Page 67 of Wrecked

Shane’s pissed. “No, I haven’t seen them! She didn’t say a word about receiving any images this evening.” He’s quiet a moment, muttering under his breath about Luciana. “I swear to God, I could kill that woman.” He blows out a frustrated breath. “Thanks, Sam.”

Just as I end the call with Shane, Cooper walks into the restaurant. I have a moment to admire him before he spots me. He looks so handsome dressed in black trousers and a white button-down shirt. Seeing him, I feel seriously underdressed in jeans and a T-shirt.

I watch as he scans the waiting room, obviously looking for me. The moment he spots me, he smiles.

My pulse flutters as he heads my way. I slide over to make room for him on the bench.

“How long is the wait?” he asks as he sits beside me. He’s a bit breathless, as if he hurried. He’s so close, our thighs are touching. Our shoulders rub together.

“Not long. Maybe ten more minutes.”

“Looks like we beat the dinner crowd.” He glances at me. “How was your day?”

“Chaotic. That bitch Luciana showed up twice today at Clancy’s. She’s terrorizing Beth.”

Cooper frowns. “Shane’s going to have to do something about her.”

I study his handsome profile and strong jawline. I’d give anything to be able to lay my hand on his thigh or hold his hand. “How wasyourday?”

“It was fine. Uneventful.” He spares me another look. “I told Shane I’d be out all evening.”

“And what does that mean exactly?”

“It means I’m yours for the rest of the evening and night, if you want me.”

If I want him?I roll my eyes and lean closer, pressing against his shoulder. “You know I do.”

“Cooper, party of two,” the hostess announces as she gathers up two menus.

“Cooper?” he asks me, giving me a smug grin.

I shrug.So I gave her my boyfriend’s name. Sue me.

Cooper pats my thigh and then rises to his feet. “Let’s go,Mr. Cooper.”

My chest is flushed with heat as I follow Cooper through the restaurant. The titleMr. Cooperis reverberating in my head. I never even considered the possibility of marriage to Cooper. Hell, he won’t even acknowledge me in public. I don’t see him ever getting married. But now that the idea is in my head, I can’t shake it.

The hostess seats us at a table for two in the back corner of the restaurant. It’s perfect—quiet, off the beaten path, and private. It’s a table for lovers.

I can tell Cooper has come to the same conclusion himself, based on the slight scowl on his face as he skims the menu.

“What’s wrong?” I ask him.

Before he can answer, our server comes to fill our water glasses.

“Would you gentlemen like to order something to drink?” the young man asks.

“I’ll take a Goose Island IPA,” Cooper says tersely. He eyes me. “You want the same?”

He knows what I like.

Goose Island is a popular local brewery. Cooper’s the one who introduced me to it. I nod. “Thanks.”

“We’ll order now,” Cooper adds. He sounds impatient, like he can’t wait to get this meal over with so we can leave.

We both order steaks, baked potatoes, and side salads.

After our server walks away, I say, “What put you in a bad mood all of a sudden? You were smiling when you first got here.”