Page 32 of Temptation and Tyranny

“Personal how?” Allegra pressed, relentless in her efforts to get to the truth that I’d been hiding, the part of me I pretended didn’t exist. In that split second, sitting in her apartment, she stripped me raw—revealing the things I’d repressed, the subtle characteristics of the man I used to be, the man I’d squashed in my attempt to prove myself in this underworld game.

I met her gaze, seeing the mix of emotions there—curiosity, fear, and something else I couldn’t quite name. “He hurt you, Allegra. Threatened you. I couldn’t let that stand.”

She let out the breath she had been holding. “So you...what? Had him arrested?”

“I made a few calls,” I said, trying to downplay it. “Let’s just say I know people who know people. Tomas had enough skeletons in his closet to make an arrest stick. Enough that it makes me physically ill knowing you let a man like that touch you.”

Allegra reddened, and then shook her head, looking torn. It was enough to tell me what I needed to know: he’d hurt her. And I was willing to bet money that it had been physical.

“I don’t know whether to be grateful or terrified.Cooper, what you’re doing...it’s dangerous. How can you live like that?”

I leaned back in my chair, suddenly feeling the weight of my choices. “It’s not always easy. But it’s the life I chose. I’m good at it, Allegra. And the money...well, let’s just say it makes a lot of things possible.”

“But at what cost?” she asked softly.

The question hung in the air between us, heavy with implication. I didn’t have an answer for her—at least, not one that would make sense to someone like Allegra, someone who lived her life on the right side of the law, someone who was good and decent.

“I should go,” I said abruptly, standing up. “I’ve already put you in enough danger. Thank you for everything, Allegra. I mean it.”

I moved to gather my things, but Allegra’s hand on my arm stopped me. The touch sent electricity through my body, and I turned to face her, suddenly very aware of how close we were.

“Cooper, wait,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I...”

The uncertainty in her eyes undid me. Before I could think better of it, I cupped her face with my hand, my thumb tracing the soft curve of her cheek. Allegra’s breath hitched, her lips parting slightly as she looked up at me.

“Allegra,” I murmured, my voice rough with emotion. “You have no idea how much I want to stay. But I’m no good for you.”

She leaned into my touch, her hands coming to rest on my chest. I could feel the warmth of her palms through my shirt, and could smell the faint scent of her soap. It was intoxicating.

“Maybe I understand the reality of your world better than you think,” Allegra whispered, her eyes searching mine. “But…maybe I want you in spite of that.”

Her words struck me like a physical blow. Something haunted her features, a darkness that spoke of knowledge she shouldn’t have, understanding that went deeper than simple observation. For a moment, I wanted to press her, to understand how she could possibly comprehend my world. But the vulnerability in her expression, the way she’d admitted wanting me despite everything—it shattered what was left of my resistance.

The dangers we’d been discussing seemed to fade away, replaced by something more immediate, more primitive. All the tension that had been building between us, all the careful distance we’d tried to maintain, collapsed in an instant. With a groan, I closed the space between us, capturing her lips with mine.

The kiss was everything I’d imagined and more—soft yet passionate, tentative yet hungry. Allegra’s lips were warm and pliant against mine, soft and willing. It was the culmination of weeks of tension and desire.

One of my hands slid to the back of her neck, tangling in her soft hair as I deepened the kiss. Allegra responded eagerly, her arms winding around my neck, pulling me closer. I could feel every curve of her body pressed against mine. I knew she wanted me as much as I wanted her from the way she tugged me against her tightly.

I traced the seam of her lips with my tongue, silently asking for permission. I’d usually just take what I wanted, but something about her made me want toshow her respect. Allegra granted me access to her mouth with a soft moan that sent blood rushing to my cock. As our tongues met, the kiss became more urgent as pent-up frustration and desire poured out.

My other hand moved to her waist, pulling her flush against me. My shoulder throbbed, but I didn’t give a fuck. I had wanted this for weeks, and I was going to enjoy it.

Allegra’s fingers threaded through my hair, her nails scraping lightly against my scalp in a way that made me groan. I backed her up against the kitchen counter, lifting her with my uninjured arm to sit on its edge.

Allegra wrapped her legs around my waist, pulling me even closer. The new angle allowed me to trail kisses along her jaw and down her neck. I nipped lightly at the sensitive spot where her neck met her shoulder, earning a gasp of pleasure from her.

“Cooper,” she breathed, her voice husky with desire. The sound of my name on her lips in that tone nearly undid me.

I captured her mouth again, flooding our kiss with all my conflicting emotions—desire, fear, hope, regret. Allegra met me passion for passion, her hands roaming over my back and shoulders, mindful of my injury but no less eager.

She was still in her oversized tee-shirt, and the soft material was creeping up her legs. Her perfect skin was begging to be touched, so I skimmed my fingers along the top of her thighs, working my way along her inner thigh.

She gasped, and I took the opportunity to kiss the hollow of her throat, enjoying the way she ranher fingers through my hair. She tugged on the ends, and the motion spurred me on. I’d been with countless women before, but I was excited in a way I never thought possible. Pulling her even closer against my erection, I curled my finger around the side of her panties, trying to slip them down, but it was difficult with one hand, and my shoulder wasn’t cooperating thanks to my newest injury.

I nearly came undone when she lifted her hips, helping me to slide them down. I gave her a dirty grin, then stuffed her black satin underwear in my pocket. She didn’t comment, but instead, leaned farther back on the counter, opening herself to me.

“Do you want me, sweetheart?” I couldn’t help but ask, knowing how vehemently she refused me before, citing her own professionalism and safety. I was also concerned about her past, worried that Tomas might have hurt her.

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