Made to Love: Carmen and Cooper's Story (2 page)

I must have started daydreaming because Marcia
stands in front of me with her hands on her hips asking me what I’d
like to drink. “A glass of chardonnay would be perfect,” I
respond.

“
Okay, let’s go to the back yard,”
says Marcia.

As we step out onto the deck, we have the
perfect view of the party. There’s a huge white tent in the yard,
with strings of lights going across, similar to an old clothesline.
That’s when Marcia tells me the event is being catered by Natoli’s
restaurant. This is quite impressive. The first waiter then
approaches me with his tray, carrying fruit tarts which are topped
with freshly sliced kiwi, strawberries, and pineapple. Taking one
and putting it in my mouth, the exquisite taste is astonishing. The
juices from the fruit are so sweet; it has to have been imported
from a different state. I’ve never tasted fruit of this nature. I
chase it down with a fine glass of Chardonnay. Something about the
bitterness of the taste goes perfectly with the sweet tart. Other
waiters are circling the yard with the trays of bacon wrapped dates
with blue cheese, and of course, shrimp. As far as the main course,
guests have the options of Chicken Marsala, Eggplant Rolatini, or
Natoli’s Manicotti. Baskets of freshly baked bread sticks are
placed strategically at the end of the buffet table for our
convenience.

Marcia sees a colleague and excuses herself. I
love watching my best friend in her element with all the
confidence. We have been best friends since the 10th grade, when I
had just moved to Chesterfield Virginia. I was lost wandering the
halls, and I literally bumped into this girl with fire engine red
hair. Ever since that day we have been inseparable, even though we
are the complete opposite of each other. Marcia is what people
consider a rare beauty; she should be on the cover of Vogue, not in
the finance world. Her body is naturally slim, and she never has to
worry about dieting. I, on the other hand, have to work out five
times a week, and it is pure hell. I was born with a natural tan
(that Marcia claims to be jealous of) hazel eyes and jet black
hair. She has porcelain skin, green eyes and fiery red
hair.

Damn, I am daydreaming. Marcia is
smiling at me. I smile back until I see this beautiful creature
with her. Fuck they are coming over here. I am going to kill her.
This man is breath taking; he looks fine in his charcoal gray
slacks that fit just below his obliques. If they were a half size
bigger he would need much more than a belt to hold them up. He has
matched them perfectly with his Cerulean blue button down shirt
that seems to have quite the grip on his sculpted biceps. His tie
has an assortment of blues, from cobalt to baby blue with a shade
of gray in between. Looks like he has been dressed by someone at
GQ, his coordination is damn right amazing. The blue shirt not only
brings out his ocean blue eyes, but does wonders as well for his
olive skin. I see his hair, and instantly want my hands all in it,
it’s sandy blonde, short on the sides, longer on top, parts to the
right, it dangles close enough to brush his eye. I want to move it
for him myself, ugh! My imagination has to have gotten the best of
me, as there cannot be such a thing as a hot perfectly groomed male
with a great sense of fashion. I stand in my fitted white dress,
hoping his ocean blues are not only interested in my chest. The hem
lies right above the knee, the bottom lace fringe looks dazzling
with my strappy silver wedge Steve Madden sandals that tie around
my leg. I stand in a very inviting yet stylish pose, the kind where
my full body can be admired.
Okay, Carmen
get it together
. He is only a
guy.

Marcia is the first one to speak. “Cooper
Jackson this is my best friend Carmen Williams.”

Cooper extends his hand and I am
hoping my palm is not sweaty as his large hand engulfs mine. He
stares me in the eye never smiling, but I do notice a slight frown
on his face. Shit do I have something in my teeth?

“
Well, you kids have fun. I see
Francisco.” Marcia quickly walks away. I really have to remember to
kill her.

“
Would you like another drink?”
Cooper asks.

“
Yes, that would be wonderful.”
Cooper flags down a waiter and hands me a drink. I thank him. There
is an awkward silence.

“
So you work with Marcia?” I ask,
trying to make small talk.

“
I do. And may I ask what you do
for a living?”

