He instantly let go of me and stepped back. “What’s wrong?”
“My ribs are sore.” I gasped as I wrapped my arms around my middle, hoping to ease the pain even a little.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t…I should have known…” he said, looking ashamed.
God, he was so convincing. I wanted to comfort him because he looked so upset.
“It doesn’t matter. I’m fine,” I said as I picked my purse up off the floor. “I need to get to work. You’ll be home later though, won’t you?”
He nodded. “I’ll be there. I promise.”
I walked to the door, shoving my sunglasses on my face as I went. “Good.”
When I opened the door, he called out, “Claire?”
I glanced over my shoulder at him.
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Lies, so many lies.
And they would only grow.
“What’s with the glasses?” Becky asked when I sat down across from her.
I shrugged. “My head is killing me, and the lighting makes it worse. I thought I’d try wearing them to see if it would help.”
She gave me a sympathetic look. “I heard you were sick. If you’re still recovering, you could have stayed home. The filing can wait another day even though I’m sure you’re super excited to get back down to the basement.”
“Oh, yes, I spent my time at home pining away for the filing system downstairs. I might have even shed a few tears.”
Becky chuckled. “You’re ridiculous, my dear. So, how are you really feeling?”
“I’m okay. Just exhausted. Being…sick sucks, but I’m glad to be back.”
“Well, I’m glad to have you back as well. With that being said, get your tiny butt downstairs and start filing away. Also, you can take this massive stack”—she gestured to a large stack of files sitting on the edge of her desk—“downstairs with you.”
“Oh, goodie. Thanks so much.” I stood up. “You’re the best boss ever.”
She laughed. “I know.”
I smirked as I reached for the folders. There were so many that the stack had to be nearly a foot tall. As soon as I lifted them, pain sliced through my ribs. I let out a cry as I dropped them. I watched in horror as they fell to the floor, and papers scattered around. Becky jumped out of her chair and came around the desk to where I was standing, bent over and clutching my ribs.
“Are you okay?” she asked as she tried to help me stand upright.
Her hand pressed against my ribs, and I jerked away. She froze.
“Claire, lift your shirt up for me.”
I gave her a look that said I thought she was crazy. Inside, I was freaking out. If she saw my ribs, she would know that something had happened, something bad. I couldn’t let her see. If she told anyone or went to Robert, I would be screwed.
“I’m fine,” I said as I stepped back, hoping to put more space between us.
But I had no such luck. She moved with me. Before I could stop her, she grabbed my shirt and pulled it up until the bottom of my ribs was exposed. I knew the moment she saw the bruises. She sucked in a sharp breath and pulled my shirt up further.
“Oh my god,” she whispered as she let my shirt fall back down.
I watched as she lifted a shaky hand to my face. I winced as she pulled my sunglasses off my face.
“Claire, holy fuck!”
I gave her a pleading look. “I fell down the stairs at home. That’s why I haven’t been at work. Please don’t make a big deal out of this.”
“You didn’t fall, Claire. I’m not a fool. He did this to you, didn’t he?”
“Who?” I asked as I snatched my glasses back and put them on again.
“Robert. He did this. He was so angry the other day, and then you come to work like this. He hurt you!”
“Becky, please don’t make a big deal out of this,” I begged.
“Don’t make a big deal? Are you kidding me? He beat the shit out of you, Claire. He. Beat. You.”
“I know what he did!” I snapped. “And it’s none of your concern. Let it go!”
She shook her head. “How can you still be with him when he did this to you? I bet it wasn’t the first time either. I know how men like that work. They’re scum!”
“That scum is also your boss. You’d do well to remember that. You’re replaceable. Don’t do something stupid because you’re angry for me.”
“It still doesn’t make it right. God, I want to march down there and punch him square in the face!”
“You’re not the only one,” I mumbled.
“Are you going to leave him?” she asked. “If so, is there anything I can do to help you? I feel so sorry for you. I’ve always thought something seemed off about him, but I’ve never talked to him enough to know for sure. Now, I do.”
I bit my lip as I stared at her. Becky could help me if I let her. I didn’t know her that well, but I could already tell that she was a good person. She was kind and caring. I just didn’t want that to come back and bite her in the ass.
“You might be able to help me,” I said after a moment.
“What do you need?”
“You are pretty much the queen of all things paperwork around here. Do you know schedules as well? Like, when Robert is in court?”
She nodded. “Yes—well, for the most part. He comes and goes a lot, so I don’t know his exact schedule, but I do know when he’s scheduled for court.”
“Can you get me that schedule?” I asked.
“Sure, I can print it off for you. Give me a minute.” She walked around her desk and sat down.
I watched as she typed and clicked away at her computer. After a few minutes, the printer came to life. A single piece of paper spewed out, and she grabbed it.
“This is his court schedule for the next two weeks—as long as nothing changes.”
I took the paper from her and slipped it into my purse. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. But why do you need that?”
I smiled at her. “I trust you can keep a secret, Becky. This conversation never happened.”
She frowned. “I won’t say a word. I promise.”
