Dirty Little Promise (Forbidden Desires #2)

We said our good-byes to Bethany. When everyone had left the building, I locked up behind us and we made my way to Cooper’s car. Unlike Gavin, he hadn’t opted for a driver, but slid into the driver’s seat of a silver Porsche himself after opening the passenger door for me. I guessed my driver had the night off.

I clicked the door shut and buckled myself in as the car purred to life and classic rock hummed through the speakers. “Are you sure you want to pick up greasy food in a car this nice?”

He laughed. “Life is for living. I’m not going to worry about little stuff like that.”

We got carryout from my favorite burger place before making our way back to my brownstone. As we approached, Cooper checked the windows and front door for signs of a break-in, just as Gavin had done in the days prior. Once he was sure all was clear, I unlocked the door and let us both inside.

Without asking, Cooper unpacked the food in the kitchen. He grabbed bottles of water from the fridge, then found plates in the right cabinet on the first try.

“So,” he said, setting the plates down on the kitchen table, “I want you to do whatever you would do on a normal night. I’m just here to make sure you’re safe, not to be entertained.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not going to make you watch House Hunters.”

“Damn shame. Although, not much point anymore. They always pick house number three anyway,” he teased, then picked up his burger and unwrapped it.

I laughed, surprised again by his easy, laid-back demeanor. He seemed so . . . normal. Even if he realized he’d been mistaken about his feelings for me, surely I deserved some anger? But nope. Nada. Cooper just didn’t have it in him.

Then again, I should have known better than to think a Kingsley brother would do anything I expected him to do.

With a growing easiness between us, we tucked into our food, and I savored every greasy, comforting bite as ketchup oozed from beneath the bun and onto my fingers. Closing my eyes, I sucked the salt from a fry and ate it like it was the first thing I’d had after months at sea.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone who looks like they love food the way you do,” he said with a low laugh.

“I don’t think anyone loves food the way I do,” I replied with a grin before popping another fry into my mouth.

After we polished off our dinner, we moved to the living room, where I flipped the channels until we found an old classic on TV—Singin’ in the Rain. It was just at the beginning, and since Cooper hadn’t seen it before, I explained to him what he’d missed before grabbing a blanket and snuggling in for the rest. He stayed on his side of the couch and I stayed on mine, but it felt good. Easy.

I smiled to myself, making a mental note to tell Gavin this when he got home, and then glanced at Cooper again.

Maybe this brotherly thing could actually work after all. In spite of all our history, it could be something good for both of us.

The music over the ending credits drifted into the background as the movie segued into another, and my eyes grew heavy.

“Come on, princess. Slumber party’s over. Time for bed.”

I jolted upright. Bed. God, why hadn’t I thought this through? Where was Cooper going to sleep? My guest room held a treadmill instead of a spare bed. And his six-foot-four-inch frame was way too much for my dainty couch.

I stood, turning to face him. “I’m sorry. I can grab you some pillows and blankets, but I—”

He shook his head. “I’ll figure it out.”

As I readied myself for bed, I tried not to worry. Cooper took one last look around my home, making sure everything was secure before coming to stand in the hallway outside my bedroom.

This was more than a favor. Him sleeping on the floor was the antithesis to the way he should have been treated. But Cooper, being Cooper, wouldn’t hear any of it. He tucked me into bed, sitting on the edge of it and patting my back dutifully.

“Good night, princess. Sleep well.”

“Night, Coop,” I murmured, my eyes already falling closed.

• • •This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

The next thing I knew, sunlight was shining brightly in my eyes. I stretched, yawning long and deep. Cracking my eyelids open, I spotted Cooper sitting in the armchair in the corner of my room, his large bare feet resting on my floral-pattered ottoman.

His lips curled into a lazy smile as he woke, and he ran a hand through his tousled hair. “Morning,” he croaked.

“Good morning,” I replied, stunned that he’d slept in the chair all night.

I glanced around, looking for my phone and finding it on my nightstand. “Shit,” I murmured. “I’m so late. My driver is going to be here any minute.”

“I’ll drive you this morning,” he said, rising to his feet and stretching.

I shook my head. “You’re already late for work as it is. I don’t want to get you into any trouble with your brothers.”

Cooper nodded appreciatively. “You’re catching on to us.”

“Already caught on,” I shot back with a wink.

I hurried to the bathroom and took the world’s fastest shower, then brushed my teeth before slipping into a pair of black pants and a red cable-knit sweater. Quickly, I shoved my hair into a bun on top of my head and jogged down the steps to find Cooper waiting at the kitchen table with a cup of tea for me.

I snagged the cup and thanked him, taking a long sip and closing my eyes while the warmth poured through my body. “Thank heaven for a good cup of tea.”

He nodded.

“Want coffee?” I offered.

He shook his head. “I’ll get some at the office. Ready to go?”

I nodded, and together we made our way out the door and down the steps to the street.

“Thanks for, you know, looking after me,” I said before Cooper reached his car.

He offered me a warm smile. “Anytime, princess.”

I grinned, breathing a sigh of relief as I made my way around his car and slid into backseat of the sleek sedan. My driver mumbled a brief “good morning” before pulling away.

A short time later, we arrived at the library and the car rolled to a stop. I stepped out into the brisk morning air, realizing that I’d forgotten my jacket in my haste to get out the door this morning. I looked both ways, and when I was sure everything was clear, I closed the door behind me and began to cross the street to the library.

Bethany stood waiting for me just outside the entrance, and I waved to get her attention. She waved back and opened her mouth to speak, but I couldn’t make out what she was saying over the sudden roar of an engine revving.

Time seemed to slow as I watched Bethany turn from her spot on the curb, her eyes growing wide and frantic. She turned back to me in slow motion, pointing at something behind me.

“Emma!”

But her cry was too late. I turned just in time to see a red vehicle barreling at me, just yards away.

Air whooshed past me as I spun around and bent slightly to launch myself out of the way. Just as my foot left the ground, the metal frame of the car plowed into me, and my body rolled onto the hood of the car like a rag doll.

Tires squealed as the breath left my body, a white-hot pain shooting through my sides. I fell to the asphalt in a heap, the dim sounds of Bethany’s screams ringing in my ears. Footfalls rushed toward me, but I didn’t move to see where they were coming from. I couldn’t.

Because everything went dark.