He couldn’t have. He might be somewhat of a rogue, but he didn’t forget his bed partners. Maybe he hadn’t bedded her, though; maybe he’d just met her at a party? But why wouldn’t she tell him if he had? Cooper flashed through his mind the last couple of years of women, and there was no Stormy.

He would figure it out. She was now his guest. He had plenty of time.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Breathing deeply in and out, Stormy moved down the staircase, not wanting to hear the shower running with Cooper inside the large room—wet . . . naked . . . soapy. Oh, living here was so not a good idea.

As she walked, she became engrossed again in the beautiful nautical pictures lining the walls. Whatever else she could say about Cooper, she had to give the man his due. He had good taste.

When she felt it was safe again, she moved back upstairs to her sparsely furnished room. Luckily there was already a mattress and dresser in it, but no extras. Her few possessions didn’t take up much space at all.

She was drawn to the large window and the view of the large, well-manicured backyard and the nearby harbor beyond. She hated that the place belonged to Cooper because otherwise, it would be a dream come true to live in such a lavish location.

Beggars couldn’t be choosers, though, and she’d just have to make the best of the situation. She was an adult. She could handle this. She needed to handle this. She turned back to the luxurious bed. Even though she wasn’t thrilled with her new housemate, the place clearly had its perks. She swiftly rushed over to the ultra-comfortable oasis, flung herself on top of its welcome warmth, and sank down into the soft mattress. She couldn’t stop herself from allowing a giggle to escape.

Yes, it was childish, but she hadn’t been in this nice of a place, well, ever. The picture of her parents was already set up on her nightstand, and she smiled at the people she loved so deeply. She’d have slept on the cold, hard ground for the rest of her life in exchange for another minute with them both.

She was glad of the values they’d taught her. They wouldn’t have approved of her living with a man—especially a man she felt something for, a man she’d already slept with. But they also had always told her to make her own choices—even if those choices weren’t the smartest ones.

Her father had always told her that people were shaped by the decisions they made. There was no such thing as a wrong decision, just a path you were meant to travel and grow from. She hoped the path she was now choosing wasn’t a bad one.

The sharp sound of a car door slamming grabbed her attention away from the picture and to the open window. Reluctantly, she got up and moved across the room. With one hand, she drew aside the drapes and peered down on the driveway.

The sight of Cooper with a hose in his hand pointed at a sleek silver Jaguar had her mouth watering. He hadn’t taken a very long shower. But she knew she was in a bit of trouble as she found herself once again appreciating his incredible physique. Staring at him for who knew how long, Stormy found herself trying to be more confident.

The man wasn’t kicking her from his home. Maybe she should try to make a friendly gesture. After all, the two of them hadn’t exactly been the best of friends up to this point. Who cared if he didn’t remember sleeping with her? She had to get over it.

Matter of fact, it was probably much better for all concerned if he had no idea that they’d been lovers for a night. It had been incredible for her, but it wouldn’t be wise to repeat that night, so at least they wouldn’t have to deal with the sexual tension from it, right? Right!

But she could say thank you to the man for offering her a place to stay. Her decision to seek him out had nothing at all to do with the fact that he was in his driveway—half naked. Nope. It had nothing at all to do with that, she assured herself.

Moving quickly now, she practically ran down the stairs to the kitchen. Searching around, she located a large container of iced tea, grabbed a couple of glasses, and poured them each some before squaring her shoulders and moving to the side door. She stepped outside.

Looking up at the bright, sunny sky, she felt she could get used to this tree-lined area. The crisp sea breeze blew gently across her cheeks as she carried the drink to Cooper. She thought about rubbing the icy glass against her flushed body. Of course, it was only the heat of the warm day, not the fact that she was feeling anything else as she came closer to the man who could work magic with his hands and mouth.

Only a few feet away from Cooper, she had to admire how good he looked in nothing but a pair of shorts, his firm upper body gleaming with a splash of water and maybe a trickle of sweat. A trail of soapy water was slowly making its way toward the waistband of his wet swim shorts.

She must have made a noise, because suddenly Cooper turned in her direction. She really wished he weren’t wearing sunglasses because she had no idea what he was thinking as he set down the hose he’d been holding and then trailed his fingers through his damp hair.

“Settling in okay?” he asked. It took her a moment to process his words.

“Um . . . yes, I am,” she finally murmured. “It’s hot out, so I thought I’d break the ice and bring you a drink.”

Maybe she should have just stayed in the house, dang it.

Giving her a smile that could melt butter, he thanked her and then took the glass. She watched as his throat flexed while he downed half the tea. “I was thirsty,” he said, wiping the moisture from his lips.

Her stomach clenched with need unlike anything she’d ever felt before.