Chapter Eight
Pepper climbed into Coop’s car. The plan was not working. At all. Which was annoying. Especially since she prided herself on being a skilled organizer. Get a job at a great Seattle law firm by the time she was twenty-five. Done. Buy her own apartment. Easy (well, apart from the fact she’d been forced to sublet it. And let’s not mention the job). But managing to convince Coop she wanted to sleep with him before she went back to her regular life?
Apparently impossible.
She squirmed in her seat and rubbed her brow. The worst thing was, after spending all night hoping it would happen, trying to convince her body she’d failed was proving to be a problem. It was like being on fire. Correction. She was on fire.
“Everything okay?” Coop climbed back into the driver’s seat and started the engine.
A combination of shame and lust rose up into her chest.
“Fine.” She looked straight ahead. “And thank you for a nice dinner. You were right. The food was great.”
“Good,” he said in a polite voice, much like he might to someone he barely knew. Her throat tightened as he turned left. It was in the direction of the farm.
Except if they went back to the farm the evening would be over and she’d spend a sleepless night before flying out in the morning. Her one chance at getting Coop out of her system would be gone.
Why was it so hard? When she and Paul had first started dating, it had been simple. They’d been the last two left at an office function and he’d suggested they share a taxi home since they lived in the same direction. From there he’d invited her in for a nightcap, kissed her before saying they’d make a great team. It had all been done with a businesslike efficiency she’d respected.
Unfortunately, it was no help to her now. Especially since the idea of sleeping with Paul had never left her heart racing. How had she not noticed sooner?
Whereas she seemed to notice everything about Coop. With bionic vision.
And if she didn’t do something, it would all be for nothing. She coughed and fiddled with the next button on her blouse. Undoing one button obviously hadn’t worked, neither had her rushing their orders through to go back to his place sooner.
“You know what?” she said as she continued tugging at the button. Why wouldn’t it undo? “We’ve been celebrating your business, but I’ve never seen it.”
Coop slowed his speed down just a fraction and seemed to stiffen. “What do you mean? I run it at the barn at the farm. You’ve seen the barn before.”
“I haven’t been there since you’ve moved in and started brewing.” Her brow heated up, though she was unsure if it was because she was nervous or hot. The button finally loosened and she used her hand to fan herself down. And what were we talking about? Oh yes. The barn.
“You want to see where I brew beer?” He slowed the car down to the side of the road and came to a stop before turning to her. “Pepper, spill. What the hell’s going on?”
Crap.
Part of her wanted to try and talk her way out of it, but the other part admitted defeat. She leaned back in the passenger seat as his aftershave caught in her nose. This was torture—and it had been for a long time—she might as well put an end to it. After all, it couldn’t be more humiliating than trying to invite herself around to his place and being rebuffed.
“Fine. I’m trying to seduce you.”
Silence hung in the air between them as Coop opened his mouth and closed it again, his eyes searching her face. Probably looking for signs of insanity.
“Just to be clear. You said ‘seduce’, right? I’m not mishearing you?”
“No, Coop. You’re not mishearing me. I said seduce.” She gritted her teeth, waiting for some kind of smart reply. He let out a long breath.
“But why?” He finally spoke.
Because I’m sick of holding everything together.
Sick of being in control.
“I honestly don’t know. There’s a small chance I’m losing my mind.” She dragged her gaze away as humiliation pounded in her veins. “I’ll be leaving when the wedding’s finished, and I thought this might be a good chance to—” she broke off searching for the right word. Was there even a word for the emotions surging through her? “—to have one night.”
“Okay,” he said, his face unmoving. She was often accused of being difficult to read and now she finally understood the frustration.
“Look, can we please, just forget it ever happened?”
“Forget what happened, Pepper? I had no idea that’s what you were doing. You didn’t even dress up. I think you’d better talk me through it.”
She squirmed in her seat and took a deep breath. “I didn’t want my sisters to know, so I purposely didn’t wear anything out of the ordinary. You saw what they were like the other day with the damn sweater. Besides, I undid the top button.”
“One button.” He raised an eyebrow and his mouth turned into a frown. “That’s the extent of your efforts?”
“Sorry I don’t have a PhD in seduction,” she said, her embarrassment turned to annoyance. “And why are you mad at me? You’re the one who kept looking at me like I was naked—don’t think I didn’t notice.”
