Chapter Twenty-Four
Emma
I stared at Cooper, still in a bit of shock from what had just gone down. Everything inside me was still swirling, trying to make sense of all the emotions I was feeling.
“Are you okay?” he asked softly, gently placing a hand on the side of my cheek. His expression was filled with concern. I smiled up at him and gave him a slow nod.
“I do believe that was enough of excitement to keep me good for the rest of my life,” my father grumbled beside me, sticking out his hand. “Joseph. Thank you for coming.”
“Cooper, sir,” he said, shaking hands with my father, an embarrassed look on his face. “I can’t apologize enough that you two had to go through that. I never intended to put either of you in any kind of danger, sir.”
“Ah, well, at least they didn’t trash the place,” my father joked, releasing Cooper’s hand before turning toward me. “Get the man something to drink, Emma, and let’s all sit down. I think we could all use a breather.”
I hurried to the kitchen and grabbed a few sodas out of the fridge, my stomach still churning at what had just happened. Maybe some of it had to do with the fact that Cooper was in my dad’s house . . . meeting my father. Not exactly the way I would have planned introducing him to Dad.
When Cooper had shown up, my heart leaped. I had been both happy to see him and worried that he was going to get himself shot before we had a chance to hash out our differences. All I could think about was the possibility that he would never know how I truly felt. I cared for him. Deeply. And maybe it took the risk of losing him, permanently, for me to realize just how much . . . but I realized it. I could do nothing more than hope and pray I was going to get an opportunity to tell him.
Especially considering how brazen he had been with the kidnappers. There may have been an undertone of concern in his voice on the phone, but when he walked through the front door with a bag in his hands, the only emotion I recognized in his ridiculously handsome face was resolve. Brave, really. And he looked pissed.
It was obvious to me that, at one time, Cooper and this Felix character had been friends, close friends from what I could gather. I knew there was a story there, and I couldn’t wait to hear it. Something pretty intense must have gone down between the two, judging from the way Cooper glared him down. Seeing the enraged passion in the way Cooper stood up to him, to both of them, the anger that had been directed at him over the anonymous tip situation had dulled to a bare twinge after watching him rush into the house without any concern for his own safety. He had practically saved our lives and hadn’t thought twice about putting himself between us and the barrel of a gun. There weren’t many people I could think of who would have done the same, and I realized it had to mean something about his character.
Holding me and Dad hostage may have ensured that Cooper would actually bring the money, but it also guaranteed that those thugs wouldn’t be bothering anyone else for a long, long time. Cooper was a smart man. Smart enough to go to the police and manage to save us.
If I was being honest with myself, part of me wanted to be angry at him. The other part wanted to wrap my arms around him at the same time and never let go. My heart felt about as bipolar as any psychiatrist could diagnose. The feelings coursing through me didn’t make sense — one minute I was angry that Cooper had kept secrets from me and the next I wanted to kiss him. At the moment, I just wanted to hear what Cooper had to say. I had to know how he knew these guys and how my dad and I had gotten mixed up in the situation. There were more questions than answers at the moment and I knew I would need those answers before I could make a decision about my relationship with this man — current or future.
Walking back into the living room, I handed a soda to Dad before taking a seat on the couch with Cooper. I sat as far away from him as I could, pushing all the way to the other end of the couch so I wouldn’t be tempted to instinctively reach over and touch him or grab his hand. The emotions were too raw, my nerves shot to hell in the wake of everything that had happened and the brush with death we had all just experienced.
“Here,” I said, holding out the cold can to Cooper.
He took it from me, our fingers brushing lightly. “Thank you.”
I nodded and cleared my throat, hating the fact that my pulse immediately began to race because of one simple touch. He still affected me greatly. Yet another point that had to mean something.
“I want to apologize again for what just happened,” Cooper started after he had cracked open his soda and taken a sip. “The last thing I ever wanted was for you to get caught up in this mess. I have no idea how they even knew to come here. I hate to admit I underestimated them. They were more determined and resourceful than I gave them credit for. I never dreamed they’d have found you, much less hold you at gunpoint and threaten your lives.”
“Who were they?” I asked, curious to know how a nice guy like Cooper would know someone so rough and unsavory. Someone without any qualms in regards to holding strangers at gunpoint and threatening their lives. The Felix character hadn’t been too bad; he’d even offered us something to drink the longer we had waited for Cooper. The other guy had been a different story; he had given me the creeps. Something about the way he carried himself told me there wasn’t much he wouldn’t do if he hadn’t gotten his way.
