Deadly Affair: SCVC Taskforce World Novella (SCVC Taskforce Romantic Suspense Series Book 5) Read Free Page B

lips when he tossed the clothes in his hand on the dresser and stalked towards her. “It seems odd to me he would totally give up something he loves that much. I’m sure he’s busy, running this place, but you would think he could squeeze in some time for painting here and there.”
    Coming to a stop at her feet, Cooper’s hands swept up her bare calves to her knees, his large hands causing goose flesh to break out over her skin. Pressing her knees open, he slid his body against hers, bringing him flush against her throbbing center.
    “I think,” he said, pressing a kiss to the side of her neck, making her insides quiver, “that we can worry about that later. Right now,” his tongue slid up her throat, leaving a wet path that had her wet in other places too, “I’d like to focus on other things. Like getting you out of these clothes.”
    Celina laughed. Threading her fingers through his hair, she brought his mouth to hers, sealing his lips with a scorching kiss.

Chapter Three

    Hours later, Cooper still wore a satisfied grin as he let Celina drag him downstairs to seek out the restaurant from the brochure. Since he’d promised her food and the Koi pond, he wasn’t about to go back on his word.
    God, he loved her. So much that it physically hurt. Making her happy this weekend was his number one priority. No more testing each other to see if they could make this relationship work. No more worrying over the shadows of the past. It was just the two of them, together, getting lost in each other.
    As soon as they grabbed a bite to eat and stepped out to tour the grounds, he planned on scouting for the perfect place to pop the question.
    He prayed like hell she would said yes.
    As if on cue, his hands grew clammy and a knot tightened his gut. What if she didn’t want to marry him? What if she was happy with the way things were? Cooper knew she loved him, felt it in every touch and saw it in her every smile, but what if this wasn’t what she pictured for their future?
    “Are you alright? You’ve got a death grip on my hand.”
    Her question startled him, and he instantly eased up the pressure, not realizing he’d been holding her hand so tightly. Flashing a grin, he hoped she didn’t notice his unease. “Sorry, just wanted to make sure you didn’t fall. I know how I make you weak in the knees.”
    She laughed, the husky sound warming his blood. “You’re so full of yourself, but I love you anyway.” She leaned into him. “I think I read somewhere that the restaurant isn’t attached to the building, that we need to go outside to find the entrance.”
    Finding their way down to the main hall, they went out the door they had come in earlier. The restaurant nestled between a grove of trees, the scents of freshly baked bread and herbs filling the air around them.
    Celina’s stomach growled loudly and they both laughed. “I suppose we’d better hurry.”
    “I’m glad you’re feeling better.”
    Her eyes widened before shifting away, suddenly absorbed in the rose bushes lining the walk to the front door of the restaurant.
    What was that all about? He fought down the urge to ask. She’d been off the whole past week, not eating, not sleeping. At first he’d assumed it was because his schedule had been so screwy, but it seemed to be more than that. She seemed a million miles away, jumping at the slightest sound. Whenever he’d asked if she was okay, she’d brushed him off with an ‘I’m fine’.
    Typical woman. Was there something more to it than she was letting on?
    They stepped through the doorway of Le Vino d’Abbey, taking a moment for their eyes to adjust to the dimly lit room. The restaurant had been decorated with rows of vineyards painted on the walls, various town scenes, thick brocade window treatments, white linen covered tables and marked barrels placed strategically throughout the room. The whole effect made it feel as though you had been transported to a quaint French village.
    “Oh my God.