Temporarily Yours (Shillings Agency 1)

“But I want to stay. You’re not listening.”

“No, you’re not listening. I realized something today, watching Susan and Max. Watching my mom and dad, even. I do want a future with someone, a good one. And for a little while, I wanted that someone to be you. But I’m not going to compete with something that happened in the past. I’m sorry about Josh, about what his fiancée is going through. I’m sorry that you feel responsible for it. But I’m right here, right now. And I think I’ve got a pretty damn good grasp of the things I can and can’t handle.”

He blanched. “Kayla, I’m sorry.”

“I don’t need your apologies.” She lifted her chin. “And I’m not finished yet. I can handle someone not being here. I can handle the man I love being in danger. But what I can’t handle is the fear that he’s just going to run off whenever he decides it’s best for me, regardless of my input. I want a partnership where I have a voice that’s heard, even if the man in my life is halfway across the globe in a war zone when he hears it. So…there. Good luck with your job. I have to go back in now.”

“I don’t want your good wishes, damn it.” He cupped her face, his grip firm yet gentle. His gaze clashed with hers. “I want you to believe me. I want you to let me be yours. And I want you to be mine. I just panicked for a second, and I pushed you away. I’m begging you not to do the same thing to me. Don’t push me away.”

“Kayla, is everything okay?” Uncle Frankie asked, his voice hesitant.

They both turned to him at the same time and shouted, “Yes!”

He stumbled back, blinking rapidly. “Okay, then.”

And then they were alone again. Kayla covered her face and took a shaky breath. She couldn’t do this. Couldn’t do any of this. She wanted so badly to believe him, the same way she’d believed him when he promised he’d stand by her through the wedding. And then he’d bailed.

And now he was back.

And he was still holding her.

“Let me stay, Kayla. Give me another chance. Please.”

She was tempted. So damn tempted. But could she trust him?

“I’m sorry, Cooper, but I need a man that will face his fears…not run from them. I can’t do this. I can’t be yours.”

And then she left.

Chapter Twenty

Cooper watched her go, feeling more frustrated than ever before. He needed to find a way to get her to listen to him without interruption. If he could only get the words out without someone running to her side, breaking up their conversation, she might listen. Maybe then she would realize he didn’t want or need the stupid job overseas anymore.

He knew that now, even if she didn’t.

As he scanned the crowd, searching for her blue dress amidst the partygoers, desperation clawed its way over his chest, choking him. This was his last chance to prove he wanted to be with her and not in the fucking desert, and he couldn’t mess it up.

Not this time.

When he finally spotted her, she was already halfway across the room. He would never make it to her side before she disappeared in the crowd, even if he shoved little kids out of his way to get there. “Kayla!” he whispered brokenly.

“You’ll never catch up to her,” Susan said, grabbing his elbow and dragging him in the opposite direction of Kayla. “Sorry, I was listening. What you said was great, but you need more power of persuasion—and you need it fast. Get on the stage and take the mic.”

Cooper’s heart stopped. And his stomach roiled. “I…I c-can’t.”

“Sure you can. I don’t mind.” She shoved him toward the stairs. “Go get her.”

“I…I…” He racked his brain for another option—any other option—or for another way to get her attention before he lost her again. “Shit. I can just chase her down.”

“No. It has to be a grand gesture if you want her to swoon.” Susan shoved him again. Christ, the girl was stronger than she looked. “Haven’t you ever watched a romantic drama? There has to be a grand gesture.”

Grand gesture his ass.

He hadn’t realized he’d muttered the words. Undaunted, the determined bride said, “Look, ditching my sister the night before my wedding was a shitty thing to do. So, yeah, you’re going to have to cou

nter with something just as big—except this time in a good way—if you want to win her over. A grand freaking gesture.”

She had a point.