Seven thirty in the morning, Nate sat in his rented car outside the clinic. He knew that once he entered the building that it would be soul destroying for Cooper, and even though he wanted to put the meeting off, he knew it wouldn't change anything. Pain squeezed at his chest as he left the car and strode towards the front doors, drawing in a deep breath he pushed them open and stepped inside. The room was empty except for the scruffy kid he'd met the first time he'd entered the building. With a curt nod, he strode down the hallway and stopped at the partially opened door.
With a shaking hand, he pushed it open and stepped into the room, his gaze collided with Cooper's. He must look a wreck he thought when her face paled and panic entered her eyes, he watched her rise slowly to her feet and she gripped the edge of the desk so hard her knuckles turned white. For a few seconds time seemed to stand frozen. It was only broken by her trembling whispered words.
The very second she glanced up and saw Nate, Cooper knew something horrible had happened. She'd worn that same tragic look to many times to count, and had seen other doctor's wear it as well. “What's happened? It's Sandie isn't it?”
Nate moved across the small room and behind the desk, he reached out and took her in his embrace. “I'm so sorry honey. So damn sorry.”
“Oh God no. Tell me Nate. Just tell me.”
Tenderly, Nate caressed the side of her head as he eyes held hers. “Jeff and Sandie were hit by a drunk driver.” He could see the question in her eyes and slowly shook his head. “They didn't survive.”
Cooper's knees gave out from under her and if it wasn't for Nate she would have fallen to the floor. She wept against his chest as the devastating news consumed her. Gone, her sweet sister, her husband and their unborn child all gone. For the moment being held in Nate's strong arms she let her grief overwhelm her, knowing that in the next few days she wouldn't have time to grieve for her family.
Nate held her for a long time, he spoke softly to her and tried to soothe her with his caress, but he knew this initial grief would take time. It wasn't until she shifted in his embrace, and stared up at him with tear filled red rimmed eyes that she was once again in control of her emotions. “Why don't you sit down sweetheart and I'll take care of everything.” He was relieved when she nodded in agreement. Letting her go, he hurried out of the room and spoke quickly to the young man behind the reception desk. Once a replacement had been found to take over Cooper's shift at the clinic, he rang the airport and spoke to the pilot letting him know when he would be ready to return to Dallas.
He took a few minutes to shore up his own emotions before he went back to Cooper, he saw her seated behind the desk staring into space. Tears trickled down her cheeks and his heart wrenched with hopelessness, knowing nothing he could do or say would take away her pain. Striding over to her, he hunkered down beside her and taking her small hand in his squeezed it lightly. “I know it hurts honey. But you're going have to be brave for just a little while longer. Okay?”
Cooper nodded her head and gave him a trembling smile. “I know, it's just. It's just.”
“Sh, I understand. I'll drive you home and you can pack a few things. I have a plane waiting to fly us to Dallas.” He rose to his feet and helped her stand. With his arm wrapped protectively around her shoulders, he led her out of the room and down the hallway. He was forced to stop when she did and waited for her to finish speaking to the teenager.
“I have to go away for a few days Darrell. Be sure to lock up when you leave.”
“Sure thing Coop and hey I'm real sorry about your sister.”
Cooper swallowed back the tears that chocked her throat. “I know and thanks.”
Nate led her outside and into the rented car, once the door shut he dragged his fingers through his hair and stared up at the sunny blue sky. How could such a beautiful day be so full of sadness and devastation, it was ironic when you really thought about it.
Through the car window, Cooper watched Nate. He was just as affected over the loss of family as she was. And even though she was filled with sorrow, it didn't take away from the fact that her heart rejoiced at seeing him again. She had missed him so much since that fateful night. She'd been tempted many times to pick up the phone and ring him but her pride wouldn't let her. Now after all this time he was here, but for all the wrong reasons.
