Phoenix drank in the sight of him. How a man could look so appealing, even when drenched, she didn’t know. She was a frazzled mess, her damp clothes drooping, and he only looked sexier because of the rain.
She thought of his invitation to swim privately, and the idea teased her. He’d made a point of letting her know that he appreciated her curves, which seemed odd since his wife had appeared to be very slim, yet she didn’t doubt his sincerity. She’d seen the admiration in his eyes and heard it in his deep voice.
She’d never obsessed much about her body. She’d “blossomed” early in life, which meant she’d gotten jibes, and then a ton of interest, from boys and later men. Her weight fluctuated depending on her life, so there were times when she was slimmer, and times when—like now—she’d put on pounds.
Of course, living in a hotel room while binge-eating takeout for an extended time explained her current weight gain. For too many nights she’d shut out the real world, even her family, and soothed her fears with food. She’d always been an outdoorsy person, but after the attack...instead of taking her comfort in sunshine and hard work, she’d consumed milkshakes, pizzas and loaded burgers with fries while watching whatever movie played on the television. Overall, she had amazing physical health with no medical issues, so if the scales fluctuated, she didn’t care.
She also didn’t expect to draw male appreciation. But she had—from Cooper.
His interest hit her on two levels, spiking her own sexual response, which hadn’t happened since before the attack, but it also struck an emotional chord because she knew he’d loved his wife, and yet he’d lost her.
How very difficult that must have been for a man like Cooper. Anyone could see he was a natural leader, and that went hand in hand with being protective.
She’d like to know how he’d lost his wife, but she also didn’t want to overstep.
With him now in the camp store, a heated mix of subdued wariness and unfamiliar exhilaration shimmered together through her blood. He brought with him the scent of the rain and the energy of the storm, making the other two men fade from her awareness.
Under one arm, Cooper carried a rolled, rubber-backed rug. Before fully entering, he spread it out on the floor and then used it to wipe his feet.
When he looked up and saw Phoenix, his entire demeanor changed, or so it seemed to her.
But maybe she was the only one getting flustered.
Maris emerged from the kitchen with a large towel. “Thanks, Coop.” She tossed the towel to him. “We already had two slips, Daron in a full wipeout, and Phoenix in a near miss. Luckily, Baxter caught her.”
For some reason, a blush stung her face. No one seemed to notice—except Cooper.
As he ran the towel over the back of his head and neck, his eyes never left her. “You’re not hurt?”
She shook her head. “No, not at all. But the rug’s a good idea.”
“It’s usually there,” Maris said, “but right before I closed last night a camper brought in his dog—and he peed on it.”
“The camper did?” Daron asked.
“No, his... Oh, hush.” While Daron snickered, Maris filled another cup of coffee and reached over the counter to hand it to Cooper. “The guy was horrified, but luckily he didn’t yell at the poor dog, who he said was still being trained.” As she headed back to the kitchen, she said over her shoulder, “I promised him it wasn’t a problem.”
“We’re pet friendly for most breeds,” Cooper told Phoenix, right before he stripped off his shirt and laid it over the back of a booth seat. Using the fluffy towel, he dried his impressive body—at least, impressive to her. No one else seemed to pay any attention.
Yet Phoenix couldn’t look away. Dark hair sprinkled his chest between his brown nipples, thickest in the middle between pronounced pec muscles. His skin was taut, firm over his midsection, more muscular at his abs. The hair teased around his navel, then cut into a thin line that disappeared into his low waistband.
Realizing where she stared, she desperately grabbed her own coffee to give herself a different focus.
Something other than his sleek skin, his firm muscles, his scent—and his overwhelming presence.
Did no one else feel it?
She glanced up again as he raised an arm, still drying off. Why did it feel so intimate to see the lighter skin on the underside of his biceps, the tufts of hair there? Lightning flashed through the windows and only a second later, thunder shook the floor, drawing her from her fascinated scrutiny.
Baxter lifted his coffee in a toast. “Looks like I’m off for the morning, too.”
Cooper moved to a window to look out. “Damn, it’s really coming down. Hopefully it blows over.” The wet waistband of his jeans hung low, and she could just see the top of dark, snug boxers. The tanned skin of his back glistened from the dampness.
Her palms tingled at the thought of touching him...
