by Donna Grant
Cooper squeezed her hand as they reached his truck. He didn’t open the door for her. She stood staring out across the street, but he knew she didn’t see the passing cars or the businesses, she was in the past.
“I ran upstairs, shouting her name. I called her cell phone again and again. Then I called the station. My sergeant told me that my partner was coming to the house. I knew then that something had happened.” Marlee paused and then turned to him. “She wasn’t that far away. They took her when she went for a walk. In the middle of the day. They dumped her less than five minutes from our house. When my partner drove me to her, there were police cars everywhere. I remember the flashing lights, the yellow tape. I remember my partner talking to me, but I couldn’t hear what he said because all I could see was the white sheet covering a body.”
Cooper pulled her against him and just held her. He closed his eyes, picturing everything in his head.
“They knocked her unconscious,” Marlee’s voice cut through the silence. “Once they had the baby, they sliced her throat. Her phone was just out of reach. It looked as if she’d tried to get to it, but she bled out before she could. They left her to die on the street.”
The sound of Marlee’s voice shaking caused fury to erupt within Cooper. While he might have known her sister was murdered, he hadn’t known these details. The kinds of things that sent a person reeling. The kind of stuff that changed the course of a person’s life.
The kinds of details that destroyed people.
But not Marlee. It had put her on a new path, one that helped so many others who were in the same position that she and her parents had been in. Cooper rubbed his hands up and down her back. She held on to him tightly, her fingers digging into the material of his jacket at his back. He doubted that she had told very many people what she’d shared with him tonight, and he felt honored that she had opened up to him.
Marlee sniffed and pulled out of his arms. She looked into his eyes. “I had to tell my parents. I couldn’t let anyone else do it. My father had a stroke that night. I know it was caused by what happened. I took a leave of absence to take care of my parents and to handle the funeral. Then I began looking for the assholes who did that to Macey. Except I was met with dead end after dead end after dead end. When the FBI was brought in, I thought maybe something might actually happen with the case, but it soon stalled out there, as well. That’s when I decided that if I didn’t want Macey to end up a cold case, I had to do something. I quit the force and became a private investigator.”
“How long until you had your first case?”
“A week.” She shrugged and huddled into her jacket as a defense against the cold. “I’ve been working ever since. It has its rewards, but more times than not, I deliver no news to the family. Or worse, bad news.”
“News is news, whatever kind it is, I’d think. Everyone needs some kind of closure.”
She nodded. “That’s true.”
“Come on,” he said. “How about some coffee to warm us up?”
“Sounds perfect.”
They got into the truck and were pulling out when his phone rang through his Bluetooth. He recognized his neighbor’s number and answered. “Hey, Ted.”
“Evenin’, Coop. I’m hoping you’re near the house because I was alerted that Big Tom is out again. Dumbass nephew can’t seem to learn to close the damn gate. We’re in Fort Worth for the weekend and can’t get back in time.”
Cooper smiled as he glanced at Marlee. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of it.”
“Thanks, Cooper. I owe you.”
He disconnected the call as Marlee said, “Big Tom?”
“It’s Ted’s bull. He’s quite the ladies’ man, and if he can get into another pasture with more cows, he’s going to do it. Mind if we make a stop?”
“Not at all. I’m curious to meet Big Tom.”
Cooper laughed and turned the truck around.
Chapter 17
Whatever Marlee might have thought she’d see when they arrived, it was not the massive bull standing beside the road, munching on grass as if he didn’t have a care in the world. When the truck’s headlights touched the animal, she saw the deep burgundy color of his coat. He swung his head in their direction, then went back to eating, uncaring that someone was there.
“Is he dangerous?” Marlee asked, the hairs on the back of her neck standing up.
“Any animal can be dangerous, especially ones that size. However, Big Tom is pretty much a gentle giant until you get him around ladies in need.”
Marlee busted out laughing.
