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“What?” I stop short and look up at him. “You think that’s what this is about? He and I have been over for a long time.”
“But they haven’t been together very long. After everything he put you through. What you told me last night and then seeing them like that. No one’s going to judge you for being upset. Least of all me.”
“I’m not upset about Rob. I don’t have regrets there. We didn’t make sense. If he’s happy now and ready for things he wasn’t before, good for them. I’m happy for them. I just wish I could have the time back I wasted on him. The time I spent trying to make the two of us work, trying to compromise when it was never going to work out. You’re smart not to date seriously. If you really think you want to now, just be careful who you invest your time in.” I want to kill any ideas Cooper has about me still pining over Rob, because the only man I could even imagine wanting anything with right now is the one standing in front of me. I just worry that he might not want anything more than what we have.
“The two of you together might have been a mistake, but I don’t think the time you spent with him was a waste. I wouldn’t have you in my life if you hadn’t been with him. And I hate what he did to you, the way he made you doubt yourself, the way he made you cry. But that I got to know you? That Lizzy got to find someone she likes so much when she’s so shy most of the time? I’m so fucking grateful for that. I’m sure that makes me a selfish bastard because I only got all the good parts, and you had to suffer through the bad ones. I’m sorry for that, but it’s the truth.”
Tears prick at my eyes and my heart tumbles on his confession. Hope blooms in my chest, and I don’t know whether to nurture it or stomp it out.
“I’m grateful for you and Lizzy too. That part wasn’t a waste at all. I just know that all of this has to come to an end soon, too, and this trip feels like a window into a life I don’t belong in. That I’m playing at being part of this family when I’m not.”
“Whatever happens, you’re always part of this family, Trix. My parents adore you. They’re going to accept whoever Rob picks because he’s the youngest, and he can do no wrong. But they love you. They wanted to see you two get married. They were thrilled when they heard you were coming. Fuck, I think they were hoping you might play homewrecker to his new relationship. Any awkwardness you felt last night was because they’re not fans of that whole thing—not because you’re here. You and Lizzy always have your thing. And as far as you and me…” Cooper’s chest rises with a deep breath, and then his eyes lift to meet mine, a seriousness there I’ve only seen when he’s worried or nervous. “This ends when you want it to end. I’m in for as long as you’ll let me.”
“Because flour stains and jam hands turn you on?” I laugh as I try to wipe the jam I’ve just noticed on my finger on the apron I’m wearing. Awkwardly trying to distract myself because when he talks to me like this, I fall to pieces. All I can think about is how much I want him, and how someway, somehow, there has to be a version of us where it doesn’t end badly.
“Yes, honestly, because it reminds me of you playing that list in my kitchen.” He gives me a teasing grin.
“Oh god. Don’t remind me.”
“Why not?” He tilts my chin up and kisses me softly. “It’s not like I can forget. Best day of my life.”
30
Cooper
I kiss my way down her jaw, and my lips are at her throat a moment later. The way she reacts under my touch is like a drug. I’m dragged under by how much she wants me. My hand slips up the inside of her thigh, pushing her skirt up with the movement.
“Coop, we shouldn’t,” she whispers, but she spreads her legs wider for me and arches her back when I brush my knuckles over her through the cotton.
“I need you. Too many days I’ve had to go without you. We’re home alone, aren’t we?” I glance around the room to make sure I’m right in my assumption.
“Yes. Rob and Carly went out on the lake.”
“Good.” That means we have the place to ourselves, and I can have her any way she’ll let me.
“But I don’t know for how long,” she warns as I back her up against the vintage sideboard that sits next to the picture window.
“I’m sure he’s giving her the tour, if he hasn’t yet. He loves to brag about this place like it’s his.”
“I remember.” She laughs but it makes me want to replace that memory with a better one.
“Then it’s his fault if he stumbles in early.” I grab her around her waist and set her up on the sideboard.
Getting to play like I’m hers instead of the summer fun we’ve been having sounds even better to me. I know I should be above wanting to rub it in his face that she’s mine now, but I can’t help the bit of rivalry that lingers. Especially when I remember the last time I heard her in this house.
“We should probably work on this whole relationship thing. Make sure they know how devoted I am to my girl. So lovesick that I can’t even make it back to the room when I need her.”
“Coop.” There’s a sharp inhale of breath as I toy with her and she says my name. “We really shouldn’t.”
“But you want to?”
“I always want you.” That confession elicits one of my own. One I start just as soon as I confirm she’s as wet as I like before I brush my thumb over her clit.
“Me too. For a long time.” Her nails bite into my shoulders as I slip my fingers inside her and start to move.
“Since the blue sundress?” She looks at me like we’re both in on some inside joke. Except she doesn’t know the depth of it yet.
“Since the blue sundress and that night.”
