Catching Cooper (Red Maple Falls, #4)

by Theresa Paolo

  “That’s because I don’t.” He stood there, getting lost into the inky black pools she called eyes. The desire to kiss her, feel her lips pressed against his, feel her hands wrap around him in desperation was strong.

  “Are you going to let me in?” she asked her voice low and husky, causing his dick to throb.

  He cleared his throat, bringing himself back to reality and moving aside. “Of course. After you.”

  She stepped around him, and he didn’t follow right away, taking a second to get his head back on straight. He had been with many women, but the desire that she elicited in him was like nothing he had ever known. Resisting his urges was becoming nearly impossible, and he only hoped that when the time came, she wouldn’t push him away.

  ***

  After Cooper gave her a short tour of his tiny home, they hopped in his Jeep, and he drove them to the next town over for dinner. She hadn’t suggested it, but was grateful. Living in a small town was great and all, but there was absolutely no privacy. If they would have gone to the Happy Apple or Calhoun’s everyone in town would be talking about it by morning, and since it was just something she was doing for fun, she’d prefer they stayed under the radar.

  She also wanted to make sure that conversation wouldn’t get back to Tommy. He was barely seven, and she didn’t want to confuse him or allow expectations to be set.

  There was no denying that Tommy wanted a dad, and it killed her that her little boy couldn’t have what he most desired. His biological father was nothing more than a sperm donor who denied him, and that betrayal was the beginning of her deep-rooted need to keep Tommy protected from others. The last thing she needed was to give Tommy false hope, and it was the main reason why she didn’t date.

  But she was lonely, and it had been so long since she put herself first. Cooper wasn’t the type of person who did relationships. Tonight, she could have a good time, no strings attached, and come morning they could go their separate ways. It was exactly why she finally broke down and called him.

  They pulled up to the restaurant thirty minutes later, and Sarah was happy to get out of the Jeep. Being inside, in such close proximity, smelling his delicious scent—a combination of citrus and woods that was profoundly sensual—had her body reacting in ways she couldn’t control. Her nipples tightened beneath the silky thin material of her dress, pressing hard against the barely-there lace bra she bought on a whim and never wore until tonight. Her sex throbbed with all the naughty thoughts that popped in and out of her head whenever Cooper’s fingers flexed on the steering wheel.

  He provoked so many desires inside her, desires she never felt before, just by being in the same vehicle together. She needed to get out, get some air, and cool down.

  The refreshing air of late spring was like a welcoming splash of water on her face as she opened the door. Before she could manage to slip out, Cooper jogged over and extended a helping hand.

  She accepted, sliding her hand into his, not expecting the spark of electricity that shot through her veins on contact. He smiled that sexy smile, making her wonder if he felt it, too, or if she was just losing her mind.

  “You can’t fake the chemistry we have,” he said.

  Nope. Wasn’t losing her mind. Whatever was happening between them was strong and intense. He was right, chemistry like that couldn’t be faked. She had been in proximity to men plenty of times over the year, occasionally on Monday’s at the bakery, every weekday at the school, Thursday’s at the bank, and a thousand times at the post office, but not a single one made her as aware of herself and her body as Cooper did.

  She couldn’t explain the reaction to him—the instant attraction that filled her senses and made her want things she hadn’t wanted since she was a naïve teenager. Her plan was simple, but now she was afraid that spending time with Cooper—letting loose and allowing herself a night of no inhibitions—wouldn’t be enough. Whatever spell he had on her would only strengthen.

  “You okay?” Cooper asked as his fingers laced with hers, and he walked them toward the restaurant.

  She nodded and let the fear of the unknown dissipate. Tonight was about having a good time, and after seven years of being celibate, she deserved this.

  “I’m good,” she said.

  “Then shall we?” He opened the door and stepped back to let her walk inside, his hand falling away from hers. The loss of his touch was immediate, making her aware how much she liked holding on to him.

  She went in, Cooper right behind her. The hostess greeted them with a beautiful smile. She was young, maybe just entering her twenties, with long blonde hair that fell over her shoulders.

  “Two for dinner,” Cooper said that charming smirk of his shining bright as if he couldn’t help himself.

  The girl blushed. “Of course.” She grabbed two menus and waved her hand. “Follow me.”

  When she tried to sit them at a table by the door Cooper pointed to a different table in the far corner hidden away like its own private area.

  The girl picked up the menus she’d already placed on the table and walked them over to the secluded spot.

  “Your server will be Max; he’ll be over shortly.”

  “Thank you,” Cooper said with that sexy lift of his lip that caused the girl’s cheeks to flare before she hurried away.

  “Do you flirt with all girls or just blondes with nice smiles?” Sarah asked as they took their seats.

  “I wasn’t flirting,” he said.

  Sarah laughed, unable to control the outburst. “You don’t even realize you do it, do you?”

  He leaned forward, capturing her attention with eyes as rare and as beautiful as blue spinel. “Being nice and flirting are two totally different things. Besides, the only girl I want to flirt with tonight is sitting right in front of me.”

