Chapter 3 Cooper

Cooper

After spending one last weekend on the sunny Florida coast, I’d arrived back in Boston last night and spent a restful night in my old bed. Even though I really hadn’t been ready to come home yet, it seemed that at least so far, it was going okay. I was surprised to discover that I’d missed the smallest things—like my espresso machine and my steam shower and my cleaning lady. My penthouse has been kept immaculate, and for that I was grateful.

Strolling into the office on Monday morning, I waved a greeting at the receptionist and found my brothers standing inside the open area as if they were waiting for my arrival.

Quinn, my oldest brother, pulled me into a hug, clapping me loudly on the back. “He lives and breathes.”

I shoved him away playfully. “I’m here.”

“You’re fucking tanned. Look at you.” Quinn grinned at me.

I rolled my eyes, my gaze finally setting on my other brother, Gavin. He was six years older than me, closer in age to me than Quinn, but we felt a million years apart. Ever since Emma, his new wife, had strolled into these offices last year—our worlds had been turned upside down.

I knew they’d be perfect together, and so like the good younger brother I was, I’d pushed them together. Gavin had been reluctant, not wanting to get into another relationship after his last girlfriend died tragically. So I’d done the only thing I could think of to spur him into action—I’d taken her out myself and pretended I was interested in the pretty little librarian.

But after a while, I wasn’t pretending. Emma won me over, and I fell hard and fast. And in the end? She’d chosen the man standing before me.

“We missed you around here,” Gavin said, surprising me. His embrace was quick, really just a half hug and a thump on the back, but it was a warm and unexpected surprise.

“There’s a peace offering waiting for you in your office.” Quinn shot me a lopsided grin.

“Thanks, man.” I shook Quinn’s hand again and wandered to the coffee machine where a fresh pot was already brewing. A waited a moment for it to stop, then poured myself a mugful.

It felt good to be back, better than I would have thought. The familiar scent of coffee hung in the air, and in the background, I could hear the tapping of fingers against keyboards. It was structured and orderly, and I decided that might be a good thing. My nights spent chasing a bottle of bourbon, the marathons of meaningless sex, and days spent nursing a hangover couldn’t go on forever. Not that my cock minded much, but my liver? That was another story. I wasn’t even thirty yet, but I often felt sluggish and tired.

Pushing those thoughts away, I rounded the corner to my office with its wall of floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the downtown skyline. It was comforting, familiar, but the view wasn’t what captured my attention.

True to his word, it appeared that Quinn had gotten me a welcome gift.

A young woman sat perched in the chair in front of my sleek glass-and-chrome desk, her hands neatly folded in her lap. Honey-blond hair fell to just below her shoulders. Her breasts were full and round, and she was dressed in a black pencil skirt and a pale pink silk blouse.

I might still be bitter about how the last several months had played out, but I wasn’t too far gone not to take a bite of this apple. I was still a man, after all.

I cleared my throat, causing her head to snap in my direction.

“Hello, Mr. Kingsley.”

She had wide blue eyes and a full, pouty mouth, and she was staring at me, waiting for a response.

“It’s Cooper. And you are?”

A distraction.

My new little fuck-toy.

She rose to her feet, standing before me in a pair of four-inch heels that did nothing to even out our massive height difference. “I’m Corinne O’Neil. Your brothers hired me. They thought—”

“I know what they thought. They thought I needed a good, hard fuck, and they sent you in to do the job. Is that it?”

I ran my thumb along the side of her cheek as Corinne shuddered and let out a gasp. She staggered back a step, bracing her hands against the desk behind her.

“Sir?”

I cocked my head, studying her in amusement. “You are the new girl, correct? The one they hired just for me?”

“Yes, but . . .”

“But what?” I closed the distance between us, stroking her cheek again, appreciating how soft it felt, and how warm and pink it grew under my appraisal. “Instead of dropping to your knees to take my cock in your mouth, you’re going to act all shy and embarrassed? Save it. There’s no need for games. Not with the amount we’re paying you.”

Twin blotches of color appeared high in her cheeks.

“Get on with it,” I barked, tugging open my belt.

Corinne burst into tears and fled from my office.

What the fuck?

After quickly latching my belt, I gave chase. But when she disappeared into the ladies’ room, I stopped, breathing hard and with my fists clenched at my sides.

I waited a few moments but Corinne didn’t emerge, so I stalked over toward Alyssa’s desk. She was Gavin’s executive assistant, and was someone who could be relied upon. Even for something delicate like this.

“Did you need something?” she asked when I stopped in front of her desk.

“Actually, yeah.” I paused, rubbing the back of my neck. “I think I fucked up. The new girl, Corinne? I’m pretty sure she’s in the bathroom crying because of me right now.”

Alyssa frowned.

“Don’t let her leave, okay? Not until I apologize.”

“Okay.” She rose from her chair, grabbing a box of tissues from the edge of her desk, and headed toward the restroom.

As thankful as I was that she hadn’t asked what I’d done to make Corinne cry, I knew I needed to out myself to at least one person.

“Hey, what’s up?” Quinn asked as I stopped in front of his desk.