The Barefoot Groom: Bachelor Billionaire Romance (A Last Play Companion) (4 page)

His reaction made her laugh. “To boot, I found out later he and my best friend …” She couldn’t even say it.

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

Waving her hand in the air, she grunted out a laugh and wagged her finger at him. “See, I wasn’t going to tell anyone that story this weekend.”

Not reacting for a second, he said, “Why not? Everyone has pain. Most of us wouldn’t be here if we didn’t.”

She hadn’t thought of that. She’d been focused on the meat market and hadn’t even thought about what others were going through. She squinted back at him. “So what’s your pain?”

She knew, from the look on his face, it was the wrong question to ask, but the journalist in her had to know. And, she admitted to herself, maybe it was more than just the journalist who wanted to know.

Letting out a breath, he put his hands up in surrender. “Nothing to tell.”

Suddenly London felt naked, and it had nothing to do with being half-clothed. She’d just bared her soul, and he hadn’t reciprocated in the slightest. She had a flashback to Dillon and the way he would never engage about personal things without drastic measures. “No, of course you don’t have a story.”

He snapped his head up. “What?”

“I sit here and tell you all about me …” She let out a derisive laugh. “Man, I guess I’m the emotional, needy one in my seven circles of hell.” She moved to get out of the hot tub.

“Wait, don’t leave.” He put his hand out. “Just calm down.”

But she was already out, wrapping her towel and sliding into her flip-flops.

“You say I didn’t reciprocate, but you didn’t even ask my name.”

Rattled, she hesitated and stared back at him.

He didn’t answer.

And then it hit her. She cringed and shook her head. “No.”

Moving to where she’d been sitting, he picked up her book and held it out for her. “I’m Cooper.”

All she could do was stare at him.

Without blinking, he lifted one shoulder into a shrug. “You gotta admit I’m right about the spark.”

How humiliating. London had walked right into his little trap, and he’d played her like a piano. What a manipulative slime ball. Ripping the book away from him, she rushed toward the fence. “Nice line. Go try it on someone else.”

* * *

H
ustling
to breakfast the next morning, London tried to get rid of the traces of humiliation that had burned through her all night. After she’d uncomfortably excused herself, she’d heard him laughing the whole way through his yard and out of the gate.

As if he hadn’t embarrassed her enough, he’d laughed at her after totally setting her up. Forget the fact that she’d snuck into his yard. Forget the fact that every part of her had reacted to the man. Forget the fact the kissing had been amazing. Forget it all. He should have told her who he was in the beginning.

He had flat-out lied to her. He said he’d snuck in through the gate. Jerk!

Then he’d manipulated her into revealing her pain, probably some psychology tactic in mind control. After all, he’d written books on it. She’d stayed up late last night working on the article about the master of manipulation himself. Of course, she told the readers the funny story of how she snuck into his yard and how he got into the hot tub with her all the while concealing his identity, but in the end, he’d proven what he was.

A jerk.

A fake. He’d made her reveal everything and then took advantage of her.

Marcia was right. It was their duty to expose him. Deception was his master key. The relationship guru giving advice to all these people, preaching about upstanding character and high value, and then luring women in and wringing them out like a dishcloth.

To think London had told him about her nonprofit dreams while he just sat there and figured out how to psychologically analyze her. All night she’d shifted in her bed, hating that she’d actually fallen under his spell somehow.

None of the feelings had been real between them.

Professional relationship guru. Pshaw!

She’d even felt badly she’d lied about being a personal assistant when he’d lied about … about … what, exactly, was she the most upset about? Okay, maybe he hadn’t lied to her, but she’d felt tricked. And it’d brought up all the old feelings about Dillon and his manipulative tactics.

The only good that had come out of it was she had stayed up most of the night researching and writing a kick butt article on him. She knew Marcia would like it. She just needed a few more things to polish it off and she could send it.

She’d even sent off a few emails, contacting people from his past and asking some questions. Cooper Harrison wouldn’t know what hit him.

Rushing into the main hall, London saw most of the guests getting up from their breakfasts.