“I know I’d like to hear this explanation,” Dad piped in. “It’s got to be a darn good story worth telling.”
Cooper sighed and ran a hand over his face, looking unsettled in the aftermath. It was a drastic change from the resolute front he’d shown in the face of danger. “Felix and I grew up together in the same neighborhood. It was a poor neighborhood, so there wasn’t much to do but get into trouble for most. I had Mom and knowing I needed to help her kept me on the straight and narrow. Felix never had much family that he could actually count on. He was separated from his brothers and sisters at a young age.” Sadness fell over his expression, and he looked down at the can in his hands. I was certain the memories had taken over. “At one time, I considered him a good friend . . . a best friend, actually. But our neighborhood has always been a hot spot for gang activity and Felix got wrapped up in the idea that one of those gangs could be a family to him. I have tried so many times to get him to see the truth. I tried to get him to see that they didn’t care about him, but he wouldn’t listen. Felix used to be a good guy with a good heart. Now he’s going to go to jail for being involved with the wrong crowd. There’s nothing I can do for him now.”
I thought about the men who had stood in Dad’s house with their guns and how harsh life must have been for Cooper back in Atlanta. For him to have kept out of trouble and been able to leave that all behind like he had was something for him to be proud of.
“My past isn’t a pretty one,” he continued, the pain on his face evident as he looked at me. “I lived in a crummy apartment with my mom. I worked two jobs to make ends meet, and there were a lot of months I went without even necessary things like food so that my mom could have her medications.” He turned his face toward me and our eyes locked. “Emma, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about this sooner, but I understand what you go through month to month with your dad’s medications. I’ve been there. I just wanted to help. I just didn’t want to see you struggle like I had.”
“I wish you had told me,” I said softly, thinking that our relationship would have been in a much different place if he had just been open about his past from the start.
“Me, too,” he admitted with a sigh. “When I won the lottery, I thought I could stay in my neighborhood and change the world, or at least help change the neighborhood. I bought the bar I was working in and really wanted to continue to be happy in my life there as it was.” Cooper chuckled. “Boy, was I wrong. In the first week, I was threatened, lied to, hit up for handouts, and my so-called best friend tried to fleece money out of me, not to mention people who I had trusted before showed me sides of them I would have never imagined existed. I knew I couldn’t stay there.”
“What brought you to California then?” my dad asked, intrigued by the story.
“My aunt lives out here,” Cooper explained. “She and my mom are really close but haven’t gotten to see each other much over the years. So, when we needed to get out of the neighborhood, it made perfect sense to come out here and stay with them for a while.”
“Why get a job at Keefer’s if you didn’t have to?” I asked, surprised that he was still going to work when he was worth so much money. This man could do anything, yet he chose to mix drinks and deal with unpredictable customers that could easily turn a good day bad with one attitude. Though I enjoyed working there, if I had a choice, I wouldn’t necessarily continue to put up with the day to day of food service.
“Honestly, I don’t know,” he said with a shrug. “I’ve always enjoyed bartending, and I enjoyed the staff I worked with back home. I guess I wanted to continue living my normal life before the money came into the picture. And when I came here, I didn’t know what to do with myself.” He looked over at me. “And, part of the reason I took the job at Keefer’s was that I wanted you to see me for more than my money. I guess I made you pay for how others had reacted. I didn’t put much faith in you, Emma, and I am sorry for that.”
“Oh, Cooper, I would have liked you anyway,” I sighed. “The money doesn’t make a man who he is. Tomorrow you could lose it all again, and I would still feel the same way about you that I do now.” The way the glint in his eyes shifted, I could tell he wanted to ask me exactly how that was. But with my dad sitting there, he didn’t ask.
“I know that now,” he replied, his handsome face appearing burdened. “I should have been open with you from the beginning but with my experience thus far, I was scared that you would get all money struck too and not like me for me. I wanted you to see Cooper, the bartender, not billionaire Cooper.”
“Excuse me,” my dad interrupted, his eyes widening. “Did you say billionaire?”
“Yes, sir. I did,” Cooper responded in a way I would almost describe as remorseful. “But please don’t hold it against me,” he said with a slight smile.
“Well, what do you plan on doing now, son?” Dad asked. “I mean, if you have that kind of money, people are going to try to take advantage of you no matter if you keep running from your past or not.”
