When Ridley fussed beside him, her movements agitated, he let out an aggrieved sigh. Should have known the peace wouldn’t last.
For some reason, he almost smiled.
Obviously annoyed, Ridley sat up with enough angry movement to shake the whole bed. He could feel her glaring at him, but he didn’t open his eyes.
Not yet.
She smacked his shoulder. “Don’t you dare fall asleep.”
Here we go. Baxter looked at her. “Problem?” he asked with admirable calm—a calm he knew would only fire her up more.
With wild hair around her face, her naked body rosy, she snapped, “That didn’t go at all how I planned it.”
“No?” Baxter crossed his arms behind his head and said reasonably, “I came. You came.” He lifted a brow, eyeing her naked boobs. Damn, she has a kickin’ body. Despite that, his attention was drawn back to her eyes. “You even screamed a little—and RVs aren’t soundproof, FYI.”
Her jaw dropped and fresh color stained her cheekbones. “Oh, my God.”
Since he didn’t want her shy about letting loose in the future—and he had no real plans of taking her to his house—he said quickly, “We both enjoyed ourselves. So where’s the problem?”
It took her a second to gather her thoughts, then her beautiful blues fried him. “It was too fast.”
He could have laughed. Fast, yes. But he knew that wasn’t the lady’s problem. No, Ridley had wanted to call the shots and instead he’d made a point of taking over.
At least, that was what he told himself, that every move, every word, had been deliberate.
He wasn’t sure that was true. Once she’d opened that door, he’d lost sight of the long game in favor of just having her. Of finally getting her naked, touching her, tasting her.
He’d moved on instinct, on need, without a plan in mind.
Never would he admit that to her, though. “Give me five minutes and we can start over. I can maybe make it last a little longer the second time. Maybe. Might have to happen with the third—”
Her eyes narrowed. “No, I don’t think so.”
Another challenge? This time he did smile, openly, almost a taunt. “You don’t have to make it more interesting for me, you know.”
Her eyes flared wide. “Go home.”
Deliberately, he yawned. “In a minute.” And he closed his eyes...but kept his senses alert. Ridley was the type of woman who did unexpected things. She could attack at any moment and he had to be ready. Hell, he could feel the whole bed trembling with her ire.
Suddenly, she cuddled into his side. “I’ll give you an hour. Prepare yourself.”
Smug in the outcome, Baxter slipped an arm around her, kissed her forehead and said, “Yes, ma’am.”
* * *
Today was not a good day to be running late. After opening the padlock on the maintenance building doors and stepping inside, Phoenix checked the time on her phone. It was already 7:15 and she still had a lot of things to put away before she could grab a quick shower and join Cooper.
Maybe, she thought with a smile, she’d just shower at his house.
Would that be too invasive? Would it signify growth in their relationship that Cooper didn’t want? Sometimes he was so hard to read.
Regardless, now that she was more accepting of her feelings, she was anxious to see him again.
She stored the tools she’d carried in her hands, then turned to go for the cart that she’d left outside.
Suddenly the metal door slammed shut. With only a couple of small windows, heavy shadows immediately filled the interior.
Thoughts scrambling, she started forward. There’d been no wind, no reason for the door to—
A loud bang sent alarm screaming through her. Then another and another, until the rapid-fire pops registered in her brain.
Gunfire.
Dear God. An acrid scent filled her nostrils as she dove behind a tall toolbox, shaking uncontrollably, her heart slamming in her chest. Fear made her clumsy, and as the sound escalated, she covered her head, cowering in a tight ball, a scream strangling in her throat.
One thought cut through the terror.
She might die here...when she’d just started to live again.
Her poor sister—Ridley would be devastated.
And Cooper. Dear God, Cooper. How would he deal with this after losing his beloved wife?
“Phoenix!”
When she first heard the shout, Phoenix didn’t understand. She was so mired in her fear that it took her a second to realize that the loud pops had dwindled, replaced by a new sound that closely resembled...fists on the door?
“Damn it, Phoenix! Answer me.”
Daron? She thought it, then she yelled in relief, “Daron!”
The doors slammed open and he charged in as if he’d thrown himself against them. As he searched the gravel-floored building, their eyes met, then he looked around again and with a curse, headed to the right of the doors, growling, “Firecrackers.”
The fierce beating of her heart began to slow. Cautiously raising her head, she became aware of the gravel cutting into her knees and shins, of a small fire flickering on a bale of hay left over from the fall. And the smoke, so much smoke hanging in the air.
