One More Night (10 page)

It pained him when he finally admitted to himself that it wasn't just the sex he shared with Cooper, but he truly cared about her. For the first time in his life, he actually felt something towards a woman and before he realized the fact,
he'd selfishly ruined things
. He was about to stand up and start pacing when the intercom buzzed. His heart jumped hoping against hope that it would be Cooper, but it quickly died a quick death when he heard the male voice.

“Hello, this is Officer Phillips I'm trying to locate a Nate McGregor, a cousin of Jeff McGregor.”

Nate's insides went cold. “This is Nate McGregor. Jeff's cousin. Is there something wrong officer?”

“If you don't mind I would like to come up and speak to you privately.”

His eyes slammed shut
, Nate swallowed hard. “Sure come on up.” He lifted his lashes and hoped to God that the officer wasn't going to tell him what he was thinking. However, deep down in his gut, he knew something tragic had happened. He was waiting by the lift when it opened and one look at the officer's face told the story.

“Mister McGregor I'm sorry but your cousin and his wife were hit head on by a drunk driver. Neither of them survived the impact. I'm so sorry for your loss, but I was hoping you could tell me if your cousin's wife had any relations.”

Oh God Cooper
, was Nate's first thoughts. He cleared his throat. “Yes, Sandie has a sister. If you don't mind officer I think it might be best if this tragic news comes from me.”

“Well, if you're sure.”

Nate forced himself to listen to the office give him the information about the bodies, but his thoughts were on Cooper and how she was going to take this terrible news. Once the officer left, he slowly walked back into the living room and picked up the phone, he punched in his brother's number and waited for him to answer. “Trent it's Nate. I have some rotten news. Jeff and Sandie have been killed in a car accident. I'm driving down to tell Cooper. Take care of things in the office will you?”

“Oh hell, Nate.”

“Yeah, yeah I know. Look I want to leave now. I'll talk to you soon.” Nate hung up and his head dropped. It was going to tear him apart telling Cooper about the accident, but he wanted to be there for her when she heard. Shaking himself together, he strode into his bedroom and reached for an overnight suitcase. He wasn't paying much attention to what clothing he tossed in the bag, he was now thinking he would charter a plane and hire a car.

He wanted to be with Cooper before she had a chance to hear it on the radio or television, or before someone else in town heard it and told her. Five minutes later, he was on the phone again ordering a taxi to take him to the airport. When he was seated in the cab, his thoughts turned to his cousin and Sandie. Jeff had changed so much since he married Sandie and he could see they had been happy together, and were both looking forward to the birth of their child.
Oh God the baby, he'd forgotten all about the baby.
Tears burned the back of his eyes and he rubbed them with his knuckles.

For the moment he let his grief overwhelm him, he would have plenty of time to gather his emotions together before he confronted Cooper. He would have to be strong for her, because he knew that this would devastate her.
She might be full of fire and passion.
Have a tough exterior, but he knew how much she loved her sister. He would be there though and he would help her through this terrible time.

~*~

Seven thirty in the morning, Nate sat in his rented car outside the clinic. He knew that once he entered the building that it would be soul destroying for Cooper, and even though he wanted to put the meeting off, he knew it wouldn't change anything. Pain squeezed at his chest as he left the car and strode towards the front doors, drawing in a deep breath he pushed them open and stepped inside. The room was empty except for the scruffy kid he'd met the first time he'd entered the building. With a curt nod, he strode down the hallway and stopped at the partially opened door.

With a shaking hand, he pushed it open and stepped into the room, his gaze collided with Cooper's. He must look a wreck he thought when her face paled and panic entered her eyes, he watched her rise slowly to her feet and she gripped the edge of the desk so hard her knuckles turned white. For a few seconds time seemed to stand frozen. It was only broken by her trembling whispered words.

The very second she glanced up and saw Nate, Cooper knew something horrible had happened. She'd worn that same tragic look to many times to count, and had seen other doctor's wear it as well. “What's happened? It's Sandie isn't it?”

