Kiss Me If You Can (13 page)

“Of course.” East Harlem was in his backyard. He was writing from firsthand experience.

“Well? Then you need to
show
the ethnic mix, the smells of all the nationalities of food wafting out from the various restaurants. The musical beat of salsa seeping onto the street from open windows.” She snapped her fingers to an imaginary tune. “The chatter of words in a variety of languages and the differing ages of people mingling on the streets.” Her eyes flashed with fire and excitement, dragging him into the world she created with her words and her energy.

Without even being there, he viewed East Harlem through her eyes, felt as if he were walking the steamy streets at night, experiencing the picture she painted.

Adrenaline rushed through his body and his brain in a way he'd never felt before. Just like the first
night he'd spent with her at her grandmother's, she'd pumped him up to write once more.

He leaned close, sealing his lips over hers in a too-brief kiss.

“What was that for?” she asked, her pupils dilated, her voice husky. “Didn't I just insult your work?”

“You brought awareness to my work. And you know all that color and flavor you just had me experiencing?”

“Yes?” She cocked her head to one side and a lock of hair fell endearingly over her cheek.

“I'm going to return the favor for you now.” He brushed her hair away with one hand.

Lexie smiled, more than eager to put aside critique for his hands-on experience. Whatever obstacles stood between them couldn't compete with the heat they generated under the covers. He reached for her, but she'd already decided that she wanted more control this time. Just to put them on equal footing.

She hooked her leg around his ankle and using him for leverage, she pulled herself on top of him.

“Check you out,” he said, approval in his husky voice.

His pupils dilated, desire darkening his eyes.

“I think you've got this all wrong. I want to check
you
out.”

“Please do.” He spread his arms and legs, giving her his glorious body.

Starting with his mouth, she placed her lips over his, taking her time while she explored with her tongue, tasting, twirling, teasing and hopefully arousing him as much as she was arousing herself.

He wrapped one arm around her back and pulled her more tightly against him. She allowed him to direct that call only because it thrust her pelvis against his rock-hard erection, separated from her body by nothing but her thin silk panties and his cotton boxer briefs. And if he thought those were going to last long, she intended to teach him otherwise.

She moved from his lips to nuzzle his neck, inhaling his musky male scent. She trailed her tongue down the corded muscles of his neck, making her way to his chest and caught one nipple between her teeth, alternating between tugging on the distended tip and laving it with her tongue.

His grip on her back tightened and a rough groan of pleasure reverberated inside his chest. If she'd doubted her power over him, she had no doubts any more. They were equally caught up in this sensual haze. And she was consumed by it. Every ounce of pleasure she gave him caused her own body to react. Her breasts were now heavy, her nipples tight and her underwear damp with desire. And when he reached beneath her T-shirt and cupped her breast in his hand, the pressure felt so good that she arched her back, urging him on.

He pulled at her shirt and she yanked it over her head, tossing it onto the floor in a sudden desire to be completely naked, skin to skin. As if by mutual agreement, underwear came next, but when they met once more on the center of the bed, he returned to exactly what he'd started—her breast in his hand, only this time he was more determined. More focused.

So much for her being in control. When it came to Coop, she gave it up willingly.

He dipped his head and pulled her waiting nipple into his mouth. She arched her back, thrusting her breast deeper. He massaged with his fingers, laved with his tongue, and Lexie was gone. The sensations rippled straight to her core. She shifted against him, settling the place where she felt most needy against his erection.

She wasn't in the mood for foreplay, she wanted the real thing, Coop inside her, thrusting hard and fast until she couldn't think, only feel.

“Night-table drawer?” she asked, so aroused she was almost driven to skip this necessary step. Yet in this one area, Lexie was always extra cautious.

“Top one.”

Lexie reached over to find a condom and Coop placed his big hand on her behind, kneading her flesh in an intimate way that was too erotic to be embarrassing. Finally, she came back over him, foil packet in hand.

