Because Of Cooper

by Nia Arthurs

  “Who cares.” Erin pouted. “I’m thinking of dropping out of college and following you to L.A. We can model together.”

  “Would you?” Iris brightened and then her smile faded. “But you don’t have the face for it.”

  “Really? That’s the last thing you want to say to me before you leave?”

  “I’m just kidding. You’re gorgeous, and I would love if you’d visit me in L.A. as soon as you have a break.”

  “All passengers aboard Flight 206. Boarding now. All passengers…”

  “That’s your cue.” Erin let out a big sigh. “Text me.”

  “Everyday.” Iris swooped in to give Erin one last hug and then rushed to join the line.

  Erin waved until her friend was out of sight. As soon as Iris disappeared, she wandered toward the exits, dragging her heart behind her.

  Iris was gone.

  In all her planning, Erin always pictured Iris there. They would both attend Balen University. Room together, study together and graduate together.

  Things hadn’t turned out that way, but she was happy for her best friend. Iris was moving to the States to pursue her dream of becoming a model—a goal she’d had since she was a little girl.

  Erin knew Iris would go far. She was stunningly gorgeous. Modeling agencies would be falling over their feet to book her, just like all the guys who’d run after her in high school.

  She let out a big sigh and sat in one of the chairs lined up in front of the kiosks. Erin had to get a move on if she would make it to Balen in time, but she wasn’t in the mood to socialize.

  Her phone rang. She pulled it out of her pocket and glanced at the screen. It was filled with a picture of a pretty girl with thin blonde hair, pale skin and bright blue eyes.

  “Oh, right. Peggy’s on the student council.” She groaned. Her big sister was way too responsible to let her ditch without saying something.

  The call rang out.

  There was a moment of peace.

  And then… bzzz.

  Erin gave in and answered the phone. “Hello, my love.”

  “Don’t ‘my love’ me.” Peggy’s voice was sharp, irritated. “Where are you? Haven’t you left the airport yet?”

  “I’m in a cab as we speak.”

  Just then, an announcement echoed through the airport. “Flight 705 has been delayed. Again, Flight 705…”

  Erin glared at the speakers above her head.

  Curse you, Announcer Lady.

  Peggy sighed into the phone with enough force to rattle her earring. “Really, Erin?”

  “Fine. I’m coming.”

  “How long will it take for you to get here? I don’t care if you miss the tour, but you need to take your ID photo. It’s mandatory.”

  “I’m on my way. For real this time.”

  “Hurry up.” Peggy ended the call.

  “She’s so bossy…” Erin mumbled, pocketing her phone.

  Erin stood and stretched, wondering if it would be more cost-effective to catch a taxi or wait for a bus. Before she could come to a decision, a commotion broke out near one of the arrival gates. Curiosity got the better of her, and she craned her neck to investigate.

  Is it a celebrity?

  Belize was a paradise of nature and culture. Tons of stars had snuck into the country on the down low to enjoy the pristine beaches, the Mayan ruins, and the amazing food.

  Who is it? Will Smith? The Rock? Channing Tatum? Excitement skittered through her.

  To be honest, it didn’t really matter. She’d never seen a celebrity in real life. Though Erin knew more about string theory than pop culture, meeting someone of influence—even if it was just in passing—intrigued her.

  Her legs unfolded themselves from the chair, and she floated toward the crowd.

  On closer inspection, Erin realized it wasn’t as much of a ‘crowd’ as she’d thought. It was just a handful of women, gawking and pointing at a random guy.

  Her hopes deflated like a balloon losing air.

  So much for meeting Channing Tatum…

  Erin gave the man a disappointed skim and was about to turn away when she froze. Turned back. Looked again.

  He was tall and broad. Long legs. Pale skin. Dark hair a little messy, but in an effortlessly sexy way.

  Erin didn’t really like the ‘I’m too cool for a comb’ look, but to be fair, any hairstyle would work on him because his face was just that impressive.

  He wore a black T-shirt, jeans and a pair of scuffed black-and-white tennis shoes. With one hand dipped into his pocket and the other clutching a phone, he seemed like a famous model posing for a photoshoot.

