Cooper (The Family Simon 6)

Together they’d spent

the entire week cleaning out the rest of the attic, and now everything was in boxes in the shop. The space up there was incredible, and just the day before, they’d spent hours online shopping, outfitting the entire attic with new furniture and art. It would be beautiful when finished.

“My lawyer called me today. He thinks he’s found some of the McLarens.”

She sat up. “That’s wonderful. Where?”

“Rhode Island and South Carolina. He’s reaching out and will get back to me once he knows more.”

She noticed a large envelope in his hand. “What’s that?”

“Nothing.” Cooper tossed the envelope on the coffee table and got to his feet. “Just something for work.” His tone was light, but the look on his face told her it wasn’t “nothing.” “You ready? The car will be here soon.”

Right. The hockey game. Envelope forgotten, her stomach took a dip at the thought.

“Hey, we don’t have to go if you don’t want to.” His hands crept up along her jaw. “Just say the word, and I’ll tell Maverick to give the tickets to someone else. I’m sure he won’t have a problem.”

“No, I’m…I’m just being silly.”

She wanted to go. A) she loved hockey and B) it was the playoffs. But watching the game from home snuggled on the sofa with the hottest man she’d ever known was one thing. Sharing a box seat with him in a very public place was something else entirely. The thought made her nervous and scared and mad that she felt nervous and scared.

“Will people take our picture?”

His eyes darkened, and he dropped a kiss to her mouth. “Not if I can help it, but, sweets, I can’t promise they won’t.” He gave her a crooked smile. “The Simons always attract attention, and for some reason, they seem to like my face.”

She pushed at him. “Could have something to do with the fact you look a hell of a lot like your cousin Beau. And he just happens to be the hottest actor on the planet.”

“Nah,” Cooper said with a grin. “It’s because of my rock-star personality.” His grin slowly faded. “Look. I know it can get crazy being around me, and I know you’re not used to the sort of craziness that is part of being a Simon. But if we’re going to…” He faltered and fumbled over his words, his intensity giving way to… Was that uncertainty?

Morgan sat up straighter. Her heart slowly sped up as the seconds ticked by. They stared at each other, and just when it looked like Cooper was going to elaborate, the doorbell shattered the silence and killed whatever moment they’d been in. She didn’t know she’d been holding her breath until it fell out of her in one big swoosh.

“We should go,” he murmured, dropping a kiss to her forehead. He paused, his expression so different from any she’d seen before, it made her knees weak. “We’ll talk later.”

“Okay.” Her voice sounded strange in her ears, and she busied herself gathering up her things. They were headed to Boston for the day with Maverick and Charlie, and after the Bruins/Rangers game, spending the night in a hotel.

“Let’s go.” Cooper put his hand at the small of her back and guided her outside. A fresh rain had all but washed away the last remnants of winter, and the tangy scent of salt filled her nostrils. In the distance, she spied the steel-blue Atlantic, the horizon filled with gulls as they danced over the waves, buoyed by the wind. It was on the cool side, but the sun was high in the sky, and deep purple tulips stood like soldiers in front of the porch. Buds had erupted amid the branches of the trees along the driveway and in a few weeks, leaves would fill in the bare spaces.

She watched Cooper stow her bag. Dressed in jeans and leather, the man looked hotter than anyone had a right to. He flashed a quick smile at her before having a word with the driver, and she had to look away before he caught sight of the naked desire she couldn’t hide.

Because that naked desire was accompanied by need and want and something that pressed into her and made her chest tight. It was that little bit of something else that made her nervous as hell. She’d come so far, and he’d helped her so much, but still, at night, as she lay snuggled in his arms, hair tousled from lovemaking, mouth swollen from his kiss, she had to wonder. What did he see in her? How could she ever compare to the women he’d been with? The starlets, rock stars, and socialites?

“Ready?” Cooper opened the door and waited.

Was she? No.

Did she want to be? Yes.

The robin she’d spied a few days earlier swooped low across the lawn and landed on a branch not far from Morgan. It flapped its wings and stared down at her, crying out as if trying to say something.

Morgan watched it for a few seconds and then, with Cooper at her back, slid into the limo.

The game was exciting, boasting two overtime periods and a win for all the Boston fans in attendance. Maverick and Cooper, however, were not happy. The Rangers had played abysmally, racking up an impressive number of penalties, and the two men were arguing over a third-period penalty that had resulted in Boston’s game-winning goal. The four of them made their way out of the private box, joining throngs of fans as they headed to the exits.

“My God, if I have to listen to this all the way back to the hotel, I’m not sure I’ll survive.” Charlie grinned and grabbed hold of Morgan, pulling her ahead of the arguing men. “Seriously. It’s just a game.”

“Just a game?” Maverick came up behind them. “That’s blasphemous. It’s a damn playoff game, woman.”

Charlie giggled and let go of Morgan’s hand so she could wrap herself around her husband. She whispered something into his ear, oblivious to the crowds around him, and then planted a passionate kiss that made Morgan and turn away. It felt like a private moment meant only for the two of them.