Cooper's Woman (7 page)

“I told you repeatedly that I'm checking out every aspect of my prospective fiancé,” she muttered. “Quit changing the subject. Does Elliot employ you or not?”

He scowled and said, “Yes.”

She withdrew into herself so quickly that Coop did a double-take. She even scooted as far away as the tufted leather seat allowed. Then she stuck her nose in the air and ignored him as if he wasn't there.

Coop wanted to tell her that he was on assignment and that her father wanted information about Webster's character, morals and business ethics, in case Alexa decided to accept the wedding proposal. He wanted to expose each of Webster's faults and assure Alexa that he was looking out for her, not Webster.

However, his dealings with Mr. Chester were confidential.

He couldn't tell her anything and that tormented the hell out of him. He had to let her think the worst about him—and why she cared if he worked for Webster, Coop didn't know. Maybe because she didn't have much respect for Webster, which made Coop's association with him distasteful to her. Whatever the case, she had turned her back, refusing to look at him or speak.

Coop took his cue to climb down before her frigid reaction caused frostbite. He knew this parting of ways was for the best because he didn't need the kind of distraction Alexa caused. He was working a case, after all. Yet, he didn't want her to think the worst about him. Not that he should care, damn it.

He hopped to the ground then pivoted toward her. “Just one last question,” he said, eager to satisfy his curiosity. “Why should it matter so much if I decide to work for Webster?”

She twisted on the seat to look straight into his eyes and said, “Because I expected better of you, Coop.”

He frowned, more confused than ever.

“Most men don't disappoint me because I hold low expectations of them. Elliot wants my money and my connections, like so many men who ply me with false flattery and attention. I understand what makes them tick. But
you
usually don't put on airs. I thought you were honest and trustworthy. My mistake.”

Before she snapped the reins on the horse's rump and trotted away, he grabbed her hand. “If I've already disappointed you then I might as well do it up right—”

She yelped when he tugged on her hand and sent her tumbling into his arms.

It was insane, ill advised and impulsive, he knew. But if this was the last time Alexa came within ten feet of him—and he figured it would be—he had nothing to lose. He had been craving a long, thorough taste of her since she had kissed him unexpectedly on the boardwalk the previous night. If nothing else, he'd have this one moment to remember.

Coop bent Alexa over his arm and angled his head down to devour her lips. He plunged his tongue into her mouth and heard her surprised gasp. One moment she was shoving the heels of her hands against his shoulders to resist him and the next instant she encircled her arms around his neck and combed her fingers through his hair. She kissed him back without an ounce of reserve, as if she were starving for the taste of him, too.

Wild, incredible sensations ripped through him. He swore he was about to black out when she strained urgently against him then thrust her tongue into his mouth to deliver a sizzling wallop of a kiss. They shared the same breath until they were forced to come up for air. He inhaled raggedly, but her alluring scent fogged his brain again.
She
was the only thought he seemed capable of processing, the only need that he craved to obsession.

When he lifted her off the ground, she wrapped her legs around his hips. He knew she could feel him hard and aching between her legs. The heat curling inside him burned like a brand. He'd never wanted a woman as desperately and urgently as he wanted Alexa at this wild, reckless moment.

“Kiss me like that again,” she whispered as she tilted her head back to stare up at him. “I didn't know desire could feel like this.”

He grinned rakishly. “Well, since you asked so nicely—”

Then he put all he had into their last kiss. All his forbidden fantasies. All the tenderness she deserved and he had yet to offer because unruly desire made him needy and impatient. But he vowed to take his time, to savor the intoxicating taste of her.

This was the kiss he wanted her to remember always. He seduced her dewy-soft lips as gently as he knew how. He glided his hands over her shapely hips, pressing her against his rigid length, letting her know how thoroughly his body reacted to her.

He wished they were naked, lying on a blanket beneath the canopy of twinkling stars. There and then, he wouldn't allow himself to disappoint her in any way. If he could share one intimate moment with her, he would do all within his power to pleasure her beyond measure and to restore her opinion of him.

Only God knew why the prospect of disappointing Alexa in any form or fashion tormented him. But it did. He
liked
this woman. He liked being with her. She was naturally seductive, alluring, quick-witted and sassy. Plus, he hadn't been able to get Alexa off his mind since the moment he met her. In addition, it was the first time in years that he'd looked forward to anything or to being with anyone.

