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Cooper thought of the scars he’d seen. Of how she froze as soon as he’d touched her. And that led to so many damn questions, the main one being, why did he care so much? What was it about this woman he barely knew that intrigued him to the point that he found himself sitting in his truck, in her driveway, uninvited and unwanted, racking his brain for a way to make her come to dinner with him?
“Shit,” he muttered, reaching for the ignition. He should just leave.
He was just about to start up his truck when the front door flew open and Morgan appeared. Her hair swirled in the wind, and she grabbed at it, slamming the door behind her as she took a step down. It was then that she saw him.
Then that she froze.
Then that his chest constricted and his heart began to beat faster. What the hell was wrong with him?
The two of them stared at each other for several long moments until Cooper shook his head and thought, fuck it. Sure she’d already shut him down, but he’d never been the guy to give up, especially when he was going after something he wanted. She would say yes or no.
He would end up at La Spagatt with or without her.
Cooper opened his door and slid from the truck, pulling up the edge of his coat as the wind rattled toward him, shaking the eaves and loosening old, rotted leaves. He walked toward the house, noticing for the first time Morgan had no coat. Her skin was pink, that thick silky hair all over the place, and those eyes of hers looked like massive, shimmery circles of ice. They really were amazing.
She’d changed. Gone were the sweatpants and oversized sweatshirt. Instead, she’d pulled on black jeans tucked into knee-high boots and a midnight-blue turtleneck.
Her lips were parted and she was breathing hard when he took the first step.
“I…” She looked confused. “What are you doing here?”
“I thought maybe you might like to join me for dinner after all.”
She opened her mouth as if she was going to speak, but nothing came out. He knew he’d just managed to surprise the hell out of her. It was now or never. Cooper used the one tool that never failed him. He angled his head and smiled up at her. It was the kind of smile his mother said meant trouble, which was funny, because truthfully, it was the kind of smile that most times got him out of trouble.
It was the kind of smile that had never been practiced—it came naturally to Cooper. Not his fault the ladies lost their senses when he directed it their way. And sure, it might be a bastard move to use it right now, but…
But nothing. She stared down at him and just…nothing.
Well, shit.
There was no answering smile. No softening of her mouth or lightening of her eyes. There was no coy movement or gentle acceptance.
Double shit. Cooper knew he could do one of two things. He could go big, take nothing but yes for an answer, or he could retreat. He was considering the possibilities of both when Morgan spoke. Her voice was so low, he didn’t hear her.
“What was that?” he asked, watching her closely.
“I’ll come.” Her voice was husky—usually the kind of thing he liked, but something was off, and he frowned.
“Is everything okay?”
She took a step down; that soft mouth of hers thinned. “Yep.”
Something was definitely off. “You sure you’re not forgetting anything?” he asked gently.
Her head shot up. “Do you always grill your dates?” She said something very unladylike and shook her head. “Not that this is a date or anything, so don’t go getting any ideas.”
“Of course not. This is just dinner.”
She darted a look over her shoulder. “Then can we go?”
“Sure.” He went for a smile again, thinking this time it might work. “I thought you might want to grab a coat or something.”
That surprised her. She glanced down and ran fingers over the tops of her jeans but then took the last two steps.
“I’m good.” She walked past him stiffly and Cooper followed her to his truck.
The ride to La Spagatt was quiet—the only thing to break the silence were Morgan’s directions. By the time they reached their destination, Cooper was strung as tight as a bow, and he rolled his shoulders when he stepped out of the car. He had to wonder what it was he thought he’d accomplish tonight, but when he saw Morgan hesitate before joining him, something inside him shifted. It was a protective something, and it should have been a warning to him that things were about to change. Big-time.
