Chapter 29 ~ Climax

Evergreen Arena, North America ~ Wednesday 6:45PM

Cooper stood in the middle of the outdoor arena nestled in the midst of tall city buildings and breathed deeply. The evening air smelled crisp, clean considering its location. The sounds of cars motoring past in the distance mingled with the sounds of men hauling equipment out of trucks and setting up the stage as rock music blasted.

He leaned against the iron rails and reminisced. It had been a long few months but they were finally on familiar ground. Heydon and Daniel had come to some sort of tentative truce; at least they weren't verbally or physically abusing each other although the tension remained.

Looking up at the evening sky, he smiled wistfully. Home, it felt good to be back, close enough for a long weekend visit with Beth and Rainie when he could manage but still too far for comfort. Vague thoughts would plague him ever since her visit in Paris, his unease over Ryan, Rafe's constant innuendos.

Folding his arms Cooper decided they all needed to let off some steam. The band was tired, jet lagged and homesick. A little rest and relaxation would regenerate everyone. Hearing the sound of heavy footfalls from behind him, Coop knew Slim was approaching. "The car is waiting to take everyone to the hotel. Are you ready to go?" Slim asked.

"I don't think I want to go to the hotel yet," Cooper said. "Can you get in contact with Melinda Owen and get us a reservation for a late supper? Tell her I will compensate her for the late notice." Slim studied him carefully before asking, "Is this a private dinner or do you want company?"

Laughing easily, Cooper replied, "Get everyone together Slim. Tell Melinda to open a tab for me. She'll know what I want." Slim wasn't sure he liked the idea and his feelings showed in his expression, "Look Coop, I'm not so sure you want everyone going to Melinda's."

Walking away briskly Cooper laughed again, "I'm sure Slim. Make it happen." Stopping abruptly he turned, a boyish grin spread across his face, "One more thing, tell everyone to make sure their wallets are fat."

Chameleon ~ 7:25PM

It was rare that Melinda Owen would close down the club for a private party. However, for Cooper Stanfield she would always make an exception. He and the band members had always observed the rules, things never got out of hand, and he was very generous with his compensation.

Melinda hand selected the girls that would be allowed to work that evening's shift. Privacy was tantamount for Cooper; there would be no accidental tabloid stories as a result. She prided herself and her business on discretion and took that into consideration when she hired her staff.


"It is nice to see you again, Cooper. It has been a long time," she greeted him warmly. Cooper returned her smile, "I appreciate you accommodating us at the last minute Mel." Quickly scanning the room, allowing his eyes to linger briefly on the girls who casually walked around, Cooper commented, "You've made a few changes."

Laughing softly, Melinda answered, "Yes, a couple. Let me take you upstairs."

It didn't take long for everyone to relax. Tyler found a formidable competitor in Heydon at the pool table. Stevie, now in the end of her second trimester, stayed at the hotel with Anya. It had become increasingly more difficult for her to perform so she reluctantly agreed to let Anya fill in.

Daniel had quickly disappeared with an interesting looking girl as Slim sat down at the poker table. Cooper settled near the bar and engaged in a lively flirtation with a wispy blonde who did her level best to entice him into a private room.

"I don't remember seeing you here before; what's your name?" Cooper asked her. "I'm Lyra," she responded in her most seductive voice. "If you like, I could dance for you...privately," she cooed suggestively.

Cooper leaned in, "Is that what you do, dance?" His eyes roamed casually over her leaving her feeling hot and weak. "You must have some very interesting moves," his mouth formed a crooked smile as he watched her.

Walking around her slowly, Cooper moved so close to her she could feel his warm breath on her bare shoulders sending a thrill deep inside her as an involuntary moan escaped her lips.

"Lyra," his rough voice whispered against her shoulder, "do you know what I want. What I'd like you to do for me?"

She shuddered again, her knees barely able to hold her upright, "Tell me," she breathed as Cooper slowly, sensually moved around her, his breath caressing her skin.

Lyra's body flushed with heat from his proximity. "I'd like," his mouth moved softly against her neck, "a shot of Jack."

Trembling, Lyra walked toward the bar, her pulse racing, as she poured Jack Daniels into a glass. Cooper flashed another smile at her as he moved easily around the room. "Hello Cooper," a silky voice spoke from behind.

Cooper turned and let out a laugh. "The last time I saw you your hair was black, Rhapsody. Are you still going by that name or did that change as well?" he commented. "I find that men seem to have a particular fantasy about blondes. I do still have some black hair though," she teased as her eyes raked over Coop's body.