“More ogling?” Daron whispered, leaning close so no one else heard him.
Phoenix jumped as if goosed.
“I won’t tell,” he said, then grinned hugely.
“Nothing to tell,” Phoenix whispered back, but damn it, she knew her face was red.
“Uh-huh. That was a hungry look I saw, almost as if you were imagining him nekkid.” He tsked, his tone playful. “Does he know you’re—”
“Daron.” Neither of them noticed Cooper’s approach until he spoke. “Get hold of Joy and see if she can get some extra stuff set up in the lodge.”
“Sure thing.” He pulled his cell from his back pocket. As he stepped away, he said, “I’ll see if she needs any help, too.”
Phoenix had only met Joy Lee, the entertainment director, a few times. Her impression was of a tall, elegant woman with light brown hair, vivid green eyes and a cute five-year-old son that she adored. Joy took great pleasure in organizing activities for adults and children alike, and she did it with flair.
Baxter said, “I need to email folks that we’re canceled for this morning and iffy for the afternoon. After that, just let me know what you need.” He withdrew his own phone and headed to the back of the store to the dining tables.
Left alone with Cooper, Phoenix struggled to keep her gaze on his face, but it wasn’t easy. Even after toweling off, his skin looked dewy and his sparse chest hair fascinated her. It looked soft, a little darker than the hair on his head, but then, his brows and lashes were dark, too.
“Phoenix?”
It’d be easier not to stare if she wasn’t eye level with his chest.
Someone turned on music, and suddenly one of Kid Rock’s country songs filled the air. The way Daron grinned, she assumed he was the culprit. Even as he spoke on the phone, he winked at her.
The music ensured she and Cooper wouldn’t be overheard while speaking, and that somehow made his closeness more intimate.
Needing a distraction and fast, she dared a quick look up at Cooper. He stared down at her as if they weren’t in the middle of the camp store with three other people. His wet eyelashes created a compelling frame for his direct, amber eyes. He said nothing, just continued to look down at her.
Almost like he might kiss her.
Whoa. The air got thick enough to choke her.
Obviously, nothing in his lambent gaze would help her heartbeat slow down, so she hastily removed her glasses on the pretext of cleaning the lenses on the hem of her T-shirt.
While she couldn’t see him clearly, she asked, “I was thinking of helping Maris, unless there’s something else you want me to do?”
“Such a loaded question.”
She peered up at him, seeing only a blurred outline of his face. “What?”
“Never mind.” She sensed his smile as he shook his head. “Are you any good on the computer?”
Her tech skills sucked, but she could type, copy or print, so she said, “Depends on what you want done.”
Suddenly his fingertips touched under her chin, freezing her to the spot. “Are you going to put your glasses back on, or clean them until I leave?”
The challenge helped her catch her breath. She slipped on the glasses, then frowned up at him. “Better?”
“Definitely.” His voice deepened as he tipped her face up even more. “At least now I know you can see me.”
Yes, she saw him, and crazy as it seemed, she couldn’t stop thinking about leaning into him.
“Damn,” he whispered. His thumb brushed her jaw, then he withdrew his hand and looked around, almost as if he just realized they weren’t alone.
More thunder boomed. With a disgusted look at the window, he snagged his coffee and took a long drink. “Mmm, I needed that.”
Given the direction of her thoughts, he sounded far too sensual saying that. She cleared her throat. “Maris makes good coffee.” It’s why she often joined her instead of making it in her cabin, or so she told herself. But maybe the truth was that she didn’t want to drink her coffee alone.
Not anymore.
She picked up her own cup and sipped.
After half a minute, Cooper seemed to recollect himself. “If you wouldn’t mind, once Joy has a plan, you could put it on a flier and print out fifty copies. We’ll leave a stack up here on the counter for anyone dropping into the store.”
If he could be business as usual, then by God, she would, too. She forced a bright smile. “Great idea.” She glanced at Daron again, hoping he’d have the details from Joy, but he had a shoulder braced on the wall and was still talking—or, knowing Daron, it was more like flirting. “Soon as he lets me know what to print, I’ll take care of it.”
“Sounds good.” He finished off his coffee. “Will I see you at the lodge?”
The lodge aka rec center aka activity center was the largest building in the park. It was the main site for all activities from weddings and dancing to crafts and yoga. But that involved large groups of people and she preferred the solitude of her little cabin.
