Worth a shot, p.18
Worth a Shot, page 18
I don’t know what I was thinking showing up at Tristan’s club unannounced. I’ve always been so reserved and timid, that was until I met him. He brings out a whole new side of me. I like it. This relationship that we’re starting is completely new to both of us.
He takes the bag of Chinese to the kitchen counter and begins taking the items out. I wander around the living room, idly taking in my surroundings, when the doorbell rings again. Tristan calls out, asking if I could answer the door. I feel awkward answering another person’s door, but okay. Slowly, I walk toward the entrance. The bell rings again. Impatient much. He calls out again for me to please get the door. I glance through the window to see a scrawny young guy holding a gorgeous bouquet of flowers. I crack the door open.
“Yes?”
“I have a delivery for…” He looks down at the flowers and gulps before reading the card out loud. “A delivery for Victoria Secret Angel.” He holds the vase out. “These flowers are for you, I’m guessing.”
Once I’ve taken the arrangement, he reaches under his arm and pulls out a heart-shaped box of very expensive chocolates and hands those to me as well.
“Wow, these are really heavy, huh?”
He gives me an annoyed smile that barely passes for polite, while holding out the box of chocolates. I try to readjust the vase, but it’s too heavy. “I’m sorry. I can’t carry both.”
Tristan opens the door the rest of the way and frowns. “Give me the rest.”
I nod, leaving Tristan to deal with him. I sit my flowers down on the counter and admire them. Dozens of roses are mixed with lilies, baby’s breath, and other stunning flowers that I have no idea what the names of. The arrangement is a burst of color and elegance. When I hear the door slam, I watch Tristan as he strolls toward me.
He stands in front of me and hands me the box of chocolates. My face actually hurts from smiling so big. I pluck the card from the flower arrangement and say, “Gee, I wonder who these could be from?” Tristan leans against the counter, watching me, and I feel my cheeks heat as I open the card and read.
Wanna date?
Biting his bottom lip, he shrugs. I guess my nod is answer enough because he walks around the counter and begins to dish the food on two plates. I watch him, but he refuses to meet my eyes. Is he blushing? I try to fight back my smile and refrain myself from doing a happy dance.
“Want to eat in the living room or at the kitchen table?”
I shrug and hop on top of the counter. “Here’s good.” I watch as his eyes scan my body as he saunters back over to me. That got his attention. He spreads my legs and wedges his body between my knees. “Here’s good?” He raises his eyebrows as his hands roam up my legs.
“I thought you were starving.” I mock him as I stare into his eyes.
Those hazel eyes pierce mine. “Oh, I’m starving alright. All I need to satisfy my hunger is right here on this counter and it has nothing whatsoever to do with Chinese food.” He leans in and devours me with a kiss so passionate that it only makes me hunger for more. His hand slowly moves up my waist, causing my pulse to quicken. He pulls away to stare into my eyes. I gulp as I silently beg for him to kiss me again. The hand that was traveling up my waist pauses at my side. He removes it and reaches over to grab one of the plates. Keeping his eyes on me, he brings it to his nose and dramatically inhales the aroma.
“Mmmm.” He moans. He winks at me and saunters over to the refrigerator. “What can I get you to drink?” he casually says as he looks through the refrigerator. I don’t answer right away, so he looks over his shoulder. “You look flushed. Maybe a cold drink to cool you off?”
I roll my eyes and cross my arms. “Sweet tea would be nice. I suddenly have a bitter taste in my mouth.”
We stare at each other. Finally, he places his hands on his hips and raises his eyebrows. “We’re officially in a relationship then?”
“Officially.”
“Let’s go eat. Now that you’re officially mine you’re going to need your energy.” He hands me a plate and winks.
It’s you who will need your energy, Tristan.
After we’ve eaten, Tristan leads me to his bedroom. The dimmed lighting casts shadows over certain parts of his face, but it seems to illuminate his brown eyes. They seem to shine brighter as they focus on my body. I originally pictured our first time being fast and savage, but his hand is moving so slow. The heat from his palm is causing my body to melt further into his hands. He’s taking his time removing my clothes, his large palms following behind wanting to touch every inch of my skin that have been hidden from him. I’ve never in my life felt so worshipped. And he’s only undressing me.
