Chapter 15
***COOPER***
Cooper stirred the fire, then added enough wood to burn for the next few hours.
He watched until it was burning brightly, then sat down next to Stephanie on the couch.
When she leaned into him, he took the chance and put his arm around her shoulders, breathing in her wonderful scent as he pulled her closer.
Warmth spread through him when she looked up at him and their eyes locked.
He could see the desire that was pulsing inside him mirrored in her eyes, but resisted the urge to kiss her.
“I brought hot tea and cookies to keep us warm,” his grandmother said, breaking the spell between them, and Stephanie pulled away with a guilty smile. “Oh, Cooper, that’s a nice fire, you always did have a way with the fireplace.”
He jumped up and took the tray from his grandmother. “There’s a science to it,” he said, setting it down on the table next to his grandmother’s chair. “But I won’t bore you with the details.”
“That’s a relief,” she said, but there was a smile on her face and she winked at Stephanie. “How about I tell a story instead?”
He joined Stephanie on the couch again. “Grandma tells the best stories,” he said. “And I bet you haven’t heard any of these.”
Stephanie looked skeptical. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but I’ve heard all the stories.
I’ve spent months living on the reservation, I made it a point to learn them all,” she said, then looked over at Gilda.
“I don’t mean to insult you. I would love to hear a story; there’s nothing better on a stormy night like this. ”
After pouring them all a cup of tea, his grandmother handed them the plate of cookies, and they each took one.
Then, satisfied, she sat back in her chair.
For the next two hours, they listened to tales of honor and bravery, stories about triumph and tragedy, descriptions of villains and heroes.
Then, his grandmother fell silent before draining the last of her tea and setting the cup back on the tray.
Stephanie was silent for so long that if he hadn’t been looking at the astonished look on her face, he might have thought she’d fallen asleep.
“I’ve never heard…no one ever told those stories…
” she finally stammered, then let out a long sigh.
“I owe you an apology. I was acting like a know-it-all all, and I don’t know anything. ”
“Does that mean you’re starting to believe?” he asked, trying to ignore the little spark of hope deep inside him. “I know it’s a lot to ask, a lot to wrap your head around, but you’ve seen the proof.”
“I’m not quite there yet, but I’m trying,” she said, looking up at him. “I need to see the mural again, maybe I even need a little more proof…I don’t know…I’m sorry…it’s just…”
“Hey, it’s okay,” he said, smiling at her. “There’s no rush, you’ll get there when you’re ready, take your time.”
She studied him for a second. “Cooper, why is this so important to you?” she asked. “I mean, what difference does it make if I believe or not?”
“We have to protect that crypt, and that’s going to be a huge sacrifice for you. I just want you to understand what you’re sacrifice means,” he said. “If people find out about shifters, our…I mean their lives will never be the same.”
“I suppose that you’re right,” Stephanie said, after thinking about it for a second, then shook her head. “My biggest find, if you believe this whole shifter thing, and I can’t even tell anyone about it.”
“That’s not entirely true,” he said. “But that’s a conversation for another time.”
“I agree,” his grandmother said. “I think it’s time for bed.”
After banking the fire for the night, he took the tea tray to the kitchen and cleaned it up, then climbed the stairs, smiling when he heard the two women laughing and talking.
When he got to the top, they were standing in the middle of the hallway, Stephanie was holding up a long white nightgown up in front of her and his grandmother was beaming at her.
“What do you think, Cooper?” his grandmother asked. “Will it fit?”
He thought about Stephanie crawling into bed dressed only in the sheer white nightgown and his mouth went dry.
After forcing himself to swallow down the desire that was suddenly overwhelming him, he managed to nod his head, but still couldn’t manage words for a few more minutes.
If the two women noticed, neither said anything, but he was sure he saw a knowing look in his grandmother’s eyes.
“Well, I’ll just be off to bed then,” she said, grinning at him. “Cooper, get Stephanie an extra blanket before you go to your room. I don’t want her getting cold tonight.”
“Good night,” Stephanie squeaked, her eyes wide with anticipation when she looked over at him. “I hope you sleep well.”
