Page 78 of Clinch'd

Cooper, who hasn’t bothered to glance at the menu, says coolly, “Coffee.”

With a nod, I turn away and walk into the back, considering the desperate thought to keep going. Fuck me. Why is he here?

Ducking into the office, I lean against the wall and press my hand to my chest. Despite my panic, I couldn’t help but take him in and he’s just as beautiful as I remember. Visions of his muscles flexing as he pulled me up and into his arms flash before me, but I push the thought away because that’s a rabbit hole I don’t need to go down.

“Hiding?”

Jumping a foot, I gasp and turn to Cooper hovering in the door.

“What are you doing here?”

“Waiting for my coffee,” he says, his mouth curling in a smirk.

“Coop—“

“No coffee then?” he asks, tilting his head to the side. “Then how about you tell me what the fuck you were playing at? Hm?”

Flinching, I bow my head and whisper, “What do you mean?”

“Don’t fucking lie to me,” he barks, and I cringe. “Why? Just tell me fucking why?”

“Cooper, whatever you think...I-I’m sorry,” I say lamely. I didn’t actually do the deed but I’m not sure that I’m supposed to say more and I’m still fucking scared of the potential consequences.

Will I ever be free of this?

“You’re sorry?” he growls. “You’re fucking sorry? Well, that’s great, glad we got that squared away,” he says, slashing his hand through the air.

I catch the sob bubbling on my tongue and step back as he presses me against the wall.

His wild eyes search mine, and he says, “You ruined my fucking world, baby. I think it’s only right that I return the favor.”

Searching his expression, I come away burned but raise my chin nonetheless because if I cower then he’ll walk right over me and I’ve got little left in the way of dignity as it is.

“Which means what?” I ask before biting my wobbly lip.

His nostrils flare and he growls, “Let’s start with what’s most important to you, hm?”

“Coop—“

“Lorri, is it? Your sister?”

My blood runs cold, and I shove against him until he steps away with a smirk. “What about her?”

“Hm. It seems I’ve taken a shine to Lorri. You weren’t wrong. She is fuck hot. Here I wasted my time on the second-class version,” he says, his lip curling with disgust.

My cheeks sting, humiliation a familiar burn in my stomach but I ignore it and say, “You leave my sister out of it.”

“Too late,” he mocks.

“Too late for what?” I ask through gritted teeth.

“Lorri and I had a little fun, but I find I can’t live without her. She’s leaving with me tonight. She was too afraid to tell you, but I promised I’d do it for my baby,” he croons, his glittering eyes boring into mine.

Dumbfounded, all I can say is, “You’re shacking up with my sister?”

“Mm,” he says, raising a brow. “By the way, it’s not true. One sister isn’t as good as the next.”

“You fucked my sister?” I say dumbly.

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