Since she wasn’t actually here to meet someone, London hadn’t bothered putting effort into how she looked. She’d barely thrown on her makeup before putting some gel in her hair and scrunching it up. Today was the kind of day she loved the cursed, curly hair she’d been blessed with. She could scrunch it and go. Getting to the breakfast table, she grabbed an apple, a power bar, and a bottle of water. She needed to focus on getting through the one-on-one in a pleasant way and getting more information.

His laughter from yesterday haunted her.

Stuffing the food into her laptop bag, she dug inside for her phone and then pulled up the itinerary.

Today there were two break out sessions, one with Cooper and one with another woman.

Pulling out her apple, she took a bite and yanked the hardback book out of her computer bag, glaring down at Cooper Harrison. In the picture, he wore a soft, white silky looking shirt, a pair of jeans and bare feet. The Teton Mountains loomed in the background, and he had a full beard. The beard had been the thing that had thrown her off. “You’re going down,” she muttered.

C
ooper scanned
the room from the stage at the front of the ballroom. He wouldn’t lie. Last night in the hot tub was the most fun he’d had in a really long time. And it helped that kiss had been on the edges of his mind the rest of the night.

He caught a glimpse of her the moment she walked in. Unable to keep his eyes off of her, he put a hand up to silent his assistant Alana, who was in charge of all the event activities and the general management of the retreats.

Last night had been real.

And fun.

After she’d gone, he’d towel dried, gone inside, and turned on one of the great Michael Jordan games he kept on his TiVo. Standing there, dripping wet with a grin on his face, he watched Michael Jordan dismantle the Jazz, but all he was really doing was replaying the last half hour.

London Bridge. Her name had gone round and round in his head like a merry-go-round unable to stop. “London Bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down …” He couldn’t remember the rest of the words, but he still grinned, even though part of him felt bad, thinking of that kiss. The way her skin felt against his fingertips.

She had been right. He wasn’t willing to share his pain.

He hadn’t
tried
to get her to reveal things about herself. He never thought things would get so personal. It wasn’t like he asked her to share, intending the whole time to withhold his own information. Truly, it hadn’t been his goal at all.

He never talked about his wife. Not with anyone.

Cooper watched London grab some food and then stand in the line for his class.

“Yoo-hoo.” Alana waved her phone in front of his face. “So what do you want to do about the kayaking place cancelling on us?”

He gave her a blank look.

“I can tell by the look on your face you have no idea.”

He cracked a smile. “That’s what I pay you for.”

She cocked an eyebrow, and a question blared out from her walkie-talkie. She pulled it from her hip and responded. She slid it back and flashed him a smile. “Don’t worry, boss. I got it all figured out. But I think you need to up the incentive for our team this retreat. There’ve been more issues up front.”

His team loved the incentives they’d created to keep the singles on their toes. Keep them learning and reading and participating. He gave away cash prizes, gift cards, and cruises. He’d even given away a seven-day vacation to Hawaii last year. Frankly, he had the best team in the world. The retreats were starting to book out well over six months at a time. He nodded. “I’ll think about it.”

She air-triggered with her finger at him and gave him a corny wink. Unfortunately, at the moment, he was completely distracted. He shook his head and tried to focus. “Can you set up with another kayak place?”

“For a group this size? It’s impossible to schedule with less than two days notice.” She shook her head. “I’ve been thinking about rock climbing.”

Cooper’s mind swirled with solutions, but all he could focus on was London. It was like the taste of her had gotten into his mouth last night, and all he could think about was getting another bite. “Rock climbing sounds great. I gotta get to the classroom.”

Staring at him in disbelief, Alana shook her head. “Don’t forget your one-on-ones right after lunch—thirty minute increments.” She scoffed. “The first girl’s name is London Bridge.” She snorted. “That’s funny.”

Taken off guard, he grinned. “Okay.” Cooper hurried through the crowds of people.

He felt a hand on his arm. “Excuse me.”

