Standing, Cooper pulled a few bucks out of his wallet. “I’m not scared.”
They took off toward the game. I watched them play several rounds. I couldn’t take my eyes off of the sight in front of me. My son healthy, happy. And Cooper… gentle, fun, and fine.
Later that night, Cooper carried an extremely exhausted Mehki into my house. My son had fallen asleep fast, after ice cream and a trip to the arcade in town.
“Thanks for bringing him in.” I dropped my purse on the table. “He gets bigger every day.”
“It’s probably all that home cooking.”
Cooper followed me into the second bedroom of the rental. He gently set Mehki on the bed and pulled off his shoes and baseball cap. I grabbed a pair of pajamas out of the suitcase.
Stretching, Cooper said. “I’ll let you handle that.”
I smiled. “Give me a few minutes, okay?”
Once Cooper left the room, I removed Mehki’s clothes and dressed him in his pajamas. Placing a soft kiss to his forehead, I whispered, “Love you, my sweet boy.”
His eyes popped open. “Mommie?” His sleepy voice made my heart melt.
“Yes, babe.”
“I’m going to beat Mr. Cooper one day.”
Chuckling softly, I said, “I believe you.”
“I love you, Mommie.”
“Love you, too. Good night.”
I flipped the light switch and closed the bedroom door. On my way to the living room, I stopped at the bathroom to check my face. Hair still good, makeup still…Well, I can’t win every battle. I put a fresh coat of gloss on my lips and went to meet Cooper.
“I think you created a monster.” I hung my jacket up. “Mehki is intent on unseating you on that game.”
Cooper shrugged. “I have no doubt he’ll succeed—one day.”
“He’s very persistent.” I walked over to him. “That day may come sooner than you think.”
He smirked. “Like I told you earlier, I’m not scared.”
Stopping in front of him, I peered into his dark eyes. “I think I’m looking forward to the day my son wipes that cocky smirk off of your face.”
Flashing a sly grin, he whispered, “You might be waiting a long time.”
We stood there, nearly touching, eyes locked on one another. The air changed around us and everything seemed to fade away. There was nothing, no sound, no light, just us and this moment. I couldn’t control the conflicting emotions swarming through my head. I had to do something, I had to…
Stepping up on the tips of my toes, I kissed him. It wasn’t a passionate kiss, but the feel of his mouth against my mouth, his breath mingling with mine calmed the part of me that felt out of control.
But then reality crept in, and the gravity of what I’d just done with my son in the other room, cloaked everything in the shadow of doubt. I’d kissed him. He didn’t kiss me.Did he even want to?
Jerking away, I took a huge step back. “Um… I… didn’t mean… Maybe we should just forget I did that.” I swallowed hard and prayed that he would just leave before I embarrassed myself even more.
Cooper inched closer to me. He ran a finger down my cheek, and wrapped his hand around my neck. “I would rather not forget.”
Then,hekissed me. It was… hot and loaded. His talented mouth devoured mine, tongue and teeth, low groans and bumping chins. Cooper’s hands—on my back, on my ass, on my sides, on my face…Oh Damn. I didn’t want to stop. He could kiss me forever if that meant it would always be like this, if I could always feel so free.
He turned me around so that my back was against the wall. Pressing his hard body into mine, he finally broke the kiss. “I thinkyoustarted something,” he murmured, throwing my earlier words back at me. “I’m so tempted.” He nipped my ear before sucking the lobe into his mouth.
My breath hitched in my chest when he ran his nose down my neck and bit the base gently. “To do what?” I breathed, gripping his shoulders, holding on for dear life. Because sliding to the ground would not be a good look. Not sexy at all.