Now that she saw it, her eyes burned and she coughed.
Daron stomped, rearranged and smothered the flames before they could really take hold. Fresh air blew into the building.
She wasn’t alone. Wasn’t being attacked.
Her legs were too rubbery to stand, so Phoenix dropped back onto her butt—reminded again of that damn sharp gravel. She put her head on her knees and concentrated on drinking in big gulps of air.
Why did it keep happening?
She hadn’t heard him approach, but then Daron’s hands were on her shoulders and he pulled her close, offering comfort. “You’re okay, babe. Some fucking asshole threw in some firecrackers and then locked the doors.”
She’d been locked in?
“How...” She swallowed to remove the squeak from her voice. “How did you know?”
“I was heading up here to look for a fuse for a camper when I heard the noise. Fireworks aren’t allowed in the park.”
She suddenly realized his chest was bare, her hands fisted against him. He was incredibly warm, solid and safe.
But he wasn’t Cooper.
His hand cupped the back of her head. “I was already irritated, but then I saw your cart and I...” He shook his head. “I just knew.” Hugging her again, he kissed the top of her head. “Scared the bejesus out of me.”
She choked on a laugh. “Bet it scared me more.” Knowing she couldn’t continue to cower against him, she pressed back and sucked in another deep breath, hoping it would help to loosen the restriction in her chest. “Sorry.” Composing herself was so difficult. “I didn’t mean to—”
“Hush.” He stood and helped her up, frowning at her scraped knees. “I need to call Coop, and then I need to call the cops.”
“Cops?”
He gave her an incredulous look, which he quickly softened. “Hon, someone did this on purpose. The door was locked from the outside.”
“Oh, right.” She felt sick as it all started sinking in. “But who?”
“No idea, but we’re going to find out.” He withdrew his cell phone.
Phoenix touched his arm. “Don’t tell Cooper yet. I’ll explain it to him.”
His gaze sharpened. “Why wait?”
“It...might bother him. I’d rather he see that I’m okay first.”
Daron considered her a moment, then nodded before thumbing in a few numbers.
Fretful, so many worries squeezing her heart, Phoenix waited.
“Coop? Hey, it’s Daron. You busy?...No,” he said quickly. “Everything is fine, but could you come down to the maintenance building? I need to show you something.” He nodded, then added, his gaze on Phoenix, “Yeah, she’s right here. I’ll explain when you get here...Right. See you in five.” He disconnected and shoved the phone into his pocket, again looking around. “We need a new lock.”
Still feeling dazed, Phoenix looked at him.
Brows flat, he explained, “I broke the other one.”
She thought of how he crashed inside. And if he hadn’t? Eventually she’d have realized the problem, but would the straw have caught fire first? What about the fuel and other accelerants? There were so many tools and pieces of equipment in the building, she knew she’d have been jumping at shadows. Solemn, aware of what could have happened, she whispered, “Thank you, Daron.”
He nodded. “We should wait for Gibb,” he said, hands on his hips as he looked around, “before we touch anything. He’s already aware of the problems.”
She tipped her head in dawning realization. “I suppose you are, too?”
“You’re one of us now, right? What affects you affects the rest of us.”
Despite the awful circumstances, his statement warmed her. Being part of Cooper’s Charm was a very nice feeling.
“Come on. We’ll meet Coop outside, then you head up to his house and wash your knees, maybe put some antiseptic on them or something.”
Phoenix looked at her legs and the superficial scratches. She’d done worse while working in brambles. “I’m fine. But this...” she said, indicating the building. Scattered bits of straw still smoldered on the floor. The doors hung open, one of them crooked on a loose hinge. “I need to clean this up after Officer Clark does...whatever he needs to do.”
“Hell, no,” Daron insisted. “I’ll do it.” Without waiting for her to argue—if she would have, given the way she still trembled—he led her outside, into the bright sun and fresh air.
Because the maintenance building was located at the end of a lane along the rustic tent camping area, few people were around. She considered that a blessing, saving her some discomfort, but it also lowered the chances that anyone would have seen anything.
Daron pulled the doors partially shut behind him, then led her over to a bench situated under a decorative copse of trees. “Let’s wait for Coop here.”
Knowing he’d closed the doors so she didn’t have to see inside, her mouth twisted. “Thanks.”
He patted her knee while watching for Cooper to arrive.
