The Final Temptation (2 page)

“You were the same way at seventeen, too,” Julia reminds me, her voice laced with amusement.

“This is true,” I admit, completely unashamed. “But with Coop, I can’t explain it. My crush for him at fourteen was different than it was for any other crush I’d had. Then as the years went on, and I got to know him, my crush turned into love. Unfortunately, he didn’t live next door for very long since he moved out with Jaxson after they graduated, but that didn’t stop me from trying to see him every chance I could.”

Julia giggles and I look at her with a smile as I go back to a time that was frustrating, emotional and downright beautiful…

*

I glance at my clock with bleary eyes and realize I’m late. “Shit!” Shooting out of bed with a speed that shocks even myself, I get presentable for school in record time.

I rush into the kitchen and kiss my mom’s cheek just before I dash out of the house with an apple in my hand.

“No speeding, Kayla,” she yells at me through the window. I wave her off, unconcerned, then send a quick text to Julia letting her know I’m on my way.

As I get into my vehicle I notice Cooper’s squad car isn’t parked outside his parent’s house anymore, and I don’t know if I’m relieved or disappointed. It’s his fault I slept like shit last night. He had my hormones on high alert all damn night.

When I found out he was house sitting for his parents, while they were on vacation for the next week, I knew it was time to make my move. But no matter how many seductive attempts I’ve made the guy hasn’t come near me. So last night I pulled out the big guns by prancing around my backyard in the skimpiest bikini I owned. I soaked in the hot tub until my skin was wrinkled to a prune, but the bastard still didn’t come over. I know he saw me though; I caught him watching me from his upstairs window, his expression as hard as granite. I’m sure it’s because he was just as worked up as me. I see the way he looks at me; I know he wants me just as bad as I want him.
So why the hell is he holding back and fighting this?

I shake myself from my frustrated thoughts when I pull up to Julia’s. She’s waiting patiently on the driveway and hops in just as I come to a stop.

“I’m so sorry, I slept in,” I apologize, knowing it’s a shitty explanation. I hate being late.

Of course, being Julia, she doesn’t get mad. “No problem, it happens. I’m hoping you’re going to tell me it’s because you were up late, making out with Coop.” She inquires with a hopeful smile.

I harrumph as I hit the gas and drive a little faster than I should. “No. I wish it was because of that.”

“Seriously?” she asks in surprise. “Did you go into the hot tub like we talked about?”

“Yup. I even wore my skimpiest bikini, and the bastard still didn’t bite.”

She reaches over and touches my arm gently. “I’m sorry, Kayla. If it’s any consolation, I know how you feel,” she says, referring to Jaxson.

“Yeah, well at least Jaxson still hangs out with you. For the last year it seems all Cooper does is completely avoid me and I don’t understand why. We used to be friends until he dated that bitch Brittany.” Just thinking about that whore has anger rushing through my system hot and fast. They dated over a year ago and it still infuriates me to think about it. She’s probably the biggest bitch I’ve ever met, and she always made sure to rub Cooper in my face. Thankfully, they only lasted a short month, like most of Coop’s relationships over the last few years. It was the happiest day of my life when he broke up with her.

“Well, tonight you could always…” Julia trails off at the sound of police sirens and glances behind us. “Uh oh.”

I look down at my speedometer to see I’m only going seven miles over the legal limit. I growl in frustration and pull over, not happy that we’re now going to be even later for school. The cop pulls up behind me and I stare in complete shock as Cooper steps out of the car.
Are you freaking kidding me?

My stomach does its usual flip as I watch his gorgeous ass make his way over.
Hmmm, maybe this isn’t such a bad thing after all.
Getting my wits about me I roll down my window, then stick my head out and give him my best smile. “Well, hey there, Officer Sexy.”

With his aviators in place Cooper stares down at me, his expression unimpressed. “Kayla,” he greets in irritation before nodding over at Julia. “How’s it going, Julia?”

“Hey, Cooper.”

