by Misty Evans
“As long as you don’t hog it all. Sharing dessert usually means I get one bite.”
After much debate, they finally settled on a tarte tatin, a caramelized upside down apple pie that seemed to melt the moment it came in contact with her tongue.
“Oh my God,” she mumbled around a mouthful, eyes rolling to the top of her head. “This is amazing.”
“I think I could get used to eating like this every day,” Cooper agreed, digging his fork in for another bite.
“If the weight gain didn’t kill us, the calories alone would do us in. I don’t think we’re cut out for eating fancy on a daily basis.”
“Hmm,” Cooper mused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “You don’t think we could retire, move here, and eat this stuff every night?”
Celina shrugged, spearing another bite and popping it in her mouth. “And give up our day jobs? The boredom would kill you, Cooper. You and I don’t do the easy road.”
Fork dangling over the dessert, Cooper’s eyes grew speculative. “So a simple lifestyle is out for us?”
All teasing was gone from his voice, and a strange wariness pulsed through her veins. “We don’t do simple, Cooper. We never have.”
Cooper lay his fork next to his plate, dessert seemingly forgotten. “What would you say if I wanted to try simple for a change?”
Stunned by the seriousness of his question, Celina sat back. Was he joking? With Cooper, sometimes it was really hard to tell. The man had one hell of a poker face. “What are you hinting at? Do you want to quit the taskforce?”
Dropping his gaze, Cooper sighed, scrubbing a hand over his jaw. “No, I don’t want to quit the taskforce. I was just…”
His voice trailed off and Celina’s heart pinched at the mixture of emotions on his face. What was he getting at? Did he want something more for them? Was now the time to tell him about the baby?
“You were just…?” she prodded, stomach now churning in anticipation. Or nausea. It was really hard for her to tell these days.
He opened, then closed his mouth. “I was just…nothing. Being a jackass and ruining our dinner is all. I must be tired.”
Disappointment burned through her and she swallowed against the emotions clogging the back of her throat. He’d been about to say something important. What was it? Him being tired wasn’t it.
Forcing a smile, she leaned across the table, covering his hand with hers. “Hey, we’re both tired. It’s been a long day what with working this morning, then the drive up here. Do you still want to take a walk around the grounds, or should we go back to our room for the night?”
Cooper covered her hand, lacing their fingers together as he cradled her smaller hand between his. His face softened, the tension easing from his shoulders. At seeing him relaxed again, Celina released the breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding.
“I promised you dinner and the Koi pond. Since I’ve already been a dick at dinner, I’d probably better not back out on a visit to the pond.”
Her lips twitched, relief coursing through her at the teasing lilt of his voice. Maybe he really was tired and hadn’t meant anything by it. Could baby hormones make a person paranoid? That had to be it. “Afraid of the repercussions? You’re smarter than you look, Harris.”
Chapter Four
A pebbled path wound its way around the backside of the monastery buildings, the tiny rocks crunching underfoot as they walked. After a quick stop at their room to grab her camera, Celina now happily clicked away, taking pictures of the breathtaking scenery.
A flat, stone path wound its way around the Koi pond and continued onwards towards the vineyard. Floating plants provided the fish with hiding places, and Celina marveled at the shimmer of colors she spotted beneath the water’s surface. “I’m so glad we came here. This place is just….amazing.”
Not far away, Cooper’s trim hips lounged against the edge of a stone wall, legs sprawled out in front of him and crossed at the ankles. His arms were folded comfortably across his muscular chest, giving a teasing glimpse of what lay underneath.
Mine.
And they had the whole night ahead of them. No interruptions.
As if he could read the naughty turn of her thoughts, a lazy grin split his lips. His eyes slid over her body in a heated caress that left her tingling from head to toe. “Keep looking at me like that and we might not finish our tour.”
Flushed with desire, Celina smirked, lifting the camera to catch his heated look on film. The man could turn her inside out with just a look. She loved him all the more for it. “Promises, promises.”
