We both fall silent. “That day I turned up with Sutt and Blair to your ranch. I think the mountain knew you needed me.”
“Because I did without even knowin’ it—without knowin’you.
“Wasn’t expectin’ Sully Wilson to ask me to stand up and marry his only daughter, that’s for sure,” I reply, “or that he would tell us all that you were the one who would put the mountain back together.”
Em smirks. “Nobody would’ve seenthatcomin’.”
“As soon as I looked him in the eye, I knew he meant it, that he wanted me to be there for you. It was never just a dyin’ man’s wish for me.”
“He must’ve known.” She looks down to her glass with a wry smile. “And now look at us, our first date and I’m already gettin’ all deep and meaningful.”
“You can be however you want to be, wifey. I’m an open book when it comes to you. What you see is what you get.”
She stares at me for a good long while, tilting her head as if studying me. “You really mean that, don’t you?”
I nod and we end up just staring at each other over the table while the rest of the diners around us go about their business. It’s like they fade from existence, the lively conversation and bustle of staff muting as I lose myself in my wife’s soulful gaze. My attention is drawn to her lips and all I can think about is kissing her again. The last—and only—time was when Pete pronounced us husband and wife.
Last weekend’s cheek kiss was barely enough to keep me at bay. But denying myself a taste of her until we’re both in the same place emotionally is more important to me than getting what I want right now.Because I know it’ll be worth the wait.
A slow growing smile tips my lips as I pull my hand away. “I do have oneveryimportant question to ask you though, and it might affect how we move forward from here…”
She frowns, looking adorably confused.“What’s that?”
“Are you a sharer or a hogger?”
A startled giggle escapes her. “What are you talkin’ about?”
I pick up the menu and shake it between us. “Dessert.”
Ever so slowly, she arches a single brow my way as she drops her voice to a sultry whisper. “I guess that depends on you.”
Nowshe’s playing me at my own game and I willingly let myself be reeled in. “On what?”
She leans in and I mirror the move. “On whatyouwant, of course.”
I slowly lift a brow. “What’s mine is yours, wifey.Remember?”
Her eyes flash with heat andgoddo I want to reach out and trace those smirking lips of hers with my thumb.Or my tongue.
Then, as if the spell is broken, she sits up straight and tugs the menu out of my hand, laughing as I stare at her dumbfounded.She totally had me then.
“In that case, we’re gettin’ the lava cakeanda banana split. I’m sure myhusbandknows the way to a woman’s heart is with chocolate and ice cream. “She beams at me. I realize then that there’s no way I can—or ever will—deny my wife anything.I’m screwed… but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“What’s the sayin’? Happy wife, happy life. I’m sure Dad always told us that. So order whatever you’d like, Mrs. Cooper.” The minute the word is out of my mouth, my eyes jump wide, locking with hers as it registers what I just said. “Sorry, I?—“
“Why not Wilson-Cooper?” she challenges. “Why does a wife always have to only take herhusband’sname?”
My whole body jerks. “I just meant?—”
“Or Cooper-Wilson?” she continues, her eyes dancing as I continue to squirm in my seat. “What’s wrong, hubby? Cat got your tongue?”
“Whatever you want, Em. You’re the boss,” I say with a knowing smirk.
She pulls her shoulders back, grinning wide. “You’re a quick study, hubby.”
“Anythin’ for you, wifey.”
I somehow manage to control myself, even when I lead her to the front door of her house.