Tease Me (Private Listing #4)

“She’s Coop’s fiancée.” Seth’s blue eyes meet mine and hold. “He needs to see her.”

Fuck, I missed Seth. I want to run into his arms and let him hold me, but that wouldn’t be appropriate in front of Coop’s mother. That and I’m in this frustrating wheelchair.

Victoria presses her lips together and turns her back on me before walking into what I assume is Coop’s room. It’s bad enough I already feel responsible for what happened, but dealing with the vitriol from his mother might be too much after everything that’s happened. But it won’t stop me from seeing Coop.

Then Seth is next to me. He leans down and presses a kiss to my head. “Princess.”

I grab his hand and squeeze it, needing that connection, our connection. “I’m sorry, boss.”

“You were trying to protect your friend.” He squats down next to me and rests his forehead against our joined hands. “You’re safe. We’re safe. That’s all that matters.”

His blue eyes capture me again, and all I want to do is sink into his arms and cry like I did with Blake. Seth cups my cheek. “When do you get discharged?”

“Doctor wants to monitor her overnight.” Noah rests his hand on my shoulder, and I draw in a breath. None of us should be in this hospital.

“Madison?” A tall man with gray eyes steps out of Coop’s room. His hair is white, but aside from coloring, he’s an older version of Coop. My heart skips.

“This is Madison.” Seth stands. “Madison, this is Carter Graham, Coop’s father.”

When I move to stand, Carter steps forward, waves me down, and offers me his hand.

“Pleasure to meet you. Coop’s asking for you.” Carter shakes my hand and steps out of the way so Noah can push me in.

Carter follows us.

As soon as we enter the room with all the machines hooked up to Coop, tears fall down my cheeks. His eyes are closed and his brow pinched like he’s in pain. Noah stops the wheelchair. I stand before anyone can stop me and take Coop’s hand.

“Coop?” I try to brush my tears away, but they keep coming.

His hand squeezes around mine as his light blue eyes open. “Ah, there’s my goddess.”

“You got shot.” The words tumble out of my mouth.

“Yeah, but you got drugged.” He blinks a little.

Someone moves a chair over for me. I sink into it and when I look up, Coop’s dad smiles at me. He gives me a small nod before moving over to Victoria who has tears in her eyes and her hand covering her mouth. He draws her into his arms and she leans against him.

“How are you doing?” I clutch at Coop’s hand. Now that I’m close to him, all I want to do is climb into bed next to him and hold him until he’s okay.

Noah moves to talk to Coop’s parents. After a few nods, Carter leads Victoria out of the room, leaving the five of us alone.

“Well, I got shot.” He gives me an arrogant smile. “Figured I’d be the only one with a nifty scar proving how much I love you and want to protect you.”

The tears won’t stop coming. They’re here. They’re alive. I’m fine, but Coop is in this hospital bed.

“But then Blake had to get stitches too.” Coop glares at Blake. “Cocky bastard.”

“You’re lucky you didn’t bleed to death.” Blake puts his hand on my shoulder and squeezes. “Madison would have never forgiven me if I’d let you die.”

“I am her favorite.” Coop lifts my hands to his lips. His eyes sparkle mischievously. “Next time you visit, come dressed as a nurse. I’ll order you a little white dress and we can play doctor.”

Fuck, he’s out of it. Must be the pain meds. “How about we do that when we get you home?”

“I might be bedridden for a while, sweetheart.” He winks.

A laugh slips out of me. His smile fades.

“I’m just glad we got to you in time.” His tone turns serious and the tears press against my eyes again. “I don’t know what we would have done if—‍” He cuts himself off and tugs on my arm. “Come here, sweetheart, please.”