Nate moved across the small room and behind the desk, he reached out and took her in his embrace. “I'm so sorry honey. So damn sorry.”

“Oh God no. Tell me Nate. Just tell me.”

Tenderly, Nate caressed the side of her head as he eyes held hers. “Jeff and Sandie were hit by a drunk driver.” He could see the question in her eyes and slowly shook his head. “They didn't survive.”

Cooper's knees gave out from under her and if it wasn't for Nate she would have fallen to the floor. She wept against his chest as the devastating news consumed her
. Gone, her sweet sister, her husband and their unborn child all gone
. For the moment being held in Nate's strong arms she let her grief overwhelm her, knowing that in the next few days she wouldn't have time to grieve for her family.

Nate held her for a long time, he spoke softly to her and tried to soothe her with his caress, but he knew this initial grief would take time. It wasn't until she shifted in his embrace, and stared up at him with tear filled red rimmed eyes that she was once again in control of her emotions. “Why don't you sit down sweetheart and I'll take care of everything.” He was relieved when she nodded in agreement. Letting her go, he hurried out of the room and spoke quickly to the young man behind the reception desk. Once a replacement had been found to take over Cooper's shift at the clinic, he rang the airport and spoke to the pilot letting him know when he would be ready to return to Dallas.

He took a few minutes to shore up his own emotions before he went back to Cooper, he saw her seated behind the desk staring into space. Tears trickled down her cheeks and his heart wrenched with hopelessness, knowing nothing he could do or say would take away her pain. Striding over to her, he hunkered down beside her and taking her small hand in his squeezed it lightly. “I know it hurts honey. But you're going have to be brave for just a little while longer. Okay?”

Cooper nodded her head and gave him a trembling smile. “I know, it's just. It's just.”

“Sh, I understand. I'll drive you home and you can pack a few things. I have a plane waiting to fly us to Dallas.” He rose to his feet and helped her stand. With his arm wrapped protectively around her shoulders, he led her out of the room and down the hallway. He was forced to stop when she did and waited for her to finish speaking to the teenager.

“I have to go away for a few days Darrell. Be sure to lock up when you leave.”

“Sure thing Coop and hey I'm real sorry about your sister.”

Cooper swallowed back the tears that chocked her throat. “I know and thanks.”

Nate led her outside and into the rented car, once the door shut he dragged his fingers through his hair and stared up at the sunny blue sky. How could such a beautiful day be so full of sadness and devastation, it was ironic when you really thought about it.

Through the car window, Cooper watched Nate. He was just as affected over the loss of family as she was. And even though she was filled with sorrow, it didn't take away from the fact that her heart rejoiced at seeing him again. She had missed him so much since that fateful night. She'd been tempted many times to pick up the phone and ring him but her pride wouldn't let her. Now after all this time he was here, but for all the wrong reasons.

Yet she was overwhelmingly grateful for his consideration. He didn't have to come down here and tell her the soul destroying news, but he had. She wasn't afraid to admit that she would need him in the days to come.
With him standing so strong and solid beside her, she just might be able to survive.
She shouldn't let herself rely on him, it would only cause her more heartache when he left. Yet she couldn't deny the fact that she truly needed him to help her through this terrible time.

Her gaze dropped to her clenched hands in her lap, her thoughts once more on her beautiful sister and the tragedy that had befallen Sandie and her family. She'd witnessed senseless deaths many times when she worked in the emergency room, and her heart always broke for the family that was left behind. Now, she was experiencing what those poor people felt and she couldn't stop herself from crying knowing that nothing would ever take away the pain of losing someone you loved.

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SIXTEEN

The flight back to Dallas was done in intermittent conversation, the only things that were discussed were the funeral arrangement. Nate was feeling hopeless throughout the trip home. He wanted to rant and rave because he didn't know what he could do about Cooper's silent weeping. He let out a sporadic breath when the elevator doors open to his penthouse, gently he grasped her arm and with her bag in his other hand, led her into the living area.

“Oh wow. This is some pad you have here McGregor.” Cooper whispered as her gaze swam around the elegant room.

