The Trouble With Coco Monroe

by CC MacKenzie

  He got up, tugged on his jeans without even zipping them up and strolled out.

  For a full two minutes Coco simply sat and stared at the door.

  He was like a juggernaut, nothing stood in his way.

  He was totally focused and goal orientated.

  She had to admire that about him, even if he did drive her absolutely nuts.

  “For someone who looks like a stick insect, you put away more food than a ditch digger. And since I’ve seen plenty of soldiers digging ditches, I know this to be the simple truth,” Rafe told her.

  Sitting in the kitchen sipping a glass of Chianti, he leaned over and picked up a slice of pizza.

  Coco merely shrugged, lifted a slice the size of a dinner plate.

  “A high metabolism. Anyway, you can talk.”

  She took a big bite.

  Dark eyes danced wickedly into hers in a way that reminded her of a young boy.

  Her heart did a funny little shimmy and she gulped down a slug of wine to help her swallow.

  “Most women I know nibble on a lettuce leaf washed down by a bottle of designer water.”

  She arched a brow. “Most of your squeezes work the skinny blonde look.”

  He flashed that ready grin at her.

  “True, very true. You’re not my type.”

  “You’re so not my type, either. Which is why this... thing... is so weird.”

  “We’re lovers and that isn’t a thing, it happens to be a fact. It also happens to be a fact that I want you.”

  “But we can’t have an affair. We don’t even like each other.”

  “Doll face, we’re not engaged, married or have a significant other so how can we be having an affair? What we’re having is a mutually enjoyable intimate relationship.”

  Thinking hard, she frowned. “Sex is not a relationship.”

  “We’ve always had a relationship, it’s just evolved now we’ve had exceptional sex.”

  Coco lifted her chin and knew she was being stubborn and pigheaded but the way he was so certain about everything irritated her.

  “But I don’t want a relationship with you. It can only end in catastrophe.”

  “Really?” His tone was casual but his eyes, sharp now, stayed on her face. “Why?”

  “You know what my father’s like, Rafael. Our lives won’t be worth living if he hears about our relationship.” She took a bite of pizza and waved her glass. “He’d have us making out a guest list for the wedding.” Then she paused and decided to be completely honest. “I need my independence and freedom to be with whomever I want to be with.”

  Concentrating on her food, Coco wondered why those words sounded strangely weird.

  She’d always had strong feelings for Rafe.

  And things had most definitely changed for her.

  But that wasn’t his problem, it was hers.

  The man she wanted as a life partner needed to be supportive of her work and ambitions, not someone who’d control every part of her day to day life and make decisions for her.

  Rafe loved to take the lead. Probably something to do with him being in the army, a leader of men. And she knew he enjoyed being in command in the bedroom.

  How could she fault him for that when he’d brought her to dizzy heights of ecstasy and constantly put her needs and pleasure before his own? And he was so gentle, so caring, who’d have thought he had it in him?

  If only he could treat her with the same respect in the real world and see her for who she really was.

  Her beautiful face was so serious.

  It made Rafe want to give her a big hug, even as her words had him rub a slight ache between his ribs.

  “Doll face, I think you’ve got a bit ahead of yourself.”

  Her mind appeared to be miles away as she stared into space and continued as if he hadn’t spoken, “I have goals, ambitions. My plan is to work on my career without interference from my father or unwanted distractions. I love being single.”

  So he was an unwanted distraction was he?

  He swallowed back hurt, told himself he was being a pussy.

  “I love being single, too. I also need to be with you, although God knows why. You’re too high maintenance.”

  At that statement, violet eyes snapped back to focus sharply on his.

  “Am I really?” Ice edged her voice as her eyes narrowed. “Give me an example.”

  Pleased with the flare of temper in her eyes, he watched her as he sipped his wine.

  “You’re spoilt, headstrong and bad tempered. With a cranky disposition and a big chip on your shoulder.” He smiled as her eyes flashed. “Not my type at all.”

  “Well, you’re a controlling, arrogant, egotistical and selfish pain in the butt. So you could say you’re definitely not my type.”

  “There you go, we’ve cleared that up.” Not bothered at all by her mutinous expression, he topped up her wine. “However, I still want you. I can’t help but have a soft spot for you, doll face, always have done.”

  “If you’re under the mistaken impression that that makes me all warm and fuzzy inside...”

  “I’m not trying to make you feel all warm and fuzzy. I’m telling you the truth. You’re a beautiful girl. And that mix of sassy confidence along with fragile innocence is terribly seductive – and it’s damned near destroyed me now I know what an animal you are in bed. Look, we’re single, free and healthy adults with an elemental attraction for one another. We’re enjoying it. It doesn’t need to be anything more or less than that.”

  For a moment, she couldn’t think of anything to say and wondered why his words, although they made perfect sense, made her feel upset and a little panicky.

  “Well, if we keep acting on the elemental attraction, we both need to understand the limitations of this relationship.”

  “I don’t like the word limitations, Coco.” It seriously annoyed him to have her sit opposite him wearing his T-shirt spouting complete crap about limitations.

  He’d give her limitations all right.

