Page 95 of Cooper

We pull apart breathlessly, as if I didn’t just fuck her in the shower less than an hour ago, and the look we exchange speaks volumes.

“Come on. Your dad’s probably waiting with a shotgun.”

“Probably.” We get out of the SUV, and she’s just gotten to the steps when I hear my name.

“Ryan! Come.” Her father’s in the yard summoning me.

I don’t see a shotgun anywhere, so that’s good.

“Go on,” I tell Natalia. “I’ll be in soon.”

“Let me know if he has a gun!” she yells, reading my mind.

I walk around to the back and find her father pulling the cover off a car that’s up on blocks.

It’s probably—oh. My. Fucking. God.

A 1978 Corvette Silver Anniversary Edition.

It’s seen better days, there are no tires, and the seats look like they’ve been eaten away by bugs and weather.

But it’s still beautiful.

My dream car.

How did it come to be here on a farm in northern Limaj?

I let out a low whistle.

“Beautiful,” I breathe, running my hand over the hood.

“Natalia’s dowry,” he says, meeting my eyes.

“I…what?”

Shit.

I’d forgotten about that dowry stuff.

What do I do now?

Ask for another car?

I’m supposed to up the ante alittle, but a classic car hadn’t been on my radar. I was thinking goats and bedding and maybe some cash. Gold coins if that’s on the table.

Not a Corvette.

“The car,” I say slowly. “For me. As Natalia’s dowry?”

It sounds so surreal coming out of my mouth, I can barely focus on what I’m saying. How is this possible?

I’m too confused to be excited.

According to Sandor, I have to play it cool.

I don’t know what I’m doing professionally, whether or not I’m even staying Limaj, and now I have to decide on something completely out of my wheelhouse.

But not having this conversation would embarrass her, so I have to go with it.

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