That Dating Thing by Mackenzie Crowne Page A

put the incident behind him. Cool and in control once again, he escorted her around the pub where she met many of his co-workers and friends.
    “Coop says you’re a dog whisperer.” Lilly Watson grinned at Coop’s startled glance. “What? You did!” Beside her, Tim Watson attempted to hide a grin, his prizefighter’s face softening with humor as he winked at his slim, blonde wife.
    Coop had introduced the couple as friends. Lilly, he explained, was the ex-model he’d spoken of in Elliott’s living room the night he’d come to dinner, and Tim worked with him at the D.A.’s office. Based on the flow of conversation over the last hour, their friendship was close. They traded amusing stories of their many outings together, their teasing affection contagious, and Rylee found herself laughing along with them.
    Coop didn’t look amused at Lilly’s last comment, however.
    “The whisperer thing was a joke,” he told Rylee, and turned back to Lilly. “I told you she trained dogs.”
    “It’s all right, Coop,” Rylee reassured him. “I’ve been accused of whispering more than once. The title doesn’t bother me.”
    “It wasn’t meant as an insult,” he added quietly.
    She waved him off. “I don’t take it as one. The ability to understand the animals I work with makes me good at what I do.”
    “Well, I find the whole thing fascinating,” Lilly jumped back in. “I’d love to see you in action sometime. Coop says you’re a wonder. And your aunt is Silvia Burke, of The Adam’s House Foundation?”
    Rylee rotated her head and pinned Coop with a raised brow. “Aren’t you a Chatty Cathy?”
    “Oh, don’t be angry with him, honey,” Lilly insisted, patting Rylee’s arm and drawing her attention away from the adorable flush of crimson flagging his cheekbones. “It’s a compliment, really. According to Tim, you’re all Coop can talk about these days.”
    “Lilly,” Tim warned beneath his breath, but his mouth contorted into a tight line as if he were trying not to laugh.
    “What? It’s the truth and I think it’s sweet. Besides, a woman appreciates knowing when a man is interested.”
    “From the look on his face, Coop isn’t very appreciative.”
    Rylee turned, along with both Lilly and Tim, and burst out laughing at Coop’s scowl. He shot Tim a steely-eyed promise of reprisal.
    “Don’t look at me,” Tim laughed. “I haven’t been able to shut her up since you introduced us.”
    “Believe me.” Coop narrowed his eyes at Lilly. “I’ve regretted that mental lapse more than once over the years.”
    “Pfttt…” Lilly blew him a raspberry and tucked an arm through Rylee’s. “Come on, honey. I’ll introduce you around to some of the ladies.” Her voice dropped to a stage whisper as she dragged Rylee away, smirking at both men. “There are a number of ladies here tonight who are dying to meet the woman who managed to get Coop out of the office before nine p.m. not just once, but twice in one week!”
    The declaration sent a ripple of happiness through Rylee she shouldn’t be feeling. This thing between them had a definite shelf life, and her increasing emotions where Coop was concerned were bound to bite her in the ass when things ended. But knowing he’d been talking about her to his friends and changing his work habits to see her, thrilled her just the same.
    Several hours later, the thrill turned to nerves. They bubbled up in her belly as she and Coop exited the cab in front of River View. Tonight was date number three, and while no official number existed, she’d heard three was the magic number one needed to reach before having sex with a new man, if they didn’t want to be considered a slut in polite society. To tell the truth, Rylee didn’t give a damn about the number, or for that matter polite society. After that earlier kiss, she’d gladly take the slut label.
    She ached to get her hands on Coop’s athletic body, and while the extent of the ache should have scared