8
IVY
I found Cooper on the back porch, leaning over the railing as though he might be sick. I hesitated for a moment before coming up close and wrapping my arms around his waist. I felt the heat of him through his shirt. He stiffened for just a second before relaxing against me. He was so different now than the night before. Then, he’d been all heat and passion, dominance and focus. Now? Vulnerable. Fearful.
“Are you all right?” I asked, keeping my voice soft.
He turned around to face me and leaned a hip against the rail. The truth of it was there in his eyes. No, he wasn’t all right. It had been a stupid question and I didn’t want to make him say it aloud. So I asked another. “Why did you walk out?”
His expression was so pained, it almost hurt to look at him.
“I didn’t want to scar