In preparation, she straightened her shirt and her glasses, doing her best to look unaffected, to look fine when she felt anything but.
When she finally saw Coop approaching in a golf cart—going faster than was allowed—she felt ridiculous tears sting her eyes. No, I will not do that. She sucked in several fast breaths and concentrated on looking serene.
Coop pulled to a halt next to them. He stared into her eyes, then climbed from the golf cart. Without a word, he handed Sugar to Daron and strode to Phoenix.
She opened her mouth to explain, but he tugged her close, his arms folding around her, and she found she couldn’t utter a single word.
* * *
Coop watched as Phoenix moved the spaghetti around her plate. She’d had only a few bites of it, less of her salad, none of her garlic bread.
He wanted to coddle her, but that wasn’t what she wanted, and he tried to be conscious of her preferences. Twice she’d been close to tears; he didn’t want to be the one who pushed her over the edge. It’d be tough for him to see her cry, but he knew it’d level her pride.
He glanced toward the door. When would Gibb finish? How long did it take to look around and question a few vacationers? There wasn’t that much to see, not many people he could talk to, especially since Daron said no one was around when he reached the building.
Phoenix picked up her garlic bread. “Shouldn’t Officer Clark be done by now?”
“Soon.” I hope. If a man could be in two places, Coop would be there now, listening in, getting info firsthand—and insisting that someone go check up on Harry and his goons. The waiting, the not knowing, was excruciating for him.
How bad must it be for her?
That was why he’d opted to take Phoenix to his house. She’d tried to insist she’d be fine alone, and she was strong enough that he believed her. But Ridley was off somewhere with Baxter and though Phoenix hid it well, she was shaken. For him, she was the priority. So here he sat, waiting.
“Cooper,” she said softly.
Finding her gaze on him, he forced away his frown and said, “Hmm?”
As if he’d done something to amuse her, she smiled. “You’re sure you don’t mind if I stay here tonight?”
If he had his way, she’d move in until...
His brain stalled. Until when? Until they found out who was harassing her? And then what?
Since he didn’t know, he shook off the deeper question and answered what she’d asked. “I want you to stay. I’ll feel better if you do.”
In a corner of the kitchen, Sugar snored, but the rapping of knuckles on wood brought her awake with a jerk.
Phoenix jumped too, scowled darkly, then composed herself.
“Gibb,” Cooper said, already up and striding for the door.
She nodded and, oddly enough, took a big bite of bread—maybe just to give herself something to do.
Sugar followed Coop to the door, and when she saw the officer, she sniffed his foot, gave him a look of dismissal and padded back to her bed to sleep again.
Not much of a watchdog after all, Coop thought.
Hat in his hands, Gibb gave Coop a brief nod before stepping inside. “Sorry that took so long.”
“Doesn’t matter if you found something.”
“Unfortunately, I didn’t.” He turned to Phoenix. “You’re okay?”
“It startled the heck out of me, but I wasn’t hurt.”
Coop would have disagreed, but once she’d cleaned her knees, the scrapes weren’t bad. Still infuriated him, though.
“I can imagine.” Gibb took a seat beside her. “You don’t recall anyone around when you went into the building?”
Her mouth twisted to the side. “I’m afraid I was daydreaming, not really paying attention to my surroundings. I was just about done for the day and trying to hurry so I wouldn’t be late for dinner.” She indicated the food.
Gibb smiled. “Understandable.”
Manners belatedly kicked in. “Hungry?” Coop asked, knowing his friend had likely missed dinner. “There’s plenty left.”
“If I’m not interrupting.?”
It was Phoenix who assured him, saying, “Not at all. You can eat while you tell us what we should do next.”
Putting his hat on his knee, Gibb sat back. “Other than being cautious, which I know you’re already doing, there’s not much I’d add.”
Coop set a plate of spaghetti in front of him along with a bowl of salad and a glass of tea, then took his own seat at the end of the table. “Will you go see Harry?”
“Already did.” He twined spaghetti around his fork. “That’s part of what took me so long. I didn’t want to give him a chance to cover his tracks.”
“And?” Coop’s patience was at an end.
Gibb finished the bite, wiped his mouth and explained, “He was at his grandma’s. She lives down the street, so I stopped in there.” With a shake of his head, Gibb said, “He wasn’t happy for me to interrupt. Neither was his grandma. She gave me all sorts of hell and said Harry had been with her for a few hours at least.” He smirked. “According to her, he’s a good boy.”
