Except Cooper was standing in front of her, his gaze intense and dark as he reached for her hand. His large fingers slid over her palm, and he rubbed the spot under her wrist before threading them through hers. To anyone watching the two of them, that simple act was a statement of claim. But to Morgan, it was human connection that helped guide her through the chaos. She wasn’t used to crowds.
There was still a good number of people in the corridor, and as they made their way outside, it became obvious that a lot of them knew who Cooper and Maverick were. They drew several long looks, and more than a few of the folks snapped photos with their cell phones. Cooper must have sensed how uncomfortable the scrutiny made Morgan feel, because he slipped his arm around her and used his tall frame to shield her as much as possible.
Once outside, she breathed a bit easier, eyes on their driver as he stood a few feet away waiting for them. They’d only taken a few steps when flashes went off, which signaled paparazzi. Comments were tossed their way.
“Who’s the babe, Cooper?”
“Give us a smile, sweetheart.”
“Boys, look my way.”
“Maverick, when’s the baby due?”
There was some jostling, some more flashes of light, but they got into the car, and less than a minute later, pulled away from the curb.
“That wasn’t so bad, was it?” Cooper’s warm breath tickled the side of her neck.
Her heart was still pounding, her breath kind of stuck in her throat, but….
She shook her head as a slow smile touched her mouth. “No. It wasn’t.” She peeked around his shoulder and spied Charlie nestled in her husband’s arm. Their voices were low as they talked, and Morgan slid her hands up Cooper’s chest.
“How far away from the hotel are we?”
“Ten minutes.”
She blew out a long breath and nipped at his collarbone. “Ten. Whole. Minutes.” His body shielded her from his brother, and, emboldened, she slid her hands lower.
“Don’t do it.” His whisper was harsh.
She didn’t listen. She caressed the growing bulge between his legs, smiling at the power she felt. He was hard because of her. Aroused because of her. He was here with her.
“Keep doing that, darlin’, and we might have a problem.”
She grinned in the dark. “I’m hoping we do.”
“Trust me, sweets, the kind of problem I have brewing is best served in the privacy of our suite.”
“Good to know,” she whispered. “I guess I can wait ten more minutes.” She rested her head against his chest, listened to the power of his heart, and thought that it was the sweetest sound she’d ever heard.
Of course it is, idiot. You love him.
Her own heart jumped at the thought, and she felt his arms tighten around her.
“You okay?” he murmured.
“I think so,” she answered slowly.
Cooper lifted her chin and looked down at her. His long lashes swept low against his cheek. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and without saying a thing, stole another piece of her heart.
“Not the answer I want to hear, but one I can live with. For now.”
They settled back against the seat, and Morgan stared out the window at the city as they rushed by. People crowded the sidewalks, their faces shadowed, their bodies illuminated by streetlamps. She felt a weird disconnect. As if she were standing on the edge of something big and scary and life changing.
Something potentially devastating. It was a sober thought and one she had to work hard to push away. She hoped she could handle the future. Hoped she was strong enough. Because the Cooper Simon factor had pretty much thrown her for a loop.
And right now, in this moment, she wasn’t so sure she could handle the fallout.
29