Page 2 of Cooper's Command

“It’s a bit late to just show up and knock.”

“But the perfect time to stalk?”

“I wasn’t stalking. I was investigating.” She gave him a once-over. “Where’s your shirt?”

“On the floor where I tossed it when I went to bed.” He stabbed his fingers through his hair. “Did something happen with the rental? Is someone tailing you? Should I ring Bellamy?”

“Whoa, slow down, slugger. Do all ex-military guys jump to the worst-case scenarios first or just you?”

“We just left Columbia amidst a gunfight, there’re likely tangos on our tail, and we’re expecting Eric freaking Moody toshow up with his entourage of highly trained assholes any day now. I’m being practical.”

“Practical. Paranoid. Kinda the same thing for you Spec Op boys. And no, no one’s tailing me and for god’s sake, don’t call Bellamy. Or Rusty or Ethan or that Hawk guy you all work for.”

“So, it is the rental, then. Did they kick you out for busting someone’s balls? Or was there a baby crying all night in the next suite?”

Nova snagged her bottom lip, worrying it for a few moments as she shifted on her feet. One of the rare occasions he’d ever seen her falter. “The rental was fine, it’s just… The longer I sat there, staring at the walls, the more I thought about Tate, and…”

Was her chin quivering? It was hard to tell in the filtered moonlight, with only half of her face really visible.

He took a step closer. “Hey, are you okay?”

Her chin was definitely quivering. And despite the shadows and muted light, her eyes glistened. Nova swallowed, looking as if she might puke before she closed her eyes and stood there. Every muscle tensed. Hands fisted at her side.

Shit.

Two steps and he’d closed the distance by half — was ignoring that voice inside his head that warned him she might just as soon kick his ass than allow him to comfort her. Another two and he had her by the shoulders — was able to tug her against him. Nova stiffened for a few moments. As if she couldn’t decide if she wanted to hold him or drop him on his ass, just like he’d been thinking, before she choked out a rough breath then wrapped her arms around him. Her head hit his shoulder, a raspy sob muffled against his chest.

Cooper sighed, holding her close as she fought to gather some control, a series of shuddering breaths feathering across his skin. He lifted one hand and cupped the back of her neck,toying with the soft curls at her nape until she relaxed, leaning more of her weight against him.

He smiled, dropping a chaste kiss on the top of her head before he eased back, tucking some of her fiery auburn hair behind her ears. “Better?”

She snorted, cringing when he brushed at the tears drying on one cheek. “Not really.”

“Nova. Sweetheart, cut yourself some slack. Have you given yourself even a moment to grieve Tate’s death? Because I’m betting you’ve been going mach five with your hair on fire ever since he was killed.”

“I can’t afford to grieve. Not with his killer still out there.”

“Right. Better just to shove it all down, instead. Let it simmer and boil until it explodes.”

Nova tilted her head to the side. “I guess I have my answer, and it’s just you who jumps to all the worst-case scenarios, first.”

“Or, I’ve seen enough buddies box it up to know it rarely ends well.”

Nova clenched her jaw then closed her eyes, looking as if she might fall apart, again.

He palmed her cheek, waiting until she looked up at him. “Nova?—”

She kissed him.

No preamble, no hesitation. Just her tiptoeing up then slanting her lips over his. Burning away any doubt he’d had that she wasn’t interested.

Cooper yanked her against him, ravaging her mouth as he fisted all that silky soft hair. Using it to anchor her to him as he backed them up until they hit the side of his house. Her gorgeous green eyes widened before she let her head fall against the wood, and he took the opportunity to kiss and lick his way down her neck — bite at her pulse point thrashing wildly beneath her skin.

“God, Coop.”

He grinned against her flesh, reclaiming her mouth until Whiskey nudged his leg, breaking the sexual atmosphere with a loud yip. He glanced down at the dog, chest heaving. His fingers still locked in Nova’s hair. Every thought focused on how quickly he could shuck his pajama pants and get inside her when Nova smoothed her hand along his jaw, biting her lower lip as a shiver shook through her.

Cooper cursed inwardly, using every trick he’d learned in the service to pull himself back. Unlock his fingers from her hair. It took him a few tries, but he managed to ease his hand free, lowering it to her chin.

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