“Jesus,” Coop muttered, sitting back in his seat.
“I’m sorry, but there’s not much more I can do.” In between bites, Gibb promised he’d keep an eye on things, suggested Phoenix shouldn’t be alone, and lastly, mentioned that it could have been a simple prank by a kid.
Coop stewed in silence. He wanted to mention another possibility but wasn’t sure how Phoenix would react.
“Did you believe him?” she asked suddenly, her expression curious. “Harry, I mean. Did you believe that he’d been with his grandmother?”
Coop and Gibb both looked at her.
Gibb seemed to stall, taking a long drink of his tea. When he finished, he pushed back his plate and folded his arms on the table. “Honestly, I don’t know. Harry’s always been a troublemaker, and some trouble is bigger than others. He knows I’m watching him and he doesn’t like it, but is he stupid enough to keep up a harebrained campaign against you anyway?”
“Stupid enough?” Coop said. “Yes.”
Gibb grunted a laugh. “Yeah, I suppose he is. To be honest though...” Gibb glanced at Coop first, then at Phoenix. “This doesn’t really feel like him. I think he’s on his guard with Coop for one thing. He’d probably never admit it, but you scared him.”
“If others think that too,” Coop mused aloud, “maybe his friends, then he could be trying to prove something.”
Gibb turned thoughtful. “True.”
Phoenix cleared her throat. “I wonder if there could be another possibility.”
Coop’s gaze snapped to hers. Suddenly he knew they were thinking the same thing—David.
Her ex visits, and right after that someone decides to terrorize her? He figured that was one hell of a coincidence, and apparently she felt the same. He should have realized that she wouldn’t shy away from it. “I wondered the same.”
She shrugged. “I’d have a hard time believing it.”
“I know.”
“I don’t want to believe it.”
He could understand that, especially since the visit had ended well, and she’d felt so good about it.
“But I also don’t want your property further damaged, so I think I should share everything.”
Though he agreed, her motivation pissed him off. “Daron already repaired the doors.”
Gibb added, “The place is locked up again.” He finished his tea. “What other possibility are we talking about?”
Coop continued to watch, silently encouraging. Now that she’d brought it up, he’d prefer to let her share what she wanted about her ex and their backstory.
She looked away first, her entire demeanor composed.
His pride expanded.
“David is my ex. Before I moved here, we were engaged.” She paused. “But I ended things.”
“And he’s bitter?” Gibb guessed.
“Actually, no. He has every reason to be, but he came by this morning and he was super nice.”
It was subtle, but Coop saw Gibb go on alert. “He came here?”
“Yes.”
“So he knew where you were?”
She shook her head. “I’ve posted photos on social media and he saw them.”
Gibb considered that, then nodded. “Go on.”
“David said he’s found someone else and moved on. He’s happy now and he hopes I’m happy, too.”
“That’s why he came? To tell you that?”
“Yes.” Phoenix traced the top of her tea glass, her gaze averted a moment before she turned to Gibb again. “But it seems a little convenient that he was here, that he was so incredibly nice about everything...” She bit her lip. “It could seem surprising to most that he’d care enough for me that he wouldn’t want me to feel guilty, even though he’s in love with another woman now.”
Damn right it was “surprising,” Coop thought, but he didn’t say it aloud.
“Hmm,” Gibb said, being noncommittal. “Does he live in the same place?”
“He said he moved out of the house we chose together. He has it up for sale.” She frowned. “I’m not sure where he’s living now, though. Maybe with his new girlfriend.”
“Is his phone number the same?” Gibb asked.
“Should be.”
“Why don’t you try calling him? You can tell him what happened today, ask him if he saw anyone hanging around—we’ll see how he reacts.”
Looking very unconvinced, but still agreeable, Phoenix got out her phone and dialed David.
Coop noticed that, while she didn’t have him in her contacts, she still knew the number by heart.
“Hi,” she said, a small frown in place, and then uncertainly, “Is David there? Oh. Oh, I’m sorry.” After disconnecting, she checked the number she’d called. “That’s weird. I had the right number...”
“So it’s changed?” Coop asked.
“Apparently.” She seemed to think about it, then shook her head. “But I still find it hard to believe David would try to scare me. He’s not that way.”
“Is he the type to seek you out, just to tell you to move on and be happy?” Gibb asked.
She gave him a wry smile. “Let’s just say I believed him when he said it. He was—is—a nice guy. Everyone likes him.”