His thoughts spun out of control when he brushed his fingertips over the soft skin of her breasts. He felt her arch into him as he dipped his head to flick his tongue against her taut nipple. She moved restlessly against him, as if she, too, needed much more than a fleeting embrace in the moonlight.

“Coop?” she whispered unevenly. “Sweet mercy…” Her words trailed off and she kissed him hungrily again.

His knees threatened to fold up like a tent and he wasn't sure he wanted to be held accountable for his actions tonight. His willpower seemed to have abandoned him, along with his good sense. Something about this complicated woman made him hot, hungry and irresponsible and provoked him to throw caution to the wind.

“What the hell is going on here?”

 

Hearing the outraged male voice explode from the darkness was equivalent to being doused with cold water. Hurriedly Alexa unhooked her legs from around Coop's hips and launched herself away from him. Miguel's voice, sharp with censure and reprimand, rang in her ears. Nevertheless, erotic sensations pulsated through her body and she staggered to keep her balance.

She glanced at Coop, wishing she could rail at him for igniting this wildfire of sensations that burned to the very core of her being. However, the instant he had clutched her to him and kissed her so thoroughly, her sanity had abandoned her. He tasted wicked and delicious and she hadn't been able to get enough of him.

If Miguel's timing hadn't been so perfect, she wasn't sure she could have gathered enough self-control to stop until they were naked in each other's arms. She and Coop might have ended up like Elliot and Lily—tossing aside garments to touch each other intimately.

The provocative thought sent a hot blush rising from her neck to stain her cheeks. She skimmed her hand over the bodice of her gown to ensure that she was properly covered. Coop, she discovered, was still staring intently at her, paying no attention whatsoever to Miguel, who was stamping toward them like an angry elephant.

“Now you must die!” Miguel snarled at Coop.

“Miguel, don't be so dramatic,” Alexa said with a dismissive flick of her wrist. “Coop is not to blame. I'm the one who started this. I wanted this.”

She wasn't sure why she felt compelled to rush to Coop's defense. After all, she was mad at him for working for Elliot. He was supposed to be working strictly for Mr. Chester. In addition, he had caught her spying on Elliot again and he was beginning to get suspicious of her true intentions. She would cause more complications in this case if she didn't watch out.

“
You?
” Miguel crowed in disbelief. His wide-eyed gaze bounced back and forth between her and Coop. “You're lying to protect him?
Why?
”

“It was me,” Coop spoke up. “I stepped over the bounds that you and I discussed previously.” He pivoted to drop into a respectful bow in front of her. “I have disappointed you a second time this evening. My apologies, Alexa.”

Then, without another word, he strode around the carriage to fetch Bandit. Then he rode off into the night.

“Have you lost what is left of your mind, woman?” Miguel railed at her as he boosted her onto the carriage seat. “You are out of control! First, you send me off to town with Kate. Leaving me alone with her was all your fault and I'm laying the blame squarely at your feet.”

Alexa glanced down at Miguel. She had the unmistakable feeling that her two dearest friends might have experienced the same wild desire that she had discovered with Coop.

The thought made her grin broadly.

“Don't look at me like that,” he snapped as he shook his finger at her. “And I do not want to talk about it, either.”

“I caught Elliot in a tryst with his paramour tonight,” she said as he clambered onto the seat to take up the reins.

Miguel smirked. “Don't try to sidetrack me. I'm angry and I'm not speaking to you ever again.”

So much for that vow of silence. Thirty minutes later, he was still lecturing her about her daredevil recklessness with the investigation and with Coop. He also raked her over live coals for temping him with Kate. Alexa decided he was really angrier with himself than with her. He must have discovered that he, like she, had a definite weakness.

His
went by the name of Kate.

Hers
went by the name of Coop.

 

Coop used the time it took to ride back to town to chew himself up one side and down the other. Holy hell! What was the matter with him? Why did that blue-eyed siren devastate him so completely? Why couldn't he muster the slightest willpower where she was concerned? She was his blind spot and he wasn't proud of it. Furthermore, she was everything he knew he couldn't have.

Perhaps that was the crux of the problem, he thought to himself. Maybe a sense of the forbidden had triggered this reckless behavior in him.

It sounded reasonable so he decided to go with that.

