Cooper (Wild Boys After Dark, #4)(10)
Cici braced herself for Tegan’s response as she explained about Cooper showing up at her door last night.
“And you just let him in? What’s he even doing at the festival? God, Cici. Seriously?”
“Teg, he came because I was here.” She remembered the look in his eyes when she’d opened the door, and the way her stomach had twisted and her heart had come alive for the first time in years. “What I thought for all this time was so off base, Tegan. He didn’t block me out because of other women or anything like that. His parents were attacked the night he returned to New York. His father was killed, and his mother was blinded and left for dead.”
Tegan was silent for a long time, giving Cici time to reflect on what she’d said, and for the weight of it to sink in.
“Remember when I came home after I met him and you asked me for three reasons that I loved him?” She sank to the bed, remembering her answers. Tegan was still silent. “Teg, are you there?”
“Yes. I’m here. I remember. Even with all the craziness going on around you guys, you were his top priority.”
Cici closed her eyes against the tears welling in them. “And?”
“He was more than just a hot guy; he was smart and funny, and…” Tegan drew in a deep breath before reciting the third reason Cici had given her four years ago. “And,” she said breathlessly. “Oh God, Cici. You said that you admired the way he’d called his father to tell him about meeting someone from his hometown, because he knew it would make him smile.”
Cici wiped a falling tear and said, “And that he hadn’t spent the week texting girls or checking social media, but that he’d taken pictures of stars his mother loved and texted them to her and talked to his brothers. Tegan, his family is everything to him.” As she said it, she realized that Melody was his family, too. She really needed to tell him about her. Cooper claimed he still loved her, and she’d felt it in his touch last night. Even so, she needed to sort out her own feelings first, before she brought a daughter that he couldn’t help but love into the picture.
“Cici, as terrible as that is, four years is a long time. Please tell me you know that.”
“Yeah, I know. He said he was broken, and Teg? I know you’re going to roll your eyes, but I believe him. I’m not saying I’m going to hand over my trust—”
“Or your daughter,” Tegan added.
“What? Why would I…? Oh shit, Tegan, he’d never try to take her away from me. He doesn’t even know she exists.”
“What if he does, Cici? What if this is a plan to take her away?”
She may have been hurt by Cooper, but she didn’t think he would ever do something like that. Would he?
“Teg, he’d never do that. You’ve been watching too much bad television.”
“You don’t know that. You don’t really know him, Cici. You fell in love with a guy at twenty-two, and he left you high and dry.” She lowered her voice and added, “With a daughter.”
“God, sometimes I hate you.” She paced the hotel room. “Shit.” She pinched the bridge of her nose, remembering all the loving things he’d said to her last night. “I think you’re wrong, but I’ll tread carefully.”
“I hope I’m wrong, Cici, but you still love him. You and I both know it. Just be careful. If he hurts you again, I promise you that I will hunt him down and take him out.”
“You’re so dramatic.” Cici picked up her purse. “I have to run. I left my equipment in my car last night, and I’ve still got to get my badge and everything. Can you put Melody on?”
“Sure. I wish I were there to look this guy in the eyes and see for myself if he is playing you or not. Be careful, sis. I love you.” Tegan called Melody to the phone.
“Hi, Mama.”
Her daughter’s tender voice brought a smile to her lips and protective urges to the surface. Tegan was right. She needed to be more careful with her emotions, for Melody’s sake. “Hi, sweet girl. Are you having fun?”
“Uh-huh. Aunt Tegan made chocolate chip pancakes, and we’re going to the park soon.”
“That sounds fun. Be sure to stay with Aunt Tegan at the park, and be a good girl for her.”
“I will.”
“I love you, sweetie. Can you give the phone back to Aunt Tegan please?”
“Love you, too,” Melody said, and then Tegan was back on the phone. “She’s so darn cute, Cici. She’s wearing one of my scarves on her head like a hippie do-rag. I’ll text you a picture.”
“Thanks. Hey, thanks for bringing me back down to earth, too. You know I don’t hate you.”
“How could you? You’re not allowed to hate your birthing partner.” Tegan’s voice grew serious and quiet again. “Be smart, and be curious. Be me.”
With laughter in their voices, they said their goodbyes. After ending the call, Cici opened the door to find Cooper looking delectable in a white T-shirt straining over his broad chest and a pair of low-slung jeans that hugged his powerful thighs. Her mind reeled back to those powerful thighs pressing down on hers, and she swallowed so hard she was sure she looked like a cartoon character gulping.
“’Morning, sweetheart. Do you still take it naked?” He held out a to-go coffee cup, his eyes traveling boldly over her, sending sinful shudders straight through her core.