Always For Keeps ( For Keeps part 2)

Thirty Three. Scarlett

The day has taken its toll, and I fall asleep.

I startle awake as a nightmare torments me. It's still dark out as Luke sleeps peacefully next to me, but I can't see Cooper in the dark room. The bedside table says it's half past one.
I carefully move off the bed. My side aches as I stand, but it's not unmanageable. I open the door and walk slowly into the living area.
Cooper sits at the desk and types on his laptop.
"Hey." I say quietly trying to not startle him.
"Sorry. Did I wake you?" He asks shutting his laptop and rubbing his eyes.
"No. I woke up and you weren't there. I worried."
"I'm sorry baby, I was trying to finish some work. Time got away from me." He says as he pulls me into his arms.
"It's okay. I had a bad dream." I wrap my arms around him as he kisses my head.
"I'm sorry. Want to talk about it?" He asks and sits us on the couch.
"I was under water, but I couldn't get back to the surface as hard as I tried."
"It's okay. You're okay now." He says.
"I know." I clear my throat. "In my dream, I couldn't find you. I was so scared that I lost you." I say and I shiver.
"You won't lose me. I'm right here." He says as he pulls away and his eyes search mine.
"I don't want to lose you. Either of you and I know how amazingly selfish that is, but I don't." I shake my head.
"I'm not going anywhere. Neither is Luke." He reassures me. I shift on his lap so I'm facing him.
"Promise?" I breathe.
"I swear." He says before his lips touch mine.
The fear from my nightmare melts away as his lips claim mine. His hands move as he takes of my shirt followed by my shorts. He shifts us so he can move his shorts out of the way before setting me on him. He groans as I move on top of him. He's careful not to touch me too much, afraid to hurt me. I smile as I grab his hands and put them on my chest. He smiles and shakes his head as he massages them lightly.
I carefully rock on his lap as his wild eyes search mine. "I love you." He says.
"I love you." I moan as he pushes up against me. He moves his hands carefully to my hips and moves me faster against him.
It doesn't take long for us to crash together.
We sit on the couch a while longer as we catch our breath. He puts my shirt and shorts back on careful not to touch the cut on my side.
"Does it hurt?" He asks.
"It's not too bad." I shrug as he bends down and kisses softly on the bandage.
"Are you ready to go back to bed?" He asks as he picks my up off the couch.
"Yes." I say and kiss him softly.
It doesn't take long for me to fall back asleep in his arms. Luckily no nightmares follow.

I feel Luke shift next to me and I pull him closer.
"Good morning." He says and kisses me.
"Morning." I say and open my eyes.
"How'd you sleep?" He asks. My nightmare flashes in my head and I push it down.
"Could have been better." I smile.
"I'm sorry." He frowns.
"It's okay." I smile and sit up. Pain in my side makes me wince.
"Are you okay?" He asks.
"Yeah. I just need some Tylenol or something."
"What about the pain pills the doctor gave you?"
"I don't want anything that will make me tired." I smile.
"Okay. I'll run and get some Tylenol."
"I'll go with you." I say and climb out of bed. I realize Cooper isn't in bed and I frown.
"He's already working." Luke says as he takes in my expression.
"Oh." I nod.
"We can get him coffee. He had a late night." He says and I look at him as he smiles and raises an eyebrow.
"I-uh- I..."
"It's okay. He said you had a nightmare. I mean, you could have woke me up by straddling me, but... it's okay." He sighs and then winks.
"You talked to him? When?"
"When he got up. I went out for a glass of water and your panties were on the couch." He laughs.
"God that's embarrassing. I'm sorry."
"Don't be." He kisses me again and helps me to my feet. "But I'm going to fuck you today. Probably a few times."
"Okay." I say and smile.

We get dressed and head out to the living room.
"Good morning." Cooper says as he comes to hug me. "How are you feeling?"
"Sore. We are going to get some Tylenol. Need anything?"
"I'm okay. I'll order some breakfast. Pancakes okay?"
"Pancakes sound good." I say and lean up to kiss him. I ignore the sting as I stretch.

Luke and I are quick to find medicine. When we get back I take a couple pills and wait for breakfast to show up. Luke heads next door to see his family.
Cooper seems on edge and I don't want to push anything, but I want to know he's okay.
"What's wrong?" I ask as I wrap my arms around his waist.
"Just a stressful deal. I'm sorry I've been distant. It's not my intention."
"It's okay. You have your job to focus on. It can't be easy worrying about that and constantly worrying about me." I frown.
"I always worry about you, but it's not bad. You're a good distraction." He smiles.
"I doubt that." I sigh and lean back on the couch.
"Scarlett, you're the best part of my life. Please don't think for one second that you are anything bad. I love you. Always."
"I love you. I just feel like I'm making a mess of you and Luke's lives."
"You're the best part of both our lives. You make me happy."
"You make me happy, too." I smile as he kisses me softly.
Breakfast comes and Luke returns. We eat together before Cooper heads off to a meeting.
"Alone at last." Luke says.
"That we are." I smile and pull his shirt so his body flushes against mine. I waste no time kissing his lips. He groans in my mouth as he picks me up and carries me to the bathroom.
We shower together quickly and carefully before retreating to the bed.
Luke is careful as we make love. I keep trying to pick up the pace, but he isn't having it. I stop trying and just focus on how good his body feels.
He sucks on my neck lightly and I lose it. I come hard and he follows after me.
"Are you pregnant yet?" He asks as he throws the condom away.
"I don't think so." I smile. "Why? Can't wait until I'm fat?" I tease.
"You're going to be so hot. I can't imagine how huge your boobs are going to be. Besides, I hate using condoms with you. I'm addicted to feeling you."
"Oh yeah I'll be so hot when my tits are painfully swollen." I roll my eyes.
"You're always hot." He laughs.
"And when my stomach is covered in stretch marks?"
"I'll love every mark on your beautiful skin." He leans down and kisses my lower stomach. Excitement courses though me as I watch him.
"I love you." I smile.
"I love you." He says.

We spend some time holding each other. After another orgasm, we get dressed and head over to see his family. We stay inside today. Yesterday was a little too much excitement. Plus, Damon is burnt.
We laugh together as they tell me embarrassing Luke stories. I shake my head as I look at him and try to imagine him any other way. This sweet man who applied at a job just to get to know me was once a complete tool.
"You were a jerk!" I laugh after Damon tells us about the time he took a girls virginity who was dating another guy.
"I told you I wasn't nice." He shakes his head.
"What makes me so special?" I tease.
"Oh easy. You're you." He shrugs.
"Ahh the woman who tamed this wild beast." Lexie laughs.
"That she did." He smiles at me.
"I can't get over how mean you were!" I frown.
"I'm sorry." He pouts. "You changed me."
"Good." I smile and kiss him quickly.
As everyone keeps engaging in conversation, I excuse myself to see if Cooper is back yet.

I shake my head thinking about how big of a jerk Luke was back before me as I open the door.
As I turn around from closing it, my blood runs cold as color drains from my face.
Cooper sits at the desk; his clothes are disheveled and in his right hand, dark amber liquid barely fills his cup.

Fear courses though me as he stands; his eyes focused on me.