my life so far, but in this case, I didn’t think it was going to be enough.
Being here, in the same place as Vanessa was a great first step. But just being in the same vicinity as her wasn’t enough. She needed to get to know me. I needed time with her. Time for her to see what I already knew e.g. that we were perfect for each other. She’d artfully dodged me and I hadn’t quite known how to navigate it because…well, I’d never had a woman do that before.
Not to be cocky, it was just the truth. It’d never been like this for me before.
But, Vanessa. Damn was she worth the effort. Her hair, her eyes…her body. But, more than that, she was smart. Crazy smart. And witty. Over the past six months I’d watched every interview I could find, read everything I could about her, and even listened to all of her podcasts. She was genuine and nurturing. She truly cared about people. I could hear it when she spoke.
She was the perfect balance of driven and accomplished and beautiful and feminine. The two sides complementing each other like one of those yin-yang symbols that used to be on every other sticker-covered skateboard or snowboard.
She was the total package.
And she was the first woman who’d ever done anything but fall all over themselves when I’d flashed my smile at them. I couldn’t deny that it was definitely part of her intrigue. Not the whole thing, certainly. I’d been a smitten kitten with her before I knew about the chase.
But, yeah. I could admit that the fact I hadn’t managed to “crack the code” yet added to my intense desire to find out what made her tick.
That’s it.
A moment of clarity struck me, as suddenly as being hit over the head with a mallet or a light bulb appearing above my head in a cartoon. I had an epiphany, and as soon as it occurred to me, I wanted to smack my forehead because it was so damn obvious I couldn’t believe I hadn’t realized it from the beginning.
This wasn’t about me.
Yep. My big realization was stupid simple, but it changed everything. It changed my whole focus and switched up my perspective entirely.
This. Is. Not. About. Me.
Holy shit.
Damn, I felt like a real asshole because the idea of something not being about me blew my mind so fucking thoroughly.
Now, I saw everything differently. It wasn’t about showing her who I was, it was about finding out who she is. It wasn’t about figuring out what she’s looking for. It was about finding out what she wanted or needed and if I was it.
It was about her.
I smiled.
For the past decade, I’d heard stories about Vanessa from Jade, so I felt like I knew her. And once I’d laid eyes on her, I’d felt an immediate connection that I’d never experienced before. Over the past six months I’d basically studied her. But in reality, what did I actually know about her that anyone couldn’t research and find out? Sure, I knew a few college antics that she’d gotten in thanks to Jade, but none of that was really personal.
What were her interests?
I knew that she was focused on her career, but what else was she passionate about?
She was smart, entrepreneurial, and driven. But any mildly observant person would know that.
But was she close to her family?
I began to wonder, other than obvious attraction, what else we might have in common. I had seven brothers and a sister. I doubted she came from a family that large, but did she have siblings?
I remembered reading that her father passed away several years ago. The article said he was an accomplished poet and had been an established professor who taught at some of the world’s most prestigious universities. But I didn’t remember it mentioning family other than Vanessa and her mother as people he was survived by.
I needed time. Time to get to know her.
An idea struck that I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of before. I shut the water off, grabbed a towel, and dried off as I left the bathroom and pulled my laptop out
of my overnight bag. I flipped it open and pulled up her site. I clicked on the picture advertising the seminar and my heart sank when I saw the banner at the top of the page that read: Sold out!
“Of course it’s sold out.” I mumbled, feeling like an idiot for not thinking of attending the seminar sooner.
I hung my head down as defeat washed over me.
What the hell had I been thinking?
Had I really been arrogant enough to think that just being in the same hotel with Vanessa would be enough?
Did I honestly think that it would be that easy?
Yes, of course I did. Things had always come easy for me. School. Sports. Women. Business. I worked hard, but it wasn’t hard work.
Studying was time consuming, but learning the material was never difficult.
Sports were grueling, but I never doubted that if I was disciplined and put in the work, I’d be the best.
Women were fun, they liked me and I liked them. I never made promises I couldn’t keep and I never lied to get what I wanted, and I always got what I wanted.
As far as business, there’d been a slight learning curve when it came to product development, distribution, and marketing, but I never doubted myself or my ability. I’d been confident that the only thing I needed to do was team up with the right people, read the right books, and find a mentor or two and things would work out, which so far they had.
This was the first time in my life, I was actually at a loss for what I should do.
My phone rang and I looked down and saw that it was my mom calling.
Growing up, my siblings and I would joke around about my mom “knowing all and seeing all” because Dolly Briggs somehow knew what was going on with all nine of her kids at all times. She must be getting her maternal Spidey senses.
“How’s the most beautiful mother of nine doing this morning?”
“I hate how you always qualify my beauty by adding mother of nine,” she flatly responded.
“Okay, how is the most beautiful woman in Clover County doing this morning?”
“The county, huh?”
“We can go back to mother of nine,” I teased.
“County’s fine, and so am I. Are you coming to Sunday dinner tomorrow?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Just bring her.”
“What?”
My mom sighed. “You’ve only ever missed Sunday dinner because of a girl or because you’re out of town. Just bring her.”
I’d love to bring her, unfortunately I didn’t think her would like to come.
“I’m not in town. But I’m coming home tomorrow.” Shit. Tomorrow. That was really all the time I had left. “If I get back in time, I’ll stop by.”
“Where are you?”
“I’m at Sullivan’s place.”
“Liam Sullivan?”
“Yep.”
“How’s he doing?” My mom’s question was laced with genuine concern.
I’d filled my mom in on his divorce when it was going down. She’d always had a soft spot for Liam but had never been a fan of Stacy. Her response to hearing that they were no longer together was basically “good riddance.”
