“How’d you get past the locked door?” he asked.
“I’m not completely without resources,” she murmured as she moved toward him. “I brought a bottle of wine. Would you like a drink?”
“No, thanks. I’m already drunk on the sight of you.”
“I didn’t come here for flattery,” she said. “I told you that I get all the empty praise I can stand from other men.”
“Then what do you want from me, princess—?”
His breath gave out when she reached up to unfasten the top button of his shirt. Then the second and third buttons came undone—along with his willpower. His heart thudded against his chest so hard he thought the blow might have broken a rib.
“I’ve decided I want the same thing from you that you said you wanted from me,” she whispered. “I want to be naked with you, Coop. Do you have any objections?”
Cooper’s Woman
Harlequin®Historical
Praise for Carol Finch
“Carol Finch is known for her lightning-fast, roller-coaster-ride adventure romances that are brimming over with a large cast of characters and dozens of perilous escapades.”
—Romantic Times BOOK reviews
McCavett’s Bride
“For wild adventures, humor and Western atmosphere, Finch can’t be beat. She fires off her quick-paced novels with the crack of a rifle and creates the atmosphere of the Wild West through laugh-out-loud dialogue and escapades that keep you smiling.”
—Romantic Times BOOK reviews
The Ranger’s Woman
“Finch delivers her signature humor, along with a big dose of colorful Texas history, in a love and laughter romp.”
—Romantic Times BOOK reviews
Lone Wolf’s Woman
“As always, Finch provides frying-pan-into-the-fire action that keeps the pages flying, then spices up her story with not one, but two romances, sensuality and strong emotions.”
—Romantic Times BOOK reviews
CAROL FINCH
COOPER’S Woman
TORONTO • NEW YORK • LONDON
AMSTERDAM • PARIS • SYDNEY • HAMBURG STOCKHOLM • ATHENS • TOKYO • MILAN • MADRID PRAGUE • WARSAW • BUDAPEST • AUCKLAND
This book is dedicated to my husband, Ed, and our children
Christie, Jill, Kurt, Jon and Shawnna. And to our grandchildren, Kennedy, Blake, Brooklynn and Livia with much love.
Available from Harlequin®Historical and CAROL FINCH
Call of the White Wolf #592
Bounty Hunter’s Bride #635
Oklahoma Bride #686
Texas Bride #711
The Last Honest Outlaw #732
The Ranger’s Woman #748
Lone Wolf’s Woman #778
The Ranger #805
Fletcher’s Woman #832
McCavett’s Bride #852
Cooper’s Woman #897
Other works include:
Silhouette Special Edition
Not Just Another Cowboy #1242
Soul Mates #1320
Harlequin American Romance
Cupid and the Cowboy #1055
Harlequin Duets
Fit To Be Tied #36
A Regular Joe #45
Mr. Predictable #62
The Family Feud #72
*Lonesome Ryder? #81
*Restaurant Romeo #81
*Fit To Be Frisked #105
*Mr. Cool Under Fire #105
DON’T MISS THESE OTHER
NOVELS AVAILABLE NOW:
#895 WESTERN WEDDINGS
Jillian Hart, Kate Bridges and Charlene Sands You are cordially invited to three weddings in the Old West this May! Three favorite authors, three blushing brides, three heartwarming stories—just perfect for spring!
#896 NOTORIOUS RAKE, INNOCENT LADY
—Bronwyn Scott Her virginity would be sold to the highest bidder! Determined not to enter into an arranged marriage, Julia could see no way out—unless she could seduce the notorious Black Rake…. Harlequin®Historical is loosening the laces with our newest, hottest, sexiest miniseries, Undone!
#898 TAKEN BY THE VIKING—Michelle Styles
A dark, arrogant Viking swept Annis back to his homeland. Now she must choose between the lowly work that befits a captive and a life of sinful pleasure in the Viking’s arms! Viking’s slave or Viking’s mistress? Annis must choose in this powerful, sensual story!
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter One
Santa Fe, New Mexico Territory, 1880s
Alexa Quinn stood tensely in the doorway of the ballroom. Although the last half-dozen guests were milling about, her attention and her thoughts fixated on her father and Elliot Webster. The pair stood beside the fireplace, each with a drink in hand. Elliot had dogged Alexa’s steps most of the evening and she sincerely hoped he hadn’t pulled her father aside to ask for her hand in marriage. Dissatisfied as she was with her life, it would be infinitely more boring if she married Elliot. Even his dashing good looks, wealth and outward charm couldn’t overshadow the fact that Alexa didn’t like him.
She had learned to trust her instincts, as they pertained to zealous suitors, and they hadn’t failed her