While they both caught their breath, Coop thought about Phoenix, her uniqueness, her sweetness blended with scorching sex appeal.
He’d never gotten a blowjob from a woman in glasses. The thought made him smile.
As if she sensed it, she peered up at him. “What?”
He traced the top rim of her glasses, from one arm, over her nose, and to the other. “It takes talent to do that wearing these.”
Adorably prim, she stated, “I do everything in them, except shower and sleep.”
“They’re hot.”
She made a sound between a full laugh and a silly giggle. That happy sound swelled inside him, chasing out shadowy remnants of grief. Almost from the first moment he’d met her, Phoenix had affected him that way. She’d kick-started his emotions when he’d thought them long dead. The sensation was a little uncomfortable—but he liked it all the same.
Rubbing his fingers into her silky hair, he tilted her face toward him and asked, “So David showed up, and he made this big difference in your life?”
Her brows pulled together behind her glasses. “It’s hard to explain. It’s like...” Her inky lashes swept up and she gazed at him. “I was dragging this rock. Uphill, you know?”
Coop nodded, encouraging her.
“It was hard, but I was getting there little by little. When I met you, you started helping me and so I was making more progress, getting that damn rock up the hill—for what reason, I don’t know.” She ducked her face, her lips moving against his skin. “But then David showed up, and it was like he told me there was no rock.”
Oh, God, Coop heard the tears in her voice and it crushed him. He drew her full against him, his arms around her. “No reason for guilt?”
She nodded, and when she looked up at him, she was smiling, tears clinging to her lashes. “You’ve helped me so much, Cooper.”
From everything she’d said, David should get the credit. “I’m glad.”
“You don’t realize, do you?” She scooted up until she could put her elbows on his chest.
It was a pose she favored, and one he enjoyed because it pushed together her impressive breasts, creating amazing cleavage.
“The things you do,” she said, too seriously, “the way you give, even who you are—you have no idea how special any of that is, do you?”
It made him uneasy, all these extreme compliments. Anna used to say the same, almost in the same way, and that struck too close, making him want to sidestep.
“I’m not,” he teased, turning her under him again. “But if you actually want to get any work done today, I suggest you get a move on.” He put a love bite on her shoulder. “Before I recover enough to convince you to stay.”
For one heart-stopping moment, her gaze searched his and he wondered if she’d feel slighted, if she’d misunderstand his reasons for dodging. She was opening up to him, sharing herself, and here he’d just—
“Right you are.” She gave him a loud smooch and squirreled away from his hold. “I can make it back at 7:00, if that’s okay?”
He stared at her back while she pulled on her panties. After coming twice, he should have been spent, but the sight of her perfect ass caused a spark of heat. “Seven is perfect,” he murmured, watching as she hooked her bra.
Phoenix didn’t wear expensive lingerie, but then, she didn’t need to. Her body was enticing enough not to need decoration.
Sugar yapped, so Phoenix opened the closet. The dog peeked out, watching as she finished dressing. Coop knew Sugar didn’t want her to go. Hell, he didn’t really want her to go either, but he needed some time to think—and he wanted to find out more about David. Why had the man really showed up today? Was it as simple as the explanation he gave—or did Coop have reason to distrust the timing?
He’d do some research before he decided.
And he’d try his best not to let jealousy influence him.
* * *
Ridley, along with everyone else, knew that Phoenix had gone up to the house with Cooper, and then stayed long enough to have lots of fun.
Silently, she cheered her sister. You go, girl.
Any man who could bring Phoenix around was a hero in her book.
As she finished stacking fresh white towels in the small linen closet of the cabin, Ridley saw her sister through the narrow window. She was striding down the hill to the main path.
Phoenix wore a huge smile.
Hurriedly, Ridley finished what she was doing and darted out to catch her. “Phoenix.”
She looked up, her smile widened, and Phoenix veered off so that they could meet at the lane opposite the scuba shop.
“Well, look at you,” Ridley said as soon as she was close enough. “A little ‘afternoon delight’ agrees with you.”
To her surprise, Phoenix said, “It really does.”
Ridley fought the urge to gape at her, and instead grinned. “Oh, you naughty girl. You’re getting as bad as me.”
