Page 24 of Cooper’s Promise

“But I do love you.”

“I know. But you’re not ‘in’ love with me. You love me like Hudson’s kid sister. It hurts. Let go of me.” He released her. She darted around him, and he watched as she ran down the short hallway and her bedroom door slammed shut.

Fuck! He’d really screwed the pooch on that one. Get your shit together, Laughlin, and come clean. You stopped thinking about her as a little sister eighteen months ago. That’s been the fucking problem. He turned off the oven and went down the hallway and knocked on her door.

“Cooper, just give me a little space, okay? I’ll be fine tomorrow.”

“Please can I come in? I need to talk to you.”

He waited.

The door opened. It was clear that she had washed her face. All traces of makeup and tears were gone. ”Seriously, let’s just drop it, okay?” she gave him a fake smile. It made him feel even worse. “Pretend I never said anything.”

“Please give me a chance.” Well that was blunt, he thought.

“What do you mean?” she asked tentatively.

“I need us to try. I need time with you.” He reached out and cupped her cheek.

“I know, a test drive,” she said sadly, as she looked over his shoulder at nothing.

“God, no. Brenna, that’s not what I mean at all. I’ve been falling for you, needing you, for over a year. I’ve just been thinking, that..that.. Fuck Brenna, I don’t know what I’ve been thinking.”

She opened the door further, and he breathed easier, until he saw the unmade bed behind her. It was just too intimate. “Come out into the living room.”

“Just finish what you had to say.”

“I just didn’t know how to move you from one category to the other. Then there’s the fact that I’m a demanding bastard, and I didn’t think you could handle it.” His hand, still resting against her cheek, moved to her nape. His fingers started a massage on the tense muscles in her neck. He loved the way her eyelids went to half mast, and she pressed against his fingers.

“Cooper,” she said in a husky whisper. “You’re a dumb shit. I only have one brother, and he sure as hell isn’t you.”

How the fuck did she always make him laugh?

“Brenna, I’m hearing you.” He circled her waist and stepped closer so that they were now nestled together. He throbbed against her belly, and she undulated against him. He was going to burst into flames at any second. Keep your shit together, Laughlin.

“You’re coming with me to my house, baby. I need you to pack a bag.” Her eyes flew open and she stared at him in shock.

“Why?”

“Josiah’s targeted your apartment. You’re not safe here. He doesn’t know where I live.”

“I’ll go to a hotel.” She pushed against his chest, trying to put distance between them. He wouldn’t allow it.

“No. This also gives us more time together. We need this. We deserve it.” He saw her hesitate. “I desperately need this time with you. Please don’t deny me.”

“Don’t think I’m just going to fall into bed with you,” she warned.

“I won’t.” He didn’t grin. Nor did he mention that she was back to moving against him like a kitten settling in for a long comfy nap. “Pack your bag, I’ll wait in the living room.” He let go of her reluctantly.

“Let me fix you your dinner.”

He kissed the tip of her nose. “Sweetheart, I’ll take care of it. You just get ready, and I’ll eat and clean up.”

“Okay.” He headed back to the kitchen.

* * *

It had been a while since she had been in Cooper’s house. She’d forgotten how open and comforting it was. She did a full turn in the living room, taking in the view that looked out over the cityscape. She stopped when she saw him watching her intently.