  “While we’re having sex, we don’t have sex with anyone else.”

  Dark brows winged into her hairline. “This is not a long term deal.”

  “Whatever, nobody touches you but me.”

  “You don’t get to make that choice for me, Rafael.”

  “And that includes dear Robert,” he continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “You’d better watch yourself there.”

  She choked, quickly grabbed her wine and took a sip.

  “Excuse me?”

  “I mean it, Coco.” She jolted as he slammed his glass down. “If your father gets wind of him, you’ll be walking down the aisle before you can blink. At the moment he’s got Ethan in his sights, and is constantly harping on to him about continuing the family line. Jeez, he’s even been muttering to me about finding a nice girl and settling down.”

  Stunned, she simply stared at him.

  “I’d no idea daddy was giving you and Ethan such a hard time. I don’t know what’s got into him these days, but I absolutely agree with you. I have no intention of marrying anyone, ever. So you don’t need to worry.”

  “That’s just where you’re wrong. Robert is a Lord.” He waggled a slice of pizza at her. “You need to be very careful, because for you to have a title would be a dream come true for the old man.”

  “You’re a Lord,” she reminded him.

  He shook his head, waved his hand as if swatting away a bug.

  “Name only. I’ve no land, no countryseat. Robert, on the other hand, is loaded. Just perfect for your father’s little fantasies for his baby girl.”

  She threw him a cheeky grin, her eyes dancing.

  “Robert is gorgeous. I hadn’t thought about being Lady Coco. And now you’ve broken me in, so to speak, I’m over that particular hurdle.”

  “If that man lays a finger on you I’ll break every bone in his body.”

  Running her tongue along her top lip, she kept big eyes on his.

  “Robert has
met someone else. He’s out of the picture.” Now she sent him a smile of pure mischief. “Do I detect the green devil?”

  Rafe knew she was playing him, the little witch.

  He didn’t give a fuck if Robert was out of the picture. The thought of another man touching her had him stalk towards her.

  And he was very pleased to see those violet eyes grow wary as he gripped her wrists.

  “Jealous? Nope, but I am possessive.”

  “How pitiful are you?” She grinned up into his face. “I mean sex with you is enjoyable. It’ll be interesting to see what sex is like with other men.”

  He growled deep in his throat as he glared at her, hauled her to her feet.

  “Enjoyable?” Then he caught the naughty look in her eyes, and kissed her until she shuddered, moaned into his mouth. He lifted his head and felt better when he saw those eyes glazed with desire. “Baby, you haven’t seen anything yet.”

  *

  Jealous? He’d never been jealous in his life, Rafe told himself.

  He lay in the dark staring at the ceiling with Coco, sprawled on her face, sound asleep beside him.

  He was merely protecting what was his.

  Of course, she didn’t know she was his.

  Not yet.

  It was much too soon to declare himself.

  She’d come around to the idea of being with him.

  Eventually.

  He hoped.

  He loved her company.

  He loved the sound of her voice, especially when she was annoyed with him, all cool and polite. And all high and panting when he was inside her.

  As far as he was concerned Coco had had a pretty idyllic childhood.

  Surely she couldn’t be serious about not having a family.

  He found the idea too painful to contemplate.

  Of course, it was only recently he wanted a family for himself. Now he’d met the right woman, he wanted a home and children. And he could see himself having those things, and more, with her.

  When he thought of Coco these days, how she cared so passionately about her work, how she loved her friends and even her family, in spite of the issues she had with her father, pride in her caught his throat.

  Thinking of a big hurdle ahead, he frowned. A hurdle that if it wasn’t handled correctly, might blow his plans right out of the water.

  Charles Monroe needed to tell his daughter why he was so over-protective. He needed to tell her the truth about how her mother died. The thought of Coco’s hurt and devastation made his gut burn, but her pain couldn’t be avoided. Charles had spent over twenty-seven years protecting Coco from the truth. The time was right to tell her, and he’d be there to help her through it.

  Jealous?

  Yep, definitely jealous.

  He’d kill any fucker who put his hands on her.

  Chapter Thirty Five

  Dozing with the sun sizzling on her skin, Coco lay on her tummy.

  Who’d believe the south of England at the end of August could be so blisteringly hot and sultry?

  One leg bent at the knee lazily kicked back and forth.

  Orchestral music floated on the gentle breeze.

  She recognised the music from Final Fantasy The Realm Reborn. Her brothers had been fans of the games for years and even now played them online.

  Interesting, he always had music playing while he relaxed.

  After five days she’d come to realise Rafe was a creature of habit.

  He needed a consistent tempo to his day.

  Morning jog, four miles.

  Fruit and eggs for breakfast.

  Fish or chicken salad for lunch.

  Lean protein, vegetables for dinner, glass of wine, few carbs.

  Swim in the pool.

  Torture Coco.

  “Careful you don’t burn.”

  She opened one eye as he pressed the back of his hand to her shoulder.

  With a long, leisurely sweep, he stroked her back and rested his big hand on the curved cheek of her bottom and squeezed.

  Right on cue her libido spiked.

