I kiss her hard. The emotions of the last few hours hit me, and the fear of losing her takes over. If I had left just a minute earlier, I would’ve never seen her rush off the bus. What if he was there watching her, too? My heart races as I kiss her with everything. Her lips mold to mine, and I touch her everywhere, needing to feel her skin.
There is no way I’d ever forgive myself if something had happened. Anger was all I allowed myself to focus on before, but the fear has wrapped around my heart, squeezing it until I’m ready to burst.
“I can’t fucking lose you,” I admit and then dive back into the kiss. There’s no tenderness. It’s pure need to feel her.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
She meets my roughness, pulling me harder to her mouth. Emily’s other hand claws at my back. I push up and remove my shirt, and she follows my lead and undresses. I need her. I don’t care how, but I need to be inside her.
“Damn right you aren’t,” I agree. She’s mine.
“Take me, Cooper.”
That’s exactly what I plan to do. “I’m not going to be sweet, baby.” I let her know as I rip her shorts down. “I need to fuck you.”
Emily’s hands go to my jeans, yanking at the button. Her small fingers work fast, freeing my cock from my pants. “Let me ride you,” she says, trying to push me on my back.
There’s no mistaking the fear in her gaze. She needs this as much as I do. Both of us are searching for something to control. My instinct to give her what she’s asking for overrides my own need.
I lie back, and she doesn’t hesitate. Emily’s thighs straddle me, and she grips my cock. Her hand pumps up and down and then she rubs herself along my shaft. Fucking hell. “Don’t tease me,” I warn.
Her one hand rests on my chest as she repeats the motion. I buck my hips up, needing to feel her heat. Finally, she relents and gives me exactly what we both want. She sinks down, taking me into her body as her head falls back.
My fingers grip her hips, and I set the pace. She rocks up and down, letting out noises as I lift to meet her thrusts. I watch her perfect tits bounce, revel in the sounds and smells that fill the room, inciting the pace and intensity of this moment.
“Yes!” she yells when I lean up, taking her nipple in my mouth. I dig into her back, holding her so I can suck hard. “Yes, more,” she begs. My teeth clamp down, and she loses it. Emily pushes herself faster and harder than before.
“You like that, darlin’?” I ask.
“God, yes.”
I’ll never forget the way she looks right now. Her head thrown back, riding my cock. The look of pure pleasure on her face. “Fuck me, Emily. I want you to remember who has you right now.”
She looks down, her blue eyes blazing. “I know exactly who has me.”
That’s it. I move quickly, flipping her on her back and plunging in before she has time to realize what happened. I pull out and then glide in slowly. I do this again, and she whimpers. Her fingers grip my ass as she lifts herself to make me go faster.
“Do you know who has you now?”
“Yes.”
“Say it,” I demand.
“Cooper.” She says my name as a prayer.
I reward her by pushing all the way to the hilt. “No one will hurt you.”
Her eyes meet mine, and she nods. “I know.”
“No one else will touch you,” I promise.
Emily’s fingers press against my cheek. “Just you.”
“I won’t ever let anything happen to you,” I vow.
“I trust you.”
Our pace has slowed, and the anger and fear are gone. I want this to last forever. I stop completely and take her face in my hands. Everything in my life shifts right here. The way she looks at me rocks me to my core. Before I can stop myself, I say the words that are screaming in my head. “I love you.”
Her lips part and tears fill her blue eyes.
Fuck. I should’ve kept my mouth shut.
“I thought it was just me,” she says as her eyes swim with emotion. “I thought that it was too soon and that I was crazy.”
My thumb wipes the tear that falls. “No, darlin’. You aren’t crazy, and it’s definitely not just you.”
“I love you, Cooper Townsend.” Her lips turn into a smile, and for the first time, I feel whole.
Chapter Ten
Emily
“The rules are that I go where you go at all times. You don’t move unless I’m with you, understand?” Wade repeats himself for the third time as we stand at the door of the bus.
“I’m not slow,” I remind him. “I get it. You’re my shadow, and I need to always be sure I see your silhouette.”
Lame.
This is all so lame. A bodyguard…and not just any bodyguard. No, he had to get me one that’s a mix of the Hulk and Thor. Wade is six-foot-two and I’m a dwarf when I’m next to him. His brown eyes narrow as I repeat after him.
“Nowhere.”
I raise my hand in the Girl Scout salute. “I promise.”
He grumbles and crosses his arms over his chest.
Wade is unlike the other security guys around the tour. He’s dark, broody, and he exudes masculinity. Basically, he’s scary as fuck. We have bodyguards on staff. I don’t know why I have to have a designated one. Luke was more than capable of giving me one of his guys. After telling him about the incident, he promised his team would be on it, but Cooper wasn’t having it.
Hence why Wade is here now.
“So,” I say, rocking back on my heels.
“So?”
“Cooper says you guys have known each other a long time?”
“Yup,” he replies while scanning the area.
“You both did rodeo?”
“Yup.”
Okay. Wade only gives one-word answers, got it. Cooper is on the flight now, and I long to talk to him. My show is in twenty minutes, and I should be backstage, smiling and drinking a beer with the crew. Instead, I’m worrying about the crazy person sending me letters and trashing my bus.
