when he came to Austin for an art show to benefit one of my mother’s charities. I liked his work. I should have made the connection in Paris with your last name being Lockett and the two of you having similar styles. But it never crossed my mind.” There was no need to tell her that the only thing that had been on his mind was getting her to the nearest bed.
“I can’t believe you actually met my father.”
He heard the excitement in her voice. “Yes, I was seventeen at the time and a senior in high school. It was the last event my mother sort of forced me to attend with her and my dad. In the end, I’m glad I went. He was a nice man. Very personable. Like I said, Mom has quite a few of your father’s paintings and it was nice meeting the man who was getting so much of her money. I’m sure you know his work isn’t cheap.”
She chuckled. “Yes, I know.”
“I remember that time well,” he said. “I’d gotten word a few days before of my acceptance into the naval academy and was going away with my parents’ blessing. I was relieved they hadn’t placed any pressure on me to follow in their footsteps and take part in the family business.”
“And what business is that?”
“RCC Manufacturing Company.”
She lifted a brow. “RCC? I’m familiar with them. They’re a huge operation based in Texas. I order a number of my art supplies through them.”
He chuckled. “My parents would be happy to hear that.”
“And you decided to become a SEAL instead of going into your family business?”
“Yes, that’s right. I knew early on I wasn’t cut out for the business-suit-and-tie crowd.”
Coop glanced back over at the framed photograph and then back at her. “You seemed surprised that I knew Randall Lockett was your father, like it was supposed to be a secret or something. Was it?”
* * *
Bristol looked away from Coop to glance at the picture she’d taken with her father, one that she’d proudly hung on her wall. She wished Coop wouldn’t stand there shirtless and in his bare feet. In jeans riding low on his hips and not quite zipped up all the way, with the snap undone. He looked way too sexy for her peace of mind.
She’d yet to answer Coop’s question and she realized how little they knew about each other, even with all the intimacy they’d shared. She blamed it on the fact that whenever they were together they did little talking due to all the sexual chemistry surrounding them. Like now. She could feel it and she knew he did, as well.
She hadn’t known so much need had been bottled up inside her. All it had taken was Coop unleashing it and she’d become a mad woman wanting to make up for lost time. Luckily for her, he’d been the same way. It was as if they hadn’t been able to get enough of each other.
“It’s not a secret per se. I just don’t go around broadcasting it, so few people know. I don’t want to use his name to build my own career as an artist, although I am proud to have been Randall Lockett’s daughter.”
“And I’m sure he was glad he was Bristol Lockett’s father.”
His words made her feel good. More than once, her father had told her how proud he was of her and all she’d accomplished. “Thank you for saying that.”
“No need to thank me.”
He moved around the room, looking at the easels showing various paintings she had done. She wasn’t used to anyone invading her space, especially in here. For some reason his presence didn’t bother her.
Another thing that didn’t bother her, when maybe it should have, was how quickly they’d become intimate again. Had it been just the night before when he’d shown up at the gallery? She had wanted him immediately. Had needed him sexually. And he’d delivered, satisfying her.
It wasn’t his fault that she had fallen in love with him years ago. Nor was it any of his concern that she was trying to fall out of love with him now. Sleeping with him hadn’t confused the issue for her. She knew he didn’t love her back.
She needed to get her mind off Coop, namely off his body, and transfer her thoughts to something else. She walked over to the coffeepot she kept in her studio and poured a cup. She then turned to him. “Would you like some?”
Her insides heated when his gaze roamed over her, making her realize just what she’d asked. She swallowed, thinking he’d had some already. A lot actually. But if he wanted more...she was game.
Drawing in a deep breath, she clarified, “Would you like a cup of coffee, Coop?”
He nodded slowly. “Yes, I’d love a cup.”
She poured his coffee and he walked over to take the cup from her hand. Their fingers brushed and her stomach curled with pleasure.
“Thanks,” he said.
“You’re welcome.”
They both took a sip of their coffees. Despite trying not to love him, she wanted to get to know him. Like she’d told him earlier, she was very familiar with his parents’ company. It was on the Fortune 500 list, which meant he came from money. He’d said the reason he’d wanted to become a SEAL was that the work was a better fit for his personality. And he’d become a SEAL with his parents’ blessing. She knew things didn’t always work that way for the sons of important families.
“It’s late. I hadn’t intended to impose on you by spending the night. I’ll leave now if you want me to.”
She looked at him over the rim of her cup. Did she want him to leave? No, she didn’t. “There’s no need, unless you want to go. You’ll probably be back in the morning for breakfast anyway.”
He chuckled. “Only if I get an invitation.”
“You have an invitation, Coop. I told you, you can spend as much time with Laramie as you want.”
He nodded and took a sip of his coffee. “In that case, I’d like to ask you something.”
“What?” she asked.
“What plans do you and Laramie have for the holidays?”
She thought about his question. “Just a quiet time at home this year. It will be Laramie’s first Christmas where he understands that the holidays are special. I’ve been telling him that if he’s a good boy, Santa will bring him something nice. He’s been keeping his toys put away and getting better with potty training.” She paused before asking, “Why did you want to know about my plans for the holidays?”
“Because I’m hoping I can join the two of you.” He drew in a deep breath. “And before you ask, the answer is no. I had no plans to spend Christmas with my folks.”
Bristol remembered the last holiday they’d spent together. At that time, he’d given her the impression that he and his parents weren’t close. Now was just as good a time as any to ask him about it. After all, his parents were her son’s only living grandparents. In fact, the only living relatives Laramie had besides her and Coop, as far as she knew. If anything were to ever happen to her or Coop...
She
