Cooper (HC Heroes Series Book 5)

by Donna Michaels

  As much as he tried to feel bad about that…he didn’t. The guy was too scrawny. How the hell would he be able to protect Abby if she needed it?

  His gaze zeroed in on the beauty dancing in a line between Mel and Stef. His heart squeezed and warmth spread through his chest at the smile lighting her face. It hit him then, that in the six months he’d been in Texas, he hadn’t seen her smile this brightly.

  She deserved to have fun and live a little.

  For over an hour he sat there, watching her dance with her friends, and even a few cowboys. It took all he had to remain in his chair, but he managed, determined to let her enjoy the night. None of the cowboys made any manhandling moves, so he clenched his jaw and observed.

  Damn, she was beautiful, with her long hair swishing back and forth across her lower back as she shook her badonkadonk and turned his groin rock-hard.

  Abby remained on the floor, even after her friends left.

  Stef was the last to go. She walked over and gave him a hug. “Sorry we were so hard on you. It really should be directed at Carter. But we all know she was excited to have some space while he was gone and when you started with the stink eye, it kind of set us off.”

  “I understand,” he said, and meant it.

  They were good friends and just what Abby needed. Especially after losing Mindy. He’d met the girl numerous times at Carter’s parents’ house over the years. The two were like sisters, always hanging out and laughing.

  Cancer sucked.

  “Despite all the progress we made for her tonight,” Stef said, recapturing his attention, “I’d appreciate if you stayed and made sure Abby got upstairs without anyone following her up there. But if you can’t, let me know, and I’ll stay.”

  He nodded. “That’s why I’m still here.”

  She smiled and patted his face. “You’re a good guy, Cooper.”

  His psyche soaked it in, but he wasn’t sure what to do with it, so he remained quiet and nodded when she bid him goodbye.

  It was another thirty-two minutes before Abby left the dance floor and made her way back to his table where he’d moved her coat when the waitress put the other table back.

  “Cooper? You’re still here,” she said a little breathless, and a lot flushed.

  “Yep.” He pushed a glass of water toward her that he’d ordered an hour ago, along with his second beer. “Probably warm by now, but it’s wet.”

  She sucked half of it down before she came up for air and smiled at him. “Thanks. Just what I needed.”

  Condensation had dripped off the glass and dropped onto her chest, soaking into the v of her shirt. His mind threatened to go where it shouldn’t, but he managed to keep it in the neutral zone.

  Barely.

  “I didn’t mean to waste your night,” she said, shrugging into her coat. “That’s why you’re still here, right? To walk me up to my apartment and make sure my virtue is intact?”

  Choking on his last mouthful of beer, he set the glass down and pounded on his chest as he rose to his feet.

  She smiled. “Sorry.”

  He smiled back and shook his head. “You girls are killing me tonight.” He waved toward the back exit of the bar and nodded at her. “After you.”

  Following her through the crowd, he evil-eyed several patrons with their gazes on her ass, making them about-face and busy themselves elsewhere. A slight grin was still tugging his mouth when they stepped outside and walked to the covered stairs that led to a storage room and her apartment.

  He knew this because he’d been with Carter when her brother had walked her home. It was dark out back, even with the light above the door and a streetlight in the parking lot. He understood why Carter always walked her straight to her apartment. Anyone could pick a lock and hide upstairs.

  He waited until she unlocked the stair door, then he held it open.

  “You don’t need to go all the way up like Carter,” she said, standing close enough for the cold night breeze to carry her sunny, flowery scent to him.

  Awareness careened through his body.

  He ignored it.

  “But I do,” he said. “I know your landlords have great security because your brother installed it, but nothing is impenetrable, so I’m pulling a Carter on you and walking you to your door.”

  She sighed. “Okay.” Her voice was a little breathless to his ears as she brushed past him and led the way.

