"Coop!"
Bianca’s voice scraped through his insides, hollowing out his chest so that his heartbeat echoed with emotions he couldn’t bear to acknowledge. His anger refused to be denied, so he remained silent and continued tossing his belongings into his duffel.
He heard her tear across the living area of their suite, then stop in the doorway. She breathed his name with relief, but he refused to turn around.
"I thought you’d left," she said, panting.
A bitter retort pounded on his teeth, but he kept his mouth shut.
When she rushed forward and wrapped her hand around his arm, however, he couldn’t help but yank away.
She gasped. She was surprised? Really? How much did she think a guy could take before he said, "Enough," even nonverbally. Speaking could only make the situation worse. Brutally honest words—words that would rip and tear at the foundation of all they’d had together—wouldn’t do either of them any good.
As angry as he was, as humiliated and confused, Coop couldn’t bear to piss on the relationship he’d invested his heart and soul into for ten years. He loved Bianca. But he was going to have to learn to live without her.
"Coop," she begged. "Let me explain."
He spared her a glance. His chest squeezed tight at the sight of her red nose, tear–stained cheeks and her red–raw lips. Bianca rarely cried. Only death of a loved one or the desperate children they sometimes met on their travels ever evoked her tears. Like so many other things, her penchant for stoicism came in handy since he was such a self–proclaimed softie.
He squelched down the instinct to open his arms so she could rush into his embrace, where he could soothe away her sadness. He couldn’t fix this for her. He couldn’t fix it for himself. Their relationship was irrevocably broken. The best they could both do was walk away.
"There’s nothing to explain. You don’t want to get married."
"But I still want you," she said.
He scoffed. "That’s nice, but what if I don’t want you, anymore?"
"You have to," she said. She hesitated then attempted to press her hands to his shoulders.
Though it wretched his gut, he tore away from her touch. "Don’t."
"I can’t not touch you, Coop. I love you. This is killing me."
"You’re kidding, right? The woman I’ve worshipped for ten years, the woman I’ve followed around the world to the depths of the ocean or the heights of mountains, just refused to marry me and you’re the one who’s dying?"
She yowled in frustration. "You have to listen to me! You have to understand!"
Coop threw down the pair of jeans he was about to shove into his bag and swung around to face her.
"Okay. Explain it, then. I’d love to hear how you’ve rationalized not marrying me. And think hard before you answer, because if you can’t make me understand, we’re through."
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Surprise Wedding - Chapter 7
Coop’s hand hovered over the door handle to the hotel room. For the past month and a half, this had been their home. They’d played house all over the world. How stupid was he that he only realized now how little that game meant to her?
The sheer terror in her eyes when he’d opened her car door in front of the chapel punched him in the gut. For the first time he could remember, she’d refused to take his hand. How could he be so confused by a woman he’d always thought he’d known so well?
Turning, he walked away from the door and leaned his forehead against a cool glass mirror hanging on the wall, careful not to look at himself. Humiliation was never fun to see.
He’d actually believed Bianca when she’d said yes to his proposal. Why wouldn’t he? They’d been constant companions since college, sharing everything from their intense love of travel and sports to tastes in music and food. And when their preferences did diverge, they usually did so in complimentary ways. He didn’t like pickles on his hamburgers, but she liked extra ones. She abhorred dark meat on chicken or turkey and he couldn’t get enough of the stuff. In a thousand little, insignificant ways, they were two pieces of the same whole.
Why then, was she so reluctant to officially join her life with his?
She hated the idea of divorce. So did he. The strong desire to make sure they were compatible in every conceivable way before they officially exchanged vows had been the reason they’d had such a long engagement. They lived together long enough to experience both good times and bad. Heck, after ten years, they’d even confronted the possibility that they’d tire of each other eventually.
Which they had not.
After five years, Coop had known that if they hadn’t broken up by then, they weren’t going to. From that point on, he’d figured that with the right timing and circumstance, they’d seal the promise they’d made to each other in the Hawaiian treetops. He’d waited for his bride to take charge of wedding preparations, but he had made sure they renewed their marriage license every time they went home.
And yet, something inevitably came up to waylay a ceremony.