Before she could answer, Cooper said, “We could use your help tonight. It’ll probably be busier than usual.”
He’d just put her on the spot, and she had a suspicion he’d done so on purpose. Of course, she did work for the park, so it made sense that he’d want all hands on deck. “What if the weather clears up?”
“You still won’t be able to do more than clean up debris. The ground is saturated.” He crowded closer and lowered his voice. “I know you’re not keen on joining in, but it would be helpful.”
He didn’t leave her much choice. “Then of course I’ll be there.”
Daron joined them. “Joy has it under control.”
“Took you that long to find out?” Cooper asked.
“Nope. But after I hung up with her, I got another call.” His mouth tipped into a crooked grin. “Now that I have a date, I know how I’ll be getting through the storm tonight.”
“Tonight,” Cooper repeated, “but today we’ll need you around.”
“Count on it.”
The first group of people dashed in, five of them together.
“Get those fliers done,” Cooper told her, before turning to talk to the guests.
Daron joined Phoenix in Maris’s small office space, giving her info on evening bingo for the adults and special games and crafts planned for the kids throughout the day. She had to admit, it did sound fun—though she’d never played bingo before and had no real interest in starting now.
In no time, they had the fliers out. Daron headed off to help Joy set up, Baxter stuck around and helped take orders from a big morning crowd, and Phoenix happily ducked away to the kitchen to help with prep.
Cooper seemed to be everywhere, in and out of the rain as often as he was in the store, often helping campers with one problem or another. Each time she saw him, he’d obviously gotten drenched again with his hair plastered to his head, his shirt to his back. A look of deep concentration darkened his face, yet he remained friendly to all the campers.
Still, she couldn’t help but notice that there was something different in how he spoke with others compared to how he spoke with her. She couldn’t pinpoint the distinction, but she sensed it all the same.
Was he as interested as she was?
If so, would she be able to do anything about it? Given her recent history, she didn’t know.
By midafternoon, the rain had finally let up, but the skies stayed dark and the lightning continued as muted flashes behind thick clouds in the distance.
While she could, Phoenix went out to remove fallen branches from the road. That proved to be a bigger job than she’d anticipated, keeping her busy right through dinner. She was just storing the wagon when her phone buzzed.
Knowing it’d be Ridley, she pulled it out and read the screen.
You sent the shitty weather my way.
Sorry, she typed. It’s still drab here, too.
Does big sexy like the rain?
Grinning at the nickname Ridley gave to Cooper, she replied, Probably not, since it brings a lot of unique issues to the park. He’s been running all day.
So no time to woo you, huh? That sucks.
Phoenix bit her lip in indecision, but this was Ridley, the person she was closest to in the whole world, and damn it, she wanted to share. She took a breath and typed, Actually, he touched my chin.
As the seconds went by without a reply, her tension mounted. Finally, her screen blinked with ::Gasp:: Your chin? Seriously? That lecher.
Laughing, Phoenix replied, Shut it.
Does he need me to give him pointers on better places to touch? Your big sis is here for you so just let me know.
Telling the truth, Phoenix replied, It was... She had to stop to think of the right word.
Yes?
Intimate. After sending the text, she waited in an agony of suspense.
Like a prelude to a kiss?
Yes. Thrilled that Ridley had understood, her fingers flew as she texted, But we weren’t alone.
So no kiss? Ridley included a sad face.
No kiss, Phoenix confirmed. And I’m not sure I’m ready for that anyway.
Ten speed, Ridley shot back. Lots of pedaling. You’ve got this!
In the off chance a kiss became an option, Phoenix hoped her sister was right. She didn’t relish the idea of freezing up and making a fool of herself in front of Cooper.
While locking up the maintenance shed, she replied, Thank you for always being my cheerleader, but now I have to get back to work.
If a kiss happens, I want to be the first to know. Promise me.
Laughing again, more than she had in months, Phoenix typed in, I promise! Now I really do have to go. Love you, byeeee...
Still grinning, she returned the phone to her pocket and stuck her head out the door to peer up at the thick clouds in the sky. It was getting darker by the minute, but the rain continued to hold off. Deciding she had enough time to grab a quick sandwich and a five-minute shower before heading to the lodge, she hurried to her cabin.
