Kiss Me If You Can Read online

  Coop took a seat.

  “So how’s it been, being the city’s darling?” Matt asked.

  Coop described the box of trash he’d dumped earlier.

  “Sounds like a real hardship. You threw every last one of them away? You didn’t save even one of those lady’s numbers?” he asked, shocked.

  “Can I help it if I like my women sane?”

  Matt inclined his head. “Good point. To sane women. Like Olivia,” he said of his wife of ten years.

  Unlike Coop, marriage was another thing his brother had done well, following in their father’s footsteps. Coop rarely dwelled on his failings, but sometimes it was hard not to compare.

  Matt raised his beer glass and Coop met him in a toast.

  They both then tipped their beer and swallowed a large gulp.

  “So when’s your next shift?” Coop asked.

  “Tomorrow morning. So I thought I’d keep Dad company tonight.” Matt met Coop’s gaze.

  Both brothers ended up at Jack’s more often than not under the pretext of wanting a drink. They were really checking up on their father, making sure he wasn’t too lonely.

  “In other words, his wife’s sick of him,” their father said, having overheard Matt’s comment.

  He had a point, but both Matt and Coop knew old Jack appreciated having his sons stop by.

  “How’s work going for you?” Matt asked.

  “Same old,” Coop said.

  “Anything else new and exciting going on?”

  Coop shook his head. “Except for the robbery and the damn Bachelor Blog, my life’s pretty boring,” he lied.

  Until Coop knew more about Lexie and her grandmother’s connection to the ring, he felt compelled to keep the information to himself.

  “So life as a hero and famous bachelor is boring, huh? Maybe you should’a taken the risk and become a cop,” Jack joked.

  His father might be teasing, but the joke hit a raw nerve.

  Coop had torn his rotator cuff playing football in high school, injuring it again while training at the academy. After surgery, the doctors had warned him that most cops rarely recovered well enough from rotator cuff surgery to safely do the job required. Not to mention he’d be risking reinjuring the already weakened shoulder.

  It nearly killed Coop to bail on the academy and the future his father had hoped both his sons would have. Joke or not, Coop didn’t need the reminder that he’d disappointed his old man. He lived with the knowledge that he’d failed every damn day. So there was no way he’d admit to his father that, as much as he’d once loved his job as a reporter, he now found it too routine.

  It was a sad commentary on life when the crime beat of muggings, robberies and stabbings became too ordinary to spark much interest. Coop had started out eager to report the news and make an impact in a way he never could have as a cop. He’d hoped that by reporting on crime he would increase public awareness and maybe spark outrage, eventually helping to save lives or catch criminals. Instead, it was a never-ending cycle of violence. A mundane repetition of the seedier side of human nature. He wasn’t helping or changing things. He was just spreading the word.

  Maybe that’s why he enjoyed writing fiction so much. He could dictate the story arc, the plot, the characters and, most important, the outcome. He might not be making a difference in the world, but he couldn’t duplicate anywhere else the satisfaction he got from writing.

  Problem was, he’d yet to find the kind of public success and validation in writing fiction he’d found in journalism and reporting. And in a family of successful men, Coop refused to fail.

  “If I weren’t already married, I’d think I’d found the woman of my dreams,” Matt said, his gaze suddenly glued to the front door.

  Before Coop even turned around, he knew who had walked into the bar and a protective feeling he’d never experienced before washed over him.

  A quick glance at Lexie, wearing a pastel-print summer dress, confirmed his hunch. The smart-girl glasses contrasted with the flirty outfit, making for an interesting contradiction. She was special. Unique.

  “Maybe I’ll welcome her to Jack’s anyway.” Matt started toward her and Coop planted a firm hand on his brother’s shoulder. “She’s with me.”

  Matt paused. “I thought none of the bimbos interested you?”

  Coop stiffened. “Does she look like a bimbo to you?”

  Matt laughed. “Relax. I’m happily married, remember?”

