Page 71 of Wrecked

So much is perfect between us, but I can’t help wishing some things were different. He still insists we keep our relationship private. Only Shane knows. I have to bite my tongue half the time to avoid saying something to Beth that will let the cat out of the bag.

“You’ll never guess what Cooper said!”

“You’ll never guess what Cooper did!”

I can’t even gush to my BFF about the cute or sexy things my boyfriend did. There’s not one single person I can share those things with.

The other thought weighing on my mind is, after all this time, he’s never said he loves me. Of course, I haven’t said it to him either because I don’t want to put him on the spot.

I don’t doubt he has feelings for me. Dare I say it—deep down in my heart Ibelievehe loves me. Actions speak louder than words, right? Well, I think his actions say it. The way he holds me at night says it. The way he makes love to me says it. The way he takes care of me says it.

But he’s never actually said the words.

Maybe it’s wishful thinking on my part.

Maybe he just likes to take care of the guy he’s fucking at the moment, and that just happens to be me right now.

Cooper rolls me to face him and kisses me. “I gotta go. I’ll see you soon. What do you want for breakfast this morning? I’ll make sure to have it ready for you when you come up to get Beth.”

“Anything you feel like making is fine with me.” I wrap my arms around his waist. “I miss you when you’re gone.”

“I know, baby. Me too.” He kisses me lightly. “We’ll do something special this weekend. Anything you want.”

“I’d love to take you back home with me to Dayton sometime. I want you to meet my mom and sister.” I don’t know what in the hell possessed me to say that. If I could take it back, I would.

When Cooper goes instantly silent, I realize I probably just crossed a line and knocked him out of his comfort zone. “I could tell them you’re a work friend,” I add hastily. “They wouldn’t have to know about us.”

Cooper moves to sit at the foot of the bed, facing away from me. He sighs as he runs his fingers through his hair. “Sam—”

“Never mind,” I say lightly, not wanting to put him on the spot. “It was just a thought. Maybe sometime.”

“Yeah. Maybe sometime.”

But something tells me sometime is never going to come.

As Cooper heads to the bathroom, I close my eyes and try to focus on the good things.He’s in my life. He’s attentive. He spoils me rotten. There are just limits to our relationship, that’s all. I’m sure there are limits in all relationships.

Before he leaves, Cooper comes to kiss me goodbye. He tastes like peppermint toothpaste. “Go back to sleep, baby,” he says as he gently brushes my hair back. “You’ve got another hour.”

Actions speak louder than words, right?

* * *

At eight, I head up to the penthouse to collect Beth. When I walk into the kitchen, Cooper sets a plate for me on the breakfast counter.

“Where’s Beth?” I ask as I take a bite of buttered toast.

“She’s finishing up. She’ll be out in a minute.”

I glance at a discarded plate sitting on the counter. The food’s hardly been touched. “She’s already eaten?”

Cooper frowns. “Yeah, but she hardly made a dent. She’s been off lately. Her appetite isn’t what it normally is.”

I swallow a mouthful of orange juice. “It’s probably the stress of Luciana getting to her.”

Cooper shrugs. “Maybe. I don’t know. Just keep a close eye on her, will you? Something’s not right with that girl.”

I salute. “Yes, sir.”