“Thank you.” I glanced around to make sure that we were still alone. “I need this to make sure that Robert gets what’s coming to him.”
“Good. I hope the bastard burns for what he did to you.”
“Me, too, Becky. Me, too.”
As I headed down to the basement, I smiled for the first time in what felt like days. I wasn’t alone. Becky had my back, as did Cooper. I just hoped that trusting Becky, even a little, wouldn’t cause me problems later.
I left work early and headed back to the house. I wanted to beat Robert home, so I could talk to Cooper if he was home. I had started to text him about what had happened, but I stopped myself. I didn’t trust anyone or anything anymore. I planned to talk to Cooper face-to-face when it came to our…arrangement. It would be safer that way.
I sighed in relief when I saw Cooper’s car parked in the garage. I hurried into the house and up to his room, determined to tell him everything before Robert came home. He had said he would come home, but I had no idea when. I didn’t want him to catch me talking to Cooper.
I knocked on his door and waited impatiently for him to open it. After what felt like an eternity, the door swung open. The words I was about to speak died on my lips the moment I saw him. I took a step back without even thinking. Cooper was shirtless—and wet. His dark hair was soaked, clinging to his face, and there were drops of water making their way down his chest. My eyes took in every inch of bare skin, and I felt my stomach tighten.
Stop it! I hated myself for the thoughts running through my mind.
Cooper was gorgeous, and I couldn’t help but want to touch him. I wanted my lips to press against his skin. My hands curled into fists as I fought not to step forward and touch him.
“Claire?” Cooper’s voice sounded unsure.
My eyes s
hot back up to his face, and I felt my cheeks warm. “Uh, hi.”
“Is everything okay?”
I nodded. “Yeah, I just wanted to talk to you about…today.”
He glanced down the hallway before nodding. “Come on in.”
I stepped past him and walked to his computer desk. I pulled the chair out and sat down as he closed the door. He crossed the room with his eyes glued on me.
When he reached the bed, he sat down on the edge. “So, what happened?”
“I talked to him,” I said.
“And?”
“I did as you’d asked. I made him think that I blamed myself for what happened, and then I told him that I wanted to make our marriage work.” I swallowed roughly. “I asked him to come home to me tonight.”
“Did he buy it?” Cooper asked.
“I think so. He seemed to believe everything I said, but, Coop…” I trailed off for a moment. “He seemed so torn up about what he had done to me. I wanted to believe him. That’s how sincere he seemed.”
Cooper stood abruptly and stormed over to where I was sitting. I winced when he crouched down in front of me, taking up all my personal space. I hated when he did that, but I wasn’t even sure if he realized what he was doing. When it came to Cooper, physical boundaries didn’t seem to deter him. As far as he was concerned, they were nonexistent.
“Listen to me, Claire. Whatever you’re thinking right now, stop. He seemed upset because he was trying to play you, just like he always does. If he regretted what he did, he wouldn’t have done it in the first place. Don’t let him fuck with your head again,” he said, his voice full of urgency.
“I’m not going to fall for it again, Cooper. I was just pointing it out,” I snapped. “I’m not an idiot. I wouldn’t really forgive him after what he did to me.”
“Good, because I never, ever want to see you the way you were that night. I’ve never been so scared in my life. I wasn’t even sure you were breathing at first.”
“I’m sorry,” I said, my voice losing its edge. “I didn’t mean to make you think I would go back to him again.”
He sighed and ran his hands through his hair. “And I’m sorry I assumed you would.”
“I got something today that I think will be helpful,” I said, desperate to change the subject.
“What?” he asked.
I reached into my purse and pulled out the page with Robert’s schedule on it. “This.”
He took it from my hand and quickly scanned it. “This is perfect, Claire. Now, you can look around his office without fear of him walking in on you.”
“I know. The girl I work with saw my face and my ribs. She knows what he did and wants to help me. That’s why she printed this off for me.”
“Claire…” His voice was full of warning.
“I didn’t tell her anything, I promise.”
“Good. No one can know what we’re doing. If he finds out—”
“I know. Don’t worry, Coop. I’m not stupid.”
“I know you’re not.” His eyes were soft.
Maybe he did care about me after all.
“Cooper, I’m worried about something else,” I said timidly. It had been on my mind ever since my conversation with Cooper the other day. I just hadn’t wanted to say the words out loud. The thought revolted me.
“What is it?”
I swallowed. “You want me to make him think that I still love and want to be with him. I’ve managed to start that process, but if he believes me, he’ll expect me to…”
I wasn’t sure how to phrase this without embarrassing both of us—or at least embarrassing myself. Cooper didn’t get embarrassed easily.
“To perform all the duties a wife is supposed to perform.” There. I said it.
Cooper looked at me, obviously confused. “I don’t understand.”
I sighed. “You’re going to make me say it, aren’t you? He’ll expect sex, Cooper. What am I going to do about that?”
“Oh.” He had the decency to at least look a little embarrassed on my behalf. “Well, uh…you’re going to be healing for a while. Use that excuse for as long as you can.”
“And then?” I asked.
He looked away. “We’ll figure it out.”
