Page 9 of Temptation and Tyranny

“Where are you going?” I asked.

“I just want to walk you up to your door and make sure you get inside safely.”

“That’s thoughtful, but I’m sure—”

“It’s non-negotiable.” The no-nonsense tone from the alleyway was back, only more terrifying when it reverberated through the small car space.

“Okay,” I agreed quietly.

He sighed, and unlocked my car door. I thought he would offer an apology for his gruff tone, but none came. Instead, he put both hands in his pockets and strolled next to me, hobbling on his bad leg.

I rolled my eyes at his reluctance to ask for help, and immediately came over and gave him my shoulder for support.

“You don’t have to do that,” he said, obviously feeling unmanned by my help.

“It’s my job. Think of it as payment for saving me and then bandaging me up.”

He chuckled, and together we walked into the lobby of my building. We stopped at the elevator, and he looked at me, his caramel eyes seeing me as if for the first time. A charged moment passed between us, and for the second time, I thought he might lean in and kiss me.

However, I must have totally misread the situation because he leaned in and pressed the button to call the elevator down to the first level.

“Sleep well, Miss Prescott,” he said.

“Will you be okay to make it back to your car?”

He gave me a harsh look, his chiseled jaw tight with annoyance, so I just shrugged.

“Thanks again. Goodnight, Mr. Moreau.”

I moved into the elevator, and he watched me until the doors closed.

When the elevator stopped at my floor, I instantly glanced around as I exited. Thankfully, the hall was completely empty, no menacing ex-boyfriend to be found anywhere.

I unlocked the door to my apartment carefully, and then ran around and flicked on all the lights. I knew I was being paranoid and that Tomas didn’t have a key and wasn’t any kind of lockpick, but that didn’t stop me from checking every corner of every room. I latched the chain across my front door and also made sure my back door was locked since there was a fire escape outside of the balcony. But as I glanced out the window, Cooper’s car caught my eye.

He was still there, on his phone, looking engrossed in a conversation. I pulled the blind back, a red creeping up into my cheek as I realized I was spying.

I crossed over to the couch, sitting down and slipping off my shoes. I put my feet up on the coffee table and switched on the TV. I channel surfed, hoping a light-hearted comedy would help put me to sleep after my nightmare ordeal. I stared blankly at a popular sitcom, the plot washing over me without registering. My mind was too busy reliving tonight. I’d been a fool to underestimate Tomas, and Gregor was nearly just as bad.

My thoughts drifted to Cooper, and I prayed our interaction this evening wouldn’t make therapyuncomfortable. If it did, I could always pawn him off on another therapist. A few days ago, I would have jumped at the prospect. But now, as I watched him through the window, seeming to argue with someone over the phone, I wasn’t so sure I was ready to get him out of my life. I had been impressed by his bravery, his unusual ability to scare Tomas away with just a few words and a simple glance. My initial impression of Cooper was that he seemed like a jokester and a man who didn’t let much bother him, but now I wondered what was there just lurking underneath the surface.

My cell phone rang, and I nearly jumped into the air. For a second I thought it might be Cooper, who was still outside on his phone, but it was Joanna.

“Allegra! Oh my god! Girl, what happened?”

I groaned. “How did you know something happened?”

“Because that bratty German kid came in looking for help.”

I recounted the story to her, making sure to leave out that particularly heated moment in the car where I thought I’d detected a bit of chemistry between me and my patient.

“Cooper? From the clinic?” Joanna squealed a bit. “He is handsome!”

I scoffed at Joanna’s enthusiasm. “Focus, Jo. I was just assaulted by my ex-boyfriend.”

“Right, sorry,” Joanna said, her voice suddenly somber. “Are you doing okay? Would you like me to come over and stay with you?”

I looked out the window again. Cooper’s car was gone, leaving no trace. “No, I’m fine. Just a bit…shaken up.”

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