Page 4 of Cooper's Command

“I do believe it because there’s nothing else for me to do.”

“Other than forgive yourself for Tate’s death. Seeing how it wasn’t on you.”

She looked away, aware nothing she said would sway Cooper’s opinion. Especially when he had a point. She’d been a few thousand miles away when Tate had made the impromptu decision to deviate from his scheduled meetings in Virginia and rendezvous with Moody in Texas. What had led to Tate’s ultimate demise. But that hadn’t stopped the voices inside her head.

Or the nightmares. Which Cooper had been gracious enough not to call her on, yet.

Cooper palmed her cheek, waiting until she made eye contact. “How about I make you a deal? I won’t ask you uncomfortable questions, and you won’t dwell on Tate or Moody or anything else work-related for the next twenty-four hours.”

Nova tiptoed up, brushing her mouth across his. “Now that’s a deal I can get behind so… get us home, slugger.”

Cooper gave her a ghost of a kiss then eased her sideways before opening her door. He boosted her into his truck then circled around to his side — letting Whiskey hop in first and move into the back before he jumped behind the wheel. He waved to Bellamy when his buddy nodded at them from the porch before backing up the truck and pulling onto the street.

Nova waited until they were on the long, deserted road back to Cooper’s cottage before lifting the middle console and sliding over until she was pressed against his side.

Cooper gave her a quick side eye, still focusing mainly on the road. “You’re not buckled, sweetheart.”

“Are you considering crashing the truck for the ten minutes we’ll be on the road?”

“No, but Murphy and all that.”

She nuzzled his neck, nipping at his ear as she ran one hand along his thigh, stopping short of grabbing him through the denim. “I’m pretty sure that what I have in mind is worth the risk.”

He swallowed. Hard. And she knew he was replaying how he’d promised to ravage her once the mission was wrapped up. The fact it had been over for forty-eight hours only highlighted how much control he had. Though, that had more to do with the endless meetings with the FBI and all the patrols Cooper and his team had arranged for Bellamy’s place. What she assumed was their way of ensuring they hadn’t missed any of Moody’s entourage who might have hung around with the hope of exacting some form of revenge.

Cooper glanced at her. “I should warn you that if you put that sexy mouth on me, I’m liable to drive us off the road and into the damn ocean. But, once we’re home…”

Home. He’d been using that term a lot lately, and she had to admit, she loved the sound of it.

Nova kissed his neck, smiling against his skin when he moaned. “I’m gonna rock your world. So, I suggest you map out how you’re going to last more than five minutes in the few we have left before we get there.”

“Oh sweetheart. I love how you think I’m going to let you get me off before I’ve licked every inch of you. In fact, you might want to close your eyes for the last few miles because you won’t be catching up on any sleep tonight.”

Nova nipped at the muscle at the base of his neck before resting her head on his shoulder. Five minutes. That’s how long she’d rest because she was holding Cooper to his word.

He was loving her all night.

“No!”

Nova jolted awake, chest heaving, a light sheen of sweat beading her skin. She sucked in a quick breath, scanning the room as she tried to place her surroundings — shuffle her memories. Because the last thing she remembered was snuggling up to Cooper in his truck — promising to rock his world.

She glanced at the clock, groaning when she realized two hours had passed since she’d all but thrown herself at him in the cab. That she’d likely fallen asleep during those scant few miles and Cooper had, once again, taken the high road and slipped her under the covers after only removing her boots and jeans.

Not that she’d expect anything less, but after pushing the boundaries of their no-sex pledge as far as they could, she’d planned on jumping the man the moment they’d bumped their way through his door. Preferably already entwined.

Cooper roused beside her, mumbling something in his sleep as he tugged her against him, brushing one hand across her waist before drifting off again, easing the panicky twist in her gut. The one that usually lasted long after the dream had finally faded.

He did that to her. Grounded her when she thought she’d either float away or sink beneath the surface.

Which wasn’t helping her get her head focused on her career. In fact, the longer she hung out with Cooper, the more she craved sharing the same space with him. Waking up to him smiling down at her every morning. Falling asleep with her head on his chest at night. Even Whiskey seemed content having Nova around, often curling up at her feet at the foot of the bed.

As if the three of them simply fit together like puzzle pieces.

She’d never had that before. Growing up in foster care — running off at sixteen — she’d been on her own for what seemed like an eternity. Tate had taken a shine to her from the first day they were partnered together, and he’d done his best to be a father figure. But he hadn’t been much different. More of a loner than most. Always opting to live in the shadows — taking the riskiest jobs because they kept him isolated. Just the way he liked it. Losing him…

She hadn’t been prepared for how much it had hurt. As if a part of her had been ripped away.

More images of the dream replayed in her head, and she untangled herself from Cooper then gently crept off the bed. She could wake him up — have him love the unsettling feelings away. But that seemed dangerously close to admitting he held a piece of her she couldn’t reach, and she wasn’t sure if giving him that much control was wise. Not with her emotions prickling beneath her skin like an exposed nerve, ready to burst free and utter a few words that would likely send the man running for the hills.

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