by Amanda Ashby
I don’t have room in my life for Paul, either.
“Yes, absolutely.” She nodded as annoyance filled her belly. This was her house. How dare he turn up and act like this? Try and tell her how she should feel, or whom she should feel it for. Pepper didn’t often act rashly. She could count the instances on one hand, but, as Paul continued to study Coop like it was a big joke, adrenaline thrummed in her veins.
“I’m not a patient man, Pepper and if you want to act childishly then this really will be over.”
“As opposed to when I said it was over?” she said.
“We both know you only did that because you were angry. And, on reflection I can understand. Which is why I’m here. But if you persist in this game you’re playing then I’ll walk away right now and we’ll be done for good.”
Pepper returned his gaze as her heart hammered.
Next to her Coop shifted and lifted a finger up to her cheek. His touch was like a heat-ray and it wasn’t until he dropped his finger and mouthed the word ‘dust’ she remembered the candelabra.
She clamped down on her tongue to steady the fluttering sensation in her stomach as she turned her attention back to the real problem. Paul.
Her ex-fiancé might be stubborn and controlling to a fault, but he never liked to contradict himself.
All I have to do is piss him off and he’ll walk away.
Exhilaration at finally getting her life back pumped through her veins and before she could stop herself, she did the one thing she swore she’d never allow herself to do.
She stood on her toes and searched for Coop’s mouth, her cheek still burning from his touch. The plan was to give him a small peck on the lips. Just enough to prove to Paul just how serious she was.
The reality was, the moment her mouth brushed his, her stomach swirled and her entire body tingled. Big mistake. She tried to pull away but forgot Coop’s arm was still around her shoulder and, as his lips formed a smile, he used his other arm to drag her closer, trapping her against his chest.
Somewhere in the distance Paul’s footsteps echoed against the wooden porch. But, it wasn’t until the sound of his engine roared into life she stepped away. Coop was grinning, as if kissing her was the biggest joke in the world.
“Well,” he said in a husky voice as he leaned against the staircase. “That was interesting. And now how about telling me what the hell’s going on?”
Which part? Where I finally got Paul to take me seriously, or that you kiss better than any man has a right to?
Either way, as far as Pepper could tell, she’d solved one problem by creating another one and now she was in trouble. Big, big trouble.
Chapter Two
Coop sat down on the old wooden chair in the kitchen and ignored the cell phone beeping in his pocket. It would be Bec wanting to know if he had the oak dresser he was meant to be collecting.
No. Too busy kissing your sister. Sorry.
Pepper was crouched over the old wood stove that had been in the farm kitchen for as long as Coop could remember. Her sleeves were pushed back as she added another log and busied herself with the woodchips that had fallen onto the floor. As always, her actions were measured and precise and there was absolutely no sign the kiss had moved her in anyway.
Which really, really sucked.
Because it sure as hell moved me.
And to think it all could’ve been avoided if he’d just told Bec he was too busy to collect the damn dresser.
Which was true. It had been two months since he discovered his folks were selling off parts of the farm to pay Simon’s medical bills. Even though his twin had lost his fight ten years ago, it seemed the bills lived on.
Coop clenched his jaw.
The strain in his parents’ eyes had been heartbreaking. It took every bit of his skill to convince them go stay with friends in Texas for a couple of months. He just hoped that the warmer weather and the time away would help put some color into their sunken cheeks, while he figured out a way to help.
Problem was, the only thing he could come up with was to expand Bad Fox Brewery and do it quickly. Currently he only produced enough to supply the local bars and the mobile van he’d set up for weddings and functions, but not enough to help his parents.
The good news was there was a big market out there, he just needed the finances to reach it. Which was where Morgan Breton came in. He was the perfect investor. And Coop was meeting him in four days time at a black tie event. Four days to prepare for what would hopefully give his parents the retirement they deserved.
