Dee, Lavada - Nothing to Lose [Blackhawk Brothers] (BookStrand Publishing Romance) (13 page)

The line went silent for a second as what his mother said sank in. Before she could answer, Lydia continued. “Cooper is a good man. We all saw how it was between you two.”

Her hands clung to the phone. “I…” She took a breath and tried again. “There are things you don’t know, things better not to know. It’s because I love him so much I have to leave.” A sob escaped. She took another breath, trying to get through what had to be said. “I’d rather be dead than to see him hurt, but I have to do this.” Her next words were a whisper. “Please…please just take care of him.”

She almost hung up the phone when she heard Lydia’s voice come over the line. “The weather is so nasty. The buses don’t always run in it. Why don’t you wait? You and Cooper could come for dinner tonight. He has a snowmobile if he can’t get the truck over.”

Galynn heard Cooper at the door. Maybe it would be good if he went to his parents’ for dinner. That way he wouldn’t be by himself tonight. “Let me get Cooper on the line, and you can ask him.” She held out the phone, mouthing, “It’s your mother.”

Galynn stirred the soup and poured Cooper a cup of coffee. He looked tired. As soon as she thought it, she realized that “tired” wasn’t enough of a word for how he looked, maybe more like haunted. She knew the look. She’d seen it in the mirror this morning.

She couldn’t keep her eyes off him as he stood at the counter hunched over into the phone. His jeans were well worn. Soft from washings, they molded against his thighs and butt. An exciting ache tickled low in her stomach.

He wasn’t saying much, mostly listening. She hoped his mother had let her leaving go. She could tell he wasn’t in the mood for a discussion about it. His voice didn’t show that she had said anything personal. “Thanks, Mom, I just stepped in the house. Let me get back to you on it.”

A weary sigh escaped as he ran his hand down his face. He took the coffee over to the table and sat it beside the bowl of soup Galynn ladled out for him. “Thanks, this looks and smells good. Let me wash up, and I’ll be right back.”

While he was in the bathroom, Galynn went upstairs and collected her things. She wanted this last meal to be peaceful? Cooper was wound tight, and she wasn’t far behind him. Peaceful probably would be as good as they could expect. These last few hours were going to have to last her a lifetime, and she wanted to leave with as many good memories as she possible could. Coop was still in the bathroom, and she gave a small prayer of thanks. She hurried through the kitchen and sat her things by the back door. He wouldn’t be able to see them from the table and ruin his lunch, but they would be handy to grab and take with her when they went back to the office. She planned to leave straight from there to the bus station.

She had just taken the garlic bread out of the microwave when Cooper came back into the kitchen. Taking a deep breath, he again told her how good lunch smelled. A few minutes later, he looked up and said, “It not only smells good. It tastes delicious.”

Galynn smiled, glad she’d taken the time to make it. It wasn’t homemade but the next best thing to it. Tex-Mex chili came in a frozen package large enough to feed a family. It had all the ingredients she liked to use in her own recipe, from onions and green peppers to pieces of tomatoes.

She relaxed as Cooper chose to keep things normal and not bring up the impending trip to the bus station. They talked about the office, and Cooper told her what he’d gotten done. “I really don’t have to go back up if you’d rather stay home today. We could maybe take a nap and then run over to the folks’ for dinner.”

Galynn took the last bite of her soup and pushed her bowl back. This felt a bit too normal. Was he in denial? “Can I get you another bowl?”

“I can get it. How about you?” When she shook her head, Cooper held up the coffeepot. She pushed her cup over closer so he could fill it. She didn’t really want anymore, but she needed something to do with her hands. When he sat back down, he looked over at her. “So what do you think? Want to stay home and play?” A teasing smile played over his lips.

She’d wanted to wait until after he’d eaten to tell him that she had called the bus station and a bus was scheduled to leave this afternoon. She wanted these last few minutes with him so much it hurt. She got up and started cleaning the kitchen, stalling for time. His gaze followed her, and an uncomfortable quiet hung over them. He continued to eat until he emptied the bowl. When he’d spooned in the last bite, he took a sip of coffee. His voice was low, but it sounded like a shout to Galynn. “Okay, enough. You’ve washed that counter so well I doubt there’s a speck of anything on it. You didn’t answer me about this afternoon and dinner.” He motioned her toward the chair. “Come on and drink your coffee and tell me what’s happening.”

