Chapter Twenty-Four
Cooper
I killed the engine of my car, the sudden silence amplifying the irritation coursing through my veins. Allegra’s text had been gnawing at me all day. “ Something’s come up at work. Rain check ?” It was bullshit, and we both knew it.
I’d given her space, waited a respectable amount of time before showing up at her door. But my patience came with limits, and she’d just about reached them. I got out of the car, slamming the door perhaps a bit harder than necessary, and made my way to her building.
The doorman—one of my guys—gave me a nod as I entered. I took the stairs quickly, my leg protesting slightly but I ignored it. The anger fueling me was more potent than any lingering pain.
I reached her door and knocked, not bothering to be gentle about it. A few moments passed, and I was about to knock again when I heard movement inside. The door opened, revealing Allegra in a pair of yoga pants and an oversized sweater, her hair pulled back in a messy ponytail. Even dressed down, she was breathtaking, and for a moment, my anger wavered.
Her eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed. “ Cooper? What are you doing here?”
I pushed past her into the apartment, not waiting for an invitation. “We need to talk.”
Allegra shut the door, her posture stiffening. “I told you I was busy tonight.”
“Yeah, I got your message,” I said, turning to face her. “Loud and clear. Why are you lying to me?”
She crossed her arms, her jaw set in a stubborn line. “Excuse me?”
“Come on, Allegra. ‘Something came up at work’? That’s the best you could do?”
A flash of guilt crossed her face, quickly replaced by indignation. “I don’t appreciate you showing up unannounced and questioning me, Cooper. What I do with my time is my business.”
I stepped closer, my voice low and forceful. “It becomes my business when you’re clearly avoiding me. What’s going on, Allegra? And don’t give me any more bullshit about work.”
She held her ground, but I could see the conflict brewing behind her carefully constructed barriers. “It’s not bullshit. There have been...issues at the clinic. Because of you, actually.”
That caught me off guard. “What are you talking about?”
Allegra sighed, running a hand through her hair. “My boss called me into his office this morning. Apparently, your little jealous stunt at the clinic last week was witnessed by another therapist. There are concerns about my professionalism and my ethics now!”
I felt a surge of anger, not at Allegra this time, but at the faceless bureaucrats trying to control her life. “That’s ridiculous. You aren’t even my therapist anymore.”
“I know that,” she snapped. “But perception matters in my line of work. And being seen cozying up to a former patient doesn’t exactly scream ‘ethical behavior.’”
“Cozying up?” I repeated, my temper flaring again. “Last I checked, dating wasn’t a crime.”
She laughed, but there was no humor behind the sound. “No, but some of your other activities might be. Have you thought about that, Cooper? About how your business activities might affect my career if people found out?”
Her words hit me like a physical blow. I took a step back, studying her face. “Is that what this is about? You’re worried about your precious reputation?”
Allegra’s eyes flashed dangerously. “Don’t you dare trivialize this, Cooper. My career is everything to me. I’ve worked hard to get where I am, to build a life for myself away from...” She trailed off, shaking her head.
“Away from what?” I pressed, sensing there was more she wasn’t telling me.
“It doesn’t matter,” she said a bit too quickly. “The point is, I can’t afford to have my professional judgment questioned. And being involved with you...it complicates things.”
I felt a cold weight settle in the pit of my stomach. “So, what? You’re just going to cut me out of your life? Pretend none of this ever happened?”
Allegra’s expression softened slightly. “I just need some space, Cooper. A little bit of time to figure things out.”
“Figure out what?” I demanded, closing the distance between us again. “What’s there to figure out, Allegra? We have something here. Are you really willing to throw that away because some stuffed shirts at your clinic can’t mind their own damn business?”
She looked up at me, her green eyes filled with a mixture of longing and frustration. “It’s not that simple, Cooper. My job, my patients—they rely on me. I can’t just throw that all away for...for what? A few heated moments with a man I know there’s no future with?”
Her words stung, more than I cared to admit. Even though there was truth in them. I’d never promised her anything long term. “Is that all this is to you? A few heated moments?”
Allegra’s face crumpled slightly. “No, of course not. But Cooper, be realistic. Your world and mine—they don’t mix. They can’t mix. Not without someone getting hurt.”
I reached out, cupping her face in my hands. “The only thing hurting me right now is you pushing me away.”
For a moment, she leaned into my touch, her eyes fluttering closed gently. Then, as if catching herself, she stepped back. “This is exactly what I’m talking about, Cooper. Every time I’m around you, I lose all sense of reason. I can’t think straight, I can’t focus on my work. Do you have any idea how that is affecting my career?”
