Page 122 of Vegas Heat

“Brewer? You asked him aboutBrewer?”

I shake my head. “I asked him what he’d think about me dating a baseball player, and he told me he’d want better for me. That players were assholes who were gone eight months out of the year.”

He lifts his shoulder, conceding. “He isn’t wrong about that.”

I nod. “I know. But then he asked if I had a crush on Danny, to which he said he’s too old for me anyway.”

“He’s seven years younger than me,” Cooper says flatly.

“I know. So whatever we decide here tonight, I need you to be aware that my father can’t know about it.”

“We’re on the same page there.” He sighs again. “This sucks. I don’t want to keep the best thing that’s ever happened in my life from anybody, let alone one of my good friends…one of the guys who’s the reason I came out here in the first place.”

I point to my chest. “Me?”

His brows knit together in confusion.

“I’m the best thing that’s ever happened in your life?” My heart races as I think I understood his meaning, but maybe I’m wrong. Of course I’m wrong. This guy has played professional baseball. Surely he doesn’t meanme.

He looks surprised by my question for a beat, but then his eyes flick to my mouth. He nods, and he leans in to press a soft kiss to my lips that’s far too short. “Yeah. You are.”

Tears pinch behind my eyes. “Then we have to be together, even if it means we don’t tell my father.”

When it gets serious, and itwillget serious—if we’re not already there—we’ll be strong enough as a united front to find a way to tell him. And until then, sneaking around might be kind of fun.

He sighs. “Then that’s what we have to do.”

“Can you just quickly tell me if this is real or a dream?” I ask.

His eyes dart to mine. “What do you mean?”

“I mean this whole time I’ve been hoping and praying we’d figure out a way, and it looks like it’s actually happening.”

“It’s real,” he says softly. His eyes move toward the window and he sighs. “I told you earlier in the kitchen, and I meant every word. I fucking love you so goddamn much and I don’t know how to move forward without you. It’s too short. We hardly know each other. It doesn’t make any sense, and yet…” His eyes return to mine, and even though I can tell he’s tormented, he seems more settled than he’s been since we’ve been apart.

“I can’t live without you.” We say the words at the same time, and my heart twists in my chest in a way that feels unfamiliar and thrilling and terrifying and perfect.

His eyes burn into mine as a new understanding dawns between us.

He takes my hand in his and pulls us both to a stand.

“Happy birthday,” I murmur.

“It’s the cheesiest thing I’ve ever even thought, but you are the greatest gift I’ve ever received,” he says.

I giggle. “Yeah, that’s cheesy as fuck.”

“My apologies,” he says. “Would my dick inside you erase the memory?”

“God yes,” I breathe. “I want you all over me. I want your tongue against mine and your hands on my body and your voice in my ears. I want you surrounding me everywhere so all I breathe in is your scent. And I don’t want to wait another second.”

He takes my words to heart, and his mouth crashes down to mine again.

We’re back where we belong.

CHAPTER 3: COOPER

I could stand here with the Strip out the window and my girl in my arms forever as I kiss her with all the pent-up emotion I’ve been holding back for the last couple weeks.

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