“Actually, sir, I hope to purchase a house here in California soon and put down some roots here. I like the West Coast.”
My heart began to pound hard against the inside of my chest as I thought about seeing Cooper every day, of him not leaving, him living in California. I might not want to admit it to Cooper just yet, but I had already softened to his reasons for why he had withheld his secret. I couldn’t say I wouldn’t have done the same thing in his position. One thing I was certain of, Cooper seemed sincerely sorry that he had deceived me and telling the story in front of the other man in my life meant the world to me. I had been wrong about one thing when it came to Cooper Randall — he was vastly different than any other man I had ever dated, any other man who had meant anything to me. Cooper was special and it had nothing to do with his money.
Reaching over, I touched his hand, causing him to turn and face me. “I’m sorry, too, Cooper,” I murmured. “I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions. I should have given you a chance to explain your reasons to me. I do believe your intentions with the money were sincere and heartfelt.”
“No, Emma. You don’t owe me an apology. I should have asked you first,” he said, his voice heavy with regret. “I’m so sorry. I just wanted to help, and I knew you wouldn’t take the money outright. I shouldn’t have forced it on you like that.”
“I do have a question. Who was the woman?” I asked, curious.
He blushed and hung his head, looking down at our joined hands. “It was my mom. She wanted to help after I told her your story. She kind of came up with the idea. I went along with it. She feels just as bad about all of this as I do, I promise you that.”
I squeezed his hand, thinking I was definitely looking forward to meeting the woman who had raised such a great guy.
“Okay, I think I’ve heard enough,” my father announced as he pushed himself out of the chair. “While I do admit this has by far been the most excitement I’ve had in quite some time, I can’t wait to rub this in William’s face. I bet he can’t remember the last time he was held at gunpoint.”
I rolled my eyes and stood, pulling Cooper to his feet as well.
“Do you want to go somewhere and talk?” I asked Cooper as he looked down at me. He nodded and I released his hand, walking over to my dad. “Will you be okay?”
“Of course, I will, Em.” Dad kissed me on the forehead. “Go, go!” he said, making a shooing motion. “I give you my blessing. He seems like a good kid, Em.”
I pushed up on my toes and kissed Dad’s cheek. “I think so, too.”
Cooper stepped over and shook Dad’s hand like the gentleman I have come to expect. “It was a pleasure to get to meet you, sir. I wish it had been under different circumstances.”
“Good to meet you, too, son. You take care of my girl.” Dad winked at him.
“I’ll guard her with my life, sir,” Cooper replied. I believed he would do just that.
I couldn’t help but smile, a renewed sense of purpose for me and Cooper blooming in my chest. “Let’s go.”
“And just where are we going?” Cooper asked.
“To a place no man has been before,” I grinned. “My apartment. I’ll tell you how to get there.”
* * * * *
I rode with Cooper in the Corvette that I had seen in Keefer’s parking lot what seemed like forever ago. As we drove, my head was spinning with everything I had learned. Cooper was staying in California. My dad approved. And Cooper was a billionaire. That one felt like the most to wrap my brain around. Looking over at him in his Star Wars T-shirt, faded jeans, and Converse, he didn’t seem like a billionaire. He was just Cooper — the amazing guy I had fallen hard for. It was a lot to process.
“Are you sure you are okay with all of this?” he asked as he drove us to my apartment, where I knew we could be alone for a little while. “I know it’s been a trying day. Okay . . . it’s been crazy as hell, and it’s a lot to take in.”
“Are you trying to talk me out of being with you?” I asked.
He looked over at me, his eyes blazing with emotion. “Hell no. I just want to make sure you aren’t going to jump out of the car screaming at any moment. I mean, this thing stops pretty fast but I would like some advanced warning.”
I laughed. That was the Cooper I had fallen for. And while I saw the man I knew well, I also saw the man who had saved my life and my dad’s. Even though we had been put in harm’s way because of him, I knew with every fiber of my being he would have done anything to keep us safe and that was all that mattered to me. “I’m not going to throw myself out of the car. These are my favorite jeans and blood is really hard to get out.”
Cooper threw back his head and laughed, a warm expression taking over his face. “God, I missed you, Emma. Even if it has only been twenty-four hours. I feel like the luckiest guy in the world right now.”
I smiled and reached over to take his hand in mine, noticing the red, swollen areas on his hand. “What happened here, Cooper? Were you injured?”