“I wanted…” She closed her eyes for a second. Her next words were going to change both of their lives forever. If only she could postpone it until the last possible minute, but from the look of Cooper’s face, it was going to be now. Taking a breath, she started over. “I wanted to wait until we were ready to go back to the office. I wanted to have as much time as possible with you without this hanging over our heads.”

His frown had her struggling for words. She was a hundred percent positive he’d never strike her. She had no fear, but she didn’t want to leave with anger between them. By the looks of it, that wasn’t going to happen. She caught her lower lip in her teeth, a habit she hadn’t used in the last week or so. “I called the bus station, and there’s a bus leaving today at five for Ogden.”

Like slow motion, she watched as Cooper put his cup down on the table and ran a hand across his face. Her voice sounded stronger than she thought it would. “I’m packed and have my things ready by the back door.”

He still didn’t say anything. She waited. The seconds sounded loud as they clicked away on the old wall clock. Her next words sounded harsh, and that wasn’t what she intended. “I’m going to be on that bus. If you can’t take me, let me know because I’ll have to leave earlier.”

When his gaze met hers, she bit back a cry at seeing the raw pain in his eyes. His face looked drawn, and his normally dark skin paled to an ash color. She reached for his hand, but he pulled it back and got up from the table so abruptly he knocked over the chair. He didn’t stop to pick it up but stalked out of the room. When she heard the back door slam shut, all she could think of was that he hadn’t put on his coat. It was still snowing, but not as hard and the flakes were smaller. It had to be freezing out there. She ran for the back door, but he was already down the drive. She doubted he’d hear her call to him, and she wouldn’t be able to catch him.

She righted his chair and sank into it. What now? A glance at the clock told her it was just short of two o’clock. She felt numb. What would Cooper do? She hurt. It felt like her heart really had broken. She looked around the kitchen she’d come to love and thought about the man who had built it. Tears ran unheeded down her face. With an angry swipe, she wiped them away. How could she leave, but how much worse would she feel if she stayed and Mick found her? She knew he’d kill her, but not before he made her watch him hurt or even kill Cooper and anyone else that was with her at the time. It would be beyond thinking if that happened. She felt strength flow back into her. She had warm clothing now, thanks to Cooper. She’d walk to the bus station. It was maybe two miles at the most, and she had plenty of time.

She’d need to leave the suitcase. If the weather wasn’t so wet, she could probably wheel it, but she’d never manage to carry it up the drive, let alone all the way to the bus station.

With a determined shrug of her shoulders, she started repacking. She put the fluffy slippers to the side of the suitcase. Each item she took out brought memories. When she placed the final item in her backpack, she looked at the items she would be leaving behind. A sob escaped as she closed the suitcase with so much still left in it.

By the time she’d finished, it was almost three o’clock and no sign of Cooper. He had been so angry and hurt when he’d left. He had to be going through hell right now. At least she had control of what she was doing. He must feel helpless as well as hurting. If only…but no, it was better to just leave. She turned off the lights and had her hand on the doorknob when she turned back and, instead, went into his office.

Chapter 12

The snow had stopped, but now a strong wind blew. Galynn’s eyes stung, and she ducked her head to shield her face as much as possible. She slowed, fighting the pull to stop at the office. She wouldn’t stay but a second. With longing, she instead kept moving one foot in front of the other. Saying more good-byes would just cause more pain to a man that didn’t deserve any of this.

Cooper took the decision out of her hands when the door opened and he stepped out. At the sight of her, anger suffused his face. Within seconds, he had her by the arm and was propelling her inside the office.

“What in the hell do you think you’re doing?” he ground between clenched teeth.

She froze, and for a second, fear caught her in its grip. With a curse, he pulled her into his arms. “Shh, I’m sorry. Oh, honey, don’t be afraid. I can’t stand to see you look at me this way.”

He released his hold and took a step back. Drawing in a deep breath, he held up both hands to give her space. “You can’t be trying to walk to the bus station. You’ll be frozen before you’re halfway there.”

