Page 57 of Interception

He wipes the tears from my cheek with the pad of his thumb. “Talk to me, Zee. What’s this all about? You never talk about your folks. All I know is that you said they were shitty parents.”

“They don’t love me, Coop.”

“I’m sure that’s not true.”

“It is. I’m not a lovable person. They never wanted me. I was a mistake, an unplanned, unwanted mistake. There’s something wrong with me. If my own mother and father can’t stand to be around me, then what hope do we have? You’re going to realize at some point that I’m not someone you can love for the rest of your life.”

He cups my face in his hands, forcing me to meet his gaze. “Zee, I need you to listen to me right now. Look at me.” I do as he asks, his gaze reflecting my own, wet with unshed tears. “You’re the single most amazing person I’ve ever met. To know you is to love you, and I wake up every day knowing that you’re too good for a dumb jock like me, but I plan on earning your love, every minute of every day for the rest of my life.”

“But…” His lips find mine, soft but urgent as he pours all of the love he feels for me into this one kiss.

“But nothing. They’re wrong, Zee. If they can’t see how amazing you are, then it’s their loss. Is this why you pushed me away for so long? You thought you weren’t worthy of being loved?”

“Yes.”

“I’m not going anywhere, Zee. You and me, we’re family. I don’t care about anything except you and our boys. I love you so much it hurts, and it breaks my heart to think that you don’t feel like you deserve to be the center of someone’s universe. You’re the center of mine. You always will be. Do you hear me? Tell me you understand that my love for you is unconditional.”

My lips crash down on his, my soul lighter for having told him everything. Now I know with unshakable certainty that I want to do something for him. I want him to know how much I love him.

“Will you come somewhere with me on Friday afternoon?”

“I’d go anywhere with you, beautiful.”

“Good. I’ll text you the address and meet you there after I finish up at work. It’ll be my last day, and I’ll be done by lunchtime.”

“Are you going to tell me what we’re doing?”

“Nope. It’s a surprise. Is that okay?”

“Yes, but can I at least pick you up at work?”

“That’s also a no.”

“Will I like the surprise?”

“I hope so.”

“It’s from you, so I think I’ll love it. Unless you’re playing a prank on me, then I might not dig it.”

“It’s not a prank. Not by a long shot.”

“I trust you. Now, will you let me show you just how much I love you?”

“Does it involve your head between my thighs?”

“Yes.” And just like that, he takes me from crying to making me wet for him.

“Then have at it.” He gives me a mischievous grin as he slides his fingers under the waistband of my panties. “And Coop… thank you.”

“For what? I haven’t started yet.”

“For everything. For listening. For loving me.”

“I’m always going to love you, beautiful. Now lie back and enjoy.”

Chapter Fifteen

Coop

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