Page 103 of Craving Cooper

“You’re not pathetic. You’re the strongest woman I know.” I shake my head, but he reaches out, capturing my chin in his hand and holding me still, our eyes meeting. “I mean it, Mallory. You’ve survived without anyone to love you, or care for you, since you were six years old. I couldn’t have done that, and I don’t know anyone else who could, either.”

“Maybe. But I don’t feel very strong right now.”

“That’s because you’re tired of doing it all by yourself. And that’s okay. You don’t have to anymore.”

“Are you sure? Knowing that Meredith could just call you, or walk through the door if she felt like it, makes me feel as though she’s still here… like she’s still part of your life.”

“She never was… not in the way you are.”

I sigh and sit back, and he drops his hand to my lap, letting it rest there. “I probably wouldn’t mind so much if I hadn’t heard you together.” His eyes cloud with sadness, but I haven’t finished yet. “I know there have been other women besides her. I’m pretty sure there were quite a few of them.” He shrugs his shoulders, but doesn’t deny it. “That doesn’t bother me in the slightest,” I say.

“But Meredith does?”

“Yes. Because I heard you with her. I heard the things she used to say – or scream – and the sounds you used to make, and…”

“I’m sorry,” he says. “I’m sorry you had to hear any of it, but none of it meant anything. With her, it was just sex. With you, it’s so much more.”

“I know. I’m just trying to explain that having all that in my head makes her presence more real… and her phone call more of a shock. We’d been so happy together, and…”

“Hey… we’re still happy, aren’t we?” He leans in, fear filling his eyes, lining his face.

I nod my head, but before I can open my mouth to reassure him, the door bursts open and I let out a cry of surprise. Cooper shoots to his feet, and it feels like all the air has been sucked from the room as Meredith walks in.

This is like my worst nightmare, but I can’t speak… can’t move. I can barely breathe, and I just watch as Cooper moves around my desk, striding toward her.

“What are you doing here?” His voice is harsh, although she doesn’t seem to notice and just smiles up at him as she closes the door, shutting out the noise of the wind and rain. She looks tiny beside him, her shapely figure enhanced by skin-tight jeans and a brightly colored sweater. Despite the weather, her red hair seems untroubled, and is arranged in a stylish up-do that suits her pretty face.

Damn her.

“I have an appointment.”

“No, you don’t.”

I cough, finding my voice. “Cooper’s fully booked,” I say. “His last appointment is at five.”

“I know. It’s with Miss Pollock.”

“How did you know that?” Cooper asks.

“Because I’m Miss Pollock. I’m a few minutes late, but I didn’t think you’d mind.”

She doesn’t take her eyes from him, ignoring me completely.

“You used a false name?” he says.

“I had to. You declined my call this morning, and when I tried sending a text message, it didn’t get delivered. I guessed you must have blocked my number.”

“Yeah, I did. But that still doesn’t explain why you’re here, or why you used a false name to book your supposed appointment.”

“Would you have taken the booking if I’d used my real name?”

“Of course not.”

“Exactly,” she says, and then suddenly looks at me, with a smirk on her lips. “Although, if your receptionist had any intelligence at all, she’d have realized the name was fake.”

“How?” I ask.

“Ever heard of Jackson Pollock?” she says, her voice dripping sarcasm.

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