I felt my frustration building again. “So, what? You’re just going to live your life never taking any risks? Never letting anyone in because it might complicate things?”
Allegra’s face flashed with emotion. “That’s rich, coming from you. How many people have you let in, Cooper? How many people have seen the real you, not just the dangerous, mysterious facade you put up?”
Her words hit closer to home than I liked to admit. I turned away, running a hand through my hair. “That’s different. My life...it’s complicated.”
“And mine isn’t?” Allegra shot back. “You think you’re the only one with secrets, Cooper? With a past they’re trying to escape?”
I spun back to face her, intrigued despite my anger. “What are you talking about?”
She shook her head, looking suddenly tired. “Nothing. Just...forget it.”
But I wasn’t about to let it go. I stepped closer, my voice low and intense. “No, Allegra. You don’t get to throw that out there and then clam up. What secrets are you hiding?”
Her eyes met mine, defiant. “Why should I tell you? You’ve said it yourself—there’s no future for us. You’re not going to settle down—so why should I bare my soul to you when this is just some fling?”
I felt my control slipping, the anger and frustration of the day boiling over. “Because it’s no longer just a fucking fling! What we have is real, damn it! I’m here, Allegra! I’m here, trying to make this work, while you’re the one pushing me away!”
“I’m trying to protect myself!” she shouted, her composure finally cracking. “Can’t you see that? Every time I let someone in, every time I start to care, it all falls apart. And I can’t...I can’t go through that. Not with you.”
The raw pain in her voice cut through my anger like a knife. I reached for her, but she backed away, wrapping her arms around herself .
“Allegra,” I said softly, “I’m not going to hurt you.”
She laughed, a bitter sound that didn’t suit her. “You can’t promise that, Cooper. You don’t even know if you’ll make it home alive each night, with the kind of life you lead.”
Her words hung in the air, heavy with the implication. I wanted to deny it, to promise her that everything would be fine, but we both knew it would be a lie.
Instead, I closed the distance between us, my hands coming to rest on her shoulders. “You’re right. I can’t promise you a safe, predictable life. But I can promise you this: every moment we have together will be real. It will be passionate, raw, and worth every risk.”
Allegra looked up at me, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “And when it all comes crashing down? When your enemies decide to use me to get to you? Or when my career goes up in flames because I can’t keep my personal and professional lives separate?
I held her face in my hands, my thumbs brushing away the tears that had started to fall. “Then we’ll face it together. Allegra, I know I’m not an easy man to be with. But what we have...it’s worth fighting for. Don’t you think so?”
For a long moment, she just looked at me, searching my face for something. Then, with a soft sound that was half-sob, half-chortle, she surged forward, her lips crashing into mine.
The kiss was desperate and hungry, all our pent-up frustration and longing pouring out. My hands tangled in her hair, pulling her closer as her arms curled around my neck. She tasted of mint and something uniquely Allegra, and I couldn’t get enough.
I backed her up against the wall, my body pressing into hers. Allegra gasped into my mouth, her fingers digging into my shoulders. I trailed kisses along her jaw, down her neck, relishing the small sounds of pleasure she made.
“Cooper,” she breathed, her voice husky with desire. “We shouldn’t...we’re just making this harder on ourselves—”
I pulled back slightly, meeting her gaze. Her lips were swollen from our kisses, her cheeks flushed; she had never looked more beautiful. “Do you want me to stop?”
Allegra bit her lip, conflict clear in her expression. Then, with a small shake of her head, she pulled me back to her. “No,” she whispered against my lips. “Don’t stop. Don’t ever stop.”
That was all the encouragement I needed. I kissed her again, deep and passionate, my hands roaming over her body. Allegra responded in kind, her fingers working at the buttons of my jacket.
As clothing began to hit the floor and hands explored newly exposed skin, I knew we were crossing a line. I’d told her how I felt, and I knew she felt the same way. We couldn’t stay apart from each other. After this, there would be no going back to the careful dance we’d been doing. But with Allegra in my arms, her body moving against mine, I couldn’t bring myself to care.
As her legs wrapped around my waist and her lips never left mine, I knew one thing for certain: I was in deep, deeper than I’d ever been before. And I had no intention of letting Allegra go, no matter what obstacles might stand in our way .