Between his family, her family and their extensive network of friends, the opinions on precisely how he and Bianca should tie the knot had ranged from the romantic to the ridiculous. Then he’d get a new assignment or she’d take a job halfway around the world and instead of dealing with dress designs, cake flavors or honeymoon destination brochures, they’d jet off to their new temporary home—never once considering their relationship anything less than permanent.
But he’d been wrong. Because while he saw his future inexorably intertwined with Bianca’s, her visions were nowhere near as clear.
If Bianca wanted him in her future, she would have married him. Today. On the mountain.
But she hadn’t.
Which meant he no longer had any reason to stick around.
The sheer terror in her eyes when he’d opened her car door in front of the chapel punched him in the gut. For the first time he could remember, she’d refused to take his hand. How could he be so confused by a woman he’d always thought he’d known so well?
Turning, he walked away from the door and leaned his forehead against a cool glass mirror hanging on the wall, careful not to look at himself. Humiliation was never fun to see.
He’d actually believed Bianca when she’d said yes to his proposal. Why wouldn’t he? They’d been constant companions since college, sharing everything from their intense love of travel and sports to tastes in music and food. And when their preferences did diverge, they usually did so in complimentary ways. He didn’t like pickles on his hamburgers, but she liked extra ones. She abhorred dark meat on chicken or turkey and he couldn’t get enough of the stuff. In a thousand little, insignificant ways, they were two pieces of the same whole.
Why then, was she so reluctant to officially join her life with his?
She hated the idea of divorce. So did he. The strong desire to make sure they were compatible in every conceivable way before they officially exchanged vows had been the reason they’d had such a long engagement. They lived together long enough to experience both good times and bad. Heck, after ten years, they’d even confronted the possibility that they’d tire of each other eventually.
Which they had not.
After five years, Coop had known that if they hadn’t broken up by then, they weren’t going to. From that point on, he’d figured that with the right timing and circumstance, they’d seal the promise they’d made to each other in the Hawaiian treetops. He’d waited for his bride to take charge of wedding preparations, but he had made sure they renewed their marriage license every time they went home.
And yet, something inevitably came up to waylay a ceremony.
Between his family, her family and their extensive network of friends, the opinions on precisely how he and Bianca should tie the knot had ranged from the romantic to the ridiculous. Then he’d get a new assignment or she’d take a job halfway around the world and instead of dealing with dress designs, cake flavors or honeymoon destination brochures, they’d jet off to their new temporary home—never once considering their relationship anything less than permanent.
But he’d been wrong. Because while he saw his future inexorably intertwined with Bianca’s, her visions were nowhere near as clear.
If Bianca wanted him in her future, she would have married him. Today. On the mountain.
But she hadn’t.
Which meant he no longer had any reason to stick around.
Surprise Wedding - Chapter 6
In nearly every aspect of life, she and Coop saw the world through nearly identical filters. They’d always wanted the same things out of life. Love. Adventure. Excitement. Thrills.
Until now. He wanted marriage. And despite how desperately Bianca needed him—perhaps, precisely because of her soul–deep love—she did not want to ruin what they had by getting married. Settling down.
And yet, what was she doing to their relationship by refusing to be his wife?
She could no longer see him on the curving mountain road. As he was going downhill, she figured she was better off using the car to catch him. Just having him out of her sight, left her feeling as if she was the last person remaining on a barren, desolate earth.
Coop never left. Not during their most heated arguments. Not when she was being utterly and completely irrational. He reasoned and cajoled and sometimes—though rarely—outshouted her until his point was driven home. But turning his back on her and walking away?
Never.
She jumped into the driver’s seat and eased the vehicle onto the unpaved road, wondering how long it had been since she’d sat behind the wheel of a car. Coop always drove. She always navigated. He had quicker reflexes and she seemed to have a GPS coded into her DNA. Together, they could find any location without more than a few garbled directions or a landmark.
Together, they made the perfect team.
So why was he so intent on changing perfection?
She slowed down as she approached the curve, sure she’d see Coop just on the other side. But he wasn’t there. She rounded the next curve and again—no Coop. With no one else braving the treacherous route, she stopped and got out of the car.
"Cooper Rush!"
Birds flocked out of a nearby tree. In the distance, she could hear a waterfall. They weren’t exactly in the middle of nowhere—she could see San José from the ridge—but she heard nothing that indicated where he’d gone.
Was he hiding?