Stopping, he saw a brunette woman wearing a Cowboy hat and a tank top that screamed look at me. “I just had to tell you how much you changed my life.” Her southern accent made him pay closer attention to what she was saying.

“Oh, thank you.”

Her grip tightened on his forearm, and she leaned in closer. “I wouldn’t mind getting to know you better. I’ve read all your books and know we’d get along so well.” She winked at him. “You know what I mean.”

Repulsed, he tugged away and flashed a smile. “Sorry, I have to get to class.”

“Anytime you want to get together, I’ll be here …” her voice followed him.

It was rough sometimes, having people act a bit star struck by him. The lady was probably nice, but he could tell she definitely wasn’t his type.

“Sorry to take your time.”

A man appeared at his side, matching his pace and instantly taking it upon himself to clear the way for him. “Please move. Coming through.”

The man had on a muscle shirt and bulging biceps. “Mr. Harrison, I’m Bill Forest. I’ve wanted to meet you for five years. Everything you said in your book
Take Action Now
made it possible for me to become a world-class weightlifter. I’ve had the chance to compete and win, almost making it to the Olympics last year. I wanted to know what advice you would give to help me take it to the next level?”

Spotting London, he slowed and gave Bill his attention. “I’m so glad. Best of luck to you. I’m sorry. I can’t talk at the moment, but I look forward to our one-on-one, and we can talk about it then.”

Bill put his hand out all official-like. “Can I please shake your hand?”

Cooper nodded and shook his hand.

Bill smiled. “Man, that right there was worth the price of entry.”

Humbled for a second, by the kind words, Cooper nodded and moved toward London. He was so grateful he could positively impact people. It was a nice reminder of why he did the work he did.

When he finally got to her, to his utter delight, she was staring at his face on the back of the book cover. Standing behind her for a second, he let himself smell her. The soft scent of lemon filled his senses.

Without warning, she jumped and turned around.

Cooper put on his media smile, the one he did whenever he was asked a question he couldn’t answer. Especially the ones about Nadia.

Her hand shot to her heart. “Oh my gosh, what are you doing?”

“Well.” Taken off guard himself, he stepped back. “Nothing.” The word came out too quickly.

Narrowing her eyes, she stepped forward.

He wasn’t the kind of guy to get tongue-tied around women, and he’d never been afraid of a woman, but the look she was giving him, as though she wanted to rip his head off, made him take note of the power in the little blonde.

“London Bridges.”

“It’s Bridge.” She did not look amused. “You tricked me last night,” she said.

Oh no. She would not. Taking a step to get into her personal space, he flashed a grin. “You trespassed.” He countered.

Holding her finger right in front of his chest, she rolled her eyes. “Call the cops.”

Unsure of what to say, he liked her sarcastic response. He rolled his eyes and copied her voice. “Maybe I will.”

“Well?” she said, flinging her gaze back to him. Her challenging look said—what are you going to do about it? “You’re living up to everything I thought you were.”

The look she gave him reminded him of Holly Mills in sixth grade when he asked to sit by her at the lunch table. He couldn’t help but laugh at this woman, her grit, the gall of her.

He gave her a severe look. “I have a one-on-one with you today.”

Shaking her head, she gave him a mock smile. “What lies will you tell me today?”

“I never lied to you.” He protested.

“Did too.”

He caught himself before he retorted “Did not.” He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, confused why she had this affect on him. “You’re telling me you paid five grand and came all the way to Wyoming to listen to me for a week, yet you wouldn’t recognize me in my own backyard?”

“I didn’t recognize you without the
beard
.” With a sneer she added. “Changing your looks helps you entrap unsuspecting women, huh?”

Cooper decided to tell the truth. “I felt like if I wanted to change my life, a good start was to change my appearance. So I started with the beard.” He ran hand across his jaw, not knowing why he was explaining it all to her. The smooth skin still felt foreign. “It’s only been gone two days.”

She rolled her eyes. “Oh, that’s right. You’re one of those,” she air quoted, “‘If you breathe calmly and smile, you’ll be happy’ types.”

