“Cici, I’d really like to talk. I know I have a lot of explaining to do, and I’m sorry for bailing on you.”
“Bailing on me?” The nerve of him. She managed to stand up a little taller. “It’s not like we were supposed to go to a party and you didn’t show up.” Her words tumbled out fast and furious. “It’s been four years, Cooper. Four years without hearing from you—” Four years of missing you.
“I called—”
She scoffed. “A year later! Do you even remember the things you said to me before we left here four years ago?” Her stupid body was trembling, and as he took a step closer, she was unable to step away. His features were sharper now, edgier, more manly, but his eyes, those dark blue, soulful eyes, were full of the same passion, the same beauty and wicked desire that had stolen her heart. She was powerless to look away despite her inner turmoil.
“I remember every single word,” he said with vehemence. “My last words to you were the ones that have haunted me day and night.” He took her shaky hand in his and said, “You are my eternity. My strength. The very air that I breathe.”
Tears slipped free with the memory of the last time he’d spoken those words with the same conviction, the same honesty. She shouldn’t trust him, not one bit after how many years had passed, but apparently love was more powerful than rational thought, because suddenly she didn’t want to hear his reasons for what had happened. She wanted to dive into his arms, feel him against her, and worry about everything else later.
“I remember the rest, too. I will love you until I can no longer breathe, and then I’ll be the wind as it brushes against your cheeks, the sun as it warms your skin.” He reached up and brushed her tears away with the pad of his thumb.
She closed her eyes and soaked in the feel of his warm hand cupping her cheek, reveling in his familiar scent, which she’d never been able to forget. The unique scent of meant-to-be-mine-forever.
“Please,” he said quietly. “Just let me explain.”
She heard footsteps approaching and realized she was standing there with her hotel room door open and tears falling down her cheeks. She sucked in a jagged breath and swiped at her tears, swallowing past the thickening in her throat until she felt the courage she’d been forced to master years ago.
A young man dressed in hotel garb stepped behind Cooper. “Did you order room service?” He held up the tray and ran his eyes between Cooper and Cici.
Great. She was a crying mess and now there were witnesses.
“Yes, thank you. You can set it by the door.”
He set it down and handed her a receipt. After scribbling her name and thanking him, Cooper turned to watch him leave. Cici took that moment to catch her breath and take a hard look at Cooper. His white dress shirt was a little rumpled, but his black slacks fit perfectly over his amazing ass, which kind of pissed her off, because she was sporting a few stretch marks from having Melody while he got to look fucking perfect. He bent to grab the tray before turning back to face her, and for a minute she forgot how to breathe again. Her entire body ached at the realization that she was nowhere near over him.
“Want me to set this inside?” Cooper asked.
She reached for the tray, knowing that if he stepped foot in the room, she’d be unable to keep from tearing off his clothes, and the way he was looking at her, though apologetic, there was no denying the glow of desire simmering in his eyes.
“I’ve got it. Please wait here.” She set the tray on the dresser, knowing he’d stay where she asked, because if Cooper had been good at something—other than sex, and romance, and love—No, not love. Jesus. I’m falling apart—he had always been an amazing listener.
She drew in a deep, calming breath before turning back to him. He smiled, and what little calm she’d found washed away again.
“I just want to talk.”
“Cooper, I’m not sure if I can.” As she said the words, she knew they needed to talk. Maybe not now, when she was still barely breathing, but they had an incredibly adorable, loving, smart, chatty, adventurous daughter, and it had never been her intention to keep her from him.
***
CELESTE WAS EVEN more beautiful than Cooper had remembered. She’d gone from a gorgeous young girl to a shapely, confident woman, standing before him with one hand on her hip and fire in her eyes, despite her tears. He wasn’t sure what he’d expected to feel when he saw her, but the rush of emotions coupled with her words, Cooper, I’m not sure if I can, nearly brought him to his knees.