Changing the Rules (Richter Book 1)(73)

Cooper traced her fingers with his. “Should we talk about how we’re in Seattle and there isn’t a chance that anyone from school could walk by and see this?”

That definitely helped her mind free space. “It’s almost like we’re having an affair.”

“Maybe when the case is over we can have a role-play weekend once a month.” He tilted his eyebrows in an expectant way.

Cooper was thinking long term, and yet they’d only shared a couple of stolen kisses.

She lowered her voice, leaned forward. “You have to get to second base before we can talk about next month.”

He laughed. “Unless you’re wearing that Sasha Special just to tease me, I’m guessing I can unveil your need to cover all the bases.”

Claire took a quick look at her watch. “Forty minutes,” she said.

“What?”

“You called this a Sasha Special. I knew you would. It took less than an hour for you to do it.”

“You’re stunning in anything, but dresses like that make me very hungry.”

The drinks came and they ordered their dinner.

“Do you know how many times I’ve sat and imagined this night with you? Sitting in a nice place, sipping something, and holding your hand. And more importantly, you not trying to break mine for doing it?”

She took hold of his thumb and twisted it just a little.

“It might take me a little more time to catch up to all you imagined,” she said.

He kissed her fingertips, looked out the window in a nonchalant way, and said, “I think, if you’re not too tired when we’re done here, we can go back to the hotel and run the bases a time or two. Replace the dreams with reality and make it our history.” His eyes returned to her with a soft smile.

No man had ever asked permission to sleep with her. It always just happened. But apparently Cooper felt the need. She lifted her glass. “To life today that becomes our history tomorrow.”

They both sipped, then put their glasses down. “Now, if we’re done talking in metaphors . . . the answer is yes, I’ll share your bed tonight.”

It was easy to tell that Cooper tried hard not to smile like a child with a new toy.

He squeezed her hand and leaned forward to speak in a whisper. “Is it too early to ask for the check?”

She bit her lip and watched as his eyes lingered. “You’re going to need the steak for the energy it’s going to take. Until then, put it away.”

Dinner was part nutrition, part flirtation, and part frustration.

She slipped her shoe off at one point and found the inside of his calf under the table. When he started eating faster, she slowed down and felt the energy build.

On the way back to the hotel, Cooper’s hands played with the edge of her skirt, out of the view of the driver.

They talked about baseball and stealing bases while Claire gave Cooper the opportunity to touch anywhere he pleased. He kept it decent, but that didn’t stop her body from turning up the heat.

The talking stopped when they exited the car.

Hand in hand, Cooper led her to the elevators.

She was breathing hard just knowing Cooper was finding it difficult to talk, and he hadn’t even touched her yet. Well, touched, but not touched.

The elevator door opened and a couple walked out.

Cooper pressed the button to their floor and the close door button at the same time.

Claire watched, hoped that no one stuck their hand between the doors to stop them from being alone.

The door closed and Cooper twisted her around. He pinned the hand he’d been holding to the wall and pressed his frame against hers. His mouth crashed down in complete possession. Hot open-mouth kisses were made even more scorching because of the public place they were in.

The bell in the elevator pinged as if signaling the end of round one.

Cooper backed away as the doors started to open.

His hand stayed on the small of her back on the short walk down the hall.

The electronic keycard was out of his wallet and they pushed into the room breathless.

Cooper reached for her, one hand on her neck, the other on her waist. Everything about their meeting of lips was pure passion. Claire closed her eyes and let him lead her wherever he wanted to go.

Her fingers spanned the width of his back, digging in the pure muscle she felt.

He released her lips long enough to catch a breath, tilted her head to the other side, and returned with more fervor.

When she felt his hand follow the curve of her spine and then squeeze the globe of her bottom, she broke their kiss. “You’re stealing bases.”

He smiled before lowering his lips to her shoulder and taking a small bite. “I’ll cover all the bases.” Slowly he kissed along her collarbone and then the swell of her breast that was visible in the dress she wore. Both his hands swept up and settled on the edges.

Her nipples tightened in anticipation of his full coverage of second base.

While he reminded her what it felt like to be touched, Claire pulled his shirt from the waistline of his pants and enjoyed the feel of bare skin.

It was hard to believe she was there in his arms as he drew sensations out of her so powerful they left her lightheaded.

Cooper slowed down, his thumbs flickering over her nipples through her dress.

She loved the slow tease of his touch, followed by a kiss and a tiny pinch. “You’ve been practicing second base,” she told him.