Chapter 39
Chapter thirty-nine
Cooper
I should be utterly exhausted, given the fact we’ve both gotten a measly three house of sleep.
We spent most of the night lost in each other.
I think I told her I loved her a thousand times over the past eight hours, and she did the same.
But I’m oddly refreshed. Dakota on the other hand, is pouting in the passenger seat, glaring at the woman in the drive through at McDonald’s.
“And your egg McMuffin,” she chirps at an unreasonable volume. Even for me.
“Thanks, Ellen.” I hand her my card, then sit the bag on the console.
“First name basis now?” Dakota gives me a pointed look. “We’ve been at the window for less than three minutes.”
“It’s called being polite.” I reach over and tug on a strand of her hair.
“It’s called being an over sharer.” She grabs the bag. “Was it necessary to explain why we are sitting at this window at six thirty on a Saturday morning?”
“She asked.” I shrug.
“Alright, you two sugar dumplings,” Ellen chimes when the window opens.
“For fucks sake,” Dakota mutters.
“Here’s your card, Mr. Cooper and here’s that caramel coffee.”
“Appreciate you, Ellen.” I take my things. “Have a great day.”
She waves before closing the window and I hold back my smile because I know Dakota is about to blow. If there’s one thing she can’t stand, it’s loud, overly joyous people before eight o’clock.
“Your latte, ma’am,” I offer.
When she goes to take it, I pull it back, stopping at the edge of the parking lot.
“Hey,” she chides.
I lean across the console. “You want to thank me properly?”
“Cooper, as much as I love you, it’s entirely too early for a blow job.”
A laugh filters from my mouth, my head shaking at her scowl. “I meant a kiss, darlin. But I’d take a roadie anytime.”
“You would.” She rolls her eyes, but I see her small smile as she leans in to press a kiss to my lips.
Something I’ll never get tired of.
“That’s all I wanted.” I hold out the coffee.
“Thank you,” she whispers as she wraps her hand around the cup.
After taking a sip, she slides on her shades, preparing to leave me to drive while she falls asleep.
“Now.” I pull out onto the highway. “What’s your theory on Princess Diana?”
Dakota groans dramatically, her head dropping against the head rest in agony.
A smile spreads across my face because as much as she hates mornings, and probably me right now, I know she’ll humor me the entire way home.
It’s already dark by the time we make it back to the ranch.
After unloading the horses and getting them settled, we drive the ATV over to Maddox and Ivy’s cabin to pick up Arizona who hitched a ride after leaving my aunt Penelope’s.
Mom and dad were staying there until the farmhouse was finished.
Which by the looks of it, it won’t be much longer.
When we pull to a stop, I feel Dakota take my hand in hers to stop me from getting out.
“Hey.” She tugs.
“Everything ok?” I wrap an around her shoulder.
“Everything is great.” She blushes. “I just…. this.” She points between us. “Happened. Finally.” She laughs. “And it’s wonderful. And perfect…”
I take her chin between my fingers. “And you’re not ready to tell.”
Her eyes soften. “I know how people will react. Don’t get me wrong, I know everyone we love will be on cloud nine. But I kind of just want to enjoy this without all the questions and fuss. We’ve only been in our little bubble for barely twenty-four hours. I’m not ready for it to pop.”
I lean in and place a kiss on her forehead. “If that’s what you want, I have no problem keeping you to myself.”
She laughs. “Especially with everything going on with Ari. Let’s just get through that, then we can let everyone know that I’m your girlfriend.”
“Wife,” I correct.
She waves a hand. “You know what I mean. We kind of went ass backwards.”
“But just so I can sleep at night.” I tuck a piece of hair behind her ear. “You want this?”
Her eyes search mine. “I’ve always wanted this.”
“Good.” I release her. “Let’s go get our girl.”