Page 59 of Flirty Thirty

But I will. I know I will. I’ll let it go too far again and then I’ll have to tell the man I love that I can never ever give him what he wants. I’d have to watch his soul completely crush to dust behind those eyes that can’t hide anything. I’d live every minute with him wondering, worrying over if he wished he’d fallen in love with someone else.

His warm breath washes over me, clouding my mind, turning off my brain and turning on everything else, like little electric lights snapping and popping under my skin. I move the smallest of centimeters toward him, enough of an invitation for him to take advantage of my moment of weakness. His hands slide up to my cheeks, cupping my face and cradling me in a way I hadn’t realized I’d missed so much. His mouth grazes mine, I let out an involuntary moan… and my ring tone cuts through my fuzzy thoughts. I jolt away from Cooper’s lips, clutching at my heart and breathlessly laughing at the heat rushing through my cheeks.

He lets out a small laugh. “Saved by the bell?”

A sigh floats off of my lips, and I reach for my phone. Holland’s name flashes on the screen.

“I have to get this.”

He nods and steps back, the air between us sobering me up like a bucket of ice water.

“Hey, what’s going on?” I ask into the phone. Holland sniffs on the other end.

“Take me away, please? Can we just take off somewhere for at least the weekend… a week if you can. Maybe a month.”

“What happened?”

“I need time away, and Warren said he’ll let me go without a fight if you go with me. I’m going either way, but I’d rather not argue anymore. I’m tired of arguing.”

My teeth sneak out and pull at my lip, and I glance at Cooper, knowing that time away could be just the thing for me, too.

“When do you want to go?”

“As soon as humanly possible.”

“I’ll pick you up tonight.”

“Thank you, Maya.”

I slowly bring the phone down and tap the red hang up button. There is a beat of silence before I flick my gaze up to Cooper, grateful he’s given me enough space to breathe air that isn’t filled with his scent.

“I have to run.”

He nods. Looks back at the house. “I want to offer on it.”

“How much?”

“Ten above asking price.”

“I-I’ll draw it up and send it over tonight.”

He nods again, and we slowly head to our separate vehicles—his giant, muddy truck and my sparkly clean bug. The moment is lost in the interruption—thank heavens. I don’t think I’d be able to break it off with him again, no matter how right that decision is. One time was hard enough.

25

Hide or Confide

I flop face-first onto the hotel bed, exhausted from a day and a half long drive. To my right, I hear Holland mimic the action on the other bed—well, as much as she can with the baby bump.

“My butt,” she groans, her voice muffled by a pillow. “Is it still there?”

I jam a thumbs up at her even though I don’t have the energy to lift my head and check for sure. I’m pretty sure her ass is just where she left it.

“You want room service?” I ask, tip-toeing my fingers over to the hotel book of over-priced food.

“Please. Then I really want to go for a massage.”

“Is that allowed?”

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