My chest is beginning to hurt from the rapidly beating of my heart. I don’t know if I’ll survive this. With every article of clothing he removes, my confidence begins to falter. He removes his own shirt and tosses it onto the floor. I’ve seen him shirtless before, hell, even completely naked, but this time is different. I feel more vulnerable. I want to be more than a good time for Tristan. I want this to mean as much to him as it does to me. And I want him to want me…
He tips my chin up. “Where’d you go?”
How do I tell him I’m busy mentally kicking myself for not listening to my mother telling me, ‘you are what you eat.’ My stomach is showcasing my love of jelly-rolls.
Warm breath tickles my neck, followed by an opened-mouth kiss. He trails his mouth up my neck to my earlobe. He nips the tender skin there, and tugs on my small hoop earring. “Come back to me.”
“I’m here,” I release on a sigh and wrap my arms around him.
He pulls back to search my eyes. “You weren’t, but I’m going to make it so that this moment is all you can think about. You won’t be able to leave again.”
If he only knew how true that statement already is.
I can’t help but smile back at the boyish grin that spreads across his handsome face. His eyes twinkle with mischief as he reaches between our bodies and begins sliding my panties down. Slowly, he trails kisses down my body as he removes the final scrap of my clothing. The way his eyes and hands touch my body have my insecurities long forgotten.
“You’re so goddamn sweet.” Tristan Goodman likes my jelly-rolls.
His tongue flicks my nipple causing me to release a moan. The warmth from his mouth has me to where I can no longer form a coherent thought. I can only feel. His tender lips, his warm tongue, and strong body have me surrendering all control.
“I’m losing my mind trying to savor you. And I never lose.” His large hand replaces his mouth over my breast as his mouth moves on to the other one. “I never relent.” He gives me a little pinch on my nipple, and I whimper. He positions himself between my legs. The feel of him right there causes my hips to involuntarily buck against him. “But I find myself wanting to surrender.”
I nod. Surrender then! No objections here. I’m unable to speak, so I use my hips to let him know what I want.
His lips come back to my neck as his hand slides between my legs. “I’ve waited a long time for this. Longer than I ever have before.” I don’t miss his annoyed tone and I smile. If I wasn’t so worked up, I’d laugh at him for pouting. Is he forcing me to wait now as payback?
“S-stop.” I gasp. He immediately stops and doesn’t move. “Stop torturing me, Tristan. I’m dying. Please.”
I feel the head of his penis push against where I desperately need him. His long fingers brush through the hair at my temple. “I’ve been craving your sweetness since day one. I plan to taste every bit of you. Slowly. I’m not going to rush this. As much as I want to devour you right now, you deserve more. You’re a rare delicacy. And I’m a starved man.”
A tremor rocks my body as his tongue continues to explore my body. My nails scrape his scalp since he doesn’t have much hair for me to grab. If I hurt him, he doesn’t say so, but I have to anchor myself somehow. My legs lock around his lean waist. Finally, he pulls himself up and places his elbows on either side of my head. His teeth scrape along the tender skin at the side of my breast and up over to my collarbone. He places a gentle kiss at the base of my throat.
“So sweet.” He licks and nips my jaw. “I don’t deserve you, Tori. But God…” His body heat encloses around me as his rock-solid chest presses against mine. His nose trails along the edge of my ear. “I want you. I deserve every punishment coming to me for corrupting a sweet angel like you.” Before I have a chance to correct him, he silences me with in one swift thrust of his hips. I cry out a silent scream as he fills the ache that has been building for weeks.
His eyes turn a deep honey color as the dim lights reflect off of them. He’s so fiercely beautiful. He bites his bottom lip and I feel his biceps strain from supporting his weight as he finally surrenders to his need. I see it in his face, pleasuring both of us is his sole focus. He doesn’t hold back any longer. Tristan’s pace becomes relentless. My heels dig into his back as I encourage him to give me more, to give me everything; and he keeps giving, taking me higher than I’ve ever been.