Instead he was sitting in the kitchen of Wishing Bridge Farm—a place he thought of as his second home—dealing with the look of disgust on Pepper’s face.
Obviously kissing me isn’t going to make her top ten fun things to do list.
He tightened his fists and resisted the urge to rub his wounded ego.
Strike that.
It was better to know she felt nothing, because it was a reminder that this stupid torch he’d carried for her all these years needed to be extinguished.
Step one. Do not think about the press of her body against his as her mouth opened. Or the trail of freckles gathered on her up turned nose, or the heavy lashes fringing her navy eyes.
Dammit.
Finally, she finished with the stove and stood up, taking time to smooth down her jeans and plain denim blouse, which he suspected once belonged to Emmy, only because it was too informal for Pepper’s regular wardrobe, and not quite wild enough to suit Bec’s crazy tastes.
“So, about the kiss. Thank you for going along with it.”
“That’s it?” Coop growled. It wasn’t the first time he’d encountered Pepper’s steel wall, but right now he wasn’t in the mood. “You have a secret fiancé—”
“Ex-fiancé,” she corrected, and then a hint of color rose to her cheeks. It was part of the enigma he’d been trying to unravel ever since he’d known her. That she could be cold and warm at the same time.
And that it can turn me on so much.
“Fine. You have a secret ex-fiancé.” Not that he should be surprised. After all, she’d already achieved the first thing on the damn plan of hers—to get out of Sunshine and back to Seattle. No doubt marrying a rich douche named Paul was number two. It shouldn’t piss him off, but it did. “And you pretended we’re a couple in front of him. Not just manhandling me—”
“Manhandling?” He watched her nostrils flare. “Please, I held your hand and kissed you.”
“Without my consent,” Coop said, as some of his annoyance was replaced by amusement. Pepper was clearly uncomfortable. Baiting her was a game he’d long played since she had no idea how sexy she looked when she was pissed off. He folded his arms and sat down, stretching out his long legs, just like he’d done a hundred times in the past. It’s just normally when he did it, Pepper was nowhere in the vicinity. She was off following her dreams and forgetting about everyone she’d left behind. “I was just innocently standing there.”
“You’re never innocent.” Pepper folded her arms, mirroring his own. It was a dance he knew well. Bulls locked horns, he and Pepper locked arms. And yet there was something about the dance that was irresistible. A switch he couldn’t help but press. For better or worse, Pepper was the only woman who had ever made his heart pound when they spoke.
“And neither, it seems, are you. Why are you angry? Is it because you secretly enjoyed the kiss? I certainly did.”
And some.
He’d always suspected that underneath Pepper’s buttoned up shirts there was a fire burning. Now it was confirmed. It was also why he’d had so much trouble getting over his damn crush. Somehow he didn’t think that the kiss was going to make it any easier.
“That’s because you’re a serial flirt who’d probably enjoy kissing anyone,” she retorted, her checks coloring. “And I’m annoyed because now you know about Paul, you’ll tell Bec, who will tell Emmy, and then it will turn into drama.”
“Ah, and your image as an unflap
pable perfect Seattle lawyer will be destroyed,” he said before narrowing his eyes. “Hell, Pepper. You got engaged and didn’t even tell your sisters. Why?”
“That’s none of your business,” she said as the color rose higher in her cheeks. Oh yeah. She clearly wasn’t enjoying this. A flash of something crossed her face, like she was having an inner battle. “I’m guessing you want me to apologize for what happened?”
“Among other things. I also want an explanation. What’s going on? Who’s the guy and why did you want to get rid of him?”
So badly you blew my mind by kissing me.
She let out a pained sigh. “Fine. But if I tell you what’s going on, you have to promise not to tell Emmy or Bec.”
Coop stiffened. Bec might be younger than him, but she was still his oldest friend. The only one who’d been honest with him when he really needed it. She was also one of the sweetest people he’d ever met, and if Pepper was keeping secrets from her, then something bad had happened.