Ridiculous. Coop might have been too angry to share a ride with her back to the city, but he wasn’t the type to skulk or hide to avoid confrontation. He probably picked up a ride with someone going down the mountain. He was likely on his way back to their hotel now, stewing over her refusal to make good on her promise to marry him—maybe even hating her for the first time since they’d met.
Behind her a dilapidated truck honked, forcing Bianca back into the vehicle. She had no choice but to return to their hotel and pray that when she arrived, Coop would be there waiting for her—though for the life of her, she couldn’t imagine why he would be.
Until now. He wanted marriage. And despite how desperately Bianca needed him—perhaps, precisely because of her soul–deep love—she did not want to ruin what they had by getting married. Settling down.
And yet, what was she doing to their relationship by refusing to be his wife?
She could no longer see him on the curving mountain road. As he was going downhill, she figured she was better off using the car to catch him. Just having him out of her sight, left her feeling as if she was the last person remaining on a barren, desolate earth.
Coop never left. Not during their most heated arguments. Not when she was being utterly and completely irrational. He reasoned and cajoled and sometimes—though rarely—outshouted her until his point was driven home. But turning his back on her and walking away?
Never.
She jumped into the driver’s seat and eased the vehicle onto the unpaved road, wondering how long it had been since she’d sat behind the wheel of a car. Coop always drove. She always navigated. He had quicker reflexes and she seemed to have a GPS coded into her DNA. Together, they could find any location without more than a few garbled directions or a landmark.
Together, they made the perfect team.
So why was he so intent on changing perfection?
She slowed down as she approached the curve, sure she’d see Coop just on the other side. But he wasn’t there. She rounded the next curve and again—no Coop. With no one else braving the treacherous route, she stopped and got out of the car.
"Cooper Rush!"
Birds flocked out of a nearby tree. In the distance, she could hear a waterfall. They weren’t exactly in the middle of nowhere—she could see San José from the ridge—but she heard nothing that indicated where he’d gone.
Was he hiding?
Ridiculous. Coop might have been too angry to share a ride with her back to the city, but he wasn’t the type to skulk or hide to avoid confrontation. He probably picked up a ride with someone going down the mountain. He was likely on his way back to their hotel now, stewing over her refusal to make good on her promise to marry him—maybe even hating her for the first time since they’d met.
Behind her a dilapidated truck honked, forcing Bianca back into the vehicle. She had no choice but to return to their hotel and pray that when she arrived, Coop would be there waiting for her—though for the life of her, she couldn’t imagine why he would be.
Surprise Wedding - Chapter 5
She couldn’t speak. He took her hand and gave a little tug, his roguish grin faltering when she resisted.
"Bianca?"
"I—"
Her continued hesitation wiped the smile from his face. Before disappointment clouded his twinkling dark–green eyes, she’d caught sight of his pure, unbridled excitement. He was jumping into this marriage with the same enthusiasm as he did a base dive off steep cliffs. Coop craved adrenaline, but he existed on faith. Faith in life. Faith in her.
Her foundation, however, had rocked to the core. Fear of crashing to a bottomless pit of loneliness or disappointment paralyzed her so that she could not even manage to take his hand.
"I made the arrangements this morning," he explained. "I wanted to surprise you."
"Oh," she said, gulping air. "I’m surprised."
When he leaned forward, his magnificent arms braced on either side of the door frame and his face inches from hers, her heart seized.
"Bianca, do you love me?"
"Oh, God, Coop. This has nothing to do with love."
"You’re not answering my question."
"Yes, I love you." Each word cost her. Her lungs squeezed inside her chest and sweat beaded on the back of her neck. "I’ve never loved anyone else. I plan to spend the rest of my life with you."
"Just not as my wife," he guessed, anger simmering through his words.
She opened her mouth to speak, but couldn’t find anything worthy to say. Coop cursed and threw himself away from her. The action was so foreign, so shocking, that he was fifty yards down the unpaved mountain road before she fully realized he’d left her behind.
"Coop!" She tumbled out of the car, barely maintaining her balance. She glanced back inside the Jeep. He’d left the keys inside the ignition. Should she drive after him? Pursue on foot?
She was dizzy, nearly blind with his abandonment. She couldn’t remember the last time they’d been apart for more than a few hours, and in the few moments since he’d left her, a lifetime elapsed. He’d never walked away from her before. Never. They’d had a few impressive rows over the course of their relationship, but each one had been followed by incredibly hot make–up sex.
