The Takeover (The Miles High Club #2)(129)

She clings to me. This is going to take a while to get over.

For both of us. But she’s here. My family is here with me.

We will get through this.





We have to.


I lie on my side and watch Claire sleep. She’s utterly exhausted.

It’s all caught up with her—the stress at work, our breakup, and then the boys going missing have her so wound up that she couldn’t stop crying last night. Her body simply gave out. Enough was enough, and in the end, I gave her two sleeping pills so that she could finally relax enough to fall asleep.

I hear an argument from the other room, and I smile. Who knew that the sound of early-morning bickering could sound so good? I get up and go to investigate.

“I don’t care if you didn’t bring any other shorts,” Fletcher snaps to Harry. “You’re not wearing mine. No wonder I couldn’t find any of my things to pack—they’re all in your suitcase.”

“Shh, Mom’s asleep,” I whisper as I walk into the room. “What’s going on?”

“Harry stole all of my clothes,” Fletcher whispers angrily.

“I did not.” He looks to me. “All my shorts don’t fit me anymore.”

“It’s too early for this.” I sigh. “Give Fletcher back his shorts. I’ll buy you new ones today, Harrison.”

“Well, that’s not fair,” Fletcher snaps. “Why does he get new shorts?”

“Can I have new shorts?” Patrick asks from bed. “I’ve been growing lately, and I need all-new clothes.”

Harry rolls his eyes. “Oh, stop it. You have not grown.”

I look among the bickering boys, and a broad smile crosses my face. I’m actually grateful to be hearing them fight . . . who would have ever thought? “I’ll buy you all new clothes today,” I reply.





Their eyes widen.


“But right now, I want you to get dressed, go downstairs to the restaurant, and have breakfast,” I say. “Eat something healthy from the buffet.”

“Are you coming?” Patrick asks.

“I’m going to stay here with Mom. You’ll be fine with Fletcher. Don’t go anywhere else.” I point to the two troublemakers. “You come straight back up to the room when you’re done. I mean it; you two are seriously grounded for life. Nowhere without an adult. Ever.”

Fletcher gives a smug smile to his two brothers. He loves that I class him as an adult.

I make myself a coffee, and they shower and mess around, and about half an hour later they go downstairs for breakfast.





Claire

I hear the front door shut behind the boys, and I call out, “Tris?” I’ve been waiting for them to leave. I knew if I got up before they went, I would have to go to breakfast with them, and I want some time.

He appears at the door. “Hey.” He’s wearing nothing but navy boxer shorts. His beautiful body is on display.

I pull the covers back in an invitation.

He smiles and locks the door and climbs in and pulls me into his arms. “Are you all right?” he whispers.

I close my eyes as I lean against his chest. “God, I’m sorry about last night. I was a basket case.”

“Don’t be. You are so stressed; I’m worried about you.”

I hug him tighter. Feels so good to be safe in his big strong arms.

He takes my face in his hands. “Why didn’t you tell me before about Anderson Media being in trouble?”

I run my hand down over his washboard stomach. “I didn’t want you to worry.”

“Stop it. We need to talk about this.” He pushes my hand away. “So . . . you took it all on yourself?”

“Tris.” I sigh. “From day one you have been my knight in shining armor. Just for once I wanted you to be proud of me.”

His eyes search mine. “I am proud of you; how could you ever think otherwise?”

I drop my head as sadness rolls in. “Because I’m not proud of myself for losing Wade’s company, and I don’t know how you could ever be.”

He pushes the hair back from my face as his eyes hold mine. “It’s your company too, Claire. Don’t forget that. Wade may have started it, but you have flown the flag for five years alone.”

Five years alone . . . just hearing those words brings tears to my eyes, and I blink to try to hide them.

I’ve felt so alone.

“Baby.” Tristan pulls me close and kisses my forehead. “Let me in, Claire. I don’t want you to have to go through anything alone anymore.” He takes my face in his hands and stares into my eyes. “Okay?”

I nod through tears.

His lips take mine with a tenderness that rips my heart wide open, and I tear up again.

I’ve missed my man.

I slide my hand down his boxer shorts and run my fingers through his pubic hair.

His eyes hold mine, and I take him in my hand and slowly stroke him. I feel the blood rushing around his body, his cock hardening, and I stroke him again.

Our eyes are locked.

This is when we are at our best. Alone in bed, under the covers. Nobody here but us and the love that we share. “I need you,” I murmur.

He takes my face in his hands and kisses me slowly. His tongue does a seductive dance against mine, waking my dormant body from its sleep.