One More Night (9 page)

For a few seconds, Cooper wasn't sure what he was talking about, but it didn't take her long and she let out a gasp. “Damn.”

“My thoughts exactly. Since you're the doctor maybe you better take care of the birth control. It's too risky for us to keep taking chances. We don't want this affair to lead to anything else.”

Affair
, what affair was he babbling on about? Cooper pulled herself out of his embrace, sat up and glared at him. “I already told you I was on the pill. And we are not having an affair. This is sex and only sex.”

Grumbling, Nate met her glare with one of his own. “This is more than sex and you know it. Look, what's wrong with us having an affair? We'd see each other on weekends and maybe a couple of week nights. It's no big deal.”

"No big deal
. Firstly, I never agreed to have an intimate relationship with you.
Secondly
, you're forgetting that we live half a day's drive apart and thirdly I work most weekends and week nights. It's an absurd idea.”
There let him chew that over
, Cooper grumbled. The nerve of the damn man thinking they were having a relationship.
She'd rather be involved with a rattle snake.

Damn infuriating woman
. But hell she was right, it would be impossible to conduct any type of liaison with her. He huffed out a breath and closed his eyes.
Now what was he going to do?
How was he going to feed his addiction for her if he never saw her? When he felt the bed dip his eyes flew open, and he watched her glide across the room and into the bathroom. Swiftly his body reacted to the sight of her nudity and he became aroused all over again. “
Hell
, there has to be a way for us to keep seeing each other.” He grumbled to himself.

He racked his brain for an answer, it took him a few minutes to find one and smiling roguishly, he sat up and left the bed to follow her into the other room. She was already under the shower and he didn't hesitate in joining her. Before she could protest, he swept her wet slick body up and locked his mouth with hers. When she sagged in his arms, he lifted his head. “Let's compromise. Since we'll be seeing quite a bit of each other over the next few weeks because of the wedding, why don't we get this thing we have between us out of our system?”

After the astounding kiss, Cooper's body was already eager for his possession. She had to shake her head to clear it of the passion clouding it so she could understand what he was saying. Her teeth nibbled on her bottom lip as she thought over his idea. Could she risk spending more time with him without losing some of herself? Would it be unwise to consider his offer?
Lord help her, she didn't know
. But he was right though, this thing between them was impossible to deny or fight.

She just hoped she wasn't making the biggest mistake in her life and live to regret it later. “This is crazy, you know that don't you?”

“Tell me about it. God woman you've driven me insane since the day you walked into my office and attacked me. And now I can't think straight, all I can think about is being buried inside you until it drives me senseless. So what do you say, are you in or out?”

Cooper could see that it cost him a lot to admit such things to her and she squashed the little thrill it gave her.
This was nothing but sex
, she fiercely reminded herself and not to hope for anything else. “I'm in.”

Her reluctant agreement still set his heart pounding, Nate gave her a thorough kiss. “We'll both enjoy it Doc, I promise.” Once more he captured her parted lips in a possessive kiss.

Maybe they will
, but still Cooper had her doubts. However, his smoldering kiss shut down any misgivings she had. She couldn't stop herself from succumbing to the fiery passion that swept over her, and for the second time that night she welcomed his thrusting erection inside her eager body.

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FOURTEEN

It was the day of the wedding, and Nate stared at his reflection in the mirror and grimaced. He hadn't been the only one surprised at his cousin Jeff's eagerness to marry Sandie. Seems Jeff cared for her and he was glad that his cousin did. However, he most definitely wasn't happy that his time with Cooper was coming to an end. After the weekend, they wouldn't be seeing each other again. Hell, he wasn't anywhere near finished feeding his addiction to her, but it's what they agreed on and he knew she wouldn't change her mind.

The only thing he could hope for now was that once the weekend was over, he would have satisfied this immense hunger he had for her.
He didn't want to think about what his life would be like if he didn't.
When he heard his name shouted from the next room, he let out a growl before he spun around, opened the door, and left the bathroom. “Right let's get going.” Ignoring his brother's curious stare, he strode across the bedroom and let himself out of the hotel room.

