It wasn’t that the woman wasn’t pretty. She was. But, based on her wandering hand, he could tell there was another man who thought so too if her wedding band was anything to go by.
She giggled, and Cooper fought the urge to roll his eyes.
“But, I think I could find us a place a little more private if you know what I mean.”
What? No dinner and drinks? No candlelight and romance? A night out at the movies? Shit, Cooper knew chivalry wasn’t dead, but based on some of the come on lines he got he was beginning to wonder whether courting a woman was even necessary anymore.
“I’m not sure I do,” he told her.
The crease in her forehead told him that she wasn’t used to rejection, but Cooper had no intention of going home with any woman he met. Not tonight or otherwise. He’d spent the better part of the last decade doing exactly that and look where it’d gotten him. Right here on this barstool with another random woman looking for a quick hookup.
“Lacey, you know your husband’s gonna be here soon. He ain’t gonna be too happy that you’re on the prowl, and I’m not looking for another altercation tonight.”
Saved by the bartender.
Cooper noticed Eric watching the woman with the wandering hand carefully from across the bar top. The look on his face said he wasn’t at all impressed with whatever she was up to. It didn’t take long for her to get the hint and Cooper watched as she marched away, putting a little sway in her backside as she did.
“Thanks.” Cooper turned back to face the bar, grabbing the beer Eric placed there.
“No problem. You’ll want to watch out for that one.”
Cooper didn’t need the warning, but he tipped his hat at Eric anyway.
“So, I figured there’d be paparazzi chasing you down by now,” Eric said, leaning his forearms on the bar.
“Let’s just say, I’m MIA at the moment.” Cooper hadn’t even told his manager where he was going when he disappeared. His phone was currently turned off for the simple reason that he didn’t feel like explaining himself. And because he was pretty sure Marcus had outfitted it with GPS.
When he woke up that morning, shortly after he told Adam he’d meet him at the café in half an hour, he had made a half ass attempt at checking his voicemails, but Marcus’ messages quickly became repetitive – he was ruining his career, he was walking away from fame and fortune, he couldn’t be serious – so he had deleted them all and hadn’t thought about them again until now.
“Well, considering the word is out that you were here last night, I figure it won’t be long before the country is aware of where you are. I can only assume it ain’t gonna be pretty.”
No, it probably wasn’t, but for the time being, no one would know that he was staying in Devil’s Bend, just that he had been seen there. Not that he actually gave a shit. The only thing he wanted to do was sit right on his bar stool and look at the cute bartender who was doing her damnedest to avoid him at all costs. Cooper found it amusing that she barely spoke to him, although he was almost certain he had caught her sneaking a peak a time or two.
“You’re not being hounded by the locals either?” Eric asked, obviously trying to make conversation.
Grinning, Cooper glanced over at Tessa, then back at Eric. “Not much, no. I signed a couple of autographs this morning at the café down the road, but for the most part, they kept their distance.”
“Interesting,” Eric said as though contemplating what that meant.
Cooper knew it meant that either people didn’t recognize him, or being this was a small town, they were just used to keeping to themselves. He let his gaze stray down the bar to land on Tessa who was watching him. When their eyes met, she instantly turned to face Eric.
“I’m gonna take a break,” Tessa said, not looking back at him.
Cooper kept his gaze trained on her as she moved out from behind the bar, then he followed the sensual sway of her hips with his eyes as she moved toward the hallway at the back. He thought about giving her some space… for all of about fifteen seconds.
Not wanting to miss the opportunity to talk to her, he informed Eric that he would be back and headed in the same direction she had. He wasn’t sure whether she had disappeared into the restroom or out through the exit door, so he opted to check the latter. He was interested in talking to her, but following her into the bathroom was pushing it a bit too far. A quick peek out the door told him that his luck hadn’t run out on him yet.
“Hey,” he greeted, closing the door behind him quietly so as not to alert anyone inside that someone had gone out.
Tessa looked somewhat startled, but she quickly masked her expression, her eyes darting away. When she didn’t say anything, he moved closer, standing directly in front of where she was leaning, one booted foot flat against the wall. She still didn’t look at him.
“Hey, you ok?” he asked, tipping her chin until she had no choice but to look him in the eyes. Surprisingly, she didn’t pull away as he expected.
Her soft green gaze met his and Cooper’s heart squeezed in his chest when he realized there were tears in her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” Not that he expected her to talk to him, but he couldn’t very well leave her out here when she appeared so upset. She probably wanted him to, but Cooper wasn’t built that way. If she asked him to go, he’d go. Until then, she was stuck with him.
“Nothing,” she said with a forced smile.
So she clearly wasn’t going to open up. Then again, why would she? She didn’t know him. Still, he made it his mission to try and remove those tears that were threatening to fall.
“Ahhh, I get it,” he said, forcing himself to sound serious.
“You get what?” Those brilliant sea green eyes fixed on his, and her curiosity got the best of her.
“If you’re worried about that ol’ married gal inside, you don’t have to.”
That made her laugh at least.
“Trust me, I’m not worried about Lacey. She’s been around the block more times than a school bus. I’d warn you away from her, but who you spend your time with isn’t any of my business.”
