Cooper's Charm

by Lori Foster

He’d never gotten a blowjob from a woman in glasses. The thought made him smile.

  As if she sensed it, she peered up at him. “What?”

  He traced the top rim of her glasses, from one arm, over her nose, and to the other. “It takes talent to do that wearing these.”

  Adorably prim, she stated, “I do everything in them, except shower and sleep.”

  “They’re hot.”

  She made a sound between a full laugh and a silly giggle. That happy sound swelled inside him, chasing out shadowy remnants of grief. Almost from the first moment he’d met her, Phoenix had affected him that way. She’d kick-started his emotions when he’d thought them long dead. The sensation was a little uncomfortable—but he liked it all the same.

  Rubbing his fingers into her silky hair, he tilted her face toward him and asked, “So David showed up, and he made this big difference in your life?”

  Her brows pulled together behind her glasses. “It’s hard to explain. It’s like...” Her inky lashes swept up and she gazed at him. “I was dragging this rock. Uphill, you know?”

  Coop nodded, encouraging her.

  “It was hard, but I was getting there little by little. When I met you, you started helping me and so I was making more progress, getting that damn rock up the hill—for what reason, I don’t know.” She ducked her face, her lips moving against his skin. “But then David showed up, and it was like he told me there was no rock.”

  Oh, God, Coop heard the tears in her voice and it crushed him. He drew her full against him, his arms around her. “No reason for guilt?”

  She nodded, and when she looked up at him, she was smiling, tears clinging to her lashes. “You’ve helped me so much, Cooper.”

  From everything she’d said, David should get the credit. “I’m glad.”

  “You don’t realize, do you?” She scooted up until she could put her elbows on his chest.

  It was a pose she favored, and one he enjoyed because it pushed together her impressive breasts, creating amazing cleavage.

  “The things you do,” she said, too seriously, “the way you give, even who you are—you have no idea how special any of that is, do you?”

  It made him uneasy, all these extreme compliments. Anna used to say the same, almost in the same way, and that struck too close, making him want to sidestep.

  “I’m not,” he teased, turning her under him again. “But if you actually want to get any work done today, I suggest you get a move on.” He put a love bite on her shoulder. “Before I recover enough to convince you to stay.”

  For one heart-stopping moment, her gaze searched his and he wondered if she’d feel slighted, if she’d misunderstand his reasons for dodging. She was opening up to him, sharing herself, and here he’d just—

  “Right you are.” She gave him a loud smooch and squirreled away from his hold. “I can make it back at 7:00, if that’s okay?”

  He stared at her back while she pulled on her panties. After coming twice, he should have been spent, but the sight of her perfect ass caused a spark of heat. “Seven is perfect,” he murmured, watching as she hooked her bra.

  Phoenix didn’t wear expensive lingerie, but then, she didn’t need to. Her body was enticing enough not to need decoration.

  Sugar yapped, so Phoenix opened the closet. The dog peeked out, watching as she finished dressing. Coop knew Sugar didn’t want her to go. Hell, he didn’t really want her to go either, but he needed some time to think—and he wanted to find out more about David. Why had the man really showed up today? Was it as simple as the explanation he gave—or did Coop have reason to distrust the timing?

  He’d do some research before he decided.

  And he’d try his best not to let jealousy influence him.

  * * *

  Ridley, along with everyone else, knew that Phoenix had gone up to the house with Cooper, and then stayed long enough to have lots of fun.

  Silently, she cheered her sister. You go, girl.

  Any man who could bring Phoenix around was a hero in her book.

  As she finished stacking fresh white towels in the small linen closet of the cabin, Ridley saw her sister through the narrow window. She was striding down the hill to the main path.

  Phoenix wore a huge smile.

  Hurriedly, Ridley finished what she was doing and darted out to catch her. “Phoenix.”

  She looked up, her smile widened, and Phoenix veered off so that they could meet at the lane opposite the scuba shop.

