Page 14 of Summer Nights (The Kingston Brothers #3)

Chapter Eleven

Ivy

I had the sudden urge to make a push to earn more money. I needed to stockpile funds for the months where I might not be able to work. I decided to advertise more aggressively for new clients in the coming months. I couldn't wrap my mind around juggling a baby and work.

Would I put a baby in daycare? I hated the idea. But I wanted to work. It was so much a part of who I was. I enjoyed it, and I craved the security that came with it.

I didn't want to pull back. Especially when I wasn’t sure if I'd have Cooper's support. Did I need it?

I'd never ask for anything. I didn't need Cooper to step in and save the day. I wouldn't get addicted to having him around, only to lose him again.

So no matter how sweet it was when he offered to help, I couldn't let myself even think about the possibility.

I rested my hand on my belly that was still perfectly flat. "It's just you and me, baby." I rested my head on the seat. "And Duncan and Rae."

I could support us.

A knock sounded on the car window, and I jumped. It was Cooper.

I pushed the button to roll it down. "What are you doing here?"

I was here to do a walk-through of the home. Usually I'd call Cooper to do his inspection, but I couldn't bring myself to talk to him. I was worried about what he'd say. That he'd change his mind and decide that this was too much for him.

"Kinsley told me that you were closing on this one soon. Don't you usually ask me to take a look at any houses that are coming up for settlement?"

"Usually."

His forehead wrinkled. "Then why didn't you call me about it?"

I opened the door and got out. "You have time to go through it now?"

He stepped back. "That's why I'm here."

He waited for me to unlock the door to the house.

"I also wanted to see how you were doing. You didn't answer my texts beyond saying you were fine. I was worried."

My back stiffened. "I said I was fine."

Cooper looked away. "I didn't think you'd tell me if there was an issue or if you weren't feeling well."

That made me feel like a shitty person because it was accurate. "I'm not used to anyone checking on me."

"I get that. But I'm here for you. I want to know how you're feeling. If you're having a craving, I can pick food up for you. I can rub your back if you're sick."

I nodded, my throat tightening. "Okay."

"When is the first appointment?"

"I have to wait until I'm eight weeks along to make the initial appointment."

"Is that normal?" Cooper asked, his forehead wrinkled with concern.

I was touched that he was so worried for me and the baby. "They won't let you come in before that unless there's an issue. But I think at this point there's nothing they can do for the baby if I miscarry."

Cooper's eyes widened. "Are you worried about that?"

I shrugged. "A little."

Cooper sighed. "I think I'm going to have to get some books on pregnancy."

"I've been reading online." And making lists for everything. It was becoming a bit of an obsession.

"How are you feeling physically? Any symptoms?"

"I'm more tired than usual. But that's it." It was awkward to be having this conversation in the foyer.

Cooper nodded. "Let me do the walk-through so you can get home and out of those heels."

"They don't bother me," I said as I followed him to the powder room.

"They might when you start to show," Cooper said as he turned his attention to the toilet.

"I haven't thought much about that yet. How I'll start to show and everyone will know."

He looked under the tank. "Are you worried about that?"

I laughed without any humor. "I don't want the gossip. Ivy's unmarried and pregnant? Who knocked her up?"

He glanced at me. "We'll tell everyone we're together if it's an issue."

"You'd do that? You'd pretend we were dating to stifle the rumors?" I asked, tipping my head to the side.

Cooper sighed. "Ivy, we were sleeping together. I'm not one that sleeps with two women at the same time. When I'm with someone, I'm exclusive. It's not a stretch to say we were seeing each other."

I chewed on my lip. "I'm not sure what I want to do."

"Whatever you need me to do or say, just let me know." He fiddled with the faucet and stuck his head under the sink. When he was satisfied it was running okay, he slid out.

"Why are you being so nice about this?" I finally asked him when he stepped into the hallway.

Cooper paused, his hand cupping my cheek. "You're the mother of my child."

His breath ghosted over my lips, and under different circumstances, I'd wonder if he was going to kiss me. Now there was this pregnancy that effectively stopped anything from happening between us.

"You're important to me. Your well-being and your happiness."

I sucked in a breath because it was a nice thing to say.

He shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal. "If you're worried about gossip, we'll just say we're together."

I wasn't sure what worried me more: people talking about how I was just like my mother or Cooper pretending to be my boyfriend. "I'll have to think about it."

