“It’s good to have you back.”
I pressed a hand to her knee. “You know I’m not going anywhere, don’t you?” I asked softly, quietly, not wanting to disturb the quietness of the bubble we were sitting in.
She stiffened at my side. “Until your contract with Justin is through.”
It was more of a statement than a question. “No. I mean, ever. We’ll work something out after that contract is up. But I’m not living without you again, Lauren. I need you to know that.”
She pulled back from my arms to stare up at me. “I love you, Cooper.”
“And I love you, Lauren.” I closed my eyes as the wonder of having her say the words again filled me. “I’ve never stopped.”
Her smile was warm, tender. She reached up and cupped my cheek. Her thumb gently stroked my jaw, and she murmured, “Scratchy. I like this too.”
“You might not when I kiss you. Properly.”
She laughed. “I’m sure I’ll endure it for a proper greeting from you.”
Another growl escaped me as I tugged her into my side. She sank into
my arms and moaned as our lips met. Her breath became mine, my groans were hers.
In that moment, nobody else existed. Nobody else mattered.
The drills disappeared. Hell, the bleachers too. I just felt the soft press of her lips, the gentle play of her tongue.
She hummed when I pulled back. “Definitely scratchy, but workable. You look sexy as hell with it.”
I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in months because this was really going to happen.
“Lauren?”
She hummed as she rubbed the side of her face against my arm.
“One day, someday soon, I’m going to ask you to marry me.”
She tensed up at my side.
I ignored that sudden swell of tension, though. I didn’t let it make me nervous, because there was nothing to be nervous about.
I was hers.
She was mine.
“I won’t ask you until you tell me you’re ready. I know this is sudden, and I know you might think I’m crazy but…”
Her hand came up and she pressed a finger to my lips. “If you asked me now, it wouldn’t be too soon,” she whispered. “We have a lot of time to make up for, Cooper. I’m ready to get started on that.”
I turned to her, a smile in my eyes.
I couldn’t have put it better myself.
The End
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