Free Kiss Me If You Can by Carly Phillips

turned to leave before she could ramble some more and make a bigger fool of herself.
    â€œWhoa.” Coop grasped her shoulder and spun her back around. “Don’t run off. Please. You said you were worried about me.” He sounded pleased about that.
    She nodded, still tense and uncomfortable.
    He smiled. “Then definitely don’t run off. The cops took my statement last night, Sara checked in this morning, but I could use a friend,” he admitted.
    She raised her eyebrows. “Isn’t that what Sara is?” As the jealous-sounding words escaped, déjà vu overwhelmed her and Lexie realized what was wrong, why she’d gone from needing to be here to her sudden urge to flee.
    Lexie had already lost one important man in her life to a woman whose importance she’d discounted. Just a friend, Drew had said of the woman in Paris. So while a trusting Lexie was enjoying the famous museums in the City of Love, Drew had gone for a quick lunch with his old female friend. Next thing Lexie knew, he’d stayed on in Paris with the woman he’d never gotten over.
    And Lexie had continued on her travels alone, having learned two succinct lessons. No matter how temporary a relationship, any man she got involved with must truly be unencumbered by past relationships. And he had to respect, if not understand, her life. Drew had screwed her over on both counts and she’d been deeply hurt when he’d explained that Stacey, his friend, was much better suited to him than a wanderer like Lexie.
    â€œSara is a neighbor and a friend,” Coop said, unaware of her feelings. And he didn’t sound at allupset with her personal questions. “But you—I hope will turn into something more. So stay. Please.”
    His husky, compelling voice drew her in. “Sure,” she said, relaxing a little.
    He inclined his head. “Good. Because I’m worn out from getting no sleep and because for the second time this week, I’m on the wrong side of my own crime beat and I hate it.”
    Lexie sighed and adjusted her glasses. She wanted to be here for him, but she needed to explain her crazy reaction first. “I’m not normally so nosy, but I wanted to make sure you and Sara are just friends. She seemed to know a lot about your morning routine and looked at me like…I don’t know.”
    â€œLike a cop whose neighbor had a robbery last night? Or like a friend who wanted to make sure she approved of the woman her neighbor was getting involved with?” He reached for her hand.
    She let him.
    â€œI feel ridiculous,” she muttered. Although she’d had these rules for herself since Drew, she’d never grilled any man since about his personal relationships. Because none of the men since had affected her as strongly or as deeply as this one.
    â€œDon’t.” Coop pulled her toward the messy living area and the couch in the center, settling onto the cushions.
    â€œIf it bothers you to think there’s something between Sara and me, I’m glad. Just like I’m glad you came here because you were concerned.” He brushed his hands over her bangs and slowly removed her glasses from her face, staring into her eyes.
    â€œAre you okay?” she asked, reminded of why she’d come here in the first place.
    â€œI never thought about what my job did to the people I write about, but I’ve been on the other side of the story twice recently and I can’t say I like it much. It makes me feel raw and exposed.”
    â€œWhat would make you feel better?” she asked, leaning closer.
    â€œThis.” He placed her hand on his chest, her palm centered over his heart. Then he lowered his head, capturing her lips in a soul-deep kiss.
    He tasted like mint, he smelled like freshly showered man, and her entire body went into sensory overload. His tongue swirled inside her mouth, devouring what she gave, demanding what she didn’t. He knew