  Following her was bittersweet agony. Her sweet ass was even more luscious up close, and it tested the integrity of his damn zipper and his ability to ascend the stairs sporting a damn hard-on. Embracing the pain, he followed her to the top then silently down the long landing to her apartment.

  Once again, he waited for her to unlock the door and for her to punch in the code to disable her alarm, then he did a quick check inside before returning to the landing. “It’s all clear,” he told her, watching her shake her head, exasperation ruling her features.

  “Thanks, Cooper. Or should I call you Carter?”

  He stiffened. “I’m not Carter. I’m not your brother.”

  None of the thoughts racing through his head were brotherly.

  “I know you’re not.” She lifted her chin, her gaze locked on his. “But…do you?”

  He snickered. “Oh, I know. Believe me.”

  The hard-on he still sported was confirmation enough.

  “I’m not sure I do,” she said, cocking her head. “Maybe you should prove it.”

  Son-of-a…

  His heart rocked in his chest, then raced as fast as the heat rushing through his veins. “Careful, Abby. You say that to the wrong person they might take advantage of you.”

  She stepped closer but didn’t touch him, just tipped her head back and met his gaze. “Are you the wrong person, Cooper?”

  Shit, yeah.

  No.

  He didn’t want to be.

  But he was.

  He swallowed, clenching his hands into fists to keep from reaching for her. “The worst,” he said, and meant it.

  “Here’s the thing. I don’t believe that for a minute.” She smiled at him, and warmth flooded his chest. “I’ve never thought that.”

  Damn. She was killing him. Feeding his soul. Standing so close he could feel her heat, smell her sweet flowery scent, get lost in those baby blues of hers. They were clear and honest, and what he read in them about stopped his heart.

  Desire.

  It blasted his resolve.

  Unable to hold onto his control, Cooper cupped her face with one hand and lightly traced her bottom lip with his thumb as he slowly lowered his head.

  Chapter Four

  Her breath hitched as his mouth hovered over hers and he tried to talk himself into pulling back, but his brain didn’t seem to be functioning properly. The way she trembled under his touch and her eyes filled with hunger knocked him off his axis.

  It didn’t make sense.

  How was it conceivable that someone so sweet and gorgeous could possibly want a bum like him?

  Because she doesn’t really know you.

  She didn’t know about the history of the blood that flowed throw his veins. Didn’t know about his family’s true past.

  That thought acted like a bucket of ice water to the heat flowing through him. He stiffened, then released her.

  “Sorry, Abby,” he said, stepping back. “I shouldn’t have touched you.”

  He shouldn’t have had that second beer, either.

  Why else would he have almost made such a colossal mistake?

  This was Abby. Sweet Abby.

  Carter’s sister.

  Jesus…

  He thrust a hand through his hair and blew out a breath.

  What the hell had he been thinking?

  “I’m sorry,” he said again. “This was all my fault. I won’t touch you again.”

  She nodded, and the fact disappointment dimmed her gaze wasn’t lost on him, but thankfully, she didn’t reach for him or try to change his mind, because
God help him, he was teetering. Big time.

  He swallowed. “You should go inside.”

  Again, she nodded but didn’t move. “I will. But first, you need to hear me out.”

  Ah, hell…

  “You didn’t do anything wrong, Cooper,” she said, a frown marring her brow. “You walked me to my door, made sure I was safe, like my brother no doubt asked. So quit beating yourself up about responding to the vibe I was obviously putting out.”

  He blinked, completely dumbfounded by her blatant admission. She never ceased to amaze him. Her honesty was truly refreshing. And one hundred percent dangerous.

  It was a big turn-on and that was the last thing he needed.

  “Okay,” he finally said, then grasped her upper arms and gently pushed her backward into her apartment. “Goodnight, Abby.”

  He released her to grab the doorknob and pulled the door closed, safely securing her in the apartment with him outside.

  “Goodnight, Cooper,” she replied, voice muffled through the door.

  “Make sure you lock it.” He waited until he heard it click before rushing for the stairs as if the hounds of hell were on his heels. Only when he shut the outside door securely behind him did he take time to breathe.