I carried Allegra to her bedroom, and a part of my mind marveled at how light she felt in my arms, how perfectly she fit against me. Her lips trailed fire along my neck, and I had to focus to keep my footing. The last thing I needed was to stumble and ruin this moment.
I gently laid her on the bed, taking a second to drink in the sight of her. Her hair had come loose from her ponytail, spilling across the pillow like a dark halo. Her eyes were bright with desire, her chest rising and falling rapidly with each breath. She reached for me, and I willingly let her pull me down beside her.
“Cooper,” she whispered, her fingers tracing the lines of my face. “Are we crazy for thinking this can work?”
I caught her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. “Maybe. But if this is crazy, I don’t want to be sane.”
She laughed softly, the sound sending a shiver down my spine. “Always so sure of yourself. How do you do it?”
I propped myself up on one elbow, looking down at her. “Do what?”
“Live like this,” she said, her expression turning serious. “Always on the edge, never knowing what’s coming next. Doesn’t it terrify you?”
I considered her question, wanting to give her an honest answer. “Sometimes,” I admitted. “But the thrill...it’s addictive. And lately, the scariest thing in my life has been the thought of losing you.”
A subtle look of surprise crossed Allegra’s features at my words. “Cooper...”
I leaned in, silencing her with a gentle kiss. “I mean it, Allegra. I know I’ve put you in an impossible situation. I know my life is dangerous and complicated. But being with you...it makes me want to be better. To be worthy of you.”
She reached up, her fingers threading through my hair. “You don’t have to change for me, Cooper. I...I care about you, just as you are. That’s what scares me. I’m afraid of how much I feel for you, how easily you’ve gotten under my skin.”
Her vulnerability in that moment touched something deep inside me. I’d always prided myself on my independence, on not needing anyone. But Allegra had awakened something in me, a longing for connection I’d never allowed myself to feel before.
“I’m scared too,” I confessed, the words feeling heavy and thick on my tongue. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. It’s...unsettling.”
Allegra smiled, a hint of mischief in her eyes. “The great Cooper Moreau, unsettled by his physical therapist? I’m flattered.”
I growled playfully, nipping at her earlobe. “You should be. Do you have any idea what you do to me, Allegra Prescott?”
She arched against me, her body a silent invitation. “Why don’t you show me?”
I didn’t need to be asked twice. I captured her lips in a searing kiss, pouring all my pent-up desire and emotion into it. Allegra responded with equal fervor, her hands roaming over my back, pulling me closer.
Some part of my mind forced my hands to stop tearing at her clothing. “Allegra—do you feel up to this? I know last time was intense, and I didn’t ever expect for us to go so far so fast—”
Her eyes misted. “Cooper…”
“Angel, what is it?” I turned on my side, looking at her face.
“I just…the fact that you care, the fact that you ask…”
“Of course I’m going to care,” I said, stroking her cheek. “I don’t want to hurt you or make you uncomfortable.”
Allegra leaned into my touch, her gaze never leaving mine. “I trust you, Cooper. Just...be gentle with me?”
Her words sent a surge of emotion through me, so intense it was almost painful. “Always,” I promised, sealing it with a tender kiss.
I took things slow, exploring Allegra with a reverence I’d never experienced before. Every gasp, every shiver, every whispered word of encouragement was savored. I was hyper-aware of her reactions, constantly checking in with her, making sure she was comfortable and enjoying herself.
As we moved together, lost in the sensations and emotions swirling between us, I felt something shift inside me. This wasn’t just sex, it wasn’t just about physical release. This was something more, something deeper. Something that both thrilled and terrified me.
As soon as I had us both naked, I hovered over her, watching her face. I knew she was ready for me, knew that her mind and body wanted me as much as I wanted her. But still, I paused, concerned about hurting her.
“It’s okay, Cooper,” she whispered, running her nails up and down my chest. “Make love to me.”
Alarm bells went off in my head at her phrasing, but instead of panicking, I looked down at her, exploring every inch of her with my eyes .
“Of course, angel,” I said, notching myself at her opening. I waited for her to tense, but she stayed relaxed. I slipped inside slowly, waiting for a panicked reaction that never came.
Instead, I was met with nothing but the wetness of her willing flesh. I groaned, my eyes damn near rolling back into my head when I felt how tight she was. She was basically a virgin, mine for the taking. She’d never been with a man like me before, so in my twisted mind, I was her first.
That thought alone made me harden even more.
“Cooper…” she moaned, closing her eyes. “Oh, god, Cooper!”