“Good night, kids,” his grandmother called. “I’m sure I won’t hear a thing.”
He watched Stephanie’s cheeks turn red, which only made him want to kiss her more, and this time the desire was more than he could handle.
Before he could stop himself, he pulled her into his arms, crushing the nightgown between them, and lowered his mouth to hers.
She groaned deep in her throat, then her arms slowly snaked up around his neck, and she began to kiss him back.
Wave after wave of pleasure shot through him and the creature inside him came fully awake and began to demand more, breaking down his defenses even more.
After crushing Stephanie up against him, he deepened the kiss, then began to explore her body with his hands, memorizing every dip and curve until he finally found her breasts.
She let out a little gasp of surprise when he cupped them in his hands, then broke the kiss between them when he found her hard nipples and began to tease them with his finger and thumb.
He captured her mouth again, not ready to give up the sweet nectar of her kisses, but the sound of his grandmother’s bathroom door shutting broke through the passion and Stephanie came back to herself with a jerk.
She stumbled back from him, a mixture of guilt and desire in her eyes, then took a couple more steps away from him.
“You’re very dangerous, Cooper,” she whispered. “I think I’ll be okay without that blanket.”
“Good night, Stephanie,” he said, unable to stop the smile that spread across his face. “That was the best kiss I’ve ever had, just in case you’re wondering.”
“I wasn’t,” she said, shaking her head. “Really?”
“Oh, yeah, I just thought you should know,” he said. “I’ve never felt anything like that before. You’re definitely meant for me, Stephanie, and I can’t wait until I can claim you.”
Her face turned pink. “Oh…that’s…I don’t…” she stammered, then ran to her door and threw it open. “Good night.”
Stephanie disappeared behind the closed door, but he didn’t care.
Whistling a tune, he went to his room and stretched out on the bed.
No matter what else was going on, there was one thing he was becoming more and more sure of--Stephanie was meant to be his.
He just wasn’t sure how to make it happen, how to break that final piece of news to her about what he really was, but if he wanted a life with her, he would have to and soon.
***Stephanie***
Stephanie was still trembling when she climbed into bed, her body still yearning for Cooper’s touch, and she had no idea how to shut it down.
He wasn’t the only one who was swimming in uncharted waters; she’d never felt anything like this before, never lost control so completely.
It should have been more frightening than it was, but she was beginning to accept she was meant to be with Cooper, for how long she wasn’t sure, only that she couldn’t walk away.
The prospect of taking a broken heart with her when she left didn’t thrill her, but it was the price she’d have to pay if she wanted to experience something wonderful with Cooper.
Snuggling deeper under the covers against the chill in the room, she closed her eyes and tried to go to sleep, but anticipation made it impossible, and she found herself fantasizing about what it would be like when it finally happened.
She was half asleep, letting her imagination run wild when the sound of voices interrupted her fantasy and her eyes popped open.
Suddenly wide awake, alarm bells going on in her head, she lay there listening to the silence in the house, wondering if she’d been imagining it.
When there was nothing but the sounds of the night outside her window, she closed her eyes again and tried to remember where she’d been in her fantasy.
Only a second later, she heard the voice again and this time much clearer. “We should set the house on fire,” a deep voice said. “Roast the bitch right in her bed, it would serve her right.”
“Shhh…someone will hear you,” another voice said. “You know what Dad said, we’re only allowed to scare her, we can’t hurt her. She has to be alive when we get the land, and she has to do it voluntarily or the clan won’t recognize ownership.”
“Then let’s get on with it,” the first man said. “The sooner we take out the barn, the sooner she’s going to be willing to sell out to us, and we did warn her. Now we show her that we meant business.”
“You take the back, I’ll take…” the voices faded away, leaving a terrible silence behind.
Throwing back the covers, she jumped out of the bed, raced for the door, down the hallway, and began pounding on Cooper’s door. “Cooper, wake up, it’s an emergency,” she called. “I just heard some men talking outside my window. They’re going to do something to the barn.”
The door flew open a second later. “Hold on, say that again,” he said, his face creased with worry. “Go a little slower this time.”
