Page 49 of You Can Make Me
I had a teary goodbye with my parents. I knew how hard it was for Mom to step back and let me do this my way, but we’d taken a short walk before she left and I’d let her give me her two cents.
“That man loves you so much, Cooper. I hope you keep that in mind, whatever you decide to do.”
“I love him, too, Mom. I’m not going to take him for granted.”
“Everything happens for a reason, remember that. It may feel like that’s an unfair way of viewing what happened to you, but use what you’ve learned. Trauma can destroy you, or it can give you strength beyond what you thought possible. Look hard before you leap this time.”
I hugged her, but her words took me back to the Laurel Canyon women. I needed to see them again. I needed to understand these dreams. They weren’t about my assault. They were leading me to something vital. I didn’t know how much of the fog blocking my understanding was from my head injury or something more…
Dad was short on words, and I could tell it was hard for him to look at me. He’d hid it well at first, but I caught his gaze lingering on my mouth or forehead when I spoke. As a news producer, he knew better than anyone that my career in broadcast journalism was over. Audiences wouldn’t be able to look past the scars to hear my words. If I wanted to continue with my work, I’d have to rely on my writing skills—which were pretty damned good—or maybe start a podcast like everyone else.
“Please tell Dennis we said goodbye and thank you.”
I waved to them and assured them I would. I’d checked on him when it was time for them to go, and he was dead to the world. I let him sleep. It was probably the first real sleep he’d had in months.
Good. He needed his rest for the next part of my plan.
I rushed through my shower, taking care not to cut myself as I shaved everywhere I could and prepared myself for this long-overdue reunion. The sun was still on the rise when I crawled into bed beside him.
He startled when I touched him, then he relaxed into the pillow with a dreamy smile.
“What time is it?” he asked.
“Time to make up for lost time.”
His eyes flew open and he started to sit up.
“They’re gone,” I said, placing a hand on his chest as I straddled him. “I sent them on their way.”
“You mean…we’re alone?”
I nodded, grinning ear to ear and not caring one bit what my face looked like. The excitement in his eyes was all that mattered. “That means there’s no one to hear you scream.”
I started to pull the blankets over my head and move down his body, but he stopped me.
“You first.”
Denny slid off his underwear and gently pushed me onto my back. He covered me with his body, holding himself up with one arm so as not to squish me, and ran his other hand along my arm, linking our fingers together. “You better tell me if anything is uncomfortable, okay?”
I was already panting. “God, I’ve missed your skin. Those big hands. Don’t be gentle.”
He smiled and caught my other hand before I could reach his ass.
“Not yet. It’s my turn.” He brought our joined hands above my head. “Do I need to restrain you?” His smile slipped, and he loosened his hold as if he worried he’d said something wrong.
I pushed up to kiss him hard. I wanted him undone, unleashed, and unfettered. Free from worry. I wanted him out of his head and all up inside me.
“You will if you don’t hurry up and get to work.”
He laughed and licked at my lips. “Cheeky. Anything off limits? Oh, I don’t have?—”
“I do,” I said, spreading my legs and squirming beneath him. “In the drawer next to the bed. Sam had a brand-new bottle.” My smile fell. “No condoms though.”
“I haven’t been with anyone since you, Cooper. And all of your tests at the hospital were clear.”
We stared into each other’s eyes. The weight of the moment pressed down upon us and ramped up the tension.
“I love you, baby,” he said, holding my wrists with one hand while he caressed my face. “I want to make you feel good.” Denny’s green eyes were wide and pleading. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
