“Tell me what you need, and I’ll bring it with me.”
I chuckle.He’s so focused on taking care of me that he missed what I was saying.“You, Copeland.All that’s missing is you.”
“Six minutes, tops,” he says.
“Drive safe.”
“Babe, you’re literally right next door.”
“Most accidents happen within six miles of the home,” I tell him.My parents were right at six miles when they were in their accident.
“I’ll be safe,” he promises.
“Good.The door’s unlocked.”
“Ellison,” he growls, and heat pools between my thighs.Who knew that was so hot?“Don’t leave the damn door unlocked.”
“Magnolia Ridge is safe.Besides, there are all kinds of people milling around the estate.”
“Exactly.Lock the door.”
“You’d better come protect me,” I tease.
“Always, baby.I’ll see you soon.”
I open my mouth to tell him that I love him, but I quickly close it.“I’ll be here,” I tell him before we quickly say our goodbyes and end the call.
Not three minutes later, there’s a knock at the door.“Come in!”I call out.
“Ells.”
Another growl, and it makes me giddy.“Cope,” I say cheerily.He walks into the living room, his feet bare.He doesn’t stop until he’s got his arms braced on the couch, and he’s leaning over me.I’m ready for him to scold me about the door, but instead, he grins.“Hi,” he says, before leaning in and pressing his lips to mine.
I slide my hands behind his neck and hold him to me, pushing my tongue past his lips, and we both groan.Finally, he’s going to take things further—at least, I hope he does—but instead, he eases out of the kiss and stands to his full height.I jut out my bottom lip like a toddler, and I don’t care how it looks.
“What?”He smirks.
“Why don’t you want me?”I blurt before I can think better of it.Oh, well, we’re all about communication, right?I want to know what’s holding him back.
Copeland’s mouth falls open.“You think I don’t want you?”
“You kiss me like you do.You hold me like I’m precious, but that’s all you’ve given me.”
He sits next to me on the couch and pulls my legs onto his lap, making sure to keep them covered with the blanket.He runs his calloused hands over my bare calf.“Wanting you isn’t the problem, Ellison.”
“Then what is?”
“Six weeks ago today, you told me to leave.I’d just made love to you; my heart felt complete for the first time in years.You screamed and told me to go, and that you were trying not to love me.”He pauses, his hand gently tracing my calf beneath the blanket, and I give him time to collect his thoughts.
Meanwhile, I struggle to stay still, sitting in this spot.All I want to do is curl up in his lap and tell him how much I love him, but I can hear it in his tone of voice and see it in his expression that he needs to say more, and I’m going to let him.
“I told you I was going to fight for you.Fight for us.Not for the sex, Ellison, for the love.I’m fighting for my future, the future I don’t want unless you’re in it.The one where you change your last name and call me your husband.The future that has me laying my head to rest every night beside yours and waking up the same way.The life that we build together.I’m holding back because the last time you told me you didn’t want to love me, and baby, that’s all I want you to do.I promised myself I’d go slow.That I’d show you that this is more than just sex; it’s everything.Youare everything,” he says.His brown eyes, so full of love and devotion, stare me down as they will me to understand where he’s coming from.
I do understand.
I sit up straighter, and my hands find his beneath the blanket.I lace our fingers together and stare into those chocolate-brown eyes I love so much.I part my lips to speak, but no words come out.I don’t know what to say.This incredible man, he’s all I’ve ever wanted.My mind swims trying to find the words, but they won’t come.There are only three that I can think of, and they’re the exact three words that have been fighting to break free for weeks.
Letting go of his hands, I pull the cover back and move to straddle his lap.A chill races over me as the air conditioning hits my skin, and Copeland notices, because the man misses nothing when it comes to me.Reaching for the blanket, he wraps it around me, making sure I’m warm before wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me close.