“What if I want it to be?” The question came out before he gave the words permission to escape.
“Well, don’t.” Clearly a warning.
Cooper still had his finger and thumb on her chin, and he wondered if she even noticed. He damn sure did. Where his fingertips touched her skin, a flash of heat sparked just beneath the surface.
“Why not?”
Tessa pulled away from him then, pushing off the wall and putting distance between them. Cooper didn’t move away, but he didn’t move toward her either.
“Because I’m not interested in a fly by night fling.”
“Fly by night? Who said I was going anywhere?”
“That’s what you famous types do, ain’t it? You’re just around until the next big break,” she answered, looking away.
Cooper wondered whether she actually knew this from experience or if she was simply assuming. Knowing that she probably had met her fair share of country music up-and-comers, he couldn’t help but wonder if she’d encountered that in the past. He knew she had been married, but years had gone by since her husband passed away, so it was possible. By the way she tried to keep herself emotionally distanced from those around her, at least as far as he could tell, he couldn’t determine for sure.
“What if I told you I was here to stay? What would you say then?”
“I’d say have a great life.”
All of the emotion he’d witnessed earlier was long gone now. There were no signs of the heat he’d seen in her eyes when they’d been standing in her kitchen either. No, this woman had clearly made up her mind that she wasn’t going to give him the time of day.
Good thing for him, he loved a good challenge. Now he just needed a plan.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Tessa was doing her best to pretend she wasn’t affected by Cooper. Ever since he walked outside, she had been painfull
y aware of his presence. When he touched her, she half expected her knees to buckle, leaving her a puddle of lusty goo on the concrete at his feet.
Except she was still pissed at him. It didn’t help that she hadn’t been able to talk to Luanne, but Tessa fully intended to as soon as she could. She wasn’t sure what was going on, but she had made a pact with herself that she would not jump to conclusions until she had all the information. Yes, that was new for her, but she was willing to give it a shot.
For now.
Between the news that Adam was going to Dallas for the police academy, Cooper Krenshaw might’ve actually stolen her land right out from underneath her, and to top it all off, she seemed to have some strange attraction to the man, she had plenty to worry about all in her own head.
Truthfully, she had snuck outside to have a few minutes by herself. Away from Cooper specifically. Even tonight seemed odd, and she knew Adam wasn’t gone yet, but picturing Cooper taking her brother’s place for the last hour didn’t make it any easier to accept that Adam was about to leave. For the academy.
Police officer.
The idea made her heart ache again, the loss of her husband feeling like a fresh wound in her chest just thinking about it. Through the years, the pain had lessened, the mourning had gotten easier, but she still missed him.
She didn’t want to cry, but she had found herself close to it when Cooper joined her. Part of her was thankful for the distraction because the last thing she wanted anyone to see was her weakness. Especially not this famous superstar who would likely be hightailing it out of town next week after realizing what it meant to work a real job. Hell, running a bar wasn’t easy.
And then the man had the audacity to think that she would be jealous of a woman hitting on him. Not in this lifetime. If he wanted to go home with Lacey, or any other floozy in the bar, that was his prerogative. As for her, she didn’t have the time or the energy to spend on a relationship, even if it were a one night stand.
She could tell by the look in Cooper’s shockingly golden brown eyes that he was gearing up for some sort of challenge. Tessa had no intention of explaining why she wasn’t willing to get caught up with the likes of him. Been there. Done that. Got the t-shirt and burned it. Not doing it again. That was the point in her life when she realized she would never find a man who could replace Richie. Never.
“I’ll see you inside,” she told him, abruptly turning to the door and hoping like hell he wouldn’t move closer. As strong as she was, for some reason, Tessa wasn’t able to resist this man when he was close because her damn hormones went on strike.
“Hey,” he called out before her hand made it to the doorknob.
Squeezing her eyes shut, Tessa inhaled slowly. Held it. This was not going to go well, she could feel it.
Before she could turn around, she felt the heat of Cooper at her back. When his strong hands came down on her shoulders, she fought the urge to melt into him, to soak up some of his strength at a time when she so desperately needed it. Against her will, she turned around slowly, and nearly lost the tears she fought to hold back when he pulled her flush against him and held her close.
His arms were strong and warm, his heartbeat a soothing anchor in the turmoil that had become her life. And damn it all to hell, he smelled fantastic. Pressing her cheek against his chest, she gave in to him momentarily. She could’ve tried to come up with excuses as to why she was willingly letting Cooper hold her, but she knew they’d all be a lie. She wanted him to. That was the simple truth.
She had no idea how much time had passed, but the next thing she knew, Cooper was pulling back slightly, his hands cupping her face as he tilted her head back. He stared down into her eyes for what felt like an interminably long time, and she held her breath, aching for this man to give her something more. Something that she needed but wasn’t willing to ask for.
“I want to kiss you,” he whispered.
Tessa’s heart pounded painfully against her chest. She didn’t turn away, but she didn’t give him permission either. The smart thing for her to do would be to turn and walk away. Hell, maybe even run. He was a man who had walked into her life and uprooted it in ways she never imagined. This attraction she had for him was only part of it.