“
I am a child care
provider.”

“
Working with children requires a
great deal of patience. Do you have any children of your
own?”

“
Gosh no, I want to assist in
helping children excel in life. My philosophy is the earlier you
begin teaching kids, the better understanding and knowledge they
will acquire, especially once they start school.”

“
I would have to agree with you on
that.”

“
Do you have any kids?”

“
I don’t, which is a good thing
because my job can be very demanding at times.”

I’m so infatuated; that I stop
paying attention to what he is saying as I watch his mouth move. I
take a small sip of wine and catch Cooper staring at me, but why is
he frowning? When I get home I will need two shots of tequila. God,
he is beautiful, I could look at him forever and do naughty things
with him, if only he would smile and stop frowning at me. I try to
show a little cleavage and his frown grows deeper. What do I have
to do to make this man want me? Cooper looks bored and irritated.
The DJ announces that dinner is served.

“
After you,” Cooper says as he
places his hand on the small of my back.

Upon approaching the tent, I look
to my right and see the dance floor. I think to myself, that the
CEO must have put out a fortune for this party. The floor is oak
wood, all boards laid with precision making a perfect square, big
enough to hold at least 50-75 people. Speakers are found on every
corner and the DJ’s booth located right before the floor begins. I
step inside the tent, careful not to trip on cords running along
the grass. I definitely don’t need to embarrass myself this early
on. There are several tables inside, all draped in burgundy linen,
with lights on the bottom hem, really causing the color to pop out.
In the middle of the tables are glass bowls which have three
floating candles, all white in the shape of roses. Shiny utensils
paired with a table napkin of burgundy with white stripes circle
around each individual place setting. On my left is where the
entrees are stored in rectangle metal pans, with steam coming off
them, compliments of the burners underneath. The staff looks
eagerly pleased to serve us. There are three different courses to
choose from. Cooper chooses Chicken Marsala while I choose the
Manicotti. The waiter places our choices onto a crystal plate that
has the design of a sunburst in the middle; the outer rim is
trimmed in a fine line of silver. We make our way to be
seated.

There are no empty tables, so I do
a quick glance around to see if I spot Marcia. She is seated with
Francisco and two other colleagues; Cooper follows me to their
table. Marcia welcomes us with a cheesy smile and introduces me to
Francisco, Peter and Matt. Cooper sits by Peter and Marcia insists
that I sit beside her. The conversations are extremely boring. The
group is discussing work and their clients. Meanwhile I am wishing
that I could wear this napkin as a bib to guarantee that none of
the marina sauce drips on my dress. Marcia asks if I am okay, I
want to say,
no you left me all night with
this douchebag
, but of course I do not say
that.

Sarcastically I reply, “I am having the best
time.” Now Marcia knows that I am pissed. Of course every time I
catch Cooper looking in my direction he is frowning. Now I have had
enough; shit I could be at home in bed. I politely excuse
myself.

This evening has been a complete
waste. I’m ready for it to be over. To think I may have gotten
lucky is a joke. Maybe I should tell Marcia that I am leaving. No,
fuck that, not after her disappearing act. I quickly locate the
steps leading to the deck and take each one with careful stride.
Soon I am back in the beautiful atmosphere of this home. I take
brisk, but somewhat fast steps to make my way out front.

Before, I exit the door, which is
being held so kindly by the butler. I hear a soft, yet masculine
voice. “Carmen, Carmen are you leaving?” I turn to see a jogging
Cooper. You have to be kidding me. Why is he acting like he cares
with that fake look of concern?

“
Yes,” I snap.

“
They are about to serve dessert,
thought we might have some.”

This guy is a real piece of work. “Dessert?
Why? It is perfectly clear you do not enjoy being in my presence.”
Once again he is frowning. “There’s that frown again, shows how
much I disgust you.”

“
What?” Cooper looks
confused.

“Is that what you think?” I roll
my eyes.

“
It isn’t a look of disgust,
Carmen. You are the most stunning woman I have ever had the
pleasure to lay eyes on. All night I have imagined what you would
feel like in my arms. Disgust? No beautiful, it is me fighting to
restrain myself from kissing you.”

