Page 52 of The Sweetest Risk

“So, the fact that you led me on and kissed me at Casino Night means nothing to you. Got it. Well, since kissing doesn’t mean shit to you, you wouldn’t mind if I kissed you on the cheek, would you.”

“Actually I would…mind it. I am seeing someone and I really don’t think he would like you kissing me anywhere. Now let go of me.”

I don’t know what is holding Tristan up, but I am not going to stay here in this situation. My self-defense instincts are about to kick in if he does not back off in the next two seconds.

Dean clearly isn’t listening to me because he leans close and kisses my cheek.

I jerk away. “Stop! Stop it, Dean, please.”

Suddenly, Dean is no longer pressed against me. Instead he is the one against the wall, with Tristan’s forearm sprawled across his chest. “What the fuck, Hastings?”

“What, man? I was just having a conversation with Brooke. A conversation that doesn’t concernyou.” Dean is trying to get out of the hold Tristan has him in, but he is unsuccessful.

Tristan’s wrath for this man is unhinged and I can tell that if he had the choice, and if he wasn’t the face of the Storm or still making remediations for the fight on the ice almost two months ago, he would beat the hell out of Dean right now. He is holding back, but not enough to let Dean go at this moment.

“It looked like a little more than a conversation was happening.” Tristan looks over at me and registers how I am holding onto my wrist, which is red from Dean’s strong grip.

A switch flips immediately in Tristan’s eyes. They turn dark and cold. He growls, “You touch her again, and I will fucking break your hand and then your precious hockey career is over. Do you understand me?”

Dean laughs in his face, almost like he is mocking Tristan.

Tristan’s eyebrows pull together and he shifts his hands so that now he is holding Dean by his sweatshirt in the middle of his chest. He slams him against the wall as hard as he can. “Do you think I’m joking? So much as fucking look at Brooke and I will end your career.”

My heart is beating uncontrollably because I have a feeling that Tristan isn’t making an empty threat. Why is he willing to put his career on the line for me?

I sense someone walking toward us. Randall is on his way over, looking concerned. Yeah, join the club. Two of the best hockey players in the league are about to go twelve rounds if Randall doesn’t stop it.

“Whatever. She was a waste of my time anyway.”

Tristan sucker-punches him.

Randall breaks it up and gets in Tristan’s face. “He’s not worth it, you hear me, son? You will lose everything. Don’t go low just because that is his specialty. You are better than that, Lawson.”

Thank God for Randall. If it wasn’t for him…I shudder at the next thought that comes into my mind.

Back at Tristan’s place,I rummage through his freezer and hand him a bag of frozen peas. “We can’t keep doing this, you know.”

“What’s ‘this’?”

“Me nursing you back to health after you get into fights. Namely fights with Dean Hastings.”

“It’s so fun, though. Maybe you should wear those candy striper pajamas when you nurse me back to health.”

“Stop deflecting.”

“What, you want me to walk away when he talks to you like that?”

“That’s exactly what I want you to do because you don’t always need to step in and save me, Tristan. Randall was also there and could have handled the situation without you getting involved at all. You aren’t superman, Hot Shot. No matter how much you might…” I wave my hands in a circle, indicating that I am talking about his body. “...look like a tatted-up version of him 24/7.”

“Hmm, didn’t know you had a thing for Superman. Which one? Or do you have a thing for Christopher Reeves? Ugh, please don’t tell me you love Henry Cavill.”

“I hate to break the news to you, Hot Shot, but Henry Cavill has always had my heart. He might just be my kryptonite.” I playfully smile as I stand in front of him.

Tristan smiles and grabs the back of my knees, catapulting me onto his lap.

“Well, you’re definitely my kryptonite, Cupcake.” He checks my wrist. “Does it hurt?”

“A little, but I’ll be fine. Listen, Tristan, you can’t just go around punching people. It’s not how to deal with things. Okay? I’m a grown woman, you don’t have to defend me. And I don’t want you to risk your career over me. It’s just not worth it.”

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