Phoenix sputtered a laugh. “Since you’re wonderful, I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Please do.” Ridley had been keeping up with Phoenix’s long stride, but now she hooked her arm through hers and drew her to a halt. “What’s the rush?”
“I need to finish up for the day and now I’m behind.”
“So you loosened up, but not all that much?” Ridley looked at her more closely, then tilted her head. “Something is different.”
“Yup.” Phoenix did a quick look around, and finding they had relative privacy, threw her arms wide. “I’m free.”
“Free, as in?”
“David was here.”
Well, knock her over with a feather. “Shut up. No way!” Phoenix didn’t look upset over it. She looked...damn it, free.
Almost bubbling over with enthusiasm, Phoenix leaned in close. “He’s moved on, Ridley. He’s in love with someone else, someone I know will make him happier than I ever could, and I don’t have to feel guilty anymore.”
“You never had to feel guilty.” She’d told her that often enough. Phoenix was one of the nicest, most caring and considerate people she knew.
“I did anyway.” For only a moment, Phoenix’s expression grew somber. “I felt so freaking guilty it sometimes choked me.”
“Oh, honey.” Ridley felt her throat closing up. When Phoenix hurt, she felt it, too. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I wanted to work it out myself, remember?” She took Ridley’s hands. “And you had your own junk to deal with.”
Ridley shook that off. “Forget Robbie. He’s not worth mentioning.”
“He hurt you, and I’d still like to make him pay.”
“I did,” Ridley said with evil delight. “I made him pay big.”
But Phoenix didn’t smile at the familiar jest. “We both know he could afford it, and even if he couldn’t, it’s not enough for the way he treated you.”
How the hell had Phoenix turned this around on her? Ridley huffed in exasperation. “I’m a big girl and I’m over it,” she lied.
Clearly, Phoenix didn’t buy it, but she did let it go. “And I’m a big girl too, which is why I wanted to deal with my issues on my own.”
Ridley bit her lip. Everything about Phoenix was different, as if she were miraculously softer but more firm, accepting yet stronger. “And you have?”
“Yes.”
Reaching for her, Ridley intended a giant hug—but Daron interrupted.
“Are you two arguing, gossiping or something different?”
Phoenix laughed. “A little of each, actually.”
“Which is usually how we do things.”
“Fascinating.” He grinned at each of them.
Ridley cocked out a hip. “Did you want something?”
“Such a loaded question—”
Maris, who’d been walking past, gave him a shove and kept going.
He pitched forward, almost slamming into Ridley before whirling to see who’d pushed him. When he saw Maris, he broke into a big grin. Still watching her, he said to Ridley, “Shower is fixed in cabin five—and I still think your ex must’ve been a blind ass. Later, ladies.” He took off in Maris’s wake.
Phoenix shook her head. “Despite the way she always turns him down, he doesn’t give up.”
Ridley snorted. “Maybe because he knows she’s fighting herself more than him.”
That got Phoenix’s attention. “You think so, too?”
Ridley countered with, “Absolutely.”
“Hmm. It’s possible, I guess, but I’ve been so busy working on me lately, I haven’t paid enough attention to everyone else.”
“Then trust me.”
“You could be wrong, you know. In a lot of ways, they’re polar opposites.”
“So?” Ridley folded her arms. “I’ll bet you fifty bucks they end up in the sack.”
Phoenix gave it some thought. “When? It can’t be indefinite.”
“With those two, it’s like a slow burn, so let’s say...before the holidays.” Ridley held out a hand.
Looking away, Phoenix asked, “Will we still be here for the holidays?”
“Hey, I’m not going anywhere. I’ll have to have my RV winterized, but Daron says there are plenty of cabins available during the coldest months.”
“You and Daron have done a lot of talking.”
She leaned in to say, “It makes Baxter jealous.”
Phoenix laughed. “You are so bad.”
“Will you still be here?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. I guess that depends on how things go with Cooper. I like it here, and they do plenty of holiday things to keep me busy.” She looked up the hill toward Cooper’s house. “Guess I’ll have to wait and see.”
“I vote we both stay.” Ridley glanced around at the kids playing, the people visiting, the water and trees and...the friendliness. “I like it here.”
