He’s never been like this. We used to cuddle a lot, but this, needing me close, and not being able to stay away. That’s all-new. It’s new, and even so, my heart craves it. Not just my heart but me. I crave him. There’s no doubt in my mind that Cooper is the man for me. And somehow, here in the darkness of my room, he’s managed to chip away at my doubts that this is really what he wants.
I want him. I want this life he talks about, the two of us and happily ever after. I guess only time will tell what the future brings.
Chapter 9
Cooper
The morning sun gleams in through the window. I blink slowly, opening my eyes and adjusting to the light. A smile immediately breaks out when I see Reese is still in my arms, still facing me just as she was last night. I’ve woken up in her bed before, and her in mine, but this time it’s different. This time she’s going to wake up knowing she slept in the arms of the man who loves her.
Carefully, I push her hair out of her eyes, and they flutter open. “Good morning, beautiful,” I say, leaning down and kissing the corner of her mouth.
“I need to brush my teeth,” she mumbles.
“You’re here in my arms. That’s the last thing I’m worried about. How did you sleep?”
“Like a rock.”
I want to puff out my chest at that. She slept like a rock in my arms. Mine. Where she belongs. “What’s on the agenda for today?” I ask instead of gloating. I have a feeling that will get me nowhere.
“Toothbrush, shower, and food. In that order.”
I chuckle at her. “What’s after that?”
“I need to call Hunter.”
I nod. “Are you surprised he hasn’t reached out to you before now?”
“No. Not really. He’s a good guy. He’s never pressured me, and I know he’s hurting.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Me too, but it’s for the best. It might have been bad timing, but it’s better in the long run. I mean, he was saving himself for his wife. I could have taken that from him. I know we would have made it work, and maybe in time, I would have been able to give him more of me, but… I don’t think so.”
“Why is that?” I ask. My heart hammers in my chest, waiting to hear her say it. I know the answer; it’s me. Don’t judge me. I need a small morsel of something when it comes to her.
“You.”
It’s not a confession of love, but I’ll take it. “The offer still stands. If you want me to go with you.”
“No. I need to do it on my own. Besides, that’s kind of a slap in the face bringing you with me.”
“Why? For all he knows, we’re just friends.” I’m sure by now he’s heard rumors or even figured it out on his own. Nixon said it was written all over my face. It’s also no coincidence I was the one that rushed out of the banquet hall after her.
“I think our friends and family have proved otherwise.”
“You’re right. I don’t hate the guy, but he wasn’t the man for you.” I lean down and kiss the tip of her nose. “No one can love you like I can.”
“Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?” she asks, a slow, sleepy smile playing at her lips.
“Didn’t you hear? Your best friend fell in love,” I say, and her eyes soften. “Now, go grab that shower and toothbrush you were rambling about, while I make us some breakfast.”
“I’m not sure what our options are. I guess I should add going to the store to my list of things to do today,” she says, climbing out of bed.
“We can do that.”
“We?”
I nod. “Yes, we. Now go.” I walk toward her and snake my arms around her waist before she can get away. I give her a hug and kiss her neck softly before releasing her. I leave her to grab her shower while I rummage through her cabinets.
She’s right. She has nothing. There’s a small diner just down the street we used to frequent in college. After a quick search, I have their number, and I call in an order. I should be back just as she’s finished getting ready. Not wanting to find me gone and think I ran, I head back down the hall and knock on the bathroom door.
“Yeah,” she calls out over the running water.
I push