Cooper (HC Heroes Series Book 5) by Donna Michaels

Author:Donna Michaels [Michaels, Donna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-03-30T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Abby’s heart careened into her ribs. She wanted Cooper to enter the second door. Very much. But if she remained quiet, willing him to make that choice, chances were he’d be the upstanding, loyal military brother and walk away.

She was at a crossroads.

Did she deny her needs and refrain from interfering in what he deemed right?

Or did she speak up and voice what she knew they both wanted? Both needed?

A night in each other’s arms.

Voicing that thought in her head was enough to strengthen her backbone.

“Good,” she told him, still standing at the bottom of the stairs, hoping he’d close the two foot span separating them. “Because I’m inviting you upstairs with me, Cooper. I’m inviting you into my apartment. I’m inviting you into my bed.”

There, she’d said it. Voiced her needs. Her wants. Him in her bed. Right now, she was too needy to be embarrassed.

That was on tomorrow’s agenda.

“Abby…” Cooper closed his eyes, and she watched his jaw work a time or two, giving her Déjà vu of their second kiss. “Abby,” he said again, this time re-opening his eyes to stare at her with so much heat her body shook in anticipation. “You don’t know what you’re saying.”

Wrong.

“Actually, Cooper, I know exactly what I’m saying,” she said, lifting her chin and holding his gaze. “For the first time in my life I’m speaking my mind. Stating my needs…what I want and not worrying that it might rock the boat or cause conflict. And do you know why?”

He shook his head.

“Because if I’ve learned anything these past two years, it’s that life is short. So short…” Her voice broke and tears blurred her eyes.

Darn it.

She was not going to cry in front of Cooper…at least not until she got this all off her chest and made sure he listened. “You can’t put things off. If you get the chance, by God, you have to take it. And hold onto it with both hands. You know?”

He nodded, but not from several feet away. He was standing right in front of her now, lifting a hand to brush away her tears with his knuckles. “I know.”

She reached up and cupped his face. “You do?”

“Yeah. I know,” he said, voice as soft as his gaze. “And I also know you’re not in your right mind right now, to be making such an incredible offer.”

Perhaps. But she was making it anyway. “I am sad today. I miss my best friend terribly, but don’t mistake my grief for naivety. I know what I’m doing. I know what I want. It’s you. I’ve always wanted you, Cooper. Ever since we first met at Rylee’s parents’ house almost five years ago.”

His gorgeous blue-gray eyes rounded. He removed his touch and blinked. “You have?”

She nodded. “Yes, but you were already engaged, so I kept it to myself, and even after that idiot Peyton broke up with you, I still kept it to myself because I would never try to come between a SEAL and his military brother.

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