  If she thought she was immune to his charm, she was sadly mistaken as heat flared across her chest.

  “Which begs the question… Why’d you call?”

  “What do you mean?” she asked, fidgeting with her hands and placing them in her lap to keep him from seeing.

  “You were so resistant to the idea of having dinner with me the last time we spoke, then next thing I know you tracked my phone number down and were begging me to go out with you.”

  “Begging?” She choked on a laugh. “Oh, there was no begging.”

  He crossed his arms across his chest, making his biceps bulge against his navy-blue Henley that only made his eyes that much bluer. “I think there was.”

  “Maybe in your dreams.”

  His lip quirked at the corner. “You’re probably right.”

  An excited chill shook her body at the thought of him dreaming about her. Someone brought over water and disappeared. Sarah picked up the glass and took a sip while she gathered her courage.

  “So you’ve been dreaming about me?” she asked, trying not to let it be obvious that the thought made her sex throb and her nipples tighten.

  He nodded, picking up his own water. When he put the glass down his lips gleamed against the dim light, and she wondered what it would be like to taste them.

  “And what was I doing in your dreams?”

  He laughed, and the noise was pure amusement with sexual undertones. “Let’s just say you blew my mind.”

  Heat exploded inside of her, a raging inferno of desire that burned so intense and bright she didn’t know if she’d ever be able to get it under control. “Oh,” she managed before taking another healthy sip of her water and wishing the waiter would hurry up so she could get a glass of wine.

  Cooper reached across the table, taking her hand and turning it over. He ran a finger across her palm, causing a million sparks to ignite only adding to the already uncontrollable fire.

  “Now that that is clear, tell me, Sarah, why’d you finally cave?”

  She could be honest with him, get rid of all the pretenses, but what would he think of her if she admitted to wanting a night of unadulterated fun?

  “I thought it was
time to let loose a little, and you seem like you know a thing or two about that.”

  A knowing look crossed his masculine features. “You have no idea,” he said just as the waiter approached them. Cooper let go of her hand and leaned back in his chair.

  They ordered their drinks—a pinot grigio for her and one of his brother’s beers the restaurant had on tap for him—and the waiter promised to get right on that before disappearing again.

  “So, what’s your son like?” Cooper asked.

  She swallowed down the uncomfortable lump that formed in her throat. “Let’s keep our personal lives out of this, okay?”

  “Then how am I going to get to know you?”

  “We both know the only reason you asked me out was not to get to know each other.”

  His baby blue eyes caught hers and softened. “That’s where you’re wrong. There is no question that I want to get to know you intimately, but I also want to get to know who you are as a person. What can I say? I’m intrigued by you, Sarah.”

  “Then I have one rule.”

  “I’m all ears.”

  “My son is off limits. It’s just—”

  “I get it. Mama Bear protecting her cub.”

  “Exactly.”

  “I can respect that.

  “Thank you.”

  The waiter brought over their drinks, and Sarah pushed her water glass away, thankful for the liquid courage in front of her. Though, the longer she sat there, talking with Cooper, the less and less she felt like she needed it. He was easy to talk to. He didn’t seem surprised by anything she said, even if on the inside she was shocked as hell at the honesty coming out of her mouth.

  “Now,” she said, “do you have any topics that are off limits?”

  He put his glass down and leaned back in the chair. “I’m an open book ready to be read.”

  She laughed.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “It’s just that I’ve heard the Hayes men are super smooth, and that was…well…weak.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Oh yeah. I mean it could’ve been worse. You could’ve said something like you were ready to be devoured in one sitting.”

  “I kind of like the sound of that.”

  She pointed at his glass. “Drink your beer.”

  “Wow, you really are a Mom.”

  “Sorry. Sometimes it just comes out.”

  “Don’t apologize. It’s pretty adorable.”

  She bit her cheek to try to control the smile that was forcing its way across her face. “There is nothing adorable about motherhood. There are times when an entire day will pass before I realize I had maple syrup on my shirt from breakfast.”

  Cooper shrugged. “You were just saving it for later.”

  She choked on her wine and covered her mouth with her hand. “You’re funny.”

  “That’s what I’ve been told.” He pushed his glass out of the way and leaned forward. “I know you’re a mom, but tell me something else about you. Like what do you do for a living?”

  That was a topic she could jump on. Plus, it was a great way to get away from the Mom subject that she promised herself she wouldn’t discuss. “I repurpose vintage jewelry into one-of-a-kind pieces and sell them in my online store.”

  “Now that’s not something you hear about every day. How’d you get started?”

  “My grandfather liked to bring things ‘back to life’ as he would say. He mainly restored old bikes, radios, clocks, signs… pretty much anything that didn’t involve a motor. I used to sit in his shop and watch him. He’d let me play with the pieces he didn’t need, and that’s when I made my first bracelet. From there I’d use pretty much anything to make jewelry.”

  “He sounds like an awesome guy.”

  “Yeah… he was.” Tears pressed at the back of her eyes, just like they always did whenever she thought about her grandpa. He was the one man—other than her father—she could count on for anything, no questions asked. When he died, it was like a part of her died, too.