It didn't take them long to drive to the crowded church and Nate was surprised at how many people greeted him, and welcomed him back. Now as he stood between Jeff and his brother, he waited for Cooper to enter the church. He wasn't interested in the bride and when the organ started to play, his heart raced and his body trembled with anticipation. He swallowed hard when she started gliding down the aisle.
She looked absolutely mouthwatering, gorgeous
. Her pale blue thin strapped gown, suited her to perfection. It wasn't body hugging but it didn't hide her enticing curves.

He wanted to sweep her up in his arms and carry her of somewhere private.
Wanted to slowly strip her naked and make love to her
. He nearly groaned aloud when their eyes met and held. There was no mistaking the desire shining in hers and as usual his body reacted, and he was growing heavy with his arousal. The sounds of the oohs and aahs was a blessing, and he managed to tear his gaze from hers, and watch Sandie walk down the aisle.

Cooper had longed for this day to come and at the same time hoped it never would.
It would mean her time with Nate was over with
. On Monday morning, he would drive away and she would never see him again. She wanted to weep and at the same time rejoice, because she knew that what she was starting to feel for him was more than just sex. From the beginning, she was afraid that this might happen and she tried to stop it, but every time they saw each other her heart opened up to him a little more.

A very dangerous thing, but it happened and now she would have to live with it. Her heart jumped in her chest when she saw him standing so proudly so gloriously handsome in the church. Her knees trembled when their eyes collided and she saw the smoldering heat in his.
Lord help her
, the man was to potent to resist. She had to get a grip on herself before she forgot everything else, but throwing herself in his arms and pleading with him to make love to her.

Relieved when Sandie arrived, she took the bridal bouquet and when the ceremony began, she couldn't stop her gaze drifting to Nate. She nearly dropped the bunch of flowers, she would almost swear she was seeing love shining from his eyes. Frantically, she gave a shake of her head, knowing she was only wishing for something that wasn't there. A man like Nate would never allow himself to feel such an emotion. When his lashes lowered hiding his thoughts, she drew a shuddering breath and looked away.

She realized then that this weekend was going to be torturous to her heart, and she wondered how she could possibly get through it without him realizing that she was close to falling in love with him.
What a fool to have thought that she could control her emotions
. Nate wasn't just a divine lover, he made her laugh, and at times was so gently that he nearly made her weep. He might have an ego the size of the planet, but he was also a caring man. Well she told herself for the umpteenth time, she knew what she was getting into, now she would just have to live with the consequence.

~*~

Frustration gnawing away at him, Nate wondered how much longer he and Cooper would have to remain at the reception. Time was running out and he wanted to spend as much time as he could in bed with her. He turned to ask her when they could leave, but instead gritted his teeth when he heard his brother speaking to her. It took an immense effort not to reach out and plant a fist in his brother's face.

“Hey Cooper I was wondering if you're dating anyone at the moment?”

Cooper's hand flew to her mouth as she started to choke. She didn't dare glance at Nate to see his reaction. She managed to clear her throat and smiled. “Ah..no I'm not really seeing anyone.”

“That's terrific. Why don't you give me a call the next time you come to Dallas and I'll take you out to dinner?”

Oh dear heaven,
Cooper could feel the anger from Nate sweeping over her in hot waves. Darn it, how was she to know his brother would ask her out on a date? She grew irritated herself. “Thanks, that sounds like fun. Maybe I will.”

“Great.”

The moment his brother walked away, Nate grasped tightly to Cooper's arm forcing her to turn around. “What in the hell does that mean? Maybe I will?”

“Damn it, keep your voice down and let go of me.”

