Chapter eight
Coop was exhausted, mentally and physically, at a low ebb that frankly scared him. If they asked this much of him on his first day back, how was he going to survive? As well, he'd been less prepared for the hostility than he'd thought he was. It wasn't that the director seemed to hate him, that he wanted to push him and push him, and that came across as hostile,or at least uncaring and cold. But Lincoln... Yikes. Something told him that man could hold a grudge. As the day had grown longer and longer, he'd begun to feel truly desperate.
Now a hot, kind guy (the one who'd been so encouraging!) was talking to him, offering to feed him, and it was a great balm. To have someone be kind, and even express surprisingly overt interest—well, the night waslooking up.
It wasn't just that Jimmy had said that about controlling himself; it was the way he'd said it, the look he'd raked over Coop's body. Microexpressions, to be precise, but hungry, direct ones.
Jimmy's body language had been pretty interested as well, as he leaned close, smiled, and made eye contact with those eyes of his that were so blue and so warm at the same time. Then thatremark about having what was his... Yep, he wanted Coop. That was such a relief to feel, someone's desire for him. It made Coop feel a little less worthless and depressed, and a whole lot more excited for possibilities.
To be honest, Coop had had his eye on Jimmy from the first time he saw him, but he'd tried not to, and he'd told himself to stop being a creep and not think about it. Thedude was probably straight; he was doing his job and deserved the space to do that without becoming someone's fantasy. But it was hard not to look. The security guard was eye-catching, kind, and really muscular. He really had a far buffer body than Coop, and such a pleasant-to-look-at face. He should be an actor himself.
And now the guy was taking him somewhere. Maybe nothing romantic orsexual would happen, but maybe it would. Either way, Coop put himself in Jimmy's hands without a qualm, letting the man drive him wherever he wanted, resting in the passenger seat in supreme relaxation, pleased to go with this new, and better, flow. Maybe it was the uniform, but Jimmy made him feel safe. Safer than he'd felt all day, to be truthful.
He turned to smile at the guy as they pulledinto a parking lot. "Is this a restaurant? Because it looks more like an apartment." His whole body tingled; Jimmy was a lot more forward than Coop had thought he'd be. The guy seemed so soft and shy; who would have guessed this forceful side of his personality existed? It would be a delight to have a tour of his apartment...and hopefully a lot more.
"I live here," Jimmy said, soundingembarrassed and endearingly awkward. "I thought I could cook you something. The only restaurants open this late will be junk food and grease, and you barely wanted to eat that sandwich today. But I'm a good cook. Lots of protein on hand. Lean protein. I can make you something, you know? I'm a good cook, I promise. Lots of practice."
Coop had a dirty mind, because somehow it sounded likethey weren't talking about food at all. "That sounds wonderful," he agreed cheerfully. He really was hungry. But horny now, too.
Jimmy sort of squirmed and made a small sound in his throat, then got out of the car quickly and hurried around. He got the door for Coop, which was strangely moving. Like the guy wanted to take care of him, even though Coop was perfectly capable of standing onhis own two feet and getting out of a car on his own. He liked being taken care of, though, and always had. That, and being admired. Jimmy seemed to hit all his buttons without even trying.
Let's see where tonight goes.
Maybe this was too good to be true. Maybe the guy was an ax murderer. No, Coop wasn't that far off as a judge of people; Jimmy was a gentle giant, no way he was mistakenabout that. He had this way of treating Cooper carefully that you couldn't fake. Sure, he could get the door to impress Coop, but the way he'd held the umbrella for him that first time they'd met, the kindness he'd exhibited without seeming to think anything of it, and how freaked out and sorry he'd been for scaring Cooper tonight. None of that was fake.
More likely, this was all a dream,and tomorrow he'd feel embarrassed to face the man in reality, after he'd had steamy dreams about him in the night.
"I'm on the third floor," Jimmy said apologetically. He'd pressed the button for the elevator, which seemed to be taking forever.
"We can walk if you'd rather." Coop pressed his hands into his pockets and tried not to be jittery. Was he going to get cold feet? He hoped hewouldn't have a little emotional breakdown tonight. This was supposed to be fun; Jimmy hadn't signed up for a mini-meltdown or too many feelings showing up. Coop was wound tight from the day, and hoped he wouldn't manage to ruin this, whatever this was.
In the elevator, Jimmy turned to give him an embarrassed smile. "I really appreciate you saying yes."
"Sure," said Coop. Wait, was Jimmythanking him for letting him cook for him? Or for the sex they hadn't had yet? Maybe he was getting his wires crossed here, and it really was just food. "It's nice of you to offer," he added.
Jimmy looked pleased with that, so it must've been the right thing to say.