“Am I bothering you?” I ask.
“Nope.” Wade drops his sunglasses over his eyes, and I bite my lip. Looks like he’s done with our conversation.
Cooper couldn’t have found a friend who looks like he actually wants to be here?
I send him a text.
Me: I wish you were here.
“Emily!” Vince comes over with his arms up in the air. “Let’s go, girl!”
I glance over at my new best friend, who nods.
Here we go.
The music blares, alerting the crowd that the show is about to begin. I stand at the edge, and my legs feel like Jell-O. I can’t move. What if the guy is out there? What if he’s a part of the stage crew and he’s planning to drop lights on me Phantom of the Opera style? Maybe the guy is just going to bum-rush the stage and run away with me.
My eyes meet Wade’s dark glasses, and I try to breathe.
“Are you okay?” His deep voice is low.
“No. I can’t go out there. You can’t go out there, and I—” My heart pounds in my chest.
Wade pulls his glasses off and steps closer. “I will always be in your line of sight.”
“But what if I’m in his line of sight?”
“That isn’t what you should worry about,” Wade tries to reassure me. “All you should worry about is doing your job. I’ll worry about the rest.”
That sounds easy enough, only it’s completely irrational to think I’m not going to be scared. There’s no way I can do this. I just can’t. I want to go home to Bell Buckle where no one gives a shit who I am.
Where Cooper is.
Where it’s safe.
Wade’s hand grips my shoulder and tears pool in my eyes. “Nothing will happen to you, Emily.”
“You can’t guarantee that,” I counter.
His lip turns into a cocky smile. “I can.”
I shrug out of his grip and look out at the microphone standing alone in the middle of the
stage. That’s my home, and I’m afraid to go there.
“You have a choice.” Wade’s voice breaks me from my stare. “You can choose to let this person win and take away your life or you can go out there and live the life you’ve fought for. Do you think Cooper would’ve left if he didn’t think you were safe? If he didn’t think I was the absolute best at my job, would I be here? You don’t put the woman you love’s safety in the hands of a novice.”
Cooper’s name causes my heart to race. If he didn’t believe in Wade, he would be here right now. I know that without a doubt.
“I’m just scared.” My voice is small and trembles at the end.
“Are you ready to get this party started?” the MC calls over the speaker.
I could throw up right now. My head starts to swim, and I know my face has gone bloodless.
“Look at me,” Wade commands. “When you’re out there, if you feel uncomfortable or someone makes you scared, look at me and scratch your nose. I’ll grab your ass and have you off that stage before you can sing another note. Okay?”
I nod. “Okay.”
The intro music cues, and I know I can’t hide anymore. “Please welcome Emily Young!”
There is a time to be scared and hide and a time to step up and be brave. I have to dig deep and find the inner strength to go out there and not let fear hold me back. I’ve done the work, I deserve this, and I have to trust Cooper’s judgment in Wade.
I plaster a smile on my face, grab my guitar, and step out into the lights.
When I stand in front of the microphone, I pretend it’s like my last concert. I envision Cooper standing in the crowd. My memory recalls his smile, his eyes, and the way he makes me feel.
“Are you ready for some country music, Houston?” I ask the crowd and lose myself in the screams.
For just a second, my eyes move over to where Wade stands, and he tilts his chin in approval.
I’ve got this.
* * * *
“I miss you.” I twist my hair while lying on my bed talking to Cooper. “I think you should just come finish out the tour with me.”
“Who would make sure Wyatt doesn’t burn the farm down?”
“That is true. I’m pretty sure Angie could handle him,” I offer as another option. “Although, she ain’t exactly a farmer.”
Cooper sighs. “I wish I could, darlin’. I’d be there right now if things weren’t so crazy here.”
I understand, I just hate it. Every part of me wants him here with me.
“I know.”
“How did the show go?” He changes the subject.
“Good. I was nervous, but I made it through.”
I fill him in on some of my worries, being careful not to make him nervous as well. As much as I may say I wish Cooper were with me, I know he’s where he has to be. He’s invested a lot of money into Townsend Ranch. He bought his father out and then had Wyatt come in as a partner, but Cooper is majority shareholder. The two of them have really started making a name for themselves, and they even bought some land off the Henningtons to expand. It’s becoming more and more of a family-owned business with them combining resources.
“You should get to bed,” Cooper says through a yawn.
“Me?” I giggle. “You’re probably fallin’ asleep on me.”
“I’m beat.”
I roll over, wishing I could snuggle up next to him. “I love you, Cooper.”
“I love you, too.”
“I keep thinkin’ all this is a dream.”
He laughs. “If it is, I’d like to keep sleepin’.”
“Thank you for making sure I was safe before you left. I haven’t had anyone take care of me in a long time. Hell…maybe never.”
My life growing up didn’t have baked goods or men making sure I was set. I was lucky if my father knew I was alive. Cooper is the complete opposite of the type of guy I thought I’d end up falling for. I don’t know why, but I really thought I’d be like my mama and marry some idiot who drank too much.
