Bliss (Entangled Hearts Duet 2)

“I remember that day.”

“Me too. Although, I admit now I see it differently. I see the way we looked at each other even back then, and I kick myself in the ass for not realizing what we were. I was too blind to see that you have always been more than my best friend, Reese. I’m sorry it took me so long.”

Staring down at the picture, I see it. All the times we’ve had together, and more importantly, that look. It’s the same one I’ve seen on him every day since he came busting into the room at the banquet hall, telling me he loves me.

This is us, and it’s real. It’s not something that’s just going to go away. Our love, it’s so much more than what I think either of us dreamed it could be. It’s a “deep-rooted in your chest, chains around your heart” kind of love.

Carefully, I place the picture back into the nightstand and close the drawer. Then, I turn to face him. It takes me one step to be toe to toe with him. It takes one second for my hands to rest against his cheeks. It takes one heartbeat for me to say, “I love you, Cooper Reeves.”

He leans down and presses his lips to mine. It starts out slow, his hands clasping behind my back, mine resting on his face, but then his hands begin to roam, and all bets are off. I take a step back, stepping out of his hold, grab the hem of my T-shirt, and pull it over my head. His brown eyes watch me intently as I go to the waistband of my capris and quickly remove them. I kick them off to the side.

“Jesus, Reese.” Cooper reaches for me, but I take another step back, my legs hitting the bed.

“You’re wearing too many clothes,” I say as I reach behind me and unclasp my bra, slowly sliding the straps over my shoulders and letting the silky garment fall to the floor.

“Cooper,” I say when he just stands there staring at me.

“This is real. Right? Please tell me I’m not dreaming.” His eyes rake over my body.

“This is real,” I assure him.

“Thank fuck,” he mutters before quickly shedding his clothes. His hands grip my waist as he picks me up and sets me on the bed. “Lie back, baby.”

I do as I’m told, anxious for his hands and his mouth and his cock, in any order. I’ve denied us both long enough. “Cooper,” I pant as he kisses my ankle, moving his lips to trail up to my inner thigh. He kisses me over my panties, but all too quickly, his lips are gone and are on my opposite thigh, trailing kisses down my leg.

“Lift for me,” he says once he’s done torturing me. I lift my hips, and he slides my panties down my legs, dropping them to our collective pile on the floor.

“I don’t have condoms here,” he says, his voice tight. “I didn’t think this would happen, or I would have been more prepared.”

“We didn’t use one last time. I’m still on the pill.”

“I didn’t want to assume.”

“You’re my boyfriend. We’re in a committed, loving relationship. If we’re both comfortable with it, we don’t have to use them.”

“Are you? Tell me what you want, Reese.”

“I want you inside me. Sooner rather than later.”

His eyes flare with heat. “Bare?” he asks, choking on the word.

“Only you,” I remind him.

“Only you,” he says in return.Chapter 17CooperI take a minute to just look at her. To stare at the beauty lying before me. I’ve wanted for this for what feels like an eternity, wanted us, and now that she’s here, and all mine, I don’t know where to start.

I want all of her. There are so many things I want to do to her, but there are two that I need before any of the others. First, I need to hear her tell me she loves me again. I’ve waited so long to hear those words, and I just… need her to say it again. Two, I need to taste her. Now. My mouth waters at the thought.

“Say it again,” I demand, my voice husky with my desire for her.

“Only you.”

“No, tell me,” I say, leaning in and placing a kiss just below her belly button. I peer up at her as she lifts up on her elbows to look me in the eye.

“I love you, Cooper.”

“Fuck, baby, you don’t know what hearing you say that does to me.” I slip my finger through her folds, and she moans. I lick my lips. She’s so wet. The anticipation is killing me. I lean in close, ready to fucking devour her, when her words stop me.

“Coop.”

I glance up to see her still sitting up on her elbows, her teeth biting at her bottom lip. “I don’t know if— I mean, I’ve never.” She nods toward where I’m on my knees between her legs, preparing to devour her.