Shoving away from the wall, he stalked closer, hands sliding around her waist to grip her hips. Celina fought the urge to sink into his body, knowing the closer contact would bring them both torture with no relief. And she wanted relief from the heat burning through her bloodstream, all right. She just wanted to finish their tour first.
“I’m a man who lives up to his promises, sweetheart.”
As if her body had a will of its own, Celina slid a step closer, her arm barely brushing against him. The hands holding her hips tightened, and his eyes darkened that molten shade that made her shiver. Oh, how tempting it would be to sink into his warmth, to let him devour her as only Cooper knew how. Right here, out in the open. On the monastery grounds, of all places.
The evil thought parted her lips in a grin and she glanced back at the buildings. Soft yellow light shone in the windows. The couple with their kids, whom they’d seen earlier, were out for a stroll as well.
Darn.
She liked being daring, but perhaps now wasn’t the time.
“Shall we continue our tour?” Her words came out breathlessly, and Cooper chuckled low, the husky sound sweeping over her skin. On to her game, his hands slid from her hips to splay below her rib cage, his thumbs teasing the underside of her heavy breasts. Celina did a full body shudder.
“I’m game if you are.”
Almost regretfully, Celina forced herself to step away from the heat of his body, taking another step away when he reached out to pull her back. She wagged her finger at him. “I don’t think we’re playing the same game. I’m talking about seeing the vineyards.”
“I’m really hoping that’s code for hot sex between the grape vines.”
With a laugh, Celina walked away, feeling the burn of his stare on her body. Tossing a glance over her shoulder, she arched her eyebrow. “You coming or what?”
“Just enjoying the view.”
Rolling her eyes, Celina didn’t wait for him to catch up, knowing he wouldn’t let her stray too far ahead. Camera in hand, she continued snapping photos of the landscape, capturing old limestone archways, winding rows of crops and vines that hung heavy with grapes ripe for plucking.
A colorful, mosaic tiled floor covered the ground of the outdoor tasting room. Cast iron lanterns hung from the wooden arbor overhead, their light picking up swirls of color from the tiled floor as they warded off shadows from the fading sunset. A long, wooden plank made up the bar, its surface held up by large wine barrels displaying the Abbey’s name. Smaller, wooden tables made out of wine barrels were scattered about the room, giving couples a place to sit close and take in the picturesque landscape as they sipped their wine.
Lowering her camera, she paused at the edge of the tasting room, filling her lungs with the cooling, sweet air. Cooper materialized next to her.
Tucking into his side, she tipped her head back, a contented sigh escaping her lips. “A person could definitely get used to this place. I see why Eliza loved it so much.”
“Dyer said he had a hell of time convincing her to leave.” Cooper chuckled, dark eyes crinkling at the corners. “Should I expect the same from you?”
Celina grinned. “You never know. I like to keep you guessing.”
“Tell me about it.” He leaned down, nudging her cheek. “But I happen to like it that way. Speaking of…want to check out the sunset?”
Celina’s smothered laugh rang in his ears as C
ooper grabbed her hand, discreetly steering her towards the woods and valley beyond the tasting area. The sun was sinking, shadows playing tag around the trees. He’d found at least three different places that would work for popping the question, but he was never going to make it back to the room to snag the ring if he didn’t get rid of the raging hard-on that was making it difficult for him to even walk.
Despite the sparkle of laughter in Celina’s eyes, worry threaded her voice. “Cooper, are you sure this is safe? Father Lopez seemed concerned about the recent mud slides.”
Protective instincts always fully engaged, Cooper squeezed her hand. “Looks like there were some problems over there,” he jutted his chin to a nearby foothill. They were at the edge of the monastery’s vast grounds, the view surrounding them breathtaking as a valley spread out just beyond the strip of wooded area. “But don’t worry. We’re safe here.”
