Beach Bar Baby (17 page)

She felt the satisfying swell of his erection, coming back to life against her bottom as she feasted on him—and let him feast on her.

He drew back first, to flick his thumb across the stiff peak of her nipple. But when she tried to reach for the front of his shorts and the stiff length inside, he grabbed her wrist to hold her off.

‘Not a good idea.’

‘Why not?’ she said, the rush of emotion only intensifying her eagerness.

He kissed her nose. And she felt the tiny sting. ‘Because you’re getting a little pink around the edges, and I don’t want you getting a sunburn. It’s liable to cramp our style.’

He lifted her off his lap, to walk to the boat’s console.

‘Why don’t we just go below decks?’

‘For what I’ve got in mind, we’re going to need a bigger bed.’ He grinned over his shoulder and fired up the boat’s engine. ‘Now sit down and grab a hold of something. I’m going to see how fast I can get this thing back to base.’

She did as she was told, impossibly pleased that his eagerness matched her own, before he whisked the steering wheel round and hit the accelerator. The rush of wind lifted her hair and made the sunburn on her nose tingle as the launch bounced over the swell, hurtling them back towards the dock below his house at breakneck speed.

Her heart pumped to a deafening crescendo as she held on for dear life and watched him steer with practised ease. And the tightness that she hadn’t realised had been making her chest ache for days released. Everything was going to be all right.

She faced into the wind, felt the spray of water hit her cheeks, and gave herself up to the excitement, the exhilaration pumping through her system.

She glanced back as the boat slowed to approach the small dock that stood below the back steps up to his property.

‘Tie her up,’ he shouted and she grabbed the thin nylon rope, climbed onto the dock and began looping the rope round the post while he switched off the engine.

His gaze locked on hers, telegraphing his hunger as she finished knotting the rope. Desire settled like a heavy weight as he stepped off the boat. The playful urge to tease hit her and she sped off towards the house.

‘Hey, where the hell are you going?’ he yelled, his feet hitting the deck behind her as he gained ground. ‘Come back here.’

Catching her, he swung her round in a circle. And cut off her laugh with a kiss that promised all sorts of delicious retribution.

Her tongue tangled with his as she opened her mouth to take the kiss deeper and dug greedy fingers into his damp hair.
No more doubts, no more panicking, no more holding back,
she thought as he broke the kiss to lift her into his arms.

‘Got you,’ he murmured.

Euphoria slammed into her at the possessive tone.

She clung onto his neck and whispered, ‘Hurry up.’

‘I am hurrying, damn it,’ he huffed, climbing the steps two at a time with her cradled in his arms. ‘You’re heavier than you used to be, pregnant lady.’

She beamed at him, impossibly pleased by the silly joke.

Everything would be okay with the baby now, because she understood where his insecurities were coming from and knew he was at least willing to try to work all those problems out.

And while they were doing that, why shouldn’t they see if there could be more? He’d given her a painful glimpse into his past—had let his guard down and let her in. And she’d done the same. Her heart stuttered painfully at the thought of all the possibilities that she hadn’t considered, hadn’t let herself consider. She’d been so cautious up to now, mindful of Ruby’s warning not to let her heart run away with itself. But was it really necessary to carry on being so careful? When they’d taken such a huge step forward today?

She clung to his shoulders and kissed the soft skin beneath his chin.

‘Behave,’ he growled as he staggered into the living room and headed for the stairs. ‘We’re not there yet.’

She laughed as he boosted her in his arms to take the stairs, the euphoria intoxicating as she imagined just how far they could go, now she was ready to take the leap.

ELEVEN

‘You smell
so good.’

Strong arms wrapped around Ella’s waist from behind. She shivered as Coop nipped playfully at her ear lobe, then glared into the bathroom mirror.

‘For goodness’ sake, I’m trying to put my face on here.’ Slicking another coat of gloss on bone-dry lips, she gave him a not exactly subtle jab with her elbow, which only made him chuckle.

‘Stop freaking out, you look great.’ Warm palms skimmed over the light silk of the dress she’d found in a boutique shop in Hamilton after a fraught shopping expedition yesterday, then settled on the curve of her stomach. ‘How’s Junior?’

