Cooper (The Family Simon 6)

That wasn’t cute. That was hot.

Cooper gave himself a mental shake, and when he spoke, his voice was a little rougher than he’d like. But the devil that was in him made him inch forward—the countertop was behind Morgan, and there was nowhere for her to go.

“What do I find cute?” He paused, and she made that sound again. So. Damn. Hot.

Cooper touched a little freckle that sat at the corner of her eye. For a few seconds, he didn’t say a word. He inhaled a subtle vanilla scent that was soft and sweet.

“This is cute.”

Her long lashes fluttered downward, and his gaze fell to her mouth. Not thinking, he inched even closer. His body tightened, and for one crazy moment, he considered taking a nibble. He was just about to cross a line that shouldn’t be crossed when Stanley let loose a round of barking that made both of them jump. The dog’s claws clicked along the floors as it scrambled toward the hall, and that was when Cooper realized he had company.

Whatever spell permeated the air fizzled into nothing. He cleared his throat, took a step back, and a second later, Maverick strode into the kitchen, arms laden with wine and appetizers, followed by Charlie and his mother. He had no idea where Connor was, but he was going to guess his sister-in-law’s little brother was outside with the dog, because no longer were Stanley’s excited barks filling his ears.

His mother zeroed in on Morgan about two whole seconds after entering the room. He watched her face light up with a smile and saw the interest. Here we go.

“Hello,” Isabel said, moving past her son. “Cooper didn’t mention he’d invited a friend for dinner.”

“Oh…” Morgan darted a look his way. Hot and flustered, she continued. “I’m not… We’re not friends.” She blew out a long breath, more than a little flustered as she attempted a smile. “That didn’t come out right.”

She glanced up at him, looking more than a little unsure.

“This is Morgan,” Cooper said. “She helped me get things ready and…” He glanced at Morgan. “I hope she stays for dinner, because the potatoes we made are probably the best damn potatoes in Maine.”

“Really,” Charlie said with a chuckle. “The last time you had my potatoes, you told me they were the best damn potatoes in Maine.”

“Yeah well, our fancy potatoes have a secret ingredient, and sorry to say, but they kick ass.”

“We’ll see about that.” Charlie smiled at Morgan. “I’m glad you’re staying. Dealing with these two goofballs is tiring.”

Morgan shook her head. “Oh, I don’t think I’m staying.”

“Why not?” Cooper asked. “You already told me you had nothing on.” He frowned. “What’s your dad up to? I can drive to town and get him if you like.”

“He’s over at Hank’s,” Charlie said. “I saw his truck in the driveway. So please stay.”

“That settles it, t

hen. Besides, who says no to a pregnant lady?” Cooper didn’t give Morgan a chance to protest or come up with an excuse to leave. He had a feeling that if she did, she’d spend the rest of the afternoon and evening alone. No way was that happening.

Cooper opened the bottle of chilled white wine and poured a glass for Morgan, while his mother and Charlie helped themselves to sparkling water.

“I hope you didn’t feel like you had to invite me for dinner,” Morgan said, voice lowered as she accepted the glass of wine. “This evening should be for your family.”

He winked, liking the way the pink in her cheeks deepened even more. “I want you here.” Cooper Simon was looking forward to peeling back some of Morgan Campbell’s layers.

His brother scooped up the fish, while Cooper grabbed a couple of cold beers. The two men headed outdoors to do what men generally did. Shoot the shit, drink a few cold ones, and pretend like firing up the barbecue was a delicate operation that needed manly attention.

He was pretty sure the women knew it was total BS, but it was a routine that worked, and when something wasn’t broken, why fix it?

The women settled around the island in the kitchen, and Cooper glanced back, just for a second. He didn’t know it yet, but the sight of Morgan sitting there, a slow, gentle smile on her face, was something he would remember later. Much later.

It was the beginning of something he couldn’t put a label on. But it was a “something” that could change both of them.

If they allowed it to.

12

As it turned out, the potatoes Cooper and Morgan prepared were pretty damn good. So was the fish and the salad. But more importantly, for someone who’d been hiding way too long, the company was all a girl could ask for.