Page 62 of Cooper's Command

What she decided.

Nova looked up at Cooper, hoping he read the answer in the way she smiled at him as she squeezed his hand. Because the answer was simple. She’d find a way to stay, even if it meant breaking ranks.

CHAPTER 19

Two weeks later…

Cooper opened his eyes,wondering if he’d dreamed hearing the back door creak when he realized Nova wasn’t in the bed. While she’d been having fewer nightmares since he’d brought her home from the hospital, they still cropped up when she least expected it. And he had a feeling tonight had been one of those times.

He lifted the sheets then swung his legs over the edge of the mattress, searching for Whiskey, but the traitorous mutt had obviously followed Nova outside. Whiskey had been staying close to Nova, whether because she sensed Nova was hurt or simply because the dog had a sweet spot for her, Cooper wasn’t sure. And he would have been jealous if seeing them snuggled up on the couch together didn’t tug at his heart. The one Nova had claimed that first time they’d met. He just hadn’t realized she’d stolen it until he’d been faced with losing her.

He sighed, heading for the doorway as he tried to ignore the ten-ton elephant that had been living alongside them. That part about losing her he’d been thinking about. How every daybrought Nova closer to when she’d have to decide what direction she wanted her career to take. If staying in Hawai’i was even on the table or if she’d be jetting back to Bogotá or maybe Tokyo to head up the mafia threat she’d uncovered here. All that unfinished business they’d been avoiding.

But, she’d been healing. Finally dealing with some of her feelings over Tate’s death. And asking her to map out the next twenty years of her life had seemed selfish. Not that he hadn’t been planning. He just hoped there was a solution that didn’t involve living thousands of miles apart.

Cooper paused at the door, watching Nova give Whiskey a long scratch as they both stared out at the darkness, her long auburn hair fluttering in the light breeze. She was stunning. From the tip of her stubborn head all the way to her sexy toes. And he was so fucking in love with her it hurt.

He’d tell her. Tonight. And if it meant he had to move, he could make that sacrifice, because as hard as it would be to leave his brothers — his family — he knew he’d never survive here without her.

The door stayed oddly silent as he opened it enough to slip through, smiling at the way she leaned over and gave Whiskey a kiss, using some weird voice to tell her what a good girl she was. How much she loved her.

“Should I be jealous, right now, or…”

Nova inhaled, practically tripping onto her ass as she stood and turned at the same time, losing her balance on one of the patio stones he needed to level. Cooper lunged at her, catching her around the waist and tugging her against him before she hit the ground, likely re-injuring her ribs.

Nova punched him softly in the arm, shaking her head as she fluttered the wispy hairs around her face with a huff. “Are you trying to kill me?”

“You got upset the last time I simply grabbed you so I thought I should let you know I was here.”

“By making the door creak or something benign. Not your voice a foot away when I’m sitting here, wondering if there’re mercenaries hiding in your rose bushes.”

“If you thought there were mercenaries creeping around, why are you out here?”

She gave him another swat. “Don’t use logic on me, Coop, or I might make it impossible for you to make it up to me after you carry me back to bed.”

Cooper tsked, dropping a kiss on her forehead. “We tried that the other night and even you had to admit your ribs were still too sore.”

“That was then. I’m better now.”

“You’re hornier, sure, but healed?”

Nova grinned, slipped her fingers into his hair then dragged him down until his mouth was level with hers. “Let’s put our theories to the test. If I’m right, you pick this up where we left off like you promised.”

“And if your eyes roll back in your head because of pain and not pleasure?”

“Then, I’ll just go to my knees and get my pleasure that way.”

“That sounds?—”

She kissed him. Just like that first night. Tangling her tongue with his, as she practically wrapped one leg around him. Cooper grunted, picked her up then spun, backing her into the wall. Mindful not to put too much pressure on her side. But if they were actually going to make it to the bed, this time, he needed to know she really wasn’t hurting.

Nova responded in kind, all but riding his thigh as she bit her way down his neck, over to his pec then back, mouthing his ear before claiming his mouth, again. Harder. More desperate than she’d ever been.

That did him in. Had him carrying her back to his room as she continued to eat at his mouth, whispering all the ways she was going to bring him to his knees.

Which seemed silly because she already had.

He didn’t stop until he hit the bed, moving onto it and placing her gently in the center. Her hair fanned out like a fiery halo against the cream duvet, those green eyes more jade than earlier. Nova smiled, smoothing her hands across his shoulders. Looking so damn beautiful it took all his focus not to tell her loved her. And not just because she was stunning. He loved her spirit, her honor. How she was often the smartest person in the room without even realizing it. He even loved her stubborn side, despite the fact it got her into more trouble than was good for his well-being.

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