Page 56 of Temptation and Tyranny

Allegra nodded, taking in the opulent surroundings. “This is...quite something, Cooper. I didn’t expect all this when you said we were going to dinner.”

I poured the wine, watching the deep red liquid swirl in the glass. “Only the best for you, angel. Besides, I thought we could use some privacy for our...discussion.”

Her posture stiffened slightly at my words, but she accepted the glass I offered. “Yes, I suppose we do need to talk about what happened earlier today.”

I took my seat across from her, my eyes neverleaving her face. “Yes we do. Your little...admirer caused quite a scene.”

Allegra’s face flashed with that defiance I both loved and hated. “You think he caused the scene? Cooper, you can’t just storm into my workplace like that. It was embarrassing and unprofessional. I have colleagues, patients—”

“Your safety is my primary concern, Allegra. Always,” I cut in, my voice low and controlled. “When I heard that a male showed up at your work looking for you, what did you expect me to do?”

Her eyebrows shot up. “You knew he wasn’t a threat! It was just a male pissing contest!”

I couldn’t help but let out a derisive chuckle. “In which case, I won. I’ve now made it my business to protect you. Gregor is weak. He couldn’t protect you if his life depended on it.”

Allegra set her wine glass down with more force than necessary. “Cooper, I don’t need you to protect me from potential suitors. And I certainly don’t need you charging in like some sort of...of...”

“Knight in shining armor?” I supplied, a smirk playing on my lips.

She glared at me. “More like a bull in a China shop. Do you have any idea how that looked? What my colleagues must think now?”

I leaned forward, my gaze intense. “I don’t give a damn what your colleagues think, Allegra. Any man who shows interest in you is a potential threat. Especially one as spineless as Gregor.”

“He wasn’t showing interest, he was just—”

“Bringing you flowers?” I interrupted, my jaw clenching at the memory. “Don’t be naïve, Allegra. Menlike Gregor always have an agenda.”

She inhaled deeply, clearly trying to calm herself. “Even if that were true, which it isn’t, I can handle myself. I don’t need you to swoop in and ‘save’ me from every man who talks to me.”

I felt a flash of anger at her words. Didn’t she understand? Couldn’t she see that the second we agreed to let this run its course, she was entirely my property? I reached across the table, taking her hand in mine. My grip was firm, possessive. “You’re mine to protect, Allegra. To cherish. Men like Gregor, Tomas...they’re not capable of that. They don’t understand what it takes to keep someone safe in this world.”

Allegra’s fingers twitched in my grasp, but she didn’t pull away. Her voice was softer when she spoke again, but no less determined. “Cooper, I understand that you want to protect me. And I...I appreciate it, I do. But there has to be a balance. You can’t control every aspect of my life or decide who can come to my office.”

I stroked my thumb across her knuckles, considering her words. Part of me wanted to refuse, to assert my control fully and completely. But I could see the resolve in her eyes. Push too hard now, and I risked losing her. “What if we compromise?” I offered, the words feeling foreign on my tongue. “I’ll back off the security I have at your work—move the men a few blocks out.”

She looked at me for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, she nodded. “That’s a start, I suppose. But Cooper, you have to trust me more. I’m here with you right now, remember? You. In spite of all the danger you’ve put me in.”

Her words sent a thrill through me, a potentmixture of possessiveness and pride. Yes, she had chosen me. And I would make damn sure she never regretted that choice.

I reached inside my jacket pocket and pulled out the black velvet box. Placing it on the table in front of her, I leaned back in my chair, waiting.

“What’s this?” She didn’t make a move for it. I just sat there, looking at her intensely.

She sighed, then reached for the box. She opened it, and her mouth dropped.

I didn’t say a word, watching the emotions go through her. Shock, disbelief, uncertainty, and then pleasure.

I had known she would like it. Something about it just felt like her.

“Cooper—”

I got up, moving behind her. “Don’t say another word. If you try and refuse my gift, I’ll go back to your work and spray paint my name and yours surrounded by hearts all over the front of the building.”

She paused, then laughed. The sound was melodious, and I realized that she didn’t laugh nearly enough. I grabbed the necklace, the weight impressive in my hands, and then I fastened it around her neck. Before replacing her hair, I leaned in and placed a heated kiss at the base of her neck, enjoying the shiver that went through her.

Just then, a discreet knock announced the arrival of our waiter. I released my gentle hold on her hair as the young man entered, but my eyes never left Allegra. She was breathtaking, even more so in the soft light of the private dining room. The curve of her neck, the fullness of her lips—every part of her called to me,reminding me of what I fought so hard to protect.

The waiter, a nervous young man who couldn’t have been more than twenty, stumbled through his rehearsed speech about the evening’s specials. I barely heard him, my focus entirely on Allegra. She ordered the mussels, while I chose the filet mignon, rare. As the waiter scurried away, I couldn’t help but smirk. The boy was clearly intimidated by my presence. Good. Fear was a useful tool, one I’d employed countless times in my rise to power.

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