“Me, too.” She sighed. “I guess I better get to work or I’ll never get done. FYI, I’m spending the night with Cooper.”
Wow. That really was a big step for her circumspect little sister. Ridley replied by offering her a high five.
Phoenix slapped her hand and started to back away. “What about you and Baxter?”
She struck a smug pose. “He’s coming over tonight.”
“Just think, there’ll be fireworks and it’s not even the Fourth of July yet.”
Ridley laughed as she waved goodbye. God, it was nice to see Phoenix so content. She turned to get back to her own work—and something hit her chest. When she looked down she saw the biggest, most hideous praying mantis ever...and it was looking at her!
The scream stuck in her throat. She frantically swatted at the thing, but it clung—clung—to her shirt with multiple legs and long, angular arms. Hysteria had her madly attempting to free herself, blind to onlookers and the consequent laughs.
Suddenly an arm came around her from behind, locking her close to a solid wall of muscle so she couldn’t move. Warm breath brushed her ear with a soft “Shush” sound, and then a big, dark hand reached around her and easily plucked the insect free.
When the arm around her loosened, Ridley shot away, wanting as much distance between her and the bug as she could get. She sprinted to the opposite side of a cabin, then, panting in remaining terror, peeked around the corner to see Baxter carrying the gruesome thing to a decorative flower display edging a light pole.
Still she didn’t emerge.
But at that point, she became aware of people still standing about, grinning at her, one kid dancing crazily as if to mimic her. When the mom saw Ridley looking, she tried to still the boy, but Ridley released a shaky laugh.
“It’s accurate,” she said, much to the mom’s relief. With a shudder, she added, “I hate bugs.”
The woman, who appeared nice enough, said, “Me too, actually. But you have me beat on the dance.”
Baxter stepped in front of her. He wasn’t laughing. “You okay?”
“Humiliation isn’t fatal, thank goodness.”
“No reason to be humiliated.” He took her shoulders and drew her close. “Fear isn’t a reasonable thing, and it’s not easily controlled.”
Loving the warm comfort, Ridley leaned into him. “Thank you for playing the hero.” She couldn’t suppress another shudder. “The monster wouldn’t let me go.”
His lips brushed her temple. “You do realize the park is full of insects, right?”
Ridley tucked her face against his chest. He was damp, his hair dripping as if he’d just come from the lake. His skin felt cool against her cheek. “Don’t remind me.”
“If it helps, it’s rare for a bug to actually fly onto a person. You’re not their first choice for places to land.”
“Guess I’m just lucky then, huh?” Damn, he smelled good. His taut skin, lightly tanned, made her want to rub her nose all over him. Her mouth, too. And her tongue—
“You were nice to the kid.”
Leaning back to see him, she asked, “That little rascal who was mocking me?” She couldn’t stop the smile that bloomed. “He’s just a kid being a kid. Pretty cute, actually.”
Baxter stared at her, wet lashes framing those bright green eyes.
“What?” she asked, unsure why he looked at her so fixedly.
He shrugged. “That attitude surprises me.”
Indignation growing, Ridley disengaged from his hold. “Because I’m such a bitch, you mean?”
“I never said—”
“Obviously, I’m the sort to kick puppies and harangue children who behave like—” she gasped dramatically “—children.” Frustration carried her as she turned to storm away.
Baxter caught her and spun her sharply back around.
When she started to blast him, his mouth silenced her. Cool lips on warm, coaxing, pressing.
Dangerous move, she thought. With both his hands now framing her face, he left his body vulnerable. She should stomp on his foot, tug his chest hair—or maybe even plant her knee in his crotch.
He deserved it, damn him.
She meant to do something—anything other than soften against him. Anything other than open her mouth for his tongue.
Anything other than moan quietly.
Still holding her face, he murmured against her lips, “I meant that fear can make people react without thinking. And you were scared shitless.”
“Such a lovely description to apply to a lady.”
“It’s accurate. Jason Vorhees wouldn’t have scared you more.”
“Well, actually, he’s one of my favorite monsters.” When Baxter looked confused, she shook her head. “Never mind. You were saying?” If he had more of an apology to make, she wanted to hear it.
“That kind of fear can prompt us to say or do things we later regret.”
