He broke the kiss to drag his mouth down her throat and collarbone to kiss her nipple and suck it into his mouth. Desire swarmed through her and passion took over until her thoughts faded and her focus zeroed in on their bodies. Their connection. The push and pull, the way he thrust in long, slow and…yeah…deep, so very deep. The way he pulled out, dragging over the spot that had her panting.
“Cooper…” she murmured, clutching his shoulders, meeting his thrusts.
“Right with you.” His mouth was back on hers, kissing her harder, faster, his tongue slipping inside, matching the increased rhythm of his thrusts.
Nearing that blissful edge, Abby arched up and pressed her chest to his, closing all space between them, needing to feel as much of his body as possible.
It changed the angle, and a raw, rough, rumbling sounded deep in his chest. Cooper upped their pace and it was all too much, and way too perfect. Connected more than he knew, she trembled around him, calling his name as she came, and as he thrust deep and hard one last time, he followed her over the edge with her name falling from his lips.
After several moments, he rolled onto his back and brought her with him while they continued to catch their breath. She set her hand on his chest, loving the feel of his heart beating under her palm, from rapid to slow as the minutes ticked by.
“Best dessert ever,” he said, caressing her shoulder.
She laughed. “Better than chocolate, even.”
He stilled and rolled her onto her back to stare into her eyes. “Yeah?”
“Mhm.” She lifted a hand to caress his face. “Much better.”
“I’m honored.” His gaze was teasing, but full of an underlying devotion that humbled her to her core. He dipped down and kissed her so sweetly she shook. “Hold that thought, I’ll be right back,” he said, before heading into the bathroom.
She stretched and yawned, wondering what she’d done to deserve such an amazing man, and so very grateful he was in her life. He was so giving and sweet. He was going to make a great father.
Father…
Shoot.
“Cooper…wait!” She scrambled off the bed but only made it two feet when he returned to the bedroom, as white as her apartment walls.
“What the hell is this?” he asked, holding one of the tests in his hands.
Darn it. She couldn’t believe she freaking forgot to clean up the tests after Rylee had left.
“I...we’re going to have a baby,” she finally said. “That’s what I was trying to tell you before.”
“A baby? No.” He shook his head and turned to toss the stick into the garbage as if perhaps that might make it go away. “No. We can’t have a baby,” he said, grabbing his clothes off the floor and pulling them on in jerky movements. “Aren’t you on the pill?”
She nodded. “Yeah.”
Her stomach gripped tight, nausea rolling through her. Abby hadn’t known how he was going to take the news, but this was not how she’d thought it might go. Shivering, she wrapped her arms around herself but made no move to get dressed.
“And you used protection,” she said. “But somehow I’m pregnant. I’m guessing maybe that condom from the Pub was a lot smaller than we thought.”
Uttering a curse, he thrust a hand through his hair and muttered something about a vasectomy.
Her chest tightened. That was a bit extreme.
“Look, Cooper, I realize we haven’t been seeing each other that long,” she said, slipping into her dress, suddenly feeling chilled to the bone. “But we’ve known each other for years. This isn’t the end of the world. I’m almost twenty-seven. You’re thirty…?”
“Two. Thirty-two,” he replied, exhaling a deep breath. He moved close to set a hand on her shoulder, his color starting to return. “I’m sorry, Abby. This shouldn’t have happened. I should’ve been more careful. I shouldn’t have kids.”
She frowned. “What do you mean? Why not? You were great with Connor’s. I saw you, remember?”
He clenched his jaw. “I love other people’s kids. They don’t have my DNA.”
Then she remembered he was adopted. His reaction suddenly made sense. It was hard to know what genetic defects he could pass down.
She touched his face. “If there are any issues, we’ll deal with them together.”
Blowing out a breath, he set his forehead to hers. “I’m sorry. I should’ve asked how you’re feeling. Are you okay?”
The concern was back in his voice and she trembled with relief.
