Yeah, it was not good that her body was so in tuned to him like this. Especially when his alluring bedroom eyes met hers, and a slow smile kicked up the corners of his gorgeous lips. And then those damn dimples made an appearance.
This was ridiculous. She should still be pissed at him, but it’s like her girlie parts didn’t get that memo. Just a look and he had her licking her lips and squeezing her thighs together. Clearly, she’d gone too long without a man, and her body was betraying her.
The man was too fine for his own good, and he was too much temptation.
She huffed out a breath, frustrated with herself.
“I know you’re mad at me,” Tristan said, misinterpreting her frustrated sigh.
Still holding her hand, he gave it a little tug, pulling Cree against his hard body, and she was defenseless to fight him. Instead of fighting him or herself, she melted into him, loving the way his strong, powerful arms held her close.
She had always been attracted to tall men, and Tristan had several inches on her even in her heels. And as he held her close and tightly, she slid her arms around his waist. She breathed in his woodsy scent that had a hint of citrus and marveled at how perfect this moment felt.
A little too perfect.
Being held by him was like snuggling under a cashmere blanket on a cold winter’s night. It felt like she was exactly where she was supposed to be. Wrapped in his arms. Soaking up his strength. And being still… even for a moment.
She’d been working so much lately, Cree couldn’t remember the last time she’d been in a man’s arms. Even still, no one had ever held her the way Tristan did, and she didn’t realize how much she had needed to be held. Didn’t realize she needed to feel cherished in a way that only he could do.
Yeah, this was definitely a little too perfect.
If a friendly hug could get her mentally and emotionally twisted up inside, she was in more trouble than she realized when it came to Tristan.
He gave her a tight squeeze and placed a lingering kiss on the side of her forehead before releasing her. When he did, Cree hoped he didn’t apologize for hugging her. Maybe if she didn’t make a big deal about it, he wouldn’t either.
Since he had come back into her life, she’d given him a hard time—wanting him to stay away from her unless they were discussing business. Something within her had just shifted, and she didn’t want to think on it too much.
“You look amazing,” he said, snapping her out of her thoughts.
“Thank you.” She reached into the vehicle and grabbed her laptop bag. “Now why am I here?”
He placed a hand at the small of her back and guided her to the grand entrance of the building.
“You being here kept me from having to postpone our meeting, and I’m sorry about that, but thanks for coming. I know you’re pissed I had to change the plans, but I really wanted to see this place before it was too late. I promise, once I check out this condo, I’ll look over whatever you want me to and sign whatever needs to be signed. I figured this was better than me rescheduling for a later date.”
Cree nodded. “Okay.”
Tristan slowed and frowned down at her. “Okay? That’s it? You’re not going to give me hell for having you come out here? Are you feeling okay?”
She laughed. “No, I’m not going to give you a hard time, but I can if it’ll make you feel better.”
“Oh, no. That’s alright,” he said quickly. “Let’s go before you change your mind. I’m told this place is a must see.”
A few minutes later, they stepped off the elevator and into a place that stole Cree’s breath. The first thing she saw was a wall of floor to ceiling windows, and she crossed the room to them as if being pulled by a magnet.
“Wow,” was all she could say as she stood in front of the windows. The condo was so high up, most of the view of Lake Michigan was unobstructed and what a view.
“Wow indeed,” Tristan said from beside her.
“Oh, you made it.” A high-pitched voice sounded from behind them along with the clicking of high heels on the hardwood floors.
They turned from the window as a woman, looking to be in her mid-forties, dressed in a beautiful tan pantsuit with matching heels, approached. Her wide, genuine smile greeted them before she stretched out her hand.
“Good to see you two.”
“Hey, Cathy. Good to see you also,” Tristan said, shaking her hand and then placing his hand on Cree’s back. “This is a friend of mine, Cree Priestly.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Cree.” They shook hands before Cathy turned back to the unit and spread her arms wide. “So, what are your first impressions?”
