Meant to Be (Sweetbriar Cove Book 1)

by Melody Grace

  This was what she’d been looking for.

  Poppy shook off the sappy thought, and headed back out to the bar. But in the hallway, someone caught her arm and tugged her into an alcove. Cooper. He smiled, sliding his hands around her waist. “I’ve been waiting all night to kiss you,” he murmured, drawing closer.

  “You just did.” She smiled, melting against him. His body already felt like it fit hers perfectly, and she slid her hands over his chest.

  “Not properly,” Cooper corrected her. “Not like this.”

  He leaned in and claimed her mouth with a searing kiss. Slow and hot and deep; his body pressing her back against the wall so she could feel every solid, taut inch of him.

  He was right. That brief greeting had been only a taste of this feast. Poppy pulled him closer and surrendered to the gorgeous heat of his body and the head-spinning things he was doing with his tongue. The kiss deepened, hungry, and soon she was gasping for breath. His hands were in her hair; roving over her body, cupping her ass and pulling her closer against him.

  “We can’t,” she gasped, coming up for air. “Anyone could come back here . . .”

  Cooper kissed her neck. “And?”

  “And . . . ohh,” she sighed as his tongue found a sensitive hollow and licked against her. She sank back, dizzy with pleasure. There was no resisting, it felt too good. She smiled, giving in to his touch. “You’re a bad influence.”

  “That’s me.” Cooper grinned, lifting his head. “Want to get out of here?”

  “We just arrived.” Poppy wavered, torn.

  “And?” He yanked her closer, and she remembered in a flash what this would feel like with fewer clothes.

  Far fewer.

  Cooper interrupted her with another kiss, and Poppy for the life of her couldn’t think of a reason to stay—at least until the doors to the kitchen swung open, and she caught the smell of something sizzling on the grill. In an instant, she was reminded she hadn’t eaten all day. “And I need to eat something before I pass out,” she said, finally pulling away.

  Cooper kissed her forehead. “Well, we can’t have that. You need your strength,” he added, in a low, sexy voice. “Because believe me, baby. I’ve got plans.”

  She shivered. Now, how was she supposed to walk back into the bar and carry on like the possibility of those plans wasn’t swirling in her mind? “I deserve a medal,” she sighed, and he laughed.

  “I’ll make sure you get a prize.” Cooper winked.

  Poppy spent the rest of the evening with a permanent smile on her face. It wasn’t just Cooper—although every glance or touch sent her stomach flipping over—but the rest of it, too. They ate at the bar, joking with Riley, and then wound up playing pool with Mackenzie and some of her friends. The warmth of the evening wrapped around Poppy, and she couldn’t help feeling how lucky she was to have stumbled into this community in her moment of crisis and insecurity.

  “And that is how you do it.” Mackenzie played her final shot with a flourish. “Victory is mine!”

  “Sorry,” Poppy apologized to Cooper.

  “What happened to your hustling skills?” he asked, reluctantly paying out their wager of a whole five dollars.

  “Cards only,” she said. “But point me in the direction of a poker table, and I’ll win us back some glory.”

  Mackenzie laughed. “Another time. I know when to call it quits.” She finished her drink and yawned. “Time for me to hit the road.”

  “Us too,” Cooper said, drawing Poppy closer.

  “We’ll have to get together soon,” Poppy suggested. “Have dinner, or a girls’ night or something.”

  “Definitely!” Mackenzie agreed. “How much longer are you staying in town?”

  Poppy stopped. “I . . . I’m not sure.” She shot a look at Cooper. “I’m still working on my book.”

  “Well, just give me a call. I’m around.” Mackenzie said goodbye and drifted away to talk to some people by the fire, but Poppy lingered on her question. What were her plans? She hadn’t set herself a deadline for her trip to Sweetbriar Cove. Aunt June had offered an open invitation, but she would be back from her trip soon, and Poppy was racing through her book draft. She’d always seen this retreat as a temporary escape. After all, she had a life waiting for her back home. Didn’t she?

  “Ready to go?”

