Page 63 of Temptation and Tyranny

As I left his office, I felt a weight settle on my shoulders. I’d always prided myself on my professionalism, on keeping my work and personal life separate. But Cooper had blurred those lines in a way I never expected, and now I was facing the consequences.

I made my way to my own office, closing the door behind me and leaning against it for a moment.My eyes fell on the framed diplomas on the wall, the carefully organized patient files on my desk. This career was everything I’d worked for, the life I’d built for myself away from my father’s dark legacy. Was I really willing to risk it all for Cooper? He’d told me time and time again he wasn’t going to leave his business, wasn’t going to settle down…was I just setting myself up for heartbreak?

The memory of Cooper’s touch, his smile, the way he made me feel both terrified and exhilarated, flashed through my mind. I instantly tried to clear the thoughts away. I had patients to focus on, a job to do. I couldn’t let my personal life interfere any more than it already had.

I settled in at my desk, pulling up my schedule for the day. But as I tried to focus on the names and appointment times, my mind kept drifting back to Cooper. The danger that surrounded him, the way he’d swept into my life and turned everything upside down. I loved my job, enjoyed the satisfaction of helping people regain their mobility and independence. But there was a part of me that craved the excitement Cooper brought, the passion I felt when I was with him. The way he made my body feel…

A knock at my door startled me from my thoughts. “Come in,” I called, straightening in my chair and trying to look composed.

Joanna poked her head in, a sympathetic smile on her face. “Hey, Al. I saw you come out of Lefèvre’s office. Everything okay?”

I sighed, gesturing for her to come in and shut the door. I was thankful that Joanna was more than just a colleague; she was my closest friend, the one person Icould trust with the myriad of emotions I was feeling.

“Not really,” I admitted, as she sat on the edge of my desk. “Apparently, Dr. Lefèvre…or someone else…witnessed the…exchange between Cooper and I here last week.”

Joanna winced. “Ouch. Was he very upset?”

I shrugged, leaning back in my chair. “Not upset, exactly. More...concerned. About the appearance of impropriety, and how it might affect the clinic’s reputation.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Joanna scoffed. “Cooper isn’t even your patient anymore.”

“I know,” I said, running a hand through my hair. “But it’s not just that. I know I’ve been distracted.”

Joanna’s expression softened. “Al, you’ve been through a lot lately. With Tomas, and now all this stuff with Cooper...it’s bound to affect you.”

I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. “I just...I don’t know what to do, Jo. This job means everything to me. But Cooper...”

“He means a lot to you too,” Joanna finished softly.

I looked up at her, feeling tears gather at the corners of my eyes. “Is that crazy? To feel this way about someone I barely know, someone who’s involved in such dangerous things?”

Joanna reached out, squeezing my hand. “It’s not crazy, Al. The heart wants what it wants. But you need to be careful. Not just because of work, but for your own safety.”

I nodded, blinking back the tears. “I know. I just...I can’t seem to stay away from him, even though I know I should.”

Joanna was quiet for a moment, her brow wrinkled in thought. “Maybe...maybe you need some time away. To clear your head, figure out what you really want. If you ever want a girl’s weekend away, I’ll arrange it.”

I considered it, feeling a mix of relief and apprehension at the thought of putting some distance between myself and Cooper. “That...might not be a bad idea.”

Joanna smiled, patting my hand. “Just think about it, okay? And remember, I’m here if you need to talk. Or if you need someone to cover for you while you sneak off for a steamy rendezvous with your dangerous boyfriend.”

I laughed despite myself, grateful for her attempt to lighten the mood. “He’s not my boyfriend, Jo.”

She raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Not yet, maybe. But I’ve seen the way you look at each other. There’s definitely something there.”

I gave her a look, and she laughed. She moved to the door, then turned back towards me. “Also, your first patient is here. I sent her to the gym.”

“Thanks Jo, and for the talk too.”

I made my way to the gym and opened the door, revealing my first patient of the day, an elderly woman recovering from hip surgery. I stood, slipping easily into my professional persona.

“Mrs. Dubois, good morning. How are you feeling today?”

I focused on Mrs. Dubois, asking about her pain levels and guiding her through some gentle stretches. But in the back of my mind, I couldn’t shake the weight of Dr. Lefèvre’s words, the tangle of emotionssurrounding Cooper, and the growing realization that I was going to have to make some difficult choices very soon.

The rest of the morning passed in a blur of patients and paperwork. I threw myself into my work, grateful for the distraction from my tumultuous thoughts. But as lunchtime approached, I found myself growing restless, my mind drifting back to Cooper and the complications he’d brought into my life.

I was just finishing up some notes on my last patient when my phone buzzed with a text. My heart skipped a beat when I saw Cooper’s name on the screen.

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