When he heard the clatter of hooves behind him, he veered off the road to let the unidentified traveler pass. Turned out it was Lily Brantley. She trotted down the road, her red skirts billowing around her while she straddled the saddle. Too bad Alexa couldn't show Lily how to fashion breeches to contain all those yards of fluttering fabric.

Coop swore under his breath, wondering if Elliot Webster was going to end up with both women in his bed. And now, having discovered how passionate and responsive Alexa could be, Coop really hated the thought of her and Webster naked together.

Moreover, he detested the thought of disappointing Alexa in any way. Yet, he couldn't think of one reason why he needed to live up to her expectations for him. After a week or two, they wouldn't see each other again. He would be off on another assignment and she would be rubbing shoulders with the crumbs in the upper crust. He sure as hell wasn't going to be pining away for her.

But still…if he'd had just one magical night with her…

“Stop driving yourself crazy,” Coop burst out loud.

Bandit danced sideways beneath him. Coop sighed heavily as he rubbed the gelding's tense neck. “Sorry, old boy. I've got a woman on my mind and she won't let go.”

Coop snapped to attention when he saw Lily circle behind the bordello to tether her horse. He veered across the grass to watch her scamper up the fire escape to the second story room that he presumed to be her personal quarters. Interesting. She had a private exit. He wondered if Webster used it occasionally so no one would know how often he visited the madam.

His attention settled on another lone rider who showed up five minutes later to enter the back door on the ground floor. My, the place was busier than a train depot, he noted as he studied the vaguely familiar silhouette. Who the hell was that man? It didn't look like Webster.

Lust and the need for passion were obviously in the air tonight, Coop mused as he watched the visitor scuttle into the brothel. He ought to know. He was still nursing a ravenous ache for a woman he would never claim.

On that realistic thought Coop rode away to board his horse in the livery then hiked off to sleep alone in his bed.

F
our days later, after having lunch with Elliot at Sawyer's Café, Alexa wandered down the aisles at the mercantile store. She cringed at the high prices Elliot had marked on several items. She could see why more customers chose to shop at Hampton, Barrett and Figgins Dry Goods Store—which sat on the southeast corner of the square. However, there were a few men milling around the shop, gathering supplies. Mostly miners, she guessed. Apparently they couldn't purchase their needed tools and supplies at the other store.

Alexa glanced sideways when she heard a disgruntled prospector grumbling while Elliot tallied the purchases.

“If the other store in town hadn't sold out of horse blankets and axes, I wouldn't be buying my supplies from you,” muttered the crusty miner, who looked to be in his mid-forties. “You oughta be arrested for highway robbery, Webster.”

Alexa watched Elliot shrug indifferently. When he noticed that she was watching him, he produced a dazzling smile and ambled toward her.

“Please say you'll marry me, darling. It will make dealing with grumbling customers bearable.”

Apparently the prospector thought Elliot's proposal was as ill timed and unromantic as she did. The prospector rolled his eyes, shook his frizzy brown head then set a Dutch oven on the counter beside the blanket and tools. “You gonna wait on me or not, Webster?”

Elliot held her gaze and ignored his customer. “Will you marry me?” he persisted.

“I'm still thinking about it. I'll give you my answer later. This doesn't seem to be the time or place.”

To her relief, Elliot returned to the disgruntled miner. Using the excuse that she wanted to shop at the local boutiques, Alexa strolled outside. Her gaze reflexively drifted across the street to the entrance of Walker Hotel and then to Valmont Saloon. Her gaze kept seeking out Coop, though she had told herself dozens of times to avoid contact with him.

Inhaling a determined breath, Alexa lifted the front of her skirts and hiked toward the town square. She had to find a way to occupy her time and thoughts until Kate arrived in town to meet her for supper. Otherwise, she was going to drive herself crazy thinking about a man who was completely off-limits!

 

“Lexi? You've been hundreds of miles away the past few days.” Kate jostled Alexa's arm. “Where are you now?”

Alexa shook herself from her distracting thoughts. She had spent the better part of the day trying not to think about Coop and she had taken great pains not to bump into him. She had also spent the morning pretending to laugh at Elliot's
un
amusing remarks and tolerating his touch. Every time she had looked at Elliot, she had visualized him clutching Lily Brantley passionately in his home office while she peeked in the window.

In turn, the thought of that tryst triggered forbidden images of her brief but steamy encounter with Coop in the moonlight.

