Page 66 of Temptation and Tyranny

“Figure out what?” I demanded, closing thedistance 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 façade 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 somethinguniquely 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.

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