  “Well, look at you,” Ridley said as soon as she was close enough. “A little ‘afternoon delight’ agrees with you.”

  To her surprise, Phoenix said, “It really does.”

  Ridley fought the urge to gape at her, and instead grinned. “Oh, you naughty girl. You’re getting as bad as me.”

  Phoenix sputtered a laugh. “Since you’re wonderful, I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  “Please do.” Ridley had been keeping up with Phoenix’s long stride, but now she hooked her arm through hers and drew her to a halt. “What’s the rush?”

  “I need to finish up for the day and now I’m behind.”

  “So you loosened up, but not all that much?” Ridley looked at her more closely, then tilted her head. “Something is different.”

  “Yup.” Phoenix did a quick look around, and finding they had relative privacy, threw her arms wide. “I’m free.”

  “Free, as in?”

  “David was here.”

  Well, knock her over with a feather. “Shut up. No way!” Phoenix didn’t look upset over it. She looked...damn it, free.

  Almost bubbling over with enthusiasm, Phoenix leaned in close. “He’s moved on, Ridley. He’s in love with someone else, someone I know will make him happier than I ever could, and I don’t have to feel guilty anymore.”

  “You never had to feel guilty.” She’d told her that often enough. Phoenix was one of the nicest, most caring and considerate people she knew.

  “I did anyway.” For only a moment, Phoenix’s expression grew somber. “I felt so freaking guilty it sometimes choked me.”

  “Oh, honey.” Ridley felt her throat closing up. When Phoenix hurt, she felt it, too. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I wanted to work it out myself, remember?” She took Ridley’s hands. “And you had your own junk to deal with.”

  Ridley shook that off. “Forget Robbie. He’s not worth mentioning.”

  “He hurt you, and I’d still like to make him pay.”

  “I did,” Ridley said with evil delight. “I made him pay big.”

  But Phoenix didn’t smile at the familiar jest. “We both know he could afford it, and even if he couldn’t, it’s not enough for the way he treated you.”

  How the hell had Phoenix turned this around on her? Ridley huffed in exasperation. “I’m a big girl and I’m over it,” she lied.

  Clearly, Phoenix didn’t buy it, but she did let it go. “And I’m a big girl too, which is why I wanted to deal with my issues on my own.”

  Ridley bit her lip. Everything about Phoenix was different, as if she were miraculously softer but more firm, accepting yet stronger. “And you have?”

  “Yes.”

  Reaching for her, Ridley intended a giant hug—but Daron interrupted.

  “Are you two arguing, gossiping or something different?”

  Phoenix laughed. “A little of each, actually.”

  “Which is usually how we do things.”

  “Fascinating.” He grinned at each of them.

  Ridley cocked out a hip. “Did you want something?”

  “Such a loaded question—”

  Maris, who’d been walking past, gave him a shove and kept going.

  He pitched forward, almost slamming into Ridley before whirling to see who’d pushed him. When he saw Maris, he broke i
nto a big grin. Still watching her, he said to Ridley, “Shower is fixed in cabin five—and I still think your ex must’ve been a blind ass. Later, ladies.” He took off in Maris’s wake.

  Phoenix shook her head. “Despite the way she always turns him down, he doesn’t give up.”

  Ridley snorted. “Maybe because he knows she’s fighting herself more than him.”

  That got Phoenix’s attention. “You think so, too?”

  Ridley countered with, “Absolutely.”

  “Hmm. It’s possible, I guess, but I’ve been so busy working on me lately, I haven’t paid enough attention to everyone else.”

  “Then trust me.”

  “You could be wrong, you know. In a lot of ways, they’re polar opposites.”

  “So?” Ridley folded her arms. “I’ll bet you fifty bucks they end up in the sack.”

  Phoenix gave it some thought. “When? It can’t be indefinite.”

  “With those two, it’s like a slow burn, so let’s say...before the holidays.” Ridley held out a hand.

  Looking away, Phoenix asked, “Will we still be here for the holidays?”

