“Coop? W-what are you—”
“What I should’ve done a long damn time ago.”
He stepped even closer. Pulling the ring free from its small, satin bed, he shoved the box back into his pocket.
Holy. Shit.
“Mac, you know me better than I know myself. You’ve stood by my side on every single op, never cowering down when shit hits the fan. As my partner on the team, you’ve always had my back, and I will always,alwayshave yours. On the team—”
“Please don’t—”
He continued, refusing to let her get a word in edgewise. “And in life.”
“Sean.”
Oh, God. He’s going to say it.
“I’m in love with you, Mac. I’ve pretty much been in love with you from the moment I saw you.”
Mac shook her head. “Y-you don’t mean that.”
“Yes, I do.” He reached up with his free hand, tucking a wayward curl behind her ear.
“This is crazy, Sean. You didn’t even know my real name until a few days ago.”
“Doesn’t matter.” He shook his head. “I knowyou. I don’t care if your name is McKenna Kelley, Abigail Moretti, or Minnie Fucking Mouse. All I care about is being with you. I love you, Mac.” He cupped her cheek. Pressed his lips against hers. “And I know in my heart, you love me, too.”
“I…”
She couldn’t say it. She couldn’tbreathe.
These last few days with Coop and his family had been some of the best she could remember. And shedidlove him. So, so much.
So why wasn’t she telling him? He’d poured his heart and soul out to her, was offering his grandmother’s ring, for crying out loud!
No, he was offering her so much more than a piece of treasured jewelry. He was offering her his heart. So why in the hell couldn’t she bring herself to do the same?
Because everyone you’ve ever loved has left you.
Her mother. Her father. She’d even said it to her uncle a few times, back when she was too young to realize what a monster he was.
And therein lies the problem. Even from the grave, her uncle’s ghost was threatening to destroy the best thing that had ever happened to her.
Mac knew she’d made too many mistakes to count when it came to Coop. As a partner, as his best friend. As a lover.
She refused to make anymore.
Breaking her own heart, she whispered, “Put the ring away, Sean. Please.”
“Come on, Mac.” His desperation filled the air around them. “You know we belong together.”
She reminded herself that she was doing this for him. “We can’t get married.”
“We can if it’s what we want.”
“No, wecan’t!” Her voice echoed off the rustic walls. “Don’t you get it? Some maniac is out there, waiting for his chance to hurt you because of me.”
Coop shook his head. “I don’t care.”
