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Together.
Part of that was being honest, even when I wished I could pretend none of this was even happening. I wanted to dive into Cooper and not come up for air.
“Ricki is meeting me tomorrow. Mal’s coming too. We’re meeting at Angel P’s. I know you and Cole will be there, as will their bodyguard.” He didn’t speak as I reached up to smooth out the furrows in his brow. “I know it’s killing you to let this happen. To not call Lila and demand she find some tower she can hide me away in.”
“Forget Lila. I’d build you the tower myself with my bare hands, and then wait beneath it for you to let down your hair so I could climb up with you.”
I managed to smile. “Rapunzel was blond.”
He fingered my curls. “Red is the prettiest.”
“Charmer. Where did you get fairy tale knowledge?”
“Little sister who begged me to read them to her until she was like ten.”
“Lucky sister. I always wanted siblings.” I laid my head on his chest again, my favorite place in the world. “When faux Priscilla called, I was dreaming I was walking with a little girl. She had ringlets just like me. My blue eyes.”
“Our daughter would be beautiful.”
I didn’t breathe. Didn’t move.
I’d probably misheard him.
There was being all in, and then there was forever. Marriage and family and little girls in lacy dresses.
“You okay?” He rubbed my back.
“Yes.”
“You sure? That was more a squeak than an actual answer.”
“I’m just hearing things. Probably took in water during my shower.”
He nudged me back from him, his expression entirely too serious. “I said our daughter.”
“So, not water in my ear then. Good to know. If I fall over, just try to grab me before I take a header off the roof, okay?”
The corner of his mouth ticked up. “Did you miss the part it’s always been you for me? I want the whole thing. A family. Kids. I’m hoping you want those things too, but they’re not deal breakers. If you want to live in sin, I can handle that too.” He tucked his fingers under my chin and tilted my face up to his. “The only non-negotiable part is you.”
I swallowed over the lump in my throat. “The little girl… I think she was me. We were walking toward a rainbow. A sign the pot of gold still exists after the storm, if you keep looking.”
“Oh. Well, hmm, about those Yankees then.”
I grinned and pressed a kiss to his Adam’s apple. “I do want all those things. I always have. Ricki was talking about getting pregnant tonight, and I was jealous. My life isn’t in any place for that. But someday, maybe it will be.” I angled my head. “Someone didn’t tell you that you’re not supposed to say stuff like that to chicks because they’ll want too much.”
“I’m not saying it to a chick. I said it to my best friend. And go ahead and want more. I did.” He slid his hand down beyond the hem of his T-shirt to my panties. “I do.”
I really should not be encouraging this behavior. We had so much to talk about. I needed to know what he found out on his search for Priscilla. I wanted to get his guarantee he wouldn’t fuck up the meeting tomorrow with some caveman-type shenanigans.
And yet, his long fingers were sliding down, making such interesting patterns on my skin. Sliding under to where I was already getting damp and hot for him.
“Oh, yeah? Do tell.”
“Spread your legs.”
“We’re outside.” Which did not stop me from obeying his command.
Intentionally, I didn’t look down. This far up, there was so much farther to fall.