“Yeah, okay I was, which is why I did something about it. I told you how I felt. But what do you do? Undo a button. I mean you really threw everything on the line there.”
“What’s does that mean?”
“It means you can’t go swimming if you only put one foot into the pool. You need to get all the way into the water. Be committed. I’m not just a toy you can pick up and play with whenever the mood strikes you.”
She opened her mouth to protest before the truth lodged in her throat.
He was right. Again. The only thing worse than being hopelessly attracted to him, was she kept making such a mess of it. See, this was why she couldn’t be in the same room as Coop. It just never worked.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to take you for granted. It was a stupid idea. Can we just drop the subject?”
“Consider it dropped.” He shrugged his shoulders and turned the engine back on, leaving a wall of silence between them. The only noise came from the shame throbbing in her veins. Worst night ever. Then he stopped the engine again and turned to her. “Though, for the record, if you did want to seduce someone, you might want to let them know you’re interested.”
“W-what?” She swallowed hard, her eyes fixated on the way his lower lip moved as he spoke. He inched closer and her pulse hit triple figures. And what’s he doing with his hand? Oh god. She let out a gasp as his finger trailed a line along her thigh. Her whole body shook as bad ideas rushed her mind.
“Because otherwise, that person might misread the signals.” His breath brushed her ear, sending goose bumps jittering down her arm. Heat pooled in her stomach and there was a small chance she was going to explode.
“I see.” Her voice was little above a whisper as the warmth from his body sent her mind spinning. He leaned in further and his mouth trailed soft kisses down her neck until he came to the base of her throat.
“And that would be a shame. Because if you did want to seduce someone, you’d probably want them to seduce you right back,” he continued. The faint rub of his stubble against her skin was almost unbearable and her nipples hardened as he slowly pulled away, his dark eyes trapping hers. Her pulse hammered a frantic beat. “You might even want to add that while you have differences, right now you can’t remember what they are. Perhaps having one perfect night is the only thing that matters.”
“Right. Perfect night,” she managed to repeat as his hand trailed further up her thigh. Her stomach contracted and her vision went blurry.
“It’s a nice finishing touch,” he said as he gave her one lingering kiss before pulling away and once again fiddling with the car keys. Then he coughed. “Oh and by the way, Pepper. That’s what two feet in looks like.”
Pepper leaned back against the seat, the upholstery prickling her skin as she tried to catch her jagged breath. But it was impossible. Whatever had just happened was still working its magic through her body. It was like she was flying. Existing in another universe. He was right. Her attempts had been flimsy compared to that.
“Coop,” she said, hoping her voice didn’t sound as shaky as she felt. “D-do you mean it?”
The air between them hummed as he studied something outside the car window. Then he let out a muffled groan and turned to her, his dark eyes intense. “Every word. I’m two feet in. Even if it’s just for one night.”
“Then I’m in too,” she said and before he could answer she reached out and ran her finger down the side of his cheek. Electricity shot through her, and as she searched out his mouth. She’d never wanted anything more. They might only have one night together but she intended on making the most of it.
…
Coop let out a drowsy sigh as he woke up the following morning. Pepper stirred and mumbled something about filing motions before her breathing returned to the same steady pattern she’d been making for the last ten minutes. He leaned back against the bedframe and smiled. She might not have quite nailed the fine art of seduction, but she more than made up for it with passion. Heat rushed through him at the memory.
It had taken all of his willpower not to just to tumble into the backseat of the car, but he’d figured if he was only going to get one night with her, he wanted to do it right. And it was so freaking right.
Ever since he’d discovered his parents’ financial problems, he’d given up his bachelor pad in Sunshine and moved back to the farm, converting the old office at the back of the barn into a makeshift apartment. It was warm and comfortable and he’d half expected Pepper to point her nose up and back out. But she’d loved the idea he’d moved back to help out his parents.
It had been unexpected. But then again, that was her.
She might have said more, but she’d also been unhooking her bra and Coop had completely lost his mind. The rest of the night had taken on dreamlike qualities and he had no idea what time they’d fallen asleep, but it had been late.
Part of him longed to run his fingers along her arm and pick up where they’d left off, but she was flying out for her interview today and she needed all the sleep she could get.
And I need a cold shower.