Cooper winked at me. "I'm a great boyfriend. I'll bring ice cream over at night and make popcorn for you while you put your feet up and watch a movie. Run a bath for you before you get ready for bed each night."

My lips twitched. "That sounds heavenly."

"Have you ever had anyone take care of you?" Cooper's gaze searched my face.

"Not like that," I couldn't help but admit. What he described sounded like quicksand. If I gave into the temptation, I'd be lost.

"I want to take care of you."

That sent a tingle down my spine. It wasn't an unpleasant feeling. Just different.

His hand dropped from my face, and he stepped back. "I hope you'll let me. But I respect that you prefer to take care of yourself."

I wanted to call him back, to tell him I was on board with everything he'd just said. But the words got stuck in my throat. I always took care of myself. I never depended on anyone else. I shouldn't change who I was for Cooper Kingston. Not even if I was carrying his baby.

He sounded so possessive when he said I was the mother of his child. His declaration made me feel wanted, cherished. I couldn't let him sweet-talk me like this. I wouldn't be able to resist what he was offering.

I could handle the gossip. It sucked, but it couldn't be any worse than what I endured in school. I'd prove everyone wrong. I could be a successful businesswoman and a single mother. People weren't expected to get married anymore when they got pregnant.

We'd moved into the kitchen, and I sat at one of the stools.

"Your brain is working overtime," Cooper murmured.

"How do you know?" No one called me out like Cooper did.

"I can practically hear your thoughts from over here. You're worried about what people will think. What people will say. But you've decided that you'll overcome all of that."

I blew out a breath. "It's frustrating how well you know me."

He smiled. "I've been paying attention to you for a while now."

"Are you saying you liked me before we hooked up?" I couldn't help but ask.

"I was attracted to you. But I'm not sure I would have made a move if we hadn't been alone together."

I nodded. "Being alone together like this is how we got into trouble."

"And there's no reason why we shouldn't continue to take care of each other's needs," he said softly.

"Are you suggesting a physical relationship?" I asked him.

"I wouldn't be opposed. Dalton mentioned once how horny Oakley is, now that she's pregnant."

"Damn pregnancy hormones." I hadn't experienced that yet, but I'd read it on one of my online searches.

"We can be as much or as little as you want us to be. I'm just asking that you let me be there for you and the baby. Labels don't matter to me."

I thought about it while he moved around the kitchen. For once, I wasn't paying attention to his work. "Okay."

"Okay, what?" Cooper asked to clarify.

"We can do it your way." I had a feeling I was going to regret this.

His eyes lit up. "You're okay with a physical relationship?"

I swallowed hard. "We might as well enjoy ourselves. I'm pregnant. Not dead."

Cooper crossed the room, turning my stool so that he stood in front of me.

I let my legs fall open as he stepped between them.

"I'll always take care of you," he murmured before he lifted my chin and kissed me.

The worries, doubts, and what-ifs fell away as I gave in to the familiar sensation of his mouth on mine.

My hands ghosted over his shirt, feeling the hard muscles underneath.

"I wish we had a bed. I want to take my time with you. I want to taste you." His eyes flashed with desire as he stepped back, holding his hand out to me.

When I put my hand in his, he tugged me to stand. He kissed me again, his hands ghosting over my ass, then tugging the zipper down.

He removed my skirt and then dropped to his knees in front of me. He guided my panties down my legs, and then off.

"Take off your blouse and your bra. I want to see you."

I was wet just standing there with him on his knees. He waited while I slowly unbuttoned my blouse. I let the shirt fall to the floor. Then I unhooked my bra. I was naked in front of him.

His gaze roamed down my body. "Gorgeous." Then he nudged my legs apart as he parted my folds. He placed one leg over his shoulder, opening me up to him.

I was vulnerable in this position. I usually preferred to be on the giving side of oral sex, but I had a feeling Cooper would make me feel good. He'd probably ruin me for all other men, and I didn't want to miss a minute of this. My fingers tangled in his hair, holding him to me.

He lifted his head long enough to say, "Tweak your nipples for me."

I nearly moaned at his naughty words, but I followed his directions. I wanted his mouth on me too much to argue.

He hummed his appreciation under his breath as he leaned closer to lick and suck. My knees immediately softened and went weak. I wobbled on the one leg, so I leaned against the stool, giving him more control over my body. I was opening myself up to him.