Free Retribution by K.A. Robinson

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