He shifted in his seat, wincing as I ran my fingers over the bruises. “I might have run into Tim. Which resulted in Tim running into my fist.”
“Oh god,” I breathed. What was Tim’s problem? This time he had gone too far. “I can’t believe he won’t leave us alone! Did you call the police?”
“I didn’t have to,” he responded with a slight smile. “Don’t worry, he won’t be bothering either one of us again.”
“You didn’t kill him . . . did you?” I asked hesitantly.
“What? No, I just scared him off,” Cooper said in a rush, then he burst into laughter. “Geez, Emma, I might be from the hood but I’m not a killer.”
I let out a breath of relief as he pulled into my apartment complex, glad that I wasn’t going to find a dead body in his trunk or anything. Cooper parked in a spot near the building and hurried around to open my door. I was suddenly feeling a bit nervous about having him at my place. This was my personal space, and I had kept it to myself. Not even Tim had ever seen where I lived. It was my comfort zone, and I was letting him in.
I took a few steps toward my apartment then stopped and turned around. There was one more question I hadn’t asked him yet. A question I needed an answer for. “I need to ask you something.”
“Anything. Ask away.”
I took a deep breath. “Why did Felix and that other goon attack us, Cooper? Me and Dad? Why didn’t he come after you or your mom?”
Cooper’s face took on a new expression; one I couldn’t decipher right away. “That is an easy question to answer, Emma. He knew how much I care about you, how much you mean to me. I’m not sure how he knew, but he did. I think he night have been following us at some point, but I can’t prove it.”
I stepped toward him, a soft smile on my face. “You care about me?”
He reached down and brushed a strand of hair out of my face, his warm palm cupping my cheek. “A great deal, Emma. I hope that doesn’t scare you off. I can’t help it. I do care.”
I leaned against his palm, warmth spreading through my body. “I care about you, too, Cooper.”
He grinned and dropped his hand from my cheek, grabbing my hand in his. “Shall we?”
I nodded and walked into the building, where we were met immediately by William, who was blocking the entrance to the stairs. “Emma,” he said in his most intimidating tone.
“William,” I replied. I tried not to grin. I was well aware of what was going on. Dad had talked to William and now William had to throw his fatherly hat into the ring. “What are you doing?”
His expression shifted to Cooper, his eyes narrowing. “Is this the guy?”
“Oh, come on, William,” I said, exasperated. “Dad already gave his blessing.”
“It’s okay, Emma,” Cooper said, stepping forward and extending his hand. “Cooper Randall, sir.”
“William,” he said, shaking Cooper’s hand. “I’m the other guy in Emma’s life. If you hurt her, I will break you into a thousand pieces and dance on your body, got it? I’m not concerned with your little rough neighborhood history. I have my own ways of getting my point across.”
“Yes, sir,” Cooper said immediately, giving me a sidelong glance.
I rolled my eyes and looked at William. “Are you satisfied?”
“He didn’t run,” William said, clearly disappointed. “Was I not strong enough with my words? Do I not scare you?”
“Very much, sir,” Cooper responded, holding back a smile.
I stepped over and gave William a kiss on his cheek. “He’s good, William, I promise.”
“Next time you get taken hostage, call me. I want to be a part of it,” William said as I stepped back. “I can’t be outdone by your father. He will be talking about this for weeks.”
I laughed at the man and shook my head. “I’ll be sure you’re the first person I call. Right after the kidnappers allow me my one phone call. Come on,” I said, tugging on Cooper’s hand.
“It was nice to meet you, sir,” Cooper said as I pulled him past William.
William just nodded.
We walked up the stairs, and I opened the door to my apartment, allowing Cooper to get a good view of how I lived as I shut the door behind us. “I know it’s not much,” I started out. “But it’s home.”
Cooper took it all in, a softened expression on his face as he turned back to me. “Emma, it’s perfect. Besides, it’s not about what you have. It’s about whether or not you are happy with it.”
“Well, I can’t say I’m really happy with this,” I joked, releasing his hand to walk to the tiny kitchen. “But I love having William right downstairs and it gives me the freedom of not living with my dad, so I can’t complain too much. Would you like a beer?”
“Sure,” Cooper replied.
I pulled the last two bottles out of the fridge and popped the tops before handing one over, watching as Cooper took a long sip of his. After a day like we’d both had, it was the perfect way to wind down. I walked over to the couch and sat down. I was nervous about what was going to happen, what was going to be said between the two of us. I had no idea what Cooper’s plan was other than knowing he wasn’t going anywhere, but what did that mean for us?