I’m annoyed that his greeting to her is friendlier than mine, but I shrug it off and decide to push his buttons like I always do. Reaching over, I finger his handcuffs at the side of his belt and give him a suggestive smile. “Nice cuffs, Coop. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to be cuffed to a bed. Maybe you can lock me up sometime.”

I hear Julia muffle her laughter but I don’t take my eyes off of him. His expression never wavers but I know I got to him because his jaw flexes. I love riling him up like this. I’m hoping one day it will finally make him crack and he will let all that frustration loose on me in the dirtiest ways possible.

“License and registration,” he says, ignoring my comment.

I tense. “What? Why?”

“Because you were speeding and I’m going to give you a ticket.”

My mouth drops in shock. “You can’t be serious.”

Now it’s his turn to smirk. “I’m very serious.”

“Give me a break, Coop, I was going seven over. You have to at least be going ten over to get a ticket.”

He stares at me like I’m an idiot. “I can give you a ticket for going one over the legal limit.”

I try to gauge his expression, still thinking he can’t be serious.
He wouldn’t give me a ticket, would he?
No, he wouldn’t, he’s just screwing with me, I know it. “All right, Officer Romeeooo,” I croon, dragging out the name. “Let’s be honest here, you really pulled me over because you missed my pretty face this morning. I missed yours too, but this,” I gesture between us, “will have to wait because I’m late for school.”

Julia snickers again, but unfortunately Cooper doesn’t find it as funny. “You’re going to be even later if you don’t stop stalling. Give me your license and registration, Kayla. Now.”

I gape at him as I realize he’s completely serious. With a huff I pull out my license and registration then hand it to him, knowing I need to get my ass to school. He takes it with a smirk then walks back to his squad car.

I look over at Julia. “I can’t believe he’s really going to give me a fucking ticket.”

She shrugs. “Maybe he’s just messing with you to prove a point and he won’t actually give you one.”

I shake my head, knowing he’s going to. He wouldn’t do all this then not follow through. Sure enough, he walks back a couple minutes later and hands me back my license and registration. I don’t bother to look at him as I rip them from him. When I go to snatch the ticket out of his hand his grip tightens on it, not letting go.

My irritation quickly vanishes when he bends down and leans in my window. His delicious, masculine scent penetrates my senses and completely short-circuits my brain. My heart pounds wildly and my breath catches in my throat as he trails his nose along the side of my cheek until his lips are at my ear. “You need to be careful of the games you keep playing with me and my dick,” he whispers, his tone as smooth as whiskey. “Because next time, Kayla, I will not be responsible for my actions, and believe me when I tell you, you are not ready for me, baby. Not yet.”

With that he presses the softest kiss to my cheek and drops the ticket on my lap before strutting his sexy ass away, as if he didn’t just completely tilt my world on its axis. I sit stunned for a long moment, wondering if I just imagined his words.

“Whoa.” Julia fans herself. “What the heck was that all about?”

She couldn’t have heard him, but I’m sure she felt the sexual tension. She had to; it still lingers heavily in the car. I pick up the ticket and see the amount for
one hundred thirty dollars.
Instead of feeling pissed like I ought to, the biggest smile takes over my face. I think today is going to be a great day after all.

A
fter school lets out Julia and I grab an ice cream then head over to the ball diamond. “Tell me again why we’re coming here?” she asks as we get out of the car.

“Because it’s the baseball game of the year—the sheriff’s department against the fire department. Sweaty, shirtless hotties with bronzed skin and toned muscles.” I shiver just thinking about it. “This is shit we do not want to miss.” Although, my eyes will be for one guy only.

My heart rate kicks up in anticipation at getting to see Cooper again. His words have been replaying in my head all day since our run-in earlier.
Next time, Kayla, I will not be responsible for my actions, and believe me when I tell you, you are not ready for me, baby. Not yet.
Oh boy is he wrong. I’m more than ready for his sexy ass. I’ve had a throbbing between my legs since this morning, hell, for the last three years. He is close to cracking, I can feel it. I just have to figure out what is holding him back.

