Chapter Seven
Cooper
I scanned the crowded ballroom, half-listening to Ashlynn’s excited chatter about the decor, the music, the guests...she prattled on and on, and it was only out of respect for Steele that I pretended to listen. Ashlynn was a nice girl, and I was glad she made Steele happy, but I couldn’t fathom his deep and utter devotion to her. I chalked it up to how their relationship started—she was his prisoner, forbidden fruit he longed to sample, and that intoxication must have contributed to his feelings for her.
My eyes roamed over the crowd of guests, glamorous in their gowns and tuxedos, when I did a double-take.
Across the room stood a vision in emerald-green, her dress clinging to curves I’d never allowed myself to fully appreciate before. Gone was the professional therapist in practical clothing; in her place stood a goddess. Her chestnut hair, usually pulled back in a sensible ponytail, now cascaded in soft waves around her shoulders. The low light of the ballroom caught the highlights in her hair, creating a halo effect that made my breath catch in my throat. Her olive skin seemed to glow, and the dark jade of her dress made her eyes shine like rare jewels. The gown hugged her curves in a way that instantly made me think of tangled limbs and sweaty sheets, of stolen kisses and languid lovemaking.
The second I recognized her, the world seemed to stop spinning.
As if sensing my penetrating gaze, Allegra turned, and our eyes locked. The noise of the gala faded away, replaced by the thundering pulse of my own heart. There was something in her gaze—surprise? Longing?—that sent a jolt of electricity through my body. I found myself wanting to cross the room, to be near her, to—
“Cooper, are you even listening to me?” Ashlynn’s voice snapped me back to reality, sounding as if it came from hundreds of metres away.
I blinked, trying to regain my composure. “Sorry, what?”
She followed the path of my gaze, her face lighting up. “Ohhh! Cooper has a crush!” Her sing-song voice echoed in my ear, instantly annoying me.
“She’s just my physical therapist,” I managed to croak out, my voice caught in the hollow of my throat.
Ashlynn grinned even wider. “Ah, the one and only one you didn’t manage to scare off? Come on, let’s say hello! I have to meet the only woman in Paris who can stomach you.”
Before I could protest, Ashlynn was dragging me across the room. With each step, the tension grew. Allegra’s gaze widened as we approached, and I noticed a slight flush creeping up her cheeks, adding a rosy glow to her already stunning appearance. For a split second I imagined that blush trailing down between her breasts, and I felt my body respond before quickly pushing the image away.
“Hi! I’m Ashlynn,” my companion chirped, extending her hand. “Cooper’s told me so much about you. Your therapy sessions have been really helping him. We were so excited to see him ditch the ugly cane.”
Allegra shook Ashlynn’s hand, her smile not quite reaching her face. “He should still use it when he’s tired. But…it’s nice to meet you. I’m glad to hear Mr. Moreau’s keeping you informed of his progress during our—his—sessions.”
An awkward silence fell. I cleared my throat, trying to find words that wouldn’t betray the effect Allegra was having on me. If Ashlynn suspected anything, she’d run her mouth about it to Steele. “You look lovely tonight, Miss Prescott.”
“Thank you,” she murmured, her eyes flicking between Ashlynn and me. “You both look...very nice together.”
Before I could correct what I sensed was a rather unfortunate misunderstanding, a deep voice cut through the tension.
“There you are,” Steele said, appearing at Ashlynn’s side. “I swear, finding a parking spot in the garage is a bloody nightmare. I should have just used the valet.”
Ashlynn laughed. “You? Let a stranger drive your precious car? I’d sooner expect the sun to rise in the west.”
I noticed Allegra’s eyes widen slightly, her gaze darting between Steele and Ashlynn.
I cleared my throat. “This is Allegra Prescott, my physical therapist.”
“Miss Prescott,” Steele nodded politely. “Cooper’s told me about the excellent care you’ve been providing.” Steele gave me a meaningful look, which I tried to ignore. But I knew Steele well, and I could see him working out the puzzle right in front of him. Understanding crossed his face, and I knew at that exact moment he figured out Allegra was the reason I had Tomas arrested; the reason I turned down the girl in the bar. I didn’t know how his mind seemed to piece together the situation so quickly, but the sly smile that replaced his look told me that he had.
“Thank you,” Allegra replied, seeming to regain her composure. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”
“Well,” Ashlynn said, stifling a yawn, “I think I need to sit down for a bit. This little one makes me tired. And hungry.” She laughed and then patted her belly affectionately.
As Steele led Ashlynn away, I turned back to Allegra. The tension between us had shifted, but it was still there, crackling like fire.
“Would you like to dance?” I found myself asking, surprising even myself with my boldness.
She hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Alright.”
I led her onto the dance floor, my hand resting lightly on the small of her back. Her dress had a cutout right along her lower back, and my palm grazed her bare skin. I could feel the small shudder that went through her, goosebumps pricking her skin. I suppressed a moan, biting my lip so she wouldn’t see just how much she turned me on. As we began to move to the music, I couldn’t help but notice how perfectly she fit in my arms. The scent of her perfume—something light and floral—surrounded me, making my head swim with desire.