  Coop loosened his hold. “Your next one’s on me,” he said to his brother, hoping to smooth things over without actually admitting he’d acted like an ass over a woman he barely knew.

  “Sam?” Lexie called his name as she made her way toward them.

  “You can go get that beer now,” Coop said to his brother.

  Matt grinned. “Not just yet, Sam.”

  Nobody called Coop by his first name except for his mother when she’d been alive.

  “Sorry I’m late,” Lexie said.

  “Not at all. Why don’t we take a table in the back?” Coop suggested. A quiet place where they could discuss the ring and her grandmother’s necklace without being overheard.

  “Sounds good.”

  “Aren’t you going to introduce your date to your brother?” Matt interjected, a wide grin on his face.

  Since there was no getting around it, Coop made the obligatory introductions. “Lexie Davis, this is my older brother, Matt Cooper.” Feeling the heat of his father’s gaze, Coop continued, “And the old guy behind the bar is my father, Jack.”

  “Nice to meet you both. I can see the family resemblance.” Lexie’s warm smile encompassed all three men.

  “I’ll take that as a compliment,” Jack said. “So, pretty lady, are you one of those bachelorettes looking to hook up with the latest catch?” He nodded toward his son.

  Coop cringed.

  Lexie shook her head and laughed. “Oh, no. Not me. Sam and I have some business to discuss.”

  “Is that right?” Matt asked, sounding too pleased for Coop’s liking. “Because my brother led me to believe there was something more serious going on between you two.”

  Coop had had enough. He placed his hand on the small of Lexie’s back, leading her to a far booth, away from his prying family.

  “I’m sorry. My father and brother seem to think everything is their business.”

  “You think they’re bad? You should meet my grandmother.” She shook her head and laughed.

  “Do you want something to eat or drink?”

  She shrugged. “Maybe just an iced tea and some chips?”

  “Easy enough in a bar.” Coop excused himself, placed an order with his father, who promised to send the drinks and chips over.

  He rejoined Lexie, easing into the seat across from her. Thanks to the small seating area, his knees grazed hers beneath the table.

  “So, I have to ask.” She paused and bit down on her lightly glossed lips. “What did your brother mean, you led him to believe there was more than business between us?” She rested both elbows on the table and leaned in close.

  Her eyes, which he could now see were a golden brown, were full of curiosity and focused solely on him.

  She was upfront. He liked that about her.

  “Let’s just say I let him know not only were you with me, but that yes, I’m interested in more than just business.”

  “I see.” A smile curved her lips. A pleased smile.

  “Tell me about yourself,” he said, eager to learn more about her personally.

  “Not much to tell. I’m a world traveler and a Web designer.”

  The traveler part he could live without. The Web designer he definitely found intriguing. “What are some sites you’ve done, so I can check them out?”

  A waitress who’d worked for Jack for years interrupted them only long enough to place their drinks and a basket of tortilla chips on the table.

  “Let’s see,” she said when they were finally alone again. “I’ve designed quite
a few small Web sites you might not know of, but I’ve also created the Hot Zone and Athlete’s Only Web pages. Have you heard of them?” she asked.

  “I’m a huge baseball fan. Renegades especially, so of course I know of the biggest sports agency in Manhattan. And I’m suitably impressed with your portfolio, I might add.” He raised his glass and touched hers before taking a long sip of cold beer.

  “Why, thank you,” she said, obviously pleased. “But if you do take a look, you should know that both sites are due for an overhaul. We’re currently working on them behind the scenes.”

  “We?”

  “Claudia, my assistant. She frees me up for the design and creative portions of my work, and she also keeps updates going while I travel.” Lexie adjusted her glasses. “So tell me more about you, Mr. Bachelor,” she said, teasing him.

  “Didn’t you see enough of my exciting life out at the Dumpster?”