  What the hell was in those beers tonight?

  He’d almost lost his ever-loving mind, and two friendships in the process. Abby’s and Carter’s. He valued them both. Letting his damn libido call the shots was plain stupid, and not like him.

  Muttering a curse, he strode around the building and through the parking lot.

  Restraint was his middle name. Something he was known for. Hell, he used to win contests all the time when the teams would go head-to-head during downtime while active duty. Resisting beer, water, women, food, you name it, he would always bring victory to his team.

  So, what the hell had just happened?

  How was it he nearly broke the cardinal rule and almost kissed a military brother’s kin?

  Crossing the street, he headed toward his cottage and waited for enlightenment. But none came. Figures. Maybe it would in the morning when the beers wore off.

  Christ. He’d only had two and hadn’t even finished the second one.

  Still, he knew one thing for sure…he just confirmed he couldn’t be close to Abby or his damn brain would go into hibernation, along with his control.

  ***

  It was quarter to eleven the next morning before Abby had a moment to herself at work. She dropped into her chair behind the desk in her back office and sighed into her coffee. Two cuts, a cut and color, and several wash and sets had kept her hopping until now. But that was okay. She enjoyed working. Plus, it kept her mind off a certain guy who until last night had only touched her in her dreams.

  Her pulse leapt just thinking about it. Cooper had been so close…closer than he’d ever chosen to be, and she’d been more brazen than she’d ever been, too.

  Sipping her coffee, she ordered her pulse to settle down. She still couldn’t believe she’d actually told him to prove he wasn’t her brother. Heat rushed into her face. Torn between embarrassment and pride over her actions, she decided to go with pride since it was a new feeling as far as her personal life was concerned. His close proximity and the interest in his eyes had fueled her desire to speak her mind. Take a stand. Go for what she wanted.

  She wanted Cooper.

  And she thought maybe it was time he knew it…but only because he appeared to be fighting the same feelings.

  When he’d actually cupped her face, she had hardly dared to breathe and couldn’t believe he was lowering his mouth to hers. It was too good to be true.

  Literally.

  The way he’d stiffened and drew back, then apologized for touching her—the very thing she’d wanted—had been disappointing to say the least. Her newly found brazen side had let her down, because it left her standing there like a stupid idiot after she admitted to her “vibe,” instead of taking action and showing him what she meant.

  So, he’d said goodnight, shut her inside her apartment, then left after she locked him out.

  That was real brave of her, all right.

  Idiot.

  She finished her coffee and tossed the cup in the nearby trash can.

  “Hey, girlfriend,” Oliver said, popping his head into her office. “There are some little cuties and some big cuties here to see you.”

  Her eleven o’clock appointment.

  She grinned and jumped to her feet. The McCalls were there with their daughter, Faith. The cutie had dark brown hair and big, expressive, dark brown eyes, and her chubby little cheeks dimpled when she smiled. Abby looked forward to trimming the little sweetheart’s hair, who in turn, always loved to brush Abby’s hair. October was the last time Faith was there, a few weeks after her baby brother was born. Cutie was certainly due for a trim.

  Kerri and Connor McCall had such a beautiful family. Abby always enjoyed their appointments. A grin still on her face, she walked into the shop and her steps only faltered slightly when awareness trickled through her body a second before she spotted Cooper laughing with Connor. The tall cowboy held his infant son, while Faith sat on Cooper’s shoulders.

  It was enough to make her ovaries explode, but she denied them permission.

  Oliver, Sophia, and Bryce—her other stylist—and their clients all gushed over the adorable sight.

  Never in a million years would she expect to see the big former SEAL playing with children and acting so at ease about it.

  Her heart caught and cracked open enough for warmth to spread through her chest. Dang man made her knees go weak again.

  She really needed to do something about that.

  “Hi, guys,” she said to everyone in general, happy to note her voice was steadier than her pulse.

