Free Get a Clue by Jill Shalvis

‘thank you, Cooper, for saving my life.’ ”
    â€œYou didn’t save my life!”
    â€œBut you wanted me to.”
    She stared at him. “I can’t believe you can walk through a door with your head as swollen as it is.”
    And it wasn’t the only thing on him swollen, either. Her fidgeting was having another effect on him entirely, and given the way she went suddenly still, she knew. “ What do you have in your pocket?” she demanded.
    He let his grin speak for itself.
    She ground her teeth together. “You. Are. Impossible.”
    â€œYou’re the one wriggling around.” But careful to mind her knees and where she put them, he let her go.
    Jerking to her feet, she yanked down on the sweatshirt, which fell to her thighs and covered too much of her.
    His own fault, but it didn’t matter what she wore because he knew what lay beneath—a thin white tank top sans bra that outlined her breasts and mouthwatering nipples in such a way that he’d nearly swallowed his own tongue. And then there’d been those tiny panties—
    â€œWhatever you’re thinking about,” she said shakily, backing away to walk back around the table to her chair. “Stop. Stop it right now.”
    â€œWhy?”
    She reached for her glass of wine, her hand shaking. “Because I’m on my honeymoon, remember?”
    â€œYou didn’t get married today, remember?”
    â€œYes. I do remember that part,” she said softly, face averted.
    Ah, hell. He was an ass, especially since he knew how she felt. He’d also once had a woman walk away from him.
    Only at least he’d seen it coming. Annie had chafed long and hard beneath the impossible hours Cooper had put in on his job. She’d broken under the strain only six months before he had, but she’d been long gone by the time he’d been free.
    It no longer mattered, though, because he still deeply resented how she’d never accepted that part of him. In fact, few had. “Look,” he said more gently, “consider it this way. The guy’s an idiot for letting you get away.”
    She snorted her agreement and poured herself more wine.
    â€œAnd anyway, in the long run, he did you a favor.”
    â€œYeah? How’s that?”
    â€œHe left you free to take advantage of the next best thing to come along.”
    She regarded him for a long moment, her bitterness and sadness draining away, replaced by a reluctant smile. “You know, just when I think you’re part of my worst nightmare, you go and say something almost human. And definitely profound.”
    He smiled and lifted his glass in a silent toast.
    â€œDays and days,” she murmured again after another long sip. “Can you imagine?”
    â€œIt could be worse.”
    â€œHow?”
    â€œYou could be stuck here with your ex.”
    She rolled her eyes. “You’re very helpful tonight.”
    â€œI try.” He dug back into the cheese and crackers, and was well on his way to filling his rumbling belly when something hit him on the nose and landed on his plate.
    A grape.
    â€œWhat was that?” he asked.
    She looked it over. “I believe it’s a grape.”
    â€œI can see that, smart-ass. I’m wondering why it was bouncing off my nose.”
    â€œGee, I haven’t a clue.” Looking as if she felt a great deal better, she rose. “Good night,” she said loftily, and grabbing her plate and the bottle of wine, headed toward the door, where she’d undoubtedly go sit in front of the warm, toasty fire while he climbed the dark stairs and had to light his own and wait for it to heat the room, hoping it did so before his balls froze off. “’Night,” he muttered, watching her curvy little bod practically quiver with her superiority. “Sleep tight. Oh, and . . .” He paused for effect. “Don’t let the monsters bite.”
    Her step faltered