Intercepting Love (Second Chances #5)(14)

“It’s not like that,” I assured him. “Cooper’s the one who moved into the house two doors down, and we figured since we live beside each other it made more sense to ride together.”

He stared at me as if he didn’t believe a single thing that came out of my mouth.

“Okay, Kate, whatever you say. You’re still going out with Luke on Saturday, right?”

I nodded. “Yep, I wouldn’t miss it.”

“Good, because he’s pretty stoked about it. Go out with him at least once before you break his heart. I swear I always thought it would be the other way around.”

“Evan, me and Luke haven’t even gone on one date. There’s no breaking hearts here. We have a date, and I’m sticking with my plans. Cooper and I are just friends, and to be honest, he’s actually not that bad.”

“Oh, I know he’s not,” Evan admitted. “He kicked ass out there today. I just don’t want you getting in over your head with him … or Luke for that matter.”

I groaned and bumped him with my shoulder. “I don’t plan on it, and even if I did it’s my choice. You’ll just have to get over it.”

When Cooper emerged from the locker room, his hair was still damp and mussed from the shower, and even from the distance I could see the devilish smirk on his face. His heated gaze followed my body up and down, and without thinking I smiled and bit my lip.

“Oh hell, this isn’t good,” Evan groaned, snapping my attention back to him. “So help me, if he hurts you I’m going to kick his ass. I can see it now that you two aren’t going to behave.”

“Everything okay?” Cooper asked, glancing back and forth between me and my brother.

Evan sighed and glared right at him. “It is for now, and it better stay that way.” Squeezing my arm, he sent one last warning glare to Cooper before strolling over to his truck.

“I’m assuming that was directed at me?” he asked.

“Of course,” I groaned, “but you were warned before getting mixed up with me.”

Taking my elbow, Cooper guided me to his car and opened the door. “I’m not worried about your brother, Kate. I’m not going to do anything to you unless you ask me to.”

“Like what?” I asked coyly.

Shielded from view by the car door, Cooper leaned in and brought his lips closer to mine, opening them slightly. I couldn’t move, but then again … I didn’t want to. Instead of kissing me, he murmured across my lips, “I’m sure you’ll figure that out when the time comes. If you want me to kiss you, I’m not going to do it until you place your soft lips on mine first. If you want me to touch you, I’m not going to unless you beg me for it. It’s all on you now, love.”

Breathing hard, I pulled back abruptly and cleared my throat. “Good,” I blurted out, “I agree. Now there won’t be any complications.”

“Exactly,” he agreed.

Exactly, I repeated in my mind.

Smirking, he shut the car door and ambled over to his side. From the look on his face he didn’t believe me, and even worse … I didn’t believe myself.





Cooper had a grin on his face the entire way to the restaurant, and the whole time I felt like an idiot as I scowled out the window. My evening only happened to get worse when my phone buzzed in my purse. I was afraid it would be Scott’s family, but it wasn’t; it was Luke.

“Hey,” I answered, sneaking a glance over at Cooper.

In the past two years, I went from a completely desolate love life to now having two very hot and extremely sexy men interested in me. If anything, I needed to stay far away from Cooper. Luke would be the better option if I had to make a choice.

Yeah, keep telling yourself that.

“Hey, babe,” Luke replied excitedly. “So listen, I know we have our date on Saturday, but there’s something I wanted to tell you. I thought maybe we could meet up tonight so I could give you the good news.”

“Oh, Luke, that sounds great, but I’m actually headed over to The Carolina Tavern to eat dinner. Lara wanted me to stop by. Do you want to meet up afterwards?”

“Actually, I’ll just meet you there. I’ll see you in a minute.” He hung up so fast that I didn’t even have time to call out his name and stop him; he was already gone.

“Great,” I muttered sarcastically, sliding my phone back in my purse.

“What’s wrong?” Cooper asked. “And who’s Luke by the way?”

Sighing, I blew out a nervous breath. “He’s my brother’s best friend. He asked if he could see me tonight, and before I could stop him he said he’d meet me at the tavern.”

“I thought you said you weren’t dating anyone.”

“I’m not,” I replied truthfully, keeping my gaze on the road. “We have our first date this Saturday.”

Cooper chuckled and immediately I glared over at him. “What’s so funny about that?” I asked.

“Nothing really,” he said between laughs, “it’s just, I should’ve known something like this was going to happen. No worries, though. I can play nice. It’s always good to meet the competition.”

“Cooper, that’s not what this is about. There’s no competition!”