Like apocalypse bad, judging by the steely expression in her eyes and her stiff shoulders. Coop clenched his fists.
“Depends. That guy was a Class A jerk. If he physically hurt you, or—”
“It’s nothing like that. He was my boss as well as my fiancé.” Pepper finally sat down, the tension in her jaw easing. “And a week after he proposed, he offered my partnership deal to someone else. He said once we were married I wouldn’t want to have such a big caseload because it would make running the household more difficult. All without even asking.”
Coop raised an eyebrow.
Not a jerk. An idiot.
Pepper’s control issues were the stuff of legend. And that was just deciding what to eat for lunch. Taking away the chance to make partner, without asking her? That way madness lay.
“I see.” He nodded. “You broke up with him.”
“Broke up and left the firm. But, Paul doesn’t like losing and he made it nearly impossible to get a job anywhere else. I’ve no idea what he told them, but whatever it was, it worked. Guess he thought I’d come running back to him.”
Paul thought that Pepper Watson would back down from a fight? What a fool.
“I still don’t get why you didn’t tell anyone.” He tried to read her face, but as always, it was a mask.
“I was going to, but then I found out Bec was pregnant and that she and Emmy changed their minds about selling this place. Without the money from the sale, I didn’t want to dent my savings more than I had to. So, when I realized Paul wasn’t backing down, I arranged to sublet my apartment to help cover the payments. The tenant doesn’t move out until January.”
“And you’ve been cooling your heels ever since.” Coop let out a whistle and leaned back. Now it was starting to make sense. Pepper had never hidden her desire to move away from Sunshine as soon as possible. To start the famous plan. It must’ve been killing her to be forced to spend time back on the farm. “All while nursing a broken heart and watching your two sisters fall in love.”
“Do I look heartbroken?” She busied herself with a pile of wedding invitations.
“I’ve got no idea what you look like heartbroken, so I can’t comment,” Coop said before catching the tightness in her jaw. “Relax. Your precious secret’s safe.”
“And what about the kissing?” She stopped what she was doing and looked up at him. Her mouth was soft against her pale skin and her eyes were wide. A fierce porcelain doll. God, I want her.
“You want to go for round two?” He raised an eyebrow and was rewarded with a dark look. Perversely his pulse flickered. “Well, if you insist.”
“I meant do you promise not to tell them that happened,” she said, sounding more like a lawyer than ever. Coop sighed and held up his hands in mock defeat.
“Relax. You’ve been snarling at me so much for the last few weeks that I doubt they’d believe me. Besides, I’m good at keeping your secrets, remember?”
Pepper opened her mouth and then shut it again, but the delicate flush on her cheeks told him everything he needed to know. She’s just as pissed at me now as she was back then. All because I stopped her from doing something she’d regret. If Simon had been alive, he would’ve done the same thing.
Question is, would she have been as angry if it was Simon who’d stopped her?
He knew that his brother and Pepper had only ever been friends, but he’d often wondered if there was something more between them. Was that why she always looked at Coop like he was dirt beneath her shoe? The lesser twin.
Coop sighed. He’d gone over that night so many times. Hell, he’d been to his fair share of parties back in the day. Drunk too much and then done all the things that followed. But he’d never had a plan. Not like Pepper Watson, who was so much like his brother, it hurt. Sensible, focused, made for better things.
And yet there she was stripped down to a pair of tiny panties and a lacey bra, swaying from the tequila she’d been drinking. He was pretty sure she’d never been drunk before and there was no way he was going to let her swim. She’d either drown, or one of the morons she’d been partying with would do something equally bad.
“Thank you.” Pepper flashed her teeth, letting him know just how much it was costing her to stay civil. Coop narrowed his eyes as something snapped in him.
I did the right thing. And I’m going to pay for it for the rest of my life.
“Though, there’s something I want from you in return.”
