I started the car, put on my sunglasses, and pulled away. Only in my dreams would I ever imagine that such a girl could love me just as much as I loved her.
Cooper
Maggie’s hand was wrapped around mine, nestled in her lap as we drove up the coast. We were in the last hour of the trip, the scenic stretch before we reached the Hamptons, and I glanced over at her, her hair flying, the Jaguar rumbling around us, top down, radio bumping. Her bare feet were on the dashboard, and she leaned back in the seat, face tilted toward the ocean, elbow propped on the door, chin in her hand.
I could have watched her for hours.
We wound around the coast, past the bay and the small neighborhoods, until we came to the driveway and pulled through the gate. The Hampton house was just as we’d left it — quiet and beautiful. The waves still crashed against the shore, the seagrass still waved in the breeze. Maggie still looked like she belonged there. But I was a different man.
We changed into swimsuits and walked the long, wooden path to the ocean. I chased her through the surf. I kissed her salty lips. I lay with her on the shore for hours in the sun, watching the clouds, watching her. Breathing and being.
We had every intention of driving into town to eat. But the moment we walked into the house, I turned around to find her standing still in the doorway, skin a shade darker against her white bikini and golden hair. The way she looked at me made me feel like a fool and a god. I could never be enough for her, but I could be her everything. And all I could do when she looked at me that way was to kiss her. Because words weren’t enough. They’d never be enough.
I took her in my arms and to my bed. I lay in her arms for hours and listened to her voice, to the sound of the ocean past the windows. We ate sandwiches in bed at eleven, and then I turned out the lights and took her in the moonlight. I gave myself to her completely. And when I fell asleep with her against my chest, I knew I’d never want another girl. I’d never love another girl. Not as long as I lived.
Maggie
I woke up that morning before the sun rose, watching Cooper sleep in the near dark. His lips were parted, chest rising and falling slowly, dark lashes against his cheeks. My eyes traced the line of his profile, resisting the urge to touch him, not wanting to ruin the perfection. He looked like a boy, a happy, peaceful boy.
He was the most gorgeous thing I’d ever seen, and he made me feel like Cinderella, it was true. He’d been to the ball. Met all the girls. And in the end, he chose me. He chose me even when I hurt him, even when I didn’t believe he was sincere. He chose me even when I said I didn’t want him, when I changed my mind and pushed him away. He waited, because he loved me. And I loved him.
I climbed out of bed gently and found our bag. It was too dark and quiet to dig too much, so I grabbed the first thing I found, pulling on his tailored shirt as I walked through the kitchen. The coffee pot and supplies were easy to find, and once I’d started it, I walked out onto the back patio to watch the sun rise.
It was a little chilly, but I didn’t mind, just leaned on a post on the patio with my eyes on the horizon, watching the water lap the sand and recede, listening to the steady rush of the waves, waiting for the sun.
I’d always been waiting on the sun, even when I thought I’d caught it with Jimmy. I knew now. I knew that Cooper was my sun, but I was his sun too. I didn’t need to orbit him, and he didn’t need to orbit me. We were a constellation, two stars connected as we moved through the heavens together, holding each other close with our own gravity.
I turned to find him behind me, tall and dark in the doorway, leaning against the frame, watching me. His hands were in the pockets of his jersey pants, his chest bare, eyes dark, his face full of love and longing. He pushed off the wall and grabbed a blanket on his way to me, opening it up. He wrapped it around his shoulders and opened his arms, and I settled into his chest, slipping my arms around his waist, pulling our bodies flush, our faces turned to the ocean.
He rocked me gently. “I imagined this moment. You. Here. The sunrise. But I never imagined I would feel this way.”
My heart was so full, so heavy with emotion, and I recognized the feeling — the way he made me feel — for the first time. Compared it to every other feeling, but it was singular. Distinctive. Extraordinary. “My whole life, I thought I knew what love was. I thought I understood it, but I didn’t know. Not until you.”
He squeezed me tighter, took a shallow breath.
“But you knew all along, didn’t you? You knew, and you tried to show me, but I fought you every step of the way.”
“Lucky for us, I won.”
I laughed softly, my chest aching as I pulled him even closer.
“Stay with me, Maggie.”
I looked up at him.
“I don’t want to be without you. Not for a minute I don’t have to be. Come home with me tonight. Come home with me tomorrow night and every night.”
I took a breath, lips parted to speak, but he headed me off.
“If it’s ever too much, if you need time or space, it’s yours. But if you want to stay, stay.”
“They’ll think we’re crazy.”
The honesty, the earnestness in his eyes overwhelmed me. “I don’t care what they think. What do you think?”
My mind spun around, thinking it was crazy and irresponsible. Irrational. That I would doom us from the start if I agreed.
There was only one answer to give.
“Of course I will. I love you.”
He smiled at me, the relief plain to see, his eyes sparkling as he kissed me. And I knew then that I’d be staying forever.
EPILOGUE - COOPER
Cooper
WE SAT IN HABITS THAT night with our friends, sun kissed and windblown. Maggie’s arm was wrapped around mine, her smile bright as we drank and laughed after the best weekend of my life.