“Yes,” she replied, and her heart warmed when he walked her over to the bed to sit down. “Just tired. And a little nauseous.”
Although, that might just be nerves.
His phone rang. “Sorry,” he said, rising to fish it from his pocket and answer. “Hello. Yes.” He stiffened, and she watched the color leave his face. “Not interested,” he said then hung up.
His back was ramrod straight, and it appeared he was having trouble breathing.
Abby shot to her feet and set a hand on his shoulder. “Cooper, what’s wrong? Is everything okay?”
He blinked and shoved the phone back in his pocket. “Yeah. Telemarketer.”
When he sat on the bed and shoved his feet in his boots, alarm started to squeeze her chest.
“You’re leaving?” She stared at him. They hadn’t spent a night apart since their first dance together.
Nodding, he rose to his feet. “I have to go. I won’t be good company tonight, Abby. I need to think. I’m sorry.”
And she understood. She really did. But…
Then he left. Without a kiss. Without a backward glance.
Nothing.
He just left.
She sank down onto the bed and wondered if this was the beginning of their end.
Chapter Fourteen
The next morning Abby arrived at work a half hour late, a little nauseous, and a lot tired. She hadn’t slept much—until her alarm went off, of course. She’d hit snooze and actually snoozed. It set her behind.
She’d missed morning coffee for the very first time. It was Mel’s week. Thank God it hadn’t been Abby’s. Then everyone would’ve missed it. She’d texted and told them she wasn’t feeling well and left it at that. Rylee wouldn’t say anything now that her friend knew the real reason she’d gotten up late.
“You okay?” Oliver asked, leaning in the doorway of her back office, concern on his usually jovial face. “You look a little peaked.”
She smiled. “Just tired. Do you have the new list of supplies?” she asked, needing to change the subject. “I have to meet Rylee soon, and I’m liable to leave without it.”
He laughed and waved a hand. “Then all you’d have to do is call me and I’d send you a snapshot. But hang on, I’ll go fetch it.”
After he disappeared, she used the time to stand and do some stretches as a way to get her blood pumping and wake the heck up. She’d pulled her hair back into a ponytail, too. All she had time to do this morning was jump in the shower, get dressed, and head straight to her office since it was too late for breakfast and too early to meet Rylee.
“Here you go.” Oliver returned, breezing in with a flourish, her list…and a muffin. And coffee. “I figured you missed breakfast with your girlfriends.”
Warmth spread through her chest and she blinked back tears.
“Aww, thanks, Oliver.” She set the list, food, and drink on her desk and embraced him. “You’re the best.” She was so grateful to have him as her office manager, and as a friend.
“I know. I tell my husband that every day.” He laughed, hugging her back. “Make sure you eat all of this before you go.”
She nodded and by the time he left her office, she was already peeling the paper off the blueberry muffin, her mouth watering over the still warm treat. Abby finished it in five bites, a new record. She hadn’t realized how starved she was until taking that first delicious mouthful.
Could be because she hadn’t finished all of her dinner last night. Memories of
what had happened later flooded her mind. Some good, some great, some not so great.
Her chest was tight again, and the delicious muffin now sat like lead in her stomach. A few sips of coffee had her running to the employee bathroom next to her office before her stomach pitched.
Great. The perfect day to start morning sickness.
She cleaned herself up, and dumped the coffee without Oliver knowing. His thoughtfulness meant a lot. Returning to her office, she fished a pack of crackers from the snacks she always stashed in her desk and nibbled on one. After a few minutes passed and that stayed down, she grabbed a bottle of ginger ale from her mini fridge, stowed it in her purse along with her supply list, and headed to ESI to meet Rylee.
Any concerns she’d had of bumping into Cooper or the guys disappeared as soon as she walked into the garage. The place was quiet, except for the birds squawking and talking to each other. Her friend was leaning against one of the ESI SUVs, doing something on her phone, and she was the only one in sight.