Yet she was overwhelmingly grateful for his consideration. He didn't have to come down here and tell her the soul destroying news, but he had. She wasn't afraid to admit that she would need him in the days to come. With him standing so strong and solid beside her, she just might be able to survive. She shouldn't let herself rely on him, it would only cause her more heartache when he left. Yet she couldn't deny the fact that she truly needed him to help her through this terrible time.
Her gaze dropped to her clenched hands in her lap, her thoughts once more on her beautiful sister and the tragedy that had befallen Sandie and her family. She'd witnessed senseless deaths many times when she worked in the emergency room, and her heart always broke for the family that was left behind. Now, she was experiencing what those poor people felt and she couldn't stop herself from crying knowing that nothing would ever take away the pain of losing someone you loved.
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* * *
SIXTEEN
The flight back to Dallas was done in intermittent conversation, the only things that were discussed were the funeral arrangement. Nate was feeling hopeless throughout the trip home. He wanted to rant and rave because he didn't know what he could do about Cooper's silent weeping. He let out a sporadic breath when the elevator doors open to his penthouse, gently he grasped her arm and with her bag in his other hand, led her into the living area.
“Oh wow. This is some pad you have here McGregor.” Cooper whispered as her gaze swam around the elegant room.
Nate grunted and rolled his shoulders before he dropped the bag at his feet. “Yeah. It's okay.”
“Okay, mmm well for a man that has oodles of money I shouldn't expect any other answer. I bet your dolly birds love this place.” Cooper muttered the last as she went to the floor to ceiling glass doors and gazed out at the stunning view of Dallas.
His mouth turned down in a grimace, Nate didn't like her comment but at least she wasn't crying and that was a good thing he told himself. “Dolly birds. I suppose your referring to the women I used to date? And if you must know Miss Nosey none of the women I dated have ever been here.” He arched a brow when she swung round to sear him with a mocking gaze. Ah ah, by the glimmer in her eyes he knew she was certainly going to have some sassy remark.
“You mean you've never brought a woman home? Why not?” A thrill of relief swept through her when he had admitted that no other woman had been here except her.
Nate didn't like where this conversation was heading and dragged his fingers through his hair. “No, you're the first woman I've bought here and the reason why is because once you bring a woman home she starts to get ideas.”
Cooper raised a dark brow in curiosity. “What type of ideas?”
“Damn it, they start to think along the lines of permanency, wedding bells. They want to show you how domesticated they can be. You know cook you dinner, iron your shirts.” He saw the amusement dancing in her eyes and let out a sigh of annoyance.
“Ah... I see. And you bringing me here, you think you're safe from me getting any ideas about wedding bells, permanency?” She saw his face flush.
He'd been painted into a corner and he knew it, but he intended to fight back. “Hell woman, that wasn't what I said or thought, so stop putting words in my mouth. I bought you here because I want to take care of you.”
All humor fled, and the reason why she was here in the first place came rushing back. With a little sob, Cooper ran to Nate, slipped her arms around his waist and buried her face against his solid chest.
Nate cursed his wayward tongue, when the laughter died in Cooper's eyes, he wrapped his arms around her and rubbed his cheek against the top of her head. �
�I'm sorry sweetheart. I didn't mean to upset you.”
Cooper sniffed. “Make love to me Nate. Make love to me so that for a little while I can forget.”
His heart raced and Nate could already feel himself becoming aroused, but still he hesitated. He shifted her away and glanced down into her eyes and the sorrow in them twisted his heart. His hands lifted and he cupped her face as he leaned down to brush her mouth with his own. “If you sure Cooper. If you're really sure this is what you want?”
“Yes, Nate.”
One more long lingering kiss and he swept her up in his arms, carried her from the room and down the hallway. In the master suite, he placed her on her feet beside the king size bed and enfolding her in his arms, he bent his head and claimed her mouth in a searing kiss. It had been so long since he had tasted her and he was drowning in his need for her. However, he held himself back with immense effort. This was for her, he told himself. If his love making could give her a little respite from her grief she was suffering then he would give it to her.