“Yeah, well.” She almost resented his understanding more than his implied insult. “I adore kids enough that I think I can refrain from ever hurting them, either by word or action.”
Amused, Baxter repeated, “You adore kids,” with just a touch of surprise. “And monsters, too—as long as they aren’t insects?”
Eyes narrowing in renewed ire, she snapped, “Yeah, so?”
“So there’s obviously a lot I don’t know about you.”
That gave her the will to push away from him again, only this time she didn’t attempt to stomp off. “Let’s keep it that way, okay?”
“Why?”
Her eyes flared in disbelief. “Why?”
“You’re shouting.”
Damn him. She brought her voice down to a growl. “Maybe because you turned to stone the other day over pizza at Coop’s place?”
“I didn’t—” he started to protest.
No way would she let him get away with that. “It was obvious to the rest of us that you didn’t want to be there, not in a setting where you were expected to socialize with me.” To punctuate her understanding of the situation, she stated, “Sex, yes. Getting to know me? Obviously a big hell, no.” Ridley realized she was almost shouting again.
Baxter didn’t attempt another denial. He steadily stared at her, waiting.
Ridley faked a calm she couldn’t feel. Why she couldn’t feel it, she had no idea—except that he seemed to bring out the worst in her. “It’s not a problem for me.”
He gave her a look of irony. “That’s not the impression you’re giving.”
“I was just accosted by a praying mantis! I’m frazzled.” That certainly seemed like a valid excuse to her. “You can believe me, we want the same things.” Patting his naked chest in dismissal, she said, “Thanks for the bug rescue. I need to get back to work, but I’ll see you tonight. And Baxter?”
Appearing thoughtful, his gaze still far too perceptive, he asked, “Hmm?”
“Bring your A-game. I deserve it.” And with that, she finally walked away.
* * *
Ridley liked kids. And she didn’t mind laughing at herself, even over something so very real to her.
He’d just left the lake when, again, his gaze was drawn to her. When he saw her flailing about, he’d at first thought she’d been stung. He’d already been walking her way, ignoring questions from the class and a few attempts to flirt with him. The closer he’d gotten to her, the faster he’d moved.
Her face was white, her eyes unseeing as she’d uselessly batted at the poor mantis while drawing a crowd of onlookers who found her hilarious.
He’d said her name but she didn’t hear him, so he’d done the expedient thing of holding her still and removing the bug. She could be an Olympic sprinter, she moved so fast once he’d freed her of it.
And still she hadn’t been offended by a kid making fun of her. The boy, probably ten or so, had put on quite a show. When Ridley noticed, Baxter had expected any number of reactions from her—anger, tears, annoyance.
Instead, she’d been amused.
Even as she’d given him hell, practically vibrating with the need to attack him, he’d wanted to kiss her. He’d known she was holding back by sheer will, and he’d wanted her mouth. Badly.
Was it the insect, as she’d claimed, that had her overreacting?
Or was she that offended by his comment about the kid?
He wanted to know. Suddenly, in fact, he needed to know.
She was right that he didn’t want to socialize with her. Not in a group. But privately? Maybe after a powerful orgasm made her more docile, he’d find out everything he could.
Assuming the woman was ever docile.
Baxter grinned as he headed back to his disgruntled guests, his thoughts on how fun it would be to tame Ridley Rose’s prickly temper.
Damn, but she was proving to be the best sort of challenge.
* * *
Polished from head to toe, hair conditioned and soft, body sleek in scented lotion, makeup perfectly applied, Ridley tugged on a smooth camisole top, no bra, with thin harem pants over pretty thong panties. Barefoot, she walked to the blinds in the bedroom to peek out. It was fifteen minutes early, but Baxter was just walking up. He wore a snowy-white T-shirt that contrasted with his tanned skin, with his usual board shorts and sneakers. His fair hair looked as if it had dried in the humid air. Reflective sunglasses protected his eyes from the glare of the hot, summer day.
The sun wouldn’t completely set until close to ten o’clock. Too bad she couldn’t open the blinds and see Baxter’s naked body in the natural light.
She planned to put him through his paces. Just thinking it made her heart trip in excitement. She would make him insane with lust, make him beg for release. She’d be in control from start to finish.
