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I nod as a silent tear slips down my face. “And I… I couldn’t bear the thought of subjecting my child to the challenges I’ve faced.”
“Eve,” Cooper says softly, waiting for me to glance up at him. “Eve, I had a feeling the day I met you, when we talked in the playroom, that you didn’t want to have children of your own—or not that you didn’t want them. That’s not what I meant. More like you, as you said, had decided not to have them.”
He lifts my hand and presses a kiss to each knuckle. “I want a life with you. Full stop.”
“Really?” I ask, searching his eyes for any hint of doubt. All I find is sincerity and love. “What about the playroom?”
“The playroom is for my nieces and nephews. It was never intended to be for my own kids. Plus, I’ve got my work, just like you have yours, that will keeps us busy and fulfilled. And my family, of course. My life is full, and, now if you’ll have me, it will be complete.”
His words sink into me and spread like the warmth from a hot chocolate on a cold winter’s day. Even so, I need to be sure. “Cooper, I don’t want you to give up on something you want just because of me.” I brush away another tear. “You’re an amazing uncle, and you’d make a wonderful father. It’s not fair to ask you to change your dreams for me. There are plenty of women who’d be happy to have a baby and raise a family with you.”
“Look at me,” he says gently, tilting my chin up so our eyes meet. “I love you, Eve. Not the idea of you, but who you are, right here in front of me. And if being with you means we don’t have children, then that’s okay. Having you in my life is more than enough for me.”
I lean into him as my fears recede at the sincerity of his declaration. “Are you sure?” I whisper, searching his eyes. “Because I don’t want you to regret later that you chose me.”
“Absolutely,” he replies without hesitation, pulling me into his lap and wrapping his powerful arms around me. “As long as you’re by my side, that’s all I need.”
For the first time, I allow myself to consider the possibility of a future with Cooper, one filled with love and laughter, where my disability doesn’t define me or limit me.
“Okay,” I murmur against his chest, as the steady beat of his heart drums beneath my ear. “If you’re willing to sacrifice kids for me, then there’s nothing else standing in our way.”
“Good.” He presses a tender kiss to the top of my head. “Because I mean what I say. I always do.”
I look up into his eyes, their depths reflecting the same vulnerability and passion that churns within me.
“Coop,” I murmur, reaching to cup his cheek with my hand. “Kiss me, please.”
“With pleasure.” He leans down and presses a soft kiss to my lips. I meet him and tilt my head, deepening it as I pour all the emotions I’ve been too afraid to express until now into the connection. As our lips meet, it feels as though every piece of me that felt broken or incomplete falls into place and I feel…whole.
“Thank you, Coop,” I murmur when, with one last kiss, he pulls away.
“For what?”
“For this,” I say, waving my hand to indicate his place, now colorful and inviting and exactly where I want to be. “And for this,” I say, pressing Shorty against his heart. “For showing me that love is enough.”
“Always,” he promises, clasping Shorty against his chest. “Plus,” he adds, with a wicked smile. “I think you’re getting better at this whole seduction thing.”
“Really?” I tease, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks as he shifts uncomfortably under me. “Well, there is one more thing I should probably confess.”
“Go on,” Cooper urges, curiosity lacing his tone.
“Even though I came here tonight with every intention of breaking things off with you, I wasn’t opposed to one more romp in your bed.”
He cocks an interested eyebrow. “Is that so?”
I wrinkle my nose and nod, unable to hide the grin that spreads across my face.
“Tell me more,” he says, trailing a hand slowly down my leg, his fingers smooth against my skin, igniting a fire I can’t wait for him to fan.
I glance down. “I’m not wearing any underwear beneath this dress.”
“Damn,” Cooper mutters, his gaze darkening with desire. “You’re definitely upping your game, Eve.”
“Is that an improvement?” I ask coyly, enjoying the way his eyes rake over me as if he’s trying to see beneath the dress.
“Without a doubt.” His voice is low and husky, and his hand dances back up my leg and slips under my dress. “And I’ve never been more grateful for your creativity.”
Cooper
