Bliss (Entangled Hearts Duet 2)

“Eternity.”

She nods and hands me a card. “I got you a room too. I wasn’t sure where you were staying, and well, I’m not sure how this is going to go over. I was hoping that would be your answer, and you would want to be close to her. Your room is there.” She points across the hall. “We’re a few floors up. Call us if you need anything.”

“Thanks, Tessa.” Pulling my hands from my pockets, I take the offered card with a mental note to repay them and wrap my arms around her in a hug.

“Hands off my wife, Reeves,” Nixon says. His voice is calm and holds no heat.

“She’s not your wife yet,” I fire back.

“Close enough. Go get yours,” he says, drawing Tessa into his arms. I watch as he kisses the top of her head, and together, arms wrapped around one another, they head down the hall.

Slowly, I push open the door and walk in, making sure to lock it behind me. With each step I take into the room, my heart seems to pound a little faster. By the time I can see her, I feel as though it might pound right out of my chest.

“Reese,” I say, my voice gruff like sandpaper.

She looks up at me with tears staining her cheeks, and red, watery eyes. I don’t give her a chance to speak or to even act before I’m rushing to her, dropping to my knees and cradling her face in the palm of my hands.

“I’m so sorry, baby,” I whisper as my thumbs swipe across her cheeks, drying her tears. I hate to see her like this. I hate it’s because of me. I should have told her sooner. This is my fault, and I’ll do anything to make it up to her.

“I don’t know what’s happening, Cooper.”

“We’ll figure it out together,” I tell her.

“Will we?” She pushes my hands away and stands as she begins to pace the room. “I can’t believe you dropped all this on me the day before my wedding. Do you know how incredibly selfish that is? That you don’t want me, but you don’t want him to have me, so you make up this bullshit story about being in love with me? Who does that?”

“It’s not bullshit, Reese.” I stand, and again have to shove my hands in my pockets to keep from reaching for her.

“It is!” she screams. “Why now, Cooper? Huh? Why all of a sudden do you want me? You say you’re in love with me? What changed?”

“I changed.” I take one step closer to her and stop. “I changed because I learned what life was like without you in it. It fucking sucks, Reese. I hate it. I think about you every fucking second of every day, and it’s not because you’re my best friend. It’s because you’re my fucking soul.” My hands fly out of my pockets as I smack my chest. ‘Right fucking here.” I tap my heart. “That’s where you live, and frankly, I can’t live without you. I don’t want to. I’m miserable.”

“You’re miserable?” She scoffs. “I threw myself at you, and you turned me away. You didn’t want me. I was trying to move on. I was supposed to be married to a good man who would always want me, and now this?” She waves her hands around the room. “I’m here in my fucking wedding dress fighting with you.”

“I don’t want to fight with anyone else.” My voice is low, but her eyes soften just a little, as does her posture at my words. I take another step toward her. “I’m in love with you, Reese. Not because you’ve been my best friend since I was eight years old. Not because I don’t want anyone else to have you. Although that’s true. You’re mine. I love you because of the way my heart races at just hearing your name.” I take another step toward her. “I love your smile and your laugh. I love the way that no matter where you are in a room, I can feel you.” I take one final step that leaves me toe to toe with her. Placing my index finger under her chin, I tilt her head up so we’re eye to eye. “I love you for this.” Reaching out, I grab her hand and place it over my racing heart. “I love that you are in here. You live inside of me, Reese. I never want that to change. Ever. I want to spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you.”

“Coop,” she cries, as big fat tears run unchecked down her face.

“Don’t cry, baby. I’m right here.” I wrap my arms around her, pulling her to my chest. Sobs rack her body as she clings to me. I hate that she’s hurting and I’m the cause of that pain, but at the same time, I’m so fucking grateful she’s here in my arms, and I have the chance to love her like she deserves to be loved. “I love you, Reese,” I whisper, pressing my lips to the top of her head.