She ripped it open and, with his help, slipped protection over his hard length. Her hands shook so badly she couldn't even take the time to enjoy touching him and promised herself there'd be time for that later. She positioned herself over him and he guided his shaft between her legs until the tip of his penis was enclosed by her heat. Then Lexie took over, gliding her body onto his, bringing him deep until he filled her at last. So tight she thought, and moaned at the perfection of their union.

 

C
OOP HAD DIED
and gone to heaven. Or at least he was on his way there, as Lexie's damp hot body glided down over his, cocooning him in the most exquisite sheath.

Her eyes fluttered closed and another long, sexy moan escaped those lips, causing his body to react with an involuntary thrust of his hips. She worked her pelvic muscles in response, clenching tight around him and releasing, then repeating the motion. Each clamp of her walls increased his sensation and pleasure. She didn't even have to move on him to bring him closer to coming. But if she wanted to join him, she'd better get going fast. He didn't know how long he could hold out against those subtle but potent contractions.

Before he could warn her, she began a slow rocking movement of her hips and he could no
longer think, let alone speak. He reached out and played with her sensitive breasts, rolling her nipples between his thumb and forefinger, knowing it would make her crazy.

And he was right. She began to ride up and down his shaft, grinding her pelvis into his with a downward thrust that ended in a rocking motion of her hips and a shuddering sigh. She knew just how to hit her exact right spot and bring herself higher and higher. He caught her rhythm, and thrust upward at the same moment she tilted against him, harder each time.

Their bodies ground together in unison, their sighs and groans mingled until Lexie's orgasm took hold. She cried out his name as she fell over him, her breasts crushing into his chest and the grip and release of her body taking him along for the ride.

 

A
LITTLE WHILE LATER
, Lexie took her turn in the bathroom while Coop, who'd showered first, dressed for the day. She'd instructed him to open her laptop and pull up the color schemes she recommended for his Web site, so he could choose the one he liked best.

Though he'd rather shower
with
her, they'd agreed it would only lead to distraction. Yet Coop was definitely distracted anyway by the sound of the water and the images of a naked Lexie under the steady stream flashing through his mind.

He shifted until his jeans were more comfortable and opened her laptop. Not being a Mac person, he had no idea what all the icons at the bottom of the desktop screen meant. Some had dots below them; some didn't. Clueless, he clicked on one and brought up a program called iWeb.

He shook his head, unable to remember where she'd told him to look. Next he clicked on an icon that resembled a compass with a blue light beneath it. This time a Web browser opened.

He was about to close it out when he realized the program had already been open and he was just revealing a previously visited page. He found himself staring at a Web site about Australia. He blinked, but the image didn't go away. It was clear that this wasn't job-related, but a travel-oriented site.

Nausea filled him as he realized that at the same time he was settling in and enjoying Lexie, she was planning her next trip abroad. And though he'd known going in that this was her M.O., he had to admit that facing it head-on was harder than he'd anticipated. And it hurt a helluva lot more.

How could the woman who gave him such confidence about his writing and even himself be the same one who had one foot out the door?

Answers didn't matter.

Reality did.

He now knew how betrayed Lexie had felt when
she'd found his story information on his computer. Knowing she was antsy and withholding those feelings from him was frustrating, painful and left him feeling raw.

But there wasn't a damn thing he could do to prevent her from leaving.

 

W
HEN
L
EXIE STEPPED OUT
of the shower, her body still tingled from Coop's lovemaking and she regretted their decision to put work first today, even if she understood the necessity. She dried her hair and slipped back into her outfit from yesterday. She really had to throw a change of clothes in her big bag or else stop sleeping here.

Not really a contest which one of those would be happening.

She walked into the bedroom, expecting to find Coop at her laptop poring over color ideas. Instead, her computer was open on the bed but Coop was nowhere to be found.

“Coop?” She headed into the small hallway leading to the living room and kitchen but they were empty.

Confused, Lexie made her way back into the bedroom and settled on the mattress. “Maybe he went to pick up breakfast,” she said aloud.

Then why wouldn't he have told her he was leaving?

