Treasure in the Sand

by Jill Monroe

  “We have to talk,” she mouthed to her.

  Deanna gave her the thumbs up.

  Sensing summer so near, the children were usually more difficult to contain after spring break, but today they were worse for some inexplicable reason. Those who’d already been in line began to dart out while others ran toward the back door. Molly squinted against the sun to see a man walking beside the principal. The children began buzzing in excitement and more swarmed around the principal.

  Molly reached for the whistle she kept around her neck, and then realized the man beside the principal was Cooper Overton. A much tidier and professional looking Cooper, but the man all the same. She blinked, and tried to squelch her own reaction. Of course. How could order compete with his kind of chaos?

  Principal Martinez lifted her hands and the children quieted. “Everyone, I know this isn’t on the schedule, but we have a special guest. A friend of Ms. Waiter has come for a visit and tell us all about treasure hunting.”

  Several of the children began cheering.

  Deanna glanced over at Molly her mouth agog. Molly could only shrug.

  “Now I know some of you already recognize Cooper Overton,” the principal continued. “Two years ago, he discovered a sunken ship right off the coast of our own great state of Florida. He’s brought with him a mug and some coins that had been under the ocean for over two hundred years, just waiting to be discovered.”

  The kids ooohed and awwwed over everyday objects that were now so magical.

  Cooper left the principal’s side to move next to Molly. He towered over her, and Molly’s nerve ending prickled in unwanted awareness. For two years, she’d gone along just fine without lust clouding up her judgment. Why’d it have to come back and slam into her now? Probably because you haven’t dated anyone worth a second call in those years. She’d never had a problem with her hormones before. They did their job, she did hers. Next to Cooper, now they were out of control. Raging.

  “If it’s all right with Ms. Waiter.” He smiled at the principal, but Molly’s body reacted as if he’d just kissed her. “I am here to see her, after all.”

  A rush of warmth jolted her system even more. Not here to see her. Here to see the current owner of the map he sought.

  Several of the children jumped up and down and flashed her pleading eyes. “Please.”

  “You don’t want to disappoint the children,” he whispered in her ear. “Do you?”

  Another attempt at manipulation. She ground her back molars, but tried to hide it with a smile. For the sake of the kids.

  One of her second graders tugged on Cooper’s sleeve. “We don’t keep secrets. It’s rude.”

  Cooper hunkered down so he was eye to eye with the little girl. “You are absolutely right. I’ll only keep the good secrets.”

  The little girl giggled, even though a good secret would break the rules. Already charmed. Cooper glanced up toward her. “So what is it, Ms. Waiter? Shall we have some fun?”

  A shiver ran down her spine. She wasn’t used to having two conversations at once. “Of course,” she said, and the kids nearest them began to jump up and down.

  Principal Martinez clapped her hands. “We can’t begin until we line up.”

  The children rushed to their lines and then they marched into the cafeteria for Cooper’s impromptu speech. There, in a room painted with sea life murals and still smelling of chicken nuggets and green beans, the man enraptured the children like he did everyone else. Or at least her. How did he keep third and fourth graders from fidgeting? He regaled them with stories of pirates and treasure and adventure. He brought out the promised mug, still encrusted with a tiny bit of coral, and allowed each child to hold a piece of history in their tiny hands and patiently answered every question offered.

  Deanna sidled up to her, and echoed the little girl from earlier. “We don’t keep secrets. It’s rude.”

  Molly nodded, not quite able to take her gaze off the sexy man in the front of the room. “This secret happened just last night after you left.”

  Deanna wiggled her eyebrows. “Just how good of a secret are we talking?”

  Molly swallowed down a laugh. “You thought it’d be a good idea if I went skinny dipping. Well, I took your advice. What I didn’t know? Hot Guy over there was watching.”

  Deanna gasped, then smiled.

  “What happened next is not as good as you’re hoping. He wants the map.”

  Deanna glanced toward Cooper then back at Molly. “I think that man hopes for more than just the map from you.”

