“What?”
“Romance novels?” That damn brow rose again. “Really?”
She raised her own brow. “You got a problem with that?”
“Nope.” He pressed his lips together to keep from laughing. “No problem. Guess I saw you as more of an action-adventure gal, that’s all. You know. Spies. Espionage. That sort of thing.”
“I get enough of that at work. Those”—she glanced at her collection of books—“let me escape it all. For a little while, at least.”
Coop’s expression softened as he picked up on the wistfulness she’d let slip through. The man always did see too damn much.
It was why she was so careful around him. Kept everything close to the vest. Because if Coop ever found out the truth…
He’d never look at me the same way again.
“Stop it.”
Her eyes flew up to his. “What—”
“You don’t have to hide from me.”
The beat of her heart grew stronger. Faster. “I’m not hiding anything from you.”
The obvious lie should have made him angry, but his sexy voice rumbled as he laughed. “Baby, you hide yourself from everyone around you. The others…they may not see it, but I do.” He shrugged one of his broad shoulders. “Always have.”
Baby?Coop had never called her that before.
Staring back at him, she realized he’d also never looked at her the way he was now. And what he’d just said…
Her heart didn’t beat harder. Itslammedagainst her ribs.
Eyes locked, it was impossible to miss the way his were darkening with each second that passed. He took the glass from her hand and set it next to his on the nearest shelf.
“I know you’re hiding shit, Mac. From me. From the team. Thing is…” He took a step closer. Licked the lips she’d dreamed of tasting. “I don’t care.”
“You wouldn’t say that if you knew the truth.”
“Tell me.”
She glanced away, her voice barely a whisper. “I can’t.”
“Look at me, McKenna.”
She didn’t. He refused to allow it.
Taking another step toward her, Coop put his hand beneath her chin and gently forced her to face him once more. Expecting to find him staring back at her with anger, she was surprised by the determination and palpable heat she found in those gorgeous eyes.
He was standing so close to her now. Too close. When he spoke again, she could feel his hot breath on her forehead, and he soundeddifferent.
“You are so damn stubborn.” His thumb caressed her bottom lip. “And so fucking beautiful.”
Holy. Shit. “Coop?”
“I’m in, Mac.”
That damn organ in her chest pounded harder. Surely he didn’t mean, “You’re…in?”
“Whatever you’re doing. Whatever this job is. I want in.”
