Free Injury by Val Tobin Page A

thinking about the
evening ahead.
    She’d tell Cope tonight it was her investment firm he’d
presented at that day. Better he find out from her than anyone else. If he
hated the idea that much, he’d be able to back out of any proposed deal before
signing a contract.
    Ready, she hunted for her purse and found it on the end of
her bed. Dani grabbed it and transferred her wallet and other essentials to a
black, faux-leather clutch that matched her shoes.
    Thirty minutes later, she stood at the door of Cope’s
apartment unit with a bottle of sparkling mineral water under her arm. When
Cope opened the door, her breath caught at the sight of him. He wore a white
dress shirt, open at the collar, no tie, and black dress pants that hugged his
hips. Dani handed him the bottle and melted when he grinned in that happy-boy
way he had that lit up his eyes.
    “Come in.” Cope stepped back into the foyer and held the
door open for her.
    Dani entered a modestly furnished apartment, small and cozy.
Delighted to be in his space, she raised up on tiptoes to plant a kiss on his
cheek. “Thanks for the invite. I’m so happy you called me over.”
    “Want a tour? It’s not much, but I’m proud of it.” Cope
swept his arm around the room, encompassing the living room, dining room, and
kitchen, and grinned. “That’s most of it.”
    He set the bottle on the kitchen counter as they walked by
and led her into his bedroom. Her gaze diverted to the bed, which took up most
of the tiny bedroom, Dani had an urge to grab Cope and pull him onto it.
    Control yourself,
crazy lady. Be classy. Dani almost laughed out loud as an image of her
staggering drunk on the beach flashed through her mind. Cope had already seen
her puking up alcohol more than once. Classy was already off the table.
    What was she doing here, in her dress-up clothes and fancy
hair and makeup? The prolonged silence made her glance at him. He stared at
her, puzzled, expectant.
    “You’ve seen me at my worst, Cope. I don’t know what you
think of me or how to act around you.”
    “You’re nervous?” He said it as if he was curious, not
surprised.
    Dani nodded. “If I were you, I wouldn’t like me very much.”
    Cope stepped to her side. His arms went around her, and his
mouth covered hers. He pressed her against his body, and she molded to him as
though they were made to fit together. A moan escaped her when his tongue
darted into her mouth, hungry and insistent. The next moment, he released her,
but had to grab her again when she swayed.
    “I’ve been wanting to do that since the day we met. But you
were my boss, and I had to keep it professional. After that, I’ve been looking
for an opening. How could I not like you?” He stroked her face, pushing the
stray strands of hair from her cheeks and forehead. “Because you had a tough
time coping with everything? It was difficult to watch, Dani, but it wasn’t
your fault, and I did my best to protect you.”
    To Dani’s horror, she burst into tears.
    “Dani?”
    Sobs continued to tear out from deep in her chest. An
attempt to speak failed.
    Cope pressed her head against his shoulder, one hand
stroking her hair.
    “I barely acknowledged you. What a snob. How could you put
up with me? Almost every night, you had to either drag or carry me up to my
apartment. More than once, you helped me to the bathroom to puke. God, I’m so embarrassed.”
    Cope sighed. “I’ve had my share of nights like that,
Dani—just perhaps not as many as you.”
    Dani jerked her head up, but saw he was smiling. Unable to
resist, she smiled in return. “You’re great at holding my hair back and never
took advantage of me.” The wonder in her voice rang in her ears, and she
flushed. “I don’t mean to imply you’d do that.”
    “It’s okay. You were always this beautiful, fragile,
vulnerable young woman, and I’d want to kill anyone who took advantage of that.
The times you spent with Henderson were particularly grating. He used you,