I used to think it was our age difference; it’s almost three years, which is squat in my opinion. He never came right out and said it, but he would make the odd remark about it. I turn eighteen in a few weeks, the day after prom, so there is no way it can be that.
But what the hell is it then?

Julia and I grab a seat up high on the metal bleachers with our ice creams and soak in the incredible view before us. My eyes sift through the shirtless hotties and immediately find the man I came to see, instantly recognizing his body and the tattoo that marks his defined shoulder blade. The American Flag, with the overlying script—To Serve With Honor—suits him perfectly. Cooper is the most honorable guy I’ve ever met. His integrity is what made me fall madly in love with him and I know he’s going to make an incredible sheriff one day.

I watch him tense suddenly then, as if feeling the weight of my stare, he turns around. I can’t see his eyes because of his aviators but I feel them as if it were his hands. We watch each other, a long moment stretching between us. He keeps his expression schooled, but it doesn’t last long. Giving him a flirtatious smile, I lick my ice cream the same way I want to lick his delectable, hard body.

Even from here I can see his nostrils flare and his jaw flex. I give him a sassy little wave with my fingers, enjoying his torment. He shakes his head in frustration then turns back around, dismissing me.

I look over at Julia and we both laugh. “Lord, girl, one day you’re going to push that man too far.”

“That’s the plan,” I tell her truthfully, without feeling an ounce of shame.

“So I heard Matt Greenwood asked you to prom today,” she says, quirking an eyebrow in question.

“Yup, but of course I said no. Which probably wasn’t a smart idea, considering I haven’t been making any headway with you know who.” I nod to where Coop is throwing a ball back and forth with another guy from the police department. “I may just end up dateless if I don’t think of something soon.” The entire thought is depressing. I’ve thought about just straight out asking Cooper, but I want to be certain of his feelings for me before I do. However, I’m running out of time and I may need to just bite the bullet and do it regardless.

“Well at least you have been asked. No one has even attempted to ask me,” she says sadly. “I don’t know why, I mean, I know I’m not a knockout or anything, but I’m a pretty nice girl and I can be a lot of fun to hang out with. Can’t I?”

“Of course you are,” I tell her truthfully; the girl is full of shit, she’s a knockout but she doesn’t know it, which only makes her more attractive. “I keep telling you, no one is asking because they’re terrified of Jaxson.”

“Why would Jaxson care?”

I roll my eyes. I love this girl to death but she is incredibly naive. “Because he wants you to himself.” She shakes her head, dismissing my theory right away. “Yes, he does. I tell you this all the time, Julia. The guy has it bad for you, but he’s too fucked up to admit it. Why do you think any guy who has ever remotely tried to ask you out never looks at you again? I’m telling you, Jaxson has laid claim, you just don’t know it.”

“I wish,” she mumbles.

“Trust me, I’m right. Either way, I thought you were going to ask him to go to prom with you?”

“I really want to but I know it’s not his thing. He didn’t even go to his own prom so I doubt he would come with me.”

I shrug. “You don’t know unless you ask.”

“Yeah, but I’m a coward. The entire thought of his rejection stings a little too much.”

I nod in understanding because I feel the exact same way with Cooper. “Well, if all else fails we can go together?”

She smiles. “I love that idea.”

Before we can say more, Mark Stevens climbs up the bleachers and takes a seat between us.
Great!

“Well hello, ladies,” he greets as he throws an arm around each of us, his clothes reeking of marijuana.

“Mark,” I acknowledge, before glancing nervously over at Cooper. I see him watching us, his entire demeanor looking downright lethal.
Crap!
I was hoping he wouldn’t notice, he hates Mark and I don’t want him in a pissy mood after this. Looking away, I bring my attention back to Mark. “What are you doing here? Came to scope out the hotties like the rest of us?”