“Well, doesn’t everyone want to win points with everyone?” he asks, almost confused.
“Depends. Are you trying to impress me or build our friendship or . . . ?” I wiggle my eyebrows. “Get lucky?” Part of me can’t believe the words that just came out of my mouth, but a bigger part loves that I’m going there.
He chuckles. “Whenever a girl is involved, probably all three.”
“Even friendship?”
“Isn’t it more fun if there’s friendship?” he asks.
“Valid question. And if I look back at all of my failed romantic endeavors, I’d say there was never much friendship involved. Just carnal magnetism.”
“Carnal? Really?”
“I mean, isn’t that what sex is all about? Being carnal?”
He shrugs. “Things with Dealia were always . . . tender.”
I cover my mouth, trying not to throw up all over this table. “Dear God, Grandpa, do not use the term ‘tender’ when referring to sex.”
He chuckles. “That’s what it was, though. I tried spanking her—Jesus, why am I saying this to you? You’re her friend.”
“That I am, but I kind of need you to finish that spanking sentence. I’m very interested in hearing how it ends.”
He sighs. “I tried spanking her once, but she was so offended that she slipped her clothes back on and pulled the blankets all the way up to her neck, turning them into a chastity belt. After that, I kept things tender.”
“I’m literally gagging over here with that word. Please don’t say it again. I’ve never considered sex to be . . .” I swallow hard. “Tender.” He smirks, and that smile eases some of the bile that rises to the back of my throat. “Sex has always been extremely physical for me.” I pause and tilt my head to the side as it occurs to me: “Wait, have you only ever had sex with Dealia?”
He shrugs. “We were each other’s firsts. Of course she’s the only one I’ve ever been with.”
“Wow.”
“You don’t have to sound so surprised. We got married young—I thought she was it for me.”
“Now, I get that. I’m just surprised you haven’t really done anything since you’ve been divorced. One of my mom’s friends got divorced and downloaded Tinder as a fifty-year-old woman just to test out what she’s been missing out on in the bedroom department.”
Cooper pulls on the back of his neck. “Didn’t think I was in the right state of mind to do anything like that. Had to focus on myself first.”
“Makes sense.” I tap the table with my fingers. “So would you say you’re ready now?”
His teeth roll over his bottom lip. “I’m not sure I’ll know what ‘ready’ feels like. I guess if something happens, then something happens . . .”
His eyes connect with mine. I can physically feel my body heat up, starting at the tip of my toes and, like a tidal wave, crashing all the way to the top of my head.
Then something happens . . .
What exactly does that mean? Is he talking about me? Is he referring to tonight?
Do I even want something to happen?
If he wasn’t Dealia’s ex? I wouldn’t have even given it a second thought. I would have already made a move just based on the chemistry I feel between us and the immense amount of attraction I have for him. But with Dealia in the mix, hovering between us like a guilt-inducing ghost, she makes things complicated.
But God, he’s so handsome, and I don’t think I’ve ever had a connection with a man like I have with Cooper right now. If this was a first date—which I know it’s not—I would easily be planning out dates two, three, and four.
He nudges me with his foot, forcing me to meet that steel gaze of his again. “Is dessert still on the table?”
“Um, what . . . uh, what kind of dessert are you thinking about?”
His brow creases in confusion. “You said you know a dessert place.”
“Oh right, yes,” I say as my cheeks heat up.
“What did you think I was talking about?”
“Nothing.” I wave him off. “Just was confused for a second.”
He grins and leans his arms on the table. “Were you thinking I was talking about another kind of dessert?” He winks, and God, it’s the cutest thing ever. So cute that I’m tempted to leap across the table and tackle him with my lips.
This isn’t good.
I’m feeling too much.