As Coop became smaller as the distance between them increased, Bianca couldn’t remember what a single argument had ever been about.
"Coop, wait!" she cried, tearing around to the other side of the car to retrieve the keys. A woman had come out of the church, her head covered with a shawl and her eyes wide with surprise. She called Bianca’s name, but more as a question—as if she wanted to know if the woman screaming for the man who’d nearly disappeared around a curve in the road was the bride she’d been expecting—the bride who’d had no real intention of ever getting married.
Not even to the man she would certainly lose if she did not find a way to walk down the aisle.
"Bianca?"
"I—"
Her continued hesitation wiped the smile from his face. Before disappointment clouded his twinkling dark–green eyes, she’d caught sight of his pure, unbridled excitement. He was jumping into this marriage with the same enthusiasm as he did a base dive off steep cliffs. Coop craved adrenaline, but he existed on faith. Faith in life. Faith in her.
Her foundation, however, had rocked to the core. Fear of crashing to a bottomless pit of loneliness or disappointment paralyzed her so that she could not even manage to take his hand.
"I made the arrangements this morning," he explained. "I wanted to surprise you."
"Oh," she said, gulping air. "I’m surprised."
When he leaned forward, his magnificent arms braced on either side of the door frame and his face inches from hers, her heart seized.
"Bianca, do you love me?"
"Oh, God, Coop. This has nothing to do with love."
"You’re not answering my question."
"Yes, I love you." Each word cost her. Her lungs squeezed inside her chest and sweat beaded on the back of her neck. "I’ve never loved anyone else. I plan to spend the rest of my life with you."
"Just not as my wife," he guessed, anger simmering through his words.
She opened her mouth to speak, but couldn’t find anything worthy to say. Coop cursed and threw himself away from her. The action was so foreign, so shocking, that he was fifty yards down the unpaved mountain road before she fully realized he’d left her behind.
"Coop!" She tumbled out of the car, barely maintaining her balance. She glanced back inside the Jeep. He’d left the keys inside the ignition. Should she drive after him? Pursue on foot?
She was dizzy, nearly blind with his abandonment. She couldn’t remember the last time they’d been apart for more than a few hours, and in the few moments since he’d left her, a lifetime elapsed. He’d never walked away from her before. Never. They’d had a few impressive rows over the course of their relationship, but each one had been followed by incredibly hot make–up sex.
As Coop became smaller as the distance between them increased, Bianca couldn’t remember what a single argument had ever been about.
"Coop, wait!" she cried, tearing around to the other side of the car to retrieve the keys. A woman had come out of the church, her head covered with a shawl and her eyes wide with surprise. She called Bianca’s name, but more as a question—as if she wanted to know if the woman screaming for the man who’d nearly disappeared around a curve in the road was the bride she’d been expecting—the bride who’d had no real intention of ever getting married.
Not even to the man she would certainly lose if she did not find a way to walk down the aisle.
Surprise Wedding - Chapter 4
But not as much later as Bianca thought.
After making love in the cove, they drove back to their hotel in San José, hardly talking. Did Coop’s disinclination to speak stem from his suspicion that any discussion would lead to the subject of marriage and more excuses about why they shouldn’t?
Or was that only her fear?
She’d agreed to a wedding, but only so he’d make love to her. A glance, a touch, a laugh—the littlest thing made her hot for him. She had the same sway over him. Their mutual attraction was powerful stuff—and she didn’t want to lose it.
She’d seen lots of successful marriages in her lifetime. Her grandparents, married for sixty years. Her parents were closing in on anniversary thirty–five. Even Coop’s parents, who had dated since middle school, were inseparable. And yet, when she looked closely, she didn’t see sparks. She saw love, yes. But lust? Not so much.
Women’s magazines, late–night comedians, girly tête–à–têtes all claimed that marriage killed the sex drive.
That wasn’t acceptable.
Every single day Coop made her feel beautiful, cherished and wanted. His appreciation for her intellect, her love of fun and adventure and yes, her body, had not wavered since that first moment they’d met at a fraternity–sponsored road rally. She was all for jumping out of airplanes and surfing mammoth waves, but when it came to risking the bedrock of her relationship with Coop by shifting the foundation, she wasn’t ready to take the plunge.
