Defensive Daddy

“Yep. Thanks.” I pushed away from him and rescued my coffee, hoping to maintain some shred of dignity.

We headed toward the park trail. The fountain was decorated in white lights, outlining the shape of it, since it was far too cold to have the water running this time of year.

I took the first sip of my coffee. He was right; it was pure liquid gold. I’d never had coffee that tasted that delicious, and a moan of delight escaped my lips just as I turned to face Cooper, quite surprised by the magic he’d just introduced me to.

“This is amazing,” I groaned dramatically.

A smile pulled at Cooper’s smooth lips. “I told you, the best coffee in the city.”

“I thought all coffee must taste the same,” I said, shrugging.

“How dare you.” Cooper scoffed at the notion, leading us both into soft laughter.

At the trail, I looked around at the bare trees and snow-covered grass.

“So, tell me something. Pancakes or waffles?” Cooper broke the silence with his deep voice.

I side-eyed him. An interesting choice of random conversation. “Pancakes, most definitely. They’re so much simpler than waffles, and they taste the same with butter and syrup,” I rambled, before taking another sip of coffee just to shut myself up.

“I’d have to agree with you on that one.”

“Okay, what about...plain milk chocolate or a peanut butter cup?” I asked.

“Peanut butter cup, no contest. What kind of question is that?” Cooper rolled his eyes.

“Excuse me? Straight-up milk chocolate has its place, too.” I held my hand to my chest, in utter disbelief that he wouldn’t see that.

We walked together in silence, a comfortable silence, taking in the natural beauty around us as we drank the most delicious coffee in the entire city.

“Thank you.”

Cooper stopped, looking at me squarely. “For what?” His eyes had a glint to them, and the only other time I’d seen that look was from Ethan.

A long, long time ago.

My palms were instantly clammy in response, and I failed to find the words to speak.

He smiled, almost proudly, it seemed, like he was aware he made me speechless just by pinning me with his gaze.

“For the coffee,” I finally explained. “And for watching Levi for me the other day.” My body shivered, the warmth of the coffee long worn off now that we’d finished them.

“You don’t need to thank me for either of those things. I told you to come out tonight, and I offered to watch him because I wanted to.” Cooper wriggled out of his coat.

“But why?” I asked as he stepped closer to me, closing the space between us and wrapping his thick coat around my shoulders. The heat from his body clung to it, sending chills down my spine but warming me at the same time.

“Because there’s just something about you, Samantha.” Cooper placed his index finger beneath my chin, gently tilting it up as he lowered his lips to mine without hesitation, stealing away every ounce of oxygen in my lungs. “Let’s go get you warmed up.”

Cooper wrapped his arm around my shoulders as we quickly made our way back to his truck. Once we both got in, he started it up and turned the heater on high.

Something had taken over me, and I had no idea what it was. The sudden urge to kiss him overpowered every bit of nervous energy and uncertainty I had. I scooted closer to him in the seat and cupped my hands on his chilled cheeks without thinking, pressing my lips against his. A smile stretched across his lips, and I pulled back. “What?”

“Nothing.” He chuckled, slowly pushing the coat from my shoulders.

“No, tell me why you were starting to laugh.”

“I wasn’t.” He laughed harder, a contagious sound that I got caught up in. “Now, where were we?”

Cooper smiled mischievously and took control, pressing my back gently against the passenger door. His lips found mine once more as he pulled my bottom lip between his teeth and gave a low growl, sending a spark of electricity through my core and making my center ache with desire. Caught in a frenzy of heated kisses, his hands gripped my waist, maneuvering me down so I lay on the seat, his body between my legs.