by Rhian Cahill
Her mouth dropped open. Closed. Opened. She licked her bottom lip and sucked in a breath. “No. No hooking up at each other’s houses. Remember?”
“Oh, I remember everything you’ve said.” Coop shoved the key in the ignition and fired up the engine. “But fair warning, Shaye. I plan to break every one of those rules.”
Giving her no opportunity to argue, he put the truck in reverse and turned up the radio. Let her stew on that while he drove her home. She might think she had him by the balls—and while the idea of her holding that particular part of his anatomy had said anatomy drawing tight—he wasn’t going to let her lead him around by them.
The drive was quiet except for the hard beat of rock music filling the cab. The tension between them ratcheted up with every kilometre of road he drove over, and he figured she’d be ready to explode when they reached her house. But when he pulled into her driveway, Shaye had her belt off and her door open before he’d set the handbrake.
He couldn’t stop the laughter when she leapt out, slammed the door behind her and all but ran towards her front door. She wasn’t getting rid of him that easily.
Knowing he couldn’t waste a second, Coop left the truck running and climbed out. Jogging, he hit the front porch just as Shaye swung the door open. She flicked on the inside light and he froze.
“What the fuck?”
Shaye spun around with a hand on her chest. “Cooper.”
Why was she so surprised to see him standing there? “Who else? What’s with all the boxes?” He gestured to the pile stacked along the hall wall.
“Oh. Um. I’m moving.”
His gaze darted to hers. “What? Why? Where?”
“The temp jobs I’m managing to pick up aren’t enough for me to keep living here.” She stepped through the doorway and moved to close the door.
No invitation to come inside and she’d only answered one of his questions. “Where are you moving to?” He closed the distance between them.
“I…um…” She licked her lips and Coop’s insides clenched. “Somewhere smaller. Cheaper.”
Coop moved closer, crowding her farther inside and getting one foot in the doorway so she couldn’t shut the door in his face like he knew she wanted to. “I get that. But where?”
She avoided his gaze, shifted on her feet. “I, well, I’m still looking.”
“You’re packing without having somewhere to go?” Something else was going on. He hadn’t a clue what, but she was being too evasive, too…secretive.
“I’m saving time. Plus, I’ll be downsizing, so I’m getting rid of stuff as well.” She’d found some of her usual confidence, but Coop still wasn’t buying whatever she was selling.
He moved into her personal space, brought his face inches from hers. “I don’t know what’s really going on or why you’re not telling me, but I can guarantee you I’ll find out what you’re hiding.”
Shaye stepped back, putting a couple of feet between them. “I’m not hiding anything.”
Coop grinned. “Sure you are.”
She gasped, but before she could get a word out, he’d moved in and crushed her mouth beneath his.
He meant to be quick. Meant to leave her hanging—craving more. But the second his tongue slipped between her lips, he was lost.
Her mouth was hot and wet and reminded him of all he’d done tonight. All he still wanted to do. He slid his hands up her back. Down. Gripped her arse and pulled her closer until they touched from chest to thigh. A groan rumbled in his throat while Shaye whimpered and moaned, rocked her softness against him, and he knew if he didn’t back out now, he’d have her here.
Tearing his mouth from hers, Coop tried to suck in breath. “We aren’t done. And you will tell me what the fuck is going on.”
Before she could say something he’d regret. Before he could push her against the wall and do all the dirty things his body wanted, he spun around and leapt down the two steps.
He had to leave. Needed to clear his head to think, and there was no doing that if he could see her. She scrambled his brains and sent his libido into overdrive. The only thing he could think about when he was around her was fucking her senseless, and that wouldn’t get him the plan he needed to smash through her stupid rules and convince her he—they—were worth more than a short-lived affair.
Chapter Five
Phone to his ear, Cooper paced his living room. This was the second call he’d made and still no one was answering.
He was about to hang up when Kelsey’s sleep-fogged voice filled his ear. “Hello?”
