Page 33 of Cooper

“What else would you do?” I ask curiously.

“That’s just it—I don’t know. It’s almost time for me to re-up, but because of the kidnapping and stuff, they’re giving me some time. I have to make a decision relatively soon, though, and the truth is, I might not stay. I have an opportunity at the NSA.”

“With Louie.”

He nods. “And there’s also a lot of money to be made in the private sector.”

“I don’t know that any of that helps our situation.”

“Yes and no. Getting out of the military means I have a lot more flexibility. I could look for a job doing security in Europe, so we’d see each other a lot more. Maybe even here. I don’t know. But if you think it would be better to go our separate ways, I can ponder my future from my mom’s house.”

Letting him leave would be the smart thing to do.

I know this.

But I don’t want to.

And the indecision is killing me.

Do I risk a much greater heartbreak later for a short-term fling?

“I don’t want you to leave,” I say quietly, “but it’s probably the smart, mature thing to do.”

To my surprise, he throws back his head and laughs. Then he slowly but firmly rolls over so he’s on top of me, his face inches from mine.

“No one’s ever told me I was smart or mature,” he says in a throaty whisper.

Then he kisses me.

His lips are firm but gentle, taking his time as he presses light kisses on my mouth and nibbles my lower lip.

“You know how many times I’ve dreamed about this?” he asks.

I can’t respond because he’s kissing me again, and this time his tongue slides between my lips with urgency. And there’s no way I can resist. My body heats up immediately, and I lose myself in how good it feels. I love how it feels for his strong, toned body to press mine into the mattress, for us to be linked this way, even with the barrier of our clothes. There’s no mistaking the heat searing my skin or the moisture pooling between my legs.

No one has ever had this effect on me.

A knock on the door makes us both jump, and he groans.

“Shit.”

“That’s our dinner,” I pant, trying to still the crazy beating of my heart. “Move over and I’ll get it.”

“All right.” He rolls to the side, and I don’t miss the look of pain that crosses his face. Dammit, I should have been more cognizant of his injuries.

I open the door and one of the maids brings in a tray.

“Hello, Mr. Cooper!” She doesn’t speak a lot of English, but she waves, probably oblivious to what we’d just been doing. He’s discreetly covered his erection with a pillow, and he waves back.

“Thank you for bringing dinner,” he says.

“Of course. Of course! Enjoy—I make the bread.”

“Thank you, Lida.” I give her a grateful smile.

She sets the tray down, waves again, and heads out.

As soon as the door closes behind her, he crooks a finger in my direction. “Get that sweet behind of yours back in this bed right fucking now.”

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