“He’s good. The resort is incredible. You and dad should come up here.”
“Sure. If I’m ever able to drag your father off the farm for more than a few hours.”
“I’m sorry, Mama.” My father was all about his land. He was an old school cowboy who worked 365 days of the year and lived and breathed the farm.
“Don’t be. I knew exactly who I was gettin’ when I walked down that aisle.”
My mom had always maintained that the key to a happy marriage was going into it with your eyes wide open. She said a lot of people squeeze their eyes shut when they take the plunge and then they’re shocked when they hit the water.
“So, why are you there?”
“I’m doing a pre-launch of my therapy oils.”
“Mm-hmm.”
In Dolly Briggs language mm-hmm translated to bullshit.
“What?”
“Nothing. I was just wondering if the location of your pre-launch had anything to do with a certain psychologist that you’ve been mooning over being there.”
“How did you know…?”
“I know everything.”
Logically, I knew that couldn’t be true, but somehow emotionally, I believed that she really did.
“If you knew where I was, why didn’t you just say so?”
“Where would the fun be in that?”
I had to smile. My mom always did find joy in toying with her children.
“Have you seen her?”
“Yes.” Not that I made any headway.
My mom chuckled.
“What’s so funny?”
“I can tell from your tone she didn’t swoon and fall at your feet.”
“I’m glad you find that amusing.”
“I’m glad you’re finally interested in someone who’s giving you a run for your money.”
“Thanks for the support, Mom.” I said flatly.
“Anytime. Love you.”
“Love you.”
I disconnected the call and my stomach growled. I might not know exactly what my next move was going to be, but I’d have a much easier time figuring it out on a full stomach. So the plan now was breakfast, then maybe I’d do a little recon on her seminar before I headed to the spa to check on the oils I had shipped. With any luck, I’d at least be able to figure out her schedule and see if I could finesse dinner with me into it.
It wasn’t a great plan, but it was all I had.
CHAPTER 8
Vanessa
I pressed the button for the elevator and didn’t even realize I was holding my breath until the doors opened and I saw that the only occupants were the mom who’d gotten onto the elevator with us the night before and three of her kiddos. She had a baby secured in a sling wrap across her chest and she was holding the hands of the other two little ones. I stepped on and tried to shake off the twinge of disappointment I had at not seeing a certain multi-color eyed, chisel chested, ex-football player waiting inside.
Was this going to happen all weekend?
Was I going to expect to see him around every corner? In every elevator?
Was my breath going to be bated with anticipation at my next Cooper Briggs sighting?
I knew the answers before I even asked myself the questions. Yes, yes, and yes.
“I’m four. How old are you?”
It took me a moment to realize that the little blonde girl with a halo of ringlets was speaking to me.
“Sorry.” The woman with the infant secured in a sling gave me an apologetic look before addressing the little girl. “Sierra, we don’t ask people how old they are.”
“But Mama, people always ask me how old I am?”
Sierra made a good point. I was sure that she was asked that question all the time. I could see her mother trying to come up with a reason why it was okay for people to ask her but she couldn’t do the same.
“It’s okay.” I smiled at them both. “I’m thirty.”
Her eyes widened and she gasped. “My auntie is thirty. She’s getting married today. I’m going to be her flower thrower.”
“That sounds like fun. I bet you’re going to be a great flower thrower.”
“And I get to wear a pretty dress.” Sierra was wearing shorts and a tank top but she twirled in a circle and pretended that a long dress was flowing around her.
“Wow. That sounds so fun.”
After she landed a particularly enthusiastic spin, she lifted up on her tiptoes and whispered, “My dress isn’t purple, but it’s still pretty.”
“Is purple your favorite color?”
She nodded. “Did you wear a pretty dress when you got married?”
“I’m not married.”
“Why not?”
“Sierra.” Her mother clipped in warning as the elevator doors opened.
Sierra was undeterred an
d asked with the earnestness only a child could possess as we all exited the cab. “Do you like any boys?”
The moment she asked the question, Cooper’s face popped into my head. I blinked and tried to erase it but the image remained burned into my mind’s eye. “No.”
“Just find a boy you like and then make him your husband and you could live happily ever after,” she said as if it was the easiest thing in the world.
If it were that simple, I’d be out of a job.
“Sierra, we have to go.” Her mother tugged at Sierra’s hand, glancing over her shoulder to say, “Sorry, again,” as she rushed the girls across the lobby.
“Bye!” Sierra lifted her free hand in the air and waved it wildly as her little feet tried to keep up with her mom’s pace.
“Bye!” I smiled and waved.
“Was that the woman from yesterday?”
I turned my head and saw Madison standing with a wireless earbud in one ear and an iPad in her hands.
“Yes and that’s her daughter Sierra. She is four, her favorite color is purple and she is going to be a flower thrower in her thirty-year-old aunt’s wedding today.”
“Do you know them?” Madison asked, her brow wrinkled in confusion.
“No. She just told me all that on the elevator ride down.”
“Wow. It’s too bad you couldn’t get that kind of information from everyone you ride an elevator with,” Madison commented as we made our way to breakfast.
She was obviously referring to our run-in with Cooper. As much as I wanted to indulge in a little girl talk, I knew that now wasn’t the time. If I allowed myself to start talking about Cooper Briggs, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to get my head on straight for the seminar.
“Is everything set up for this morning’s session?” I changed the subject.
“Yes. I just came from the Sunset conference room. The packets are all ready for check-in and I tested the projector with your computer. You’re all set with your presentation. After breakfast, you have twenty minutes to prep for the morning session. Then there’s an hour for lunch. After that, I booked you a massage and then you have three hours of discretionary time before your evening session.”