He laughed. It made him smile that she didn’t appear to want one–on-one time with him. “Meet me by the gate.” He leaned closer and whispered, really wanting to grab her and kiss her, again. “The secret one.” He pumped his eyebrows.

She cocked an eyebrow. “You know you’ve turned into the creepy Dante guy now.”

This sent him reeling with laughter. He felt an extra spring in his step as he went along the sides of the room and up to the stage. He laughed again, liking that this woman didn’t care about treating him like some super star.

When he got to the stage, his sound person quickly attached the mic to his clothes, and he put the sound piece into his ear. He’d done this presentation hundreds of times all over the country and all over the world, so he wasn’t worried about it.

It would be easy. He’d get through the material and lunch, and then he would see London.

He saw movement in the front row. Someone loudly said, “Excuse me.”

Looking down, his heart raced as he saw the blonde, curly haired London Bridge take the last open seat.

Their eyes met and attraction pulsed through him. He tried to clear his mind because all thoughts of the presentation he’d given so many times seemed to fly away.

The intro music suddenly cut, signaling it was time for him to speak.

He could handle this. The words instantly came back at his command.

Looking out on the auditorium, he opened his hands and grinned, ceremoniously pulled off each shoe, and stood barefoot on the stage. “A wise man once said, ‘If you walk your whole life in shoes, the earth will always feel like leather.’ So I want to open with the question—what shoes have you walked in your whole life? And are you ready to get barefoot?”

The crowd clapped. It was one of his signature lines. Usually, he would launch into a big speech about the power of perception, but today he turned to London and decided to change things up a bit. “I want to tell you all how my perception was changed last night.”

He told them how he’d been mad when he’d noticed someone in his hot tub, but then after changing the way he saw it, he decided it might be nice to have someone to talk to. When he realized she didn’t know who he was, it was even better because it was honest and real.

Of course, he left out the spark between them that he hadn’t felt in as long as he could remember. He left out the fact that he couldn’t get her out of his head all night and when she’d come into the ballroom for breakfast, it was almost like every part of him was set to a sensor that detected her.

As he spoke, taking care not to glance her way too much, but to give equal time to each part of the audience, he didn’t tell the audience how he felt more alive and juiced than he had in over two years. How before yesterday, he’d seriously considered stopping the retreats. Stopping it all. And going somewhere for a while. Where? He didn’t know. But he’d needed to do something to find himself again.

Turning to the audience, he hopped off the stage and began weaving himself through the audience. “I know many of you are here to find yourself again, so you can then find someone else.”

The crowd hushed.

“But I put forth this idea to you today: I think it’s time for you to open your heart to others. To their needs. We are often told we can’t help others until we help ourselves, but maybe you can find yourself by helping those around you find themselves. Find love, joy, friendship.

“So take the pressure off yourself, off of why you’re here and just have an experience. Does that mean you’ll get a friend, significant other, husband or wife? I don’t know. But this is the time you’ve set aside for whatever reason. Remember, the only time you’re receiving is when you are giving.”

He paused and then moved to another section, meeting their eyes, still feeling the prickle of her eyes on him like a slow heat. “Over the years people have criticized the program for all the meditating we have people participate in. At first, we help you focus your meditation, but then we just give you time.” Every part of him was tingling, and he felt the truth of what he was teaching. He felt like the audience was in that state of complete rapport with him. “So I’m asking you over the course of the next couple of days to receive a little more light. More truth. Once again—will this make you fall in love or find your soul mate?” He grinned. “I can’t answer that for you. What I can answer is this—it will make you take inventory of yourself, and that is the only person you can ever control.”

Applause erupted and the energy of the audience wound him up. Pointing at his DJ and giving him the signal, Cooper waved his hands as the volume rose. “Everybody up! Let’s get this party started.”

* * *

W
hat could Cooper say
? Did it hurt his feelings that a beautiful, tall blonde—strike that—beautiful,
smart
, blonde had been found in his hot tub last night? No way. Did it hurt his feelings she could hold a conversation? Double no.