  Molly’s hand fluttered to her neck. “What makes you think so?” Then she forced it back down to her side. “Never mind. Doesn’t matter. I don’t care.”

  “Oh, you care. And he does want you. He’s letting those kids rough handle a bona fide artifact but his gaze only follows you.”

  Truly? Molly glanced back to Cooper whose eyes immediately locked with hers. Her breath hitched. Deanna was…right. How extraordinary! Fantasy men don’t come off the screen and into her life. Not unless they planned to get something from her…like a map to the family treasure. She could kick herself for getting excited. Molly turned away.

  A few minutes later the principal stood in front of the children. “How do we thank our guest?” she asked. The children began clapping, and then the teachers took them back to their classrooms so they could pack up their backpacks and prepare to go home. Molly hung back so she could catch Cooper alone. To tell him to get lost.

  “Don’t you have a classroom of your own?” he asked. His teasing voice sent a ripple of anticipation through her.

  She glared up at him. Why’d he have to be so amazing to look at? What was she about to say to him? Molly stood stunned for a moment.

  “Where are your students?”

  She shook her head. “No. I’m the speech path. All my afternoon kids were otherwise engaged with a special guest speaker.”

  “How’d I do?”

  She crossed her arms. “Do you really need me to tell you how wonderful you were? The kids ate that speech up with a spoon.”

  “Of course I need you tell me how wonderful I am.”

  “You were…okay.”

  Cooper laughed then, sexy and inviting and made her ache to hear the sensual sound again and again. “An okay enough performance to get you to have dinner with me tonight?”

  Her mind reeled. Make up an excuse.

  Stall.

  Postpone. Anything not to be alone with this guy. She should have shooed him out the second she spotted him on the playground.

  “Why must we meet? I won’t sell. What more is there to discuss?”

  “There’s a detail you don’t know.”

  Ugh, and there was curiosity again. “Then tell me now.”

  “Some things are better said over a fine meal and good wine.”

  She’d just have to take his word on that. So what could be the harm in hearing him out? After all, the fine meal and good wine would be on his dime. Dinner implied a crowded restaurant. Not alone. She wouldn’t let it go late and into the dark where temptation would pull so much harder. “An early dinner,” she conceded. Fewer people would spot them then. Not that she cared what people thought. She only hated answering the inevitable raised eyebrows and questions. Came with living on a small island.

  Satisfaction flared to life in his dark eyes. “Let’s go.” He offered his arm.

  She backed up. No way was she touching him. “I have pickup duty first. Forty-five minutes.”

  “I’ll be waiting.”

  * * *

  “I’m never getting out of here,” Molly mumbled fifteen minutes into pickup after school. She’d never seen so many cars. When had the parents and grandparents become so darn chatty?

  Today, of course. Because of Cooper.

  She picked up snippets of conversation.

  “I heard that hot guy from the Adventure Channel was here.”

  “Wish I’d known, I would have taken off work early. I never
miss his show.”

  “Wonder if he’ll he be here again.”

  Deanna moved to her side. “Why are you so antsy?” she asked, in a lull between parents.

  After two years of duty together, they now worked as the perfect team. Molly opened the car door and called for the student. Deanna made sure the child crossed through the traffic safely and strapped the ones still using boosters and car seats inside.

  “I’m not antsy,” she said, and fidgeted with a piece of lint of her shirt.

  “Ha! I have second graders that are more composed than you.” Deanna’s brows knitted. “Hold the phone. You actually look nervous. Eager and agitated at the same time. Only a man could do that. Are you…?”

  “What?”

  “You’re going out with your Pinterest hottie, aren’t you?”

  Her cheeks heated. “Shhhh, keep your voice down. The last thing I need is a bunch of speculation from the other teachers. It’s like a sewing circle. But with texting.” Molly shuddered.

  Deanna made a sputtering sound. “Honey, that ship has sailed. Everyone is already talking about the two of you.”

