The VIP Room(63)

Tristan examined the look on my face and gave a small chuckle. “It’s not as bad as it sounds, trust me. I probably would’ve gone into business anyway. And I don’t mind the stress so much. It keeps me busy, although I could do with less traveling. I’ve come to dread planes.”

“Rub it in, why don’t you,” I mock-grumbled, poking at his chest.

“It was fine in the beginning,” he assured me with a smirk, abandoning my hair to capture my hand. He gave each of my fingers a soft kiss, which sent a flurry of butterflies to my stomach. No, not just butterflies. Butterflies on caffeine. “But I hate being cramped up for so long. And when I go overseas, I usually only stay a couple days and it’s spent mostly in our headquarters. The last time I had a proper vacation was maybe…two years ago?”

“Where’d you go?” I asked, a little breathlessly, as he ran his fingertips slowly from my wrist to the middle of my palm.

“Scotland,” he murmured. “I own a house in the Highlands. I like to go there to unwind sometimes. It’s peaceful, not a whole lot of people around, shitty internet at most times of the day, so it’s perfect when I feel like I need to get away and unplug.”

“It sounds wonderful.”

I could imagine him in a place like that. On his own, relaxing by a fire, or taking walks along the rugged coastline or traversing glens. It suited him in some rugged, primal way…

The idea aroused me almost more than his light, teasing strokes. I pressed close to his body, feeling the brush of his semi-hard cock against my belly. Tristan made a sound, a mixture of a groan and a laugh, and then responded to my unspoken hint. A warm, confident hand ran from the sides of my sensitive breasts, to my waist, to my hips. He cupped my bottom suddenly and pressed me flush against his skin.

“Do you need something?” he asked lowly, his voice dropping. I shivered.

“Yes.”

He sighed. “I don’t think I have any more condoms. I wasn’t expecting to…” he trailed off, tracing the swell of my ass with the pads of his fingers.

I bit my lip, blushing. “I think I have some. In the bathroom.”

He grinned. “Well, go grab a few.”

“A few?” I asked, raising a brow. “A little ambitious, don’t you think?”

“Not for me,” he replied, winking. His cockiness stole my breath away and all I wanted was to jump him right then and there and let him prove it to me. Screw the condoms. But the more rational part of my brain reminded me that I’d been off birth control for a year, which I would remedy as soon as possible. So, I rushed off the bed, a little self-conscious about my nudity, which was ridiculous after what we’d just done. At least until Tristan groaned and said, “Your ass is f*cking fantastic, Noelle. Hurry up with the condoms or I can’t be responsible for my actions.”

I shook my head, flushing a bright red, before scurrying into the bathroom right across the hallway. I grabbed a few condoms from under the sink, where I’d tossed them after I went on birth control for Ryan.

I placed them on the side table when I got back to the bedroom, eyeing Tristan in all his glory. He had his arms under his head, looking incredibly at ease, and, to my delight, his cock was erect, ready for me. The sight of him aroused, all hard planes and strong muscle, with his wicked piercing green eyes glinting with lust was enough to make any woman crazy.

It was the first moment that I realized I was in danger of falling in love with him. Looking at me the way he was, like I was the only woman in the world for him right now…I could become addicted to him only too easily. I would have to be careful, because something told me that a man like Tristan Blackwell was capable of breaking my heart.

“Let’s see what you’re made of,” I murmured, plucking a condom up from the nightstand and tearing it open.

Tristan grinned. “Challenge accepted.”





Epilogue





Tristan





Even after three rounds of intense sex, Tristan still lay awake in Noelle’s bed, stroking her soft skin as she slept.

Surrounded by her lovely, clean scent and warmth, he didn’t remember the last time he’d felt this peaceful, this calm. Hell, he didn’t even remember the last time he’d shared a bed with a woman, slept next to a woman. This felt right, however. Noelle felt right.

He didn’t want to f*ck this up, whatever it was. There was something different about her. He’d realized it when he first met her… even when he’d first seen her, looking out of place and nervous at a table in Valoir. Even though he tried to ignore whatever it was that ran between them, he’d known it was only a matter of time before he failed. He hadn’t lasted as long as he’d hoped.

And although they barely even knew each other, there was a spark between them that couldn’t be denied. It ran deeper than lust. Much deeper.

It scared the shit out of him.

Tristan looked down at Noelle, sleeping soundly against his body, with soft hair and glowing, rosy skin. So goddamn gorgeous that it made his chest squeeze whenever he looked at her.

He liked that she was different when it was just the two of them. And he liked that she was a hustler when it came to her job; she got shit done, just like him. He remembered hearing her voice outside his office earlier this afternoon. Remembered the way she spoke to his receptionist, Karla, and not taking shit from her. In Karla’s defense, Tristan had told her he didn’t want to be bothered. Even then, Noelle had somehow managed to wriggle through. It was impressive.