Meant to Be (Sweetbriar Cove #1)(53)

"Aren't you supposed to be busy with something?" Cooper replied. "Like ordering up some food for us."

"All in good time." Riley grinned, clearly enjoying getting under Cooper's skin.

Poppy slipped down from her stool. "As long as it has carbs and grease, I'm happy," she said. "I'll be right back."

She headed for the restroom, and took the chance to run cool water over her wrists. Her reflection in the mirror was flushed, and her eyes were sparkling with a light she almost didn't recognize.

This was what she'd been looking for.

Poppy shook off the sappy thought, and headed back out to the bar. But in the hallway, someone caught her arm and tugged her into an alcove. Cooper. He smiled, sliding his hands around her waist. "I've been waiting all night to kiss you," he murmured, drawing closer.

"You just did." She smiled, melting against him. His body already felt like it fit hers perfectly, and she slid her hands over his chest.

"Not properly," Cooper corrected her. "Not like this."

He leaned in and claimed her mouth with a searing kiss. Slow and hot and deep; his body pressing her back against the wall so she could feel every solid, taut inch of him.

He was right. That brief greeting had been only a taste of this feast. Poppy pulled him closer and surrendered to the gorgeous heat of his body and the head-spinning things he was doing with his tongue. The kiss deepened, hungry, and soon she was gasping for breath. His hands were in her hair; roving over her body, cupping her ass and pulling her closer against him.

"We can't," she gasped, coming up for air. "Anyone could come back here . . ."

Cooper kissed her neck. "And?"

"And . . . ohh," she sighed as his tongue found a sensitive hollow and licked against her. She sank back, dizzy with pleasure. There was no resisting, it felt too good. She smiled, giving in to his touch. "You're a bad influence."

"That's me." Cooper grinned, lifting his head. "Want to get out of here?"

"We just arrived." Poppy wavered, torn.

"And?" He yanked her closer, and she remembered in a flash what this would feel like with fewer clothes.

Far fewer.

Cooper interrupted her with another kiss, and Poppy for the life of her couldn't think of a reason to stay-at least until the doors to the kitchen swung open, and she caught the smell of something sizzling on the grill. In an instant, she was reminded she hadn't eaten all day. "And I need to eat something before I pass out," she said, finally pulling away.

Cooper kissed her forehead. "Well, we can't have that. You need your strength," he added, in a low, sexy voice. "Because believe me, baby. I've got plans."

She shivered. Now, how was she supposed to walk back into the bar and carry on like the possibility of those plans wasn't swirling in her mind? "I deserve a medal," she sighed, and he laughed.

"I'll make sure you get a prize." Cooper winked.



Poppy spent the rest of the evening with a permanent smile on her face. It wasn't just Cooper-although every glance or touch sent her stomach flipping over-but the rest of it, too. They ate at the bar, joking with Riley, and then wound up playing pool with Mackenzie and some of her friends. The warmth of the evening wrapped around Poppy, and she couldn't help feeling how lucky she was to have stumbled into this community in her moment of crisis and insecurity.



       
         
       
        

"And that is how you do it." Mackenzie played her final shot with a flourish. "Victory is mine!"

"Sorry," Poppy apologized to Cooper.

"What happened to your hustling skills?" he asked, reluctantly paying out their wager of a whole five dollars.

"Cards only," she said. "But point me in the direction of a poker table, and I'll win us back some glory."

Mackenzie laughed. "Another time. I know when to call it quits." She finished her drink and yawned. "Time for me to hit the road."

"Us too," Cooper said, drawing Poppy closer.

"We'll have to get together soon," Poppy suggested. "Have dinner, or a girls' night or something."

"Definitely!" Mackenzie agreed. "How much longer are you staying in town?"

Poppy stopped. "I . . . I'm not sure." She shot a look at Cooper. "I'm still working on my book."

"Well, just give me a call. I'm around." Mackenzie said goodbye and drifted away to talk to some people by the fire, but Poppy lingered on her question. What were her plans? She hadn't set herself a deadline for her trip to Sweetbriar Cove. Aunt June had offered an open invitation, but she would be back from her trip soon, and Poppy was racing through her book draft. She'd always seen this retreat as a temporary escape. After all, she had a life waiting for her back home. Didn't she?