She took a deep breath, then repeated everything she’d heard, barely noticing when Gilda joined them in the hallway.
“I thought those boys were just trying to scare me,” the older woman said, her face suddenly white with fear.
“They said they were going to burn down the barn, but I didn’t think they’d actually do it. ”
“Grandma, what are you talking about?” Cooper asked, his face full of worry. “Who are you talking about?”
“Those Amos boys, they’re after my land and the house,” she said, then sighed. “They said since I’m all used up, it should go to someone young who will appreciate it. They want me to sell out to them.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about this?” Cooper demanded, then stomped back into his room, emerging again fully dressed. “I have to go stop them. You two stay here.”
“I’m sorry, Cooper, I didn’t think it would go this far,” Gilda said. “Are you sure you can handle them alone?”
“Call Ricky and have him meet me there, tell him what’s going on,” he said. “I’ll be fine. Lock the doors after I leave and don’t open them for anyone but Ricky or me.”
Stephanie didn’t like the fear and panic that was slowly building inside her. “Cooper, what’s going on?” she asked, wrapping her arms around her middle. “Are you really going out there alone? They were talking about burning the house down. Shouldn’t we call the police or something?”
“It would take them forever to get here even if they could,” he said, pulling her into his arms. “I’ll be fine, I promise, I just need to know that you’re going to be inside where it’s safe.”
Stephanie studied him for a second, then nodded. “Okay, we’ll stay here, but be careful,” she said. “I’m getting used to having you around.”
“Oh, yeah?” Cooper asked, a pleased smile on his face. “I like the sound of that, especially since I’m getting used to you, too.”
When he kissed her this time, she was prepared for the punch of pleasure and desire that stampeded through her, but it was over much too quickly, and she was left watching his back disappear down the stairs.
She turned away to go back to her room and let out a surprised yelp when she saw Gilda standing a few feet away, a big smile on her face, then felt her cheeks heating in embarrassment.
She opened her mouth to explain, but words escaped her and she ended up standing there with her mouth hanging open.
Gilda laughed. “I remember what falling in love is like,” she said, shaking her head.
“It’s a wild ride, but one everyone should experience.
I think my grandson picked well. Come and wait with me for him in my room.
I’m sure it won’t take him long to chase those ruffians off. ”
Pleased more than she thought she would be, she followed the older woman into her bedroom, taking the seat by the window when Gilda gestured to it. “I hate being a woman and hiding out,” she said. “When I was younger, I would have gone with Cooper, but I’m too old for that now.”
She opened her mouth to reply, but there was a huge bang, then a loud whoosh, and the night outside the window was suddenly illuminated by a big fire. Jumping up from the chair, she stared at the fire for a second, then remembered the horses inside the barn and started for the door.
“The barn is on fire, I have to go help,” she said, already one step into the hallway. “Call anyone you can to help; we can’t leave them trapped inside.”
“Stephanie, wait, Cooper will get to them,” Gilda said. “You shouldn’t go out there, it’s not safe.”
“I’ll be fine, they’ve already done the damage they came to do,” she said, shaking her head. “They’ll be long gone by now.”
Gilda opened her mouth to protest some more, but she didn’t wait to hear what she had to say.
She ran to her room, threw on her clothes, then raced down the stairs.
The barn was fully engulfed when she came barreling out the front door, the flames lighting up the night and guiding her way.
She was almost to the barn when a figure stepped into her path, and unable to stop, she crashed right into him, almost taking them both down.
Assuming it was Cooper, she tried to untangle herself. “The horses, we have to get them out,” she yelled over the noise of the flames. “They’re trapped; we can’t let them die.”
“Actually, that would be just fine with us,” a voice she recognized said. “A few dead horses will get our point across.”
She was thrown back a few steps by a pair of strong arms, stumbled backward and landed on her butt in the snow. Another man came walking up. “What you got there, Butch?” he asked. “Wow, she’s a pretty one, you gonna share?”
“Sure, why not?” Butch answered with a shrug of his shoulders. “But I’m going first, so back off.”