“You’re blackmailing me?” She arched an eyebrow. But, he’d faced her down enough times to know that it was all for show.
“Hey, I’m not the one who did the manhandling.”
“I did not manhandle you,” she started to say before catching herself. “Fine, what do you want, Coop?”
“I want a truce,” he said, not sure which of them was more surprised. Then again, judging by her slackened jaw, he’d guess her.
But it made sense. If what she said about Paul was true, she might be in Sunshine for quite some time. And they were going to be godparents to Bec’s baby. Pepper might not forgive him for saving her ass, but he was sick of being tortured for it.
“A truce?” she repeated, which was probably the first time he’d ever seen her lost for words. “What exactly do you mean by that?”
For you to stop looking at me like I’m nothing.
“I just mean that we both love your sisters. We’re going to be godparents to Bec’s baby and then there is Emmy’s wedding, and I’m guessing Bec and Lincoln will eventually tie the knot. Let’s try and get along. For the sake of your family. At least be polite.”
“I’m always polite.”
“Pepper, yesterday when I saw you at the store you ducked away from me so quickly I think you got whiplash,” he retorted and watched as she rubbed her chin, which meant she was considering it. “I’m sure Bec and Emmy would find that less stressful.”
“What do you mean?” Color drained from her face.
“For a start this vintage engagement party over at Blossom Lane Farm,” he said. Emmy had made a mistake and double-booked events the same night Bec had her first Lamaze class and Pepper had been happy to take over hosting it until she’d discovered that Coop would be there with his mobile bar, doing beer and wine.
“Do you think that I’m purposely stressing my sisters out?” She stiffened and Coop realized he’d hit a sore point. It wasn’t often he’d seen her less than sure and he filed it away for later.
“I didn’t mean that, but it does seem to be a byproduct. Look, we’re never going to be close. You’ve made that abundantly clear, but one way or another we’re going to be stuck in each other’s lives for a good long while. Isn’t it easier to be civil? And at least pretend?”
The crackle of wood burning in the fire was the only noise as Pepper continued to stare at him before lowering her chin.
“Okay. Fine. You won’t tell my sisters anything that happened today and not only will I host the engagement party with you, but from now on I’ll be pol
ite. Is that what you want?”
Negative. What he wanted was to drag her into his arms and repeat the kiss. Oh, and while he was at it, he wanted to get the funding he needed to help his parents. But he’d long ago learned that what he wanted and what he got were two very different things.
“I’ll see you Wednesday at the party.” He got to his feet. It didn’t solve any of his immediate problems but then again, it didn’t make them worse and lately with the way his luck had been going, that was a good thing.
Chapter Three
“Most people who come into my diner actually eat the pie.”
“What?” Pepper said the following morning as she looked up from her notepad, to where Trudie was standing, a coffee pot in one hand and a frown across her mouth. “Oh, sorry. I’m just trying to catch up on some work.”
And definitely not thinking about the fact I kissed Coop yesterday.
Nope. Not going there.
“And you think that my world-famous pecan pie won’t help you with that?” Trudie arched an eyebrow and Pepper reluctantly smiled as she put down her pen.
There wasn’t much about the town of Sunshine that Pepper liked, but the diner was different. It had no nonsense décor with plain white walls, black and white tiles on the floor and practical, clean wooden booths that snaked around the sides. And yet it made her feel more at home than the farm ever had.
She’d spent her summers and afternoons working there when she was in school, bussing tables and serving up coffee while writing out her plan on paper napkins. Plus, Trudie, with her weathered olive skin, dark curling hair that was peppered with gray, had a knack of knowing just what pie would cure her customer’s ills.
Not that Pepper was convinced her current situation could be helped.
And yet, here I am.
“You’re right.” Pepper picked up her fork and took a bite from the pie that had been sitting in front of her for the last twenty minutes. Sugar and the warming combination of carefully guarded spices hit her tongue and Trudie smiled in acknowledgement.