Page 98 of Cooper’s Passion

“Oh, Dad.” Tears welled up in her eyes at her father’s praise. She sniffled.

“So, is that a yes?” Donnelly asked.

She took his hand. “Yes. When can I start?”

Donnelly’s gaze drifted to the stairs behind her. “How about after your honeymoon?”

“Honeymoon?”

When Donnelly continued to stare at the stairs, and others in the crowd did the same, she turned to follow their gaze. There, coming down the stairs, was Cooper. He looked more virile than ever. He was fully healed and wearing casual clean clothes. Behind him, Yvette, Haven, and Lydia descended.

“Cooper, why didn’t anybody tell me that you’re awake?” She could barely get the words out, choking up all of a sudden, the joy of seeing him overwhelming her.

* * *

“I wanted to surprise you.”

Cooper drank her in with his eyes. During his restorative sleep, he’d had vivid dreams about Anita, and the knowledge that she’d saved him and was waiting for him had helped him push through the physical pain. He was fully healed now, and ready to grab his second chance at life with both hands—and with Anita by his side.

At the foot of the stairs, Anita threw herself into his arms, and he welcomed her open display of affection—no, more than just affection: deep, everlasting love. He felt it in every fiber of his being. Not concerned that everybody at Scanguards was watching, he captured Anita’s lips and kissed her deeply. He’d missed her smell and her taste, and the aroma of her blood that drifted to him now.

When murmurs reached his ears, he knew it was time to end the kiss. He drew his head back and released her, before reaching into his pocket. He felt the metal item there and pulled it out, keeping it hidden in his palm.

“Anita.” He got down on one knee and looked up at her.

Anita’s eyes widened in surprise, and her cheeks colored a pretty pink, while her eyes shimmered like the ocean on a white sandy beach. A breath escaped from her throat.

“Will you be my blood-bonded mate for all eternity?” He opened his palm and laid bare the gold ring with the sparkling blue sapphire that matched her eyes.

It was so quiet in the room that he could have heard a feather land on the floor.

“Yes, yes, I will,” Anita said amongst tears of joy. “I love you, Cooper.”

Rising, he slid the ring on her finger. “I love you more, Baby.” He kissed her once more among cheers by his friends and family.

“Congratulations, honey,” Diaz said. “Congratulations to both of you.”

“Cooper, don’t monopolize her,” Yvette said from behind him.

Cooper released Anita and looked over his shoulder. “You do know she’s mine, right?”

There were chuckles coming from the crowd.

“Do I at least get to hug her?” she asked. Yvette pulled Anita into a tight embrace, and even though she spoke quietly, Cooper heard every word. “Thank you, Anita, thank you for everything you’ve done. I can’t imagine a better woman for my son than you. You’re my daughter now too, and I’ll always protect you.”

Anita sniffled. “Thank you, Yvette. I’m so glad you’re all right.”

When Lydia and several others crowded around Anita to congratulate her, Cooper caught her gaze and smiled at her, then stepped back and turned to Diaz.

“I’ll keep her safe,” Cooper promised.

Diaz put a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it. “I don’t doubt it, Son. Not for a second.”

Samson and Haven joined them, both of them smiling contentedly.

“She’s quite a catch,” Haven said. “You’re a lucky guy.”

“Trust me, Dad. I know it.” He glanced back to Anita, who was surrounded by his friends.