Page 11 of Cooper’s Passion

“It’s clear across town. Nice area, and some great views of the city,” he said casually and walked toward her, fully dressed now. He reached for his jacket and put it on. “So, let’s go for that drink, and you can tell me all about yourself.”

She turned to the door, but he was faster and opened it for her, his hand suddenly on her lower back to guide her outside. When he removed it seconds later, she was disappointed. Damn, this man conjured up all kinds of desires in her, even though she didn’t know anything about him. But seeing his naked torso and the way he’d looked at her with such intensity in his brown eyes while he’d dressed without inhibition, had awakened everything female in her. This man exuded pure sex from every pore of his skin. She had no doubt that whenever he set his sights on a woman, he got exactly what he wanted. What woman in her right mind could resist a man like Cooper?

The place Cooper took her to was an intimate wine bar with small, half-moon-shaped booths lined with red velvet and candles on the tables. The lighting was muted, and soft jazz music came from the hidden speakers.

“I should have asked if you like wine,” Cooper said as a staff member led them to a table in the back of the establishment.

“I do, but only red. And I’m not a connoisseur. You might have to help me choose,” she admitted, slightly intimidated by the many bottles of wine that were lined up behind the bar and others that were hidden behind a glass front to keep their contents at a steady temperature.

Sitting down at the table, Cooper handed the menus back to the waiter. “We’ll have the Wilson Zin, the Tori if you have it.”

“An excellent choice, sir,” the man said and disappeared.

“I guess you know your wine,” Anita said, feeling even more flushed now that they were inside. It was rather warm in the bar, and she was still wearing her jacket. She adjusted her collar to allow more air to reach her skin.

“You must be warm. Why don’t you take off your jacket?” he suggested.

She leaned closer, lowering her voice. “I can’t. I’m wearing a shoulder holster.”

Cooper chuckled. “I almost forgot about the gun.” He pointed to a door. “Why don’t you take it off in the restroom and put it in your handbag?”

“Good idea.” She rose.

“As a matter of fact, I’d better wash my hands. After all, I was lying on the ground in a dirty alley not too long ago.”

“You’ll never let me forget about that, will you?”

He grinned, and the dimples in his cheeks made her heart jump with excitement. “Maybe if I could replace that memory with a better one…”

She decided not to reply to his comment. It was a minefield, and there was no good answer to it.