Annie, Coop’s sister, was the perfect example. Before she got married, she jetted around the world as a sought–after photographer. She regaled Bianca with tales of wild adventures and exciting affairs. After one such trip, she’d talked about a devilishly handsome, sweet–talking corporate shark who’d swept her off her feet.
Too bad she landed with a thud the minute she’d married him.
Annie’s post–marital transformation had reinforced Bianca’s fear that marriage might not be the right path. Annie stopped traveling, taking pictures and seeking thrills. She’d settled into a life of dirty diapers, car pools and Little League. Not that Bianca had anything against Coop’s nephews—she loved kids. But she didn’t necessarily want to give up her free–for–all lifestyle to have them.
Coop never pressed the subject, but he floated the idea now and again—always after prefacing his hopes and dreams with, "After we’re married."
So to avoid conflict, she’d simply avoided matrimony.
Up until now, the diversion had worked. She’d anticipated that she could pull off at least another five years of avoidance. And by then, she’d figure out how to reconcile her fears that they’d lose their mutual attraction when bound by marriage.
At least, that’s what she’d thought until Coop pulled up in front of a quaint mountain chapel, hopped out of the Jeep and opened her door with a bow.
"Your castle, my queen."
"Coop?"
"We’re going to get married. Today. Right now. You always want to live in the moment, Bianca. Well, now’s your chance."
After making love in the cove, they drove back to their hotel in San José, hardly talking. Did Coop’s disinclination to speak stem from his suspicion that any discussion would lead to the subject of marriage and more excuses about why they shouldn’t?
Or was that only her fear?
She’d agreed to a wedding, but only so he’d make love to her. A glance, a touch, a laugh—the littlest thing made her hot for him. She had the same sway over him. Their mutual attraction was powerful stuff—and she didn’t want to lose it.
She’d seen lots of successful marriages in her lifetime. Her grandparents, married for sixty years. Her parents were closing in on anniversary thirty–five. Even Coop’s parents, who had dated since middle school, were inseparable. And yet, when she looked closely, she didn’t see sparks. She saw love, yes. But lust? Not so much.
Women’s magazines, late–night comedians, girly tête–à–têtes all claimed that marriage killed the sex drive.
That wasn’t acceptable.
Every single day Coop made her feel beautiful, cherished and wanted. His appreciation for her intellect, her love of fun and adventure and yes, her body, had not wavered since that first moment they’d met at a fraternity–sponsored road rally. She was all for jumping out of airplanes and surfing mammoth waves, but when it came to risking the bedrock of her relationship with Coop by shifting the foundation, she wasn’t ready to take the plunge.
Annie, Coop’s sister, was the perfect example. Before she got married, she jetted around the world as a sought–after photographer. She regaled Bianca with tales of wild adventures and exciting affairs. After one such trip, she’d talked about a devilishly handsome, sweet–talking corporate shark who’d swept her off her feet.
Too bad she landed with a thud the minute she’d married him.
Annie’s post–marital transformation had reinforced Bianca’s fear that marriage might not be the right path. Annie stopped traveling, taking pictures and seeking thrills. She’d settled into a life of dirty diapers, car pools and Little League. Not that Bianca had anything against Coop’s nephews—she loved kids. But she didn’t necessarily want to give up her free–for–all lifestyle to have them.
Coop never pressed the subject, but he floated the idea now and again—always after prefacing his hopes and dreams with, "After we’re married."
So to avoid conflict, she’d simply avoided matrimony.
Up until now, the diversion had worked. She’d anticipated that she could pull off at least another five years of avoidance. And by then, she’d figure out how to reconcile her fears that they’d lose their mutual attraction when bound by marriage.
At least, that’s what she’d thought until Coop pulled up in front of a quaint mountain chapel, hopped out of the Jeep and opened her door with a bow.
"Your castle, my queen."
"Coop?"
"We’re going to get married. Today. Right now. You always want to live in the moment, Bianca. Well, now’s your chance."
Surprise Wedding - Chapter 3
Desperate to escape this conversation, Bianca threw herself backwards into the water, enjoying the momentary disorientation of falling beneath the surface. In the cool, churning waters, she didn’t have to remember how long her mother had dreamed of Bianca wearing her vintage couture dress, or how her father waxed poetic about walking her down the long aisle at their family’s church.