On her way in, she noticed the smeared clumps of muddy footprints on the small porch and frowned. She checked the bottoms of her own shoes, and while she had a few leaves stuck to the soles, she’d avoided the mud.
Cooper, maybe? Had he looked for her? The thought added to her aberrant bubbly mood, sticking with her while she ate and rushed through a shower and a fresh change of clothes.
The outside lights flickered on as she made her way to the lodge. Long shadows followed her. Very few people were around the usually busy lanes, but those who were outside waved at her and offered greetings, undaunted by the miserable weather.
Only one man, probably in his early thirties, continually gave her sly glances, making her uneasy with his furtive interest. She tried a friendly smile but he quickly looked away rather than speak to her. For a moment that stymied her, but he went into his camper, so she dismissed him from her mind and continued on her way.
Hugging her arms around herself, Phoenix looked over the park. Many people had set out lights to counter the gray day, or they had small blazes going in their fire rings. Music carried on the humid air, not intrusive but rather soothing. She could see the lake in the distance, turbulent from the storm. Lights from the shore danced over the surface. Two men hidden inside rain slickers fished off a dock. The buoys bobbed wildly in the water.
On impulse, Phoenix captured the scene with a photo and loaded it to her Facebook page, tagging her sister in it. She captioned it with: Even on rainy days, Cooper’s Charm is beautiful. It was the first post she’d made in a while, and it felt good to do something so mundane.
As she continued on to the lodge, the wind buffeted her face and shook rain droplets from the wet leaves overhead. A couple of kids ran past her, followed closely by more sedate adults. She watched them go into the lodge and a few seconds later, she did the same.
Without realizing it, as soon as she stepped inside she looked for Cooper—and didn’t see him in the crowd. A little deflated, ridiculous as that seemed, she edged around the perimeter of the room to avoid the most congested area.
She was in a good mood and didn’t want to risk the usual tension-coiling effect she got from crowds. She should have been over it by now, but large groups still brought back memories of that eventful day on the lot, with so many people coming and going as they purchased holiday supplies and Christmas trees. After closing, she’d been rejoicing over the profitable day, happy at her success, oblivious to everything else...until the door to her small shop had crashed open and the armed men had rushed inside.
She assumed they’d been there earlier in the evening, when one of them rasped, “You did a lot of business today, didn’t you, honey? Should have a full cash drawer, so hand it over.”
Of course, terror-stricken at the sight of the weapons and masked faces, she’d done so immediately. She hadn’t given a thought to the money she’d lose. They’d also taken the engagement ring off her finger and the beautiful, delicate necklace that her sister had given her, and still she hadn’t protested.
Unfortunately, they weren’t satisfied with those things.
One of the men had stood in front of her, lingering, leering, until finally he’d said, “Take off the sweater.”
With his face hidden, all she’d seen was the icy anticipation in his eyes. His cohort’s laugh sent terror up her spine. She’d tried to run, but—
“Hey, Phoenix.”
Snapped back to the here and now, Phoenix realized that she’d been standing near the wall, staring blankly as she rehashed events she’d dearly love to bury.
“I didn’t mean to startle you.” Joy stood before her, compassion and concern reflected in her gaze. “Are you okay? You look a little...dazed.”
Mortification sent a rush of burning heat into Phoenix’s face. Happy commotion churned around her as people jostled for seats to play bingo; they were enjoying the night, talking with neighbors, making new friends...and she’d been reliving a nightmare.
Pushing the memories aside, she tried to smile, reminding herself that she was a strong woman forging a future here. “Yes, I’m fine.” Other than being horribly embarrassed. “I just—”
“It’s okay.” With a gentle touch to her arm, Joy said, “I’ve been there a few times myself.”
Phoenix sincerely hoped Joy had never gone through anything remotely like what she’d suffered, but then again, there were a variety of troubles to go around, some less in severity, some far, far worse.
Despite the craziness of the night and the raging storm, Joy looked as cool and elegant as ever. Her long hair was undisturbed by the humidity, and her chic sleeveless dress was soft and fresh.
Next to her, Phoenix felt like a sack of dirty laundry.
“Can I get you anything?” Joy asked. “Maybe a drink?”