He would know that he’d met his match—and then she would decide the course of their relationship. Never again would she let any man hurt her.
His brisk knock brought her to the door. She strolled—leisurely—to the living room to answer. Even after she reached for the knob, she hesitated, anticipation ripening to an acute ache. After a deep breath and quick lick across her lips to wet them, she turned the handle and pushed the door wide, greeting him with a smile as the steps came down.
She’d already rehearsed what she’d say, how she’d play him along, make him wait until she was ready—
He came up the steps in one big leap and before she could make a sound, he had an arm around her waist, her body hauled close to his.
“God, the day was excruciatingly long.” Then his mouth was on hers and Ridley forgot her plan.
She was vaguely aware of him shoving the door shut without breaking the kiss—vaguely, because most of her concentration was on his wicked tongue, exploring over her teeth, her lips, before plunging deep. When she tried to kiss him back, he sucked her tongue and lightly bit her lips until she couldn’t breathe, could only hang on to him.
“So soft,” he murmured.
She wasn’t sure if he meant her hair, where he’d tunneled in his fingers, or her ass, which he currently squeezed, drawing her closer and closer to him, ensuring she felt the solid ridge of his erection.
Control. Right, she was supposed to be calling the shots.
With that in mind, Ridley slid a hand down his chest, over his flat abs to his straining cock in the loose shorts.
Mmm, nice. She liked the way he jerked, how he freed his mouth to hiss in a breath.
Yes, she could do this. She...immediately found herself backed up to the only available empty wall space in the RV. At first he ground himself into her hand, then he captured both her wrists and pressed her hands to the wall at either side of her head while he opened his mouth on her neck, directly over her fluttering pulse.
Her toes curled. Her stomach quivered. Mmmm, that felt so delicious.
Without her quite realizing it, he transferred both her wrists into one of his hands, so he could move his long fingers over her left breast.
“No bra,” he whispered in approval. “Damn, you are stacked.”
Yes, “the girls” had always been one of her best physical features. No surprise that Baxter would focus there.
Then he lightly touched his mouth to hers again. “I love this sassy, sarcastic mouth, too. Your lips are so soft.”
The lips he teased parted in surprise.
“Mmm.” His tongue traced just inside. “Do you know how hot you are when you’re giving me hell?”
That had to be a joke...right? Hard for her to think clearly when he went back to kissing her while still cuddling her breast, occasionally scraping the tips of his fingers over her thrusting nipple.
Somehow—because he was diabolical—he also got his muscled thigh between her legs, pressing against her most heated spot. She inhaled sharply and he sealed his mouth to hers, deepening the kiss. He released her wrists, but she was so lost to sensation her hands merely slid down to his hard shoulders where she grasped him, needing some stationary support.
He closed his fingers on her already sensitized nipple, worrying it relentlessly while his other hand drew her along his thigh in small, rhythmic movements that rocked her sex against him in a torturous way.
Oh, God, if he didn’t stop, she’d be coming in minutes.
And of course, he didn’t stop. No, he amplified his efforts as if he knew she was close.
He left her mouth, but only to put his own to her throat, his teeth grazing her skin. He bent lower, and suddenly his lips were on her opposite nipple, a shock of sensation as he dampened the material of her top with his tongue.
She sank her hands into his silky hair, too breathless to protest. Too close to care that she’d completely lost the lead.
“Baxter,” she whispered.
“Hush.”
Ohhh, later she’d make him pay for that. But now, now she just needed his mouth on her naked skin. She released him to hook her fingers in the front of her top, then tugged it down, stretching the expensive material without care. “Here,” she said, offering herself to him.
She felt his smile against the upper curve of her breast. If he teased, if he laughed, she’d—
His mouth latched on to her, sucking softly, then, before she could catch her breath, not so softly.
“Yes.” She dropped her head back against the wall, her eyes so heavy she could barely keep them open. His fair hair brushed her skin, his mouth pulled, his hand continued rocking her...
She came in a rush, hard and fierce, the pleasure crashing through her in persistent waves that left her crying out, her whole body shuddering. Always in sex, she tried to be aware of how she looked, tried not to give in to “orgasm face.” Now, with Baxter, she couldn’t think, much less care about her appearance.
As the climax receded, she would have slid down the wall except for Baxter’s embrace.