Cooper wiped his hands on his pants and sat his beer on the side table before sitting down next to me, looking a bit nervous himself. “So, what kind of questions do you have? What do you want to know?”
“Not really sure, to be honest. Some of what I learned today was a bit of a shocker for me. Let’s start with . . . what are your plans for the money?” I asked, starting out with the easier one.
He shrugged, a quick smile coming over his striking face. “I honestly don’t really have any plans. I just want to be able to provide for those I care about so that they never have to worry about money or the problems not having it can cause.” He looked over at me. “That includes you, as well, Emma. I promise I won’t force it on you like I did the other day, but I will be more than willing to help you and your dad out if you will let me. We can get him a second opinion and make sure he always has the medications he needs.”
“I appreciate that,” I assured him. And I did. Cooper could do a lot of things with that kind of money but to hear that he only wanted to help others only endeared me to him even more. He was nothing like so many others who would have used that kind of money to buy luxury things and not even consider anyone around them. Not that I wanted Cooper to take care of me. I was more than capable of taking care of myself.
“Well, I only want to help,” he said, reaching out to wrap an arm around my shoulders and pull me close. I sighed and rested my head on his shoulder, my hand flat against his stomach. It was a comforting feeling. It was what I enjoyed about our relationship, how comfortable I was with him and how he made me feel. I didn’t need anything else in life. I just needed to know I was loved and cared for. I needed to know I was cherished, and Cooper made me feel that way. “What’s the next question?”
“Are you really going to stay in California?” I asked, smiling at the sound of his strong heartbeat under my cheek.
“I am,” he said, his fingers stroking softly through my hair. “I’m thinking this is the place to settle down. My immediate family is here; my mom is happy about being here; so why not?” He chuckled a little. “Plus, I’ve found a really good reason to stay here as well.”
“What’s that?” I asked, my mouth curving into a smile.
“Well, there’s this girl,” he said, rubbing his thumb up and down my arm.
“Oh really?” I asked teasingly. “And just who might this girl be? Am I going to have to beat up some barfly?” I turned my head to glare up at him.
“Jealousy is cute on you,” he said, laughing. “You just want to hear me say it, don’t you?”
“What girl wouldn’t?” I laughed, smiling at him. He leaned down and brushed his lips over mine, causing that shiver to snake down my spine.
“You are my reason, Emma. I wouldn’t give you up for all the money in the world. Just know that. I am yours for as long as you want me to be.”
I caught myself tugging my bottom lip between my teeth. “Oh, Cooper,” I sighed as he pressed his lips on mine once more. I reached up and pulled him to me, wanting him as close to me as I could get him. We had danced around it long enough. We had reached the point in our relationship that we both knew where it was going to take us. I was in love with this man. I had been from the moment he kissed me, even though I was too afraid to admit it.
I wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with the man who made me feel cherished, the man who wore his heart on his sleeve. The man sending every nerve in my body into a frenzy at that exact moment. Cooper growled and deepened the kiss, his tongue curving into my mouth. I allowed him in, my hands already reaching for the hem of his shirt. My fingers slid gently over the contours of his stomach and up to his chest before I fisted the bunched up shirt in my grasp to get it over his head.
He pulled back and looked me in the eyes, the heat I was feeling echoed back at me from his gaze. “Are you sure?”
“I’ve never been more sure in my life,” I breathed. “Though I would rather move this to the bedroom if you don’t mind.”
A sly smile curved over his lips and he helped me off of the couch, allowing me to lead him to my bedroom. There he took me into his strong arms, his hands roaming over my back. “I don’t know where to start,” he said hoarsely.
I stepped back and pulled the T-shirt over my head, baring my bra-covered breast to him. “Why don’t we start with this?”
His eyes dilated and he swallowed hard as I wiggled out of my jeans, standing before him in my favorite black bra and matching boy-shorts. I then reached up and helped him pull his shirt over his head, marveling at his chiseled chest as it came into view. He was beautiful.
With a grin on his face, he unbuckled his jeans and pushed them down until he was able to step out of them, removing socks, jeans, and shoes in one swift motion. It was actually rather impressive. Finally, he stood before me in his boxer briefs and a smile. “Okay, so now we match,” he joked.
