The Barefoot Groom: Bachelor Billionaire Romance (A Last Play Companion) (11 page)

She stood. “I need to go.”

All the fun of it disappeared. He stood. “No, don’t leave.”

She moved over to the chairs next to the fire pit he had for his meetings with the Junto boys.

“Sit.” He pointed to a chair. “Please.”

She looked at the chair and then back to him. “Why? So you can mock God some more?”

“Whoa, I’m sorry.” Cooper put up both hands defensively. “You’re right. I crossed the line. Guess I was just having too much fun arguing with you.”

London crossed her arms. “You can have your own beliefs, and I don’t even mind arguing, but there are things I won’t sit for.”

“That should be chapter ten: ‘Stand For What You Stand For.’”

The smile returned to her face. “You’re gonna owe me so many stinking royalties.”

Cooper reached down and pushed the ignition button for the fire pit. “Stick around, London Bridges falling down...”

“You don’t know when to quit,” she said with a chuckle.

“Fine, I won’t call you that for the rest of the night if you sit down.

“I’ll stay if you tell me more about you,” she said as she sat.

Cooper took a chair and slid it close to hers. “You’ve read it. My dad left, my mom went from relationship to relationship.”

She pointed at him. “An article in
People
magazine said you ran track in high school, but you were known for your relationship advice even then.”

Poking at the briquettes, Cooper thought back. “I wanted to fix my mother. Then my two older sisters, then I wanted to figure out how to get dates.”

She laughed.

Relaxing, he smiled back at her. “I read all the early books on the powers of the mind and how to attract the things you want.”

She concentrated and said slowly, “It’s like planting an acorn and watching it grow. You plant it and the tree’s energy attracts what it needs.”

That was pretty much a direct quote. “Wow. I’m flattered.”

“So I cyberstalked you a bit.”

He liked it. Especially because she wasn’t the kind of woman he usually met at the seminars who fell all over themselves and praised him at every turn. If anything, she hadn’t wanted to be around him. Well, strike that, she had just made it clear she didn’t want a relationship with him. “Fair’s fair. Tell me more about you.”

She got quiet then leaned forward. “I would, but then I’d have to kill you.”

“Overused line.” He gave her a bored look.

She smiled.

“Besides, you already have to kill me. Remember, London Bri—” He caught himself in time and let her name hang there.

“You do have a point.”

Wanting to needle her, he asked. “Unless you think your boyfriend might get jealous if you answered the questions?”

She shook her head. “I guarantee my boyfriend won’t get mad. He’s far too confident in himself to be jealous.”

Giving her a slight grin, he nodded. “Of course he is.” He turned to her. “So you grew up on a farm.”

“Yep. My parents still farm and ranch.”

“Where?”

“Nebraska.”

“Do I get in trouble if I call you a cornhusker?”

London’s chin lifted slightly. “I’m proud of my heritage.”

“Why’d you leave?”

“Enough questions.” London held her hands out to the fire. “My turn.” She looked straight at him, and the fire flickered in her eyes. “There was another reason you asked me to come up here, wasn’t there?”

Cooper couldn’t hold her eyes without leaning forward into them, and if he did that he’d probably kiss her again.

As if reading his thoughts, London added. “Just as friends, remember?”

Casually, he said, “You read my mind, London B.”

“I knew it. So shoot.” Instead of holding her hands flat toward the flames, she fidgeted with them.

“It’s okay if you don’t want to answer.” Cooper put his feet up on the rim of the bricks that surrounded the fire pit. “It’s about your nonprofit.”

London’s hands went still. Without turning her head, she shifted her eyes to study him.

“I just want to know if your organization would benefit from some philanthropic billionaires I know.”

L
ondon’s mouth fell open
. This was the opportunity she’d been waiting for since … since she’d been in her freshman year in college and had done a report on the human trafficking going in and out of this country. When she’d first discovered that most pornography consumed comes from women and young children being captured and forced by drugs or coercion from other family members who were also captured.

She couldn’t believe it.

The way he stared at her with those green eyes made the center of her chest melt. All of the lies she’d told flowed away, and the words that would confess the truth gathered at the back of her throat.

She couldn’t do that. Cooper Harrison had just taken everything between them way beyond a flirty fling. The resources his group had at their disposal could change hundreds of lives. Thousands. Maybe more. He’d never hand over money to a dirt-digging journalist who had told him nothing but lies.

“Are you serious?” Phew. Those words were safe enough.

Cooper nodded. “As a heart attack.”

“Miss.”

Both of them turned. Mira was coming toward them. “It appears someone is at the front desk looking for you.”

Bewildered, she pushed the chair back. “Oh.” Could it be Marcia?

“Your boyfriend?” Cooper pushed back and stood next to her.

“Maybe.” The cool night had gotten uncomfortably warm. Sweat beaded on her forehead. Who in the heck could be here? And why had anything gotten in the way of Cooper Harrison talking about giving money to her organization?

Cooper gestured to the stairs. “Let’s go find out.”

