Page 99 of Clinch'd

He rears back and says sarcastically, “Oh really? When did you become an expert?”

“Because you’re fucking dead inside when you’re in the ring,” I say, poking him in the chest. “Why do you do it?”

Shaking his head, he grabs my wrist. “What are you talking about?”

“Please,” I scoff, pulling away and waving at the bartender. “It’s easy to see you don’t enjoy it. There’s no spark.”

“Spark…”

“Yes,” I say, pulling the new drink my way but Cooper grabs it out of my hand with a fierce frown for the bartender.

“Hey,” I mutter, but he ignores me as he turns me in my seat and leans in.

“Protecting her…how?”

“Coop,” I whisper, my throat tight. I can’t say anything because I don’t know what will happen and I may be at odds with Lorri, but I refuse to let her die.

“Minnie,” he says, leaning his forehead against mine.

My heart pulses painfully before flooding with warmth until I remind myself of his pretty speech about my miserable fucking life not to mention how I don’t measure up.

Pulling away, I grab my drink and take a sip and he chuffs beside me.

“You know,” I say casually, grabbing a wad of bills from my pocket and dropping them beside my drink. “I’m surprised you’re here considering I’m a pathetic fucking bitch with big tits. What was it you said? A handful is just fine?”

Cooper winces but I don’t wait around for his response as I skip into the elevator.

Except he’s right behind me and slips in before the doors close. I can’t afford to be this close to him, so I back away and end up in the corner where he stalks me, and boxes me in.

His arms flex as he raises them around my head, and I lick my lips before dropping my gaze, but it does me no good because now I’m staring at his fucking chest.

My fingers itch to caress the planes but I raise my chin and suck in a breath because he’s looking at me with so much fire.

“I’ve been thinking about your tits since the last time I saw them.” He raises his brow and brushes a strand of hair back from my cheek.

“Yeah, well I’m sure you’ll get the nightmare out of your head eventually.” If my tone is a little sour, sue me. He scraped the bottom of the barrel when he used my body as a weapon, and it fucking crushed my soul.

“Min.” His mouth curls back in a grimace and I shove against his chest.

“What? I get it, I’m a fucking dog compared to my siren sister,” I snarl.

It’s been a long fucking night and as exhausted as I am, my defenses are low which is what I blame for the tears pressing at my eyes.

“I fucking lied. I…you…fuck!” He drops his arms and turns away, but I can see his expression in the mirror and my heart stutters at the despair shining from his eyes.

It’s this that tugs at my soul, and I drop my gaze with shame. “I’m sorry. It wasn’t my idea, and I would never ever do something so reprehensible.”

He lifts his head and meets my gaze, the reflection dulling his shine when he asks, “Why?”

“I can’t tell you,” I whisper, tears dripping from my lids when his mouth pulls back in a bitter smile.

“You ruined my life, and you can’t tell me?”

The whispered words circle the small space and I stare at him blankly before I suck in a shuddering breath and shake my head.

I may be at odds with Lorri, but she’s my sister and I can’t put her in harm's way, not even for this.

Cooper turns back to me so suddenly I squeak, before pressing me against the wall and leaning into my face with a frown. “I should walk. Right now and leave your lying ass here.”

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