Page 53 of Claws and Feathers

“It all makes sense now.”

Kate was behind him again, reaching over Cooper to pile her serving tray with napkins and silverware.

“What makes sense?” he asked.

“Abby. She was taking her frustrations out on a kitchen island earlier today, and sheclearlyhad the look of a jilted lover. I didn’t want to pry because she was armed with a sledgehammer, and I saw what she was capable of.” Kate shook her head with a sigh. “Now she’s over there dressed like a sexpot, dancing with total randoms, while sending dirty looks in your direction. The verdict is in: you pissed her off.”

Cooper busied himself behind the bar, trying not to fixate on Abby dancing with total randoms. “Thanks, Kate. I think I got the memo.”

“What the hell did you do to her?”

“It’s personal. Can you go away?”

Kate rolled her eyes and held the tray high above her head. “Don’t be a dumbass. Just suck it up, apologize, and go feel her up in the mop closet or something. Works like a charm.”

Cooper tensed his jaw as he gripped the edge of the counter.Insufferable woman.

Time dragged on. Cooper was frazzled, the customers were testing his patience, and Abby was well on her way to becoming trashed. She’d ignored him ever since their chilly encounter earlier. She’d since only allowed Henry to serve her at the other end of the bar. Abby and Daphne spent most of their evening chatting and giggling with the slimy Henry Dormer while dancing their hearts out to the live band.

A slower song began to play – a thrilling, sensual track that reminded Cooper of his intimate dance with Abby weeks prior. He wondered if she was thinking about it, too, because they caught each other’s gaze from across the bar. There was a brief, subtle moment where Abby softened. She looked thoughtful. A little lost. Kind ofsad. Cooper’s heart clenched and he debated going over to her – making this right once and for all, telling her everything he should have told her yesterday. But Abby looked away, fracturing the moment. Cooper watched as Daphne gave her a kiss on the cheek and made a tipsy retreat into the bathroom. Abby chugged down the rest of her cocktail and rose from her stool, leaning forward and whispering something to Henry with a mischievous grin on her face.

Cooper frowned. No… she wouldn’t.

Oh, but shedid.

Henry grinned right back at her and left his place behind the bar, reaching for her hand and dragging her onto the dance floor. Abby stumbled behind him, her fingers clutching his arm. Then she turned her back to him and grinded her body against his, sliding up and down with deliberate movements. Her hand was raised behind his neck, as Henry’s hands encircled her waist.

Cooper felt sick. The woman he adored was dirty dancing with the one man hehated.

And it got worse. Henry slid his hands up and down her body as she swirled her hips against his pelvis. Then he leaned down and began kissing her neck.

He waskissingher – in the same place Cooper had kissed her the day before.

And she was letting him.

Daphne exited the restroom at that moment, and Cooper saw her stall in her tracks. Her mouth dropped open as she looked to be having the same reaction Cooper was having. The look of wounded betrayal on her face was strikingly familiar.

Cooper was mad. His blood was boiling.

But above all, he was crushed.

The song ended and Abby pulled away, the look on her face registering immediate regret. She smoothed out her dress and stepped off the dance floor, pausing only to glance his way. Cooper didn’t look away. No, he held her gaze, his eyes letting her know he’d seen what she had wanted him to see, and thatyes, it had worked.

If only she knew – there were no winners in her game.

Oh, no.

Oh,no. What had she done?

Abby had gone too far. She had crossed a line. The look in Cooper’s eyes was almost enough to make her crumble to the dance floor and drown in her own tears.

AndDaphne. Oh,God,what the hell had she done?

Abby needed air. She needed air, and a warm bed, and a hot shower to wash away the vile Henry Dormer. She grabbed her purse off the bar top, ignoring the lewd whoops and whistles from the male patrons, and made a swift exit out of the bar.

She was halfway down the road when she heard his footsteps behind her.

“What the hell, Abby?” Cooper was hot on her heels, his anger palpable. “What the hell was that?”

---