“Did you know Shaye was moving?” he growled.
“Coop?”
He could hear movement, sheets rustling, someone grumbling, and he assumed he’d woken her up. Which explained why West hadn’t answered his phone when Coop had rung two minutes ago. He sighed. “Yeah.”
“Do you know what time it is?”
Coop ran a hand down his face and sighed again. 6:30 a.m. “Sorry. I left it as late as I could. She’s got boxes stacked up by her front door.” He didn’t understand the fear eating at his gut. Didn’t know why a few packing boxes would have him walking the floor all night.
“Who? Shaye?” Kelsey asked.
“Yes. And she won’t tell me where she’s moving to.”
“O-okay.” There was move rustling before Kelsey said, “What exactly did she say?”
“She can’t afford to stay where she is—”
“That makes sense. She’s already sold her car.”
“Sold her car?” He didn’t mean to yell, but that piece of news didn’t make him feel any better than the sight of those boxes. Shaye loved that car. “When?”
“A few weeks ago.” Kelsey’s sigh travelled down the line and into his ear. “You know she still hasn’t found a permanent job, and those temp ones might pay well, but they don’t last long, and she’s having more days without earning income than with to afford the fancy car or the big house.”
“I get that. But something isn’t right.”
“Cooper.”
“No. Listen to me. She was cagey, hesitating over her words like she didn’t know what to say. She’s hiding something, I know it.” He scrubbed a hand over his face again. “I can’t explain it, Kelsey, I just know she’s being secretive in a way I’ve never known her to be.”
“Fine. I’m meeting her for lunch later. I’ll see if I can find out anything.”
Coop could hear the skepticism in her voice but chose to ignore it. “Thanks. Is West working while you’re out?” He knew his best friend had cut back on the hours he worked on weekends since he and Kelsey got married.
“No. He’ll be here.”
“I’ll come over and keep him company then.” He could wait for Kelsey to return with the answers Shaye hadn’t given him.
“Cooper, what’s going on?”
“That’s what I want to know.”
“No. I mean with you. Why the sudden curiosity about what Shaye’s up to?”
“It’s not sudden.” Jesus. They’d been discussing the situation between him and Shaye just last night at the club.
“Okay, granted, your interest might not be new, but this intensity is.”
He didn’t want to get into this with Shaye’s best friend. Coop might have known Kelsey since high school, and she was married to his best friend, but he didn’t delude himself as to where her loyalties would lie.
Girlfriends stuck together. Especially when the male gender was involved.
“Cooper?”
“What?” He could hear a lecture coming on.
“Don’t fuck with her. She’s been through enough lately.”
“I’m not going to fuck with her.” Not the way Kelsey was talking about anyway. He had every intention of fucking Shaye again, but he didn’t think he had the power to hurt her the way Kelsey was implying. Shaye, on the other hand, had dug so deep beneath his skin, she’d soaked into his bone marrow. If anyone was going to be left bruised from them hooking up, it would be h
im.
Kelsey sighed and he could picture her shaking her head. “You don’t have a clue, do you?”
“About what?”
“Oh, no, I’m not telling you. It’ll be more fun to watch you work it out on your own.”
Kelsey hung up, giving him no opportunity to question her further.
It didn’t matter.
All he needed to know was what was going on with Shaye.
“You can’t keep it from me forever,” Kelsey said.
Shaye looked across the table at her best friend. “Keep what?” She’d stall as long as she could. She didn’t want to have this conversation.
Kelsey arched one eyebrow, the look Shaye had been on the receiving end of numerous times.
She hadn’t told Kelsey about the job offer. It was a dream job. One anybody in Shaye’s position would jump at. One Shaye had worked her whole life to get. “I got offered a full-time job. Director of accounts.”
“Oh my God! That’s fantastic.” Kelsey launched out of her seat and came around the table. She wrapped Shaye in a hug and rocked back and forth. “Yay, yay, yay!”
“Jeez, settle down. It’s just a job.” Shaye noticed those around them looking with curiosity.