She clicked the spacebar a few times and her
laptop powered up. There, on the screen, weren't the color samples she'd told him to look over. Instead, she found herself staring at the Web site she'd glanced at earlier:
How to See Australia Like a Native
.

No wonder Coop was gone.

C
OOP FOUND HIS FATHER
at home. He still lived in the small house off the Grand Central Parkway that he'd shared with his wife. His morning routine hadn't changed. Cornflakes and milk along with black coffee and the news on TV.

Coop poured himself a mug and joined his dad at the kitchen table.

“So what brings you by so early this morning?” Wearing a worn pair of jeans and a white T-shirt, Jack leaned back in his chair and studied his son.

“I need a favor.”

His father raised a bushy eyebrow. “Sounds intriguing.”

Coop look at him, surprised. “How is that possible? I didn't tell you anything yet.”

“You forget I'm a cop. I find intrigue everywhere,” he said, deadpan. “Besides you never ask for favors, so this must be good.”

Coop shrugged. The man had a point. “You know the ring I got from the jewelry store?”

“Do I know the ring?” he asked wryly. “Cops foil robberies every day without fanfare but my reporter son steps up and he's not just a hero but the city's most famous bachelor.”

“Way to show your pride, Dad.” Coop took a long sip of his coffee. Good thing he knew his father was, in fact, proud of how he'd handled the situation or he'd take his words personally.

Jack cracked a smile. “So what about the ring?” he asked.

Coop set his mug down on the table. “It might be part of a cold case from the early '50s.” Coop went on to explain the details of the robbery, excluding Lexie's grandmother's possible involvement.

At the mention of an unsolved case, his father's eyes opened wide. “What are the chances?” he said in awe. “So what's the favor?”

“Get me into the storage room with the cold case files. I want to dig around and see if I can put some pieces together.”

Jack nodded. “Guess I can pull some strings and do that. Make sure you wear old clothes. You won't believe how filthy it is down there. The room's in the bowels of an old building.”

Coop grimaced. “Sounds appealing.”

His father laughed. “So now that we've got business out of the way, let's talk personal. Tell me about that pretty lady of yours.”

Coop stiffened. He had no desire to discuss Lexie with his father. “I don't suppose I can just get up and leave now?”

Jack rose and headed for the sink, rinsing his cup and placing it in the dishwasher. A big change from the man who used to leave the mess for his wife to take care of, Coop thought, proud of how far his father had come.

“I like that gal. She's got spunk and brains. You need to bring her around when the bar's less busy. I want to get to know her better.”

Coop groaned. “I wouldn't get too attached to her, if I were you. She's too much like Annie.”

“She cheated on you already?” he asked, sounding outraged on his son's behalf.

Coop winced at the blatant reminder. “Hell, no. She likes to travel,” he clarified. “She's got one foot out the door at all times. The woman doesn't even have a place of her own. Her home base is a bedroom in her grandmother's apartment.”

Jack rubbed his razor-stubbled face. “So she's quirky. Doesn't mean she's unobtainable. Maybe you have to step up your game.”

“I think you've been reading too many romance novels.” Since Coop's mother passed away, Jack had been known to have a drink of scotch and dip into one of his mother's old paperbacks.

“Low blow, son.” Jack actually flushed red.

Coop shook his head. “Are you seriously suggesting I invest more of myself in someone who's a sure bet to leave?”

“Is she worth the risk?” Jack walked over to his son. “'Cause a good woman is hard to find and this one seems solid. She hangs around the bar even when she knows nobody. And the way she looks at you?” He let out a slow whistle. “Maybe you can't see the difference through the hurt.”

“Easy for you to say, considering Mom was a keeper.”

His father's eyes lit up at the mention of his wife. “If you're so sure Lexie isn't, what are you still doing hanging around with her?” Jack asked in that wise-father way he had.

“I have my reasons,” Coop muttered. For one thing, she held clues to the ring's past.