Cooper gave a sob as pleasure rushed through her, Nate's kisses were not only purely sinful, but there was exquisite tenderness behind them.
One last soul capturing kiss, Nate moved his mouth over her cheek, along her jaw and down the column of her neck. His hands were also busy and had her cotton summer dress already undone, hooking his fingers under the straps he drew it down. “I started to grow quite a fetish for bright little bits of lace.” He murmured against her collar bone before he leaned away. “And I see you haven't disappointed me.” The hot pink lace bra she wore made his erection pulse with anticipation.
Cooper chuckled. “I'm glad I can feed your obsession.”
“Oh you do more than feed it sweetheart.” Nate rasped out as swept her dress down, when it fell at feet and she stepped out of it, he went down on his knees and removed her shoes. He brushed his lips against the lacy thong and breathed in the sweet scent of her arousal.
With on hand clasping her hip, the fingers of his other hand slipped her panties of. He drew her backwards until her knees it the edge of the mattress and she tumbled downwards. Kneeling down positioning himself between her spread thighs, he hooked each leg over his shoulders, their gaze caught and held. “I've been starved for the taste of you again.” He grinned wickedly at her flushed face before he lowered his head and his tongue stroked between her feminine lips.
A growl of pleasure rumbled in his chest, she was already soaked with her desire and greedily he lap up the addictive nectar. The more she moaned and sobbed only made him want to give her more, his tongue twirled around the tight little bud and he sucked it into his mouth. He kept it up until she cried out and her body tightened and shuddered, before leaving her he lapped up the sweet heady juices.
Cooper was boneless, she could only lie there with her eyes closed as the intensity of her climax swept through her. Only when Nate moved away did she lift her lashes, and smiled as he tore at his clothing. When he was finally naked and he stood before her, did she let her ravenous gaze slide over him. He was so powerfully built, with not an inch of lose skin on his magnificent torso. Muscles bulged in all the right places and that wasn't the only thing that bulged.
As he stepped forward she scooted back on the bed, and she sighed in pleasure as his damp heated skin slid over hers. When he kissed her it was with such tenderness it almost made her cry. She tore her mouth free and cried out as he slowly slipped inside her. His mouth and hands touched and caressed her in all the right places, their hips rocked together and it wasn't long before she could feel the torturous need building to be released.
Her climax, when it came, hit her with a force of a hurricane, it lashed, battered and swept her away. Her nails dug into his tight buttocks as she rode the powerful storm. They hadn't anywhere near subsides when she was picked up and tossed on another climatic tempest.
Nate held his own release back until he drew the ultimate climax from Cooper. Only then did he let himself give into his own. When it came it shook him to the very core. It exploded from him with such vibrancy that he thought the top of his head would come off. Still breathing heavy, he found her swollen mouth and brushed it with a gentle kiss before he rolled off her and gathered her up in his arms.
He laid there completely stunned, something significant just happened to him and he could no longer deny it. He was undeniably in love with Cooper. It scared the hell out of him. Not only because he'd never felt this way before but he didn't know if this intense emotion was one sided. He wanted to ask her, but didn't want to hear her answer.
What if she didn't, what then? Hell, this was crazy and he decided for now he wouldn't say anything. He needed time to work through this and decide what he was going to do about it. Besides, the next few days were going to be traumatic enough. The best thing to do now was just leave things as they were for the time being, soon though they were going have to discuss their future.
No way was he going to repeat the last six months of his life. It had been pure torture not seeing her, touching her, tasting her and unable to make love to her. He definitely wasn't going to put himself through that hell a second time. Somehow, someway they would work something out that would satisfy both of them. Frowning thoughtfully, he wondered now that she had no family left that she might consider moving to Dallas. It would be the ideal solution.