  Cooper’s voice brought her back to the pub. “What? Sure. Let’s go.” Poppy smiled and followed him to the door, but outside, she felt a flicker of insecurity. She hadn’t planned on finding romance here; she hadn’t planned on Cooper at all. So what would happen when she finished her draft, and it was time to get back to the real world again?

  “You’ve got that distracted look.” Cooper slung an arm around her as they stepped out into the chilly spring night. “Admit it, you’re thinking about the next chapter you’re working on, aren’t you?”

  “Busted.” Poppy smiled quickly and pushed her doubts aside. There was no point worrying about the future just yet. They’d spent one night together, and yes, it was a life-changing, world-shattering night for sure, but she didn’t even know what this thing with Cooper would become; it was still too fresh to tell.

  She should just enjoy it now and save the questions for later. Much later.

  Like after another night with him.

  Cooper was lucky their highway patrol never ventured off the main roads, because he damn well broke the speed limit getting Poppy back to the cottage. All night, he’d been going half crazy with wanting her, and now they were finally alone, without Mackenzie giving him that “I told you so” look or Riley interrupting at the worst possible moment. He loved his friends, but man, they knew how to get in the way.

  “Come on.” Cooper yanked open the passenger door, and lifted her down from the seat. “I’m about ten seconds from undressing you, and if we’re still outside, so be it.”

  Poppy laughed, but he could see the desire in her eyes too, and it made him pull her across the front yard in double-quick time. “We’d catch frostbite!” she protested, rummaging in her purse for the keys. It took too long, and he had to kiss her again, right there up against the door. Her mouth was so sweet and yielding; he was already hard for her, needing the release only she could provide.

  Because he knew this time. He knew just how good she felt, and there was no going back from that, not with his hands already sliding under her sweater, and Poppy making that breathy moaning sound as he kissed down her neck. He felt like a man possessed, and nothing in the world could have kept him from her.

  “Keys,” she murmured, struggling again to find them. “Bed. Now.”

  But Cooper already knew they wouldn’t make it that far. The minute she got the door open, he pushed her through and slammed it shut behind them, and then she was in his arms again. Kissing him. Touching him. Her sweet mouth giving him everything as they tumbled back against the stairs. He’d lost his mind, but he didn’t care. All that mattered was the hot blur of hands and mouths as he yanked off her sweater, and Poppy reached for his belt and shoved his jeans down. She moaned aloud, and damn, he had to take her. Right this minute. Right here on the stairs. He lay her out on the landing, bracing himself above her as he nudged her thighs apart and his mouth found her breast; he sucked one perfect nipple into his mouth, and she rose up, arching against him.

  When he thrust inside her, it felt like coming home.

  “Cooper,” she gasped, and he thrust again. God, she felt so good. So right. She moved with him like she’d been made for this, every stroke, every touch driving them on together in this madness until he could feel her body clench and writhe. He was close, so close to hurtling over the edge, but he clenched his jaw and forced himself to slow. There. Deeper. Making every thrust last as watched her come undone. He needed to remember this. The color rising in her cheeks. The glaze that slipped into her eyes. And damn, the way her lips parted in a silent cry as the pleasure took her under, rushing in a shudder that swallowed him whole.

  He fell
against her with a cry, burying himself inside her one last time as his climax ripped through him and he wondered if he could ever get enough.

  When Cooper woke, dawn was just breaking outside on the ocean, and Poppy was sprawled beside him in bed, half tangled up in the sheets.

  He sucked in a breath. Damn, she looked beautiful. He could barely remember making it to the bedroom; they’d been too busy feasting on each other, exploring every last inch. All night, he’d worshiped her body, but somehow, he hadn’t even begun to quench his thirst. Now, she looked so peaceful, it was hard to imagine she’d been the same vixen who had urged him on last night, driving him out of his mind with lust and pure, carnal need.

  He gently brushed hair out of her eyes, and she stirred, yawning. “What time is it?” she asked, blinking awake.

  “Early.”

  “Mmm . . .” Poppy rolled closer, warm and soft under the covers. “What time do you have to start work?”

  “Not for a little while yet.”