Her lips curved into a seductive smile, and she inched closer, her fingertips trailing up his arm and grazing his collar bone. He shuddered at the light contact, then he turned her around, so her face was bathed in the orange and pinks of the sunset.
“This is a little piece of heaven.” She melted seamlessly in his arms, her body aligning perfectly with his as if they were meant to fit together. “When I’m with you, I have no doubts or fears. You always keep me safe.”
It really was an amazing spot and if he’d had the ring, he might have gotten down on one knee right there. He’d been too afraid he might lose the ring, though, so he’d left it hidden inside his suitcase.
Tomorrow. I’ll bring her back here tomorrow at sunset and do it right.
But there was no sense wasting the moment. He might as well use this as a trial run.
Leaning down, he nipped Celina’s lips, soothing the bite with his tongue. Her pulse pounded frantically on the side of her neck, eyes darkening with desire in the fading light.
Looping her camera strap crossways over her body, she wound her arms around his neck, wiggling up against him. He groaned at the contact, his hands sliding to her perfect ass. Cupping a cheek in each hand, he brought her flush against him, smiling when she tipped her head back to give him better access to her neck.
“Jesus, you drive me crazy.” Taking what she offered, his tongue slid its way up the side of her neck to the sensitive spot behind her ear, making her gasp. Her leg curved around his waist, hooking along his backside, and his mind went momentarily blank at the more intimate contact. If she kept that up, she’d make him come before he had the pleasure of even touching her bare skin.
Winding his hands through her hair, he brought her flushed face to his, his heart soaring when she rose up on tip toe to meet his kiss halfway. Pushing past the folds of her lips, his tongue tangled with hers. She tasted of sweet caramel apples and cinnamon, leftovers from dessert. Cooper couldn’t imagine savoring a dessert any other way.
“I think…,” she mumbled in between heated kisses, “we should take this inside.”
Instead of backing away, however, she sucked his tongue deep into her throat, grinding her body against his until Cooper was sure his groan could be heard all the way back at the Abbey.
With one swoop, he lifted her in his arms, wrapping both of her legs around his waist as he backed her against a tree. His hand worked through the material of her skirt, desperately seeking her moist center.
When his hand encountered smooth, bare skin, his heart stuttered in his chest. No underwear.
Regardless of her claims they should go back to the room, Celina, the tease, had come prepared to bring him to his knees out here tonight.
Cooper hadn’t thought it possible to love her any more than he did, but at that moment, with her cradled in his arms and naked beneath her skirt, he felt his heart swell to painful proportions.
“Celina?”
“Hmmm…?” She nipped at his lips, her mouth curving into a generous smile.
“Have I told you lately that I love you?”
She pulled back, tipping her head to meet his gaze. “Reciting song quotes, huh? This must be serious.”
“You’re going to be the death of me.” His fingers gently parted her soft folds and slid into her heated warmth. He caught her gasp of surprise in his mouth.
She swore in a couple of languages and he brushed his thumb over her clit just the way she liked it, dragging a ragged moan from her throat.
“I could…say the same thing,” she panted, reaching between them to fumble with the button on his pants, “but I think you already know what you do to me.”
Freeing the button and zipper, Cooper shoved his pants around his ankles, positioning himself at her moist entrance. He plunged into her in one thrust, locking an arm around her waist to hold her closer so he wouldn’t crush her against the tree. The position opened her up and allowed him to slide deeper inside. She arched her back against the tree.
“I’m going to hurt you.”
She shook her head, her hair catching in the tree bark as she rode him hard. “Don’t…care.”
Gritting his teeth, Cooper forced himself to slow down. “I care.”
Celina cupped his cheeks, bringing him close for a tender kiss. “I’m fine. I just need you. Right here, right now. Take me hard, Cooper.”
It was all Cooper needed to hear to open the flood gates. Mindful to keep her locked against him, he pumped into her fast and furiously, subduing her cries of pleasure with his kisses so they wouldn’t get too loud.
