Kiss Me If You Can (17 page)

Catching sight of a salesgirl, Lexie stepped toward her.

“Excuse me, where is the lingerie department?” she asked.

“Intimate apparel is on four,” the heavily made-up woman said, directing her to the nearest escalator with perfectly manicured fingernails.

“Thank you.” Lexie turned in that direction, when she heard her name being called.

She spun around, surprised to find Coop's neighbor, Sara Rios, walking toward her. “I thought that was you!” Sara greeted her with a smile.

“Hi!” Lexie couldn't tear her gaze from the woman who once again, exhibited an entirely different persona from the hard-edged cop or the casually dressed woman she'd met before. Wearing a miniskirt, a ruffled tank, delicate sandals, a full face of makeup and her long hair flowing around her shoulders, Lexie probably wouldn't have recognized her even if she'd spotted her first.

“Small world,” Lexie couldn't help saying.

“I'm a regular here. Days off and here I am.” She spread her arms around her.

“I never would have imagined. Shopping really isn't my thing.”

“Then what is?” Sara asked, while steering her through the store.

“Travel. I like to save my money so when I want to pick up and go, the cash is there,” Lexie explained.

As they spoke, Sara would stop and browse at various cosmetic counters.

“What sort of places have you been?”

“Last month I went to Indonesia to see the area hit by the tsunami in 2004, then ended up in Darfur with some people I met.”

Sara dropped an eye pencil in her hand. “So you're not what you seem, either. You have to be pretty brave to travel alone, and then to pick up and head to Darfur with strangers.”

Lexie shrugged. She'd never thought of her traveling as brave. “The people I met were with an aid organization. They were safe enough.”

Sara nodded. “So what started this love of travel?”

It was funny. Of all the people who'd questioned her about her transient lifestyle, Coop's friend seemed the most genuinely curious. Because of that interest, it was easy to open up to her.

“When I was younger, my grandmother would take me to local sites. Usually it was whenever life in my house got too intense,” Lexie said, remembering. “At first it was local parks, places to escape.
Later it was major tourist sites like the Statue of Liberty and then the Empire State Building.”

“She sounds special,” Sara said.

Lexie smiled. “She is.” And probably a devious thief, she thought to herself. “Anyway, as I got older she encouraged me to travel and see the world while I could. I'd take these trips to amazing countries like France and Spain, and I'd realize what a breath of fresh air it was to be away from the pressure at home. Eventually, traveling just became a way of life for me. Something I craved and truly enjoyed.”

“Sounds like life at home was tough.”

“No more than for most people,” Lexie said lightly, suddenly embarrassed that she'd spilled her guts about more than just travel. “Hey, I don't want to keep you, so it was great seeing you and I'll just go do my shopping.”

She wanted to make a quick escape, but Sara's hand on her arm stopped her. “I'm sorry if I pushed. It's the cop in me.”

Lexie shook her head. “Actually, you didn't. Something about you is just easy to talk to.”

Sara grinned. “Ever hear the expression,
good cop, bad cop?
”

Lexie nodded.

“My ex-partner and I used to fall into those roles, and though I can be a hard-ass when I need to be, I
can also be a good listener, which makes me perfect for the good-cop role. So, what are you shopping for? Because I'm just browsing.”

Lexie really didn't want to share her mission with Sara. “I just need some lingerie,” she said, vaguely, but even as she spoke, a heated blush rose to her cheeks. “I need something to wear to surprise Coop,” she blurted out before Sara could accurately read her embarrassment.

A wide grin spread across the other woman's face. “Why didn't you say so? Mind if I tag along? I'm pretty good at picking out the racier things.”

She wiggled her eyebrows and Lexie laughed. “Why not? I really suck at this shopping stuff,” she admitted.

Sara had a way about her that put Lexie at ease, remarkable considering how uptight she'd made her feel in the beginning. Apparently, she kept her defenses high until she made a decision about a person, but once someone earned her stamp of approval, Sara let down her walls. Lexie only hoped Sara didn't live to regret her decision to help once Lexie and Coop's relationship ran its course.

