Page 83 of Cooper’s Passion

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Fifteen minutes after her father had interrupted them so rudely, Anita walked downstairs, Cooper by her side. They were both fully dressed.

Cooper squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry, Baby. It’ll turn out fine.”

“I hope so.” She lowered her voice even more. “What’s wrong with Wesley?”

His golden skin had shocked and worried her.

“He’s fine. I’ll explain everything in a minute.”

They entered the living room. Her father was standing near the fireplace, his entire body tense. To her shock, Anita noticed that he was now wearing his gun belt with his gun. Wesley stood leaning against the backrest of the sofa, and straightened immediately when he saw them enter the room.

“Hey, guys, there you are. I’d better get back to my insatiable wife.” Wesley smirked.

Cooper nodded. “Thanks for the help.”

Wesley disappeared into the foyer, and Anita walked toward her father.

“Why don’t we sit down?” she asked and motioned to the large sofa.

“I’d rather stand.” Her father demonstratively rested one hand on his belt.

“You won’t need that,” Anita said, pointing to his gun. “I know firsthand that these bullets can’t kill a vampire.”

He tipped his chin in Cooper’s direction. “So you’re not even denying it. You’re a fucking vampire.”

Cooper nodded, his demeanor calm and collected. “I have no reason to deny it. Yes, I’m a vampire. A hybrid actually, half vampire, half human. And I was drinking your daughter’s blood.”

“Just like I thought.” He pointed his finger at Cooper in accusation. “You’re using her. You’re a monster! You’re forcing her—”

“He isn’t forcing me to do anything, Dad,” Anita interrupted. “I asked him to bite me. I wanted this.”

Her father’s forehead furrowed, and he shook his head in disbelief. “Why on earth would you allow that? Why would you allow him to hurt you?”

“Because it doesn’t hurt.” She stroked her hand over the spot where Cooper had bitten her and exchanged a look with Cooper. She’d never felt such an intense connection with anybody than when Cooper had bitten her.

“The bite is painless when it’s done right,” Cooper confirmed. “It doesn’t leave any scars. Between lovers the bite increases the pleasure.”

Anita felt her cheeks heat. She’d never discussed sex with her father, and was glad that Cooper was the one explaining this to him.

“A vampire would never hurt the woman he loves. And I love your daughter. I’d give my life for hers.”

At the passionate declaration, Anita inhaled and put her hand to her lips, holding back the tears of joy. She leaned her head against his shoulder, and felt his arm around her back pulling her closer.

“But… but…” Her father ran a shaky hand through his full hair. “How? Why? How did this happen? How can this even be true?” It was almost as if he was talking to himself to try to come to grips with this new reality.

“Earlier tonight, when you ran to get to Anita…” He looked at Cooper. “You were so fast.”

Cooper nodded. “Vampires are incredibly fast. And I was scared that the killer would get to her. So I just ran. I didn’t care if you saw it. Because if anything happened to Anita, it would kill me.” He pressed a kiss to her temple. “It would break my heart.”

With wide eyes, her father stared at them as if he was only now truly seeing them. “You do love each other. I should have seen that. So that was the reason why you’re staying here with him.”

Anita stretched her hand out to him. “Dad, I would have told you earlier that Cooper and I are together, but I knew how you’d react. You would have said that I only just met him, and thought I was reckless. But I know him. I know what’s in his heart.”

“Aren’t you afraid of him?” He pointed at Cooper. “I’ve seen his fangs. He could rip your throat out with them.”

Anita shook her head. “Dad, Cooper would never do that. I shot him when I saw him in his vampire form for the first time, and even then, when he had every right to defend himself and hurt me for hurting him, he didn’t lash out. He’s a good man.”