Cooper chuckled and shrugged. “It’s true. I’ve seen him plow through a fence before.”
That sobered her quickly. She looked out the truck’s windows into the inky night. There wasn’t a single light anywhere to show them what was out there, other than the sliver of the moon and the truck’s headlights. “Are you sure about this?”
“I’ve been around cattle and horses my entire life. I was riding a horse before I could even walk. I know what I’m doing,” Cooper assured her. “Especially with Big Tom. This isn’t the first time I’ve had to put him back in his pasture.”
Marlee eyed the huge animal. “If you’re sure.”
“There’s no need for you to get out. Stay right here. You’ll be fine. I’ll be back before you know it.”
She saw his grin in the dim lights of the dashboard. She smiled back, unable to stop herself. Something about Cooper made her feel safe. As if nothing could harm her. It was the first time she’d ever felt anything like it, and she wasn’t really sure how to handle such an emotion.
Part of her wanted to run straight for him as if she was sure he’d catch her—figuratively, of course. But the rational part of her, the bit that had seen untold cruelty and savagery as a cop and a private investigator, warned her.
Cooper paused in getting out. “It’ll be fine. I promise. Big Tom won’t hurt me.”
“It’ll be easier with two people, won’t it?”
He shrugged, his lips twisting. “It would, but I’ve done it on my own before.”
“I’ll help,” she stated. “Though this is the first time I’ve been around cows of any kind.”
A slow smile spread over Cooper’s face. “Then Big Tom is a great introduction. Come on.”
Now that she’d said it, Marlee couldn’t back out. After all the perps she’d chased—both on foot and by car—and brought down, she shouldn’t be afraid of an animal. Then again, she had never been so close to a bull before. He could toss her fifty feet with a swing of his massive head. Any sane person would be more than a little cautious.
“Come on,” she whispered to herself after Cooper was out of the truck. “You can do this.”
Marlee quietly got out. She didn’t slam the truck door as Cooper had. Instead, she softly pushed it, not latching it completely. Her gaze moved to Cooper to find him talking softly to the bull as he walked up. Marlee pressed her lips together when she heard Cooper talking about how it wasn’t Big Tom’s fault that he got out, and that Cooper would’ve done the same thing in his position.
She gradually made her way around the front of the truck. The bull lifted his head and looked right at her. Marlee froze, wondering if she could get on top of the truck in time. Yet Big Tom ignored her and turned to move a few steps to Cooper. To her shock, the bull halted before Cooper and bowed his head. That’s when Cooper rubbed the bull, scratching behind his ears. All the while, Big Tom made deep grunting noises as if he thoroughly enjoyed the attention.
In fact, Marlee was sure she’d make similar noises if Cooper’s hands were on her.
At that moment, Cooper looked at her, a big smile on his face. “I can’t say this for all bulls, but Big Tom really is gentle. Want to pet him?”
“Sure.”
Cooper held out his free hand to her. Marlee didn’t hesitate to walk to him and take it, though her gaze did dart to Big Tom to see how he’d react. Her body cut in front of the headlights, bloc
king out the light for a fraction of a second. The moment her hand connected with Cooper’s, warmth spread through her.
“He’s like any male,” Cooper said in a low, husky voice. “Big Tom wants to know he’s loved.”
Marlee couldn’t help but smile. “Is that so?”
“Absolutely. He might like me petting him, but he’ll know the difference as soon as you touch him.”
Marlee jerked her head to Cooper and frowned. “Because he can smell me?”
“He smelled you the moment you got out of the truck. It’s because women touch animals differently than men. My dad told me that once. I didn’t believe him until he proved it with my mother. And I’m going to prove it to you now.”
“All right.” Marlee was more than ready to pet the bull.
Cooper moved a little behind her, pressing against her back. She felt his hard body and had to remind herself to keep her attention on the bull, not the very handsome, very arousing cowboy behind her.