  A gentle hand rested on hers, and she looked up, catching Cooper’s eyes just as he squeezed.

  “How long has it been?” he asked.

  “Seven and a half years. He passed away when I was six months pregnant.” The tears pooled in her lids, but she held them back as best she could. “He was so close to meeting his great-grandson, but he couldn’t hold on any longer.”

  “How’d he…?”

  “Complications from diabetes.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m sure he would be really proud of you.”

  She took her hand back and swiped at the tears, angry with herself for letting them fall. “Look at me,” she said with a laugh. “We’re supposed to be having fun, and I’m a blubbering mess. Tell me something about you. I know you travel a lot. How do you make a living?”

  “I’m a travel blogger.”

  She picked up her napkin and dabbed her eyes. “You get paid to blog about travelling?”

  “I do. I also get paid by advertisers since my social media sites have large followings.”

  “Do you have any idea how many people would kill for that sort of opportunity?”

  “Trust me, I know, and there isn’t a single day that I take it for granted. But it’s not all it’s chocked up to be. I’ve stayed in some pretty grimy places, gotten food poisoning a few times, and even got mugged.”

  “That’s awful.”

  “I consider myself pretty lucky, since it only happened once. When you’re in foreign countries, unfamiliar with the language, travelling alone, you might as well put a target on your back. Most people are kind and helpful, but just like anywhere, you have your bad seeds.”

  “How many countries have you been to?”

  “Seventy-four.”

  Sarah inhaled her wine instead of swallowing, causing her to cough. “Seventy-four?”

  “Yup.”

  “That’s insane. Counting the U.S., I’ve only been to four.”

  “What are the other three?”

  “The Philippines every summer until I was sixteen to visit my Mom’s family.”

  “The Philippines is beautiful.”

  “You’ve been?”

  “For three amazing weeks a few years ago. I visited The Banaue Rice Terraces, went to Luzon to see Mount Mayon, and my personal favorite, The Puerto Princesa Underground River.”

  An uncontrollable smile formed as Sarah met Cooper’s gaze. “That’s one of my favorite places. My uncle brought me there when I was thirteen, and I had never experienced something so fun and amazing. The place itself was beautiful, but what I remember most is how I felt when I was there. After that I swore to myself that when I got older I would travel more so I could discover new places and recapture that feeling.”

  “Did you?”

  She shook her head. “My son is my life. Traveling was no longer an option. Not when I was working, trying to put myself through school, and take care of Tommy.”

  “I bet being a mom captured that feeling a few times. Or at least something close.”

  She smiled, realizing how right he actually was. “Yes, I guess it has.”

  “What were the other two countries?”

  Sarah was grateful for Cooper’s ease at steering the conversation back on track. “Canada and Germany. Canada on a family road trip when I was eleven and Germany when I was seventeen to visit my brother.”

  “Is he in the military?”

  “No, software engineer. He works for a North American company, but they have offices over there, and he always wanted to live abroad, so when the opportunity arose, he jumped on it. He’s been there ever since. Ten years now.”

  “He’s older than you, obviously.”

  “By six years.”

  “Do you ever miss him?”

  “He comes home for Christmas if he can and a few days in the summer if we’re lucky. Because of our age difference we never really had a super close relationship. When he hit his teens, he was never really home.�
�� She tucked her hair behind her ear then looked up at him. “What about you and your siblings? You all seem really close.”

  “We are. Matt, is almost ten years older than me, but he’s always been there. I appreciate it now, not so much when I was younger. It was like having another dad to answer to.”

  “Are you the baby in the family?”

  “Nope. That would be Daisy who lives in New York. She’s an actress… or trying to be. She’s had small roles off Broadway, but she’s still waiting on her big break.”

  “What aren’t you saying?” Sarah asked.

  “What do you mean?”

  “There’s a tone in your voice when you talk about her that I can’t quite decipher, but it tells me you have more to say on the matter.”

  He raised an eyebrow, and when it settled back into place he let out a breath. “It’s just… she had a good thing going here until she up and left after graduation without telling anyone.”

  “I would think you of all people would understand.”

  He ran a hand through his hair. “I do… and I don’t. I get following a dream, but hurting people in the process isn’t how you go about it, so I guess in that aspect, even though it’s been four years, I’m still a little disappointed in her for that.”

  “Have you ever told her?”

  He laughed and shook his head. “It wouldn’t matter. Daisy does what she wants no matter what anyone says, and I have a feeling that’s why she just took off. She didn’t want anyone to stop her. I just hope in the end it will all be worth it.”

  “What about you? Has it all been worth it? The travelling I mean.”

  “I feel a little guilty for missing holidays and birthdays. Daisy’s graduation…”

  Sarah watched as Cooper’s eyes dropped to the table. While he wasn’t frowning she could see a subtle shift in the set of his mouth. “I see,” she said.

  “See what?”

  “You think if you came to her graduation you would have been able to stop her.”

  “How do you do that?” he asked, staring at her like she just figured out the secret to life.

  “So, I’m right.”

  “How do you know something I’ve never said out loud?”