Her words came out in staccato. “I didn’t think you were going to come back to take me. It isn’t that far, and I’m dressed for the weather.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Please just let me go.”

He shook his head and gestured toward the door. “Come back to the house with me. We have time for a cup of coffee. I want to run something by you. Then if you still want to go, I’ll take you.”

Eyeing her backpack, he smiled. “Besides, you’ll need to repack your suitcase if you still want to leave.”

She pulled away. “No, there’s nothing left to say. I have to do this.” Her eyes sought his. Seconds passed. Her voice was soft against the wind. “Please, Cooper, please.”

“I can’t. Not like this.” When he added a soft, whispered, “please,” she turned and, without saying anything more, allowed him to walk her back to the house.

The door opened on welcoming warmth, and Cooper shrugged out of the coat he’d found in the office. Taking hers, he hung them both up. She’d made a fresh pot of coffee, so all he had to do was turn it on. A few minutes later, the aroma of perked coffee filled the room, giving the scene a façade of normalcy.

The kitchen hummed with tension. Galynn felt like she was on a tightrope. Like Cooper had said, by him taking her to the bus, she’d be able to use her suitcase. “I’ll go up and get the rest of my things.”

When she got back downstairs, Cooper looked a little more relaxed. He poured them each a cup of coffee and waited until she was seated before saying anything. “You should have hollered. I would have brought your suitcase down for you.”

“It isn’t heavy. In fact, it’s a perfect size for me.”

“Good. Look, Galynn, I’m sorry I stormed out without assuring you I’d be back in time to take you. I needed, time to, uh…”

She reached across the table and took his hand in both of hers. Bringing it to her mouth, she kissed his knuckles. “I know. You don’t have anything to apologize for. I will never be able to say enough sorrys for the pain I’ve caused you.”

She looked up and held his gaze. “You have given me more than some women have in a lifetime. You’ve made me laugh, and love.” She closed her eyes for a second, and when she opened them, she saw tears shimmering unshed in his.

Cooper slowly stood and pulled her to him without breaking eye contact. Moving back to his chair, he sat and guided her down to his lap.

“We need to talk. I did some thinking up at the office, and I have a proposal for you.”

She shook her head and wrenched away. At the counter, she rested her hands on it with her back to him. She sensed his presence behind her before she felt his hands come around her waist. He didn’t make it easy. She wanted to be strong, but she wanted him more and, with a sigh, gave up and melted back and into him. He whispered words of love against her neck. Moving against her, she could feel his arousal and immediately felt herself respond. His mouth moved over her neck, nipping and then kissing it away. His low growl mingled with her softer moans as his hands found their way under her sweater to the clasp on her bra.

His breath sounded loud as his mouth stopped and his hands took over. Her breasts felt full, and she pressed against his hands. He released one and ran his palm down over her stomach, opening the button on her jeans. She was nearly out of her mind when he pushed inside. She tried to turn to get access to him, but he held her firm and worked his fingers into her moist heat. Pressure built, and she whimpered, begging him for more.

Her muscles tightened around his fingers, and she cried out as he took her where dreams went. This time when she turned to face him, he let her. With immediate need, he swept his fly open. He lifted her leg, positioning her for entry. At the last minute, he lifted her onto the counter top. “Put your legs around my waist.” His voice was low, intense, and raspy.

She did as he asked, his size filling her until she wasn’t sure she could take all of him. She shifted, lifting her legs tighter around his waist. His moan echoed her own as she took all he had. Their mating took on an urgency that hadn’t been there before. Too soon, they shuddered as they climaxed together.

Neither moved, not wanting to separate. Cooper finally pulled away and lifted her off the counter. “I’ll never cook on this counter again without thinking about this.”

Her laugh came out shaky. “You better not cook at all until you wash it down and use one of those Clorox wipes.”

Galynn glanced at the clock. She needed to leave. She still had to purchase a ticket, and with the weather, she didn’t want to take a chance that the bus schedule might be off.

Cooper saw her and winced. “About that proposal, it would be better to drive down to Ogden instead of taking the bus. If you wait until Friday, I’ll drive you down and help you get into an apartment. We could make it in a long day and…” He stopped when she held up her hand. “Okay, if not Friday, I’ll take you tomorrow.”