He grinned. "Don't be so sure. I could have just cut your hot water again, and had you come running-naked into my arms."
Poppy laughed. "Don't even joke about it." She settled back to rest, but Cooper wondered if it were true. If she hadn't showed up that night, could he really have stayed away?
Never.
He'd been kidding himself, saying she was out of reach. Sooner or later, their chemistry would have been too much to resist. Hell, he'd sworn to steer clear from the start, but somehow, he always found a way back to her. Like a moth drawn to the flame, he couldn't stop himself from coming around. A coffee, a late night chat. A kiss that turned his world upside down.
No, it was inevitable that they'd wound up here: naked, together in his bed. The question now was, where did they go from here?
Cooper tensed. Somehow, that question had a way of bringing back the past, but Poppy looked up questioningly, and the sight of her beautiful face made it all melt away. He didn't want to think about the future, not all the questions and disappointments it could bring, so he kissed her instead, long and slow, claiming that sweet mouth until Poppy was writhing against him.
This was all that mattered. Right here. Now. In her arms.
He pulled her closer, dragging his hands possessively over every inch of her, feeling that incredible need take over him again. Not just desire, but something more primal-to own her, make her his. Bring her such pleasure that she would never want to let go. She moaned into his mouth, and it was all the invitation he needed. He slowly eased her thighs apart and lost himself in her again.
16
When Poppy woke again, the sun was bright in the sky outside the barn windows. She yawned, rolling over in the snug sheets. Something crumpled against her, and with sleepy eyes she reached to find a note on the pillow.
See you at June's. X
It wasn't exactly a declaration of undying love, but she'd take that scribbled X any day. Poppy stretched, feeling the satisfying ache in her limbs.
God, that man was good with his hands . . . and his mouth . . . and-
Other things.
She lay in a warm haze of memories, until her stomach rumbled, and she remembered that her clean clothes and a hot breakfast were still a drive away. The place was empty, and it took a moment to adjust to the sound of trees and birdsong outside instead of the steady crashing of the waves. Poppy scrambled out of bed, her feet bare on the cold floors. She hunted around for her clothing, following the trail downstairs and back to the kitchen table. She quickly redressed, flushing as the passionate images flooded her mind.
It's a good thing that table was as sturdy as it looked.
Poppy lingered by the table. He'd cleaned up the shattered glass, but all of Cooper's paperwork and blueprints were still scattered on the floor. She carefully collected them and placed them back into neat piles, remembering how he'd swept them aside in a moment of passion.
That man sure knew how to make her heart beat faster.
She couldn't keep from smiling. It felt like her connection with Cooper had gone to a whole new level last night, and not just the physical side of things either. Seeing him here, in his natural habitat, she understood him better. Even though he'd hidden himself away out here in the woods, there was a part of him that wanted to take the leap, the same as she did. Open up to something new.
She wasn't sure what any of it meant, but it felt good to be taking that risk again. With him.
Poppy yanked on her jacket, found her keys and opened the door, only to come face to face with-
"Debra?"
Poppy blinked. One of the older women from book club was on Cooper's doorstep-hand outreached towards the doorbell. She had a crate full of apples in her arms, and Poppy stifled a groan. Just her luck that someone was making a neighborly delivery at ten in the morning!
"Poppy." Debra's eyes widened, and then a mischievous smile danced onto her face. "Good morning. I didn't know I'd find you here."
"I'm not! Here!" Poppy blurted, desperately thinking for a reason she would be emerging from Cooper's house.
A reason that didn't involve a night of torrid sex. And three orgasms.
"I . . . umm, was just dropping something off. For Cooper," she kept babbling. "He said to just leave it inside. So that's what I was doing." Poppy grabbed her purse and lunged out of the door. "Great seeing you!"
"Dearie?" Debra stopped her. "Aren't you forgetting something?"
"No! What? How?" Poppy gulped.
Debra smirked, and nodded to Poppy's bare feet.
"Oh. Right." Poppy looked around inside for her shoes. She found one sneaker tossed behind the couch, and another resting halfway up the stairs. When she re-emerged, shod this time, Debra's smile had grown.