2X The Heat (2X The Pleasure 1)

“Yeah. Her sisters are annoying though.”

He leaned against the pillar in front of me. Effortlessly relaxed. I wondered how well he really knew her sisters, I assumed a lot since him and Levi had been friends for over ten years.

“They’re just happy for her.” I teased the camellias even more. But I was ready to leave so I grabbed my bag and headed out.

“And jealous.” I rolled my eyes. But I did see it in their faces sometimes.

I stopped outside to tell her I was finished. I stuck around for her to check it out, but she said it was perfect so I was free to go.

“Thank you so much. I love it!” She hugged me, much to my surprise. She just did not seem like much of a hugger.

“No problem.”

Her mother thanked me too and I took my leave. I hadn’t noticed Tristan had left until I saw him leaning by my truck. My heart leapt towards him, quickening in pace. My fingers twitched as I approached him, looking like a god under the lowering sun light.

“Hey.” I said.

He nodded at me. “Hey.”

“You’re still here.” I stated.

He nodded at me again. I could see it behind his eyes, there was so much he wanted to say. “You have a minute to talk?” He asked. I fiddled my keys in my hand, nodding once.

He stared back at me, stepping closer. He was about to speak, his lips parting but he stopped when we heard voices. The guests were arriving now, a bunch of women who made no secret of stopping and starring.

“In here.” He took me to the back of the truck. I unlocked the door and we climbed in.

The space was small, but not so much so. He sat on the bench across from me, hunched over in the small space that didn’t fit his tall frame. I set my purse aside and crossed my legs nervously.

“I should apologize.” He said. My brows furrowed. I hadn’t expected him to say that at all.

His eyes stayed on mine before fleeting elsewhere, his jaw tightened. I cocked my head to the side, studying him. He was so handsome, even in the dim lighting that I’m sure did not flatter my porcelain skin.

“You want to apologize? Why?”

I thought I should be the one apologizing.

“I should have respected your wishes. I shouldn’t have been flirting with you and teasing you. It isn’t your fault, what happened last week. And I made it seem like it was.”

I took in his words. Really thinking them over. I still felt guilty. If I were stronger, we wouldn’t have been in that situation.

“It’s no one’s fault. It isn’t like I minded you flirting with me, even though I said I did. I do want to focus on work but… I want you too and I don’t know what to do.”

His eyes found mine. He seemed so sad and…dejected. “You said you don’t do casual sex. I’m not sure I ever want to be in a relationship again.” He said honestly. I nodded in understanding.

“Maybe…maybe that’s better in our situation.” I whispered.

The air grew hotter. I was suffocating, and the only thing that could give me air was him. I crossed the space and he did not miss a beat, grabbing my hips and pulling me onto his lap. I felt him against my thigh, not hard, but obviously there. He peered at me, like he was studying me.

I knew a relationship would distract me. But just sex would be completely different. I do like him, and my feelings were real for him. But I knew it was worse if I can’t have him. Can’t be around him. Maybe a casual sex relationship was below our ages, but it seemed best.

“I just think you deserve more than that.” His voice was husky, hooded with desire already.

I ground myself against him, pressing my chest to his as I linked my arms around his neck.

“This feels right. I only want things to feel right.”

He gazed at me, studying my expression. Like he wanted to be sure. He cared about me. I cared about him. We can figure the rest out later. Right now, I needed him. For the first time I initiated a kiss, but he quickly took over.