Kelsey let her go and re-took her seat. She picked up her phone and started to tap away at the screen. “We have to celebrate.”
“What? No. I don’t want anyone to know yet.” Shaye reached across and put her hand over Kelsey’s.
Cocking her head to the side, Kelsey asked, “Why not?”
There was no putting it off. “It’s in Perth.”
“What is?”
“The job.”
Kelsey sat up straight, her eyes wide, mouth turned down. “You’re moving back to Perth?”
“That’s where the job is.” Shaye hadn’t accepted the offer yet, but it was a dream job. She’d be stupid not to take it. “I’ve spent years working towards this type of position.”
And she had. She should be excited. Should have already said yes and booked her flight and the movers. But like this conversation with her best friend, she’d been putting all those things off.
“If it’s what you’ve wanted for years, why don’t you look happy?” Kelsey asked.
Trust Kelsey to read between the lines. Shaye shrugged. “It’s in Perth.”
“Your family’s there. You grew up there.”
“Yes. But you know I’m not close with my sister or brother. And Mum and Dad have always been too busy living their lives to worry about their children.” Not that her parents had been neglectful or abusive. They just weren’t overly attentive or affectionate. More often than not, they were just uninterested.
Since moving to Sydney, Shaye hadn’t seen them, was lucky to speak to them four times a year—Christmas and birthdays. And even those weren’t guaranteed.
Kelsey was eyeing Shaye in a way that had her squirming in her chair. She could almost hear the wheels spinning in her friend’s head.
“What?” Shaye asked as she picked up her coffee.
With a smug grin, Kelsey leaned forward and declared, “You had sex with Cooper.”
Shaye choked, the sip she hadn’t quite swallowed hit reverse and came out her nose and mouth in a good imitation of a high-pressure hose. Grabbing a handful of serviettes, Shaye mopped up as best she could. She’d have to go straight home and soak her shirt. It was one of her favorites and now sported a big splash of brown down the front.
“Dammit. This’ll never come out.” She scrubbed at the large spot.
Kelsey reached across with her glass of water. “Here. Dab the serviettes in this. Try sponging it out with the water.”
Shaye eyed her dubiously but took the glass and did as suggested. Surprisingly, the stain began to fade a little. “Hey, this might work.”
“Make sure you wash it in cold water. Hot will set the stain.” Kelsey raised her hand to signal the waitress. “I’ll get the check.”
“No. We’ll split it.”
Kelsey shook her head. “Nope. This one’s on me. You get the next.”
Shaye knew what Kelsey was doing and she appreciated the thought. It still irked though. She hated being short on funds, but there was no denying she was. If she didn’t accept the job soon, she’d be forced to dip deeper into her savings, something she wanted to avoid at all costs.
She tried to smile. “Thanks.”
Kelsey grinned. “You’re welcome.”
Shaye would make sure she returned the favour next time. Job or no job.
“Okay. So when’s the big move?” Kelsey asked.
Shaye’s stomach cramped. The mango salad she’d eaten churned. Why did the thought of moving back to Perth make her feel sick? The salary alone should have her jumping for joy.
But she wasn’t.
Nothing about the offer improved her current state of anxiety. It only added to it. She couldn’t put off answering Kelsey. Not like she’d been putting off the woman from the employment agency.
“It’s a new year start.”
“Wow. That’s months away.” Kelsey handed her credit card to the waitress. “So you’ll have time to settle in over there before you start.”
She wouldn’t be starting if she didn’t accept the job soon. She had until November ten. Less than two weeks to decide. “Depends on when I pull up stakes here.”
Kelsey leaned over and placed her hand on Shaye’s. “What’s wrong? You don’t look happy, and for a dream job, you’re certainly lacking in excitement.”
Shaye shrugged. “Perth is no longer home.”
“I get that. You’ve made some ties here, but they aren’t family.”
“They’re closer than the people that are my family.”
