“I mean the fucking circus outside, not Jules.” His hands rake down his face and he flops back into his chair on a huff. “I can’t believe you would even think that.”
“You’re a politician.” I shrug. “You all take advantage of situations to up your political standing. Why would you be any different? In fact, didn’t you prove that last night by using me, using our childhood?”
I’m being a bitch. I know I am.
Because I know pushing him away protects me, being a bitch protects me, protects my heart, which he’s already broken once before. I’m not willing to let him break again.
He sighs, frustrated.
“Lucy, it wasn’t my fault we were let down by a broken system. I am trying to make changes.”
I hear the words, but they don’t penetrate the walls I’ve put around myself. Politicians spout bullshit constantly. Why should Owen be any different? I look at him and pull a sarcastic, tight smile.
“Of course. One man can change a system.”
He tuts and leans closer. “You’ve been to festivals, right?”
I meet his gaze, frowning, shaking my head at the odd question. “I mean at one point in my life, sure.”
“So, when you were at the festival, did you ever see a drunken fool standing on his own, dancing? And everyone around him looks over, thinking, what the fuck they are doing?”
I nod and frown again, because I totally know what he’s talking about. There is always one person that drinks too much or has taken too many drugs that stand on their own, dancing like a crazy person.
“Tell me, did he continue dancing on his own? I mean after the initial shock and looks of people wonderingwhat the fuckhe’s doing. Did he remain on his own? Sure, he may have started on his own, but it takes one, maybe two people to follow. Then it becomes three crazy idiots dancing. But because they are out there, and look like they are having fun, do you know what happens, Cookie? More people join. And before you know it, there’s a whole crowd of people dancing like crazy loons. But all it took was one person. One.”
He holds up his finger.
“One person to be brave enough, or crazy enough, to go and stand on their own and dance.” He stares at me intently. “The smallest of pebbles creates a wave. You just have to be brave enough to ride it. So, let me ask you something, Lucy? Will you dance with this idiot?
“I’m fairly sure you have merged your analogies there. Besides, I’m on an assignment. This is a job, and inthree months, we will be parting ways. Again,” I respond nonchalantly.
“Okay, Cookie, you keep telling yourself that.” He leans in closer and whispers in my ear, “But there were two people in that kitchen this morning, and I seem to remember just how loudly you screamed as I fucked you.”
The doors of the room open, and I stand up, putting distance between us as Owen lets out a little laugh.
I wish he’d choke on it.
Fucking arsehole.
The detective who took our statement stands in the doorway. “Mr Cooper, your office has called. We can’t make it happen.”
Owen stands up and walks past me, his shoulder brushing into mine. Every touch sends shockwaves through me.
Did I say he was an arsehole?
I mean he isn’t far from it, but if I keep telling myself that, maybe these feelings will go away along with the temptation. Right? Because even though he stands for the very thing I despise, I can’t help but want him. I can’t help but want a repeat of whatever the fuck that was this morning.
“Yeah, sorry, I got them to call you out of courtesy. I wasn’t asking for your permission,” Owen states flatly, his voice strong, confident. Daring the detective to argue with him.
He’s always been stubborn and strong, but as he stands with last night’s clothes, looking dishevelled, he radiates power.
“Mr Cooper.”
He holds up his hand, silencing the detective. “Like I said, it was a courtesy. Now, if you’ll excuse us.”
He turns around and puts his hand out to me, which I take and bow my head, as though the exchange is making me uncomfortable. If I’m being completely honest, I’m finding it highly amusing. A smile tugs at my lips, which I have to fight to suppress.
You can see the large foreboding detective swallow and look taken aback, not sure what he can say to stop this. I can practically hear the cogs in his head preparing to spout some police bullshit, but he knows there is literally nothing that will stop Owen from giving his statement.