“If you let me, I’ll make sure you never worry about anything. All I want is for you to be happy, Em. I’ve waited a long time for this. I’m not goin’ to let it go.”
Dear Lord, this man is freaking perfect.
“You make me very happy, Cooper Townsend. Very, very happy.”
Chapter Eleven
Cooper
“Are you listening?” Presley waves her hands in my face. “Earth to Cooper.”
“I hear you. I’m just thinkin’.”
My sister’s grin spreads, and her eyes light up. I know what’s coming. My nosy-ass sister is about to ask a million questions about whatever is going on with Emily. I’ve been able to keep the new generation of busy bodies away for the most part, but it was just a matter of time. Mama has done her digging, but thankfully Emily’s family was never part of their clique.
“’Bout Emily?” Her eyes drop to her feet as she shrugs.
I’m not buying it. This has to be eating at her. Emily is part of my sister’s group of friends, so there’s no way this is just whatever for her.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“I would, in fact.”
“Too bad.” I start to walk out of the office and hear her behind me.
“Cooper!” She groans. “I’m your sister. You should talk to me about girls. I can help, since I am one and all.”
I laugh while shaking my head. “You’ve never helped before.”
“Umm. Grace?”
How the hell did she help with that? All she did was push her to Trent’s arms. I’m not saying it wasn’t the right thing, but it sure as fuck didn’t give me what I wanted at that time.
“Considering Grace is married to your brother-in-law, I’m going to say you suck at helping.”
“You didn’t love Grace. You weren’t meant for her, and you know it. I helped her and you both see that.” Presley’s hands rest on her hips. “We both know I’m right.”
Damn her.
“Sure you are.”
“You can just say thank you.” Her suggestion is punctuated with a tiny tilt to her chin, which makes me laugh. She’s just like our mom.
“Thank you for what? For drivin’ me nuts?”
As kids, we fought like crazy, but she was my best friend. With both of us touring in the rodeo, we were forced together each weekend. My sister was amazing to watch, she shined when she raced. As we got older and she met Zach, our relationship became strained. Even if she doesn’t see it, I’m glad we’re past the bullshit. Having her and my nephews back in Bell Buckle has given my entire family a sense of peace. More than that, it gave me my sister back.
The ranch phone rings before she can say anything back.
“Townsend Ranch.” She looks at me, saying, “Yes, he’s here. Sure, may I ask who’s callin’?” Her brow furrows as she listens, but then the confusion lifts and she grins. “Wade Rycroft? Is that you? It’s Presley!”
I put my hand out for the phone, but she spins around and starts rambling. If Wade is calling, something’s wrong. Digging in my pockets for my phone comes up short. Shit.
“Tell me about what you’ve been up to? Are you datin’ anyone? What about your brothers? I heard you joined the Army? Was it cool?”
This conversation will last forever, and I need to know why he called. I go in search of my cell phone and finally find it in the kitchen. Sure enough, I have two missed calls. Both from him.
My sister continues talking, giving him exactly zero chances to cut in. He may be a former Green Beret and highly trained in all kinds of things, but Presley studied under my mother. He’s screwed.
I dial his phone, and I hear her agree to whatever he says.
“Jesus Christ.” Wade sighs as he comes on the line. “I swear she was interviewing me for a potential wife.”
“She’s bored and thinks everyone should be as happy as she is.” I chuckle. However, I really don’t care about Presley and his conversation. “I saw you called. Is Emil
y okay?”
“Of course she’s okay. I told you that nothing will happen to her.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. “Well, something happened if you’re callin’.”
“She got another bouquet of flowers.”
“Fuck.”
“I intercepted it and have my guys looking into it. We’re checking with the shop that it came from to see if we can get a description of the sender or a name. I don’t expect much since there’s been no traces before, but what made me call was that the letter was more aggressive. It talked about how they’d find a way to each other. I’m going to analyze the language more and get to the bottom of it. Thought you’d still want to know,” Wade explains.
This guy who’s after her is getting out of hand. I can’t keep sitting around here knowing someone is after her. “Does she know?”
“No. I didn’t want to rattle her. Emily is safe, but you need to know that this asshole is only going to get bolder. I didn’t tell her, but the more aware she is, the better.”
“I know. I think we keep this from her for now. No need to get her worked up until we have answers.” The selfish part of me wants to tell her and have her come here. We could spend our days together and make love all night. The other half of me knows that wouldn’t be what’s right for her.
I know what it’s like to have your choices stripped from you.
“Luke is talking about extending the tour,” Wade says. “He’s thinking of adding another two weeks on.”
“Talkin’ about it or doin’ it?” I ask as I run my hand down my face.
“No idea. I only know because one of the other security guys heard it.”
When we talked yesterday, she sounded like the girl I’ve always known. She was happy about her performance and that one of the radio hosts made an effort to talk to her. They were looking at her coming on his morning show, which is the break she’s been waiting for. So, I’m not sure that telling her about this is a good idea.
I close my eyes and lean against the counter. “If something else shows up, then I’ll tell her.”
Say You Won't Let Go_A Return to Me/Masters and Mercenaries Novella Page 7
