Friend Zoned - Love Trap

“Yeah, we’ll go with that.” He hooks his fingers into the side of my thong before dropping to his knees in front of me, his nose nuzzling into my landing strip. He’s told me many times how much he loves that I keep it that way. I feel his tongue lick my clit, and I lose all sense of time. All I want in this moment is the orgasm my body is yearning for.

“Don’t stop,” I moan, but he does just that.

“You’ll be late if I don’t, then you’ll pout and try and take this pussy away from me tonight. And I want your tight heat surrounding my length, skin to skin, coming deep inside you.” Cooper’s already on his feet, his hand where his tongue just was, this time placing my thong back in its place.

I pout, but it does nothing to sway him. “Come on, let’s get this signed and sealed. You know, since you won’t let me help you.” He’s still a bit salty about me not taking his offer, but there was no way I was letting money come between us.

“Hush, you don’t know if they’ll even want to invest.” I grab my purse, step into my shoes, and walk in front of him towards the front door.

“You know damn good and well they believe in you. Just like I do.” He holds the front door open for me.

“I’m not celebrating until I get the final word. I know they’re your parents, but I don’t want there to be bad blood, you know?”

“Babe, the minute Mom heard about what Gardener did to you, she was out for blood. Which means you know Dad was right there with her. I bet that last event was a lot of fun. I almost wish we had gone.” Apparently, there was an event at their country club that Mr. Gardener attended. Of course, Coop’s mom tooted my horn and was putting me in an exceptional light and stating how embarrassing it must be for Gardener to have to lay off employees at this time of year. Cooper was dying of laughter when his mom retold it over the phone. His dad was chuckling in the background. His parents really are that amazing. My parents could use a lesson about that. Sure, mine are great, but they don’t go that extra mile to tell you how proud of you they are or if you’re okay. They raised me and then shooed me out of the house at their earliest convenience. It’s just how they are. Nothing more and nothing less.

“Fingers crossed.” We walk out together, taking the elevator down to the parking garage. Every time we’re on this elevator together, our eyes meet one another’s thinking back to the moment that made us whole.

“You got this, Hadley. Just wait and see,” Cooper says. I pray he’s right because I really want to see this dream become a reality.

“Time will tell. Did I tell you how much I love you today?” I invade Cooper’s side, cuddling into him.

“I don’t think you have,” he plays along, knowing damn well the words tumble from my lips more than ten times a day. He always responds and some days, he’s the first one to say it and play into my game.

“I love you.”

“And I love you.” He kisses my nose before grabbing my hand and walking us to his car. My stomach is a bundle of butterflies, but I’m prepared to see this through, or to set my sights on working my way to it. Whatever happens, happens. As long as I have Cooper, I have everything I could ever need.FourteenCooperI knew my parents wouldn’t say no. Hell, I looked over her business plan and knew it was solid. Hadley wouldn’t budge on a no-interest loan. She’s right, though, I knew she wanted to earn it, and this way she will. Even though it fucking sucked, I understood it. That’s why, after the celebration dinner we had at my parents’ house, we came home instead of going out on our normal Friday night. The Alibi will be there tomorrow, and so will Tyler. Plus, he knows without a doubt what tonight is going to bring.

Hell, he and Mom went with me to pick out Hadley’s ring. I knew she wouldn’t want anything fancy or unoriginal. It’s why we went to an antique store on the other side of town to find what I was looking for. The damn thing has been burning a hole in my pocket for the past three days. Something kept telling me to hold off. It sucked, but I know now that waiting until today was for the best.

“Want a glass of wine?” I ask Hadley. She’s stepping out of her high heels.

“Please. I’m going to change. I’ll be right back.” Hadley is already stripping as she walks through the house and to the master bedroom. It was a no-brainer to move her and her clothes in. Shit, half my closet was empty anyways. There’s nothing like waking up and falling asleep with her, even though she moves non-stop in her sleep until my arms are wrapped around her. It’s the only way she settles down, murmuring sweet shit while doing so.