Rylee looked up at her and smiled. “Hey. I was just about to text you. I figured since you missed breakfast and Cooper was absent, you might’ve decided your supply run could wait.”
Abby’s steps faltered. “Cooper wasn’t with me.”
“Oh.” Rylee blinked.
“Last night didn’t go so great. He didn’t stay. He left before eight.” She inhaled and fought the stupid tears that came out of nowhere. It wasn’t like Cooper to dodge his responsibilities. Alarm stiffened her spine. “He seemed upset, but not enough to miss work.”
“Hang on, let’s not jump to conclusions.” Rylee tapped on her phone. “He could be with Dean. I’m pretty sure he was going to meet Gabe at Annie’s.”
A second later, Rylee smiled. “Yeah, he’s with Dean and Gabe.”
Abby sighed. “Good.” She yawned, feeling like she’d suddenly run a marathon.
Rylee slung an arm around her as they walked to the SUV. “A change of scenery might do you some good.”
“True.” She nodded and got in the passenger side, buckling up, determined to keep her emotions at bay. They seemed to be closer to the surface lately. She wondered if it was the pregnancy or because of her uncertainty with Cooper.
By the time they were halfway to Houston, Abby felt calmer. She nibbled on another cracker and sipped her ginger ale.
“So…you want to tell me what happened?” Rylee asked, glancing sideways at her, and Abby had déjà vu of their ride back from Stef’s shower yesterday.
Not really, but she did, omitting the part where they were naked.
“I think you’re right. His adoption has a lot to do with his reaction,” Rylee said quietly.
She swallowed past a throat that was hot without her permission. “I wish I could help him. I can’t imagine what he’s going through.”
Her friend nodded. “I think it’s more than being adopted, though. A few years ago, not long after Peyton broke things off with Cooper, I overheard him and Gabe talking.”
Abby’s heart dropped to her stomach. “About what?”
“Apparently Cooper had tried to find his birth parents.”
Abby gasped, “He did?”
Her friend nodded. “I think he found non-identifying information, but didn’t go any further. So, whatever was on there was enough to make him stop looking.”
What he had discovered to make him not pursue it?
Maybe his birth parents were dead.
Her heart squeezed. She couldn’t imagine him discovering that, especially after having lost both of his adoptive parents.
And how could Peyton have left him? Especially then? Anger rushed through Abby so fast, she had to grip the seat tightly to keep from punching the dash.
Apparently, pregnancy does heighten emotions.
For the rest of the trip, Abby chewed on the information her friend had given her, wondering what she could do or say to help Cooper. Or even if he’d let her.
It was hard to push it all aside, but she filled her shopping list and then played with some adorable puppies while Rylee had her meeting at the Houston ASPCA. Three hours later, they were back on the road to Harland County.
Neither were returning empty-handed. Rylee had a new suspect, and her trunk held two boxes full of assorted dyes, shampoos, conditioners, mouse, hairspray, gels, and several containers of wax for Abby’s shop.
Rylee was on the phone with Dex, having him run the name she and Emily apparently concluded was a possible suspect connected to the disappearance of dogs in three counties. Namely pit bulls used in dog fights, then they were discarded like trash, wounded and bleeding if they lost.
Like Gabe’s adorable rescue, Chief. He was one of the lucky ones.
Abby’s heart twisted. It was getting a workout today.
“Emily and I already tried the one on Hector’s record. And his work address. Call me back if Carter finds another address for him,” Rylee said. “Okay. Love you, too. Bye.”
So that’s why Rylee had been gone so long…
Abby hadn’t minded. Helping to feed and play with that litter of puppies had kept her mind off other things.
“How is it, working with your boyfriend?” she asked, desperate for any kind of conversation to keep her from thinking.
Rylee grinned. “Pretty great. Dex trusts me as an agent, so he doesn’t interfere, worried I’ll get hurt, even though I know he does, because I worry about him too when we’re on a job. Putting that aside can be tough. I’m really lucky.”