“So,” Allegra said, her voice low, “Ashlynn seems lovely.”
“She is,” I agreed. “Steele’s a lucky man.” I took Allegra’s hand in mine, my other hand firm against her back, pulling her hips slightly into mine. I could see red creep into her cheeks, and I realized she was just as turned on as I was at this moment.
“Steele?” she echoed, confusion evident in her voice.
“Yes, Steele. My old business partner. Ashlynn’s his fiancée.”
“Oh,” she breathed, and I felt her relax slightly in my arms. “I see.”
We continued to dance, the silence between us charged with unspoken words. I was acutely aware of every point where our bodies touched—my hand on her waist, her hand on my shoulder, our clasped hands. The sexual tension that had started during our therapy sessions threatened to explode, and I felt myself wishing I could dance with her all night. Despite the ache in my leg, I never wanted the song to end.
“How’s your leg holding up?” Allegra asked, almost as if sensing my thoughts. Her professional concern broke through the tension, and I felt myself relax slightly.
I smiled, tightening my hold on her possessively. “Better than expected, thanks to you. Though I might regret this tomorrow.”
“We can stop if it’s too much,” she offered, but I shook my head.
“No, I’m fine. More than fine, actually.”
Our eyes met again, and I saw a flicker of something in her gaze that made my heart race. I knew I wasn’t imagining the intense connection I felt, and I was relieved to see that she felt it, too. We were standing even closer now, our bodies almost flush against each other. I could feel the warmth of her breath on my neck, and it took every ounce of self-control not to press my lips to hers.
“Allegra,” I started, not sure what I was going to say but knowing I needed to say something, needed to acknowledge this strange sensation boiling within me.
Just then, a colleague of Allegra’s appeared at her elbow, breaking the spell.
“I’m so sorry to interrupt,” the woman said, “but Dr. Lefèvre is asking for you. It’s time for the presentation.”
Allegra nodded, stepping back from the circle of my arms. “Of course. I’ll be right there.” She turned to me, a hint of soft regret in her eyes. “I’m sorry, I have to go. Thank you for the dance, Mr. Moreau.”
As I watched her walk away, I felt a presence at my side. I turned to find Laurent Rousseau studying me intently. I recognized him immediately—not from personal encounters, but from whispered conversations and warnings in the shadowy world I inhabited. He was a major player in some seriously seedy underground dealings, the type of crimes that Steele and I stayed away from. We didn’t get involved in blood feuds or territory disputes—but old families like the Rousseau’s did.
“Cooper Moreau,” he said, his deep voice cutting through the soft music. “I was wondering when our paths would cross.”
I nodded, instantly on guard. “Laurent Rousseau. I didn’t expect to see you here.”
His expression turned predatory as he smiled. “ When I saw Steele’s name on the list of attendees, I couldn’t resist stopping by, hoping he’d bring you. I make it a point to keep tabs on...emerging talents in our line of work. I must say, you’ve been making quite a name for yourself lately.”
I kept my face neutral, but inside, my mind was racing. How much did he know? “I’m not sure what you mean,” I said carefully.
Rousseau chuckled. “Come now, Mr. Moreau. Let’s not play games. Your recent forays into more...shall we say, explosive merchandise haven’t gone unnoticed. It’s quite a leap from art theft to arms dealing, isn’t it?”
I felt a chill run down my spine. If Rousseau knew about the weapons, who else did? “I prefer to think of it as diversifying my portfolio,” I said, trying to maintain a calm I didn’t feel.
“Ah, yes. Diversification. A wise strategy...when executed properly.” Rousseau’s tone was light, but there was a clear warning in his words. “But one must be careful not to bite off more than one can chew. The peak you’re setting out to climb, Mr. Moreau—it may look like a gentle slope from here, but there are crevasses hidden beneath the snow.”
I kept my expression neutral, but inside, my heart was racing. “I appreciate your concern, Mr. Rousseau, but I assure you, I can handle myself.”
Rousseau’s lips curved upward while his eyes remained hard and flat, like painted glass. “Can you? I wonder. You see, this isn’t just about handling yourself. It’s about understanding the intricate web of alliances and enemies that govern our world. One wrong move, one misplaced shipment, and...well, let’s just say the consequences can be quite severe.”
He paused, his gaze drifting to where Allegra stood across the room. “That was quite a dance you shared with the lovely little therapist. She’s quite beautiful, isn’t she? I’m surprised you would be involved with anyone, given your line of work. It would be a shame if something…complicated happened.”
The thinly veiled threat made my blood run cold. I fought to keep my voice steady. “Miss Prescott is simply my physical therapist. She has nothing to do with my business dealings.”
Rousseau raised an eyebrow. “How fascinating. Well, Mr. Moreau, I’ll leave you to enjoy the rest of your evening. But do remember our little chat. In our world, it’s not just about what you know, but who you know...and who knows you.”
With a final, knowing smile, Rousseau melted into the crowd, leaving me with a growing sense of unease.
As I watched Allegra prepare for her presentation across the room, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d just stepped into something far more dangerous than I’d anticipated. And somehow, whether I liked it or not, Allegra Prescott was now caught in the crossfire.