“I’m going to have to sleep with him again. Just say it, Coop,” I said flatly. The mere thought made my skin crawl.
“I don’t know, Claire. If I can keep it from happening, I will.”
“What are you going to do? Knock on the door, and tell him you want to sleep with us because you had a bad dream?” I knew my voice was rising, but I couldn’t help it. “You and I both know you can’t do anything to stop it from happening!”
He stood and glared down at me. “You think I want you to sleep with him? I don’t. The thought alone makes me want to run my fist through a goddamn wall, Claire. If I can stop it from happening, I will.”
I eyed him warily, my anger quickly deflating. Cooper scared the shit out of me when he was angry, and right now, he’d passed angry and moved right along to livid.
“Okay,” I finally said.
He nodded and took a step back. “I don’t want him to touch you, Claire. Just know that.”
I stared down at my hands. Talking about this was making me sick to my stomach, and Cooper’s anger wasn’t helping anything.
“You should get out of here. Go to your room, or go downstairs. I’m going to leave for a bit. I’ll wait until he’s back before I make an appearance.”
“Why?” I asked.
“You’ll see.” He walked to his closet and opened the door. “I’m going to get naked in about five seconds. If you want to stay, you’re more than welcome, but if not, I suggest you go.”
I stood quickly and turned to push the chair back under the desk. “As much fun as that would be, I think I’m going to go.”
I turned back around and let out a tiny squeak. Cooper was still facing away from me, but he was no longer wearing anything at all. I stared at his ass. I tried to will myself to look away, but it wasn’t happening. My eyes trailed up and down his body before landing on his ass—again.
He glanced over his shoulder and smirked at me. It reminded me of the old Cooper, the one I’d first met.
“You should probably go now before I turn around.”
My eyes snapped to the floor, and I rushed past him toward the door. “You’re an ass, Cooper. I hope you know that.”
He laughed as I threw open his door and ran out into the hallway. I went straight to my room and hurried inside before closing the door behind me. I glowered at my bed, pretending it was Cooper. He was so…Cooper. Everything he said or did was his alone. He didn’t care about being naked around me or making me feel uncomfortable. He thrived on it. Even with everything happening, he still found it funny to torment me.
“Ass,” I grumbled under my breath. I walked to my bed and lay down on it. And what a mighty fine ass it is.
I awoke to the sound of my door opening. I peeled my eyes open and sat up. When I saw Robert standing in the doorway, I fought not to cringe at the sight of him.
“Claire,” he said quietly as he stepped into the room. “I didn’t mean to wake you. I came home and couldn’t find you, so I thought I’d check in here.”
I smiled at him. “It’s okay. I didn’t mean to fall asleep anyway.”
He took another tentative step toward me. “I thought we could go downstairs and maybe watch some television. I picked up pizza on the way home.”
“That would be nice,” I lied as I threw my legs over the side of the bed and stood. “I wasn’t sure if you were going to come home or not.”
“You said you wanted me here, so I came back. I can leave if you’d like,” he said.
“No, I meant what I said today. I want you home with me.”
I followed him out of my room. He took my hand in his and led me down the stairs and to the living room. A pizza box was sitting on the table, and the TV was already on. We sat down on the couch together. Ou
r hips touched, and I forced myself to stay where I was.
He opened the pizza box and pulled a slice out. He handed it to me before grabbing one for himself.
“How was work today?” he asked.
I shrugged. “The same. Becky has me filing most days or running errands. I spent the whole day in the basement today. I’m pretty sure I’ll be filing in my sleep.”
He chuckled, and for a moment, I was transported back in time. Hearing him laugh again made me remember all the times we’d laughed together before everything had turned to shit. Robert had a rich laughter, one that made me want to laugh right along with him. But like everything else about him, his laughter hid what was lurking just beneath the surface.
“Unfortunately, paperwork is a big part of the job. Even I get stuck with my fair share of it.”
“Don’t you have someone to handle stuff like that for you? An assistant?” I asked.
“I do, to an extent, but I have to handle some things myself.”
An idea formed in my mind. “Can I help you?”
It would be the perfect excuse to be in his office more.
“Thank you for offering, but I have it handled. My secretary and my assistant take care of most things, but some, I have to do.”
“Oh, okay,” I said.
“I appreciate the gesture though, Claire. And I appreciate just how hard you’re trying to make this work. Most women would have fled, but you decided to stick by me and ride this wave out with me.”
It was more than just a wave. It was a tsunami.
I couldn’t do anything but agree with him. “I love you, and I love the life you’ve given me. I don’t want to just walk away from all of that because of one drunken mistake. I’ve been shuffled around from broken home to broken home my entire life. I don’t want that for myself or for you. If you truly love me, we can make this work.”
He smiled at me. “I do love you, and I can’t imagine not having you in my life, Claire. You’re absolutely perfect for what I need in a wife.”
I raised an eyebrow. “What does that mean exactly?”
He seemed caught off guard for a moment, obviously realizing that he’d slipped up a tiny bit with that last remark. I was perfect for what he needed in a wife—what he needed, not what he wanted.
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