We set a time to meet, and I know I’ll get to ride on his sled. And today, Ineedthe freedom of being on the back of a motorcycle. I didn’t realise how much I missed it until riding wasn’t a part of my life anymore. Copper always makes time to take me when I need that escape.
Warmth fills me when he agrees straight away, like I knew he would. I can’t help but let him know how much he means to me before he ends the call.
“Coop?”
“I’m here, Bee,” he replies in his gravelly voice.
And he is. He’s always here. Building me up, comforting me when I don’t know I need it, and making sure I know that I’m worthy of being his friend.
I blink hard as emotions overwhelm me. “Thank you for being you.”
I end the call before I blurt anything else about how much I appreciate him. Because I do. He’s become my best friend.
The rest of the morning drags, but I make a note of the discrepancies and drop them off in Alan’s office before I leave for lunch.
The sun is shining, and the day is warm as I walk to my car. I lift my face to the sky and breathe deeply. If it weren’t for the nature of my work, it would be a perfect summer day.
It doesn’t take long to exit the car park through security. I wave my badge at the guard, who presses a button to let me out. I wave and give him a smile that falls from my face as I drive to Copper’s workplace.
He’s waiting for me outside, his face raised to the sun, enjoying the heat of the day. I’m always struck by how attractive he is, yet he doesn’t seem to know it. I bite back a laugh as a woman walks past him and slams into a lamppost before she catches herself.
Driving into the car park, I find a space near his bike. My door opens before I’ve switched off my car. I look up into Copper’s green eyes, and my belly flutters a little when I see his crooked grin as he holds out his hand to help me out. I step out of the car, and he pulls me into his arms. I sink into his embrace, relaxing for the first time since I left him this morning. Resting my head against his chest, I wrap my arms around his waist and gently squeeze him.
“Everything okay, Spice?” His voice rumbles under my ear.
“It is now.”
He presses his lips to the top of my head. “Want to go for a ride?”
Tilting my head back, I rest my chin on his chest as I look up at him. “Please.”
With his big hands cupping my cheeks, he studies me. I can see the worry on his face.
Lifting my hand, I laid it against his cheek. “I’m okay,” I reassure him. “I found something in the accounts, and we need to get it to Cahir. But that can wait. Take me for a ride and lunch first. I want to spend the next hour not thinking.”
He presses his lips to my forehead and steps back, picking my helmet up from the seat of his bike and settling it on my head before putting his on.
Ten minutes later, we pull up at our favourite park and buy lunch from the sandwich van. As we sit on the grass near the small pond eating our sandwiches, I realise Copper and I have favourite things that we do together.
It hits me then. I can’t lose this man. I wouldn’t know what to do if anything were to happen to him.
Finishing up my sandwich, I turn towards Copper. “Will you take me to the wedding tomorrow?”
Copper looks at me in surprise. “Come again?”
I laugh. “I thought about what you said. About my not healing until I put the past to rest. Sam and Ally are getting married tomorrow, and I’d like to put my past behind me. Because you were right, I won’t move on until I do.”
I stop for a minute and lean my head against his shoulder before continuing. “I want to make my peace with it because things are about to get into dangerous territory.” I hand him the paper I copied the account details onto. “Can you get those to Cahir for me, please? If they follow the money, it should lead them to the next couple of shipments.”
“Fuck,” Copper mutters, taking the paper and slipping it into his pocket. “I knew it was going to happen, but I can’t lie, I’m fucking scared shitless for you in that building by yourself.”
I’m scared, too, but I’ve been in this position several times before, and I know that Cahir and the rest of the Skulls will do what they can to make sure that nothing happens to us. Still, they’re not omnipotent, and unforeseen things happen sometimes. That’s why they insist we train so much.
“Would you wear a tracker?” Copper asks suddenly.
Surprised by the question, I look up into his green eyes. His worry about me is evident in his gaze. “Would it make you feel better?”
He nods. “Yes.”