A little of her aggravation dissolved, pushed out by the feel of his hands, stroking where their child grew, and the tender enquiry in his gaze as it met hers in the mirror.

‘Junior’s fine.’ She smiled back at him. She knew he was still feeling his way, still nervous about stepping into a role he hadn’t prepared for, but he’d been eager and attentive during the scan five days ago, firing questions at the obstetrician.

When the doctor had asked them if they wanted to know the sex, he’d deferred to her, but she could see how keen he was to know the answer and had decided to go with it—maybe knowing the sex would make the baby more real to him. When the doctor had pointed out their child’s penis, she’d been glad she had, because she hadn’t been able to stop laughing when he’d whispered with stunned delight, ‘For real? The kid’s hung like a horse.’

She turned in his arms, pressed her hands to his cheeks. ‘But Junior’s not the one who’s about to meet all your friends for the first time.’ She dropped a hand to her stomach, the jumpy sensation nothing to do with the child growing inside her.

Because while Coop’s attitude to their child had become everything she could have hoped for, the euphoria of that day a week ago, when she’d been sure they were beginning to form a more tangible bond between the two of them, had faded considerably.

‘I want them to like me,’ she murmured, not quite able to keep the resentment out of her voice. She’d tried in the last week to make him understand this was important to her. And he’d resolutely refused to even meet her halfway, ignoring or deflecting her repeated requests to introduce her to anyone he knew. Just as he’d continually ignored her suggestions that she should book her flight home soon.

So here they were, on the evening of his friend’s wedding, and she had no idea where she stood, not just with his friends but with him too. ‘I would have preferred to at least have met some of them.’

‘You already met a few of them at the Runner on our first night,’ he said, in a familiar argument.

‘That was four months ago!’ she replied, her patience straining. ‘And I hardly talked to any of them.’

‘Quit panicking—they’re going to love you,’ he murmured, dismissing her concerns again. Lifting her hand, he pressed a kiss into the palm. ‘You know what you need?’

‘A Valium, maybe?’ she said, only half joking.

‘Nuh-uh.’ One warm palm settled on her leg and then skimmed up under her dress, to cup her buttock. ‘I’ve got a better way to help you unwind.’

His thumb sneaked under the leg of her panties, making the pulse of heat flare, as it always did. She grasped his wrist and halted the exploration—determined not to be sidetracked again. ‘Stop it, Coop. We haven’t got time.’

His lips curved. ‘Sure we have.’ Dropping his head, he kissed the pulse point in her neck, the one place he knew from experience would drive her wild. ‘You’re just kind of uptight. This’ll help.’

‘No, it won’t,’ she said, but the protest trailed off as he cupped her, the heel of his palm rubbing the bundle of nerves and giving them the friction they craved.

‘We can’t...’ She gasped, blindsided by the inevitable swelling in her sex, the rush of moisture, as one thick finger snuck past the gusset of her panties and slid over her yearning clitoris. ‘I don’t have time to shower again.’

‘Then don’t.’ His clever fingers played with the swollen nub. ‘I love you with that just-screwed look.’

The words registered through the haze of heat, and her temper flared. Flattening her palms against his chest, she shoved him back, shaking with frustration—and no small amount of fury. ‘Get off me. How old are you, for goodness’ sake?’

‘What the hell are you so mad about?’ He looked genuinely nonplussed. ‘You want to—you know you do.’

Given that his fingers were slick, he probably thought he had a point, which only made her more mad.

Feeling the threat of tears stealing over her lids, she pushed him aside to storm out of the bathroom.

‘Damn it, Ella! What the hell did I do?’

She swung round, slapping her hands on her hips, desperate to keep the anger front and centre to disguise her hurt.

‘I’ll tell you what you did. You never once took my feelings into account about this. If I’m nervous and uptight it’s because I didn’t want to go to this event not knowing anyone. I realise we’re not a couple, not really, but I thought...’ She blinked furiously.

