*
It fascinated Coop, how easily he could read Phoenix’s thoughts. That she’d been tempted by the idea of sex in the maintenance shed told him that she felt the chemistry, too, and wasn’t hampered by foul memories. Like him, responsibility had guided her in the end.
That, and vanity.
She was sweaty, a little dirt-stained and sunburned. It hadn’t been a turnoff for him. Hell, she could be layered in mud and he wasn’t sure he’d want her any less.
Side by side, they worked to cut back the fallen tree so that it wouldn’t be a danger to anyone. Coop made a point of keeping her in the shade as much as possible, and he did all the heavy lifting. But it wasn’t easy to hold Phoenix back. Whatever she did, she did it to the best of her ability.
Made him wonder if she’d be that tireless in bed.
Actually, every damned thing she did or said sent his brain toward thoughts of sex.
They’d cleaned up the best they could when Phoenix paused. “Listen.”
“To what?”
“Do you hear water?” She turned to take several steps into the woods. “I know there’s a creek back here somewhere.”
“You haven’t seen it yet?” Cooper pulled the keys from the golf cart and stuck them in his pocket. Taking her hand, he said, “Come on. I’ll show you.”
And maybe, if they had some privacy, he could even coax her into the water.
He led the way. The trail had grown over, which wasn’t a bad thing considering the abandoned train trestle over the creek. The significant drop to the shallow creek bed made it a hazard for kids, not just those in the resort but from the local area, as well. Without a path, they were less inclined to find it.
Coop didn’t need a path. He knew the area well, having come to it multiple times when he’d first bought the resort. He’d walk the creek for hours, thinking about his life, what he’d lost—trying to find a way back from the anger.
Carefully, he moved aside branches and weeds, and one very nasty spiderweb, constantly aware of her smaller hand in his. She was a slight, delicate woman—and stronger than she realized.
The woods smelled rich, mixing with the scent of her heated skin, sending a pulse beat of need to thrum through his blood. He lifted aside a spray of wild roses from a prickly bush, and there it was.
“Wow.” Phoenix paused as she took it in. “This looks like a painting.”
Coop agreed. Sunlight glittered over the moving water of the creek. Wildflowers and small trees grew along the shore. High overhead, the trestle loomed, a profusion of ivy growing up the iron braces. Birds flittered around from branch to branch while insects sang.
Smiling, Phoenix moved past him and hurried down the slope to the water, sliding on loose dirt a few times. For a moment, Coop just stood there, watching as she paused to unlace her boots—inadvertently giving him a spectacular view of her ass in the snug shorts.
God, he wanted to explore those killer curves.
His palms twitched at the thought of holding her still beneath him while he thrust deep...
“Are you coming?” she asked.
From fantasizing...maybe. But he knew that wasn’t what she meant, so he said, “Let me know if it’s cold.”
She laughed, taking out her cell phone and a ring of keys that she set nearby on a rock.
Cautiously inching into the water until it came to midcalf, she said with a laugh, “It’s freezing.” She turned to face him. “Come on in—ack!”
Coop watched as her foot connected with a slick, moss-covered rock and she flailed. He was already hurrying down the slope when she landed in the water with a great splash.
Sure that she’d hurt herself, he reached the edge of the creek—and her laughter stopped him. She roared with it, reclining on her elbows, her head back with her hilarity.
His mouth twitched...but his gaze zeroed in on her body. The icy water trailed over her hips and waist, lapping at her breasts, making her shirt ten times more interesting because of how it exposed her figure.
Again, she reminded him of a luscious pinup.
Squatting down near her small, pale feet, he asked, “You’re okay?”
Flipping her toes in the water, she splashed him. “The shock of the cold about did me in, but now it’s refreshing.” She gave him a coy smile. “Care to try it?”
Yeah, he would.
Sitting back on the slight incline, he removed his shoes and socks, then waded in next to her.
Phoenix stared up at him, water droplets on the lenses of her glasses, her nose pink, her soft lips smiling. She lazily stirred the water with her hand. “Down here, Cooper.”
So damned tempting. Keeping his gaze on her body, he knelt down beside her, cupped his hands in the chill water, and slowly poured it over her belly. Phoenix shivered and went still, but didn’t protest.
Coop felt himself reacting and it amazed him. He hadn’t felt like this since the passing of his wife—the rush of churning desire caused by just a look. True, he’d eventually sought out physical encounters, but it hadn’t been like this. He’d been slaking a basic need only. There’d been no teasing, no laughter. No casual conversation, no real enjoyment beyond release.
He hadn’t gotten to know those women because he’d had no interest in knowing them.
Things were very, very different with Phoenix.
What had started out as sympathy, encouragement to help her heal—or so he’d told himself—had in no time at all morphed into something more powerful that overshadowed his altruistic motives.
Now, even the guilt he felt wasn’t enough to hold him back.
With one wet finger, he traced the waistband of her shorts beneath her shirt, trailed up to her navel, then further still until he brushed against the full under-curves of her breasts.
She inhaled a slow, shuddering breath.
“Okay?” He didn’t want to cause her even a twinge of uneasiness.
“Yes.”
At the huskiness in her voice, Coop lifted his gaze to hers. Her eyelids were lowered, her face flushed. “You are incredibly sexy, Phoenix Rose.” Sexy and more. So much more—but at the moment he couldn’t begin to define it.
Her eyes, filled with curiosity, held his. “It’s odd, but you make me feel sexy.”
Cold water washed around his legs, hot air drifted over his torso. Pebbles, smoothed by the current, shifted beneath his feet.
Her nipples were tight, taunting his restraint as he cupped a hand around her breast. Firm and full... Fuck, he wanted her. “Did you not feel sexy before?”
She idly lifted one shoulder. “Sometimes, I guess, but not like this. Not—” she looked at their surroundings with a smile “—in a stream after working all day.”
“You were sexy the day I met you, and every day since then.” Especially now, with the sunshine stroking her dark hair, and her relaxed attitude.
She hesitated, her gaze slipping away.
“Phoenix?”
“When I first met you, I was intimidated.” Her brows scrunched as she considered that, then she added, “And very aware, if that makes any sense.”
Because this was serious, he moved his hand to her shoulder, making it easier for him to concentrate. “I never want you afraid, not of me.”
“Intimidated,” she stressed. “Not afraid.”
Knowing the distinction was important to her, he nodded. “And since then?”
She slowly smiled, reaching up to touch his chest, her fingertips first lightly stroking before she flattened her palm over his heart. “I’ve been very, very curious.”
Coop held himself still. Her hand was small, wet and cold from being in the creek, and the simple touch sent tension spiraling through him. “About?”
Again she looked away—but her hand remained firm against him. “I’ve wondered about your life, why you moved to the resort.” Her gaze flickered back to his. “About your wife and how she passed.”
Automatically, he shook his head. He couldn’t discuss it, not now, maybe not ever.
“I think you must have loved her a lot.” Pale blue eyes searched his. “She was beautiful, and she had a gentle smile.”