  She laughed. “You’ve got a point. Although, I must admit, it’s refreshing to see a guy who isn’t a slave to the attention of fawning women.”

  They continued their easy banter. As they got to know each other, the tables quickly filled up around them. Luckily, the crowd would keep his father busy, and it appeared that Matt’s partner had shown up, occupying his brother, too.

  “So do you want to see the picture of my grandmother’s necklace?” Lexie asked.

  Before he could reply, she withdrew a photograph from her purse and handed it to him. The older woman in the photo had red hair and what could only be described as a mischievous gleam in her eye. As for the necklace, it definitely appeared similar in style to his ring.

  Yet it was the rest of the older woman’s outfit that captured Coop’s attention. “I hope you don’t think this is an odd question, but why is she wearing a housecoat with such an elaborate piece of jewelry?”

  Lexie’s laugh was infectious, and she used it freely and often. “I’ve asked myself that question many times. Grandma never wears certain jewelry outside of the house. She says it’s because it has more sentimental value than anything else. Does it look like a match?”

  He pulled the ring from his pocket and held it out to her. She leaned closer, examining the ring he held between his thumb and forefinger. “Bingo!” she exclaimed. “Can I see it?”

  “Of course.”

  She held out her hand for him to slip the ring on, which he did, then watched in amusement as she admired the ring on her finger. “A unique piece,” she murmured. “Much like the necklace.” She smiled and placed the ring on the table between them.

  She didn’t check out the insignia the way his style editor had, which told Coop that Lexie’s interest was more personal than financial. “How long has your grandmother owned the necklace?” he asked.

  Lexie shrugged. “She’s had it for as long as I can remember. My grandfather gave it to her years ago,” she said wistfully. “Did the store owner give you any information about the ring?”

  Coop shook his head. “She didn’t say a word. It was just sitting in a tray along with other items she didn’t mind giving away.”

  Lexie folded her hands in front of her. Delicate hands with pale pink polish on her nails, and a grouping of bracelets dangling from her right wrist. “I suppose you’re wondering why I sought you out.”

  “The thought has crossed my mind.”

  “I’d like to buy the ring from you as a gift for my grandmother’s eightieth birthday.”

  He hadn’t known what to expect from Lexie, but her wanting to purchase the ring caught him off guard. Another person interested in what had started out as a gaudy piece of junk.

  Coop cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, but I can’t begin to put a price on it. According to the style editor at the paper where I work, it’s worth more than I thought or frankly hoped when I picked it from the tray.”

  Lexie cocked her head to one side. Even behind the glasses, she pierced him with her steady gaze, indicating that he’d pissed her off.

  “Why didn’t you just say that when I asked you what you knew about the ring?” she asked.

  “You asked me what the store owner said about the ring and I told you.” He just hadn’t admitted he’d already discovered more.

  He disliked being on the other side of questioning and squirmed in his seat. “Hey, it’s not like I know you well enough to trust you with all my secrets,” he said in an attempt at humor.

  She frowned. “You know me well enough to decide you’re attracted to me,” she reminded him, leaning back in her seat, clearly waiting for him to say more.

  She wasn’t letting him off easily.

  She also had a point. He was attracted to her. Especially the way her breasts pushed upward in the low-cut dress, revealing more than a sexy hint of cleavage for view.

  He let out a low groan and forced himself to focus on the jewelry instead. “Apparently, the ring is part of a collection of jewels dating back to the 1950s.” He’d been unable to find an exact date yet. But if he sold her the ring, as she requested, he’d lose his connection to the story.

  The same way he’d lose his connection if he just returned the item to Ricky. He wasn’t ready to reveal to Lexie Ricky Burnett’s sudden interest in reacquiring the ring. Coop was still gauging her truthfulness and he didn’t know how she’d feel about having competition for the piece. Besides, he wanted her focused while she revealed information to him.