His husky voice whispered, “Nice,” in her ear right before he tipped her over his shoulder and carried her down the narrow hallway without bumping her head.
He dumped her on the bed.
Not sexy. But he was stripping off his shirt—very, very sexy—and shucking his shorts, so she didn’t complain.
Naked, he rolled on a condom, his fingers hurried but sure over his cock. Ridley licked her lips.
Could a man be more delicious? His body was lean, toned, cut in key places...like those mouthwatering muscles that led down to his erection. Flexing biceps, carved shoulders, long defined thighs. He was fit in a natural, oh-so appealing way and now, after the draining O she’d just had, she could spend an hour just visually exploring him.
When he finally looked at her, his eyes were like green fire burning over her body.
She smiled, enjoyed his obvious lust.
Jaw tight, color high on his cheekbones, he shoved her camisole above her breasts. He breathed heavily, muttering, “Jesus.” Both hands cupped her breasts, kneading softly, but not for long. In a rush, he caught her harem pants and stripped them off her, along with the thong, in one long drag. Slower now, he coasted his big hands down her thighs, pressing them apart as he did so.
“Fucking gorgeous all over.”
His voice was so low, so gravelly, she barely heard him.
His gaze lifted to lock on hers. “A hundred things.”
“What?”
“A hundred things I want to do, but I need you now.”
Ridley meant to welcome him with open arms, but he didn’t give her a chance. He pulled her hips to the edge of the bed, hooked his elbows under her legs, spreading her wide, and then he was at her opening, nudging, moving in her wetness, finding just the right place before sliding deep in one long, sure thrust.
Her body arched up to meet him, every nerve ending suddenly alive again, wanting, needing.
“Look at me, Ridley.”
She got her eyes open for the odd request, even managed a polite, “Yes?”
“Keep looking at me.” He withdrew a little, only to drive in again, hard enough to scoot her on the mattress.
Oh, but that was too intimate, forcing her to feel what he felt—letting him know what she felt. No other man had asked it of her, so why should he?
She turned her head to the side...and he stopped, staying deep inside her, but utterly still.
She could feel him throbbing as her body squeezed around him, trying to encourage him, yet he didn’t move.
Softly, he commanded, “Look at me.”
Not being a woman who took orders lightly, she resisted.
He pressed over her, bending her legs back farther so that her knees would have pressed her breasts...if his hands weren’t over them, holding them so that he could brush her nipples with his thumbs.
“Ridley,” he sang insistently, and he tugged, sending sensation straight from her nipples to where she held him, hard and full, inside her body.
Ah, God... She opened her eyes on his face.
Instead of gloating, he leaned forward more—which sent him impossibly deeper—and put a butterfly kiss to her mouth.
After that, she could barely think enough to breathe, definitely not enough to defy him.
He slid in and out, each stroke a little harder, a little faster, until they were straining together. Gazes still locked.
It was the most personal, private, wonderfully invasive thing she’d ever experienced, heightening every sensation, both physical and emotional.
She gasped, “Baxter.”
“Come for me.” He held her nipples in his fingers, his thrusts causing a rhythmic tug there that matched the hot glide and retreat of his cock inside her swollen sex. “Come now, Ridley,” he urged, his face darkening, his jaw flexing.
As if he could command it so, she did, almost screaming with the power of it, her fingers digging deep into his chest, her thighs locked tight over his shoulders.
Watching him made it more exciting, his raw, real expressions as release coursed through him.
As they both gradually stilled, he clumsily freed her legs and lowered his body to hers, his face beside hers, his breath fast and hot.
She luxuriated in the aftermath, her body still buzzing pleasantly, every emotion spent so that she seemed to float even with his weight pressing down on her. Minutes passed, maybe thirty or more, in that pleasant haze.
Ridley sighed in contentment. It was amazing, wonderful, the best sex—something more than sex—she’d ever experienced. She could so easily become addicted...
Wait, what?
Her eyes popped open wide with the realization of what had happened.
Frantically, she shoved on Baxter’s shoulders. “Move!”
Unconcerned with her sudden mood shift, he grumbled a complaint, then rolled clumsily to the side of her.
She was damn near panicking—and Baxter looked ready to sleep.