“Do you know why Coop’s been in such a bad mood lately?” Mav asked her.
“I, well, I haven’t seen him much since . . .” She stopped when her cheeks went scarlet. “I just haven’t seen him much,” she finished in almost a whisper.
“Have you seen him enough to notice his bad mood?” Mav seemed to be the one who really liked to push buttons.
“No, I can’t say that I have,” she lied, definitely feeling put on the spot.
“That’s it. You’re both a-holes,” Coop said as he stood. “Let’s leave now so I can show my appreciation of you in the ring.”
“Ha. Last time we were there, your ass got whooped,” Mav pointed out.
“My mind was elsewhere,” Coop said with a glare.
“Where was your mind?” Mav asked all too innocently before looking at Stormy and winking.
She began to blush again, though she had no idea why.
“You’re embarrassing Stormy,” Cooper snapped.
“Ah, she’s tougher than that,” Nick said. “I can tell.”
This time when he winked at her, she smiled, and a small chuckle escaped.
“Yes, I’m pretty tough,” she told him.
“See, Coop. You’re all worried for nothing,” Mav said.
“You’re going to be the one to worry,” Coop said, giving his brother a preview of what was to come by slugging him hard on the arm.
“Yeah, you’re tough when we aren’t in the ring,” Mav said as he stood up and began dancing around Coop.
“Okay, we don’t want to get in a match here and accidently run into the pretty lady,” Nick said. She smiled gratefully at him.
“Yeah, yeah, the brother who’s always the voice of reason until he’s being a smart ass,” Mav said before getting in a shot at Nick’s arm. He then went dashing back into the house and presumably out the front door.
“See ya soon,” Coop said with a look that left Stormy’s belly quivering before he dashed off after his brothers.
When she was able to get her legs to quit trembling, she made breakfast and cleaned up. Then Stormy realized she missed the noise. They were full of laughter and taunts and the house seemed more like a home with them in it.
But she had to remind herself this wasn’t her home—not for very long. So it would be best not to get too comfortable. That was easier said than done.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Cooper was at the controls of his jet, descending over Seattle. Wolf was busy calling out checklist items as Cooper responded with either set or check. Cooper, turning the control yoke to the left, began a sweeping turn.
On a clear and picturesque afternoon, the view from the flight deck windows was breathtaking. Below, in full view, Cooper could see the Space Needle and waterfront. As he gazed out the window his thoughts were of Stormy, wondering what she was doing.
After spending time with his brothers the other day, he’d come home and she was nowhere to be found. Then he’d been away for a couple days. But now, he had time off, and he was going to make good use of it.
“Wolf, what’s the time?”
“Quarter ’til two. Pre-landing checklist complete.”
Cooper was done with his anger. Now he wanted her back in his bed. Since pushing her wasn’t doing it, he was dead set on seduction.
If he rushed, he could make it to the café and maybe talk her into going for a ride. Well, at least a car ride, maybe not the ride he wanted to take her on . . . Though that was a definite possibility as well.
Thoughts like that made his uniform far too uncomfortable.
“All right, checklist complete, gear down, and we’re cleared to land. Listen, once we pull into the gate, I want to take off as soon as that door opens. You think you can wrap everything up without me?”
“You got it. Hot date?” Wolf smirked, peering over his sunglasses at Cooper.
“Hot date? I’m hoping so,” Cooper said with a laugh.
“You hope so? What’s that supposed to mean?” Wolf asked. “You never did call my cousin, so I know it’s not with her,” he accused.
“There’s another girl so I didn’t want to do that to your cousin. This woman is . . . I don’t know how to describe her. She makes me go a little bit crazy,” Cooper admitted.
That made Wolf laugh. “Have you actually met a woman who’s your match?” Wolf said, uncontrollable laughter making him shake.
“No!” Cooper thundered. “I just really like to . . . uh . . . spend time with her,” he said. For some reason he didn’t want to dishonor her by talking about how good she was in his bed.
“This is too awesome. CEO of Trans Pacific Airlines and captain of the big, bad Boeing 757 and you have lost your game and are all fluttery over a mere woman. I have to say I worry about you, man,” Wolf said between guffaws. “A hella rich and single guy with a giant-ass house and no one to spend your money on.”