He would even be willing to sacrifice sharing his home with her and grunting, thought that was certainly saying just how much he cared for her. He liked the idea though, liked it a hell of a lot. Grinning, he rubbed his cheek against the top of her head, yep it would be the perfect solution. Now all he had to do was convince her, and that brought a frown to his brow. She could be damn right stubborn at times, however, all he could hope for was that she loved him and wanted to be with him.
His chest tightened in fear, he clenched his jaw trying to stop it from growing. Damn it, she had to love him. He would damn well make sure she did. His confusion and anxiety fled when she whimpered in her sleep, his hand slid up and down her arm soothing her.
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* * *
SEVENTEEN
Alone in the big bed, Cooper stretched and a ghost of a smile whispered over her lips. Her body was deliciously sated from Nate's lovemaking. He'd never made love to with such exquisite tenderness before. It touched her soul and she couldn't deny it any longer, she was deeply in love with him. And even though she didn't want to admit it, she knew though that nothing would ever come of it. Nate even stated he wasn't looking for a permanent relationship.
No, he was the love'm and leave'm kind, and there was no use hiding or trying to deny the fact, she told herself. Even if it was breaking her heart, she knew she could only expect a few more nights or days as the case maybe, in his bed. The only sensible thing for her to do was after she buried the last of her family was to put an end this crazy connection between them.
Tears blurred her eyes and she squeezed them shut, it wasn't going to be easy ending things between them. And she knew he wouldn't agree and would probably argue, but it wouldn't do him any good. She also knew that she would never be satisfied with a few snatched weekends, she wanted more and he definitely wasn't the type to give more. It had taken losing Sandie to make her realize that life was too short not to grasp at happiness while you had the chance.
It also made her realize she wanted the impossible, Nate as her husband and the father of her children. However, realistically she knew it wasn't probable. So the only sensible thing to do before it become far too late was to sever all ties with him and start and new life for herself. It would be nearly impossible to forget what they shared together, but she would survive. Letting out a trembling sigh, she ignored the heavy feeling in her chest and raised her lashes.
Her mind made up, she tossed the covers of and slipped of the bed. Spotting her overnight bag by the dresser, she went over, picked it and placed on the chair. Extracting the clothes she would wear headed for the bathroom. Under the s
pray of water, the tears trickled down her face. There would be a lot to do in the next few days and they were going to be emotionally draining.
She knew though with Nate at her side she would get through them and whether she liked to admit it or not, she needed him to be there for her. It was going to be heaven and hell being with him, in the end though she was going to have to say goodbye and hoped that the last piece of her heart wasn't destroyed along with it.
~*~
Nate quietly opened the bedroom door, he noticed the empty bed at the same time the bathroom door opened and Cooper stepped into the room. The second he saw she was wrapped only in a towel he grew aroused, no matter how much he wanted to take her in his arms there wasn't time. “Coffee will be ready by the time you're dressed and then we'll go to the morgue.”
Cooper hitched a breath and gave a jerk of her head. “I won't be long.”
He could see how much of an effort it was taking to her hold back the tears. Just as he made up his mind to go to her, and comfort her, his phone rang, he hissed out a breath, reached in his pocket and pulling it out, checked the id and answered it. Glancing once more at Cooper, he left the room as he spoke to his brother. The conversation was brief, he wandered into the kitchen and poured coffee for Cooper.
The next few hours were going to be horrendous and he definitely wasn't looking forward to them. Dragging his fingers through his hair, he gazed unseeing out the window. Thanks to Trent though, he was at least spared the task of informing relatives and friends. It was bad enough having to tell Cooper. He was also going have to put of telling how he felt about her, he knew now wasn't the time.
She already had too much to deal with and it wasn't fair of him to put more pressure on her. No, he would have to wait, he could only hope it wouldn't be too late or too long. Drawing in a deep breath, he shoved his hands in his suite pockets and rocket on his heels. He hated to admit it, but he was an emotional wreck. It wasn't just because of the death of his cousin, Sandie and the unborn baby. No, it was the startling knowledge that he was in love.
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