Then there was Coop’s family. In light of his sister Annie’s divorce, the Rush’s had lately taken to speaking about little else but the grand party they wanted to throw for Coop’s trip to the altar. They were sure, since Coop and Bianca had been inseparable for ten years, that their marriage would last a lifetime—as marriages were intended.
She couldn’t argue. She had every intention of growing old with Coop. But why did she have to do so as his wife? Why couldn’t she just be his lover, his helpmate, his best friend? Why couldn’t things stay exactly as they were?
As far as she was concerned, the rope that bound her to Coop had been twisted into an irreversible figure–eight since the moment they’d met. What did it matter if they had a legal document to seal the deal?
She supposed a ceremony might be nice.
Great clothes. Fabulous party. A honeymoon trip to top all their adventures.
But then, in the end, they’d be married. Their perfect relationship would face an irrevocable and inexorable change. Why mess with perfection?
Emerging from under the water, Bianca waylaid further discussion with a long, luxuriant kiss. Inch by inch, she maneuvered him closer to the hidden cove they’d discovered a few days ago, where none of the tourists would follow. Between the dappled sunlight, the churning water, the wild jungle and their insatiable passion, a quickie remind would show him how little a wedding would impact their lives.
"You’re trying to distract me," Coop said, his mouth descending to her neck even as his magic fingers untied the back of her bikini.
"Guilty," she confessed, hissing with pleasure as he circled her nipples with his thumbs, sparking a need that made the water unequal to the wetness within her. She wanted him. And for over a decade, he always wanted her. None of the married people she knew were still hot for their partners as rapaciously as she was for Coop. Every nerve ending in her body craved him. How could she give that up simply to satisfy someone else’s idea of commitment?
"I still want to marry you," he said.
"I know," she murmured, concentrating on the feel of his mouth on her earlobe, down the tendons of her neck, across her collarbone.
"Then let’s do it today," he demanded.
She tugged at his swim shorts until she had access to the part of him she wanted more needfully than any piece of paper that declared them wed.
"Yeah," she said. "Let’s do it."
He’d misinterpret her meaning, but she’d deal with that later. Much, much later.
Then there was Coop’s family. In light of his sister Annie’s divorce, the Rush’s had lately taken to speaking about little else but the grand party they wanted to throw for Coop’s trip to the altar. They were sure, since Coop and Bianca had been inseparable for ten years, that their marriage would last a lifetime—as marriages were intended.
She couldn’t argue. She had every intention of growing old with Coop. But why did she have to do so as his wife? Why couldn’t she just be his lover, his helpmate, his best friend? Why couldn’t things stay exactly as they were?
As far as she was concerned, the rope that bound her to Coop had been twisted into an irreversible figure–eight since the moment they’d met. What did it matter if they had a legal document to seal the deal?
She supposed a ceremony might be nice.
Great clothes. Fabulous party. A honeymoon trip to top all their adventures.
But then, in the end, they’d be married. Their perfect relationship would face an irrevocable and inexorable change. Why mess with perfection?
Emerging from under the water, Bianca waylaid further discussion with a long, luxuriant kiss. Inch by inch, she maneuvered him closer to the hidden cove they’d discovered a few days ago, where none of the tourists would follow. Between the dappled sunlight, the churning water, the wild jungle and their insatiable passion, a quickie remind would show him how little a wedding would impact their lives.
"You’re trying to distract me," Coop said, his mouth descending to her neck even as his magic fingers untied the back of her bikini.
"Guilty," she confessed, hissing with pleasure as he circled her nipples with his thumbs, sparking a need that made the water unequal to the wetness within her. She wanted him. And for over a decade, he always wanted her. None of the married people she knew were still hot for their partners as rapaciously as she was for Coop. Every nerve ending in her body craved him. How could she give that up simply to satisfy someone else’s idea of commitment?
"I still want to marry you," he said.
"I know," she murmured, concentrating on the feel of his mouth on her earlobe, down the tendons of her neck, across her collarbone.
"Then let’s do it today," he demanded.
She tugged at his swim shorts until she had access to the part of him she wanted more needfully than any piece of paper that declared them wed.
"Yeah," she said. "Let’s do it."
He’d misinterpret her meaning, but she’d deal with that later. Much, much later.