My hands want to be everywhere on him, I want to kiss him and taste him everywhere at once. I’m so consumed with need for him. I know he is about to shatter me completely. His words that I won’t be able to walk the next day come back, but it goes further than the physical result of this. I won’t ever be able to walk away from him.
“Tristan,” I pant. I run my hand up the back of his neck, and then my nails lightly rake along the skin.
“Turn over,” he growls as he flips me over. He spreads my legs and raises my hips, and with one hand still on my hip the other is placed on the back of my neck. Then he enters me even deeper. He presses me against the mattress and guides my legs to have one straight and the other bent at the knee. “I plan to have you in every position.”
I can’t help myself as I pant, “Maybe I should’ve stretched.”
He chuckles as he flips me over again and bends down to meet my eyes. He hoists one leg over his shoulder, “Don’t worry, sweetheart. We’ll take care of that.” Then he turns his head to place a sensual kiss on my leg that he’s holding.
I do make a mental note to start stretching before sex with Tristan. This man is more into multiple positions and it’s slightly embarrassing how flexible I am not. Before I contemplate on the slight burn in my thigh muscles, he reaches between our bodies and I feel a completely different sensation. I cry out as he rolls his hips into me and his fingers work me until my eyes are rolling into the back of my head.
Tristan drops my leg and presses his body fully against mine. His sinfully skilled tongue laps at my breasts, before making its way back to mine. His strong hand slides underneath the crown of my head to hold me as his thrusts become more forceful. Our eyes lock as he powers into me. Both of our lips part as we find our release. I crumble beneath him as he fills me, but he doesn’t stop. He moves his hand from underneath my head to place of his flat on the mattress.
“Fuck,” he growls as he thrusts. Finally, his head drops, and he smiles at me. “That was…fuck, I don’t even know.”
“Yeah,” I sigh.
He collapses against me, and I let out an oof. We both chuckle and he rolls off of me. His finger traces my collarbone, and I turn my head to smile at him.
“Stay,” he whispers.
I bite my bottom lip and nod.
Tristan
The next morning, Tori has to leave early since she’s scheduled to substitute teach this afternoon. Of course, she refuses to go until after having a cup of coffee. I stretch, and my body is sore. Between the fights this weekend, the extra time in the gym, and the thorough workout Tori gave me, I can barely move. Our first night together was intense, passionate, and incredible. I wanted to keep her here in bed all day, but I knew she had to go.
I hear the front door open and look up from my second cup of coffee to watch Vin walk through. “Is it safe to come in? Am I about to walk in on what could constitute as a set from a B-rated porno?”
As he gets closer, I throw a piece of toast at him. “She left already.”
Vin stops walking and gives me a false look of sympathy. “Ouch. She snuck out? Sorry, buddy.”
I give him the one finger salute and go back to enjoying my coffee. Vin walks over and pours himself a cup. He glances at my cup and quirks a brow. “Creamer?” I ignore him. “Were you too excited and…ya know?”
“Fuck you.” I take a sip and notice he’s wearing the same clothes from yesterday. “What’d you do last night?”
“Dedicated my night to helping a friend move some heavy furniture around her living room.”
I know that tone. Some sacrifice, asshole. Looks like I’m not the only one who got lucky last night. Mine was more meaningful, I’m sure. I smile to myself remembering Tori writhing beneath me, my touch making her quiver and sigh. I have to inhale a deep breath to settle myself down when I think about how wild she became as the night progressed. I finally saw every bit of her. No walls, no shyness.
“That goofy look on your face at least tells me it was good for you. Too bad for her. What a waste of a drive to the city.”
“She has to work this afternoon, ass.”
Still smirking, Vin pulls out a bar stool and sits down with his cup of coffee. Feeling defensive I add, “One of the teacher’s needed half the day off. They called Tori. She had to be there by noon. Wipe that look off your face right now.”
My phone dings, and I read a disturbing message from Mark.
