Cooper (The Family Simon #6) - Juliana Stone Page 0,75

good for you.”

“Well it’s a good thing I don’t give a crap what you think, now is it?” She grabbed her purse. “Here’s something you can pass on to Christy.” Morgan paused, aware she was causing a bit of a stir but not giving a damn. The “gang of four” were three tables over, and all of them turned to watch.

“Tell her to stop messaging me and asking me if I’m okay. Tell her to stop messaging my sister or talking to anyone with an ear, wanting to know how I am. Tell her I am better than ever. I won’t give either one of you the forgiveness you’re looking for because I don’t care to. I really don’t. I hope you both have a nice life, because, honestly, you deserve each other.”

Jessie came up then, a fresh pot of coffee in her hand, a worried expression on her face.

“I’m good, Jess.” Morgan motioned toward Nathan. “But he looks like he needs one. Black with two sweeteners.”

She pushed past Jessie and headed outside. The sun was full-on shining, the birds were singing, and for the first time in forever, her steps were as light as her heart.

She found herself humming a tune as she hopped into her car and headed out toward the McLaren estate. She was looking forward to her day. Hell, to the entire week and whatever it might bring.

For a girl on the path to renewal? What a beautiful thing that was.

27

Cooper wrote like a bat out of hell. Seriously. He’d not been this inspired in years, and by five in the morning, he’d typed the last two words any author welcomes.

The end.

He took a break—made some coffee—and after a quick look-over, fired off the final draft to his agent and editor. He downed another cup and subsequently fell asleep on the sofa, waking up hours later to find the sun streaming in and hitting him in the face. Squinting, he rolled over and cursed at the pain in his stiff neck. Of course it wasn’t as bad as the pain in his head, and with a dark look thrown at the empty bottle of whiskey, Cooper staggered into the shower just off his office.

He stood under the hot spray for a long time, head down, letting the water roll over his bare back while he waited for the pain to abate. He used his hands to brace his body, and with his head resting against the cool tiles, closed his eyes, enjoying the sensation of water on skin.

Lulled by the sound of the spray, he might have fallen asleep standing up—a testament to how tired his mind and body were—but a small sound caught his ear, and he stilled, glancing to the side.

Someone was there.

Suddenly alert, Cooper jerked his head up, and then a slow, wicked grin slid across his face when he realized who that someone was. Morgan.

His grin widened. She was undressing.

Letting his head fall back, he tried to relax, but already his body was responding to the thought of her. He glanced down at his awakening cock and clamped his jaw shut.

The door slid open behind him, and he quivered in anticipation, telling himself to take it slow. But that thought flew out the window when her small hands slid across his back and then around his midsection in a hug.

“Long way to come for a shower,” he murmured, turning his head to the side. He was immediately rewarded with a glimpse of creamy skin and long, wet ropes of silky dark hair.

“It is.” She kissed his back. “And I’ve already had one.”

Just the sound of her voice had his cock twitching, and Cooper gave up all pretense of trying to hold back. With a growl, he turned around, gaze moving hungrily over her curves.

“Sweets, there is no pleasure in showering alone.” His hands cupped her breasts. “Just sayin’.”

Her eyes sparkled, and a soft smile played around the edges of her mouth. His thoughts went immediately south. He wanted that mouth, so he bent lower. He wanted it now.

Cooper swept his lips across hers, his mind and body wide awake and raring to go. No longer was he tired and spent or hungover. He was tight and ready and hard as rock. Just like that, one touch from Morgan, and he was a new man.

He pulled her against him, loving the way the water slid across her skin as his hands zipped around back and cupped her ass. He pressed his erection into