I am speechless. Did this sexy man
call me beautiful and say he wants to kiss me? I nervously lick my
lips. Cooper seductively smiles; not too wide, just enough to allow
his gorgeous white teeth to show. That’s when I see clearly that
this man wants me. He is moving closer, I can only stand there
dumbfounded. He is the predator and I am his helpless
prey
. Oh Cooper take me, take me now. What
is wrong with me?

Then Cooper whispers in my ear, “You don’t
believe me?”

Before I can say or do anything Cooper’s
wonderful mouth is pressed against mine. His lips are moist and
full, and I taste a hint of the Cabernet he was drinking earlier.
Our kiss is perfect, filled with passion and lust. I have never
been kissed like this. I am excited, extremely turned on and yes,
wet.

Things have gone from frustrating to intense.
“How are you getting home?”

My brain is fried. I know I should answer but
can’t. He is waiting patiently for my answer. “Um, I need to call a
cab.”

Cooper pulls out his blackberry and says,
“James, please bring the car around. Carmen I will be taking you
home.”

This wasn’t a request it was a command and all
I could say was, “Okay.” Cooper softly kisses me on my cheek and it
is disappointing because our lips are meant to be
connected.

Moments later a sleek black Signature Series
Lincoln Town Car pulls up to the curb. James steps out of the car
with his chauffeur hat that matches his all black suit.

“
James, this is Carmen Williams.
We will be taking her home this evening.” James smiles.

“
It is a pleasure to meet you,” he
says in a friendly manner.

Cooper assists me into the car. I climb in and
sit lady-like. This is a difficult task because all I want to do is
straddle him.

Staring at Cooper, I just realized he was
speaking to me.

“
What did you say?” I
ask.

Cooper gently touches my leg, and his thumb
traces the inside of my upper thigh, now my panties are completely
soaked. He gives me an all knowing look. “I am thinking the same
thing, but I asked where do you live?”

How does he know what I am
thinking?
I am so embarrassed and to make
things worse my cheeks are on fire.

“
My address is 1881 N. Nash
Street.” Cooper asks James if he got it then he hits a button
causing a black window to appear giving us privacy.

My pulse is racing and there are millions of
thoughts going through my mind. Wondering how the evening is going
to end. “Carmen, I would love to take you out tomorrow evening. Are
you free?”

Did he just ask me out?
“My schedule is open,” I say.

“
Then it’s settled I will pick up
you up at 6. We will go to The Melting Pot and dancing afterwards,”
he states.

Shocked, I reply, “You weren’t talkative all
night and now you are being very demanding.”

Cooper leans close to my face. I can feel his
warm breath against my skin. This man is going to drive me crazy. I
close my eyes, hoping his lips are going to invade mine. He
seductively says, “You need someone to take charge and I will
provide pleasure for your enjoyment.”

I never got a chance to respond. Using the
intercom, James informs us that we have arrived at my building.
Cooper opens the door and grabs my hand. He leads me to the
entrance as Frank, the doorman, greets us. I’m not sure if I should
invite Cooper into my home. He is so gorgeous.

“
Until tomorrow.” He bends down
and greedily kisses me, our tongues intertwining.

Chapter Four

I step out of the elevator and
reach my apartment on the 18
^th
floor. Still trying to
catch my breath, I’m certain Marcia has not beaten me here as she
knows what’s to come for her behavior this evening. I’m sure she’ll
wait until she thinks I am fast asleep to avoid dealing with my
semi-partial attitude. Although, I’m rethinking now if I should
even have one seeing how the night ended. No, fuck that, she is
still going to feel the wrath! Retrieving my keys from my silver
clutch, I step inside our apartment. It still smells “Incredible”
compliments of my fragrance choice tonight. All I want to do now is
shower and get in my cozy bed, in hopes of dreaming about Cooper
and his delicious lips. There goes my vagina—I mean nerves again,
in anticipation of our date tomorrow. I make my way to the shower,
which connects to my bedroom.