Rural Romance by Alexa Riley

Chapter Ten

Juno

“You’re not mad at me?” I’m sitting on the kitchen counter swinging my legs back and forth as I talk to Lux on the phone. She’s my best friend and has helped me through the darkest times in my life. I love her and don’t want to damage our friendship because I’m with her brother.

“Are you kidding me? We’re going to be sisters! This is awesome. Why would I be mad?” She says, and I didn’t realize how worried I was until the relief washes over me.

“I don’t know. I didn’t tell you about my crush, so I know this might be coming out of nowhere.”

“I saw the way my brother looked at you when he thought no one was around. Not to mention how his mood would change.” She laughs. “I never thought this day would come, but I think the oddest thing about all of this will be finally seeing Cooper with a woman.”

I bite my lip because I’m kind of happy about that fact. We live in a small town, and the last thing I want is to be around other women he’s dated. Even with Paula, Cooper told me they’d only gone to a dance together in high school, and I’m still annoyed. Nothing ever happened with them, not even a goodnight kiss, and I don’t want to hear about it.

“I think the whole town is going to be shocked that straight-laced Cooper is dating the girl with ever-changing hair and a nose ring.” Maybe I’m wrong, but that’s my immediate thought.

Honestly, I don’t think anyone knows Cooper better than I do. If people knew what he says behind closed doors they’d fall over dead. My body heats, thinking about all the dirty things he says in my ear while he’s inside me.

“They’ll be happy,” Lux says, pulling my mind out of the gutter. “They love Cooper and want him to be happy. I know you don’t believe it, but that town loves you too, Juno.”

I don’t tell her about the brick going through the front of my store because I don’t want her to worry. Someone around here clearly doesn't like me, but I do believe her. After that party they threw for me at the diner, I'm starting to get it. I think my fear of not belonging has held me back in a lot of ways, even with Cooper. He thought I didn’t like Pink Springs and was sure I’d try and leave one day, when in reality it’s the only place I’ve ever felt at home.

“You two should come up soon so we can do wedding stuff. This is going to be perfect.” She lets out another squeal and then we laugh.

We talk a bit longer before saying our goodbyes, and I jump down from the kitchen counter. I run my hand along the cool stone and think about how much time I’ve spent in this house. It’s crazy that it's now going to be my home. Cooper made it very clear that we’d already lost a couple months and he’s not spending another night without me in his bed.

That man is an adorable nut. When he had to run out for work, he told me to make a list of things that could be changed and updated around here, but I’m not sure if I can do that. When he went on talking about where my art studio could go, I had tears in my eyes. He wants this to be our home and to reflect us. I’ll start a list, but I want him to do it with me. I know a fight is going to be coming, though, because I’ll want to use my own money for some things. The only person who really knows about my inheritance from my parents is Lux. People can act weird when they find out what’s in your bank account, but I have a feeling Cooper won’t care.

A flutter runs through me when I hear someone knock on the front door. Then I remember that Cooper wouldn’t knock on his own door. When I open the front door, I inwardly groan at Paula standing there. She’s really pretty with silky long blond hair, bright blue eyes, and a killer body. It feels a little too early for the sexy outfit and heels she’s got on, but if that’s what she likes, whatever. I’m clearly not going to judge someone based on their style choices. I’m not jealous over her crush on Cooper because she and I are night and day. If I’m what Cooper can’t keep his hands off of, then this chick will never have a chance.

“Can I help you?” I smile up at her, trying to not be rude. I don’t want to be one of those catty girls, and no one really knows Cooper and I are together. She probably thinks he’s single so it should be fine to flirt and try to rub on him. My stomach rolls at the thought, and I guess I’m just as jealous and possessive as Cooper. My thoughts drift to the idea of convincing Cooper to get my name tattooed on him.

“Yeah, you can help me,” she snaps, and it brings me back to reality. “You can get the hell out of this town.”

With both hands, she reaches out and shoves me hard against my chest. It catches me completely off guard, and I stumble back, hitting the floor hard. She steps inside and locks the door behind her. I try to hurry and get to my feet so I can get the hell out of here. She probably has a weapon or something, and she’s so much bigger than me.

“He’s supposed to be mine, not some trailer park whore’s.” She catches me by my hair and jerks me back. “You’re going to ruin him,” she hisses in my ear. “You really think they’ll re-elect him if he’s with you?”

“You might think I look like trash, but you’re fucking crazy.” I swing back with my elbow as hard as I can, making contact with some part of her tall-ass body. She releases my hair and lets out a loud yelp.

“You hit me!” she accuses me, like she’s shocked I fought back. She’s absolutely insane. “I’m here to save him from you and your devil ways. You’ve hypnotized him with a spell or something.”

“It was actually just my vagina.” Great, Juno, provoke the nut job.