Thoroughly enjoying the game, Cooper turned up the heat, "You always were versatile. I'll bet you have quite a few new tricks in your arsenal." His eyes lingered on her mouth.

She parted her supple ruby lips as if inviting him to taste them, "Perhaps I could show you," she pressed her breasts as close to Cooper as she dared without coming into contact. His eyes focused on the gentle rise and fall of her ample breasts leaving a hot trail as they traced every curve and contour.

"You keep those luscious lips of yours nice and warm," Cooper smiled enigmatically at her leaving her trembling as he slowly walked away and sat down at the poker table.




The mild scent of jasmine gently hung in the uncommonly warm night air as Rafe stood outside of the old unassuming Victorian. It didn't look like much from the outside. Old clapboard siding and simple trim but it had a reputation as a high class club, unique in its decor and services.

Rafe was intrigued by the invitation and the place itself. If he was going to get anything out of Cooper, this might be the one night his would let his guard down. He slowly walked toward the building and pushed open the doors. The interior was elegantly decorated; a sweeping staircase rose in the center of the entry. Glancing around he noticed a bar to his left and what looked like private dining rooms and lounges to his right. If he didn't know better, Rafe would have thought he was in someone's home.

He was immediately greeted by an attractive brunette whose voice was as smooth and rich as dark honey, "Welcome to Chameleon, Mr. Taylor. Would you like to start in the bar or go straight upstairs?" The name seemed to fit the place; it certainly looked different from the outside. Rafe surmised there were many things that weren't what they seemed here. Amused that she would know his name, he flashed a smile and replied, "I'll just go on up with the big boys."

From somewhere Rafe didn't notice, an attractive girl appeared and escorted him up the stairs. He followed behind allowing his eyes to peruse her scantily clad body as she swayed her hips invitingly. When they reached the top of the stairs, she turned and smiled, "The elevator over here will take you up to the gaming rooms."

He grinned wryly at a long forgotten memory of sneaking into the "gentlemen's club" his stepfather frequented. She turned once more and walked with him to the elevator, inserted a key and opened the door.

Smiling up at him again, she cooed, "If you need anything else, anything at all, my name is Sienna."

"Of course it is...you don't ever have trouble with the health inspector serving people dressed like that?" he asked her pointedly. She laughed, soft and lilting, "The health inspector is a dear friend of the club. Enjoy your evening Mr. Taylor."

Rafe stepped into the elevator and depressed the button that would take him to the third floor. He wanted a drink and he wanted that interview. Cooper wasn't going to sidestep him any longer, not if he could prevent it. If he had to match him drink for drink, dollar for dollar, he would come away with what he wanted.

As the doors quietly slid open, stepped out and surveyed the room with interest. He listened as two of the girls discussed Cooper. "If he looked twice at me I'd do him for free," the younger girl gushed. The more seasoned one chided, "Melinda has strict hands-off policy. You don't touch unless invited, especially Cooper, and that isn't likely to happen. He doesn't come here for that." Right, thought Rafe.

"Remember the twins back in Denver? Damn those two were something," Daniel shook his head and smiled. Slim shot an amused glance at Cooper, "Cara and Mia...gorgeous redheads. They were quite a formidable pair," Slim's deep voice rumbled.

Cooper laughed, "That they were; remember the early days when we had that tour bus?" "After that show in Chicago," Slim interrupted, "they cornered us a begged us to take them for a ride!"

"The only begging I remember was you, man," Cooper teased. "Mia knew exactly how to drive you wild."

Slim looked puzzled, "You sure that was Mia? How could you even tell them apart?" A knowing grin broke out on Cooper's face, "Cara had an interesting tattoo."

Confused, Daniel looked at both of them, "I remember fucking both of them and I don't recall a tattoo." "You were probably too shitfaced to notice," Heydon grumbled from across the room. Looking back at Cooper, Danny asked, "No, I'm sure I would have remembered a tattoo, drunk or not. Where was it?"

Noticing Rafe across the room, Slim quickly attempted to diffuse the subject, "It doesn't matter Danny." "No, I want to know," Daniel insisted. "It was on her thigh," Slim hastily answered.

"Shit Slim that wasn't her thigh...it was a small red serpent way up high between her legs. Its tongue stretched out toward this thin gold piercing that went through her..." Standing suddenly, Slim called out, "Rafe! Come on in and join us," as he cast a warning look at Coop.

Glancing over at Rafe briefly, Cooper spoke, "Onyx, I think I've about taken as much money from you as you can afford to lose tonight. Why don't you let Rafe have a seat?" Slipping into the chair, Rafe threw down his money and leveled that stare on Coop. Melinda quickly exchanged his cash for poker chips. "Good luck gentlemen," she turned and headed toward the bar.

