“I’m trying really hard to make sure my brain thinks horrible thoughts,” he replies, his lips so close to my ear that it tickles.
“Get your mind out of the gutter,” I say, trying to move away.
But in a move that seems to shock both of us, Cooper’s arm reaches out, pulling me back into him. “If you just hold still, there won’t be any issues.”
Getting annoyed at my ticklish ear, I work to move myself down just a little, so his head is above mine.
Bad move.
Cooper groans, his hand tightening around my hip. “Can you stop? Otherwise, I’m sleeping on the floor.”
“Why are men soweak?” I ask.
“I swear I’ve never had this issue before.”
“That’s what they all say.”
“I’m serious.”
“And I’m a fucking billionaire.”
He rolls his eyes, but I’m suddenlyextremelycurious.
So I roll onto my back, sending him flying back into the wall to get as far away as humanly possible.
Whichis not far.I’m pretty sure half my asscheek is hanging off the side.
“When you said that you didn’t want to be friends with me, what did you mean?” I ask, not super sure that I want to know the more detailed answer.
He studies me, his eyes dipping down to my lips. “I told you what I meant.”
“But what did you really mean?”
“I told you. I will take you in any capacity you will allow. You want to be friends? Fine. You want to never have anything to do with me ever again? Fine. But if you’re asking me what Iwant,it’s notfriendship.”
I think about this, my head swimming with what-ifs. Cooper’s hand still grips my hip, his arm resting on my lower stomach.
God, his hand is giant.
I’m absolutely positive he could fit my whole?—
Stop. It.
I don’t think before I say it. “I just don’t want to have to say goodbye again, Cooper. I don’t think you understand how painful it was when you abandoned me. I felt like I lost part of myself. I lost you, and then I lost your sister because itwas just all too awkward, and we were growing apart anyway. And then I lost your grandpa. I just don’t want to have to say goodbye twice.”
His frown deepens, his eyes softening at every word. Eventually, after our breathing syncs with the waves, his hand brushes up my sides, his fingertips leaving little fires in their wake before he grips my chin between his fingers.
“I need you to know,” he starts, his face so close to mine that our lips nearly brush, “that if you were to ever give me a chance, I’d work the rest of my life to make sure that I deserve you. I’d work so hard for you to never hear goodbye from me ever again.”
“I think that’s our disconnect,” I whisper. “You didn’tsayit.”
He licks his lips. “I’d make sure you felt cherished every day. Happy. Content. There would never be a question in your head of how I felt about you.”
My heart picks up speed, hammering in my chest. “You didn’t want me when you stopped talking to me.”
He shakes his head. “I wanted you. I wanted you too much, Amara. I just didn’t have enough to give.” His voice quivers with pain. I’ve never in my life heard him like this.
And in a moment of pure impulsiveness, I reach out, wrapping my arm around his neck, and kiss him.
