His gaze immediately followed the rhythmic motion of her gorgeous ass in that tight skirt. And those long, shapely legs? One of her greatest assets that he had missed. Yes, he wanted her back in his life in every way that she’d been years ago, and he especially wanted to get reacquainted with her luscious curves. The woman had the body of a goddess, and...
No. Stop.
He had to stay focused. Before he moved on to phase two of Win-Cree-Back, he needed to get her in his corner again. He needed her to represent him with the numerous offers that had come his way.
Cree slowed near the last door on the right before entering the office, and Tristan half expected her to slam the door in his face. She didn’t. Instead, she waited until he crossed the threshold before she slammed the door and whirled on him.
“What part of leave me the hell alone don’t you understand?” she growled. Like for real growled as anger seeped from her pores, and Tristan was fairly sure that was smoke coming from her ears.
And damn if she wasn’t turning him on in every way possible. If that made him a jerk, oh well. Her take-no-bullshit was one of the first things that had attracted him to her in the first place. That and her long shapely legs that made him weak in the knees whenever he saw them, like today.
But right now, it was her attitude and her fragrance pulling him in. It was as if the madder she got, the more pronounced her lavender and vanilla scent intensified. If he didn’t think she’d knock him the hell out, he’d bury his nose into the crook of her neck for a better whiff.
“We need to talk,” Tristan finally said, meeting her dark gaze as he reminded himself of why he was there.
As he stared into her gorgeous eyes, something familiar stirred inside of him. Excitement. Connection. Desire. He wanted more than anything to pick up where they’d left off before their relationship exploded into a trillion little pieces.
Though it might be impossible, he was determined to rekindle their relationship. He wanted to prove she could trust and depend on him again. Unfortunately, Cree wasn’t the forgiving type. Still, he was going to give it a shot and achieve the first part of his plan. After that, even if it took the rest of his life, he was going to win her heart again.
He had to. He had never loved another woman the way he loved Cree. What he once felt for her was like nothing he had ever experienced, and that was still the case. Besides being with her, he’d only had one long-term relationship. A relationship that had lasted a year but had never been as fulfilling as his and Cree’s. In the end, that woman dumped him because she accused him of being emotionally unavailable. Telling him that he needed to go back to the woman who clearly held his heart because it wasn’t her.
Tristan hadn’t been able to argue with her. Cree had his heart, still, and didn’t even know it.
“We have nothing to talk about,” Cree ground out and put space between them. “Tristan, I want nothing to do with you. Why can’t you get that through your thick head? Whatever game you’re playing, I want nothing to do with it.”
“I stopped playing games the day I took a direct hit to my knee in one of the most important games of my life,” he said through gritted teeth as frustration stirred within him at the memory and the mental and physical pain he had endured. He’d already had knee issues, but in that game, he had suffered a major tear of his ACL and a mild tear of his MCL. And just like that, his career had been over.
“So yeah, my game playing days are over. I’m here on business. I want you to represent me,” he said, getting right to the point of his visit.
He watched a slew of emotions flit across her face as her gaze went from his eyes to his injured knee and back to his eyes. She knew. She knew what he’d been through during the last nine months of recovering. Which had prompted her to not only send him his favorite dessert—Chicago style Garrett Popcorn—but she had included a card. Hurry and get well, it had said. Out of all the well-wishes he had received during that time, hers was the one that meant the most.
Cree wasn’t known for being empathetic or sympathetic for that matter, but for her to send a handwritten note was huge. It told him that she still cared, though she’d never admit it.
“Cree, I no longer have an agent, and I need someone to read through a few offers I’ve received recently.”
Time stood still as she stared at him as if he had lost his mind. He was mentally ready for whatever she threw his way. He had no intention of backing off, and he was prepared to fight dirty if necessary.
He needed her, and he wanted them to be back in each other’s life again.
“I’m not a sports agent, Tristan, but you know that. And even if I was, I wouldn’t represent you, but I’m sure you know that too. Hell, I’d change careers before I ever took you on as a client again. So, if that’s what you came here for, our conversation is done. Get out,” she spat and opened her office door.
Tristan sighed loudly and set the huge manila envelope on her tidy desk. He had received a couple of staffing offers from different teams, as well as endorsement deals from companies over the past few days.
He had no idea which he’d agree to if any. Now that he was back in Chicago, that’s where he wanted to stay. So whatever deals he took had to fit into the new life he wanted to build for himself.
He folded his arms across his chest and leveled Cree with an unwavering stare. “I’m not leaving until you say yes.”
There was another growl from her, and she balled one of her fists.
“Tristan, you are working my last nerve,” she bit out quietly. “I told you we have nothing to discuss, and I mean it. My answer is no to anything you want from me.”
“Sorry to interrupt,” a male’s voice sounded before the man appeared in the doorway.
Tristan smiled inside when he recognized one of the partners at the firm. He had done his research before coming and remembered the guy from his photo on their website.
The guy strolled into the office with a huge smile on his face and his hand outstretched.
“Mr. Whitmore, I’m Warren Ellis, one of the partners here. I’m a huge fan, and it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