“Does it have anything to do with you finally hooking up with Coop?”
Ah, back to that. She should have known Kelsey wouldn’t let that topic die. Shaye frowned. “Hooking up doesn’t imply attachment.”
Kelsey laughed.
Shaye’s frown grew. “I fail to see what’s funny.” She folded her arms over her chest.
“You are. He is.” She spoke through her laughter. “God, you two have danced around each other for months, and I know you’ve had a thing for him from the beginning.”
“I have not!”
Kelsey arched one of her eyebrows.
“Okay, fine. I’ve had a little thing for Coop for a while.” Shaye held up her hand with her thumb and finger a few millimetres apart.
That only sent Kelsey into another fit of laughter.
“Whatever.” Shaye grabbed her handbag. “Let’s get out of here.”
“Why don’t we head back to my place? You can help me pick out a colour for my office.”
Shaye glanced at Kelsey. “Didn’t we do that the other week?”
Kelsey ducked her head. “Yeah.”
“Explain.”
“It’s not the same on the walls as it was on the paint card.”
“Oh my God. You’re going to make West repaint the room, aren’t you?”
Kelsey glared. “It’s too bright. I have to wear my sunglasses just to look in there.”
Shaye didn’t believe for one minute that it was that bad. “Can we swing by my place first so I can soak this shirt and grab a clean one?”
“That’s fifteen minutes out of our way. I’ll lend you something.”
Kelsey didn’t wait for her to agree before plucking her card and receipt out of the waitress’s hand and heading out. Shaye followed behind after checking neither of them had left anything on or under the table. She wasn’t sure she was in the mood to spend the afternoon with friends she’d have to say goodbye to soon.
For weeks, every time Shaye had seen one of their group, she’d wanted to cry. She was leaving them behind—walking away from the life she’d lived for the past eight years—and moving back to Perth. And telling Kelsey about the job offer hadn’t made it any easier to accept.
Coop stopped mid sip when Shaye walked into West’s kitchen.
He hadn’t expected to see her. Wasn’t sure which emotion was the strongest, but the sight of her had dread and anticipation thrumming through him.
She was wearing another of those sexy short skirts, leaving miles of leg on full display, and he was a guy, so he looked. Once he got his fill of those, his gaze moved on up her torso to the tight tank top she wore. And the large stain right smack in between her glorious boobs.
He was definitely looking now.
“Ahem.”
His gaze darted over to meet Kelsey’s. “Hey, Coop. Didn’t know you were coming over.” The grin on her face said otherwise. Not to mention he’d told her he’d be here.
What game was she playing? He smiled. If she wanted to pretend they hadn’t spoken earlier, he was good with that. “So what have you two been up to?”
“Lunch and gossip,” Kelsey said as she passed by on her way to West. She gave his best friend a kiss that really needed a room, but Coop figured it was their house, so he looked away.
Unfortunately—or fortunately—his gaze landed right back on Shaye’s tits. “Looks like you wore lunch instead of eating it.”
Shaye quickly crossed her arms over her chest, obscuring his view, but it was too late. He already knew what was under there. And he couldn’t wait to get his mouth and hands on them again.
“Oh. We need to wash that top.” Kelsey—no longer sucking face with West—grabbed Shaye’s wrist and pulled her from the room. “We’ll be back,” she tossed over her shoulder.
“You want a cloth for that drool?”
Coop spun to face West. It was hard when the sexy sway of Shaye’s arse held his attention, but he managed. Barely. “Huh?”
“The drool? On your chin?” West tipped his head in the direction the girls had gone.
Ah. Right. “Funny.” Cooper took a swig of beer.
“So what gives?”
“Nothing.”
West chuckled. “Yep. Sure. I see that.”
“How did you see anything? You were too busy sticking your tongue down Kelsey’s throat.”
West’s grin grew. “So what gives?”
Coop scowled.
“C’mon man. You undressed her and fucked her on my kitchen counter with your eyes. Don’t you dare tell me nothing.”
