But maybe she and I aren’t so different. Both told one thing, then the next minute our worlds flip again.
I never thought I’d feel any sort of empathy with Alicia Erikkson.
Jess would flip her shit if she could hear me.
Tristan is still waiting for my response, and I don’t have one to give him. “It’s not… not that clear cut for me, Tristan. I’m not suddenly going to be your little omega because you’ve pulled exactly the same stunt on Alicia that you’ve pulled on me.”
His face flushes. “This is not the same,” he snarls. “Not even a little.”
“Maybe from your perspective.”
He opens his mouth before closing it again, letting out a tired sigh as he squeezes the bridge between his eyes.
“Come home,” he says softly. “Please, Sienna. Let us do this right, this time.”
God, the temptation to do just that. To try again. The sudden burst of want hits me hard, every part of me crying out for exactly that.
But I can’t be stupid. I can’t just roll over.
I watch him. “One more chance, Tristan.” His head shoots up, his eyes meeting mine hopefully. “You’ll come back?”
I press my lips together before I nod. “One more time,” I warn. “I can’tdothis again, Tristan. Soul Bonded or not.”
Not when every small piece of me is suspended, waiting for that final crack before I fly into a million pieces.
I want them. I need them. And I’ll go back, try one more time.
But if this fails…
Well. I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it. Just the thought sends a spike of pain into me, strong enough to make me flinch. Tristan picks up it immediately as he turns his frame to face me, his eyes scanning over me. “Are you in pain?”
I shrug. “Well, I am in the Healers Center, so… yes?”
“I’m sorry. I’m pushing you, and you should be resting.” He gets off the bed. “I’ll leave you to it.”
“You’re leaving too?” I could kick myself for the vulnerability spilling out as Tristan whirls, his face masked in surprise.
“I thought you’d prefer it,” he says slowly, taking a step towards me. “But… I could stay. I’d like to stay. With you. Here. If you want?”
I bite my lip, unexpectedly charmed as he fumbles through his words. Wordlessly, I shift over on the bed, leaving a space for him as he approaches.
Turning onto my side, I hold my breath as Tristan climbs behind me. The size difference between us becomes more than apparent, the little space available pushing us together until I’m pressed against him, my back to his chest, both of us breathing quietly. He curves over me, his warm whiskey scent curling around me like a blanket.
Hesitantly, his arm wraps around me. “Is this okay?”
I drink in the feel of him, the peacefulness as we both lie there. The stabbing pain ebbs away, chased back by his closeness. “This is okay.”
Everything else can wait until tomorrow.
For tonight, at least, this is enough.
38
JAX
Istare down at the brightly lit screen of my phone, taking in the absolutely fucking precious gift Tristan has just handed to me.
I’m pissed that he gets to stay with Sienna tonight when we had to leave, but this kind of makes up for it.