The women shared lunch in the restaurant upstairs and by the end of the day, Lexie had a spectacular-looking lingerie set, which she hoped would knock Coop's socks off.

As they walked out of the store and onto the
street, the heat struck Lexie immediately. “This was fun and I appreciate your helping me.”

Sara smiled. “My pleasure. And now I'm going to go a step further with advice that goes beyond clothing.”

A warning tingle ripped through Lexie. “I'm listening,” she said warily.

“I come from a family of divorced cops. It's all part of the job, so long-term relationships really aren't my thing.”

Lexie sensed a hint of sadness and regret in Sara's statement.

“Running away is something I understand better than most.”

Lexie narrowed her gaze. “I don't run away.”

She should have known she'd let down her guard too easily. Sara was yet another person who judged Lexie and her choices.

“I explained to you that travel has become a part of me.”

“You did.” Sara nodded, but didn't apologize for misunderstanding. “You also said the sightseeing and travel started as a way to escape tension at home.”

“And it morphed into something greater. Something important to me. Why does everyone insist on viewing it as wrong?” Lexie asked, frustrated and upset. She'd suffered enough of this with her
family. She didn't need it from a woman who was a perfect stranger.

But she was also Coop's closest friend.

Who's your closest friend?
The question entered Lexie's mind uninvited, chipping at the defenses she'd built up over the years.

“All I'm saying is that sometimes we get caught up in a cycle that becomes impossible to break. And I'm suggesting you take a hard look at your life before you leave for wherever it is you decide to go next. Because the things that matter most to you might not be waiting when you return.”

Wow. Now this was the Sara she'd first met. Hard-edged and intrusive. “Thanks for the advice,” Lexie said stiffly.

Sara's penetrating gaze met hers. “I know you're mad now, but I hope one day you'll thank me for saying this.”

“I doubt it.” Lexie's fingers curled tightly around the shopping bag in her hand.

“We'll see. Enjoy your purchases,” Sara said, turned and headed off in the opposite direction, leaving Lexie speechless and feeling blindsided by the unsolicited advice.

Somehow she pushed Sara's comments to the back of her mind and refocused on tonight. A combination of excitement and anticipation took over. Especially when she remembered she still had Coop's key in her purse.

 

C
OOP HEADED HOME
from work, hoping for a few minutes to shower before Lexie arrived. He'd spent the last couple of hours sorting through the police blotter, deciding what stories would make it into the paper. Sometimes there were serious ones and sometimes, like today, he'd get the oddball crime. An upscale restaurant had hosted a collectors' meeting of the Fabergé Egg Society—who knew there was such a group?—where a rare egg had been reported missing. One minute the designer egg had been there, the next minute it was gone. All the members of the society, plus the waiters and staff of the restaurant, had been questioned, but there were no suspects. A reward had been issued for the valuable antique. Since Coop had the room, he ran the piece and put the issue to bed.

Now he let himself into his apartment and immediately sensed Lexie's presence. Once again, he found himself overwhelmed by the rightness of her being here, waiting for him, and no matter how he fought it, he couldn't shake the feeling.

He tossed his keys onto the hall table and walked inside. The table was set with his mismatched dishes and he winced, taking in the lack of coordination along with the candles she'd had to have picked up herself, since he didn't own any. Chinese food cartons were also set out and still closed, waiting for them to enjoy.

“Lexie?” he called out.

“In the bedroom.”

His mouth immediately went dry. He stepped closer and a seductive fragrance assaulted him in the best way. He inhaled again and the scent lured him toward the bedroom.

The door was partially closed, a ruffled dress hanging from the doorknob. His entire body went on red alert. He kicked the door open with the toe of his foot, drew a steadying breath and strode inside.

His dimly lit, normally masculine bedroom was also decorated with burning candles flickering seductively around the room, while Lexie lay in the center of the bed, a vision in skimpy red-lace lingerie.