Surprise Wedding - Chapter 2
Coop twirled Bianca to face him, his hands hugging the muscled curves of her arms. If she refused to make this ultimate step in their relationship, could he let her go? He’d asked her to become his wife—the first time—over a decade ago. Though she wore his ring, called herself his fiancée, showed him that she loved him in a thousand different ways, they’d yet to say, "I do." He had no idea why this chafed at him so much lately, but it did.
Maybe he was just getting older. Maybe he wanted to settle down, have a family, and put down roots. He hadn’t given the matter as much thought as it deserved, which was probably how he’d ended up in this fix in the first place. Up until very recently, he’d focused only on ensuring that once he had sorted through his contradictory desire between traveling the world and finding a place to call home, he’d have Bianca at his side. Each time they’d gone to visit their families in their hometown, they’d renewed their marriage license. And yet, he’d never once forced the issue of actually going through with the wedding.
Until now.
"Okay? Okay?" he asked. "That’s the answer I get to a heartfelt marriage proposal delivered in one of the most beautiful places on earth?"
Bianca pressed against the curve of his erection, hidden by the water from everyone but her. "Actually, when you say, ’Marry me,’ it sounds more like an order than a question."
She’d been spending way too much time with her attorney client if she was going to nitpick or look for loopholes. But this time, her attempt to divert his attention would not work.
"So the question has been asked and answered, counselor," Coop said wryly. "And yet, I continue to ask."
"And I continue to say yes!" she said, lifting her hand so that her diamond engagement ring twinkled in his peripheral vision.
"Actually—" he said, tilting his head so he could nibble on her chin "—the first time I asked, you said something like, ’Of course, now grab that zip line and let’s go!’"
She laughed as she returned his kisses. Her free–spirited, unbridled explosion of happiness infected him, instantly filling the void that seemed so wide and so deep every time he caught a glimpse of the engagement ring on her finger. Sometimes, the damned thing glittered like the sharp edges of a broken promise. Other times, it reminded him that though he’d asked her to marry him, he hadn’t exactly pushed for a short engagement.
He blamed himself. He’d started the whole thing off wrong in proposing just before they flew over the treetops in Maui. Maybe if he’d asked the first time when they were on solid ground, they would be married by now.
"Let’s get married here," he suggested.
She sighed with exasperation. They had, after all, had this conversation before.
"Coop, our parents would kill us if we eloped."
"I’m willing to take that risk…are you?"
Maybe he was just getting older. Maybe he wanted to settle down, have a family, and put down roots. He hadn’t given the matter as much thought as it deserved, which was probably how he’d ended up in this fix in the first place. Up until very recently, he’d focused only on ensuring that once he had sorted through his contradictory desire between traveling the world and finding a place to call home, he’d have Bianca at his side. Each time they’d gone to visit their families in their hometown, they’d renewed their marriage license. And yet, he’d never once forced the issue of actually going through with the wedding.
Until now.
"Okay? Okay?" he asked. "That’s the answer I get to a heartfelt marriage proposal delivered in one of the most beautiful places on earth?"
Bianca pressed against the curve of his erection, hidden by the water from everyone but her. "Actually, when you say, ’Marry me,’ it sounds more like an order than a question."
She’d been spending way too much time with her attorney client if she was going to nitpick or look for loopholes. But this time, her attempt to divert his attention would not work.
"So the question has been asked and answered, counselor," Coop said wryly. "And yet, I continue to ask."
"And I continue to say yes!" she said, lifting her hand so that her diamond engagement ring twinkled in his peripheral vision.
"Actually—" he said, tilting his head so he could nibble on her chin "—the first time I asked, you said something like, ’Of course, now grab that zip line and let’s go!’"
She laughed as she returned his kisses. Her free–spirited, unbridled explosion of happiness infected him, instantly filling the void that seemed so wide and so deep every time he caught a glimpse of the engagement ring on her finger. Sometimes, the damned thing glittered like the sharp edges of a broken promise. Other times, it reminded him that though he’d asked her to marry him, he hadn’t exactly pushed for a short engagement.
He blamed himself. He’d started the whole thing off wrong in proposing just before they flew over the treetops in Maui. Maybe if he’d asked the first time when they were on solid ground, they would be married by now.
"Let’s get married here," he suggested.
She sighed with exasperation. They had, after all, had this conversation before.
"Coop, our parents would kill us if we eloped."
"I’m willing to take that risk…are you?"
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