Read Online Love at High Tide by Christi Barth - Free Book Online Page B

said, it was bad.
    “Wanna run?”
    “You bet,” Trina huffed before taking off like a pebble out of a slingshot.
    * * *
    Women were one hundred percent, predictably unpredictable. Cooper knew that some appreciated spontaneity. Others ran away with their hands over their faces, complaining about not wearing any makeup. As he trudged up the three flights of stairs to Darcy’s rental, he hoped she’d land on the side of happy to see him. Or, this was an epically stupid idea.
    As soon as Brad zonked out to an Orioles game on the television, Coop jumped at the chance to see Darcy again. Wait a minute. What if she was still at Fager’s? He paused on the landing. She’d looked smoking hot in that off-the-shoulder dress. A crowd of guys probably snapped her up the minute he left. Great. He’d softened her up for a bunch of drunk idiots.
    No. Those lips had parted in anticipation of kissing him. And he was damn sure going to follow through before they lost any more momentum. He pounded on the door of what had to be her condo. Two short shrieks, and the sound of glass breaking. What the hell were they doing in there?
    Slowly, the door opened a sliver. Icy air arrowed out the crack. He noticed the chain still locked down right at eye level. Darcy kept most of her body behind the door, tilting her head sideways to peek out at him. “Hey there,” said Coop.
    She blinked twice, slowly. “This is a surprise.”
    “A good one, I hope.”
    “How’d you find me?” she asked, without opening the door any further.
    “Babe, I’ve got this town wired.” When she still didn’t move, he figured he’d better explain. “I saw the name of your rental unit on the keytag on your towel.” He tapped his temple. “Trained to be observant, remember? Beach Babylon only has six units. I started at the top, and knocked on every door until I hit the jackpot.” Coop waited a moment, then pushed gently against the door with his shoulder. “Can I come in?”
    “Oh. Sure. Of course.” She slid back the chain and opened the door a few more inches.
    Coop sidled past her, then did a double take at Trina’s near-fetal position on the couch and fright-wide eyes. Her freckles stood out in sharp contrast to a face gone chalk-white. “What’s wrong? Are you two watching a horror flick or something?”
    “Umm, yeah.” Darcy rushed him through to the galley kitchen. She wore tight yoga pants that showed off a heart-shaped ass and a thin tank. “Join me in a beer?”
    “Absolutely.” He caught her hand. “But first, I brought you something. To apologize for cutting out on my really great date. Excuse or no excuse, it was a douchebag move to leave you alone. I’m really sorry.” From behind his back, Coop extended his hand, holding a large scarlet hibiscus bloom.
    Darcy traced the edges of the petals. “Hot, charming and sweet. The dating trifecta. Cooper Hudson, you are the real deal.” She tucked the flower behind her ear. Coop wanted to rip it away and replace it with his lips, trailing around the shell of her ear to finish in a firm nip on the lobe.
    Behind them, the door slammed shut. Cooper turned to see Trina sliding the chain into place. Odd. “If you want me to stay all night, ladies, just ask. No need to lock me in.”
    “We’re locking everyone else out,” Trina muttered. She stalked back to the couch and curled her arms around a pillow shaped like a starfish. It matched the rest of the kitschy shore décor: plastic tablecloth covered in tropical fish, china lighthouses on every end table, and fake beach grass spearing out of a vase by the slider to the deck. Then Cooper noticed the broken glass and pool of liquid on the glass-topped coffee table. He put the ear nibbling plans on hold.
    “Okay, what’s going on here?”
    It was subtle, but he caught Darcy shaking her head at Trina. “Oh, no. Don’t pretend everything’s fine.” His hand shot out to capture Darcy’s wrist again. “Not when you’re shaking and that