London saw him before they even got to the stairs. After all, her brother Tom was pretty identifiable with his cowboy hat on and his military duffel bag flung over his shoulder. Plus, he was a tall man at six four, six five with his boots on.

A hotel employee was with him. The man nodded proudly as soon as he saw London and Cooper.

Tom looked up and met her eyes, a giant grin on his face.

Then he was rushing up, taking the stairs two at a time.

Sincere happiness filled her. Racing down the stairs, she almost fell.

They met halfway, and Tom tugged her up and into a tight hug. “I missed you!”

Tears filled London’s eyes. She tried to talk but found it impossible

So many nights she’d prayed for him, hoping he’d come back in one piece. This was no cosmic manifestation. God had heard those prayers. She let out a half cry, half laugh.

Tom pulled back, and London saw tears in his eyes too. “I decided if you couldn’t come to me, I’d come to you.”

From behind her, Cooper said, “Well, you do seem happy to see him.”

Tom looked up. After a quick glance back at London, he put out his hand. “Hey.”

With narrowed eyes, Cooper glanced at her and then back to Tom. The side of his lip tugged up, and she saw his dimple appear. “Hey.”

Letting out a nervous laugh, London introduced them. “Tom, Cooper. Cooper, Tom.”

Cooper still looked back and forth between her and Tom. “Nice to meet you.”

Tom pulled his hand back, nodding. “You too.”

“You’re in the military?”

“Yep, only a couple of days left. I couldn’t go back over there without seeing her.”

Cooper smacked his lips and said, “Let’s, uh, get off these stairs.”

London was thankful for the chance to hide her flaming red face and collect her thoughts. She led Tom down to the landing where he took her by the shoulders and looked into her face. “What’s wrong? Are you mad I came?” He jerked his thumb back to the hotel. “I got my own room, so I won’t be in the way of your work.”

“What?” Cooper asked.

The sound of her cover up laugh sounded weird to her. “Ha, ha, ‘My Boyfriend Has Boundaries.’” She smiled up at him. “Chapter Seven.”

For a second, Tom stared at her, obviously confused. Still, his look was the same kind they used to give each other when they were kids and they both knew they were lying to their parents about something. It confirmed he knew he had had to cover for her. He cleared his throat and turned back to Cooper. “Right. You know writers.” Tom smiled at Cooper. “Okay, are you
the
Cooper Harrison? The guy in charge of this whole place?” Tom glanced around, letting out a low whistle.

Cooper kept his narrowed eyes trained on her for a second, looking confused. Then he refocused on Tom. “In the flesh.” He hesitated. “You’re going to sit in on some of the classes, right?”

Tom shook his head. “Nah, I haven’t paid for it.”

Waving a hand into the air, Cooper shook his head. “Nonsense, you’re welcome to enjoy it all. In fact,” he put a finger up in the air, “why don’t you forget your hotel room and come stay at the house as my guest?” He spread his hands.

Never able to refuse something free, Tom let out a ripple laugh. “In four days, I’ll be sleeping on an army cot. I won’t turn down any sort of luxury.”

“It’s the least I could do for one of our military.”

Tom nodded and gave Cooper a soft pat on the shoulder. “You’re not a bad guy, Cooper.”

Cooper didn’t acknowledge the comment, just gestured to the party. “Please, mingle. Enjoy yourself.”

“Well, I think Tom and I will want to talk for awhile,” London said quickly, unsure why Cooper was being so kind and rational about all of this. Her nerves were jumping in her gut, and all she knew was she didn’t want to face the music with Cooper at the moment. Seeing Tom after a year on opposite sides of the world was worth almost any price. Hopefully, it wouldn’t cost her a chance to help women and children all over the world.

Cooper nodded. “Okay.”

Tom had already spotted a woman, and London could see where it was heading. Putting his arm around London, he squeezed her. “Hon, don’t you want to stay down here and dance? I’m all wound up.” He gave her the look that said, I don’t get to be around single women like this and you know it.

Cooper was already waving over one of his staff. “Please take his duffel bag to my guest room, and alert the staff he’ll be my guest for the next couple of days.”

Putting her hand to her head, she faked a grumpy face. “I do feel a headache coming on, but let’s dance first, and then we can go up.”

Her heart raced. She could do one dance with Tom, give him the lay of the land and then head up to bed and leave Tom on his own. It wasn’t like Cooper watched every guest, did he?

“Great.” Tom freely gave up his duffel bag and let out a laugh, catching her eye. “Let’s dance.”

Before she knew it, he had her swinging around the floor to a country tune, taking her in and out of complicated steps. Her parents had insisted both of them learn to dance, and they’d been dance partners while growing up.

Tom slowed it down and pulled her in, taking her into a two-step. “So that’s the guy you’re trying to hustle?”

She sighed, but couldn’t help smiling at him. “You look good, bro.” She gave his hand a squeeze.

Pulling her in fast and then whipping her into a pretzel move, he let out a low laugh and then went back to the two-step. “You look good too.” He glanced at Cooper, who still stood on the sidelines watching them.

London saw two girls walking up to Cooper. One was tall and blonde with long hair and heels six inches high. The other had black, A-line cut hair and a short, tight miniskirt.

