Free Kiss Me If You Can by Carly Phillips Page A

exactly how to kiss in order to engage all of her. He nibbled on her lower lip and a corresponding tug kicked in deep in her belly. He soothed the bite with his tongue and the swirls of need traveled lower and lower, winding into her abdomen. A trickle of desire dampened her underwear and she tightened her thighs together to prevent herself from climbing onto his lap and taking what she really wanted.
    He thrust his hand into the back of her hair and tilted her head, giving him better access to the far reaches of her mouth and throat. In return, she curled her fingers into his chest, groping for something to hold on to, but finding only bare skin.
    The far-away ring of a telephone penetrated her consciousness but she pushed away the intruding noise. He didn’t seem to care who was calling either, because he’d lifted her shirt and cupped his big hands around her waist, letting his thumb trail up her sides. He paused beneath the strap of her bra. Still kissing her, he grazed her breasts over the fabric, teasing her nipples into tight, rigid peaks.
    That’s when his answering machine kicked on, a male voice sounding loud in the room. “Hey, bro, read the paper . Is an engagement next?” A loud chuckle followed. “By the way, good publicity for Dad’s bar. The blogger mentioned it by name. Talk to you later.”
    Somehow Lexie managed to separate herself from Coop. He was breathing as hard as she was. His eyes were wide and glazed and she wondered if he was as stunned as she. They’d gone far fast. Normally, Lexie took her time before getting this close to any man, especially since Drew, but this thing with Coop seemed to have a life of its own, which meant it was only a matter of time before they… She shut her mind down, deliberately notfinishing the thought. Her body was still tingling from that kiss. How far would they have gone if they hadn’t been interrupted? She trembled at the thought.
    But they had been interrupted and the message reminded her of the one thing they hadn’t yet discussed.
    â€œDid I mention that the blogger thinks we might be getting engaged?”

CHAPTER FIVE
    â€œE NGAGED .” C OOP TRIED to process the word.
    â€œSomeone snapped some pictures of us last night at the exact moment when you were showing me the ring, so it looked like you might be…proposing.” Lexie rose and tried to smooth the nonexistent wrinkles in her clothes.
    He wasn’t sure what had her more flustered, the reminder of the blog or that kiss. He sure as hell knew which one had hit him hardest. One feel of her lips and soft curves and he’d forgotten all finesse. His brother’s call served as a reminder to slow down and Coop intended to heed the warning. He might want to run his fingers through her hair and pick up where they left off, but Lexie wasn’t a quick lay. They had business together and dammit, he liked her. Wanted to get to know her better…even if he did want her in his bed.
    â€œDo you want to see the blog?” she asked.
    â€œI’ll check it out in the paper later.” He didn’t need a visual. “I just can’t believe the lengths peoplewill go to. Someone must be following me,” he said in disbelief.
    â€œThat or else someone at the bar recognized you, snapped the picture and e-mailed it to the blogger. Who knows?”
    Since she didn’t seem upset by the inaccurate news, he decided not to get worked up over it, either. There were worse things than to be paired with a beautiful woman. Besides it would keep the Bachelor stalkers at bay.
    â€œThe best thing to do is ignore it. Bigger news will come up eventually and replace me.” He hoped.
    Lexie laughed. “There won’t be bigger news for my grandmother, I’m afraid.” She picked up her glasses and slid them back on.
    â€œShe reads the Bachelor Blog?”
    â€œYep. And she’s latched on to the idea that I could have a