Dirty Little Promise (Forbidden Desires #2)

“Thanks for acknowledging that. And for what it’s worth, I am sorry about the way she found out about Ashley.”

I took another sip of my drink, waiting for him to continue.

“Honestly, I thought you’d told her. Figured you guys had covered exes and all that. But when I mentioned Ashley’s name, Emma’s blank stare immediately told me I was wrong. I tried to backpedal, but you know Emma. She loves a good mystery.”

I’d been meaning to tell Emma, knew I had to at some point. I’d just thought I had more time. It wasn’t all his fault.

“You’re my brother, and I love you, Coop. I forgive you for telling Emma about Ashley.”

He nodded. “And I forgive you for getting the girl. In the back of my mind, I kind of always knew it would go that way.”

I gave him a sad smile. The older brother in me still needed to look out for him. “So, we’re all good?”

“Yeah. Let’s get drunk.”

He crossed the room to grab the ice bucket and bourbon while I reached for the room service menu.

“What’s good here?” I asked, figuring he’d probably been eating most of his meals in.

“The bison burger and the omelet are the only things I’ve had.”

I nodded as I dialed, and ordered us a couple of burgers and another bottle of bourbon.

When our food arrived a short time later, we dug in, falling into easy conversation, just like old times. Cooper clicked on the TV, and we watched the sports highlights over dinner.

“There’s more I need to tell you,” I said, stacking our dinner dishes on the cart the attendant had left.

“So, tell me. We’ve already ripped off the bandage, don’t you think?”

He was right. We were each two glasses of bourbon in, and I was feeling loose.

Letting out a heavy sigh, I decided to tell him the bad news first. “There’s a lawsuit against me. Ashley’s parents are suing for wrongful death. Ten million dollars. I’m the only defendant, so it shouldn’t affect the company.” At least, I’d do everything within my control to make sure it didn’t.

Cooper rose to his feet. “That’s bullshit. Does Quinn know?”

“Not yet.”

“We need to tell him. He’d agree with me that we need to use every tool in our arsenal to fight this. You’re not facing his alone. The best lawyer, whatever we have to do. A counter lawsuit if we have to—her parents knew about her pill problem and did nothing. You, on the other hand, tried to help her.”

His response was unexpected and warmed my chest. I’d figured I’d go this alone from beginning to end. Figured I might even have to step down from my position at Forbidden Desires, because the last thing we needed was more bad press.

“You’re the first person I’ve told, but yes, I’ll tell him,” I added. “Thank you. This was more support than I expected.”

Cooper offered me a sad smile as he lowered himself to his seat again. “I’m just sorry you have to relive it. That is seriously fucked up.”

It wasn’t something I wanted to do; that was for sure. But part of being an adult was dealing with all the shit you’d rather pretend didn’t exist.

And from Ashley’s parents’ standpoint? They had lost their daughter. Nothing would bring her back, but they weren’t going to just let her go and move on without a fight.

“There’s something else.” I added more bourbon to my glass, even though it wasn’t quite empty. Something told me I was going to need it. “I’ve decided to propose to Emma.”

Cooper swallowed hard, his eyes closing for a moment. “Congratulations.”

A heavy silence that hadn’t been there before settled between us. I held my tongue, knowing he needed a minute to process this latest news.

When he reopened his eyes, he said, “Tell her about the lawsuit first.”

How did we get here? My little brother was now giving me relationship advice. I didn’t respond.

“If you haven’t bought a ring yet, I have some advice. Even though you didn’t ask.” He grinned. “Don’t get her some big, gaudy diamond. She wouldn’t want that.”

I nodded, only slightly annoyed that he knew her so well. “She’s a simple girl, I agree.”

Damn. Look at us—sharing our feelings and shit. Quinn would be so proud.

“I need to take a piss,” he said, rising to his feet.

Our conversation was over. But we’d both survived, so there was that.

When Cooper returned, he was dressed in a pair of dark jeans and a black button-down shirt. His hair was styled and his eyes were alight with mischief.

“I need to go out and get laid. Be my wingman?” he said.

It wasn’t a good idea. We were both drunk, and it was almost midnight. But I knew first-hand the raw hunger he was probably experiencing. He needed something to control, needed to possess and own someone in all the ways he’d never command Emma. My heart broke a little for him just then.

“Always.” I rose to my feet, following him toward the door.

As we waited for the elevator, I couldn’t help but look him over. We’d shared a lot tonight, and I felt closer because of it. Still slightly uneasy, but closer nonetheless.

“Can I ask you one more thing?” I asked as the elevator doors opened.

“‘Course,” he said over his shoulder as I followed him inside.

Cooper’s green eyes met mine. For a second, it was too intense, and I almost backed out on asking him. Almost.

“Do you still love her?”

“Always,” he said, mirroring my comment from before. He didn’t hesitate. Didn’t so much as blink.

A rock settled in the pit of my stomach as we descended, and suddenly all that bourbon seemed like a terrible idea.

It was a long and silent ride to the lobby. As the elevator doors opened, I was struck by the realization that if I ever fucked up again, Cooper would have her, and there’d be nothing I could do.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .