Page 81 of Temptation and Tyranny

Twenty minutes later, we were settled in a quiet corner booth, a plate of untouched prosciutto and fig salad in front of me. Ashlynn watched as I pushed a piece of arugula around my plate.

“You know,” she said finally, “when I first met Steele, he was exactly like Cooper.”

I looked up, meeting her understanding gaze. “What do you mean?”

“He was deep in his business, obsessed with his own reputation.” Ashlynn took a sip of her water. “Didn’t think he was worthy of love, even though he craved it.” She smiled slightly.

“Cooper made it clear he will never leave his business. This is who he is.”

“Sounds familiar,” Ashlynn nodded. “Did he at least come up with some kind of lame excuse?”

Despite myself, I felt a tiny smile tugging at my lips. “He tried to blame my father, actually. Said he couldn’t trust me.”

“Even though Steele told me Cooper knows you had nothing to do with what happened?”

“Even though,” I confirmed, the smile fading. “Ithink...I think that almost makes it worse, you know? That he’d rather lie about not trusting me than admit he’s just scared.”

Ashlynn reached across the table, squeezing my hand. “Want to know what Steele told me about Cooper?”

I hesitated, then nodded.

“He said Cooper canceled a major deal with Viktor Petrov to protect you.”

The news hit me like a physical blow. “What?”

“It was your father’s terms for your safety. Cooper didn’t hesitate to call it off. Walked away from millions to keep you from harm.” Ashlynn’s eyes held mine. “Does that sound like a man who doesn’t love you?”

I felt tears welling up and blinked them back furiously. “Then why? Why push me away now?”

“Because getting shot scared him,” Ashlynn said simply. “Not the bullet—the realization of how much he had to lose. How much you meant to him.” She smiled sadly. “Men like Cooper and Steele, they’re used to calculating risks, weighing odds. But love? Real, all-consuming love? It terrifies them because it’s the one thing they can’t control.”

“So what happened with you and Steele?” I asked, finally taking a bite of my salad. “How did you get past it?”

Ashlynn laughed. “I refused to listen.”

“I tried that,” I said quietly. “Told him I had nothing to do with my father.”

“And?”

“And he just...shut down. Wouldn’t even look at me.”

“Because you were right,” Ashlynn said. “And men like Cooper, they’re not used to being vulnerable. They think it makes them weak.”

“It doesn’t,” I protested.

“Of course it doesn’t. If anything, it makes them stronger. But they have to figure that out for themselves.” She studied me for a moment. “Can I tell you something else Steele told me?”

I nodded.

“He said that Cooper will come around. He’s just scared of losing you. He knows he can’t operate the way he does and have a real relationship with you. But Steele and I are both certain that he’s going to do the right thing in the end.”

Fresh tears threatened, and this time I couldn’t hold them back. “I don’t know what to do, Ashlynn. I love him. Even now, even after he pushed me away...I love him so much it hurts.”

“I know,” she said softly. “And he loves you too. That’s why he’s so terrified.”

“So what do I do?”

“What do you want to do?”

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