Cooper (The Family Simon 6)

Her eyes shot open. “It’s so good.”

Cooper held her gaze a heartbeat longer than he needed, but it was worth it to see the slow flush of pink that lit her face. “I’m glad.” He waited for her to dig in once more before he turned back to his own plate.

They made small talk. They chatted about everything and nothing—nothing that mattered, anyway. When Cooper finished his plate and pushed it aside, he leaned on his elbows, watching Morgan. She was laughing at a story he’d just told her, and he decided that her laughter was one of the nicest things a man could listen to. He couldn’t help himself and reached for her, swiping at a bit of whipped cream that clung to the corner of her mouth.

She stopped laughing.

He slowly licked the cream from his fingers.

And suddenly, the game changed.

“I want you to stay here today,” he said abruptly, sitting up straighter, watching her closely. “With me.”

“I…”

She licked her bottom lip, her gaze sliding away from his. “I need to change, and…I, ah…” Her voice trailed off, and he slid his hand under her chin, forcing her head up a bit until she had to look at him.

“Is that your only objection? You have no clothes? Or do you have plans?”

She moistened her lips, and his body reacted instantly. It took every ounce of control Cooper had not to kiss her. Not to sink his hands into her hair and put his lips on her. But he knew she was skittish. That she needed time and patience. The fact that he was willing to give it to her said something, but again, Cooper decided not to dwell on any of that.

“I never have plans.” Her voice shook a little, and that emotion inside him twisted hard—he could barely breathe.

“Well, that’s good for me.”

“Why’s that?” she asked quietly.

And here he was with the win. “Because now you don’t have an excuse to say no.” Cooper smiled, his thumb caressing the corner of her mouth and then tracing the generous bottom lip. “Charlie left a bunch of stuff here you’re welcome to, and I’m sure you’ll find something to wear. So go have a shower while I clean up. Change your clothes and leave the day’s entertainment to me.”

She was silent for a few moments, and was that a hint of a smile touching her lips?

“Entertainment?”

He nodded. “I’m going to give you a day to remember.”

His heart thudded slow and steady against his rib cage, and as that hint of a smile turned into a full-on thing full of sweetness and hope, he knew he’d do whatever it took to keep it there.

“The clothes are in the guest room beside mine. Towels are in the linen closet.”

“Okay,” Morgan said, drawing the word out slowly, as if still unsure. But after a few seconds, she slid from the stool and headed for the stairs. Cooper watched until she disappeared, and then found himself whistling once more as he began to clean up. He glanced back outside, and after a few seconds, reached for the phone. He’d just promised Morgan a day to remember, and he would give it to her.

He waited impatiently, striding over to the window as the phone rang in his ear.

A sleepy voice answered.

“Maverick. It’s Coop. I want to run something by you.”

It was just after eleven in the morning when Cooper and Morgan headed out. They were into the last days of March, and it was unseasonably warm. The odd powder-puff cloud dotted the sky, and the winds were minimal. He’d packed extra blankets, just in case, old boots for him and Morgan.

He glanced at her. She looked light and easy and maybe a little happy. It made Cooper feel good to know he was responsible for it.

They drove to Fisherman’s Landing, and he pulled into the parking lot of A Charmed Life. He left the Land Rover running and slid from the cab.

“Do you want me to come with you?” Morgan asked, puzzled.

“Nope. I’ll be right back.”

She didn’t answer, and he smiled to himself as he strode into the diner and headed for the counter.