Page 106 of Craving Cooper

“That’s because I’m not used to it.”

It occurs to me that Mallory isn’t ‘used to it’ either… but that doesn’t stop her from screaming at me to fuck her ass.

“Maybe not,” I say. “But that was no reason to call me a… what was it? A fucking pervert. That was uncalled-for.”

“How did you expect me to react?”

“Not like that. We could have talked. I’d already told you I’d respect your decision. You knew it was your choice, and so did I, just like it’s always been in the past, regardless of who I’ve been with.”

“Okay, but all I’m saying is, if it’s that important to you, I’d be willing to do it now. I’d do anything, Cooper. Anything you want. I miss your cock, and…”

I hold up my hands. “Stop it. You’re just demeaning yourself.”

“But we can make it work. I know we can. We were so good together.”

“Were we?”

“Yes. You know that. What we had was the best.”

“No, it wasn’t. It was just sex.”

“But it was such good sex.”

“Not for me.”

“But…”

“Mallory’s moving in with me,” I blurt out, hoping she’ll get the message.

She steps back, almost stumbling, but I don’t reach out to her. She’d misinterpret my actions… read something into them that isn’t there.

“How can she be moving in here?”

“It’s easy. She already lives in the apartment above mine, and we’ll be moving her things into my place at the weekend.”

“And she’ll be staying with you? All the time?”

“She’ll be living with me, all the time.”

“But that doesn’t make sense. You like your space, Cooper. You always have.”

“I know.”

“You said you liked doing things your way, and you wouldn’t change for anyone.”

“I wouldn’t change because, deep down, I knew we weren’t right for each other. It had never been right… not with you, and not with anyone else. But it’s right with Mallory.”

“And you’d change for her?”

“I already have.”

“You’ve changed? In what way?”

“In every way.”

“But… why?” she says, looking bemused.

“Why do you think? I’m in love with her.”

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