Phoenix rushed to say, “I came over to help you, not take up more of your time. I should probably warn you, though, I’d be better with the kids than with adults.”
Joy watched her a second more before smiling. “That would be wonderful, thank you. Follow me.” She turned and led the way to a slightly separate area where more than twenty kids sat at very low tables with paper plates, glue sticks, uncooked pasta and washable markers.
Joy paused next to her son, a cutie with pale blond hair and big brown eyes. “Jack, this is wonderful.” She lifted the plate with colorful macaroni glued haphazardly around the edge of the plate and a burst of spaghetti in the middle. “I love it.”
Jack gave it some thought. “It needs more blue.”
Joy’s brows went up. “I believe you’re right.” She set the plate back in front of him, stroked a hand over his fair hair, then answered a little girl calling her name. Before she was done with that, another girl had a question, and then a little boy needed the bathroom.
Laughing, Joy clapped her hands to get their attention. “Kids, this is Ms. Rose and she’s going to help out while I get some other things done.”
The boys and girls, in a variety of ages, reacted with smiles, questions or total disregard.
Joy said, “Ms. Rose, Amanda has been a big helper. Amanda, you won’t mind helping Ms. Rose?”
Amanda looked around nine or ten, was tall for her age, and she beamed with the responsibility.
The little boy who needed the restroom left with Joy, but she returned him a few minutes later. He immediately ran back to his craft. Luckily, the kids wore stick-on name tags and that made it easier for Phoenix.
She had so much fun that she barely took note of shouts and laughter from the nearby adults. Ninety minutes later, she sat cross-legged on the floor at the kid-height table, absorbed in a new craft with the kids while also snacking on juice boxes and cheese crackers, when she became aware of the shadow cast over the table.
Her heartbeat went a little chaotic, but it wasn’t fear doing that to her; instincts caused the reaction because she knew right away it was Cooper behind her. Tipping her head back, she found him smiling down at her.
Phoenix didn’t know what it was about him, but he stole her breath away.
“Beautiful artwork, Ms. Rose.” He glanced at her elephant made from a foam cup and construction paper.
“Hi.” She set aside her craft and, flattening her hands on the table, started to stand.
“Let me.” Cooper caught her under the arms and lifted her upright. Once on her feet, she quickly turned to face him.
He wore a dry T-shirt and jeans, but his hair was still damp. Though he’d finger-combed it back, already thick locks fell forward again.
Before the attack—and prior to her engagement—Phoenix had been like any other woman. When faced with a man as compelling as Cooper Cochran, she could have flirted and teased as easily as anyone else. Now she adjusted her glasses and tried to think of something to say.
As if she weren’t awkward, he asked, “Did I interrupt?”
Reluctantly replacing her glasses, she glanced at the kids. Their small bodies crowded over the table as they alternately ate handfuls of crackers and worked on their creations. “There’s no interrupting snack time.”
“Or creative genius?” he asked, taking in all the various pieces of artwork drying on tables, shelves and along the wall heater.
“Exactly.” Why did he always smell so good? “You finally caught a break?”
“It’s been busy,” he agreed. “I’ve seen you running a lot, too. Did you eat?”
“I—”
A flash of lightning illuminated every window, followed by a great boom of thunder—and the lights went out. Night had rolled around without her realizing it, and it was very dark inside the building.
Pandemonium ensued.
She heard a crash, someone shouted, one of the kids cried out and landed against her legs. Since she’d been facing Cooper, she stumbled into his rock-solid body.
Hard, warm, and that intoxicating scent... His hands clasped her shoulders.
“I’m sorry,” she started to say, her palms against his chest to balance herself, but she got jostled again and almost fell.
Her glasses slipped off her face. She made a wild grab for them but it was already too late. Where they went, she didn’t know, but the child squeezing the back of her knees drew her attention. “Oh, honey, it’s okay.” Blindly, she reached back and found the top of his head. “I’m right here.” Then louder, for all the children, she said, “Everything is okay. Just stay still a moment until—” She felt the crunch beneath her foot and froze.
Another child shrieked.
“It’s like a game,” Cooper said, his voice strong and soothing, naturally calming the children. He kept one hand on her shoulder while addressing them. “Count to ten and we’ll have light again, I promise.”
As he started to count, so did the kids.