  “Good.”

  Poppy slipped her arms around him, and rested her head against his chest. Cooper lay back, feeling her body rise and fall with every breath. An unfamiliar sense of peace swept over him.

  It felt good to just be like this. A moment of still, in the midst of all the passion. No drama, no noise. No need for words, even. Just a simple calm, making everything right with the world.

  He felt a rush of gratitude and tilted Poppy’s chin up to kiss her. She melted into him, and if he could have kept them there for hours, suspended like that, he would have. But suddenly an angry siren cut through the calm.

  Poppy broke away. “What’s that god-awful noise?”

  Cooper groaned. “My alarm.” He hopped out of bed and looked around for his phone. “I usually go for a run before work.”

  “Make it stop!” Poppy buried her head under a pillow, and he laughed.

  “I’m trying. Where are my pants?”

  “Umm, downstairs, maybe?” Poppy bit her lip, and shot him a wicked grin. “I seem to remember losing them on the stairs . . .”

  “That’s not all you lost.” Cooper couldn’t resist diving back in bed. He rolled her under him, and Poppy shrieked with laughter. He trapped her body close, and she smiled up at him, sleepy and perfect.

  “It’s all a blur. Remind me?”

  He kissed her bare collarbone.

  “Mmm,” Poppy sighed. “It’s coming back to me now . . .”

  He kissed his way down her chest, loving the taste of her. But the alarm didn’t stop, it kept screeching like a demon, until finally Poppy sat up. “We need to find that thing, and break it into a million pieces.”

  He would toss it out the window himself right now, but Cooper had to drag himself away from Poppy’s soft, naked body and go search for it in the hallway. He found his pants thrown over the banister, halfway down the stairs. He grabbed his phone from the pocket and quickly shut it off.

  “Thank you!” Poppy called. She appeared, wearing his shirt, and bounced down the stairs to him. “Who invented that sound, anyway? It’s not natural!”

  “Some fiend.” Cooper wrapped his arms around her. What was the matter with him? He couldn’t go more than ten seconds without touching her, needing her body curled against him where she belonged.

  Poppy smiled up at him. “So are you going on that run?”

  He grinned. “I think I’ve had my workout for the day.”

  “That was technically yesterday . . .” Poppy said, sliding her hands up his naked chest. “It’s a whole new day. And I’d hate to interrupt your cardio routine . . .”

  She kissed him, and Cooper forgot everything but the warm, hot taste of her lips and how she pressed so eagerly against him.

  She wanted him again. This incredible, firecracker woman was just as hungry for him as he was for her, and damn, it made him feel good.

  “You’re right.” Cooper picked her up suddenly and braced her against the wall. “Routine is important.” Poppy’s eyes sparkled, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He slipped his hand between them, stroking her until she moaned, loving the sounds she made.

  Loving everything about her.

  He pushed her shirt up over her head and spread her thighs wider, so ready to sink inside her and claim her body all over again—

  The door opened behind them. Cooper tensed. “Whoever you are, you better have a damn good excuse for barging in right now!” he roared, without turning.

  “Well, it is my house.”

  Poppy gasped and froze in his arms.

  “Aunt June!”

  18

  June was here. In the house. And Poppy was pinned, half-naked up against the wall about ten seconds away from an epic orgasm.

  Oh god!

  She pulled away from Cooper and scrambled to dress herself, but her shirt was nowhere to be seen. “June!” she cried, covering her bare chest with her hands. “I didn’t know you were coming back so soon.”

  “Clearly.” Her aunt was grinning in the doorway, swathed in a bright purple pashmina. “I see you’ve been making friends with the neighbors. Cooper,” she nodded, her eyes sparkling with mirth.

  “June.” Cooper’s voice was strangled. He quickly set Poppy down and refastened his belt, retrieving Poppy’s nightshirt. She grabbed it out of his hands and pulled it over her head.

  “How was the cruise?” Poppy babbled. “Was it fun? I never wanted to try one, you’re just trapped out there for days, hostage to food poisoning and buffet tables, but I saw your photos and it looked like a great time.”