I laughed and walked into his arms, enjoying the skin on skin contact. It felt so right being that way with Cooper. When his lips sought out mine, I threw my arms around his neck, giving myself up to him. This between us was going to be special.
“God, you are beautiful,” he said as his hands collided with the clasp of my bra, undoing it at a rapid pace. “I should probably warn you, it’s been a while. Like, a long while. This is probably going to be quick,” he said between kisses.
“We’ve got all night to practice,” I said, biting his bare shoulder lightly and following it with a tender kiss as my bra fell to the floor, my bare breasts brushing against the heat of his chest.
“That we do,” he said against my neck, his hands roaming down to cup my bottom and grip me against him. I could feel his need press against my stomach and I swallowed hard, my lower region reacting thusly. This was going to be extremely fast. Not just for him.
Stepping away, I wiggled out of my underwear and laid back on the bed, motioning for him to join me with one finger. His grin was feral as he stripped off what remained of his clothes and settled on top of me, his hands framing my face. “I have to tell you something, Emma.”
“You have my full attention,” I said, looking into his eyes.
He smiled and traced a finger tenderly along the edge of my face. “I am head over heels for you. I love you, Emma.”
I laughed a soft, nervous laugh, my hands roaming over his broad shoulders. “Well, that is quite a confession considering our current position.”
“It just felt right for the moment.” He smiled his crooked grin as my fingers explored the curves of his muscular shoulders.
I reached up and framed his face, the love I had for this man filling my heart. I had been so close to losing him today, all because we were both afraid of our pasts. But I had no intentions of letting him go, ever. Not without a fight. We could overcome anything together. “I love you, too.”
“Well, then, I guess that’s settled. We are in agreement.” He leaned down to kiss me.
I moaned as his hands roamed over my sensitive breasts, his head dipping down low to take one of my nipples in his mouth. The sensation was unlike anything I had experienced before. I arched my back, begging him to do it again. When his hand slipped lower, I urged him on, my body ready for his touch, begging to be gratified by him.
“Emma,” he breathed in my ear, his finger finding the aching core of me. “My god, you are ready.”
“Please don’t make me wait any longer,” I begged. He started to rub the area slow, his finger dipping in and out and nearly driving me crazy with need. I vaguely remember the point when I exploded, the pressure too much to bear. The warmth of Cooper’s touch left me as I shuddered. He laced his fingers through my hair and his lips descended on mine, his kiss hot and wanting as his tongue swept into my waiting mouth. I started to move against him, slowly and with determination, pulling back to see the emotions playing on his face. He was hot with desire, but there was tenderness in his eyes as he moved his body until I felt the length of him pushing into my entrance and filling me completely in one fell swoop. I arched my body against the invasion, barely able to breathe as he started to move within me, the pleasure of how his touch had felt coming back tenfold. I moaned as an orgasm began to overtake me and he slid his hands down to grip my hips.
“That’s it,” he urged, his thrusts becoming more and more frequent.
“Cooper,” I breathed, clutching at his back with my fingers as he drove into me. “Oh god, Cooper.”
“God, I love you,” he muttered as he lifted his hips to push into me. I moaned again and he muffled a growl into the dip of my shoulder.
“That’s it, let go,” he whispered in my ear as he came himself, slowing both of our movements.
I did just that and the orgasm took over, the groan of Cooper’s voice following soon after before he collapsed on top of me. For a moment, I just lay there, with my arms wrapped around his neck as I buried my face into his shoulder, a wealth of emotions coursing through me. This was an intimate connection between us, much more than just satisfying our lust. I couldn’t remember the last time sex had been so personal. I had never experienced such connecting with a partner before.
“I’m glad I am going to get a do-over,” Cooper joked as he kissed my neck softly, his breath harsh in my ear. “I wasn’t at my top performance there.”
“Oh, you aren’t going to get any complaints out of me,” I said, rubbing my hand over his muscular back. “But I’m not gonna stop you from your do-over if you must.”
Cooper chuckled and rolled beside me, before pulling the covers we had managed to push to the edge of the bed over the both of us. “Maybe after a nap.”
I choked out a laugh and pressed my lips to the hollow part of his neck above his collarbone, drawing in the scent of him. His mouth sought my bare skin, and I shuddered under his touch. This was what I loved most . . . the comfortableness between us.
“A nap sounds great,” I said with a yawn as he gathered me against him. Closing my eyes, I allowed the sleep to overtake me — my body, mind, and heart sated for the first time.