Chapter 9
Chapter nine
Cooper
Dakota’s fingernails dig into my skin as she stares at me with wide blue eyes. I give her hand a slight squeeze, and she blinks, her head tilting back to Kyra in confusion.
“Right.” She seamlessly lets the mask fall firmly into place. “Married.”
“Married?” Kyra gasps, her cheeks turning red.
“Yep.” I bring Dakota’s hand up to my lips and brush a kiss over her knuckles which has a gargled sound slipping past her lips.
“When?” Kyra blanches. “I haven’t heard a single word about this.”
“Don’t think it’s a secret. And to answer your question, this Saturday.”
“You always said y’all were just friends.” Kyra’s tone rubs me the wrong way.
Just like her earlier comment about Dakota’s last name.
“We were friends first.” I drop our linked hands to rest on Dakota’s toned thigh. “In my opinion, the best relationships are built on friendship. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Kyra shifts in her chair. “I mean…yes. I just thought with your family…”
“My family has welcomed her with open arms, because she’s one of the best people I’ve ever known. If you would have ever taken the time to see past the judgmental bullshit that this town spews, then you would know that.”
My chest burns as I push to stand. “Thanks for the advice. But I would prefer to meet with your father next time.”
Dakota stands abruptly, her lips still pressing in a firm line.
“A congrats would be nice,” I toss out.
“Congrats,” Kyra says with a scowl on her face.
“Thanks.” I grin, then reach out to wrap my arm around Dakota’s waist. “See you around, Kyra.”
The truck door slams and I place one hand on the wheel, then drape the other over the back of Dakota’s seat. I know what’s coming.
“What in the actual fuck was that?”
There it is.
Dakota turns to face me, her dark hair framing her face. It never seizes to shock me at how beautiful she is. Naturally. She wore little makeup, and usually let her hair cascade down her back, long and wavy.
“Strategy,” I respond bluntly.
She leans her head back on the headrest in frustration. “You do realize she’s probably already on the phone telling everyone she knows that we’re getting married?”
I lift a shoulder. “Let her.”
“Cooper!” She shrieks. “Why the hell would you do that?”
“Think about it, Birdie.” I reach out and take her hand.
“You want custody. As much as it riles me the fuck up, people can be cruel, and the sins of your family have somehow been attached to you. I would do anything to erase that. To help you break free and to make sure you and Ari end up together.”
Her eyes soften, and she squeezes my hand.
“I want to give you my name. You and Ari can live with me. Hell, I’m barely home. You would show you have a comfortable living arrangement. A stable income. Yours and mine. A family. A support system.”
“And pity.” She releases my hand. “I don’t want your pity, Cooper. You of all people should know that.”
“It’s not pity.” I grit my teeth. “You and I both know the chances of you gaining custody with a two person household is better than you being single.”
She huffs, her hands flying up. “I know that, Cooper! But marriage is a big deal. A commitment.”
“I’m fully aware of what marriage is.” I adjust my position in my seat, the thought of what making Dakota my wife would actually intel.
Her having my name.
Her sleeping in my bed.
Her legs wrapped around my waist, as I slide….
Shit.
“Cooper.” She nudges my arm.
“Sorry.” I clear my throat.
“What about your family?”
“My family loves you,” I point out.
“As you and your sister’s friend. Not as a possible candidate for the mother of their future grandchildren.”
I reach up and playfully tug a piece of her hair. “You already thinking about making pretty babies with me, Kota?”
She rolls her eyes. “Like you could handle me, cowboy.”
I let a smirk trail over my lips. “Try me, sweetheart.”
She narrows her eyes. “Can we please focus on the disaster at hand? The impromptu marriage that will be spreading all over town in the next ten minutes. Obviously, it’s a little farfetched you’d choose me.”
My jaw clenches at the offhand comment.
I’d always choose her.
“I don’t know why you are freaking out,” I say casually.
“Because you want us to galivant around being fake married in front of the entire town.” Her head leans into her palm as she props her elbow up on the ledge of the window.
Nothing about marrying Dakota Sterling would be fake. She just didn’t need to know that. Yet.
“What if they find out it’s a lie?” She continues. “That we just staged this make believe family.” She tosses her hands up. “What if they arrest me?”
“For what?” I chuckle.
“I don’t know! Lying to a judge. Falsifying a marriage certificate. There has to be some kind of criminal consequences.”
“The marriage would not be falsified. Not on paper. Not legally.”
“It would have to look real. Like a real family.” She runs a hand through her hair. “People would have to believe you would love me.”
“Hey.” I reach over and grip her chin between my fingers. “Any man would be lucky as hell to call you his wife. Understand me?”
“Sure,” she mutters. I drop her chin as she continues.
“We would have to give the illusion of a loving couple. Like a united front at parent teacher conferences and have things like health insurance, and a minivan.” Her eyes widen.
“I don’t even have health insurance, and I can’t pull a trailer with a minivan. ”
“Would you quit panicking?” My palm slides over to grip the nape of her neck. “Remember what I promised you?”
She sighs, her eyes fluttering closed as I knead her soft skin. “You know what this is?” I ask.
She opens her eyes. “What?”
“Me keeping my word.” I squeeze. “Let me.”
She stares at me, my heart thudding as I wait for her answer. I’m not sure why I’m nervous. It’s not like she’s marrying me for real. But honestly, I’ll take Dakota Sterling any way I can have her.
“Ok,” she finally whispers.
Thank God.
I dip my chin. “Ok.”
She nods. “I guess we’re getting married.”
I crank the engine, then pull out, heading to the next stop.
“Where are we going?” She frowns.
I’m like a kid in a candy store.
“The courthouse.”
“Cooper…”
The words are barely out of her mouth when both of our phone's start ringing.
I chuckle and flip on my blinker. “Well, that didn’t take long.”