  Ugh. “Maybe you could do me a favor and stop the talk next time they start.”

  “Who do you think is leading the gossip?” Deanna asked with a wink.

  Molly almost snorted. Finally she spotted the back of the line. More cars cleared and she had a clear view of the guest parking spots near the flagpole. Her lips parted. How had she missed him? Had he been there all that time? Leaning against the hood of a convertible, reflective sunglasses in place, Cooper Overton lounged as sex incarnate.

  “Whoa,” Deanna breathed. Then fanned herself.

  “Yeah.”

  “Listen, while you’re doing final prep on your room, I’m going to run to the Super Min and grab the economy size box of condoms.”

  Her eyes widened. “You can’t say condom on school grounds,” Molly muttered, looking over her shoulder.

  “Pshhh, no one can hear me.”

  “Forget the condoms. It’s not going to get that far. He’ll make another offer on the map, I’ll say no. Done and done.”

  “Oh, honey. There’s no way you’re going to be resisting that artwork of a man. Just accept it and prepare.”

  Please don’t be right. Please don’t. Deanna was wrong.

  Five minutes later, the last of the kids were on their way home. The other teachers walked toward their classrooms throwing glances in her direction. And Cooper’s.

  He waited until the last one rounded the corner and then rose from where he’d lazed against the car to join her, as desirable as sunshine after a week of snow. While she must appear wind blown and grubby.

  Today he smelled like the sunshine and sea she’d whiffed from his shirt. But this afternoon there was something more. Sandalwood. Had Cooper put a touch of cologne on for her? She took a deeper breath, and her senses grew a little haywire. Whatever he was doing was working. Against her.

  “That was the craziest thing I’ve ever seen. Kids and parents everywhere. And I thought an underwater shot was rough.”

  “You don’t remember the grade school pick up line?”

  He shook his head. “I was homeschooled.”

  “Oh yeah? I do some consult work with some homeschooled children. I’ll just be a few minutes. I have to lock up my classroom.”

  “Sure,” he said, and began to follow her.

  Space. She needed a few moments alone before she dealt with his overwhelming presence. The man made her feel dizzy. “I’ll be right back.” She rushed away without another word.

  In her room, she lifted and placed the chairs on the desks so the janitor could vacuum. She powered down the three computers and crossed toward the child-sized sink to splash a little cool water against her heated cheeks. Not much she could do about her appearance, but as she liked to say to her students: You get what you get and you don’t throw a fit.

  She grabbed her purse and flipped off the lights, locking the door as she left the room. Halfway to Cooper, she had formed a workable game plan. Play it close to the vest. Don’t give away anything. Agree to nothing. Okay, good plan. Solid.

  Molly reached the front of the school and found Cooper under an awning. A slow smile spread across his face as he spotted her, and suddenly dinner struck her as an excellent idea. He led her across the street to his car, a gorgeous car that looked more sculpted than manufactured. Sleek flowing lines, yet bold. A real attention grabber.

  “Okay, no way. What kind of car is this?” she asked. “It’s look like it came straight out of a James Bond.”

  “It’s an Aston Martin,” he said, pushing a button. The powerful vehicle roared, yes roared to life.

  She rolled her eyes. “You really have to tone down the TV star stuff.”

  “Why?”

  Because this black sports car was hot as hell.

  Because it forced her to touch a wild part inside of her she would rather deny.

  Because it proved just how far apart their worlds were.

  But all those reasons were dumb, so she admitted to none of them.

  Instead, she laughed. “I can’t think of a good excuse. Can we put the top down?”

  He grinned at her, and a tiny thrill flitted through her stomach. “Absolutely.” Cooper opened the door for her and she slid inside and sighed. The luxurious leather welcomed her body with buttery softness.

  “Does your Aston Martin have a name?” she asked.

  “It’s a rental. And yes, it does. Vanquish,” he said, and backed out of the space.

  Oh yeah, vanquisher of common sense. And panties.

  “You hungry? Thought we could hit that restaurant at the Casa Blanca Hotel.”

