Page 49 of Twisted Gift

He touches my arm, running his hand up and down it slowly. “Forget I said anything, Rory. The last thing I want is for you to feel like I’m trying to force you to do something you don’t want to do.”

My eyes fly open. “No, I know you’re not. It’s not that. Or you. I promise.”

He reaches up with his other hand and brushes his fingers across my cheek, making my skin tingle. “Show me what you’re feeling,” he murmurs.

Those words make my heart race. I can’t do that. If I do, he’ll know. He’ll see how much I want him. How much I—

“Aurora!”

I turn away from Tristan and toward the sound of Allison squealing my name. By the sloppy grin and bloodshot eyes, it’s safe to say she’s drunk.

She stumbles over and throws her arm around my shoulders, tugging me away from Tristan. “I’m heading out,” she says.

I arch a brow at her. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

The light fae whose name I don’t know chooses that moment to walk over, holding Allison’s clutch in her hand. “Would you like me to take her home?” She glances between Tristan and me. “I haven’t had anything to drink. I’ll make sure she gets there safely.”

I don’t know this girl, but she seems genuine, and she can’t lie to us. I’ve been asking the light fae to trust me; maybe it’s timeItry to trustthem. Still, I reach out to get a read on her emotions, and I’m met with soft wisps of yellow and orange. The warm colors of her emotions and energy make me feel better about Allison being around her.

I weigh the odds and go with my gut, nodding at her. “I would appreciate that. Thank you.”

She takes Allison from me, sliding her arm around her waist to keep her steady as they walk to the door and out of the building.

I glance back at Tristan, who’s watching the two of them with sharp eyes. “Are you worried about her?” I ask, trying not to sound as surprised as I am.

“She’s one of mine. Of course I am.”

Before we can say anything else, Max and Oliver come over, smiling and laughing.

“We’re going to take off,” Oliver says, pulling me into a hug. “Thanks for such an amazing night.”

I lean back and smile. “It was my pleasure. Happy birthday.”

After Oliver and Max are gone, everyone else trickles out. Some stick around to finish their drinks and call a cab, but it isn’t long before it’s just Tristan and I. No, my bad, Nikolai and Skylar are still here chatting with the last of Oliver’s friends. Skylar faces Nikolai, and they start bickering before the two of them go their separate ways, Nikolai catching the attention of one of the girls. She blushes a deep pink, loops her arm through his, and they leave together.

I’m behind the bar, stacking plastic cups, when Tristan comes over and sits at the counter, watching me contentedly. I stop what I’m doing to arch a brow at him. “What are you looking at?”

His lips twitch. “You,” he murmurs. “Look at us being all mature and professional.”

“You’re hilarious,” I remark as I wipe off the counter behind the bar.

He grins. “You need some help back there?”

Shaking my head, I drop the cloth into the sink. “It’s all good. I’m done for the night.”

He nods and taps his fingers against the bar top. “Will you come home with me?”

Well,thatwas forward. Nothing less than what I’d expect from Tristan, though.

He flicks his tongue over his bottom lip in the same moment my heart kicks up. His eyes meet mine, and the lust there tells me he can hear my thrumming pulse beneath my skin.

I want to go home with him. It’s simple, really. So why am I overcomplicating it?

“Breathe, Rory,” he murmurs.

My eyes snap to his. He knows my body so well; heknowsthe panic that unfurled in my chest.

“Come here,” he requests in a gentle tone.

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