But he could have researched the case with Lexie and not gotten involved with her personally or intimately, a voice in his head reminded him. He'd chosen to go deeper.

No, Coop thought, he hadn't chosen. He'd been
compelled
to get to know her on every level, in every way.

Because apart from the sex being phenomenal, Lexie provided a positive jolt and boost to his mood, his work, his life. He enjoyed being with her in ways that transcended anything he'd experienced before.

In Annie, he'd found young love.

In Lexie…Coop shut down that train of thought, unwilling to go further. If he didn't think about his feelings for her, just maybe she couldn't slice out his heart the way Annie had.

If he were smart, he'd walk away now while he was still whole. But he wasn't ready to give her up until he had to. A time he now knew was approaching faster than he'd planned or liked.

“You know what your problem is?” Jack asked, interrupting Coop's dark thoughts.

“No, but I'm sure you're going to tell me.”

Jack grinned. “You're always so damn afraid of failing that you don't take chances.”

“Is this about dropping out of the academy instead of risking permanent injury?” Coop pushed his chair back and stood up.

Jack ran his hand over his face again. “You would have made a damn good cop. You have the head for the detective work, but the injury risk was real.”

Coop exhaled a slow groan. At least he'd acknowledged that.

“But that doesn't change the fact that you're afraid of failing. Hell, yes, you're a fine reporter, but you haven't made it as a novelist. Why? Because you aren't putting your heart and soul into your books. If you did, you'd be at the top of that profession,
too!” Jack's voice rose, carrying and echoing in the small house.

“How would you know?” Coop yelled back.

“I read your book, that's how.”

His words took the weight out of Coop's argument, catching him off guard. “You did?”

His father nodded. “And though the procedural and the tension are good—better than good—there's a fire lacking everywhere else, because you're giving it a halfhearted effort.”

Lexie's comments came back to him, but he couldn't focus on what she'd said. Not with his father's criticism bouncing around his head.

“Give me a break,” Coop muttered.

“The hell I will!” Jack stood, walking toward his son. “I always tell it like it is and now's no different. You aren't giving it your all. This way you can fail and not be as devastated. Same as Lexie. If you don't invest your heart, you can't be hurt again. Afraid of failure,” he said, nodding his head.

Son of a bitch.
“I didn't come here for this.”

“Tune me out. It won't make the truth go away.”

Coop started for the door.

“When you get to the station, ask for Ed. You remember him, big guy. Stuck on desk duty after a gunshot hit a nerve in his leg. I'll make sure he lets you into the file room.”

“Thanks,” Coop muttered and stalked out, slamming the door behind him.

 

E
VER SINCE SHE WAS
a little girl and her grandmother rescued her from skating practice hell and took her to state parks, Lexie had learned to pick up and run. As an adult, “Have laptop will travel” was her motto and when she was upset, she either took off on a trip or buried herself in work.

This morning she chose the latter and stayed in Coop's apartment to do it. Much as she wanted to be furious with him for leaving, she couldn't be angry. If he'd found the Web sites, he was probably upset and needed to be alone and sort things through. She just planned to be here when he returned.

When her cell phone rang, she grabbed it fast without looking at the number, hoping it was Coop. “Hello?”

“Alexis?”

At the sound of her given name and her father's authoritarian voice, Lexie's stomach cramped—as it always did when he spoke. “Hi, Dad.”

“How are you? Or, should I ask,
where
are you?”

She rolled her eyes at the deliberate jab. “You know I'm in town. I checked in last week.”

“I thought perhaps the urge to leave had struck.”

She clenched the phone tighter in her hand. “I told you I'm here until Grandma's birthday.”

He cleared his throat. “Yes. And will we have to wait until then to see you?”

Lexie had seen her parents when she'd returned to town the month before. Her father was right. They were due for a visit.

“Is that your way of saying you miss me?” she asked hopefully.

“It would be nice of you to stop by. Which is part of why I'm calling. Your grandmother is acting odd, even for her.”

So he'd noticed it, too, Lexie thought.

