The rush of pleasure he’d received at the notion that Bree loved him had startled the hell outta him. It was the first time a woman had professed her love for him, though tonight’s declaration probably didn’t count since Bree had broken up with him right afterward.
But in that moment, he’d almost blurted out that he’d fallen for her too. Fortunately, he’d quelled the impulse. She probably would’ve slapped him. And besides, he couldn’t be entirely sure that what he felt for her was love. He liked being with her, that much was certain. No contest when it came to sex—best of his life. And it felt kinda nice, holding her once they came down from their respective orgasm highs. He also loved the sweet sound of her voice. The way she didn’t bug him to quit smoking even though he knew she hated the habit. How she seemed interested in everything he said. And her compassion—he loved how frickin’ big her heart was, how she’d gone out of her way to help him patch things up between his mom and brother.
Was that love?
Fuck, his head hurt, trying to sift through the hot rush of emotions spiraling through him.
“Wow, you two are real downers,” Wyatt announced, running a hand through his sandy-blond hair.
Jake snapped out of his thoughts, realizing that both he and Cooper had been silent for the past five minutes.
“Sorry, man, I’m shit company tonight, huh?” Cooper said with a sigh.
“Yep,” Wyatt confirmed.
“Let’s shoot some pool or something. Maybe that’ll get my mind off—” Cooper halted mid-sentence, his gaze focused on the door.
Jake shifted his head and spotted Lexie.
The sight of her made his spine stiffen. She still wore the black dress and red heels, and as she crossed the room with purposeful steps, Jake experienced a spark of dread. Fuck. She was approaching their table. No doubt to ream him out for the way he’d behaved back at the mansion.
He swallowed, steeling himself for an attack.
“Lexie—” he began when she marched up to the table.
But the blonde wasn’t looking at him. Her pale blue eyes were focused solely on Cooper, who stared at her with a mixture of surprise and apprehension.
“Lex? What are you—”
She didn’t let him finish. Blue eyes glittering with single-minded fortitude, Lexie grabbed Cooper by the collar of his black button-down, hauled him to his feet and kissed the living hell out of him.
A sense of pure liberation shot through Lexie’s body as she kissed Cooper. The second their lips touched, her entire world felt right again. The scratching of his stubble on her cheek, the taste of smoke and whiskey on his tongue, the firmness of his hands as he gripped her waist.
This was where she belonged. This was who she belonged with.
Without a single regard for anyone around them, she wrapped her arms around Cooper’s neck and deepened the kiss, feeling his smile even as he plunged his tongue through her parted lips and explored every inch of her mouth. A part of her couldn’t believe she was doing this, letting Cooper shove his tongue down her throat in front of everyone she knew.
But when they broke free and she saw the joy lighting his gorgeous eyes, she knew she’d done the right thing.
Hoots and catcalls sounded, but Lexie ignored them. She kept her gaze on Cooper’s rugged face, refusing to give in to the urge to flee. Being the center of attention made her unbelievably uncomfortable, but for Cooper, she was willing to battle the anxiety that arose from being surrounded by all those curious eyes.
“Why did you do that?” he rasped.
“Because we’re a couple,” she murmured. “And couples occasionally kiss each other when they’re out. They also say hello to each other in public.” She smiled faintly. “So…hello, Cooper.”
A crooked grin lifted his sexy mouth. “Hello, Lexie.”
From the corner of her eye, she noticed the bemused smile on Jake’s face, the stunned expression in Wyatt Killington’s eyes, but she continued to focus on Cooper.
“Do you forgive me for being such a coward?”
“That depends,” he said roughly.
“On what?”
“On whether you’re actually ready to tell the world about us. And not just the folks in this bar tonight—I mean your family, Lex.”
“I know.” She swallowed. “And the answer is yes. In fact, you’re officially invited to brunch tomorrow.”
His normally rough features softened. “You mean that?”
“I mean it.”
The happiness in his eyes and the broad grin he shot her made her heart skip a beat. “Then yes, princess. You’re forgiven.” He dipped his head to plant a soft peck on her lips. “How about a game of pool? You’re always bragging about what a shark you are, but I believe this is the first time we’ve had the chance to face off.”
“Sounds good.” She glanced at Jake, then back at Cooper. “But first I need a moment alone with Jake.”