Torrid Little Affair (Forbidden Desires #3)

Corinne

My eyes popped open at precisely 5:02 that morning. As I lay there in bed, staring at the ceiling, I could already feel the butterflies swarming in my stomach. The past three weeks had felt like forever, and the day I’d been waiting for was finally here.

Today, Aaron and I were moving in with Cooper.

My whole life was packed up in cardboard boxes, ready to be taken to my new home. Well, maybe not my whole life. Cooper was waiting for me with open arms, but I was terrified that the moment I wheeled Aaron through his front door, Cooper would see what kind of life he’d actually signed up for and regret ever inviting us to live with him.

Please, God, or the universe, or whatever power is out there, don’t let him regret asking us to move in with him.

The moving truck was set to take our things to Cooper’s at ten a. m. sharp. I stayed in bed for another hour, closing my eyes and trying to make myself fall back asleep. But no matter how much I longed for just a little more beauty rest, sleep wouldn’t come. Worries kept racing through my mind as I imagined every possible outcome in which moving in with Cooper was a huge mistake.

Even after everything we’d been through, I couldn’t silence that small part of me that wondered if Cooper really wanted me in his life-especially now that having me meant having Aaron as well.

When my nervous thoughts became too much, I sprang out of bed and began making one final sweep through the place. As I wandered through the rooms of our apartment, I thought about the life Aaron and I had shared together up until that point.

It had always been just the two of us, from when we were only a couple of nervous kids in the system. Would Aaron be okay with letting another person into our lives? Into my life? I didn’t want him to feel replaced or like I didn’t care about him in the same way I used to. Moving in with Cooper had so many potential pitfalls.

For as nervous as I was, I was excited to finally get on with it. The anticipation of this day had been killing me.

Once Aaron woke up, I decided to pick up breakfast sandwiches for us before the moving truck got there. My mind was still racing the entire time, and I was so scattered, I almost forgot to pay for our food. I arrived back home just as the moving truck pulled up, and I hurried inside to let the men in and show them what to do. They were kind and professional, and for just a moment, I felt better about the whole moving process.

They finished loading our boxes into the truck within half an hour, and soon Aaron and I were following the moving truck to our new home.

By the time we pulled up in front of Cooper’s building, I felt like my heart was about to pound right through my chest. Cooper was already outside waiting for us, and my stomach dropped at the sight of his wide, welcoming smile. I wheeled Aaron around to the wide front doors while Cooper talked with the moving men and directed them to the service elevator.

With the logistics of the move all worked out, Cooper strode excitedly toward Aaron and me, planting a warm kiss on my cheek and gently patting Aaron’s shoulder.

“Ready to see your new home?” Cooper asked, his green eyes bright with anticipation.

I shot him a nervous smile and nodded hesitantly, leaning down to whisper in Aaron’s ear, “All right, Aaron, let’s take a ride up the elevator.”

Cooper led us inside and we ventured up to his floor. Once we reached his penthouse, I was immediately struck by the modifications he had made for the move.

Cooper’s home was now perfect for Aaron.

Not only were renovations done so that Aaron could get around more easily, there was even 24/7 care on hand to make sure that all his needs would be met. The doormen were so kind and already knew Aaron and me by name, and the building’s security was just strict enough to make the home feel safe. Cooper ushered the morning shift nurse over to us so we could get to know each other, and I could already tell that she was more qualified than I ever imagined possible.

As I went over Aaron’s medications and needs with the nurse, Aaron and his therapy dog wandered around the penthouse to get familiar with the space. My stomach churned as the two of them slowly moved through the room. I could only imagine how Aaron might have been feeling.

Was he overwhelmed by all the changes? Did he already hate me for bringing him here, and Cooper for inviting us?

But all my worries faded away when I saw the look on Aaron’s face. He was facing the wall of windows that overlooked the busy city streets below, and he looked utterly enamored. Relief flooded through my entire body as I watched a wide grin stretch across his face. I knew then that one of the main men in my life was happy with our new arrangement.

Once I felt that the nurse had a handle on Aaron’s needs, I left her to get to know him.

Cooper appeared by my side, placing a steady hand on the small of my back, and I turned to look at him, trying to read if he was already regretting making so much room for another person in our relationship. But all I could see on his face was happiness.

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I swiped at a stray tear. I wasn’t sure when I’d gotten so emotional, but perhaps the buildup of this day had been in my mind for so long, now that it was here and actually going well, relief flooded my system, overwhelming me.

“I feel so blessed. I’m so lucky to have a man like you.”

He shook his head, a slow smile uncurling on his lips. “I’m the lucky one, dove. I’m so happy you said yes.”

He smiled broadly at me and led me through the living room, pointing out all the ways he’d made his home more wheelchair accessible. Cooper had even modified the master suite, enlarging it so it now had a living area in addition to the bedroom and bathroom. That way, we had our own space and Aaron had his, but we would always be nearby in case he needed us.

It was all perfect-almost too good to be true. How did I find a man so caring and so understanding of my needs?