“You’re disgusting. I didn’t want to have to do this, but I thought I could get you to leave once you realized it’s best for me to be with Cooper.” She shakes her head at me like a disappointed parent. “You’ve given me no choice.”

My stomach drops when she pulls out a gun and points it at me. Holy fuck, this just got real.

“If you kill me, you’ll go to jail.” I speak calmly and slowly. “I can leave right now,” I try to suggest.

“No, I’m the one that’s right. I’m protecting Cooper and everyone else.” She’s waving the gun around as she speaks, and then her eyes lock with mine. “There is no other way,” she says coolly, raising the gun to aim at my chest.

We’re both startled when the front door bursts open, and Paula swings around to point her gun at Cooper. Without thinking, I do the only thing I can, and I body slam her with all my might. I hit her hard with my shoulder and see the gun go flying up into the air as we both fall to the floor. Quickly I sit up trying to see where it went and am relieved when Cooper has it.

When I look into his eyes, the expression on his face is even intimidating to me, and I know her crazy ass is in trouble now.

“Cooper, you came for me,” Paula says, and her whole face brightens. She hobbles to sit up and points her red fingernail at me. “She hit me twice.”

“Shut the fuck up,” Cooper bellows, but Paula can’t control herself.

“See! You never talked like that before you met this little—”

I gasp when Cooper fires a shot at her, and then I realize it’s a taser. Paula hits the ground again, and this time her body jerks around before she finally stills.

“Oh god. I thought you actually shot her,” I say as Cooper helps me to my feet then holds me tight against his chest. “Too bad,” I mumble, and he shakes his head.

“What am I going to do with you?” He brushes a lock of my hair out of my face, and I see he’s relieved to have me in his arms.

“I have a few ideas.” I smirk at him and then several more cops show up. Paula is now crying on the floor, and I almost feel sorry for her. “I think she needs a hospital or something. She’s not all there.”

“You know she tried to murder you, right?” Cooper tightens his hold on me.

“So are you right now. I can’t breathe,” I wheeze, and his arms relax a fraction.

“Get her handled. I’ll be back,” Cooper says to one of the other officers. He takes my hand and leads me down the hallway and into his room. The second the door closes, he’s on me as he lifts me off my feet and presses me against the door. His mouth comes down on mine, and the kiss is untamed and needy. It’s almost painful in the sweetest of ways, and I give him back the same.

“I could have fucking lost you. She’s lucky I didn’t actually shoot her. The only reason I didn't is because I can’t take care of your ass while I’m in prison.”

“Thank goodness. I know I might look a bit edgy, but I don’t think conjugal visits would be my thing. Don’t get me wrong, I’d make it my thing for you, but all I'm saying is I’d rather not.”

A small smile pulls at his lips, and I’m happy to have distracted him even a little. “We’re getting married today,” he announces suddenly.

“Wait, what? We can’t, Lux is getting married.”

“I don’t care.”

“I care! I don’t want to overshadow her.”

“She’d be here in two hours flat if you called and said you were getting married. She would show up with a giant smile on her face, and you know it.” My shoulders drop because I know he’s right.

“Cooper—”

“I could have lost you today.” He cuts me off before I can try and protest again. “We never know what is coming in life. I regret the months I tried to stay away from you. I will not regret how long it took me to marry you.”

“How can I say no to that?” I throw my hands up.

“You can’t.” His smile grows wider, and I know I won’t be able to deny him what he wants. Because honestly, it’s what I want too.

“You know it might not have been so terrible that you waited to make me yours. People might have talked since I had just graduated high school. I was eighteen and all, but still.”

“I don’t give a fuck what anyone else thinks.”

“I know, but you love this town.”

He shakes his head. “That day I came home and I saw Lux was leaving for the city I was about to lose my mind. I was sure you were going with her. My fear was becoming a reality, but it was a stupid fucking fear because I would have lasted about two seconds before I was chasing your ass down. I might have avoided you around town, but I still had my eyes on you. Always. You were never going to get away from me.” This man is killing me with sweetness.

“I love this town too, but hopefully it won’t come to that.” I need to put my faith in the people of Pink Springs. They’ve never given me a reason not to, and I’ve let my own insecurities cloud that fact.

“If they don’t like it or give us shit we’ll pack up and find a new town to call our own.” My breath hitches.

“You’d do that for me? Walk away from Pink Springs?”

“In a heartbeat,” he says instantly. “Where you go I go, whether it’s the city or a whole other country. Being with you is what matters the most.”

“I love you so damn much.” My eyes burn with tears. “We should call Lux because we’re getting married today.”

“I love you too.” He brushes his mouth against mine. “I’m never letting you go.”

It’s a good thing that in his arms is exactly where I want to be. From now until forever.