"You feeling lucky tonight, Rafe? That stack of chips isn't much," Cooper asked as he absently shuffled the chips in front of him. "I figure I don't need much since I'll be walking away with yours," he responded.

"I thought the whole idea was to let off steam and relax, Coop," Slim said. Cooper didn't smile nor did he look at Slim, "Why don't you and Danny find something else to amuse you. I think my friend here wants to raise the stakes."

Rafe sat back, expressionless except for the intense focus in his eyes. One of the girls approached him at the table, "What can I get you from the bar?" Turning his attention to the petite blonde Rafe swept his eyes along her body,"I'll have whatever he's having," he responded gesturing toward Cooper, "but make it a double."

Although he was smiling, Cooper's eyes were not, "Line 'em up sweetheart; all right Rafe, let's see what you've got."

As Daniel eyed one of the bartenders, he murmured to Slim, "Looks like someone isn't going to leave this room standing tonight." Slim leaned on the bar, watching the two men who sat there sizing each other up and grumbled, "Yeah, it's on now and it isn't going to be pretty."

They played several hands of poker, both taking turns winning the pot. They matched each other at outrageous wagers as they fired back double shots of Jack Daniels until they could barely see straight but they kept on going, neither man willing to get up and walk away. As Coop shuffled the cards he glanced up and cracked, "You're pretty good at handling a deck of cards; are you better than your cousin Gabe?"

Rafe leaned forward, flashed a smile and responded, "You worried I might be better?" Relaxing, Rafe commented, "Interesting place, Chameleon; kind of describes you doesn't it?"

Cooper shot a fleeting look toward Melinda and soon after two scantily clad women sat down on either side of Coop and flirted openly with Rafe. "You trying to distract me Coop?" Rafe asked him as he tossed a handful of chips into the pot.

Pounding down another JD, Cooper laughed, "Thought you might need a little lady luck Rafe."

Barely cracking a smile, Rafe studied the stack of chips in front of him, "You'll need to bring something better than a couple of ladies to beat a full house." "You're bluffing," Cooper scoffed. "Then put your money where your mouth is and call," Rafe fired back. Glancing between the two girls and back at Coop, Rafe sneered, "Surprised they aren't twins."

Cooper's eyes narrowed slightly, "The twins are past history, old news." "Really," Rafe pressed as he glanced up from his cards, "by the vivid description it sounds pretty fresh in your mind."

Staggering slightly as he rose from his seat, Cooper stepped toward Rafe. His voice was hoarse, gritty, "It isn't like that anymore! I've had enough of this! You need to stop shooting your mouth off to my wife!" Shoving back from the table Rafe met him head on, "Hit a nerve did I?"

Quickly stepping in to diffuse the situation Melinda offered, "Perhaps you two would like to unleash some of that testosterone in the sauna. There are massage tables, wine, whatever you desire on the house."

Ignoring the suggestion Cooper bristled at Rafe's veiled accusation, "You're good at turning it on and off; you must get a lot of practice on the side. I saw your little show with Selene in Paris. Maybe your wife needs to know that you're cheating on her?"

"You leave my wife out of the conversation. You don't talk about her, look at her, or even think about her," Rafe threatened. Growing angrier, Cooper snapped back, "You don't seem to have a problem including my wife on your assumptions; why shouldn't I respond in kind?"

Furious, Rafe growled, "Do not try and throw your own dirt in my direction; it won't stick." Turning abruptly, he strode angrily to the exit.

Coop watched as Rafe stormed off, still furious and on edge once more. Concerned with how much Rafe saw earlier and what he would do with it, Coop swore vehemently and threw back another shot.

"Coop, this isn't going to be a problem," Slim assured gruffly. "No matter what is going on between the two of you, Rafe needs to keep his thoughts in check if he wants to continue with Stone. He knows that but it won't hurt for me to remind him."

Shifting slightly, still angry, Coop was less concerned about what Rafe would write than what he would say to Beth. One way or another, Coop wanted it to end.

Determined and infuriated Cooper approached Melinda. Concerned, she asked him, "What can I do to help?" Drawing a deep breath, he replied, his voice weary, "I could use a private room for a few minutes." Melinda gestured toward a door with a nod, "Of course; come with me."

"I am sorry for the disruption Cooper. If there is anything I can do; you know how we value your friendship here," she began. "It isn't your fault Mel," Cooper hastily interrupted. "I just need a moment alone if you don't mind; I need to call my wife." She smiled, "Take as much time as you need."


~ to be continued ~

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NEXT CHAPTER: South Beach Chapter 38