I moved a bit faster, shocked at how well she was taking me. She was perfect, the best thing in the world to happen to me. I never wanted this moment to end. I never wanted to leave her bed. I wanted…I wanted…forever.
“I love you.” The words slipped out, but I didn’t care. It was the truth. Damn it, it was the fucking truth.
She didn’t seem surprised or upset. Instead, she opened up her gorgeous eyes and looked right into my soul.
“I love you too, Cooper.”
Afterwards, we lay tangled together, Allegra’s head resting on my chest, my fingers tracing lazy patterns on her back. The room was quiet save for the sound of our gradually slowing breaths, the quiet purring of her cat sleeping at the foot of the bed, and the distant hum of traffic outside.
“You okay?” I murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
Allegra nodded, snuggling closer. “More than okay. That was...wow.”
I chuckled, feeling a surge of masculine pride. “Glad I could impress you.”
She propped herself up on one elbow, looking down at me with a mixture of amusement and affection. “Always so cocky. But you know, this doesn’t solve anything. We still have a lot to figure out. Even if…even if we are…”
“In love?” I finished for her. “I know. But can we just...enjoy this moment? Before we have to face the real world again?”
Allegra smiled softly, leaning down to kiss me. “Okay. Just for a little while.”
We lay there in comfortable silence for a few minutes, just basking in each other’s presence. But I could practically hear the gears turning in Allegra’s head, and I knew we couldn’t avoid the difficult conversations forever.
“What are you thinking?” I asked, running my fingers through her silky hair.
She was quiet for a moment, her fingers tracing abstract patterns on my chest. “I’m thinking about how complicated this is going to make everything. My job, your...business. How are we going to make this work, Cooper?”
I pulled her closer, wishing I had all the answers. “I don’t know,” I admitted. “But I know I want to try. We’ll figure it out together, okay?”
Allegra nodded against my chest, but I could feel the tension in her body. “What about your enemies? The people who are after you? I can’t help but worry... ”
I tilted her chin up, meeting her gaze. “Hey. I promise you, I will do everything in my power to keep you safe. No one is going to hurt you, Allegra. Not while I’m around.”
She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “That’s sweet, Cooper. But you can’t promise that. Your world...it’s dangerous. And now I’m a part of it, whether I want to be or not.”
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. She was right, of course. By getting involved with me, Allegra had put herself in the crosshairs of some very dangerous people. The thought of her getting hurt because of me made me feel physically ill.
“Maybe...” I started, the words tasting bitter in my mouth. “Maybe this was a mistake. If being with me puts you in danger...”
Allegra sat up abruptly, her eyes flashing in warning. “Don’t you dare, Cooper Moreau! Don’t you dare try to push me away now, not after everything we’ve shared.”
I sat up too, running a hand through my hair in frustration. “I’m just trying to protect you, Allegra. If anything happened to you because of me, I’d never forgive myself.”
She cupped my face in her hands, forcing me to look at her. “I can make up my own mind, Cooper. I know the risks. And I’m choosing to be here, with you, despite them. So don’t you think for one second that you get to make that choice for me.”
I stared at her, marveling at the fire in her eyes, the determination in her voice. How had I gotten so lucky? And how the hell was I going to keep her safe in the treacherous world I inhabited ?
“Okay,” I said finally, pulling her into my arms. “Okay. We’ll face it together, whatever comes. But promise me something?”
Allegra looked up at me, her expression softening. “What?”
“Promise me you’ll be careful. That you’ll listen to me when it comes to security measures, even if they seem excessive. I couldn’t bear it if something happened to you.”
She nodded, snuggling closer. “I promise. As long as you promise not to push me away. No more hot and cold. Not after…I’ve given my heart to you.”
I hesitated for a moment, thinking of all the dark corners of my life I’d need to protect her from. But looking into Allegra’s eyes, seeing the trust and affection there, I knew I couldn’t keep her in the dark any longer.
“Together. We’re in this together,” I agreed, sealing the promise with a kiss.
As we settled back into bed, Allegra’s warm body pressed against mine, I felt a mix of emotions swirling inside me. Fear for her safety, determination to protect her at all costs, and underneath it all, a warmth I was starting to recognize as love.
Allegra Prescott had become the most important thing in my life. And I would do whatever it took to keep her safe, to keep her by my side.
As sleep began to claim me, Allegra’s steady breathing a comforting rhythm against my chest, I made a silent vow. I would find a way to balance my dangerous world with the beautiful, brilliant woman in my arms. Because a life without Allegra...that wasn’t a life I was willing to contemplate.