They were all silent a moment, then Gibb stood. “Thank you for dinner.” He grinned at Coop. “You’re a good cook.”
“He really is,” Phoenix agreed with her own smile.
Coop stood too, his frustration extreme.
At the door, Gibb paused. “If you’re interested, I have an idea.”
“Let’s hear it.” At this point, Coop was willing to try just about anything.
Gibb turned his hat in his hands, then gave all his attention to Phoenix. “You say your ex found you because of social media. That goes both ways, right? You could try looking him up, see if you can figure out where he’s staying, who he might be staying with.”
“Oh, absolutely,” she said. “I should be able to find him on Facebook, Instagram, maybe even SnapChat.”
Unless he’d canceled everything, Coop thought, and that would be telling.
“I need to get back to work. But reach out to him and let me know how it goes.”
Phoenix agreed, but reiterated again that she wasn’t accusing David of anything.
While she talked with Gibb, Coop was thinking of another way social media might help.
He had the perfect trap in mind—but it’d be better if he didn’t mention it yet.
* * *
Baxter stared down at Ridley while she slept. It amused him that she hadn’t removed her makeup, and now she looked like a raccoon. And her hair, all that glorious mink streaked with red, looked like a rat’s nest and yet somehow it made her even sexier.
Even asleep, she had attitude, her brows slightly pinched, her hand beside her face curled into a fist as if she might battle someone in her dreams.
If she’d let him, he’d do that for her.
She turned to her back, stretching with a low groan, one rosy nipple peeking out from beneath the sheet before she settled again with a sigh.
Baxter didn’t move, content to just look at her, remembering how she’d snuggled next to him last night, surprising him.
And then they’d both passed out.
So much for his plans of having her again and again, of impressing her with his stamina and expertise. He silently snorted to himself.
She’d impressed him.
It was a neat trick, how she balanced her abrasive manner with the unconditional love of a devoted sister, the wildness of her passion with her cuddly nature.
And she was afraid of bugs.
He smiled, liking that human weakness.
Unable to resist, he caught the sheet in two fingers and very slowly drew it down until both her breasts showed, then her smooth belly, over her hips and the neatly trimmed triangle of hair, down to her knees.
She had a beautiful body.
A challenging demeanor.
A sexual drive that rivaled his own.
Mentally listing her assets meant he was already too involved, but he couldn’t make himself care. Ridley Rose was the type of woman who’d make a long-term sexual relationship worthwhile—emphasis on the sexual. Today he’d explain things to her. With any luck, she’d agree with him.
Just then, her bluer-than-blue eyes popped open. She stared blankly at the ceiling, almost with dread, before letting her gaze slide over to him.
Baxter smiled and cupped the breast closest to him. “You could patent this look.”
She swallowed.
“Sleep-rumpled sexy. That’s what I’d call it. Thing is, I’m not sure any other woman could pull it off the way you do.”
Her mouth flattened, then a glittering look of retribution entered those amazing eyes. “What,” she growled in a grumpy morning voice, “are you still doing in my bed?”
“Enjoying the view, naturally.”
Her face went blank, her head lifted to see her naked body, and he expected her to scramble.
Of course, she surprised him.
She dropped back to the pillow and said in vague complaint, “Perv.”
“Come again?”
“I might.” She glanced at him, then stretched luxuriously—no doubt to make him react.
Which he did.
“First, though, I have to pee.”
He grinned. “Yeah, me, too.”
She came up on one elbow, leg bent in a classic pose as old as time. “And I’d prefer to brush my teeth.”
He liked this playful side of her. No surprise there. He pretty much liked everything about her. “If you insist.”
She leaned over him...but only to see the clock. “I have half an hour. How good are you at quickies?”
Baxter caught her hips. “You’ve yet to see my long game. Now hustle it up.”
The way she climbed over him was enough to stop his heart. He watched the sensual sway of her hips as she disappeared into the hall bath through the connecting door in the bedroom. While she was gone, he found his shorts and removed the small, clip-on sprayer he had attached to the belt.
He set it on the nightstand, then waited for her to leave the john.
She came out with her wild hair smoothed, her breath minty and a scorching anticipation in her eyes. Going in next, thinking it was the least-sexy morning after he’d ever experienced, he hastily took care of business, found mouthwash in her medicine cabinet and rejoined her in the bedroom.
“Ever hear of spontaneity?” he asked.
