"Why?" Dane's voice was softer as though she'd pleased him by answering. "Baby, whatever they told you, they were lying."
Had the fuckwads who'd taken her told her she wasn't pretty? He reached up and caressed her hair, pushing one side away from her face. It had dried into sexy waves, rather than that stick-straight mane she unmercifully flat ironed every day. "Unless they said you're the most beautiful woman on the planet, they were lying. Lea, baby, they would have said anything to break you."
She took a long breath, studying her handiwork on the side of his face, seemingly happy. Then she started looking through the kit again. "They might be liars, but I've always had issues with my weight."
"What issues?" Cooper asked, truly astounded at the thought. "Is it hard to be perfect?"
She snorted slightly. "Yes, it's so difficult."
"Alea, I would seriously consider what you say about yourself in the next few minutes," Dane warned. "I'm willing to listen to concerns, but don't degrade yourself."
Her hands balled into fists on her lap. "I'm not a size two. God, Dane, I'm not even a size eight. It wasn't just my captors. The press hasn't always been kind."
Cooper had no idea what dress sizes meant. "Uh, if those are smaller than you, then I'm glad because I want a woman with curves. I want a woman who looks like a woman. Ask most guys. They do, too."
"Lea, you should damn well know that most women modeling in magazines are far too thin. They might photograph well, but it's actually unhealthy," Dane said. "Who idolizes models? Do you think it's men? No, baby. Mostly women. Porn is a better example of what men like. Those women have hips and boobs."
Cooper sniffed with disdain. "I only watch the amateur stuff now because the pros have gotten too thin. And I like real boobs." Alea had real boobs. They were encased in a sturdy bra, but they were totally getting his attention. Soft and round. They would be a sweet handful. And last night, with her distraught … and then his mouth on her pussy, he hadn't really gotten a good look at her ass. But what he'd seen in the past always looked so damn good. "Not to mention a juicy ass. Love that."
"Juicy is good," Dane agreed.
Alea squirted ointment onto her finger and quickly wiped it across his cut. "You don't have to try to make me feel better. Growing up, I always wanted to look more like Yasmin. Taller. More graceful … "
Dane made gagging noises.
Coop joined in. "No girl looks good with her head that far up her own ass. A bony-looking ass, I might add."
Alea shook her head and giggled. "You two are so juvenile. Really? She's blonde and willowy, and she doesn't have to have her dresses custom made. I had to pay through the nose to get that Narciso Rodriguez gown. They don't normally make my size."
"Then they suck. And you look gorgeous in anything you wear." Coop frowned.
He didn't normally notice Alea's clothes. He noticed how her boobs and butt looked in them. And he loved her toes right now. It was kind of freaky, but he wanted to suck on them and rub them. They were a pretty pink.
She slapped a butterfly-style bandage over his cheek and stood. "I think that should prevent infection from setting in. Keep it covered until it closes. And you two don't have to be nice. I appreciate it. I really do, but I own a mirror."
"Then it must be your eyesight that's suffering." Dane stood beside her. "Cooper is never just nice."
She shrugged as if she was a bit uncomfortable with their compliments. Or maybe it was the way they stared. Because he couldn't seem to stop. Her nipples clung to the thin white cotton of her bra. God, he wanted to get those nipples in his mouth. He could suck on them and bite them just the tiniest bit until she squirmed. And begged. He'd really like to hear her begging.
"Of course Cooper is nice. He's not really interested," Alea said, then blushed. "You don't have to try to convince me."
"I'm pretty sure that was my mouth on your pussy last night," he pointed out.
And Dane just rolled his eyes. "You really are blind, Lea. His cock is poking out of his boxers. Dude, shove that thing back in."
Cooper readjusted, but not before he noticed that Alea's eyes widened at the sight. Her breath hitched. Yes, she was at least a little intrigued.
And they were on a deserted island with absolutely nothing to do and nowhere to be. Sure, they were having to fight for their lives, but Cooper believed in the power of positive thinking. Anything could happen. In fact, he was damn sure hoping everything did happen soon.