She had thought what exactly? That they were a couple, that there had been something developing between them in the last few weeks that had nothing to do with their child. But how could she know that, when he was so determined to avoid anything even resembling a serious conversation?

‘Of course, we’re a couple,’ he said grumpily, making the stab of uncertainty under her breastbone sharpen. ‘We’re going to this damn fiasco together, aren’t we? But I still don’t see why we can’t make love now if we both want to.’

Because we wouldn’t be making love. Or at least, you wouldn’t be.

The anger and frustration collapsed inside her, consumed by anxiety. She’d leapt over the cliff days ago convinced that he would catch her. But had she jumped too soon, reading far more into his actions than was actually there?

‘The reason we can’t make love...’ she spoke the words slowly, succinctly, willing herself not to let an ounce of her distress show ‘...is because we don’t have the time. And I’d really rather not turn up at this wedding smelling like some woman you’ve just screwed.’

He swore, his expression hardening, and she thanked God for it. She’d rather deal with his temper now than risk letting him see the emotion beneath.

‘That’s not what I meant and you damn well know it.’

She sighed, starting to feel shaky and knowing she couldn’t maintain this façade for long. ‘I think we should just go, I’m sure it’ll be better once I get there.’

He raked his hand through his hair, the temper disappearing as quickly as it had come—as it always did with Coop.

‘Okay, I guess you’re right.’ He pulled his smartphone from the pocket of the dark linen trousers he’d donned for the occasion and checked the time. ‘The ceremony’s in thirty minutes. Josie will murder me if I’m late.’

He escorted her down the steps to the beach, as if he were handling an unexploded bomb. But as they passed his beach hut, then walked together the mile along the sand towards The Rum Runner, retracing the steps they’d taken on their first night together, he threaded his fingers through hers.

Fairy lights strung through the palm trees twinkled in the distance as the strains of music and merriment drifted towards them on the breeze. Her heart lifted at the romantic sight.

No wonder she’d fallen for Coop so fast. He was such a good man, in so many ways. Easygoing, affable, charming, energetic and always striving to do his best. Unlike Randall. But she knew he also had a host of insecurities, which he worked hard to keep hidden. Maybe his attempts to keep things casual didn’t come from a lack of feeling? Perhaps he just needed a little more time? She could stay a few more days before booking her flight home.

After all, she hadn’t even told him yet that her feelings had deepened, intensified. Maybe if she did...?

‘I’ve been dreading this damn wedding ever since Josie told me about it four months ago,’ he murmured, interrupting her thoughts.

‘Why?’ she asked, sensing his nervousness, and able at last to let go of her own. Surely meeting his friends didn’t have to be bad.

‘At first, I thought it was because she’s still just a kid,’ he said, his gaze fixed on the wedding party in the distance. ‘But now I think it’s the thought of promising to be with someone for the rest of your life. It spooked me. Why would anyone want to do that?’

She followed the direction of his gaze to see the beautiful young woman she’d met at his hut four months ago in the middle of the crowd of people on the beach. Her long-limbed frame was displayed to perfection in a short ivory satin gown, and her face glowed with love and excitement.

‘Because they love each other? And they want to be together?’ she heard herself say, willing him to believe it. ‘It’s not hard to make a promise to love someone if they love you in return.’

‘Do you really believe that?’ He glanced down at her, the look on his face remote in the fading light. ‘After the number that Randall guy did on you?’

She flinched at the statement. She could have said that she had never truly loved Randall, that what she’d felt for him had been infatuation, a pale imitation of what she already felt for Coop. But the cynicism in his voice was like a body blow and she hesitated.

‘Come on.’ He squeezed her hand, and began to walk. ‘Let’s get this over with, then we can go home and do something much more interesting.’

But as he drew her towards the party the red glow of dusk and the twinkle of fairy lights didn’t seem quite so romantic any more.

* * *

‘So she came back?’

Coop looked up from the plate he’d been piling high with Henry’s famous goat curry, to find Josie, her face radiant with love, grinning at him.

‘Hey, kid. Congratulations.’ He scooped her up with his free arm as she giggled and kissed his cheek. ‘You look amazing,’ he said as he put her down again, and she did him a twirl.