Her nose winkled. “Maybe when I was twenty. These days, comfort takes priority.”
Baxter soaked in the sight of her on the bed, propped on an elbow, her breasts soft and full, her legs long and lightly muscled. “You make yourself sound old when I know you’re not.”
“Twenty-eight.” She met his gaze with defiance. “Old enough to do what I want, the way I want it. And right now, I want you, here—” she pointed to the mattress beside her “—naked and willing.”
“All right,” he agreed as he stopped beside the bed. “But I have something for you first.”
With her gaze on his junk, she cooed in a silly voice, “Oh, I see what you have for me. Thank you.”
Knowing he was hard, Baxter laughed. “Actually, I meant this.” He lifted the spray bottle and held it out to her.
If he’d offered her a snake, she couldn’t have looked more wary. “What is it?”
“A personal sized, refillable, clip-on bug spray.” He showed her the flexible clip on the back. “It can go onto a belt or just the waistband of your jeans or shorts. Maybe even a purse, though I don’t think you carry one while working here.”
Silence.
Baxter looked at her face and found an expression he hadn’t seen before, sort of bemused and uncertain, and maybe...softened?
He cleared his throat. “With so many bugs around the park, I figured you could carry it on you. If another lands on you, just give it a zap and it’ll head the opposite direction real fast—”
Her body landing against his ended his explanation. He dropped the spray to the floor and closed his arms around her. “What’s this?”
She rained kisses all over his face. “That’s the nicest gift I’ve ever received.”
Frowning, Baxter tried to lean her away so he could see her face, but she clung to him. He felt her shudder, heard a sniff, and his heart damn near stopped.
“Are you crying?”
She bit his shoulder, not a gentle nip either, and said, “I’m not crying, you’re crying.” Then she laughed, and sure enough, when she leaned back to see him, tears swam in her eyes. “That really was sweet. Thank you.”
With more questions to ask, Baxter tumbled her backward into the bed and pinned her down with his body. Somehow, by the luck of fate, her legs were around him, his cock perfectly aligned with her soft, warm sex.
Maybe he didn’t have any questions after all—
“What?” Ridley smiled up at him. “You’re looking at me funny.”
So he looked funny while fighting the urge to thrust into her? Good to know.
“What?” she asked again, her hands stroking his shoulders, his neck.
Only because he thought this might be important, Baxter tamped down the lust—but it wasn’t easy. “You’re telling me that bug spray is a better gift than the usual, like flowers or dinner out?”
She snorted. “Clichéd crap. Who needs it?”
Was she wiggling against him on purpose? Maybe testing his willpower? Honest to God, it felt like he’d almost slipped into her just now.
He felt heat rising up his spine and had to concentrate hard to say, “Is that right?”
“A personal-sized defense against bugs, though...well, don’t freak out, but that’s personal. It’s for me, not just any woman, and I appreciate it.” Wearing the softest expression he’d ever seen on her, she leaned up to brush her lips over his. “And now we only have twenty minutes, so unless you plan to go bareback, how about finding a condom so we can get on with it?”
He smothered her teasing with a kiss, but damn, he was tempted. He was already right there, the head of his cock sliding back and forth against her wetness. No doubt she was on the pill, but there were other things to consider besides babies, so he did the responsible thing and moved off her, snagged his shorts, found a condom and rolled it on in record time.
When he turned back to her, she smiled, and he was on her like a marauder. Apparently, she loved it, because she opened her legs to him, then lifted to meet his first hard thrust.
Wet and hot and as ready as him.
Perfection.
He moved over her, in her, loving the clasp of her body on his erection, the way she tried to take him deeper, how she tilted her hips against him.
Every sound she made spurred him on. She was just as frantic, her hands grabbing him everywhere, her ankles crossed tight over his lower back.
“Baxter,” she demanded, panting.
He put his face in her neck, breathing her in, doing his best to hold off while ramping up the pace, the pressure.
“Baxter,” she cried again, gasping.
So close. So damn close. He ground against her.
“Baxter.” Her body bowed beneath him, her face twisted in her pleasure, muscles straining.
“God, you’re beautiful,” he growled, then he let himself go, a flood of pleasure crashing through him. He collapsed on her, but immediately flipped so she was sprawled over him.
“Oh, my God,” she whispered. “I’m supposed to move for work now?”
He swatted her very sexy rump and said, “We both do.”
“Next time, we gotta wake up earlier. I haven’t even had coffee!”
