Like That

Chapter 26 - Throwing Some Light on the Subject

A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money. - John Ruskin

Chapter 26 - Throwing Some Light on the Subject

Emily's POV:

I think I just heard myself purr. Cooper's soft, warm lips are on my shoulder. I feel his large hand grasp my upper arm and pull me back toward him. Woah!!!

My head jerks up, because I wasn't expecting him here, and I can feel a smile spread across his face. "Good morning," Cooper says and plants more kisses on my neck. His heated breath sends a signal directly to the center of my body. As if he knows what just happened, his fingers splay across my ribs and he nestles me into his chest. Small actions have big effects...because right now I am turned on.

I tilt my head toward him, but am only able to look at the ceiling. He takes full advantage; he lifts himself up and contacts my lips. He kisses me gently, and I turn my body to face him. The caress of his lips was tentative as his tongue meets mine, and the morning exploration begins. His lips travel across my cheeks and find ear and neck. "I could get used to this." His words came as almost a growl. His fingers travel the curve of my body from my waist to ribs, and his thumbs rub the skin under my breasts. And there's that purring sound again...it is me.

His body hovers over mine as he places his forehead in the center of my chest, trying to control his breath. "You are not easy on a man's resolve."

"Sorry, but you started it." I give him my most innocent looking face, and he laughs.

"As much as I would love to stay here, we've got to get up."

"What are you doing here anyway?"

"I never left. You fell asleep. I put you in bed, and then I pulled out the sofa bed." He slept on an uncomfortable sofa bed.

"Kids?" The kids were in my bed last night, before I fell asleep.

"They woke up about half an hour ago, and took over the living room. I came in here to wake you up." He smiles brightly at me. "I think we are both awake now."

I blush, "I think we are, thank you."

Last night we stay up late talking about our past. I knew with the appearance of Regan, I had some explaining to do. Something that I couldn't get into with kids around, yesterday.

----

I begin. "Patrick was a bit of a rebel by his family's standards. He came from old money. You know the kind of money that thought it could control people. To understand Patrick's rebellion you have to know, there was bad blood between his mother and father. Well, actually that is probably an understatement. She had been traded in for a newer model (literally model) when Patrick was in 7th grade. She felt it was her duty to make sure money didn't damage her children in the same way it had her ex-husband. She spent her time fulfilling her duty.

"Patrick's father was, sorry is, very dictatorial. His father gave him two options for college...Duke or Princeton, because he was a legacy. Patrick didn't want either. He wanted to fly. His mother encouraged him to do whatever made him happy, and she helped him apply to any and every school he wanted. He was awarded an academic scholarship at Clemson, and then joined ROTC to help pay for the rest of his college. He had a substantial trust, but he didn't want the money. He wanted to do this on his own. When he graduated he joined the military and became a pilot.

"His father was not happy about any of this, but let Patrick have his little rebellion, thinking he would come back into the family fold and tow the line...much like his sister was doing. Instead, Patrick wanted a career in the military...he truly enjoyed the flying. He wanted nothing to do with his dad's business or money. His dad finally accepted Patrick's decision, still hoping that it was temporary. He even went so far to say that Patrick's choices would make for a good senatorial candidacy one day. The man just didn't get it."