  Arrogance surrounded him like a cloak. There was only one guy Erin knew who could pull off that cocky, don’t-care expression so well.

  “Cooper?” she whispered.

  His head whipped up as if he’d heard his name though Erin knew that was scientifically impossible given the level of noise in the airport.

  He looked at her with a pair of heart-stopping golden eyes. One thick black eyebrow slowly rose. Time itself seemed to freeze, waiting for him to make his move.

  Would he ignore her? Approach her?

  Erin honestly didn’t know what she was hoping for. Ever since Cooper Lawson stole her first kiss during that stupid play rehearsal, she’d wanted to make him suffer.

  But she hadn’t been prepared to see him today. Or… ever.

  Last she heard, he’d returned to Texas after their primary school graduation.

  Guess he was back.

  Cooper dipped his phone into his back pocket without breaking eye contact and strode toward her.

  Erin stood frozen, stupidly staring with her mouth hanging open, her eyes wide and her hands falling limply to her sides. Cooper’s fans backed up and made way as he passed, following him from a distance.

  He stopped right in front of her. His tennis shoes were practically kissing her boots. His unusual eyes were fringed by thick black lashes. His cheeks had been chiseled by God himself and tapered into a solid jaw.

  He was not the Cooper she’d known in school. Hopefully, the physical upgrade reflected his heart and wasn’t just skin deep.

  “Hey,” Erin said, wiggling her fingers awkwardly.

  Cooper said nothing. Just drank her in like he hadn’t seen a girl in the last eight years.

  Erin squirmed, uncomfortable beneath his intense gaze.

  Thanks to Iris and her breathtaking beauty, most guys overlooked her and Erin was spared from dealing with this kind of scrutiny. Now, she had no Iris to hide behind.

  And something told her, this look was a Cooper-original, intended just for her.

  “Hello, Princess,” Cooper mused in a surprisingly deep voice with a slight, manly rasp.

  Erin was so taken aback by how much he’d changed that it took her a second to process his greeting.

  She blinked, struggling to shake off the spell he’d weaved over her. “Princess? Is that an apology?”

  “For what?”

  “Taking my first kiss.” She folded her arms over her chest in an effort to calm her racing pulse.

  “Your first kiss?” Cooper tapped his chin. “Sorry, I don’t remember that.”

  She bristled. Erin wasn’t much of a romantic, but she believed in the power of firsts. First kiss, first love, first boyfriend—they were special. She’d wanted it to be special.

  People might call her immature, but she still wasn’t over that.

  “Stop lying. I know you remember.”

  Cooper leaned down. His scent rushed over her, something clean and woodsy. Sandalwood, maybe?

  “Sorry, darlin’.” There was that annoying nickname. “How about I kiss you again? See if that jars a memory?” His eyes dipped to her lips.

  Erin slapped a hand over her mouth, horrified. “Don’t you dare, Cooper Lawson.”

  He straightened, wearing a roguish grin.

  Erin’s phone rang again. She fished it out and sighed when she saw Peggy’s picture. Her sister w
as persistent. She was pretty sure Peggy could nag just about anyone into subservience.

  Erin turned around and brought the phone to her ear. “I’m coming.”

  “What’s outside the taxi window?” Peggy demanded.

  Erin glanced to the side. “I don’t know. Trees?”

  “Wrong! If you’d left when I told you to ten minutes ago, you would be entering Hattieville by now. You should be seeing the roundabout with the flowers and—”

  “Peggy, now really isn’t a good time. Balen can wait, okay?”

  “You think it’s easy for me, the student council president, to save a spot for her little sister?” Peggy hissed. “When are you getting here?”

  “Soon!” Erin slammed her thumb on the END button and spun, pinning Cooper with a look she’d really prefer to give her sister. “I have to go. I’d say it was a pleasure, but that would be a lie.”

  Erin tossed her hair over her shoulder and stalked away.

  Cooper Lawson might be all grown up now, but he was still a big, fat jerk.

  3 Cooper

  Erin Marshall was all grown up.