“See my hand? See how I’m stroking the top of his head?” Cooper asked her.
She nodded. “Yes.”
“You’re going to do the same thing. Ready?”
Marlee swallowed. “Yes.”
“He’s all yours.”
Cooper moved his hand, and Marlee put hers in its place. She was shocked at how soft Big Tom’s fur was. It wasn’t as dense as a dog’s or cat’s, but still silken. With her hand moving in the same manner as Cooper’s had, the bull stayed still for a heartbeat. Then he raised his head a little to look at her with his soulful black eyes. He blew out a breath and nodded his head, bumping her hand.
“He wants more,” Cooper said, a smile in his voice.
Marlee laughed and continued petting Big Tom, but it wasn’t enough. The bull then pressed his head against her body. When he did, she began to tilt backward, but Cooper kept her upright.
“See?” Cooper said. “I told you Big Tom would know the difference.”
She could only smile in amazement as she stared at the bull. “But he was making those noises with you. He isn’t making them with me.”
“He knows me, and I know what he likes. But he likes you much more than he does me.”
Marlee shook her head as the bull gently butted his head against her again, seeking more of her touch. “I can’t believe this.”
“Don’t do this with all bulls,” Cooper cautioned. “I know some who would just as soon trample you as have you get near them. But then there are those like Big Tom. The softies.”
Marlee was soon petting the bull with both hands. “He is. I think I adore him.”
“Which usually happens.” Cooper chuckled and gave the bull a light shove when he pushed more weight into Marlee. The bull took the hint and stepped back.
“He’s so well mannered,” Marlee stated in amazement.
“If you didn’t tell him no, he’d likely have you on the ground. He has no idea how powerful he is. He needs reminding.” Cooper gave Big Tom a pat. “Time to go back in your pasture.”
Marlee wrinkled her nose. “Really? I was just getting used to this.”
“Now that Tom knows you, he’ll come greet you next time.”
Her eyes widened. “I’ve got to see that.”
“Then we’ll plan on it.”
She smiled as their eyes met. “Okay.”
He gave a tip of his head and then, with a hand on Big Tom, started toward the open gate, leading him back into his pasture. Marlee watched the males and realized she’d never thought to be looking at a man walking a bull down the road. She meandered on the quiet dirt road, wondering how it would be to live in such a place.
Suddenly, the hairs on the back of her neck stood up again. She looked around, but the darkness hid everything. When they first arrived, she’d thought it might have been the unknown danger of the bull that had her senses heightened, but that wasn’t the cause now. Every instinct she had told her that she was being watched.
Her eyes scanned the area. She wished the moon would shed more light, or that there were streetlights, but this was out in the country where people could still lift their gazes to see a multitude of stars. Whatever—or whoever—was out there was being shielded by the dark. But Marlee would find out who it was.
There was a sound behind her. She whirled around and saw a mass fill the area before she was unceremoniously jerked away. Marlee found herself pinned between the wooden fence and a hard body that she was coming to know well.
“Are you all right?” Cooper asked, his eyes filled with concern.
She nodded. “What was that?”
“A deer. It hadn’t been headed toward you at first, but something clearly spooked it and it shifted course. You were so still, I’m not sure it realized you were there until you turned.”
Marlee raised a brow. “Are you telling me I scared the deer?”
Cooper wrinkled his nose and nodded twice. “I’m afraid so.”
She couldn’t help but laugh now that the situation was over. Marlee didn’t want to think about what might have happened had Cooper not been there. “Is Big Tom up?”
“He’s safe in his pasture, unaware and unconcerned about the deer.”
“And the deer?”
Cooper shrugged. “I think he’ll be traumatized for a bit, but he’ll recover.”
She laughed, quite liking being in his arms. His body was nestled tightly against hers. He had pulled her in for protection, but now that the threat was over, he hadn’t moved away. And she was glad he hadn’t. It wasn’t just his heat she enjoyed. It was the man himself.