  “So it’s worth more than its appearance suggests,” Lexie mused. “The same probably holds true for my grandmother’s necklace. Who would’ve thought it had value? Okay, so what if we have your ring appraised and then discuss a price?” Clearly she wouldn’t be easily dissuaded.

  She was logical. And smart. He liked that combination in a woman. It just didn’t help his cause. Because if they brought the ring to a professional jeweler for an appraisal, the appraiser would probably identify it. Worse, he might realize that the ring was linked to an unsolved crime from years past and blow Coop’s exclusive to this story. Coop needed to figure out all the angles before he made any decisions.

  Something the logical beauty might understand. She might even possess pertinent information about the jewels and their past. He’d already learned the hard way that she preferred honesty.

  “Your grandmother didn’t know the necklace had value?” he asked.

  Lexie shrugged her shoulders. “She never said and I never asked. I never had any reason to. Money’s not important to me except as a necessity to do the traveling I love. Do you like to travel?”

  He shook his head. “Not much.”

  Disappointment flickered in her eyes before she continued. “There are places in the world you can’t possibly imagine. I love to see the beauty and the colors of different countries, people and heritages.” Her cheeks flushed as she explained her passion.

  A passion he’d like to see directed at him, not at foreign places that took her far away.

  “Never mind,” she said as if catching herself. “Back to business. I wonder how my grandfather came into possession of something that once was part of an expensive collection.”

  “I take it your grandmother never said?” he asked her.

  “Nope.”

  He was curious about the same thing. There were many unanswered questions, leaving Coop even more intrigued by the jewels and their history. Not to mention by Lexie herself. At least now he had an avenue by which to learn more. He could uncover answers by getting closer to Lexie. Not a hardship, he thought, meeting her gaze. And something he’d want to do regardless of the jewels.

  Her grandmother hadn’t shared much about the history of her prized possession. Because she didn’t know? Or because she had something to hide?

  “Could you ask your grandfather?” Coop asked.

  “He passed away fifteen years ago,” she said softly, her eyes clouding.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Thanks. But Grandma’s a survivor. She’s been hell on wheels her whole life and she wasn’t about to stop afte
r Grandpa died. So she grieved and then picked herself up and went on.”

  Coop grinned. “She sounds feisty. Like you.”

  “Why, thank you!” Lexie drew up straighter, always pleased anytime someone compared her to her grandmother.

  Her grandmother’s unconditional love and understanding provided Lexie with the self-acceptance she didn’t find within her immediate family. They were all overachievers, while Lexie had always been the one with her head in the clouds. They had goals; Lexie had dreams. Her free-spirited grandmother was the only one who accepted Lexie for who and what she was.

  While Sam couldn’t begin to understand how important it was for Lexie to be like the grandmother she loved, he’d picked up on the fact that she was like her. He didn’t like travel, so theirs could never be a serious relationship. But a fling suited her just fine, and it had been too long since she’d had one of those.

  She liked Coop, despite the serious side to his personality. But unlike her father and sister—both bankers—and her powerhouse attorney mother, whose life mission was perfect children, Sam didn’t strike Lexie as uptight or unforgiving.

  He interested her and he was unattached and single, another prerequisite Lexie demanded, thanks to Drew. Not that he’d been involved with someone when they’d started dating, but he’d obviously been too open to other possibilities. She tried to gauge men better now.

  “Hello, Earth to Lexie.” Sam snapped his fingers in front of her, calling for her attention.

  “Sorry. I got lost in thought. I tend to do that.” And get called out by her family for being ditzy.

  “As long as it’s not the company that’s boring you,” he said, a grin on his handsome face.

  “Definitely not. It’s more a function of my creative side.” She wasn’t about to admit that she’d been thinking about him. “I start to dwell on things and go off into my own world. Next thing I know, a new Web site idea’s come to me. Sometimes I’m not even daydreaming about work.”

  “Looks like we have something in common.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Insanity?”

  He laughed. “No, creative daydreaming. You see, I’m a writer.”