  “Hey, Abby,” Connor said with a grin dimpling his handsome face. “Kerri said to give Faith the usual. She’s over with Stef, ironing out menu choices for the shower and wedding, so you get me and the kids.”

  She nodded. “No worries.”

  “Abby, look at me! I’m up high.”

  She turned to find the happy child running her fingers through Cooper’s hair.

  Lucky girl.

  “Wow.” She raised her brows. “Look at you, Faith. So high.”

  The little girl giggled.

  Abby’s gaze drifted down to Cooper’s and the playful warmth in his eyes did that funny thing to her heart again. She wondered briefly if it was one of his superpowers…and also why he was there.

  For a cut? She didn’t remember him being on the schedule. Maybe he’d followed Connor in.

  “Faith is also a little overdue,” Connor said, capturing Abby’s attention.

  She turned to smile at him and his son this time. “No worries. Wow, William has gotten so big since I saw him last.” She tickled the brown-eyed cutie, who had the softest light brown hair dusting his head. “You look like your daddy.”

  “That’s Billy,” Faith said, pointing to her brother. “Not William.”

  She smiled, along with the others.

  Cooper lifted Faith off his shoulders and held her in his arms. “Did you know Billy is a shorter name for William?”

  Her eyes rounded, reminding Abby of the little girl’s mother. “No.”

  “It is.” Connor smiled at his daughter. “Remember we named him after your great-grandfather, William McCall?”

  Faith nodded. “Grandpa’s dad.”

  “Yep.” Connor ruffled her hair with his free hand. “Smarty pants.”

  The little girl clung to Cooper and cackled.

  “How old is your brother going to be next week?” Connor asked, pride puffing out his already massive chest.

  Faith held out her little hand, fingers spread wide. “Five months. I gonna be three years old soon.”

  Connor blinked his eyes and sighed. “I know. I can’t believe it.”

  “Well, Miss Faith, are you ready for your haircut?” she asked the cutie still clinging to
Cooper.

  Abby did her best not to be envious of the little girl.

  She failed.

  Dang it.

  “Yeah!” Faith squealed.

  The muscles in Cooper’s chest and arms rippled and bulged as he gently lowered Faith until her pink cowboy-booted feet touched the floor. A tremor shimmied down Abby’s body.

  Good thing her station was the last one near the back. The man was too unsettling…too distracting, and that was the last thing she needed when cutting hair.

  “Okay. Let’s get to it.” She grinned when Faith grabbed her hand, and together they skipped to her station while the other stylists and their clients grinned as they passed. “You wanna get your chair?”

  Faith’s eyes lit up. “Yeah!” She skipped over to where Oliver stood holding the plastic booster seat out to her.

  “Here you go, sweetheart,” he said. “Oh, aren’t you just the cutest thing since baby Yoda.”

  The little girl thanked him then carried it to Abby with a big grin on her face. “Here ya go, sweetheart,” she parroted Oliver.

  Abby grinned. “Thank you.” She took the seat from her and set it on the chair before lifting Faith up and settling her on it. “Now what?”

  “Wrap,” Faith eagerly replied, pointing to the gown hanging on the wall by the mirror.

  She smiled. “Oh, right. Thanks.”

  After securing it around the little girl, Abby spritzed her hair with water, combed it out, then marveled at how still Faith sat the entire time she cut her bangs, plus an inch off the bottom of her hair.

  She wished all her clients were this well-behaved—children and adults alike.

  In no time at all, she put the finishing touch on Faith—pink barrettes the little girl picked out from her stash in a drawer. After securing them at the girl’s temples, she removed her gown and shook it out then quickly swept the hair from the floor. “Now what?” she asked the grinning girl.

  “Your turn!” Faith giggled.

  Abby quickly shoved a handful of barrettes in her pocket, grabbed a brush off her station and had to rush to catch up to the cutie racing to her father sitting at the reception area with Cooper. “Daddy! It’s Abby’s turn!”