Page 11 of Enduring Magic

The pique disappeared from her visage, and a sheepish expression took the place of her irritation. “You’re right. I was a bundle of insecurity.”

“With Alastair’s help, you’ve been able to explore your magic. And because you’ve gained confidence, you were able to build on it and become formidable in your own right. That’s progress, and you should be proud of all you’ve accomplished.”

“I love you, Coop. And I am. Proud, that is.” She rose to her feet and stood between his spread legs to toy with the buttons of his uniform shirt. “Your support and acceptance of our gifts have made all the difference.”

“There was a time when the idea of magic almost made me shit my pants. When you froze me in place—more than once!—I thought I was having a fucking stroke. It didn’t warm my heart or endear me to the process in the least little bit.”

She giggled. “But now look at you! You’re an old pro, taking to magic like a duck to water.”

“Mmhmm.” His tone was drier than dirt, and it appeared to tickle her funny bone because she laughed. He stroked her cheek. “There. That’s the look I wish I could see all the time. Your happiness is what I live for.”

“Ugh.” With a roll of her eyes, she slapped his chest. “Corny much?”

Coop hooked an arm around her waist and drew her up flush against him. “Hush, you! I can wax poetic with the best of them.”

“Stick with sheriffing, Sheriff.”

With a low growl, he captured her mouth, savoring the rich sweetness of whatever chocolate she’d consumed earlier as he tasted his fill. When they parted, the sparkle in her eyes partnered with her wide, appreciative grin.

“Or making love. You do that exceptionally well, too, Sheriff Carlyle.”

Laughing, he pulled her atop him as he fell back on the bed. “I’m always happy to oblige, ma’am. Part of my duty to my community.”

Summer poked his chest, and it was her turn to growl. “You’d better not be obliging others in your community. Not the way youobligeme, anyway.”

“It’s only you, sweetheart. You keep me active enough for all Leiper’s Fork’s residents combined.”

Coop captured her hand and bit down gently on her finger, then sucked it into his mouth and drew it out slowly. Her expression turned decidedly interested as she watched the progress of her finger entering his mouth and withdrawing again under her own steam.

Real regret clouded her eyes. “I have to meet my mother for cake tasting in Franklin in less than thirty minutes. I don’t have time for you toobligeme.”

“I’ll drive.”

“I’m serious, Coop—”

“No, I mean, I’ll drive to the cake shop, but I do like the way you think.” He winked and rolled her onto her back to steal another kiss. Lungs straining and dick aching with need, he pulled away and sighed. “Tonight, we pick this conversation up again. Right here, in this spot.”

“Agreed.” She arched up and gave him a hard peck on his lips. “It’s a date. Now, take me to get cake, my love.”

Hand in hand, they walked to Coop’s service vehicle. After a quick call to Lil in dispatch, they were on the road to Franklin.

As the highwaystretched in front of them and the Carlyle estate was in the review mirror, Summer turned slightly in her seat to study the profile of her fiancé and forever love. He was so strong, handsome, and capable, with a gooey center. Who knew? Certainly not her, not in the early days when he would decree this or that in regard to her sanctuary, like he was the King of America.

But underneath his gruff exterior and hard-as-nails attitude, Coop cared. Not just for her, but for people in general. He wanted to help. To keep them safe. And though it had taken a while for Summer to understand and accept, he’d only wanted to shut down her rescue operation to protect the residents of their town. Her especially. The reason was that he’d been worried her chimpanzee was unstable. Now, knowing Morty had a heart of gold and was unable to hurt a fly, Coop was more trusting of her small ape.

“You know you didn’t have to take me to Franklin, Coop. I could’ve met my mother and father myself.”

A quicksilver grimace crossed his face. “You didn’t tell me Alastair was going to be there.”

“Didn’t I?”

“You know damned well you didn’t. You said your mother.”

Summer grinned as she faced forward. Yep, she’d omitted the fact her formidable father would be at the bakery, but when Coop thought about it longer, he’d realize Aurora didn’t go anywhere without Alastair. Not after the love of her father’s life had spent nearly two decades in a coma.

“Should we have brought Olivia? She’d have kept my dad occupied.”

Coop grunted. “Maybe until she crapped her diaper. Then Alastair would’ve handed her back to me with some lecture on how to magically change the damned thing.”

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