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But Carys isn’t just any girl. She’s mine. Soft and strong, with a heart bigger than anyone I’ve ever known. And if I really want to give this a shot... If I’m right and she feels the same way, this won’t be like any other relationship has ever been. It can’t be.
Carys Murphy isn’t a girl you hook up with—she’s the girl you spend your life with.
She’s been yawning for the past hour, trying to hide her exhaustion. So, when Linc and Emerson head upstairs to Em’s room, the guys and I call it a night. But as the others walk away, I stop and look at the woman curled up in the corner of the couch.
“Hey.” Taking her hands, I pull her to her feet. “Go to bed. Don’t make me worry that you’re falling asleep out here, okay?”
She covers another yawn, then leans her forehead against my chest. Her hair falls forward, covering her face, and the sweet fruity scent of her grapefruit shampoo catches in the wind for a moment. But it’s long enough for me to realize I want more.
I need to know if her skin tastes sweet too.
“What are you doing tomorrow night?” I ask.
“What?” She pulls back, and sleepy, soft green eyes blink up at me through long dark lashes. “I’m singing at the Rathskeller tomorrow with the band.”
That could work. “What time do you guys go on?”
“Eight o’clock. Why? Are you and the guys gonna come?” She yawns again, and I turn her toward the back door, a plan forming in my head.
“Go to bed, Carys. Lock the door behind you.”
Her head swings around, and those green eyes sparkle under the moonlight. I swear I can tell exactly what this woman is thinking from her eyes. They show everything. “You’re awfully bossy, Cooper Sinclair. How did I not know that?” She might be giving me hell, but she’s enjoying it, so I don’t care.
“Lock the damn door, Carys.” I shove my hands into my pockets to keep from reaching out to her. I need to stay exactly where I am, because if I move now, I’ll be crossing a line I want her wide awake for. And I need to see if we’re both on the same page before that happens.
“Fine,” she huffs. “Bossy and moody. Night, Coop.”
“Goodnight.” I stand with both feet firmly planted until she’s closed and locked the sliding glass door behind her. She doesn’t look back as she moves up the stairs. And I wait until she’s completely out of sight before I leave.
When I walk in the front door of my house, Trick’s in the kitchen filling Wanda’s water bowl with Axel nowhere in sight. “Axe already gone?”
“Yeah. He went home. Sometimes I think Wanda’s better trained than he is.” He puts the bowl down in front of the dog and scratches behind her ears. “Isn’t that right, girl?”
Wanda cocks her head, and I swear, one of these days, that dog is gonna answer him. I shake my head at that thought. “Okay well, I’m going to bed.”
“Hey, man. Wait. Axe asked me to pass along a message.” He straightens and leans against the wall behind him. If he’s waiting for me to squirm, he’ll be waiting a long damn time. “He said to make your move or lose your chance. Think he was talking about Carys.” Trick smiles a crooked fucking smile, and I have to remind myself not to punch the messenger.
Fucking Axel thinks he’s got a chance with my girl.
Not happening.
I might have needed to work through a few things before I figured my shit out, but I’ll fucking kill him before I let him near her. And when I empty my pockets on my nightstand and see my phone lit up with a text, something in me settles.
Carys:Text me when you get home, bossy.
Coop:Now who’s worrying about who?
Carys:I’ve worried about you since you joined the Navy, Coop.
Coop:Don’t worry. I’ve got this. I’ll always come back.
Carys:Who are you coming back to?
Coop:You going to be waiting for me?
Carys:Maybe.
Coop:I’ll see you tomorrow night, Carys. Sweet dreams.