  He watched her flounce away, eyes lingering on her hips and those long, trim legs beneath her blue shorts. Curly black hair bounced against her back with every step. Brown skin glistened in the sunlight pouring through the airport’s massive windows.

  Cooper hadn’t expected to run into her the moment his plane landed in Belize, but it was a nice surprise. The best kind of surprise.

  He hadn’t forgotten Erin. Not once in the eight years he’d been away.

  A smile climbed his lips as he thought of her fiery brown eyes that shot sparks when he teased her. She was a woman now, but that temper of hers was just as explosive.

  Cooper grabbed his luggage and trailed Erin to the exits, following a few feet behind.

  Tourists walked by, dressed in loose cotton clothes. Some carried duffel bags on their backs, their fair skin already turning pink from the oppressive heat.

  Cooper was glad he didn’t burn that easily. He’d lost his tan since he’d left Belize, but given the look of the sunshine, it wouldn’t be long before he got it back.

  Airport employees dressed in the colors of their particular airline trotted back and forth. Women—both local and foreign—sent him admiring looks as he strode past.

  Cooper was used to the attention and found it mildly annoying on the best days. There were times when girls would randomly approach him and strike up a meaningless conversation. Those were the days he wished he’d been born with an average appearance rather than a face that made him stand out.

  Not that his looks had done him much good when it came to getting Erin Marshall’s attention.

  At least not in the past. He’d see how things would go now that he was older and, hopefully, smarter than his fourteen-year-old self.

  They were closer to the exits now. The automatic doors gave way, spitting them out into the hot, Caribbean day.

  Erin shaded her forehead with a hand, scanning the cars parked on the street beside the airport. He wondered what she was looking for. Had she arranged for someone to pick her up? A boyfriend?

  He sure hoped not, though the likelihood of Erin being single was slim.

  Cooper noted the way men gazed at her, running their eyes hungrily over her body. Even back in primary school, Iris and Erin had been the ‘it’ girls of their class.

  He doubted Erin knew. She’d been too caught up in that Ryan jerk to notice anyone else.

  A prickly sensation ran through him. Made him want to cart Erin away so he didn’t have to share her with the guys staring longingly at her.

  The only problem was… she hated his guts.

  How could he get her to leave with him?

  Cooper trotted toward Erin. He noticed a long tear in the back of her knitted yellow shirt.

  Realizing that pointing out the flaw now would just embarrass her, he asked another question. “Are you heading to Balen University?”

  Erin jumped. Her neck twisted and she shot him a blistering glare. “Are you following me?”

  Cooper jerked his chin, gesturing to the door they just walked through. “There’s only one exit on this side of the airport.”

  Erin raised her chin. She wouldn’t confess to being wrong. He saw that part of her personality hadn’t changed either. “Yes, I am going to Balen. How did you know?”

  “I’ll give you a ride since we’re going in the same direction.”

  “The same direction?”

  Cooper looked over his shoulder and in a serious voice said, “Balen U.”

  “As in you’re attending or just visiting?”

  Cooper could practically hear her thoughts begging him to say ‘visiting’. His lips curled in a shadow of a smile.

  Her honesty was the first thing Cooper had noticed about Erin Marshall. She couldn’t keep her feelings to herself, even if she tried. Every emotion, every thought paraded across her face in neon colors.

  His eyes slid past her to the black SUV that pulled up to the curb. “I’m in the business department.”

  Cooper heard her gasp of shock and, maybe a little disappointment.

  Too bad. He planned on finding lots of excuses to run into Erin for the next four years.

  Cooper pulled his lips in to disguise his smile and approached the short, grey-haired man who jumped out of the car and scurried toward him.

  “Mista Coopa!” Josiah Hanks, his family’s long-time employee, grabbed his bags. “Yuh look like yuh just come from the States.”

  Cooper enjoyed Josiah’s Creole accent. When he was younger, he tried to emulate it but failed spectacularly. There was just too much ‘Yankee’, as Josiah would say, in him.

  “How have you been?”

  “Good. Good.” Josiah opened the trunk and tossed his suitcase in and then returned for the duffel strung over Cooper’s shoulder.