  He gave her bottom a gentle smack, rose and lifted the end of the sun lounger wheeling it under the shade of her umbrella.

  Rolling onto her back, Coco treated herself to a long, lazy study of his amazing body.

  His shoulders were wide and strong, the limbs long and lean.

  He didn’t exactly have a six pack but his torso was toned and hard with a light dusting of black silky hair that ran in a deep V down past the waist of his shorts.

  Today he wore multi-coloured board shorts, slung low on narrow hips.

  The slashing colours only accentuated his tan.

  Kneeling, he spread her legs and settled between them, the evidence of his hard arousal sent the usual jolt of liquid lust between her thighs.

  Caging her under his body, he leaned on his elbows, tilted his hips.

  Her brows shot into her hairline as she licked her bottom lip.

  “Again? I’m going to start calling you Rampant Rafe.”

  His shout of laughter gave her a flash of his dimple.

  She grinned up into his fabulous face.

  Then that face went too serious.

  Dark eyes were suddenly too intense as they stayed on hers.

  “I only want to make you happy,” he said in a soft voice.

  The tone was different, sombre.

  And her heart did a strange little flutter against her ribs.

  “I am happy. Although there is something you could do to make me very happy.”

  He bent his head, nuzzled her mouth with his.

  “Name it.”

  The idea had been brewing for some time and Coco wondered if he would let her take control for once.

  She placed the palm of her hand on his cheek before running tender fingers through black silky hair. Then her nails scraped his scalp.

  Her eyes met his eyes.

  “Lose the shorts.”

  After a stunned couple of beats, he grinned, stood and stripped.

  His hard and heavy shaft bounced free.

  She eyed the impressive proof of his need for her and licked her lips.

  “Where’s the oil you love to use on me?”

  He cleared his throat and moved to the table under the sunshade, returning with the bottle of oil and a pack of condoms.

  By this time she was on her feet next to the sun lounger and had a couple of cushions in her hands.

  She took the oil and indicated the sun lounger.

  “Lie on your back.”

  Lips twitching, Rafe did as she asked stretching out totally relaxed with his arms behind his head.

  “What are you thinking, Coco?”

  Terribly turned on, her tongue circled her lips as she poured oil onto the palm of her hand.

  “I’m thinking that I’ve been terribly selfish. Spread your legs.”

  He did as she asked and she sat between his muscled thighs with two cushions supporting the base of her spine.

  Rafe’s hands balanced on her knees then stroked lazily down and up her calves.

  His shaft, those heavy balls, were exposed to her hungry gaze.

  “You have a beautiful cock, Rafe, it’s so thick and hard and big. I’m going to touch you now, is that okay?”

  The cock in question jerked, straining towards her.

  Dark eyes burned into hers and he swallowed, took a breath.

  “Feel free, baby.”

  Placing her left hand under his scrotum, she weighed his balls gently in her hand and Rafe groaned long and low in his throat.

  Coco wrapped her right hand around his penis so that her palm made contact with the backside of his shaft, her thumb and fingers almost meeting in front.

  She stroked once upward from the base to the tip spreading oil over his cock head and he trembled in reaction. At the top of his shaft she spent a long time stroking slowly and lightly focusing on the area just below the head where she knew it was the most sensitive.

  �
��Tell me what you want. Do you want me to stroke harder or softer?”

  Eyes tightly closed, his breathing was too fast.

  “Jesus, where did you learn to do that?”

  “I’m going to take a firmer grip and use my thumb to spread those little beads of pre-cum around the tip. Tell me what you want, Rafael,” her voice was a throaty purr and his penis swelled in her hand.

  He shuddered out a breath.

  “Faster, harder.”

  She did as he asked and added in a few gentle twists.

  “I love the feel of you in my hand. Your shaft is pulsing, throbbing in my palm. And your balls are swelling, too. Do you like that? I’m really turned on feeling you tremble, Rafael. My bikini panties are wet.”

  His hands were gripping the sides of the sun lounger, the knuckles white as his breath panted in his throat.

  “Jesus, I’m going to come!”

  His long moan had her apply pressure to where the shaft continued underneath the skin below his testicles.

  She was firm but gentle and continued to apply pressure until his need to release passed.

  And noticed that even though her heart was pounding because she was so turned on by his response, their breathing had become synchronised again.

  He took a long shuddering breath as she used a towel to carefully dry off the oil paying particular attention to his rock hard balls.

  Stunned dark eyes held hers.

  “Where did you learn to do that?”

  With a secret little smile she used the tip of her finger to gently wipe the clear liquid of pre cum from the tip.

  Eyes still holding his, she licked the fluid from her finger and saw his pupils dilate.

  “Mmm, deliciously salty. Do you want me to lick you, to taste, to suck you, Rafael?”

  His big body quivered and Coco had a heady sense of sheer feminine power, amazed that she’d brought such a strong man to his knees.

  Those dark eyes never left hers.

  He cleared his throat.

  “Only if you really want to. I know some women don’t like to... Oh, Christ...”

  Her head was between Rafe’s legs and she was pushing one of his knees up to his chest to get better access.