Read Online Retribution by K.A. Robinson - Free Book Online Page B

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 shot 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