  “I’ll keep this with me,” he said, holding the bag back. “If you don’t mind, Josiah, I’ve offered to give someone a ride.”

  “No problem.” Josiah chuckled, his eyes gleaming like black glass. “But we must hurry caz yuh school done start.”

  Cooper spun and noticed that Erin was no longer behind him. He found her chatting with one of the taximen waiting on the outskirts of the airport.

  Guess that was her way of rejecting his ride.

  Cooper saw Erin nod and follow the man to a cab waiting on the street.

  Stubborn woman…

  His long legs ate up the sidewalk as he strode toward her.

  Erin ducked into the car, her fingers curling around the handle to lock it. Cooper smacked his hand on top of the door to keep it open.

  Erin’s jaw dropped. Shock and outrage gleamed from her pretty brown eyes. “What are you doing?”

  Cooper took Erin’s hand and tugged her out of the vehicle.

  She struggled. “Let me go!”

  “Man, what yuh doing?” the taxi driver said, glaring at him.

  Cooper dug into his wallet, plucked a fifty-dollar bill and tossed it on the seat Erin just vacated. He locked the door and pulled Erin back to the sidewalk.

  She fumed at his side. “Who do you think you are?”

  Cooper blinked calmly. “Did you take a picture of the license plate?”

  Her pink lips puckered in anger. “What?”

  He dropped her arm and turned to stare at her. “You were about to enter a vehicle—alone, with a complete stranger, and you didn’t take any precautions.”

  “Are you implying you ‘rescued’ me?”

  “Call it what you want.”

  “Bull!” Erin stomped in front of him. “Stay out of my way, Cooper.”

  He watched her move to another taxi. Cooper rounded the hood, glanced at the insurance tag and tapped it twice. Then he pulled out his phone and snapped a few pictures of the license plate and insurance stickers.

  “Get away from my car!” the driver yelled, noticing what he was doing.

  Erin looked
smug as if she’d just found someone to fight for her. “You heard the man.”

  Cooper leaned against the passenger side, “Sir, were you aware that you’re driving around uninsured?” He wiggled his phone. “My friend in the Traffic Department would be very disappointed to hear about this.”

  The driver ducked his head, avoiding Cooper’s eyes.

  “I’m so sorry, sir,” Erin whispered.

  “You shouldn’t drive without a license,” Cooper yelled, stumbling behind Erin as she dragged him away.

  “Didn’t you get enough of terrorizing me when we were kids?” she hissed.

  “I’m just looking out for Belize’s safety.”

  “You’re being intentionally obnoxious just to—” Erin stopped mid-sentence and dug her phone out of her pocket. Whoever she saw on the screen made her grimace. “I don’t have time for this. I need to get to school.”

  He chucked his chin toward Josiah and the SUV idling on the street. “We’ll be quick, and it won’t cost a dime.”

  “Who says riding with you will be any less dangerous than going off with a stranger?”

  Cooper shrugged. “You can try another taxi. I’ve got all day to follow you around.”

  Erin looked like she wanted to kill him. Instead she swiveled on her heels and stalked toward his car.

  Maybe she’d decided there were too many witnesses. The thought made him chuckle softly.

  Josiah scrambled to open the door for her. “Miss.”

  Erin was pissed, but she broke out of her mood to bestow a genuine smile on Josiah. “Thank you.”

  Cooper walked toward the back door and moved to open it.

  Erin slammed it shut. Wound her window down. The breeze tossed a black curl into her pretty face. She batted it away with her slender fingers and then arched an eyebrow. “I don’t want to sit beside you.”

  He tugged on the handle. It didn’t budge.

  Erin quirked an eyebrow. “Sorry.”

  It didn’t sound like she meant that.

  Cooper studied her face—the smooth planes of her cheeks, her flared nose, and those sparkling brown eyes. He leaned forward, invading her personal space.

  Her eyes flickered, irises dilating in shock or desire.

  Cooper was hoping for the latter.

  His eyes dipped to her mouth. Cooper froze. Her lips were dark pink, almost purple. The bottom was full and plump, just begging for a teasing nip. The top had a perfect cupid’s bow. He was way too close to her mouth.