‘Old enough to be getting hitched?’

‘All right, you’ve got me there,’ he admitted.

The ceremony had been several hours ago, and somehow watching her and Taylor standing together before the minister, with Ella gripping his hand to stop his fingers shaking, hadn’t been as bad as he’d thought. In fact, it had been kind of touching.

Or it would have been, if listening to the wedding vows hadn’t made him feel like such a jerk, for taking out his frustration on Ella when they’d been walking along the beach. He didn’t know what the hell had got into him, mentioning that guy she’d dated, especially after that dumb argument they’d had back at the house.

He shouldn’t have tried to jump her like that, but the truth was he’d been feeling edgy and tense for days now, ever since she’d started talking about booking a flight home, and the only time that feeling went away now was when they were making love.

‘So where’s Mr Josie?’ he asked Josie, stifling his impatience to get back to Ella.

He needed to chill out about her. He’d left her with Sonny and Rhona less then twenty minutes ago; she’d be good with them for a while. Sure, she’d been more subdued than usual tonight, but she was probably just tired—the kid had been restless last night and she hadn’t been able to get comfortable. Once he’d got her something to eat he’d take her home and make slow, lazy love to her. And everything would be okay again.

‘Taylor’s over with his buddies,’ Josie said wryly. ‘Boasting about the swordfish he landed last week.’

‘Damn, you already sound like an old married couple.’ Coop chuckled.

‘That’s the general idea.’ She smiled. ‘Talking of couples, why didn’t you tell anyone Ella was visiting?’ Josie observed, wiping the easy smile off his face.

He turned back to the buffet, the direct question unsettling him. ‘Maybe I didn’t want anyone bothering us,’ he said, trying to inject some humour into his tone, but not quite pulling it off.

Josie’s fingers touched his arm. And he glanced over his shoulder to see the serious expression on her face. Uh-oh, this couldn’t be good. ‘Is the baby yours, Coop?’

He dumped the plate on the table, and grasped her forearm, pulling her away from the crowd of people behind them. ‘How do you know about that?’ he whispered furiously.

‘Because it’s obvious. Especially if you know how petite she was four months ago.’

He thrust his hand through his hair. ‘Damn, please tell me you haven’t said anything to Ella.’

He knew she’d wanted him to tell people before she met them. If she found out they’d guessed about her condition, she’d be hurt—and that had never been his intention.

‘Of course I haven’t. It’s not something you can bring up in a conversation with someone you’ve only met twice.’ Josie tugged her arm out of his grasp. ‘But damn, Coop, why the hell didn’t you say something? If the baby’s yours? Why keep it a secret? And why keep Ella’s being here a secret too?’

‘Because...’ His mind snagged—because he’d wanted to keep things as light and non-committal as possible. Because dealing with the baby had felt like enough already. But even as the excuses sprang into his head they sounded like just that. Excuses. ‘Because it’s complicated,’ he managed at last.

‘Why is it complicated?’

‘Because she lives in London,’ he said, reciting the reasons he’d been giving himself for weeks, but didn’t seem to fit any more. ‘She’s only here for a couple of weeks and it was an accident. And we hardly know each other.’ Although that too didn’t seem true any more.

He did know Ella: he knew how much he liked to wake up and spoon with her in the morning. How much he’d come to depend on her smile, that sunny, optimistic outlook that was so unlike his own. How addicted he’d become to her company, her enthusiasm, her bright, lively chatter about anything and everything. ‘She’s going to have the baby...’ he paused, then soldiered on ‘...because we both want it.’

The admission might have surprised him, but for the rush of emotion as he recalled feeling those flutters against his palm the night before, when Ella had been snuggled against him. And seeing that tiny body on the sonogram five days ago, as the doctor had counted all his son’s fingers and toes.

How had that happened? Somehow, in the last few weeks, the thing that had terrified him the most didn’t terrify him any more; it excited him. He actually wanted to be a dad. But more than that, he wanted to be with Ella in a few months’ time, when her body became round and heavy as it cradled their baby.