“If I kiss you, Tessa, I won’t be able to stop,” he warned, but she found her gaze straying to his lips.
Please, please, please let him kiss me.
Oh, hell. What was she saying? She didn’t want… Before she could finish the thought, Cooper’s velvet soft lips were on hers, and her breath escaped her in a rush.
He was gentle, yet firm, his big, warm hands tilting her head slowly as he seemed to be monitoring her reaction. Her body relaxed instantly, and she knew he felt it too because as soon as a sigh escaped her, his hands moved down lower, pulling her body against his. When his tongue slid slowly over her lips, Tessa found herself opening for his kiss.
And the fireworks that exploded behind her closed eyelids nearly knocked her off of her feet, a blinding collision of colors melding together. Kissing him was like coming home for the first time in years. The comfort and familiarity was there, although this man was no more than a stranger to her. But something in him had connected with something in her.
The low rumble that echoed in his chest only added fuel to the fire, and Tessa found her arms were sliding up over his chest to wrap around his neck and pull him closer. His Stetson was nearly knocked off when she latched her fingers into the silky hair at the nape of his neck.
As far as kisses went, this one was the equivalent of an unpredicted hurricane, sweeping over her and knocking her sideways, leveling everything she held near and dear.
Sweet mercy, the guy could kiss.
Minutes passed before either of them attempted to come up for air, and by the time they did, Tessa was practically trying to climb his body. She was both embarrassed and shocked at her behavior, but when she tried to pull away from him, Cooper’s arms locked around her.
“Don’t run from me, please,” he whispered, his voice so rich and sultry, she let the tone settle her nerves.
Momentarily.
Their eyes met, and Tessa fought the urge to cry again. What the hell was wrong with her? She wasn’t supposed to be kissing this man. He’d never be able to give her what she needed – no one could – and she had no desire to give in long enough to find out for herself.
“I can’t do this,” she said firmly, forcing him to release her. “Please. I just can’t.”
Without looking back, Tessa fled back inside her bar, sneaking into the relative safety of the bathroom. It was the only place she would possibly find solitude for long enough to get herself under control. And she desperately needed to.
By the time the night was over, Tessa had managed to successfully evade Cooper at every turn. She had to admit, when he went up on stage and surprised the customers with a thirty minute set, she had been enthralled. Again, this man had a voice that captivated her. Not that she would let him know that.
The few times she’d caught him looking her way, Tessa managed to pretend she didn’t see him. She was just having one problem with that. She did see him. Everywhere. Even when he wasn’t near her, she saw him. That kiss had rocked her world, and she feared she would never be able to forget it, no matter how hard she tried.
“Can I walk you out?” Cooper’s deep, panty melting drawl oozed over her as she wiped down the last of the glasses and put them in their place beneath the bar.
“I’ll be here for a while. Thanks though.” That was a monumental lie, but there was no way she wanted him to walk her out.
In fact, she wanted to pretend she didn’t know him. She hadn’t had this kind of reaction to any one man in a very long time, and she continued to remind herself that she shouldn’t be having a reaction to him. It had to be because he was famous. Maybe she was star struck.
No. No, that definitely wasn’t it. Tessa didn’t get star struck. She had learned, no matter how big or how small their stardom r
eached, their egos exceeded that tenfold. If there was a possibility of her ever settling down again, it undoubtedly wouldn’t be with the likes of Cooper Krenshaw.
“I’ll wait.”
Tessa flinched from the sound of his voice. He was much closer than he had been, and she hadn’t realized he snuck up on her.
“How much longer you got? Can I help?”
Good Lord. Could the guy just take a hint? Why did he have to be the perfect gentleman?
“I’m not going to sleep with you.” Tessa slapped her hand over her mouth as she turned to look at him, her eyes wide with horror because her thoughts had just tumbled right out of her mouth.
His chuckle reverberated through every molecule in her body and Tessa found she liked that too.
“Well, I’m sorry to hear that. It’s a good thing I wasn’t asking, or you might’ve bruised my ego a little bit.”
She couldn’t help but smile at his reaction to her verbal blunder.
“I’d still like to walk you out. I promise, it doesn’t require either of us to get horizontal.”
His words produced a vivid image in her mind, and it had nothing to do with them being horizontal and everything to do with her plastered against the wall while this big, sexy cowboy was pressed between her thighs.
Damn. It was definitely time to go home. Alone.
Figuring she wasn’t going to be able to talk her way out of it, Tessa finished up the last glass and then removed her apron, tossing it beneath the bar. At least she’d have tomorrow off, which meant she would be able to officially get Cooper out of her system.
Chapter Six
“Come in, Tessa,” Luanne Deluth said in a curiously fake accent when Tessa arrived at her house on Sunday afternoon.
It was a fact that Luanne was born and raised in Devil’s Bend, however, somewhere along the way, she’d adopted some variation of a northern accent. She sounded awkward and confused because she was dropping her Rs as well as mixing in a few y’alls. Tessa wasn’t sure how her husband even understood what she was trying to say.
Chasing Dreams (Devil's Bend) Page 5