  “Hey, I’m not going anywhere. I’ll have to have my RV winterized, but Daron says there are plenty of cabins available during the coldest months.”

  “You and Daron have done a lot of talking.”

  She leaned in to say, “It makes Baxter jealous.”

  Phoenix laughed. “You are so bad.”

  “Will you still be here?”

  “Honestly, I don’t know. I guess that depends on how things go with Cooper. I like it here, and they do plenty of holiday things to keep me busy.” She looked up the hill toward Cooper’s house. “Guess I’ll have to wait and see.”

  “I vote we both stay.” Ridley glanced around at the kids playing, the people visiting, the water and trees and...the friendliness. “I like it here.”

  “Me, too.” She sighed. “I guess I better get to work or I’ll never get done. FYI, I’m spending the night with Cooper.”

  Wow. That really was a big step for her circumspect little sister. Ridley replied by offering her a high five.

  Phoenix slapped her hand and started to back away. “What about you and Baxter?”

  She struck a smug pose. “He’s coming over tonight.”

  “Just think, there’ll be fireworks and it’s not even the Fourth of July yet.”

  Ridley laughed as she waved goodbye. God, it was nice to see Phoenix so content. She turned to get back to her own work—and something hit her chest. When she looked down she saw the biggest, most hideous praying mantis ever...and it was looking at her!

  The scream stuck in her throat. She frantically swatted at the thing, but it clung—clung—to her shirt with multiple legs and long, angular arms. Hysteria had her madly attempting to free herself, blind to onlookers and the consequent laughs.

  Suddenly an arm came around her from behind, locking her close to a solid wall of muscle so she couldn’t move. Warm breath brushed her ear with a soft “Shush” sound, and then a big, dark hand reached around her and easily plucked the insect free.

  When the arm around her loosened, Ridley shot away, wanting as much distance between her and the bug as she could get. She sprinted to the opposite side of a cabin, then, panting in remaining terror, peeked around the corner to see Baxter carrying the gruesome thing to a decorative flower display edging a light pole.

  Still she didn’t emerge.

  But at that point, she became aware of people still standing about, grinning at her, one kid dancing crazily as if to mimic her. When the mom saw Ridley looking, she tried to still the boy, but Ridley released a shaky laugh.

  “It’s accurate,” she said, much to the mom’s relief. With a shudder, she added, “I hate bugs.”

  The woman, who appeared nice enough, said, “Me too, actually. But you have me beat on the dance.”

  Baxter stepped in front of her. He wasn’t laughing. “You okay?”

  “Humiliation isn’t fatal, thank goodness.”

  “No reason to be humiliated.” He took her shoulders and drew her close. “Fear isn’t a reasonable thing, and it’s not easily controlled.”

  Loving the warm comfort, Ridley leaned into him. “Thank you for playing the hero.” She couldn’t suppress another shudder. “The monster wouldn’t let me go.”

  His lips brushed her temple. “You do realize the park is full of insects, right?”

  Ridley tucked her face against his chest. He was damp, his hair dripping as if he’d just come from the lake. His skin felt cool against her cheek. “Don’t remind me.”

  “If it helps, it’s rare for a bug to actually fly onto a person. You’re not their first choice for places to land.”

  “Guess I’m just lucky then, huh?” Damn, he smelled good. His taut skin, lightly tanned, made her want to rub her nose all over him. Her mouth, too. And her tongue—

  “You were nice to the kid.”

  Leaning back to see him, she asked, “That little rascal who was mocking me?” She couldn’t stop the smile that bloomed. “He’s just a kid being a kid. Pretty cute, actually.”

  Baxter stared at her, wet lashes framing those bright green eyes.

  “What?” she asked, unsure why he looked at her so fixedly.

  He shrugged. “That attitude surprises me.”

  Indignation growing, Ridley disengaged from his hold. “Because I’m such a bitch, you mean?”