“And me?” she asked.
He raked his gaze over her. “I think you’re tougher than anyone I’ve ever met.”
“I was nearly done in by a startled deer until you saved the day.”
His eyes lowered to her mouth, and her heart thumped wildly. “Woman, do you have any idea what your smile does to me?”
She did now, and oh, how she liked how that felt. Marlee reached up and moved his hat back so she could see more of his face in the shadows. “And what does it do to you, cowboy?”
“Shall I show you?” he asked and lowered his head.
The moment their lips met, she sank into him. Nothing had ever felt so right, so … perfect, as if this moment had been set in motion eons ago.
Chapter 18
The kiss set Cooper’s soul on fire. Desire surged within him until he burned with it. His arms tightened around Marlee as she sighed. He’d tried to take things slow, but there was no stopping the emotions he felt for her. They struck him at odd moments, propelling him toward her no matter how much he warned himself to be nonchalant.
But it was difficult to act like that when all he wanted was Marlee. It should’ve been enough that they had gone to dinner, but it wasn’t. It should’ve been enough that they had a nice time, but it wasn’t. It should’ve been enough that she had agreed to go with him to deal with the bull, but it wasn’t. And it should’ve been enough that he held her in his arms.
Yet, that was the very thing that had desire raging within him now. He couldn’t remember ever … craving … someone as he did Marlee. Touching her had been a thrill, but holding her? Well, that was another heart-stopping moment altogether. Having her against him heated his blood in ways that had never happened before. And when he looked into her beautiful bourbon-colored eyes … For all her heartache, for all the trauma she’d witnessed and endured, there was still so much hope there that it was nearly blinding.
She was the strongest, bravest woman he knew—and that was saying something with the resilient, courageous women he was around every day. There was so much he wanted to tell Marlee, but it all got lost in the passion that’d consumed him the moment he made the mistake of looking at her mouth.
The curve of her smile made his soul sing. The way she laughed was something he hadn’t known he longed to hear. But the desire he saw in her eyes when she looked at him made him forget all about going slowly. It pushed him over the edge of reason, a
nd he wasn’t about to put on the brakes.
He deepened the kiss as her hands slid from his chest upward and linked around his neck. Her taste was heaven. There were no awkward moments, no bumped heads or miscommunication. And the longer he held her, the longer the kiss went on, the more he knew, without a doubt, that he’d found the one person in the billions around the world that was meant for him. It should startle him, or at the very least take him aback, but it didn’t. How could it when everything felt so right?
All Cooper wanted to do was keep kissing her, but he knew it would lead to other things if he did. And while he had no problems having sex outdoors, it was cold, and he at least owed Marlee a fire. Reluctantly, he slowed the kiss and then ended it. Somehow, he was able to release her and step back.
Marlee’s chest heaved as she touched her lips. “I’ve been wondering what your kiss would taste like.”
That was the last thing she should’ve said. He reached for her at the same time she reached for him. Their mouths clashed again, their tongues dueling as the flames of desire grew. Cooper slid his hands under her coat and felt the way her body trembled when he touched her. He ground himself against her, unable to stop himself. She moaned and shifted her hands to his hips, holding him tightly against her as they moved against each other.
This time, she was the one who ended the kiss. Their eyes met as he stepped back, trying to get himself under control. He took a deep breath and adjusted his hat. If he didn’t, he was going to reach for her again. And this time, he might not let her go.
“That was…” Marlee said, her voice trailing off.
Cooper nodded. “Yeah. For me, too.”
She pushed away from the fence and moved toward him. He held up a hand, stopping her. “You should know that if we kiss again, I’m not going to stop.”
“Thank God,” she said.
He blinked, not expecting her to react in such a way. “When it comes to you, I have no willpower. I want you. It’s as simple as that.”
“That’s good since I feel the same.”
Cooper looked up at the stars, doing his best not to pull her against him.