Cooper’s eye caught hers, and her heart fluttered. She looked away, knowing she was blushing.

Tom sighed. “The guy is interested in you.”

London
accidentally
stepped on Tom’s foot. “That’s why you’re playing the fake boyfriend.” She couldn’t help letting out a happy laugh. “And I missed you!” She pulled him in, feeling more gratitude. “Even though you just complicated everything, I’m glad you’re here.”

He grinned wider and turned her faster. “So give me the details on our relationship.”

“Oh, we met last week, and you’re leaving soon.”

He grunted. “You’re pathetic. You concocted your brother?”

She kicked him in the shin when he spun her around his back. “Shut up.”

He laughed.

Giving him a pointed look, she tried not to sound overly naggy. “So don’t flirt with too many girls tonight.”

He gave the crowd a veiled scan. “After you get a headache, I’ll dance with a couple and then retire.” He grinned. “But I had to come see you. I had some close calls last time.”

Her heartstrings pulled. This was news to her. “What?”

He nodded. “I didn’t write home about it, but there were a couple of times I felt like … like God was protecting me.” He paused, and his face got more intense. “’Cause I’m telling you, sis. I could feel the bullets graze by.”

She shuddered, hating to think about it. Tom never spoke about it.

She frowned. “So are you here because you think your luck is running out?” She sounded angry, but she really was just scared. It wasn’t lost on her that now she really did feel a headache behind her left eye.

Tom pulled her into a hug. “No. No, sis.” He pulled back. They had stopped dancing. “I’m fine. I just … when you are constantly reminded of life ending, it gives you perspective on what’s important.” He took her back into the dance moves. “You’re important. Spending time with you is important.”

She thought of Cooper and his broken watch. “Time is important. More important than we think.”

Tom nudged her. “Are you okay?”

She thought of how Cooper had just offered her everything she’d ever wanted and how her lies would wreck everything. The lower pit of her stomach started rebelling against the food she just ate. “Tom.”

He grinned. “I’m fine. Let’s just enjoy being together the next couple of days.”

She studied his face for a second then pulled him into a big hug. “I love you, bro.” She closed her eyes.

“I love you too.”

Pulling back, she let out a breath. “I’ve got to do some work. Will you come up to the room and chat with me while I get some things down on paper?”

He hesitated. “Would you mind if I mingle for a bit?”

By the mischievous grin on his face, she knew she couldn’t stop him. She nodded and leaned up to whisper in his ear. “But remember, you’re
my
boyfriend.”

“Right.” He nodded.

She stepped back. “Come talk to me when you’re done relaxing.”

He winked at her. “Sounds good.”

She moved toward the double doors to the hotel inside the convention center. A warm hand settled on her forearm. “C’mon, London. Since your
boyfriend’s
taking a turn with someone else, why not take a turn with me?”

The feeling she’d been caught doing something horrible wound through her. “I have a headache.” She couldn’t even look up at Cooper.

Before she could say yes or no, he was tugging her hand into his and leading her to the center of the dance floor. “Just one dance.”

Because he was Cooper Harrison, there were people standing on the edges of their conversation like peasants waiting to get their time with the king. But he didn’t seem to notice.

The song changed into a slow two-step, and Cooper led her smoothly into the steps.

Her heart raced, and the way his eyes stared into hers, as if they could see her soul, left her breathless and wiry. While it was intoxicating to be in his arms, having a bunch of people watch them was annoying.

His facial hair was still that perfect length. His blond hair fell into his face as they twirled. She felt the hardness of his shoulder muscle against her hand.

Cooper surprised her by taking her into a quick turn and then picking her up and twirling her in a circle.

She squealed.

His serious demeanor fell away, and he laughed, but he didn’t say anything, only put her down and continued dancing expertly. The music picked up speed, and Cooper led her into different country dances. Table top. Swing.

She laughed even harder at the way the moves were coming back to her and how good he was at them.

“Why are you laughing?” he asked when he pulled her in close and led her forward in new steps.

London couldn’t get over his soap smell mixed with some cologne she couldn’t identify. His proximity didn’t help her gather her thoughts at all. He was close. So close their breath mixed, and she wanted to kiss him. “I think you’re good, and that surprised me.”

Twirling her out and in again fast, he nodded. “You’re good too.”

The song ended, and country music gave way to some eighties rock. She saw the miniskirt girl standing on the side, watching them. Their eyes connected, and she gave her a look like she would go down fighting her for him if given a chance.

Cooper pulled her in and whispered in her ear. “Tell me the truth, London.”

“What?” She tried to ignore how good it felt to be near him. To smell him. To have his hand on her forearm.

“You can’t dance with me like this and then tell me you don’t feel something.”

Pulling away from him, she shook her head. “I have a headache.”

* * *

L
ondon found
herself running through the crowd of people. Through the lobby. To the stairs, which she took two at a time. And straight into her room.

Sliding the key card in, her heart thrummed in her chest. She opened and closed the door, slamming herself back against it and crumbling down as she slid to the floor. Adrenaline made her whole body quiver.