Nate grunted and rolled his shoulders before he dropped the bag at his feet. “Yeah. It's okay.”

“Okay, mmm well for a man that has oodles of money I shouldn't expect any other answer. I bet your dolly birds love this place.” Cooper muttered the last as she went to the floor to ceiling glass doors and gazed out at the stunning view of Dallas.

His mouth turned down in a grimace, Nate didn't like her comment but at least she wasn't crying and that was a good thing he told himself. “
Dolly birds
. I suppose your referring to the women I used to date? And if you must know Miss Nosey none of the women I dated have ever been here.” He arched a brow when she swung round to sear him with a mocking gaze.
Ah ah
, by the glimmer in her eyes he knew she was certainly going to have some sassy remark.

“You mean you've never brought a woman home? Why not?” A thrill of relief swept through her when he had admitted that no other woman had been here except her.

Nate didn't like where this conversation was heading and dragged his fingers through his hair. “No, you're the first woman I've bought here and the reason why is because once you bring a woman home she starts to get ideas.”

Cooper raised a dark brow in curiosity. “What type of ideas?”

“
Damn it
, they start to think along the lines of permanency,
wedding bells
. They want to show you how domesticated they can be. You know cook you dinner, iron your shirts.” He saw the amusement dancing in her eyes and let out a sigh of annoyance.

“Ah... I see. And you bringing me here, you think you're safe from me getting any ideas about wedding bells, permanency?” She saw his face flush.

He'd been painted into a corner and he knew it, but he intended to fight back. “Hell woman, that wasn't what I said or thought, so stop putting words in my mouth. I bought you here because I want to take care of you.”

All humor fled
, and the reason why she was here in the first place came rushing back. With a little sob, Cooper ran to Nate, slipped her arms around his waist and buried her face against his solid chest.

Nate cursed his wayward tongue, when the laughter died in Cooper's eyes, he wrapped his arms around her and rubbed his cheek against the top of her head. “I'm sorry sweetheart. I didn't mean to upset you.”

Cooper sniffed. “Make love to me Nate. Make love to me so that for a little while I can forget.”

His heart raced and Nate could already feel himself becoming aroused, but still he hesitated. He shifted her away and glanced down into her eyes and the sorrow in them twisted his heart. His hands lifted and he cupped her face as he leaned down to brush her mouth with his own. “If you sure Cooper. If you're really sure this is what you want?”

“Yes, Nate.”

One more long lingering kiss and he swept her up in his arms, carried her from the room and down the hallway. In the master suite, he placed her on her feet beside the king size bed and enfolding her in his arms, he bent his head and claimed her mouth in a searing kiss. It had been so long since he had tasted her and he was drowning in his need for her. However, he held himself back with immense effort.
This was for her, he told himself
. If his love making could give her a little respite from her grief she was suffering then he would give it to her.

Cooper gave a sob as pleasure rushed through her, Nate's kisses were not only purely sinful, but there was exquisite tenderness behind them.

One last soul capturing kiss, Nate moved his mouth over her cheek, along her jaw and down the column of her neck. His hands were also busy and had her cotton summer dress already undone, hooking his fingers under the straps he drew it down. “I started to grow quite a fetish for bright little bits of lace.” He murmured against her collar bone before he leaned away. “And I see you haven't disappointed me.” The hot pink lace bra she wore made his erection pulse with anticipation.

Cooper chuckled. “I'm glad I can feed your obsession.”

“Oh you do more than feed it sweetheart.” Nate rasped out as swept her dress down, when it fell at feet and she stepped out of it, he went down on his knees and removed her shoes. He brushed his lips against the lacy thong and breathed in the sweet scent of her arousal.

With on hand clasping her hip, the fingers of his other hand slipped her panties of. He drew her backwards until her knees it the edge of the mattress and she tumbled downwards. Kneeling down positioning himself between her spread thighs, he hooked each leg over his shoulders, their gaze caught and held. “I've been starved for the taste of you again.” He grinned wickedly at her flushed face before he lowered his head and his tongue stroked between her feminine lips.