Payoff (Market Garden, #6)(15)

“Ooh, yeah,” Jared said. “Definitely.”



It was nearly one in the morning when Jared, legs still not completely cooperative, left the suite with Tristan and a thick wad of cash. He was exhausted, but it had been a great night. Never a dull moment with Rolex, and resolving things with Tristan had lifted a huge weight off his shoulders.

“So you really want to quit?” he asked as they waited for the lift.

Tristan exhaled. “I want to be with you.” He turned towards Jared. “I’d be happier if we both quit, but . . .”

Smiling, Jared slipped his hand into Tristan’s. “Well, we made enough tonight to tide us over for the time being.”

Tristan chuckled. “Yeah, we did. Maybe we can use some of it and go away for a while.”

“Go away?” Jared tilted his head. “What do you mean?”

“A holiday.” Tristan caressed his cheek. “Just the two of us.”

Grinning, Jared asked, “You thinking of any place in particular?”

“Not really.” Tristan shrugged, a mouthwatering grin slowly spreading across his lips as his arm snaked around Jared’s waist. “Just you, a room, and a decent-sized bed.” His voice was barely a whisper as he added, “That’s all I want.”

Jared lifted his chin and kissed Tristan lightly. “I love the sound of that.”

The lift arrived and the doors opened. They stepped in, and Jared hit the button for the ground floor.

As the doors closed again, Tristan said, “I’m sorry, by the way. For—”

“Don’t.” Jared wrapped his arms around him and kissed him. “It’s sorted. I’m just glad I know what was bothering you.”

Tristan touched Jared’s cheek again. “Still, I’m sorry.”

“It’s all forgiven.” Jared put his hand over Tristan’s. “So, if you’re serious about quitting, and going on holiday together and all of that, does that mean you want, um, for us to . . .”

“For us to be serious?”

Heart beating faster, Jared nodded.

Tristan smiled. He didn’t say a word. He just cupped Jared’s face and drew him into a long, tender kiss.

And Jared had his answer.