Alice tried to move away from him a bit on the couch, and it just about broke his heart. “And when the suggestion isn’t enough anymore? What happens then?”
“That’s not your problem,” he assured her.
“I beg to differ,” she snapped back with a tad more venom than she intended because she winced and sighed an apology. “You’re trying to do a really nice thing for me, and here I am, basically ready to tear your head off. But you have to understand where I am coming from on this. You need an heir, and you think that one day, that won’t be my problem? What if I’m still your wife by then?”
“It won’t be an issue,” he promised. “Alice, I wouldnevermake you do something you don’t want to do. Ever. You would be my wife, and I intend to respect that title. More than that, you’re a person, and I respect that, no matter what.”
“Good to know you won’t force me to have a kid with you,” she grumbled. “So we’ll have a marriage without sex.”
“As soon as your threats die down, we can get a divorce.” Just speaking these words hurt him more than he would like to admit, but he couldn’t fully comprehend why. Maybe she had nursed her way into his heart, and she was there to stay.
“I want all of these assurances in writing. I want them on paper, signed and binding. Not just binding legally, but with magic.”
“Of course,” he agreed. “That makes sense.”
“Fine. Then let’s get married.” Alice didn’t look pleased with this new development, but at least she returned his smile.
“Let’s do this right.”
Cooper stood only to kneel in front of Alice. He took her hand in his, stunning her further. “Alice Gatlin, lone witch and kind soul, I would love nothing more than the honor to be your husband. I promise to protect you with my life. A life I wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for you. Marry me?”
“I wasn’t expectingthat.”She was breathless, with tears in her eyes. The flush on her cheeks made her look like a blushing bride, and he found he liked that look on her more than he should.
He took a ring from his back pocket and slid it onto her finger. “There. It even fits. Now, if that’s not a sign, I don’t know what is.”
Alice looked down at the solitaire diamond set on a narrow white gold band. “You got me a ring? You proposed?”
“I’m still waiting for your answer, Alice, but yes. I got you a ring, and I proposed. It doesn’t matter if this is an arrangement. I will always try to make you happy and give you what you want. What you deserve.” He paused for a moment to let his words catch up to her. “And so, Alice, what is your answer? Will you marry me?”
She nodded. “Yes, Cooper. I’ll marry you.”
Cooper smiled, and though his dragon was doing victory laps in his mind, he kept calm. He was getting married, and he was pretty damn pleased about it.
* * *
“John, I’m getting married,”Cooper said by way of greeting when his oldest friend and cousin answered his phone.
“Excuse me?” John coughed and laughed. “Could you tell me who this is, please? Because my phone is claiming that this is a friend of mine who is missing.”
“Missing?” Cooper frowned. “Did you really think I was missing?”
John laughed. “No. I figured that you were somewhere recuperating after the battle. Didn’t look too good up there. How’s the healing going? Must be going well enough if you’re talking aboutmarriage.”
“Healing,” Cooper repeated, ignoring John’s well-natured jabs. “Yes, that’s exactly what I was doing. Healing someplace safe. It’s actually in this safe place that I met the woman I am going to marry tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” John gasped. “Have you lost your mind? Did you find your mate?”
“No and no. I haven’t lost my mind, nor do I think I’ve found my true mate, no. That doesn’t matter, though. I need to do this. Iwantto do this.” Cooper considered not telling his oldest friend what had happened after the fight for a few seconds, but it was a bad idea to keep his best friend and beta out of the loop.
Cooper told him everything, from his fall onto Hellscape Holiday Resort, to almost dying, to meeting Alice. John listened intently without interrupting a single time. It was only when Cooper was done that John spoke, choosing first to whistle low. “That’s some fine mess you’re in. And you’re sure you want to marry her? There would be other ways to repay your life debt, you know. I’m sure that if we put our heads together, we can figure out something else.”
“Not a chance,” Cooper grumbled. “As I said, I want to do this.”
“Holy shit,” John laughed. “You’re that sure. Are you in love with her or something?”
Cooper considered this for a few moments. Was he in love with Alice? No. It was probably too early for that. Yet, it didn’t change the fact that he did indeed feel something for her. Yes, he was grateful she had used her skill and magic to heal him, but there was an attraction there; he was sure of it. He was also convinced that the attraction went both ways.
“I don’t know yet, but I do like her. I’m marrying her tomorrow, and there is nothing you can say or do to convince me otherwise.”