Say You Won't Let Go Google(16)

When I pull back, her eyes fill with emotion. At least this sucks for her as well. “Don’t be sad, darlin’.”

She tucks the sheet under her arms and looks away. “But I am sad, Coop. I don’t want this to end.”

“Who said it has to end?” I ask her as I pull her against my chest.

I hate seeing her like this, and the last thing I want is to leave today knowing she’s sad. Not that I’m happy at the idea of driving away, but last night solidified how I feel and verified that there’s no way this is the end.

Emily Young will be mine. I’m going to marry this girl come hell or high water.

She nestles her face against my neck. “I like this. I like bein’ in your arms. I like it a lot more than I thought I would. A lot more than just spending a few nights together would mean with anyone else.”

I push her back so I can look in her eyes. “We may have spent a few days together like this, but we’ve spent a lifetime building more. You’re not just some random hookup, Emily. You and I have history and we’re not kids.”

“I know, and this is a long time coming.”

That makes me feel marginally better. There is still so much I want to say to her, but the last thing I want to do is fall hard for a girl who will never be mine.

Been there, done that, and I don’t want another fucking postcard.

“And hopefully a lot longer to come,” I say with a twinge of hope.

“How did you make me like you so easily?”

I try not to laugh, but she looks so cute. “I’m just irresistible.”

“Ehh.” She shrugs.

“Ehh?”

“Well, you’re somethin’, all right.”

I grip her chin between my thumb and forefinger, forcing her to look at me. “I’m more than that, and I’m tellin’ you now that I’m not walkin’ away from this. You’re going to have a very persistent man waitin’ for you, Emily Young. Very persistent.”

Her hand threads through my hair, and she smiles. “I’m pretty persistent, too.” Emily’s lips touch mine and then her blue eyes bore into mine. “Stay for breakfast. Then I’ll let you go without a fight.”

I grapple with the fact that it’ll take me four hours to get to Dallas and, if I stay, there is a very real chance I’ll miss the presentation. I still have to shower, pack my things, and eventually get on a plane, but the idea of even just another hour with her ties me up. Saying no to her isn’t something I want to do. Ever.

Jesus, I’m screwed.

“Breakfast, but then I need to go.”

Emily throws her arms around my neck, pulling me on top of her. She squeals and kisses my cheek repeatedly.

This right here is why I may just sell my farm and become her biggest groupie.

I lift myself up a little and Emily hangs on. “Get ready, darlin’. I have a feeling Wyatt isn’t going to be too happy with me if I don’t make it back to the farm.”

She gets up, gets dressed, and I can’t stop smiling. I’ve never been this happy before. I can’t remember a time in my adult life when just making someone smile like that gave me such joy.

While she finishes getting ready, I head out to the sitting area. There’s a huge bouquet of red roses on the table with her name on the card.

“The flowers are nice.” I try to sound offhanded.

Someone sent her flowers, and I’d be full of shit if I said it didn’t bother me.

“Oh!” she yells and peeks her head in. “I didn’t thank you! I’m sorry!”

“Thank me?” I ask.

“Yeah.” She giggles. “Thank you for sending me the flowers, Coop. I love roses.”

I hesitate, watching her. “I didn’t send you flowers, Em.”

She steps out of the room, and her smile fades a little. “Yes, you did. It’s why I called you last night.”

My brow furrows as I wonder what the hell is going on, and then I look at the card; anger mixes with jealousy as they spike through my bloodstream.

I put the card in the air and shake my head. “Is there someone else you’re hookin’ up with?”

“What?” She rears back.

“I didn’t send these, Em.” I watch as all the color drains from Emily’s face.

Her lips part, and she looks terrified. “Oh, God.”

I try to stay calm. She and I are extremely new, and I have no idea if there was a man before me. I clench my jaw before letting out a heavy sigh. “Is there someone else?”

Emily steps close and puts her hands on my chest. “No.”

“Because I swear to God, I won’t be in some fucking love triangle again.”

My feelings toward Emily are so much stronger than I ever had for Grace, and I know I wouldn’t survive her choosing another man over me. There’s no way I’m willing to put up with that again. If she wants me, she has to choose me. I plan to show her why there is no other option.

Her hand rests on my heart, and she tilts her face so she can look at me. “There’s no one else, Coop. Not even close. I’m not that girl. I genuinely thought you sent me the roses.”

“I wish I had,” I admit as all the anger dissipates from my body, leaving a trail of something else. Who did send her flowers about kissing her? “I should’ve sent you flowers.”