  “At Junonia?” She couldn’t avoid locals there. Curious eyes would watch her. Even more curious ears would listen to her conversation.

  “Heard it was the finest restaurant on the island. We could go somewhere else,” he offered.

  He must have misinterpreted her sudden nervousness.

  She shook her head. “Honestly, I’ve been wanting to try it. People say some of the recipes Chef Ian Browning creates are unique. He uses the freshest ingredients, mostly grown organically by his wife, Tessa.” And why the hell was she babbling like an idiot? Knock it off. “Sounds great.”

  He winked like her rambling amused him. “Junonia it is.”

  It took only a few minutes to make it to the hotel. “I checked in here last night, but haven’t caught much of the place.”

  “Only catching the pool?” she teased because a ton of beautiful woman probably lazed around on loungers.

  “More like the Internet,” he told her, his tone wry. “Had to start all over on my research on the Waiter family. Had to learn all I could about the granddaughter.”

  “What if I told you I thought that was creepy?”

  “Then I can add liar to the list of things I know about you.”

  Last night she’d spent hours deleting her Pinterest board. Well, after gazing at the pics of him for a good long while.

  “If it makes you feel any better, I only got a few details. Where you worked, for one. I prefer to get to know a woman more organically.”

  “Although to you I’m not a woman. I’m a business proposition.”

  His laugh held no humor. “Oh, I see you as a woman.” His voice was rich and smooth and she felt his rasp all the way to her toes. The panty vanquisher strikes again.

  “At least I’m keeping some of my secrets,” she said after she caught her breath.

  “Secrets are rude.”

  “You know, there’s a reason why we don’t take advice from second graders.”

  He chuckled. “Although I did find a delightful picture of your induction into the Honor Society on Mimosa High’s website while I was searching for Molly Waiter factoids.”

  Her illustrious high school years. Braces. No idea how to tame the wildness of her hair. And way before her boobs decided to enter the scene. Not. Flattering. At. All.


  Good thing the beauty of the hotel was there to distract her. “Wow. This place is gorgeous. Lacey married a famous architect. Or his father was famous, or something. Anyway, they designed this place together to look like Morocco.”

  “I missed those red tile roofs in the dark when I checked in last night. Have you been?”

  She lifted a brow. “To Morocco? No, I’ve only ever left Florida a few times.”

  “No urge to travel?”

  “I think all Waiters dream of exploring the world, but traveling was something my grandparents, uh, discouraged. Have you been?” she asked in an attempt to change the subject away from her.

  His eyes narrowed, and his gaze searched hers. She felt him tense beside her in the small confines of his luxury car. He wanted to know why she’d barely left Florida. She almost wished he had researched her a little more, then she wouldn’t have to answer painful questions about her parents and why leaving home had scared her grandma so much.

  Finally, he answered her. “I’ve been a couple of times. Mostly to Volubilis, an ancient Roman city from when Rome ruled the world. We’re profiling it on next season’s show. There’s a temple to Jupiter still visible.”

  He made her long to see it for herself. “Sounds thrilling.”

  Excitement filled his eyes. “It was. I think you’d like it there.” He flinched. Like his own words surprised him. “Ready for dinner?”

  She nodded and reached for the door handle. How long had they just sat and chatted? Despite the crazy, heated attraction she felt for the guy, there was also something very easy about being with him. Talking with him.

  Which was probably when he was most dangerous. Play it close to the vest, she reminded herself.

  She hadn’t realized how extensive Casa Blanca had grown. The main building stood three stories, but there were also several private villas and bungalows as well as gorgeous tree-lined paths. Cooper whisked her through the impressive lobby with its elegant marble floors and a stunning Moroccan tapestry.

  Although Junonia was near the pool, it was really the dazzling view of the ocean that made her gasp. No matter how many times she’d watched the sun set, it was different and just as breathtaking every time. “I bet the sunset is amazing from here,” she said, as a hostess led them to a private and comfortable table.