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“How do you want it?”
I close my eyes and channel those daydreams I have from time to time. “You, Coop, me…
“Maybe a couple of kids?” he suggests and adds, “You sound uncertain.”
He moves a little closer to me, his lips almost touching mine. “We’re taking our first step. Building a house in Mercer Island, next to my family. What is it that you’re doubting—the three of us being a family, or having kids?”
“Yes, babies. I don’t want them now, but I don’t know if we can—if we should.” I chew on my lip.
We’ve talked about it while we were discussing the construction of the house. I shouldn’t feel guilty about giving up my baby, but there’s a nagging feeling or maybe it’s just the guilt filling the hollow part of my heart.
I’m not ready to continue the conversation though. It’s not just about the baby, but also Coop ignoring me when we got caught and only sending me a text later hurt more than I want to accept. Not a kiss goodbye or a hug. His family might be more important than we’ll ever be for him, and if that’s the case, I don’t know what’ll happen to Matt and me after he departs.
“Of course, we can have a family.” His lips touch mine, shooting electricity through my entire body. “Three, four kids—seven. All depends on how fast you can pop them out. A broody boy like Coop. A couple of beautiful princesses that’ll be sweet and beautiful like their mama. A devilishly handsome guy like me.”
He winks. “Everything is possible, Butterfly. Remember, whatever you want, I’ll make it happen for you.”
But is it fair to that baby I gave up when I was seventeen? I don’t know where he is, if he’s safe. The couple who adopted him seemed okay, but looks can be deceiving, and what if they don’t love him?
“You deserve happiness,” he mumbles. “The past should only be part of your making, but it shouldn’t define you.”
Matt is like a magic carpet that flies me to some kind of paradise where everything is possible. That even if it looks stormy now, the clouds will clear, and the sun will shine. He’s my sun.
“What the hell happened to Thea? Baby, are you okay?” I hear Coop’s voice, but I don’t see him. Nor do I have the energy to acknowledge him. “Matthew?”
I close my eyes, pretending I’m asleep.
“Sunburn. She was too busy working and forgot the sunscreen.” He pushes himself off the bed. “Where were you?”
“Out, taking my sister to a hotel.” I remain calm, not moving one centimeter because I don’t want to face him at all. He’s annoyed. His long, hard exhale can be heard throughout the entire room. “Victoria came too.”
I hear another squeeze of aloe, and a hand gliding up and down my back with soothing strokes. “Fuck, I wish I had been here.” Tristan kisses my neck. “All the butterflies are burning.”
“Coop, why the hell did you leave her?” Matt growls.
“Fuck, I texted her to explain. Thea is mad, isn’t she?” I don’t hear a response, but he continues speaking. “I had to get my sister and Victoria away from her. Fey is a vicious bitch who, if let loose, could do a lot of damage. They caught us in the pool, and not swimming. I had to take them away. Believe me, I wouldn’t leave her intentionally. Never. Only to protect her, I swear.”
He huffs. “Matt, Fey’s already planning my funeral. I don’t know what she has planned, but I’m just waiting for the punch. Why let her stab the one person I love the most because she’s in need of blood? Fey made it clear. Unless I give her enough money to fly away for a year, she won’t get off my case. She’s a nutcase. What would you have done, Matt?”
“Fine, you have a point there, Coop. Tomorrow Mason’s team will be here to upgrade the security system and change all the locks.” Matt isn’t asking, he’s stating a fact. “If your sister comes back, we’ll get a restraining order and a bodyguard for Thea.”
“Her back is boiling.” Coop kisses my ear and whispers, “Are you going to keep pretending to be asleep, baby?”
I don’t move.
“Thea, you’re my most valued treasure. I’d give up everything for you—I’d give up my life if necessary. If I don’t protect you, she’ll try to destroy you.”
I open my eyes and find his tender green eyes pleading for me to forgive him.
“Why do you think I’m weak?” I scrunch my nose and flinch, as even my face is burning. “Yes, months ago I’d agree with that. Not today. Two thousand, one hundred seventy-one. That’s almost six years I won’t waste because of her. You need to trust me and… Every time your family is involved it’s as if you’re ashamed of us, Coop.”
Our gazes connect, and his eyes transmit only love. “Trust me, Thea. You both are everything to me. My family knows I’m dating you both.”
He stands up and walks around the room. “Mark, my assistant, knows too. It’s a slow process, so can you please trust me, baby? Give me a little more time to work it here.” He touches his temple.
Matt clears his throat. I push myself from the bed because I want to know what the hell is going to happen.
“You think it’s easy?” Tristan stares at Matthew, his chest puffed and his jaw tightened. “How are we going to handle it in public? Three?”