Next time. Nice to know she was thinking along the same lines as him. While his hand was on her ass anyway, he cuddled and asked, “Do I have to wait until 8:00 tonight?”
He felt her grin against his chest, then she lifted her head. “No.”
He smiled, too. “Want me to go grab you some coffee while you get ready?”
That sweet but perplexed look flitted over her face again. “Just so we’re clear, I’m not a woman who turns down nice offers like that, so don’t say it unless you mean it.”
He bit her bottom lip. “I mean it.” Rolling again, he put her under him. “I always say what I mean.” With one last kiss, he pushed off the bed.
They hadn’t had the talk he’d planned, Baxter thought as he dragged on his wrinkled shorts and shirt, but getting that reaction—for bug spray, of all things—was probably better anyway. The sex was definitely better.
Ridley brushed past him on her way into the bathroom. “Thank you.” He heard the shower start.
“Be back as quick as I can.” After stepping into his shoes, he headed out the door, finger-combing his hair as he walked. It was early enough that only a few people were up and about, but Maris would have the coffee ready.
They could talk anytime; tonight—or even tomorrow morning.
Thinking that, he decided he’d need to run home for a change of clothes and probably a razor.
He was just about to step into the store when the gravity of his thoughts hit him.
Mentally, he backpedaled. He couldn’t plan to stay over with her two nights in a row. He should be planning not to.
He knew where this path was headed and he didn’t want to go there. He’d already visited once, bought the T-shirt, and only sucky memories remained. Since he wasn’t a masochist, he’d decided to never head that way again. Hurt, humiliation...no thank you.
Love ’em and leave ’em. That was the safe road. The comfortable road.
He’d been coasting that way with no problems...until meeting Ridley.
Just sex, he insisted to himself as he stalked into the store, his mood taking a nosedive into bitter territory.
Sex in the evening, great.
And if they decided on sex in the morning, then he’d just arrive at the park a little earlier.
Never mind that holding her all night had been nice, she didn’t want things to get serious any more than he did.
“Good morning,” Maris said, swinging her long blond braid off her shoulder. “Coffee?”
“Two please. To go.” It struck him that Maris was always at the damn store, and she never seemed to be just arriving. No matter how early he rolled in, she was there, raring to go, never harried. “Do you sleep?”
She blinked at him. “Yes?”
“How, when you’re always here?”
“I’m not,” she protested, already filling the disposable mugs. “But time is money, you know, so I like to get here early.”
“And leave late?”
She shrugged, then indicated the cups. “Two, huh?”
Baxter shook his head at the way her big brown eyes widened in question. “To save you from asking, one is for Ridley.”
She eyed his unshaved face and rumpled clothes, then doctored one cup with cream and sugar, the way Ridley preferred it. “Since you commented on me being early, should I mention that you’re...late?”
Daron saved him by dragging in, looking worse than Baxter did as he said, “Maris, honey, I hope you made the coffee strong because after the night I had, I need it,” around a wide yawn.
Her teasing smile disappeared and those big brown eyes narrowed.
“Ass,” Baxter accused as he took the coffee and left.
He hadn’t been gone long, so he wasn’t surprised to hear the shower still going when he stepped into Ridley’s RV. He put one cup on her dinette table and then rapped on the bathroom door. “Hey, I have to run. Coffee is out here waiting for you.”
The shower shut off. “I’ll be out in two minutes.”
And I’ll have already left. “Don’t rush.” If she stepped out naked, he was a goner. He needed to split while his willpower held firm. “I’m already running late.” Damn, he sounded lame. “I’ll see you tonight.” Without waiting for her to answer, he hurried from the RV.
He’d see her again tonight because he couldn’t resist, but he’d make damn sure to keep things on an even keel. No more gifts. No more getting waylaid by her personality shifts.
And no more sleeping through the night.
* * *
Wrapped in a towel, her hair dripping, Ridley rushed out of the shower and looked around. A steaming cup of coffee sat on her dinette. Baxter, the coward, was nowhere to be seen.
Oh, but she’d known. She’d heard it in his voice, the miserable jerk. And to think she’d been feeling... Damn him, she’d felt connected.
Stupid, stupid, stupid. Hadn’t she learned anything since her divorce?
Would he come back tonight? She gave it a quick thought and decided that yes, he most definitely would. He wanted sex, after all.
Well, he wouldn’t be disappointed. She’d give him that, but only that—and not a single thing more.