Chapter 34
Chapter thirty-four
Dakota
It’s been forty -five minutes. I took a quick shower, changed into my favorite t-shirt, then climbed under the covers so I could torture myself by watching the clock move slower than molasses. He was probably in her hotel room right now. Kissing her. Touching her.
“Stop it, Dakota,” I scold myself out loud into the empty room.
It’s about his happiness. Always. And if this makes him happy, then I want that for him. My hands come up to press into my eye sockets, the heavy feeling of tears forming behind them. I will not cry.
I will not prove to the universe that this is the most gut wrenching thing I’ve ever had to endure. Worse than him taking Shandi Turner to junior prom, where he got sloppy drunk, then proceeded to lose his virginity.
Taking a deep breath, I move to grab the remote when the beep indicates our door is opening.
I freeze, watching with caution as he walks in. His eyes remain on the floor, his hair tousled. Like someone’s hands have been running through it. I think I’m going to be sick.
He walks into the room, dropping down on the end of the bed, never making eye contact with me.
This is too much.
I toss the comforter off of my body, my legs swinging to the side as I slide my feet into my slippers.
“I’m glad you’re back. I’m just going to go get some air and try to call Ivy again,” I rattle off before I swipe the key from the dresser. “Be back in a bit.”
I go to walk past his silent form when a rough palm catches my thigh.
“Don’t think so,” he rumbles.
I pause, my breath catching as I stare at his hand.
“Excuse me?” I ask, my heart thrashing.
“You think we aren’t going to talk about this?” He finally glances up at me.
“About you getting lucky with a buckle bunny? I’d rather not.” I reach down and grab his wrist, removing it with a force I didn’t intend. “I don’t need details.”
As soon as I take a step away, he pushes to his feet. “Why not? Best friends talk about everything right?” He grits out.
I shake my head, confused at why he sounds so mad. Ignoring his question, I head for the door, but I can feel him at my back. The heat from his body, the anger from his energy.
“I’d rather not talk about this.” I reach for the handle, attempting to open the door.
“Why not, Dakota?” He presses before his palm stops the door from opening.
He never calls me Dakota. Never.
“What is your problem?” I hiss, shoving at his chest.
The door closes as he steps to me, pressing my back against the cold wood.
“Why are you so mad?” I ask, glaring at him.
“Why am I mad?” He asks, a sarcastic laugh rolling from his lips.
“Let’s see. Maybe I’m pissed because you left me down there, practically on a silver platter to that vulture in heels.”
“I thought that’s what you wanted!” I shriek, irritated at this conversation.
“You wanted to go to the bar. You didn’t wear your ring. I thought you were looking for…”
“For what? A quick fuck with a random woman while you, my wife, stayed up in our hotel room?”
I nibble on my lip. “I mean, I guess.”
With a quick motion, his hand clasps the silver chain around his neck, bringing it up to dangle in front of my face. “This what you think I forgot about?”
There it sits. Right next to the cross pendent.
His ring.
“I didn’t want to chance losing it out in that field when we had to catch those horses.”
My eyes close when guilt washes over me.
He scrubs a hand down his face. “Do you have any idea how angry that makes me? That you think that little of me?”
I open my eyes. “Cooper that’s not it. I just understand that you have needs and…”
He cuts me off, his hands coming up to grip my face. “Fuck, Kota. Are you tired?”
I furrow my brows. “What?”
“Are. You. Tired?” He says each word with frustration as I search his pained expression.
His thumb gently slides across my skin, tracing my jaw.
“It must be exhausting,” his voice is almost a whisper, his lips moving slow and steady.
The bluest eyes I’ve seen to this day roam over my face, pausing to meet my gaze before he inches closer. His hard chest presses against mine, before he glides his thumb down the column of my throat. “Walking around every single day pretending you don’t love me just as much as I love you.”