She clawed at his back, her fingernails raking his skin as she neared her peak. One final thrust and her body went into spasm, milking him into his own glorious release.
Moments later, they floated back to earth in each other’s arms. With shaky legs, Cooper carefully slid them to the ground, cradling her quaking body against his. She snuggled against his chest, a contented sigh escaping her lips as she pressed a kiss against his neck.
He held her close. “You’re amazing, you know that?”
He felt her lips curve into a smile on his neck. “I’d say the same thing, but I know how your ego gets.”
He chuckled, kissing her temple softly. “You know me so well.”
And she did. Other than Dyer, there wasn’t a person alive who knew Cooper as well as this woman. Even the parts he would rather keep hidden, she knew and loved. She had a way of dragging the best—and the worst—out of him, and making him feel like a better man for it. Hell, he was a better man for it. He was a better man because of her.
She stirred in his arms, dragging him from his thoughts. Sitting up awkwardly, her gaze focused on something in the distance. “What is that?”
Following her line of sight, he narrowed his eyes at something half-buried in the side of the foothill. It didn’t quite fit in with the rest of the mud and muck surrounding it, the dull gleam of grayish-white making it appear out of place.
“I’m not sure.”
Straightening their clothes, he helped Celina to her feet, carefully picking their way over fallen tree branches to the side of the foothill. As they drew closer, an eerie silence filled the air around them, making the hair on his neck prickle with awareness.
Celina shivered, rubbing her hands vigorously up and down her arms as if she sensed the same eeriness.
“Looks like this is as close as we can get without scaling the hill. Any chance you want to call it good and head back to our room?” he asked, hopes high.
She shot him an incredulous look, dashing that hope. Not that he should have expected anything less. Her face said it all—no way he was talking her out of getting a closer look.
“I didn’t think so,” he mumbled, already scouting for a way to get closer that wouldn’t end up with him covered in mud and debris.
“Here,” she said, slipping her camera from around her arm and neck and holding it up. “Let’s try zooming in using the camera. If that doesn’t work, then you can take a mud bath.”
“I love how you’re always thinking about my well-being.”
Maneuve
ring around him to the edge of the hill, Celina lifted the camera to her eyes, adjusting the zoom as she peered at the object.
Not liking that she was standing so close to the edge, Cooper slid an arm around her waist, anchoring her against him. “See anything yet?”
“Some mud.”
Cooper tugged a strand of hair. “Smartass. Anything else?”
“A tree branch, some sticks, some leaves…Uh, Cooper? You might want to take a look at this.”
Snapping off a few shots, she nudged him back away from the edge, holding the camera out. Her face was serious, the look she got when she was about to go to work.
Taking the camera from her hand, he looked at the photo, a knot forming in the pit of his stomach. “Is that what I think it is?”
Celina didn’t reply, but her face once more said it all—their romantic weekend away was about to get a hell of a lot more complicated.
Chapter Five
The yellow crime scene tape fluttered in the breeze, its warning meant to be a deterrent to the onlookers vying at the edge to catch a glimpse of the excitement. Half-unburied in muck and mud, the skeletal remains of a human cadaver glistened beneath the spotlights that had been set up around the perimeter.
The crime scene unit had arrived twenty minutes after Celina had put in the call, impressing her with their speediness. She was less than impressed however, when, after flashing their credentials, she and Cooper were regaled to taking a back seat to the action. And no, she’d been informed by officer in charge, her credentials as a forensic photographer weren’t going to allow her access since they had their own photographer to work the scene.
Sergeant Lucas Givens perched precariously at the edge of the hill, a cell phone pressed to one ear while barking orders to the people around him. He’d been sure to introduce himself right at the start, asserting himself as the one in charge of the case. They were to make no mistake, this was his territory and they were expected to back off.
Frustrated at being put off not once, but several times, Celina pointedly watched the crime scene techs digging around the bones, wincing every time one of the shovels clanged on something hard. “Jesus. They keep digging like that and they’re going to destroy evidence.”
