Page 53 of Twisted Gift

Tristan makes good on his “no argument” statement the rest of the night until we pass out in each other’s arms. I haven’t been this happy since... before I became fae. I sleep soundly for the first time in weeks, lulled by the constant, steady sound of Tristan’s heart beating beneath my cheek.

I need to stop leaving Tristan naked in his bed after we’ve had sex. I should’ve learned from the last time that happened, but I can’t lie still any longer. It’s not quite morning yet—at least, not time to get out of bed, but I need to move.

I tiptoe out of the bedroom and into the kitchen. Pouring myself a glass of water, I gulp down half of it before I set it on the counter and walk down the hallway on the other side of the penthouse. I open the door to what I remember being his home office and gasp. The desk is gone, and in its place is the piano from the ballroom. The one Tristan caught me at in an unguarded moment when I just happened to be playing a song I’d written about him. About us.

I approach and run my finger along the smooth lid before lifting it off the keys. I sit on the bench and wiggle my fingers. I haven’t played in a long time. I’ve been so caught up with the fae and the war I haven’t had the chance to get back to my music. I miss it.

I press a few of the keys, sighing at the sound. Humming along to the tune of the song I wrote months ago, I play the opening chords a few times until I get the melody right. Once I’ve got it going, I clear my throat and start playing again, singing the lyrics in a quiet voice. It feels amazing to sing again, to close my eyes and feel the music flow through me.

I sing the entire song and then go through the chorus a couple more times, reveling in the light, airiness blossoming in my chest. After it’s over, I sit there with my eyes still closed and my fingers lying flat on top of the keys.

My eyes fly open at the sound of the door closing. I should’ve heard it open, but my heart is pounding so loud in my ears, it doesn’t surprise me that I didn’t. I blink a few times until the sight of Tristan leaning against the closed door with a faint smirk clears.

“Morning,” I say, my voice cracking.

He pushes away from the door and approaches. “Barely,” he sighs as if he’s about to scold me. “Are we ever going to have a night where I don’t wake up to an empty bed?” His brows inch closer. “When I looked over and didn’t see you there...” he trails off.

Panic rolls through me. “I’m sorry,” I say in an instant, my chest heavy with guilt. The last time he woke up alone was the morning I’d gone after Jules. “I didn’t mean to worry you.”

His expression smooths. “If I lost you again—” he shakes his head. “Thinking about it makes me crazy, Rory.”

I grab his face, holding it in my hands. “I’m right here, Tris, and I’m not going anywhere.”

“Promise me,” he says, his eyes searching mine.

My eyes widen a fraction. I’m not used to seeing Tristan like this. So... vulnerable. “Of course,” I say. “I promise I’m not going anywhere.” I laugh. “Well, except the shower.”

He chuckles. “I could use a shower.” He leans into me, pressing his lips just below my ear. “You know,” he whispers, “saving water is important for the environment. We should probably shower together.”

I close my eyes, smiling like an idiot. “Oh yeah?” I murmur.

His teeth scrape against my neck, making my skin tingle before his lips cover it. “Definitely.”

13

Ireach for Tristan’s hand, pulling him toward the bathroom, and squeal when he swats my behind before curling his arm around my waist and lifting me off my feet. He proceeds to carry me into the bathroom, where he sets me down on the plush bathmat and kisses my nose before stepping out of his boxers.

My fingers bunch in the fabric of his T-shirt before I pull it over his head. I run my hand through his well-fucked hair, pushing it away from his face as I lean in to press my lips against his cheek.

He turns his face at the last moment, grazing his lips over mine, and grips my hips, tugging me against him. “I’m not sure we’re going to make it into the shower,” he mumbles against my lips, nipping as he trails his hands up my sides, sliding his borrowed T-shirt up and off with them along the way.

“Says the one who can’t keep his hands to himself.”

He chuckles. “Sweetheart, those certainly aren’tmyhands on my ass.”

The tops of my ears burn. Yeah, those are definitely my hands.

I giggle, pulling away and reach over to turn on the shower, my heart pounding knowing Tristan is standing behind me with that dark, hungry look in his eyes as if he’s about to devour me. Heat pools low in my belly as I step out of my panties before turning to face him. My chest is flushed, and my eyes dart to his. There’s that look. Hooded lashes, lust-filled gaze, and soft, kissable lips.

He shakes his head, bowing it as he closes the distance between us in a couple steps. “I have to be the luckiest man on earth,” he says in a low voice, and by the time he finishes speaking, he’s so close I can feel his breath against my cheek.

My lips twist into a grin. “Yeah?” I slide my hand up the solid muscles in his chest and curl my arm so it drapes around his neck.

He nods, leaning in to kiss me again. “Mmm.” His lips brush mine, and he backs me up until I step into the shower, under the warm spray of water. He pulls open a drawer in the vanity and pulls out a condom, quickly tearing it open and sliding it on before joining me in the shower. He runs his fingers along my shoulders, dropping them to my waist as his lips possess mine.

This moment is certainly different from the last time I was in Tristan’s bathroom, the night I became fae, questioning everything and breaking my own heart by walking away from him. I push the memory away, wishing I could erase it altogether, and focus on this moment right now. I’m happy, in control of myself more than ever, and with Tristan. Everything is starting to right itself. I can breathe.

After several long, delicious moments, we break apart enough to wash ourselves. Tristan grabs my hand when I reach for the bottle of bodywash, taking it from me. My pulse gives a healthy kick as he pours some onto his hand and guides me back against him.

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