Page 38 of Wrecked (McIntyre Security Bodyguard #16)

Dayton, Ohio

I wake up to an empty house. Mom and Rachel are both working first shift at the hospital today.

For breakfast, I eat leftover pizza from last night before taking a shower and heading off to the gym to work on strength training.

I got my cast off a couple of weeks ago, but I’m not ready to go back to work.

My leg often aches, and I’m not up to peak physical condition.

I’ve been gone from Chicago longer than I originally thought I would. I’m surprised no one’s calling yet and demanding I return.

I talk to Beth regularly, and she’s always her usual sweet self. She never makes any demands on me. I speak to Shane about once a week. He just wants an update on my physical condition and how physical therapy is going.

The one person I haven’t spoken to since I left Chicago is Cooper. And that’s a good thing, believe me. I don’t even want to talk to him right now. I’m still hurting too much.

To complicate things, my physical trainer, Craig, keeps asking me out. He’s a great guy, and if I hadn’t met Cooper, I’d say yes in a heartbeat. But the problem is, I have met Cooper, and I can’t stop thinking about him. So, of course, I tell Craig no.

Who am I kidding? The truth is, I can’t see myself with anyone other than Cooper.

I wasn’t exaggerating when I told Beth that man owns me, body and soul.

I think about him all the time. I dream about him.

When I jerk off, it’s his face I picture.

His hands I pretend are on me. And it sucks, because he doesn’t seem to care one bit that I left.

* * *

The decision about when to go back is taken out of my hands when Shane shows up one morning at the fitness center where I’m training.

I’m on the mat doing push-ups when someone walks into the fitness center.

Craig says, “Can I help you, sir?”

“Thanks, but no. I found what I’m looking for.”

I’d know that voice anywhere. Shane . When I glance at the floor in front of me, I see a pair of black loafers.

“Hello, Sam.”

“Hey, Shane.”

“You know why I’m here,” he says, his voice clipped. Apparently, he’s not in a good mood, probably because he was forced to fly down here and collect me. I’m sure he’d rather not be so far from home when his wife is pregnant.

I was expecting this. In fact, I would have been surprised if Shane didn’t keep his promise to come down here and haul my ass back to Chicago. I tell myself I’m going back for Beth, not for Cooper.

“Yeah, I do. But Shane, I’m not back to full strength yet.”

“Doesn’t matter. It’s been long enough, and Beth wants you home. So, are we going to do this the easy way, or the hard way?”

I sigh because I know there’s no use in arguing with him. “The easy way.”

He smiles. “Good. Make whatever arrangements you need to make and say your goodbyes. Our flight leaves at seven sharp. Will you be at your mother’s house?”

“Yeah. I want to say goodbye to her and to Rachel.”

“Fine. I’ll pick you up at six. Be ready.”

After Shane leaves, Craig asks me, “Who the hell was that guy?”

“That was my boss.”

“What the fuck? He can’t just come in here and order you around like that.”

I laugh. “Yes, he can.”

* * *

Right on time, Shane picks me up in a rented black sedan. I’m waiting on the front porch with my bags packed, ready to go. The driver pops the trunk lid for me and helps me load my stuff. I sit in the back seat with Shane.

“I’m not there yet, physically,” I admit to him. “I’m close, but I wouldn’t be able to pass the physical assessment right now.” God, I hope he’s not going to make me take the weapon’s assessment again, too.

“Just keep working at it—you’ll get there. But you need to come home. Beth misses you.”

I miss her, too. And I should be there to support her.

“She’s not the only one who misses you,” Shane adds, giving me a pointed look. “Cooper’s been impossible to live with since you left Chicago.”

Just the mention of Cooper’s name sends me into a tailspin. I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like seeing him again. Has it really been three months?

The flight from Dayton International to O’Hare is uneventful. We’re on a McIntyre Security company jet, and it’s just the two of us, plus a flight attendant, the captain, and the co-pilot.

Shane’s doing work on his laptop, and that leaves me time to get lost in my thoughts. It’s only a ninety-minute flight, so I don’t have too much time to get sucked down a rabbit hole.

Just before we land, Shane makes a quick call to Beth to let her know we’re back. I chuckle. The guy can’t even go a couple of hours without hearing her voice.

There’s a car waiting for us at the airport.

We drive straight to the apartment building.

When the driver lets us off in the underground parking garage, right in front of the bank of elevators, Shane says, “Come up to the penthouse and say hello to Beth. She won’t sleep tonight until she’s seen you. ”

Oh, shit. That means I’ll be seeing Cooper, too. I don’t think I’m ready for that. “All right.”

I’m a nervous wreck as I ride the elevator with Shane. He’s already texted Beth to let her know we’re on our way up. It’s March now, and the baby is due in early July. I wonder if she’s showing yet.

When the elevator doors slide open, Beth is right there, eagerly waiting for us. Shane pulls his wife into his arms and kisses her. Good God, you’d think they’d been separated for weeks, not a few hours.

I step out quietly and set my bags on the floor.

“Feeling okay, sweetheart?” Shane asks Beth as he lays his hand on her slight baby bump.

“Yes. I’m so glad you’re back. And thank you for bringing Sam home.”

“My pleasure, honey.”

As soon as he releases her, she throws herself into my arms, and we squeeze each other like little kids.

“Oh, thank God, you’re home!” she cries. “You look amazing. How do you feel?”

“You are such a liar, Princess. I look like shit warmed over, but I’m not complaining. I’m standing on my own two feet again.”

I’m so happy to see Beth again, but I must admit my gaze keeps going to the open foyer door. I’m half expecting to see Cooper materialize there, or at least peek through the doorway. Maybe he’s busy in the kitchen.

I dread seeing him again, but I’m also excited. I can’t deny it. I just want to see his handsome face and his smile. I want to hear his deep voice.

“He’s not here, Sam,” Beth says, as if she’s reading my mind. Her voice is quiet and apologetic.

Those words hit me like a sucker punch to the gut. He’s not here? He couldn’t be bothered to at least say hello?

“He left a half-hour ago,” she says. “And he didn’t say where he was going. I’m so sorry.”

I let out a long-held breath. God, this hurts.

“I guess it’s for the best.” I’m tired, and my leg is hurting.

I just want to go home and be alone to nurse this pain.

I guess it’s only fair. I rejected him when I left town, and now he’s giving me a taste of my own medicine. “It’s late, and I’m tired.”

“Will I see you tomorrow?” she asks, looking hopeful. “How about having dinner with us?”

“Sure,” I say automatically. Right now I feel numb. “I want to hear all about little baby McIntyre.”

I haul my shit down to my floor, to my apartment. Once I manage to get the door unlocked and open, I drop my things on the floor inside and close the door.

My pulse is racing still. Just being home and being this close to Cooper is overwhelming.

I switch on the living room light, and when I turn, I see Cooper standing across the room. My heart shoots up into my throat. “Jesus!”