  “I never said—”

  “Obviously, I’m the sort to kick puppies and harangue children who behave like—” she gasped dramatically “—children.” Frustration carried her as she turned to storm away.

  Baxter caught her and spun her sharply back around.

  When she started to blast him, his mouth silenced her. Cool lips on warm, coaxing, pressing.

  Dangerous move, she thought. With both his hands now framing her face, he left his body vulnerable. She should stomp on his foot, tug his chest hair—or maybe even plant her knee in his crotch.

  He deserved it, damn him.

  She meant to do something—anything other than soften against him. Anything other than open her mouth for his tongue.

  Anything other than moan quietly.

  Still holding her face, he murmured against her lips, “I meant that fear can make people react without thinking. And you were scared shitless.”

  “Such a lovely description to apply to a lady.”

  “It’s accurate. Jason Vorhees wouldn’t have scared you more.”

  “Well, actually, he’s one of my favorite monsters.” When Baxter looked confused, she shook her head. “Never mind. You were saying?” If he had more of an apology to make, she wanted to hear it.

  “That kind of fear can prompt us to say or do things we later regret.”

  “Yeah, well.” She almost resented his understanding more than his implied insult. “I adore kids enough that I think I can refrain from ever hurting them, either by word or action.”

  Amused, Baxter repeated, “You adore kids,” with just a touch of surprise. “And monsters, too—as long as they aren’t insects?”

  Eyes narrowing in renewed ire, she snapped, “Yeah, so?”

  “So there’s obviously a lot I don’t know about you.”

  That gave her the will to push away from him again, only this time she didn’t attempt to stomp off. “Let’s keep it that way, okay?”

  “Why?”

  Her eyes flared in disbelief. “Why?”

  “You’re shouting.”

  Damn him. She brought her voice down to a growl. “Maybe because you turned to stone the other day over pizza at Coop’s place?”

  “I didn’t—” he started to protest.

  No way would she let him get away with that. “It was obvious to the rest of us that you didn’t want t
o be there, not in a setting where you were expected to socialize with me.” To punctuate her understanding of the situation, she stated, “Sex, yes. Getting to know me? Obviously a big hell, no.” Ridley realized she was almost shouting again.

  Baxter didn’t attempt another denial. He steadily stared at her, waiting.

  Ridley faked a calm she couldn’t feel. Why she couldn’t feel it, she had no idea—except that he seemed to bring out the worst in her. “It’s not a problem for me.”

  He gave her a look of irony. “That’s not the impression you’re giving.”

  “I was just accosted by a praying mantis! I’m frazzled.” That certainly seemed like a valid excuse to her. “You can believe me, we want the same things.” Patting his naked chest in dismissal, she said, “Thanks for the bug rescue. I need to get back to work, but I’ll see you tonight. And Baxter?”

  Appearing thoughtful, his gaze still far too perceptive, he asked, “Hmm?”

  “Bring your A-game. I deserve it.” And with that, she finally walked away.

  * * *

  Ridley liked kids. And she didn’t mind laughing at herself, even over something so very real to her.

  He’d just left the lake when, again, his gaze was drawn to her. When he saw her flailing about, he’d at first thought she’d been stung. He’d already been walking her way, ignoring questions from the class and a few attempts to flirt with him. The closer he’d gotten to her, the faster he’d moved.

  Her face was white, her eyes unseeing as she’d uselessly batted at the poor mantis while drawing a crowd of onlookers who found her hilarious.

  He’d said her name but she didn’t hear him, so he’d done the expedient thing of holding her still and removing the bug. She could be an Olympic sprinter, she moved so fast once he’d freed her of it.

  And still she hadn’t been offended by a kid making fun of her. The boy, probably ten or so, had put on quite a show. When Ridley noticed, Baxter had expected any number of reactions from her—anger, tears, annoyance.

  Instead, she’d been amused.

  Even as she’d given him hell, practically vibrating with the need to attack him, he’d wanted to kiss her. He’d known she was holding back by sheer will, and he’d wanted her mouth. Badly.