Nate, realizing he was behaving irrationally, let her go and dragged his fingers through his hair before he spoke in a low voice. “Isn't one McGregor enough for you? Do want to sleep with the whole damn family?” The moment the ugly accusation left his mouth, he knew he'd made a terrible mistake. Cooper's face paled and her big eyes dulled in pain. He was about to reach out and take her in his arms, but she surged to her feet. Hot rage now glowed from her eyes, and a look of pure loathing swept over her features.

The disgusting accusation was a slap in the face. At first Cooper want to cry over how much they hurt her. It only took her a few seconds though to realize just how low his opinion was of her. She rose to her feet and glared down at him with disgust. “You are the most despicable, egotistical man it has been my displeasure to meet. I hope to God that after today I never have to set eyes on you again.” She spun around and marched across the room, and out the door.

Nate jumped to his feet and chased after her, he caught up with her just as she opened the door of her car. He grasped hold of her elbow and turned her around, he winced when he saw the tears swimming in her eyes. He lifted his hand and cupped her cheek, but dropped it when she cringed away. “Look Cooper I'm sorry for what I said. I didn't mean it.”

“You wouldn't have said it if you hadn't thought it. Just go away McGregor. Go away and leave me alone.”

“No, you don't mean it. Hell, Cooper this will be the last weekend we'll spend together.” But unfortunately he could see that she did mean it. Reluctantly he let her go and watched her as she climbed in the car, and drove away.
Panic settled over him
, all he could do was give her time to calm down. He checked his watch, he would give her an hour and then he would see her again. Hopefully, it would be enough time and he could convince her to spend the rest of the weekend with him in bed.

As she drove off, Cooper didn't dare take another glance at Nate. His low opinion of her was devastating.
It made all the times they shared together dirty and meaningless. Made her feel cheap and degraded
. At the moment, she hated him and despised what he always made her feel. She should never have agreed to keep on seeing him after Dallas, she'd known that in the end she would regret it and tonight proved it.

Wiping away the single tear that trickled down her cheek, she swung into the driveway, cut the engine and flew out of the car. Running up the path and steps, she unlocked the door, threw it open and slammed it shut behind her. She made sure that she re-locked it, and without turning on the lights raced up to her bedroom and threw herself down on the unmade bed, and wept.
She hated him, she hated the damn rotten polecat, she did, she truly did
.

She didn't know how long she lay in the dark crying, but when she heard the loud banging on the front door, she sat up, and wiped the tears off her face. Even though her heart raced, she furiously denied the eagerness to run down and open the door. She knew it was Nate and she thought about not answering it, however, knowing how determined that man could be slipped of the bed, and unhurriedly left the room and the pounding grew louder as she walked down the staircase.

Before she opened the door, she brushed the hair off her face and hitched a breath. She was not going to give into him.
She refused to let herself sink so low.
Filled with strong willed determination, twisted the bolt unlocking the door and threw it open. “What the hell to you want now McGregor? Do you have more insults and accusations you want to throw at me?”

The second he saw her, Nate realized he would be wasting his time.
Still he wasn't ready to admit defeat just yet.
He cringed though at her words and tone, but knew he deserved it. “Let me in honey and we'll talk this through.” It was a long shot and knew it hadn't worked when she sneered.

“Don't you dare honey me you squirrel eating viper. Just go back to Dallas and to your empty headed bimbos.”

Nate wanted to roll his eyes over her insult, but his lips firmed at the description of the ladies he usually dated. He shoved the annoyance aside and opened his mouth to try and convince her one last time, but before he could utter a word the door was slammed in his face.
Well damn the stubborn infuriating woman
. So be it, he wasn't going to beg her
damned if he would.
As far as he was concerned it was good riddance, he hoped he never clapped eyes on the blasted woman again.

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FIFTEEN

Nate was still suffering through the longest six months of his life. He was tortured with the way things ended with Cooper, and he couldn't stop missing her. He couldn't even count the many times he picked up the phone to call her, or was tempted to jump in his car and go to her. He could barely sleep, hardly ate and it took a tremendous effort to concentrate on work. He was going to have to do something about the problem before he lost his sanity altogether.