“Besides, if you like shopping as much as you used to, you’ll have time to do it while we’re in Atlanta. Come with me. Your expenses will be covered, and I’ll make sure you get in as much shopping as you want. And you’ll get a chance to ride on a private jet.”
The way her lips parted slightly before she quickly closed her mouth had him fighting a smile. Oh yeah. She was softening to the idea. Now to make sure she said yes.
He turned away from her and stood with his empty plate. “If you can’t go to ensure they stay on task and get me out of there within a week, then I’ll pass on that offer. I don’t enjoy flying all over the place as much as I used to. Let’s reject—”
“Fine, I’ll consider it,” she snapped, then stood and pointed at him. “If, and that’s a big if, I do decide to go, you better believe I’m billing you for every second. You’re paying for my time, my hotel room, my food, and if I do some shopping, don’t be surprised when I send you that bill too.”
Tristan grinned, knowing she was serious. The fact that she was even considering his request was a win. But he couldn’t get too excited yet. Not until she said yes to everything he wanted from her, including marrying him again.
In the meantime, he had to tread lightly while he reminded her of how good they once were together, and not just in bed. Within a month of meeting her all those years ago, he had known she was the one for him. At the time, his future had been up in the air, but he had wanted her to be a part of it. Then everything got shot to hell with one wrong decision. Now here he was trying to rebuild a relationship with the only woman he’s ever loved.
“Also, if I agree to this, if you try any funny stuff while we’re traveling, I’m leaving your ass in Atlanta and coming home.”
Tristan’s lips quirked, and he walked toward her with his hand outstretched. “Deal.” When Cree shook his hand, he pulled her into his arms, and she gasped.
“Let me go.” She swatted his chest but wasn’t trying very hard to get out of his hold. So he placed a kiss against her temple, then peppered a few along her jaw.
“Tristan, didn’t I just tell you no funny stuff? That means no touching. No kissing. No nothing. Now I’m having second thoughts about going. I can already tell it’s not a good—”
Tristan’s mouth covered hers, smothering the rest of her words.
So much for treading lightly. This wasn’t part of his plan for the evening, but being so close to Cree, talking and bantering like old times, he couldn’t help himself. He had waited years to taste her again, and there was no way he was stopping until he got his fill.
Chapter Eleven
Hot damn! The man’s kisses were as potent as she remembered, and Cree was defenseless to push him away. She wanted this. She wanted him more than she wanted anything else in this moment, and for a change, she had no intention of pulling away.
This wasn’t her surrendering to Tristan. No, this was her acting like a woman who hadn’t been kissed this thoroughly in like forever. It had been months since she’d been with a man, and she yearned for the attention. Not just any attention, but attention from the only man she had ever loved—Tristan.
Some rational part of her mind was telling her to stop and move away from temptation. Yet, all her girlie parts were cheering her on, encouraging her to keep going and take all she wanted.
Cree slowly ran her hands up Tristan’s torso, marveling at the way his sinewy muscles contracted beneath her touch. Once her arms were around his neck, he backed her against a wall without breaking contact and deepened their connection.
As he loved on her mouth, his hardness pressed against her, and memories of them together like this flooded Cree’s mind. Tristan had always been a great kisser and a generous lover, and he was currently reminding her of what she’d been missing. Him. This. The bond they once shared. All of it.
She lifted her leg, wrapping it around his hip and forcing him closer. He held her leg in place and rubbed his body against her. Desire pulsed through her as so many sensations swirled inside of her at the way Tristan was kissing her, touching her, and turning her on.
His other hand slid under the split of her wrap dress, and the second his calloused fingers caressed her thigh, bolts of electricity charged through her body. Cree wanted him in every way a woman could want a man, and that intensified when his hand moved to one of her butt cheeks. She moaned against his lips as he squeezed, kneading her flesh while grinding against her.
“Damn, you know how much I love you in a thong. Your fine ass,” he murmured.
The feel of his thick erection against her stomach made it clear they wanted the same thing—to get naked and reacquaint themselves with each other’s body.
He eased his mouth from hers and brushed his lips over her jaw. The sweet kisses continued along her cheek, beneath her ear, and on down to her neck.
Cree whimpered, needing more. It had been way too long since she’d been touched like this, and her sex starved body couldn’t take much more of his teasing.
Tristan released a primal growl as he worked his way back up her body until he was staring into her eyes. His breath was coming in short spurts when he said, “I want you. I want you so damn bad. If that’s not what you—”
“Yes,” she said breathlessly and cupped his face between her hands before covering his mouth with hers. Yes, she wanted him, and she wanted him now.
He had just picked her up and turned with her in his arms when the door alarm chimed, interrupting the quietness in the apartment. They both froze. But when they heard the door close, Tristan set her down so quickly, Cree almost lost her balance.
They were both still breathing hard as he turned his back to her, standing in front of her as if shielding her from a threat. When he reached back, his large hand resting on her hip, Cree wasn’t sure if he was trying to keep her in place or if he was touching her to ensure she was still with him. His body was tense, like he was planning to lunge at the first sign of trouble.
“Tristan, are you…” A woman’s voice filled the space, and now Cree was the one tensing.
What the hell? Some woman had a key to his apartment? She was about to shove him away, but before she could, Tristan moved with the speed of light away from her.