He untangled himself from her naked limbs and gently covered her up in the gray linen sheet and soft wool blankets before making his way to the shower. Icy water woke him and once he was dressed he headed to the kitchen. She still had four hours before her flight and the least he could do was give her breakfast.
He’d just finished cooking the bacon and percolating the coffee when Pepper wandered in. Her hair was tousled and her body only covered by the sheet, which was crumpled beyond all recognition thanks to their night together. His breath caught. Over the years, he’d seen her upset, sad, distracted, and just about every other emotion but he’d never seen her like this.
Relaxed.
Does that mean she’s not regretting it?
“You can cook?” She raised an eyebrow and perched herself on one of the vintage barstools he’d placed along the stainless steel industrial bench he used as a kitchen table.
“Yeah, my fairy godmother doesn’t deliver food so it comes in handy. Why? Did you think I lived on pizza and beer?” He poured coffee for them both and wondered whether he should lean over and kiss her. Technically their one night stand was over and if anyone was going to argue about the legalities of it, it would be Pepper. Hardly the way he wanted to end things. He resisted the urge and settled for plating up the bacon, eggs and hotcakes.
“I don’t know why I said that. My ex didn’t cook. I guess it was just the surprise of seeing you with a frying pan,” Pepper said as she picked up a hotcake and nibbled at the corner. “This is divine.”
“We can’t all be fancy lawyer guys.” Over the years, he’d done many things to try and get Pepper to notice him. And yet all it took was some hotcakes? I’m never going to understand her.
“Are you jealous?” She leaned forward, as if to study him. A small smile tugged on her mouth.
“Of that guy? Please. I hear on good authority he can’t even cook.” Coop shook his head and kept his tone light, though on the inside he wasn’t sure. She’d been engaged to the douche. And he probably didn’t live in a barn either. “Besides, we decided last night was just a one-time thing, right?”
“Right.” She gave a thoughtful nod and chewed on the hotcake. “I mean it makes sense. The next three weeks are going to be hectic with the wedding.”
“I agree,” he said as his eyes strayed to her bare shoulders. Desire pounded in his veins as he sucked in some air. “Though, you know, sex is a great way to relieve stress. Especially in hectic situations.”
The only sign she’d heard was the slight flutter of her lashes. Then it was gone. “Are you trying to renegotiate our contract?”
“Would it be such a bad thing?” he said as he leaned forward. So close. Just one touch and the gray sheet would fall to the ground. Two touches and she’d be back in his arms. Three touches and—
“I think it might be.”
And here it is.
The other shoe.
The reminder that I’m never going to be the guy she wants.
“Some people like to meditate to relieve stress,” he said, forcing his voice to stay light, like it was no big deal.
“Meditate? Me?” she said and Coop was forced to acknowledge that out of everyone he’d ever met, she was probably the least likely to ever meditate. Which was why she should take him up on his sex offer. Unfortunately, judging by the straight line of her lower lip, it would be a wasted argument. “Coop, last night was perfect. But—”
“It’s okay, Pepper. You don’t need to spell it out. Though, for the record, the words ‘perfect’ and ‘but’ should never be used together.”
“Duly noted.” She stood up and wrapped the sheet more firmly around her body. Letting it mold her like armor. It almost looked like she wanted to say more before just shrugging. “I hope we really can at least be friends now.”
“Sure,” he agreed as he purged all thoughts of Naked Pepper from his mind and tried to replace them with Friend Pepper. It was infinitely better than Hate My Guts Pepper, but still seemed pale in comparison to last night. “Do you need a lift home? To the airport? I’ve been told I make a great chauffeur.”
She shook her head as her mask slipped back into place. She was no longer the woman who shivered under his touch or liked his hot cakes. “Stan’s picking me up from the farm in an hour to take me to the airport but a lift home would be great. Emmy and Christopher are in New York for the night so they won’t be there to see your car or wonder where I was last night.”
Final proof.
Not that he’d really expected anything different.
And she was right. They’d made a deal.
An itch had been scratched.
“Sure. Whatever you want,” he agreed.
“Great,” she said before disappearing back into his bedroom. She reappeared several minutes later, wearing the plain blouse and trousers, her hair pulled back into a hasty ponytail and her purse clutched at her side. Coop couldn’t help but notice her top button was done up and he let out a sigh. He should’ve been pleased to have reached an understanding after all these years. Except I want more. Which was a pity since she apparently did not.