“Tell me what's bothering you,” Kate persisted.

Alexa focused on her friend, who sat across the table from her at the restaurant. “I have a lot on my mind,” she said, refusing to admit aloud that Coop was a constant distraction.

Kate smiled dryly. “Obviously. So how goes your courtship with Elliot?” She leaned close to add, “I still can't believe you find that pretentious bore interesting.”

With each passing day, it became more difficult to convince Kate that she was enamored with Elliot Webster. Kate knew her better than most. They both had aversions to pretentious bores.

“I have discovered that
interesting
doesn't have to be a prerequisite for prospective husbands,” she contended. “And look who's talking, Kate. You've been as distracted as I have.”

Kate dodged her direct stare and fiddled with the silverware. “I have a lot on my mind, too.”

You have
Miguel
on your mind, you mean,
thought Alexa. Both of her closest friends had the attention span of gnats lately. They were fighting the attraction valiantly.

Alexa knew what that felt like…and how futile it was.

“Ah, dinner has arrived,” Alexa enthused when the waitress set their plates on the table. Grateful for the reprieve, Alexa dived into her meal and made certain there was nothing but small talk between bites.

Forty-five minutes later, Alexa and Kate exited the restaurant west of the town square. Alexa stopped short when she heard footsteps that indicated a man walking with an uneven gait approached. She glanced sideways to see Coop coming toward them. Tormenting need riveted her when she met his gaze. He nodded mutely as he limped around her and Kate to enter the restaurant they had exited.

Kate strolled toward the awaiting carriage. “Since you quit striking up conversations with Mr. Cooper on the street you've stopped the gossiping tongues from wagging. Thank goodness for that. Word got back to Papa and he's been worrying about you.”

“He can stop fretting. I've had no contact with Coop.”

However, she'd had very little to look forward to. Spending time with Elliot hadn't cured the frustrating yearning. In addition, she should be inspired to work hard on this case now that Coop had practically confessed that he'd joined the enemy camp. Lord, the man was causing her so much mental anguish she was ready to pull out her hair by the roots.

Or do something else equally desperate.

“Where is Elliot tonight?” Kate questioned.

“Previous engagement at the brothel,” she replied as she ambled alongside her friend.

Kate frowned disconcertedly. “I cannot believe you're letting him get away with that.”

“It appears to be a common practice among the upper crust of society,” Alexa remarked. “I don't have to like it, but if I accept Elliot's proposal I will have to deal with it.”

Kate halted abruptly. “His proposal? When did this happen?”

“After lunch. In between the sale of a horse blanket and the Dutch oven that one of his customers purchased.”

“And you said—?” Kate asked anxiously.

“I said I'm still thinking about it. But I do have other offers on the table, you know.”

“Good. Take any of the other offers. I am not an Elliot Webster fan,” Kate said frankly. “I have to try too hard to be nice to the man. Besides, he torments my father regularly.”

You aren't the only one who has to make an effort to be nice to him!
she thought. “Marriages and romance aren't all they're cracked up to be. My parents can't live in the same house. Half a country between them is barely enough of a separation to keep them civil.”

“No offense, Lexi, but I don't know how anyone could get along with your mother.” She glanced questioningly at Alexa. “How is Bethany managing back East with her?”

Alexa didn't want to discuss her difficulty in communicating with her younger sister without her spiteful mother's intervention. She had enough problems on her mind already. Indeed, they were about to burst inside her and she needed relief!

“Miguel?” she called out as they approached the carriage.

“
Si, querida?
I'm here.” Miguel pushed away from the far side of the buggy where he had been waiting dutifully.

“Please take Kate home then come back for me in two hours,” she requested. “I want to check on Selma Mae. Kate said she didn't show up for work at the ranch today.”

“No,” Miguel said in no uncertain terms.

“You prefer that I walk to the ranch?” she teased. “That is rather mean-spirited of you.”

“Staying here without a chaperone is not a good idea,” Miguel warned.

Alexa wasn't sure if his objection had more to do with his concern that she might get herself into trouble or the temptation of being alone with Kate would get
him
into trouble. Mostly the latter, she suspected.

“Nevertheless, I intend to check on Selma Mae,” Alexa insisted. “I made her welfare my business when I confronted Harlan and I hired her on the spot. If she comes to harm because of my intervention, I want to know. I'll ask Marshal Henson to accompany me to her home, if that will make you feel better.”

