Page 34 of The Sweetest Risk

I don’t care about what I would get out of the bet. I don’t care about the captain’s spot. Hastings can have it. He can have whatever he wants–except her.

After signing her name on the raffle sign up sheet, Brooke turns around and I get a view of her perfect body from this angle. It is dangerous, just like my feelings for her. She playfully bats her eyelashes as she looks up at me and says, “Well, I am going to find Dean. This dress is getting a little uncomfortable and I need some help taking it off.”

She smirks and starts to walk around me, but I discreetly and gently grab her arm.

She looks down at my hand and says, “Tristan, what the…?”

“The only way that dress is coming off your body is if I’m taking it off.”

Her mouth falls open and her eyes rake over me. “What did you just…?”

“Was I not clear the other night, Cupcake? You. Are. Mine.”

18

Ididn’t get a chance to say goodbye to Tess. I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to anyone. Before I could process what came out of Tristan’s mouth, he grabbed my hand and led me out to his car.

“Tristan.” He doesn’t utter one word, and I need him to talk to me. “Tristan, will you slow down? Where are we going?”

He unlocks his car and opens the passenger door for me to get in. Again, no words are coming out of his mouth. He looks determined and intense. It is similar to the look that he has when he is on the ice. He nods his head for me to get into the car.

I don’t know what possesses my body to do it, but I get in.

He slams the door shut behind me and practically runs around the car to get to the driver’s side.

I send a quick text to Tess. I feel bad about abandoning her, but I know she will understand.

Hey Tess. I am so sorry I had to bolt. I will explain later. I hope you find a hot hockey player to go home with tonight.

Tristan, who has apparently turned mute in the past ten minutes, turns on the car and begins to drive.

I got a text back from Tess.

Ooooo are you with Dean?? Can’t wait to hear about it.

Um, not with Dean.

Oh you’re right I see Dean now.

OH. MY. GOD! You did not go home with Tristan fricken Lawson!!!

Yes, yes I did. Am I stupid for doing this? I mean he is my enemy Tess!

So what? You both need to release all that pent-up enemy energy you’ve been carrying around for way too long. I hope you have fun doing it ??. You are obligated to tell me everything when I see you again. I’m serious–a very detailed debrief with coffee and donuts is a must! Promise me now, Brooke Beckett–you will take a chance on Tristan and let him do whatever he wants to do to you tonight.’

My thumbs hover over the keyboard on my screen.

Coffee and donuts, you’ve got it. Are you sure you are ok with me leaving? I am the worst date ever.

I am perfectly fine. See you on Monday.

Love you!

Love you too ??

Tristan takes a hard right turn. He would be a dead ringer for one of theFast and Furiouscharacters. “Oh my god, Tristan! Are you trying to get us killed? Why are we in such a rush? Where are you taking me?”

Again, silence. He grips the gear stick so hard that the veins in his hands are protruding out. A new sexy thing about him that I’ve never noticed before. He weaves his way through the evening traffic on the highway and heads south toward downtown. Maybe he is taking me home? I do live a little outside of Uptown. But then again, he lives in one of the most luxurious communities in the metroplex. And it just so happens to be right down the street from my apartment. So it’s a toss-up of where we are going.

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