Mark: Two of our guys picked up last night on possession at the club. One of our boys is missing. Rossi’s been busy.
ME: This is going to come back on us BAD. Calling Beckett. See you in 15.
I tell Vin. He walks over to the sink to empty his coffee cup with a growl. “Assholes can’t take a day off?”
“We have two guys locked up. One missing. It’s not even noon yet, so I’m sure the day is just getting started. No doubt we will have more surprises in store. I’m calling Beckett now.”
I call my attorney to see if he can meet us at the police station and help figure out what’s going on. We have a strict no drug use policy, so this has to be another set up.
Mark is standing outside the police station when Vin and I arrive. “This isn’t good. Skyler went missing after helping you with your little romantic gesture. He never came back to work. He texted me when he was on his way, but that’s where the trail goes cold.” Mark sighs and rubs his forehead. “Adam and Jax, I have no idea what that’s about.”
Mr. Beckett greets us when we step inside. He tells us that only one of us can go back to see the guys; so I do. Adam and Jax are sitting at a long table with two empty chairs across from them. Their heads hang low and their legs bounce from nerves.
“Hello, young men. What kind of mess are we in?” Beckett says as he sits down.
The two won’t meet my eyes. They give Beckett a nod but refuse to look my way. Neither one speaks. Not being a man to toy with, Peter Beckett slams his hand on the table, causing a loud echo to boom through the quiet room. “Do not waste my time. Start talking or I walk out.”
Adam mumbles. “We were arrested for trying to sell some product.”
“Product? That’s a rather vague term. I want details, now, and don’t try to lie. Complete honesty, or I can’t help either one of you. And speak up. Won’t do any good if I can’t hear you.”
Jax releases a frustrated sigh. In a clearly annoyed tone, he practically shouts. “Man, fuck this. We were set up!”
“Still lacking with the details, gentlemen. I can’t help if I don’t know what happened.” He turns to me and whispers. “Where did you dig these two up?”
Before I can answer, Adam finally finds the courage to speak up. “Tristan, do you have to be here for this?”
I stare, shocked that they wouldn’t want me there. Beckett takes offense and speaks on my behalf. “Considering that he’s the one who hired me and is footing the bill, I’d think you’d gladly allow him here. He deserves to know what he’s paying for. This is the last time I’m going to ask you two. Spill. I won’t ask again, I’ll simply leave. You’re wasting precious time at the expense of your freedom.”
Adam nods and begins. “Fine. We took a job with Dillon Rossi.”
A punch to the fucking gut. These guys were not only my employees, but friends. I’ve known them since high school. I thought they were loyal. I provided them with jobs; and they went and sided with my enemy? The very man who wants to take away my livelihood? Apparently, he’s on the path to success.
“Rossi offered us double what we would make in a week for one night’s work. We were supposed to sell a little weed throughout the night. No biggie. We did it and everything went smooth. No harm, no foul, ya know? Okay, cool. So, he offers us double what he paid last time to do it again. I mean, this is crazy good money. It was nothing personal to you, Tristan. The third time he called us was last night. He offers five times the original payout, but this time it’s meth. He said he had a buyer who was going to meet us at K.O. But how could we say no?”
“With your fucking mouth, that’s how,” I snarl.
Jax shakes his head. “Don’t be like that, man. It’s nothing against you.”
Adam continues. “We pick up the meth from Dillon Rossi himself. He tells us it needs to be sold tonight. We’re no more than a step in the door when the sirens sound.”
Jax grumbles under his breath. “Anonymous tip, my ass.”
Adam’s voice shakes a little. “They have witnesses saying we have been selling weed and meth. Even though we never had a chance to sell the meth, but they claim that’s what’s been going on all this time. We really screwed up, man. If we rat on Rossi, he said he has people on the inside both with the law and prison. We’re dead if we even mention his name. I’m sorry if any of this all comes back on you, Tristan.”
“If it comes back on me? That was his plan all along!” I rub my face with both hands. I can’t handle anymore. I stand up and leave to go find Mark and Vin. “Couple of greedy, selfish pricks in there.”
