To her surprise, he agreed. “All right.” Taking her hand, he led her the rest of the way to a sun-bleached table. The dog, playing a few feet away, dug in the sand.
After they’d both taken seats, he said, “As you know, I called the local police. Officer Gibb Clark, a friend, is going to join me. We’re hoping the bastards show up, but it’s doubtful. If they do, it could get ugly.”
Her eyes flared. “You would fight with them in front of an officer?”
“That’s not my plan, but anything is possible. What I meant is that Gibb will likely take them in—one way or another—for some answers. That’s if they even show. Either way, I’d as soon the men not focus on you more than necessary. If they do put in an appearance, things won’t go the way they’re hoping and I’d prefer they see me as their problem, not you.”
Actually...that all made sense. Even without the past that influenced her reactions, he was certainly better able to handle them than she’d be. “All right.”
“Thank you.” He caught her chin. “Now tell me why you wanted to be there?”
The urge to look away made her heart beat faster, but she didn’t want to be a coward anymore. “Mostly I wanted to prove to myself...” What? She shook her head. “Something. Anything.” That sounded so lame she groaned. “I don’t want them to know that they intimidated me.”
Cooper slowly nodded. “Okay, I get that.”
Because he would feel the same? She couldn’t imagine anyone intimidating him. He seemed so self-possessed and sure of himself.
“You understand, though,” he continued, “that anyone in that type of disadvantage would feel intimidated?”
“I do now, yeah.” She cracked her first genuine smile. “Ridley gave me hell last night. She called me melodramatic and a few other things.” When he started to scowl, she laughed. “It was her way of telling me the same thing you’re saying. Plus, she insisted that I’m doing great now, much better—and she’s right. For a while there, I’d...lost myself.”
“You weren’t used to being afraid.”
“No, and believe me, I don’t like it.”
His brows pulled together. “Yesterday was a setback.”
“Maybe a little. But I realize that, most of the time, I don’t even think of the assault anymore.” Which meant she really had come a long way. For a while there, she’d lived in the memories, unable to escape them for more than a few minutes at a time. Now the opposite was true. She thought of it less and less—while she lived more and more.
Relief showed in the loosening of his shoulders. His frown eased. “I’m glad to hear it.”
She watched the dog jump after a butterfly. “Will you let me know what happens?”
“Yes. Right afterward, we’re supposed to go for the lawnmower—and dinner. We can talk about it then.”
Very aware of his warmth beside her, his big powerful body and those beautiful eyes, she leaned closer but kept her gaze on the dog. “Mmm. And after that?”
He stilled, but then his hand slid under her hair, clasping the back of her neck. “After that I’m hoping to have you alone.”
She glanced at him, then away, struggling to look blasé. “For sex?”
“Eventually.” Proving he was aware of her game, he growled, “I want to get you naked first. Seeing you at the creek, your shirt and shorts clinging to your hot bod...”
Warmth spread inside her.
“That was a hell of a tease, Phoenix.” His hand moved over her shoulder, down her arm to her elbow, then onto her waist. “I’m going to need at least an hour just to look and touch.”
Anticipation nearly sucked away her breath. “Sounds like a plan.” She turned and kissed him, fast and hard. She had to go now—while she still could. “I should get to work.”
He stood with her, and she saw that his eyes were brighter, his nostrils flared.
He really did want her, and it thrilled her.
He clasped her chin. “We’ll leave at five.”
“I’ll be ready.” She’d have to finish early enough to shower and change. For once she wanted Cooper to see her dressed as a woman, not just as the head groundskeeper.
He continued to look at her, the tension mounting—then he tore his gaze away and whistled for the dog. “C’mon, Sugar. Time for your appointment.”
The dog tipped her head, letting one ear touch the ground while the other flopped over her forehead. Then she lunged, racing toward Cooper, stopping short, darting away again.
He shook his head. “She has these running fits...”
Phoenix laughed. “You’ll really name her Sugar?”
“Why not? She’s pretty damn sweet.” When the dog ran close again, he caught her up against his chest and she immediately started licking his face.
So far, Sugar had gotten more kisses than she had, Phoenix thought.
But tonight, that would change.
The issues of a relationship faded away behind ripe anticipation.
*
Now that she’d already done this once, Ridley discovered a pattern and so she did very little backtracking, which meant she finished the chores more quickly. Plus, after the thorough cleaning of yesterday, today was mostly upkeep of the areas she tended, with the addition of two locations where campers had just checked out of cabins.
When she finished early, she made a decision.
Throughout the day, she’d only seen Baxter from a distance, but with every second that passed without him seeking her out, she stewed with indignation...and her determination grew.
She would have him, hotly, thoroughly—and then she’d be the one to walk away. Let him be the one left wondering.
Oh, she’d make it so good, so outrageously incendiary that he’d want her again and again...but she would decline.
It was a powerful fantasy, very unlike her usual risqué dreams, which focused more on the activities, not the ending of them.
But for now it’d do.
In order to play that out, she needed privacy. No way would she be trapped at Baxter’s home—wherever that was—and she definitely couldn’t see a sexual marathon happening in Phoenix’s small, low-ceiling loft.
Especially with Phoenix living there, too.
Mind made up, Ridley put away her gear, grabbed a quick shower and headed up the long drive to where she’d left her car. She wasn’t exactly sure where she’d go, but a gas station attendant could probably give her some direction.
Along the way, she passed Daron, the flirt, and asked him, “You’re going the wrong way, aren’t you?”
He grinned. “Coop asked me to watch his new dog while he wined and dined your hottie sister.”
Making a theatrical display of it, Ridley looked around. “And yet I don’t see the dog. Lost her already?”
“Maris kept her for me while I helped a camper get everything stored away. He’s new to RVing and wasn’t sure about...anything.”
“Like?”
“How to park it, how to hook it up to the water and electric, how to turn on the fridge or television—all basic necessities.”
So Daron knew how to do all that? It didn’t surprise her. He was an incredible handyman with a knack for tinkering that, according to Phoenix, could make anything run.
“Fascinating,” she said, already thinking ahead.
Ignoring her observation, Daron nodded approvingly at her fitted summer dress and strappy sandals. “And where are you off to, looking so fine?”
Yes, she did look fine. She’d specifically chosen the peach-colored casual pull-on dress because it hugged her figure and came close to matching her skin tone. Now if only Baxter would notice...
She no sooner had the thought than she turned and saw him, a good distance away, staring at her and Daron with arrested attention.
Oh, now, that was nice. “Thank you for the compliment.” She sidled closer to Daron and touched his chest. “So you know all about the setup and running of RVs, do you?”
“Sure. They’re easy once you get the hang of it.”
“Then maybe, if you wouldn’t mind, you could assist me?”
One brow lifted and he grinned. “Assist you in making Baxter jealous? Sure.”
His accurate insight made her laugh. “Not exactly what I meant, but that’ll do in part.” She wrinkled her nose. “He is rather obtuse, don’t you think?”