Torrid Little Affair (Forbidden Desires #3)

Standing in the church parking lot while Cooper directed the pie contestants and dunk-tank operators, I blinked back a wave of emotion.

When would I learn? When would I get it through my thick skull that Cooper Kingsley was the kind of man who was desperate to fix any problems that sprang up around him?

From the second he showed up at my apartment this morning, he made a list of things we had to do, and immediately rolled up his sleeves when we got here.

I’d barely had to lift a finger all morning, and now that guests were finally starting to filter in, I could see the joy on his face as he greeted families and kids.

If I was smart, I might have sent him home right there and then. Thanked him for his time and sent him packing. After all, our agreement was for strings-free sex, not afternoons of charity work and laughter. Still, I couldn’t bring myself to turn him away. Couldn’t bear to see him leave. But every second longer I spent at his side, I was falling harder. Deeper.

And pretty soon, I’d be in big, big trouble.

Careful to make sure he didn’t notice, I watched him as he made his way toward me, that damned white smile of his still stretched across his handsome face.

“So, what’s the verdict, boss? We free to enjoy ourselves now?” he asked when he was finally in earshot of me.

I looked up, pretending it was the first time I’d noticed him, and offered my own smile in return.

“You did a fine job today,” I said. “The kids are going to have a great time.”

“I think they will, yeah.” Cooper nodded. “But what about you? Are you going to take some time to enjoy yourself?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. You know the old saying . . . a carnival commissioner’s job is never done.”

“Says who? Come on, you’re not even going to check out story time? We’re starting in a little while. I know you’re a big Delilah and the Dragon Slayer fan,” he teased.

“Who told you my secret?” I laughed.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

“Come on. Stay through story time and I might even get you a hot dog afterward.”

I frowned, but damn it, I didn’t want to say no. I nodded as he led me into the little semicircle filled with carpet samples and one folding chair for the storyteller.

A few kids and their parents were already hovering around, chatting with each other while the space filled up. But in a matter of fifteen minutes, there was little room to stand, let alone sit.

Cooper took his place, smiling at everyone who’d gathered there, and when it was finally time to start, he clapped his hands together and brought everyone’s attention to him.

“Hey, everyone! We’re going to start today with a little game. Now, when I say one, I want you to say two, okay? Ready? One!”

The kids yelled back, “Two!”

Cooper said, “Nice job. Thanks, guys.”

I’d wondered what he was doing, but I smiled when I realized he just needed the rowdy crowd to quiet down. His little trick had managed it so quickly, so easily, just like he did everything.

Cooper took a seat in the chair, continuing. “We’re going to read a really awesome book today, but I’m going to need a friend to help me get this right. I’m not sure she’s ready, so you’ll need to cheer her on with me, okay?”

I blushed, sensing the coming storm, but there was nothing I could do. In a matter of seconds, Cooper had started the crowd in chanting my name, and I walked toward his throne, my whole body radiating heat.

“What are you doing?” I asked from the corner of my mouth, but he only beamed up at me.

“Now, Corinne is shy, but we have to help her be brave like Delilah. Would you guys like if Corinne played Delilah today?”

From behind the chair, he pulled out a pink cone-shaped hat entirely covered in glitter with a long pink scarf dangling from the top. He stood, fixing it to my head before placing a plastic golden crown on his own head.

“I came prepared,” he said with a wink.

“Now, Corinne-or should I say, Princess Delilah-and I are going to act out the book for you guys. Would you like that?” he asked, and the kids all cheered.

Without another word, Cooper reached for the book and launched into the story, sharing the pages with me so I could read the dialogue and act out my part in the dragon-slaying tale.

It was silly, I knew, but part of me felt more alive in that moment than I had in a long time. I gripped Cooper’s chest as the dragon came closer to us, and then saved him when it lurched, slaying the mighty beast with a dollar-store foam sword that had become magical to both me and the kids watching.

They held their breath as Cooper got to his feet, clutching the place where the dragon had wounded him.

“Princess,” he choked out. “I’m dying.”

The front row gasped.

“No,” I cried, pressing the back of my hand to my forehead. “You can’t leave me! You can’t!”

“There is only one solution. True love’s kiss.” He let out a pathetic cough.

I pulled his face to mine, kissing him swiftly before losing myself and deepening the kiss slightly-at least, until I heard the chorus of aws and ews from the children all around us.

When I pulled away, Cooper sprang to his feet, his life restored. “Princess Delilah, you saved the day. How ever can I repay you?”

“Live with me,” I said. “Happily ever after.”

Cooper took my hand, and we bowed for the kids while I tried to hide my grin at the enraptured look on one little girl’s face.

When the kids and parents alike burst into applause, we bowed again, though this time I had eyes for Cooper and Cooper alone. Leave it to him to make this the best story time we’d ever had.

But my euphoria only lasted as long as the applause, because it hit me all at once. I wasn’t falling in love with Cooper.

I was already flat on the ground, breathless and blinking up at the dark future looming in front of me, wondering how I’d gotten here and what the hell I was going to do now.