  June arched an eyebrow. “Not as much fun as you’ve been having,” she said. “Coffee’s on, is it? Cooper. You’ll stay for a cup.”

  It didn’t sound like a question.

  June bustled off to the kitchen—leaving Poppy feeling like the worst niece in the world.

  Poppy turned and buried her face against Cooper’s chest.

  “I can’t believe we just got busted like a couple of school kids!” she cried. “She’s nice enough to have me stay, and I turn her home into a brothel!”

  “You were going to charge?” Cooper grinned. He plucked her bra off the door handle and handed it to her. How the hell did it get there?

  “You know what I mean!” Poppy exclaimed. “I was . . . You were . . .”

  “Still pretty modest, by my standards.” Cooper drew her closer, his lips brushing against her ear. “If she’d arrived another couple of seconds later, well, then we’d have something to talk about.”

  She felt a jolt of desire, which was the last thing she needed right now. “This isn’t funny!” Poppy smacked him lightly. He was grinning like it was one big joke, but this was her aunt they were talking about. She was Poppy’s family, and now she’d seen her—

  Poppy whimpered again.

  “Shh, breathe,” Cooper said, taking hold of her shoulders. He gave her a comforting squeeze. “She doesn’t mind. Hell, she was paying more attention to my bare ass than whatever you were showing.”

  “He’s right.” June popped her head around the corner and winked. “Coop, would you be a doll and take that fine ass of yours to carry my bags?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Cooper laughed and headed out the door. Poppy braced herself and headed for the kitchen.

  Something about getting caught like this made her feel like she was sixteen again, sneaking around with her high-school boyfriend. But luckily, June didn’t seem about to ground her and take away her driving privileges. “I’m sorry,” Poppy said, cringing with embarrassment.

  “What for?” June snorted. “It’s about time you got a little sparkle in your eye. Come give me a hug—and then tell me everything.” She swept Poppy back into the kitchen. “I’m sorry I didn’t call,” she added, depositing a still-shell-shocked Poppy in a chair. “I thought I’d come back early and surprise you.”

  “You sure did that.” For all the bad timing, she was happy to see her aunt again. June looked tanned and relaxed after her vacation, with her sho
ulder-length hair tinted auburn and her trim figure dressed in her usual bright, clashing prints.

  Cooper arrived back. “I put your bags up in your room,” he said.

  “Thanks, honey.” June beamed. “Now, you come sit down and tell me all the gossip I’ve been missing out on. Present company excluded, of course.”

  Cooper cleared his throat. “Actually, I should be getting to work.” He was already edging out of the room. Poppy didn’t blame him, with the way June was checking him out. He shot Poppy an apologetic look. “I’ll call you later, OK?”

  “Are you forgetting something?” June called, just as he was about to turn and go. He looked at them blankly. “A goodbye kiss for your girl,” she said.

  Cooper quickly kissed Poppy on the lips. “Good luck,” he whispered, before beating a hasty retreat.

  “Hmm, I can’t say I like his quick escape.” June frowned as the door slammed shut behind him. “A gentleman doesn’t just run after being caught in a compromising position.”

  “June!” Poppy protested. “It’s not Victorian times.”

  “Just as well,” June said mischievously. “He’d be down on one knee after compromising your virtue like that.”

  “Remind me not to send you any more of those regency romances from my publisher,” Poppy grinned. The first rush of humiliation was fading now. As long as she didn’t think about it. She got up and gave June a big hug. “Welcome home! I missed you. Even if I could have used a heads-up before you came back.”

  “In my defense, I didn’t think you needed the warning.” June gave her a look. “Didn’t you say you were looking for peace and quiet to work on your book? ‘No drama,’ ” she mimicked.

  “I guess fate had other plans.” Poppy couldn’t keep the smile from her face. “My first morning, a terrible noise made me go storming over next door, and, well, there was Cooper.”

  “He is delicious, isn’t he?” June winked. “If I were twenty years younger. And that ass . . .” she sighed in appreciation.

  “Hey!” Poppy protested. “No objectifying my boyfriend.”