Lily sat on a barstool between West’s legs, grinning at us. West didn’t look like he wanted to hit me, so I was calling that a win. Patrick leaned back against the bar smirking, and Rose leaned from behind the bar next to him. Astrid sipped her drink, watching us sentimentally.
Lily shook her head. “I am so glad you’re back, Maggie. We missed you.”
“Me too. Jackson is hot, y’all. I’ve been here a month and I’d already deacclimated.”
West laughed. “Yeah, I don’t miss the mosquito hordes either.”
“Not even a little.”
“Mom’s pie, however …”
“Never get enough,” she said.
“Thank God you’re back. I’ve had no one to watch 90s teen movies with.” Rose smiled. “I’m so glad I’ll have a roommate again.”
Patrick had a weird look on his face, and I eyed him.
“Hey.” Lily made a face.
“What?” Rose asked. “I think we can all agree you’re my roommate in name only these days.”
She settled back into West and blushed. “Oh, fine.”
Maggie looked up at me nervously. “Well, about that …”
Oh, God. Here it goes. I squeezed her hand between my arm and ribs.
West narrowed his eyes.
Maggie took a breath. “I’m going to be staying with Cooper.”
A surprised laugh shot out of Lily, and West looked like he was imagining ways to decapitate me. Everyone else just gaped.
I cleared my throat. “I know it seems fast—”
“Seems fast?” West asked, ears red.
I gave him a look. “I live around the corner from her job. It’s not like she can’t come back if she wants to, right?” I asked Lily and Rose.
Lily shook her head, seemingly to clear it. “Of course. You’re always welcome, Maggie. And we are so happy for you guys.” She slipped off her stool, and everyone stood. Patrick clapped me on the shoulder and smiled, and the girls took turns hugging.
I stepped over to West, flashing The Smile. “Come on, Williams. You’re not really mad, are you?”
His eyes narrowed, but when he loo
ked over at Maggie, saw her smiling and laughing with the girls, something in his face changed, softened.
“If you hurt her, I’ll fucking murder you.”
I slipped my hands in my pockets. “I know.”
“I’m not even kidding, Cooper.”
“I know.”
He let out a sigh. “Just make her happy.”
I looked over at her, my eyes roaming her rosy cheeks, her bright eyes, the smile that changed my life, and I made him a promise.
“I will.”
EPILOGUE - MAGGIE
Maggie
I PULLED THE BOAT INTO the wind, and when the sails luffed, I locked the wheel and turned on the engine. Cooper was already lowering the jib, the wind blowing his hair, his smile a thousand watts brighter against his deep tan. I moved past him to the mainsail and grabbed the halyard rope, pulling hand over hand until it was lowered completely.
Santorini sat just in the distance — the blue roofs and white walls lining the sheer cliff in the dusk — and I took a moment to appreciate the sight as Cooper headed back to the cockpit and pulled us into the harbor.
It was the end of May, and we’d both taken an extended Memorial Day holiday to go to Greece. We flew into Athens where we spent a few glorious days before renting a sailboat yacht much like Midnight Caller. First, we sailed to Mykonos, a beautiful party island, then Rhodes, full of history. Our last stop before heading back to Athens was Santorini, and I already knew it would be my favorite.
We pulled into the slip and showered, changed for dinner — him in a suit cut to perfection, me in a royal blue dress cut to keep Cooper’s eyes on my neckline. His arms were around me, his lips to my ear as we rode in a taxi up the switchback into town. His hand never left mine as we walked the streets and found the restaurant he wanted to take me to.
It was almost like a patio in that there were no window panes, just open arches that overlooked the ocean and the curve of the cliff. The white walls of the buildings glowed, illuminated by lights along the ground so they shone against the night, the domed blue roofs of each building the same shade as my dress. It was magical. The trip had been magical. My life was magical. And all because of him.
Oh, how things had changed over the course of a few weeks. I’d moved my belongings, which were mostly shoes, into Cooper’s apartment. I’d gotten my own keys and had access to Bobby whenever I needed. We worked most days, and Cooper cooked dinner most nights. We watched a lot of Netflix — most recently a binge session of Star Trek: The Next Generation, since I’d never seen it and Cooper wanted to show me.
He wanted to show me everything.
It was overwhelming, at first. Obviously, the rules were gone, so the first thing he did was take me out to a string of gourmet restaurants, though I made him order for me because I was afraid to see the prices. He’d also made sport of buying me things, to make up for the time the rules were still in place, he’d said.
We went back to Coney Island, and I’m happy to report that this time, he kissed me in the Spook-A-Rama just as a bloody mannequin head popped out of the dark at us. And it was awesome.
But even now, as we sat in Greece after the most brilliant vacation of my life, the thing that made it right was him.
See, when I met Cooper, something in me shifted on an elemental level, as if he changed my chemistry, rearranged me. I needed him, but not in the desperate way. Being with him was a universal truth. It was a quiet fact. Once I found him, the world made sense simply because he was in it and he loved me.
