Chapter Five

Iris

Shanna is a nice person, like genuinely kind. She volunteers for everything no matter how busy she is, and she doesn't complain about any of it. She quit her job managing the coffee shop, and she stayed home with the twins when they were born. She bakes cakes from scratch for every occasion and does it with love too.

"Okay, I don't like Alaina." She spins toward the kitchen sink and runs water into a glass pitcher.

Cooper nods, pulls his fingers from inside of me, and fixes his jeans.

My heart is slamming against my chest. I don't want him to stop. Also, I'm not sure how much Shanna has seen or why she's not mentioning it.

"Why not?" I hop from the counter and lean against the opposite side, all casual like. I certainly wasn't just crying about what a bitch Alaina was five minutes ago and then letting my brother's best friend touch me everywhere while we were only ten feet from everyone.

Cooper isn't as cool. His face is dark red. I can't tell if he's worried or desperate for more fun.

"Well, what she said to you is fucked up, and now she's giving me this lecture about raising twins. I'm about to lose it." Shanna huffs and twists her hair against the back of her head.

"What kind of lecture?"

"Apparently, she raised twin boys, and they were perfect because she breast fed, never used a pacifier, never felt tired, and always did her makeup." Shanna dumps the water pitcher she was just filling back into the sink and snorts back tears. "I want her gone. She wasn't like this when we met her, I swear. She was down to Earth and sweet. It's like that was all an act." She glances toward Cooper. "Do you like her? Am I being a bitch? You can tell me. I feel like a bitch."

"You're not a bitch." Cooper smiles, his face still red. "She's beyond fucked up. I'll let her know this isn't going to work, then I can give her a ride to the train station. I gotta know, though, how'd you meet her?"

Shanna looks away then back again as though she's embarrassed about where they met. "I don't actually know her that well. My sister met her through work and said she was looking to settle down. Then I thought of you and how you'd be a catch for the right girl." She sighs loudly. "I'm sorry. I had good intentions. I just want you to be happy. I got the feeling you were lonely, and I wanted to do something nice for you. I should've thought it through." Shanna pulls her hair back behind her ears with both hands as she stretches her face. "I'm overwhelmed. Bryan and I don't see each other at all anymore with everything going on, and we thought this weekend would be good for us… but it's not. I can't leave the babies. I want to… but I can't do it." She dissolves in front of us. Her mascara is melting and streaks of black run down her face. It's then that I realize she hasn't seen anything.

I reach out and hold her close. Shanna and my brother have been together for at least ten years. The babies were a surprise after a long bout with infertility, and twins were more than either of them was expecting. "Why don't you two go out tonight and do something fun. Cooper and I will watch the kids. Two against two. That seems fair."

A rush goes through me at the thought of being alone with Cooper and the twins. I'd get to watch him hold them, care for them. My ovaries are already aching with anticipation.

"I don't think I can." Shanna lowers her shoulders and holds her face in her hand. "I'm so scared the second I leave something is going to happen and I won't be here."

"It's almost bedtime for the twins. I'll put them down, and you two can go get dessert at that little place by the pier. Relax. You can check the kids on the security cam if you want to."

She swallows hard and hugs me tightly. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. Oh, and I'm sorry about earlier. I should've been down here, but I was in my head about shit."

"Not at all. You're okay. I get it." Shanna holds me closer. "We can talk tomorrow morning if you want."

"I'll be fine. I worked through it. I'm at your disposal for the rest of the trip. Whatever you need. I promise!"

"Okay," she sighs. "We can take Alaina back to the station then since we'll be right next to it for dessert." She glances toward Cooper. "You've got to tell her, though. I don't have the heart."

Cooper grins and brushes his big hand down over his beard. "Not a problem. I'll tell her right now. You guys should take a nap before you go, too. You're both pretty beat."

Shanna nods and releases a breath as her shoulders fall. "That sounds like a good idea. I love you guys. Thank you!"

Cooper and I wrap her into a hug and Shanna disappears back into the dining room.

He turns back and pulls me against his giant frame. "Are you okay? That was scary."

I smile. "I'm just glad she didn't notice where your hand was."

One by one, he licks his fingers clean, his eyes on me. "I need more of you."

I lean into his chest and kiss his lips again and again, the scent of my excitement on his mouth.

How is this happening? How is sneaking around already not enough?I need him, and I need him right the fuck now!