Intercepting Love (Second Chances #5)(26)

Not like you left me alone last night when I needed help. I knew he was going to need help and my heart couldn’t let him do it alone even though I was angry as hell at him.

“Do you only want to help me because it’s your job?” he asked huskily. “Or do you actually care? And don’t lie to me. You promised to tell me the truth.”

I glared at him for a few seconds before throwing my hands in the air. “Fine, that’s not the only reason. At first, I thought there was something between us, but I was wrong. You see, a friend wouldn’t have abandoned me last night. Yes, I’m embarrassed and I handled my problems in the wrong way. As much as I hate to admit this, I was actually kind of pissed that you dumped me on to Luke last night and left.”

Slowly stepping back, Cooper’s eyes went wide and his jaw tensed. “Kate, I never left you last night. What made you think I’d leave you when you needed help? The only time I left was when seven o’clock rolled around and I needed to get ready for practice. Luke didn’t tell you?”

Dumbfounded, I stood there gaping at him. “No, he didn’t,” I said through clenched teeth. “He made it sound like you didn’t want to bother with me.”

“You have got to be kidding me! What a lying cocksucker. I should’ve known he wouldn’t tell you I was there. However,” he slowly began with a mischievous smile, “I think I should be offended that you don’t remember being in my arms all night. I have to admit, even though I didn’t get any sleep, I loved being able to take care of you.”

So that’s why it felt familiar being in his arms; I spent all night in them.

“Why are you smiling? Aren’t you pissed that he lied?” I asked incredulously. “I know I am.”

“Yes, I’m angry, but he probably only said that to get me back. After Lara and I found you in the bathroom, I snuck you out the back door and brought you home. Lara lied to Luke so I could be with you and not have him interfere.”

“So what you’re saying is that you’re both at fault? I should be mad at both of you?”

Grinning, he took a step closer … then another. “Not exactly. I think you can say we’re both determined.” Tilting my chin up with his finger, he gazed down at me, his lips so close to mine. “I’m not a bad guy, love. I have my issues, and you have yours. I think in time we’ll be what each other needs. You may not see it now, but you will. I’m still waiting on you to ask me.”

“Ask you what?” I breathed.

“To kiss you, touch you … whatever it is you ask of me. When that time comes, I don’t want you to only want me. I want you to need me like I need you.”

Finally, the door to the room unlocked and opened wide as Lara set us free. Closing my eyes, I felt Cooper’s finger leave my chin and the brush of air as he walked past me and out the door, completely silent. Lara’s voice was what I heard next.

“Kate, if you don’t want him, can I have him?” she teased. “I couldn’t help but listen, and boy, did he have my heart racing.”

“Mine too,” I whispered, and it was still racing.

Now that I knew the truth, I couldn’t deny what was in my heart any longer. I just had one more thing I needed to do.





By the time I got back to my house, I was so angry with Luke for lying that I could barely see straight. Playing games was one thing, but outright lying and saying he was the one who took care of me when he didn’t was something on a completely deceptive level. I couldn’t ignore it.

Slamming the door shut, Luke jumped to his feet and approached me. “Well, it’s about time you got back,” he chimed, putting his arms around my waist. He bent down to kiss my neck and whispered in my ear, “Where were we?”

“I think we were at the part where you lied. Does that ring a bell?”

His lips froze on my skin and he slowly pulled back to gaze down at me. “What are you talking about, sweetheart?”

I scoffed and walked past him to the living room. “I’m talking about last night, Luke. I’m talking about you lying to me and saying it was you who stayed with me when it was Cooper all along. You made me believe it was you. How could you do that? How could you lie to me like that?”

Coming up behind me, he tried to put his arms around me again, but I moved away. If he thought I would give in to his charms he was sorely mistaken. When he realized I wasn’t going to buckle, he sighed and backed up toward the couch, putting his head in his hands when he sat down. “Fuck, Kate, what was I supposed to do? Cooper had Lara lie to me and say you didn’t want me around. I only wanted to pay him back for deceiving me. I would’ve stayed with you and taken care of you if I’d only known. I never got the chance.”

I could see the sincerity in his gaze and slowly my anger started to dissipate. However, it still didn’t change the fact that he lied. Sitting beside him, I sighed and took his hand in mine. “Luke, I know you would’ve stayed with me and I’m sorry that Lara lied to you, but Cooper didn’t have anything to do with what she said.”

“How do you know that?” he asked, furrowing his brows.

“Because,” I murmured, “he just told me and I believe him.”

“He just told you?” He peered over at the door and then back to me, his eyes narrowed. “So that’s the reason why Lara came over here to get you? To talk to Cooper?”