The lamb had been cleared away, and the baba ganoush was very nearly gone, and we drank our wine and talked. We laughed and we smiled. He took my hand, and I followed him through the quiet streets of Santorini.
He pulled me into an alcove on the cliff overlooking the ocean, and we could see the curve of the island, the buildings lit up in the night lining the coast and staggered in tiers below us. There were so many stars, more stars than I’d ever seen, and I tipped up my chin, my eyes on the heavens. Cooper sat on the low wall, watching me for a long moment before pulling me to him.
He looked up at me, my beautiful boy with his eyes full of stars, smiling at me sweetly before he looked down at my right hand, turning it over in his.
My free hand found his cheek, and he leaned into my palm, turning his head to kiss it as I felt him slip the ring onto my finger.
I looked down, and so did he, his fingers spinning the simple silver ring he’d placed on my ring finger. I knew the ring — I’d seen it in Rhodes at the market and admired it before putting it back. I didn’t think he’d even been paying attention. But of course he was.
His voice was thick with emotion when he finally spoke, his eyes still on my hand. “I don’t know how I lived my whole life without you. I don’t know how I survived a single day without hearing your voice. I don’t know how I woke up every morning without your face being the first thing I saw. I don’t ever want to know what that feels like, to not have you.”
He rose slowly, slipped a hand into my hair, searched my face. Stole my breath. Stopped my heart. “One day, I’m going to give you another ring. I’ll ask you to stay with me forever, and I’ll make a promise to you, to love you, to cherish you until I take my last breath. It’ll be the easiest thing I’ll ever do. I love you, Maggie, and I’m yours. Be mine.”
In all my life, it was all I would ever want. He was all I would ever want. “I’m yours,” I whispered, the words of my heart set free.
And the kiss he laid on my lips seared my soul, branding me his forever.
Acknowledgements
To my husband Jeff — We did it. I love you. Without you, I don’t make any sense.
Becca Mysoor — NOFB. Brain Twin. Partner in crime. Thank you. For everything. Tell Vinnie I said thanks by proxy, and that sharing is caring. I hear Tricky calling, so let’s hold hands and get to dancing.
Brooke Cumberland — Stop yelling at me! Just kidding — never stop. Without you lending your ear, shoulder, boot in my ass, cupcakes, and chocolate, I really don’t know how I could have made it through any of this. I love you. Hold my other hand and come dancing too.
To Becca AND Brooke — We’re basically like a three legged stool. I couldn’t do this without the both of you.
Kandi Steiner — I’ll always be the Hype Man to your Polly Pocket. Thank God you haven’t run screaming yet.
Angie McKeon — You, my unicorn riding princess, are an absolute godsend. You’ve supported me, you’ve given invaluable feedback, and you have become a great friend. I am so thankful for you. #Gummybears
Brittainy Cherry — I feel like if we just hang on to each other, we’ll be okay. Thank you for always being there for me. Sharing this whole crazy roller coaster ride with you is kind of everything.
Christine Stanley — You have always believed in me. You’ve always supported me, and without your help, there’s no way I’d be where I am today. I cannot thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me, and I can’t wait to do it again.
Rebecca Slemons — You are a saint for fixing my commas and putting up with my made up words.
Lauren Perry — You’ve done it again, you magical sorceress of photographical magic. You are brilliant.
Jennifer Stevens — Your sailing Cliff’s Notes were invaluable. Thank you so much for fact checking me! STARBOARD, HO!
To my betas: Parrish, Melissa, Jen, Mary Catherine, Miranda, Terry, Zoe, Lex, and Brie — Thank you all so much for reading, commenting, and generally kicking my story in the face. Without your feedback, this story wouldn’t be what it is.
More Books by Staci Hart
Hearts and Arrows
Deer in Headlights (Hearts and Arrows 1)
Snake in the Grass (Hearts and Arrows 2)
What the Heart Wants (Hearts and Arrows 2.5 Novella)
Doe Eyes (Hearts and Arrows 3)
Fool’s Gold (Hearts and Arrows 3.5 Novella)
Hearts and Arrows Box Set
Hardcore (Erotic Suspense
Serials)
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Box Set
Bad Habits
With a Twist
Chaser - Fall 2015
Last Call - Winter 2016
Nailed - Erotic Shorts
FREE with newsletter subscription
Once
Short story on Amazon
About the Author
Staci has been a lot of things up to this point in her life: a graphic designer, an entrepreneur, a seamstress, a clothing and handbag designer, a waitress. Can’t forget that. She’s also been a mom to three little girls who are sure to grow up to break a number of hearts. She’s been a wife, even though she’s certainly not the cleanest, or the best cook. She’s also super, duper fun at a party, especially if she’s been drinking whiskey, and her favorite word starts with f, ends with k.
From roots in Houston, to a seven year stint in Southern California, Staci and her family ended up settling somewhere in between and equally north, in Denver. They are new enough that snow is still magical. When she’s not writing, she’s gaming, cleaning, or designing graphics.
Follow Staci Hart:
Website: Stacihartnovels.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/stacihartnovels
Twitter: Twitter.com/imaquirkybird
Pinterest: pinterest.com/imaquirkybird