“Your mother was hoping you'd bring her by for dinner this Saturday night.”

A formal dinner at her parents' home. Just the stifling thought had Lexie's flight mechanism kicking into overdrive. “Did you ask Grandma if she's free?”

“When I do talk to her, she's been ridiculously hard to pin down to a day or a time. And sometimes she doesn't even answer her phone when we call.”

Because she checks her Caller ID, Lexie thought, stifling an inappropriate laugh. Her father's ways wore on both Lexie and Charlotte, but they both knew his concern, however awkwardly expressed, was genuine.

“I'll talk to her and get back to you,” Lexie promised.

“One last thing. Your grandmother mentioned that you've been seeing a nice gentleman.”

Lexie closed her eyes and swallowed back a
curse that would cause her father's already thinning hair to fall out completely. “I doubt she used those exact words.”

To her surprise, her father laughed. “You're right about that. At any rate, it would make your mother and me happy if you brought him along.”

No doubt because they hoped that a steady relationship meant Lexie would curb her wandering ways. Last time,
they'd
picked the man and Drew had been the result.

“I'm sure Coop's busy,” she lied, not wanting to subject herself or him to dinner at her parents'.

At that moment, the sound of the key in the lock caught her attention. She turned to see Coop letting himself inside.

He strode in and stopped short, surprised to see her settled on his couch, her laptop and papers spread out around her.

She waved and pointed to the phone, turning her attention back to her father. “Yes, I'll mention it to him, but it's not like we're serious. There's really no need—”

“Just do your best, Alexis.”

Lexie sighed. “I'll see what I can do.”

“Okay, let us know. Your mother needs time to prepare.”

“I will, Dad. 'Bye.” She ended the connection and let out her first real breath of air since taking the call.

Coop sat across from her on his favorite club chair. He wore faded jeans and a navy NYPD shirt. And his posture was stiff, his expression unyielding.

Lexie stopped breathing all over again.

“What was that all about?” he asked.

She bit the inside of her cheek. “My father invited us to dinner Saturday night.”

“Us?”

She nodded. “Grandma told them about you and they'd like to meet you.”

“And you told them there's no need to bother.” He set his jaw, but she caught the hurt flash across his face before he quickly masked it.

Lexie swallowed hard. “Because—”

“It's not like we're serious.” He used her own words, tossing them back at her.

She swallowed harder. “Trust me, I was just trying to protect you. You really don't want to be subjected to a dinner where my father expresses his disapproval of my lifestyle choices and my mother keeps saying she wishes I could be more like my sister, Margaret. And, before you ask, no, they don't call her Meg, Meggie, Peg or anything else.”

She thought she caught a glimmer of understanding in his eyes. A second later it was gone. “Does a reporter not meet their high expectations?”

Lexie laughed at his assumption, which couldn't be further from the truth. This wasn't about Coop.
“I already told you,
I
don't meet their expectations. You're smart, successful, and you seem to act like a
normal
person. I'm sure they'll love you.”

“Is that why you don't want me to meet them? Because it might send them the wrong signal, that you're changing to be more like them?” he asked, folding his arms across his chest in a clearly defensive pose.

“I just don't understand why you'd want to.” She recalled making the same statement when he'd accepted her grandmother's invitation to dinner.

That time, he'd said he wanted to get to know the person she loved and admired so much. She wondered what his reasons were now.

“Let's call it curiosity. I want to see what makes you tick.”

She should have guessed that was his motivation. And she would have still insisted he not attend, except he said the words with a definite challenge in his tone.

And her reply flew from her lips without the consent of her brain. “So, fine. Come. See why Lexie runs.”

The minute the words were out of her mouth, she muttered a very unladylike curse because he'd set the trap and she'd taken the bait.

Coop grinned. “Just let me know what time. I'd be happy to pick you up and take you there.” His Cheshire cat smile confirmed her hunch.

“Grandma's coming, too,” Lexie warned him.

His smile widened. “The more the merrier.”

“Great,” Lexie muttered. “Just swell.”