That appeased Miguel. Somewhat. Now he had to escort Kate to the ranch and deal with his attraction to her. Since misery was said to love company, Alexa took solace in knowing Kate and Miguel were fighting a complicated attraction, too. Of course, none of this fazed Coop. He'd made it clear from the beginning that what he wanted from her was physical and temporary.

Unlike the growing fascination been Kate and Miguel, she mused. They had been acquaintances and friends forever. Now their feelings had deepened and expanded over the years. Alexa had no qualms about being their matchmaker, even if Percy Hampton might object. She would worry about that obstacle later.

“I'll be back in two hours.” Miguel's voice broke into her wandering thoughts. He handed Kate into the buggy then pivoted to wag his lean finger in Alexa's face. “But do not get into trouble and don't try to break up any fights. Agreed?”

Alexa offered him a snappy salute and an impish grin. “Yes, sir. Whatever you say.”

“Whatever I say is always lost on you,” Miguel grumbled as he bounded into the carriage to take the reins. “I'm all that passes for your conscience, and you know it. I want you to feel enormously guilty if you get into a scrape while I'm not there to help.”

“Don't make him fret, Lexi,” Kate chimed in. “You know he adores you.”

“And I love him, too. Furthermore, I promise not to pick any fights that land me in jail,” she added for good measure.

“That's what I want to hear,” Miguel said, pacified.

Then off he went with Kate.

Alexa chuckled in amusement as her friends drove out of sight. Then she hiked down Main Street to Gil Henson's office. She was going to see for herself that Selma Mae Fredericks was all right. Then she was going to decide what to do about this maddening need to be with Coop.

Ten minutes later, she learned that Harlan had smashed his left hand while laying track for the railroad. Selma had stayed home to care for him. Alexa insisted that Selma take another day to tend her husband before returning to Hampton Ranch to resume her employment.

Lingering outside Gil Henson's office, Alexa stared pensively toward Walker Hotel and Restaurant. She found herself standing on a new threshold, wanting something that no other man had aroused in her. Reckless temptation put her feet in motion. Although questions about her investigation cluttered her mind, Alexa decided they could wait until morning. Right now, selfish impulse controlled her mind and body. She needed relief from the maddening ache that hounded her night and day.

 

Coop stepped outside the restaurant and told himself the steak he'd had for supper satisfied his appetites sufficiently. It was a lie. Need had been gnawing at him for four days—and nights. The nights were the worst and sleep didn't come easily.

He glanced speculatively toward Valmont Saloon. Polly Sanders, the calico queen who flirted with him frequently, had offered to help him scratch the itch. He should take her up on it. Coop wheeled toward the saloon and took three steps in that direction before he stopped short. He had a job to do at night, he reminded himself. He was supposed to ride fences. Webster more or less implied that he should turn his back if he saw the hired hands picking off Hampton and Barrett cattle.

Coop hadn't actually heard Webster give his men orders to swipe the cattle and rebrand them. He needed to. Plus, he wanted to inspect the livestock to determine the recency of their brands. There was also the possibility that Webster's men had been instructed to set up the neighbors by placing their brands over the
W
brand. It wouldn't be the first time a shrewd crook arranged for his neighbors to look guilty of rustling.

Reversing direction, Coop hobbled toward the hotel. He planned to remove the hindering splints and ride out to Webster's ranch. If he were lucky, he'd see Webster ducking into the line shack or hear him give an incriminating order. Coop needed something substantial to report to Mr. Chester the following evening when they met in the canyon north of town.

The lobby was vacant when Coop entered the hotel. He assumed the clerk had taken a short break since he wasn't behind the counter. It was a quiet night in Questa Springs, he noted as climbed the steps stiff-legged.

Coop opened the door to his room—then tensed apprehensively. Scant moonlight filtered into the dark room. He knew the door had been locked, but he still felt a presence inside. He drew his pistol and stepped sideways, in case an unexpected intruder tried to shoot him. Coop had learned years ago to duck and dive to avoid flying bullets.

“It's me. Close the door, Coop.”

The sultry voice, straight from his fantasies, drifted toward him. When he closed the door behind him, Alexa moved into the spray of light slanting through the window. The breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding sighed out of him as he savored the tantalizing sight of her in the trim-fitting yellow gown.