She crooked a finger, a siren calling to him from across the room and all thoughts of Chinese food and showering fled. Coop couldn't think about anything except the woman waiting for him.

“This is a welcome surprise.” He barely recognized his own voice.

“I thought you were expecting me.”

He loosened the tie he'd been wearing and pulled it over his head, tossing it to the floor. As he continued to walk toward her, he worked on his shirt, opening the buttons one by one until he shrugged it off his shoulders and let it drop.

Lexie watched him with wide, eyeglass-free eyes, which darkened with every move he made.

“I never knew you were a frilly-lingerie kind of girl.” He kicked off his shoes and rid himself of his socks, then unbuttoned his slacks. He hooked his fingers into the waistband and pulled off both pants and boxers in one smooth motion.

“There's a lot you don't know about me.” Her voice dropped an octave, her gaze focused on his hard-as-a-rock erection.

He couldn't be sure, but he thought he thickened beneath that approving, hungry stare.

As he studied her, he wondered what was left to learn about Lexie, but he intended to find out. Sliding beside her on the mattress, he hooked his finger into the thin strap covering one shoulder and buried his face in her neck, inhaling her sweet scent and tasting her with long laps of his tongue.

She shuddered and tilted her head, encouraging him. He complied, laving his way up, taking soft bites of her flesh with his teeth, followed by long, soothing sweeps with his tongue.

Her entire body trembled at the gentle assault, while Coop couldn't believe how ready he was from just this simple taste. He paused long enough to devour the look of her, tousled and tempting, wearing seductive lingerie that revealed mere flashes of skin beneath the sexy material.

“I bought it for you,” she said in a husky voice.

The admission nearly broke him. It humbled him. It also aroused him beyond belief. He wanted to bury himself inside her wet sheath, but she'd obviously put thought into this seduction and he wanted her to get more than a quickie out of it.

He cupped his hand around her face, turning her toward him. “And I appreciate it.”

She smiled and stroked his cheek with her fingertips. “I've been looking forward to this all day,” she said, then sealed her lips over his.

In the instant their mouths melded, things turned from gentle to urgent. She'd planned the seduction, but from the way her fingers dug into his shoulders and she pressed her breasts against his chest, rubbing restlessly, she obviously didn't want slow.

Neither did he. Coop dipped his head and pulled one tight, needy nipple into his mouth, sucking on the silken material, flicking at the tight bud with his teeth until Lexie whimpered aloud. She arched her back, pushing her breast deeper into his mouth. He roughly pulled at the fabric, exposing her breast and ripping the flimsy material.

“I'll pay for it,” he muttered and sealed his mouth over her flesh. He flicked his tongue back and forth over her distended nipple and she groaned, thrusting her fingers into his hair, urging him on.

He tormented one breast until her entire body
shook in reaction before exposing the other, licking, biting and soothing, taking himself to an incredible level of hot, clawing need.

They were both in sitting positions and she crawled on top of him, locking her legs around his waist and tilting her pelvis so her moist, damp heat sealed against his stomach.

No panties.

“God,” he said on a guttural groan. She was so damn hot. He couldn't get enough and slid his hand between their bodies, easing one finger inside her.

Her inner walls clamped around him and he nearly exploded. In and out, he slid his one long finger, pleasuring her while kissing those luscious lips.

She wound her arms around his neck and eased herself backwards, giving him easier access. All the while she rocked against his hand, moaning, senseless, sexy words, urging him to give her more. With his thumb, he began to circle the sensitive outer bud and she cried out, so he deepened the pressure outside, continuing to thrust his finger in and out.

Her breath came in shallow gasps, her lower body moved on him, seeking deeper, more intense contact. Coop grit his teeth and swore to himself that he wouldn't come until he was inside her. He leaned forward and kissed her again, which had the effect of pushing his finger deeper into her body, pressing his thumb into direct contact with her clit.

Just when he thought he couldn't hold out, she screamed as her release washed over her, her body milking his hand while he wrung every last contraction he could from deep inside her.