Abby returned her grin. “It’s so cute how you can talk shop and end it with ‘love you.’ Does Dex say it too…even with Mac and the others around?”
Her friend chuckled. “He must, because he says it without hesitating, and he’s usually with one of the guys when I call.”
She nodded, a pang of envy trickling through her. Would she ever be able to talk like that with Cooper again? Not that they ever used the L-word yet, or worked together.
“Uh, Abs…make sure your seat belt is tight,” Rylee said, glancing in her rearview mirror. “I think we picked up a tail.”
She glanced in the mirrors too and alarm returned to grip her spine. They were in the desolate stretch of the commute. No houses. No stores. No cars...except for the black sedan closing in fast.
“Why would someone be following us?”
“My guess is that it’s Hector. Must’ve rattled his cage.” Rylee pushed her foot to the floor and the car continued to close in. “Call Gabe, let him know what’s going on. I’ll call Mac,” her friend said, already dialing her phone.
Abby’s heart thudded in her chest so hard her fingers shook as she scrolled through her contacts for Gabe’s number. She wanted to call Cooper and tell him that she loved him, but she did as she was told.
Gabe answered on the first ring and she quickly filled him in on the situation. “Abby, what vehicle are you in?”
“An ESI SUV,” she replied, and Gabe’s sigh of relief made her feel a little better. It must be a good vehicle. “Okay, you’re going to be fine. Mac can track you.”
“We’re about twenty minutes from the county line,” she told him, having traveled the route enough times to recognize certain landscape markers, since they were traveling too fast for her to read any mile markers.
“Okay, I’m already en route. Stay on the phone with me, and no matter what, don’t hang up,” he said. His take-charge, calm manner had her nodding and her pulse leveling out a little.
“Okay.”
Rylee glanced over at her. “There’s an extra gun in the glove compartment if things get rough. I know you know how to use it.”
Her leveled-out pulse just hit maximum overdrive.
“I heard Rylee. She’s right,” Gabe said into her ear. “But with luck, you won’t need to use it.”
If Abby had been lucky, she wouldn’t be in this situation.
“They’re gaining on us.” Rylee cursed. “Hold on, Abs. They’re about to start shooting.”
“It’ll b
e okay, Abby. The SUV is bulletproof,” Gabe continued to talk in her ear. I’m ten minutes out. Hang in there.”
Abby hated guns. But it wasn’t just her and Rylee in trouble. Her baby was in danger, too. A fierce urge to protect surged through her. She straightened in her seat and eyed the glove compartment as bullets started to ping off the vehicle.
She’d do whatever it took to keep her baby safe.
Chapter Fifteen
Cooper sat in the boardroom at ESI, only half listening to Mac filling Dean in on the company and some of the jobs they worked. Dex was with Carter in the computer room—where the guy did his magic—looking up a name Rylee had dug up from her meeting with the Houston ASPCA officer.
His mind drifted back to last night and the bombshell at Abby’s. She was pregnant. How the hell had that happened? It didn’t matter. What mattered was that she was, and he was going to be a father.
But to what? A good child? Or an abusive chip of the ole’ grandad block?
The knot that had settled there last night twisted tighter.
And the way he’d handled it and walked out on Abby like an asshole no doubt was something he’d picked up from his birth father. It certainly wasn’t how his adopted father had raised him.
Guilt rippled through his knotted gut.
He owed Abby an apology, but until he got his shit together, it was better if he kept his distance. And he had no damn clue what to do to fix his messed-up head.
That phone call last night had been the last thing he ever expected and the last straw—a private eye hired by his birth mother to find him.
Why the hell would she want to see him?
He had to be nothing but a horrible reminder of the night his bastard father assaulted her. What if he looked like his dad? For sure, he’d remind her of that night.
Telling the investigator that he wasn’t interested was a dick move. But he was caught off guard, already in a bad state, having just discovered he fathered a child. He was passing on his bad DNA.
Cooper (HC Heroes Series Book 5) Page 16