“I’m on it,” Joy called out, just as emergency lights flickered on. A second later, she lifted a bright lantern.
Phoenix realized she was standing very close to Cooper although she couldn’t see him clearly. “My glasses...”
“Damn.” He knelt down and said with regret, “Found them.”
Having Cooper Cochran at her feet was a little disarming, especially with his large hand now burning against her waist. Trying for a note of levity, she said, “Please tell me I’m not standing on them.”
“Wish I could.”
She groaned theatrically, but inside she was cringing. Just her luck.
He urged her back a step, then stood again. “Can you see without them?”
“Big blurry shapes, but not details.”
He took her hand and placed the glasses in it. “I don’t know if it helps, but you only stepped on one side.”
They felt mangled, one plastic arm completely missing and the lens on that side cracked.
“I guess one lens is better than none.” She lifted the broken glasses to her face and, closing her right eye, peered through the remaining lens. Now that they weren’t in darkness, most of the kids merely seemed concerned. The child holding her legs, however, squeezed tighter, making her stumble.
Slipping an arm around him, Phoenix maneuvered him to her side, then went with him back to the table. The other kids huddled closer to her. Making a joke of it, she looked at them comically out of the broken glasses, earning a few giggles.
“Help me out, kids. If you’re still here, call out your name, okay? Right now I can’t see so great.”
Jack was the first to shout his name, followed by the rest of them, each trying to be louder than the other. Behind her, she heard Cooper laugh.
She liked that he was patient with kids. Had he wanted children of his own before his wife passed? She had a feeling he’d have been a terrific father.
Just as suddenly as the lights had gone out, they came back on. Now that they could safely navigate, parents came to collect their children. Apparently, it was late enough to call it a night, because everyone began dispersing.
Cooper hung around with her as she spoke to the different parents. When they were finally alone, he asked, “Do you have another pair of glasses anywhere?”
“In my car.” At the top of the lot. She sighed. Getting there without her glasses would be tricky, especially in the dark.
Cooper curled a finger under her chin and tipped up her face. “Let me pick up real quick, then I’ll get them for you. I’ll only be a minute.”
She saw him move away and knew he was gathering up the supplies left behind from the rushed mass exodus. “I can do that,” she said, using the glasses like a monocle.
He laughed at her. “I think it’ll get done quicker if I just take care of it.”
True enough, he was just about finished already. Joy had supplied bins for the crafts, so most everything just went back into those, sorted by paper, scissors, then markers, paint and crayons.
After he wiped off the table, Cooper took her arm. “Let’s go. I’ll take you to your cabin and get your keys, then I’ll get the glasses.”
“I can do it.” She didn’t want to impose on him, especially after he’d had such a busy day. “I still have one lens to see.”
He hesitated. “I’d feel better about it if I walked with you.”
There was that protectiveness again. “If you’re sure you wouldn’t mind, then I’d appreciate it. But we don’t need to go to the cabin. I have my keys on me.” Since she kept her cabin locked, her keys hung from a clip on a belt loop.
“Great.” His fingers wrapped gently around her arm just above her elbow. “Come on.” He led her through the building, pausing to talk with Daron and Joy to explain where they were going.
Daron laughed at her, but Joy was apologetic.
“It’s not your fault that I was clumsy.”
With Jack leaning against her hip, Joy said, “But you were helping me.”
“I had fun. The kids were great.”
Daron hoisted Jack up to his shoulders. “I’ll help her close up,” he said. “Go get Phoenix’s glasses before she runs into a wall. I want her hale and hardy tomorrow to help with all the cleanup we’re going to have to do.”
“I’ll start early,” Phoenix promised.
Daron groaned in feigned dread. “Give me until nine, at least.”
“Oh yeah, you have a hot date, don’t you?”
He nodded. “And I’ll probably need to sleep in.”
Joy rolled her eyes. “Go on, you two. We won’t be much longer, especially with Romeo here anxious to be on his way.”
Outside, they ran into Baxter, who’d stopped by to see if they needed anything else before he left for his home away from the park.
If he noticed Cooper’s hand on her arm, he didn’t mention it.
“Maris is doing okay?” she asked.
“Already closed up shop, and I saw her to her RV. She’s in for the night.”
Cooper thanked him, and then they started the long walk up the drive to the top parking area.