Page 92 of Taken By the Fae

Part of me knew… you would be important to me. I needed to know you. I wantedyouto knowme.

I press my lips together, closing my eyes at the sudden sting of tears as realization settles over me. No matter what happens, I can’t go back to my old life. I can’t give Tristan up. I won’t.

ChapterTwenty-Five

It’s been two days since Evan brought me back from Jules’s. No epic battle has broken out; no more seelie fae have been killed; Elijah is the same. Nothing has happened. I think we’re all going crazy waiting forsomething. My thoughts are toppling over each other and the weight on my shoulders about what Jules wanted me to help him do… As badly as I want my brother back, I won’t sacrifice someone else I care about. I’ll find another way—I have to.

In the office boardroom, I glance up from the stack of papers on the table in front of me when the door flies open, and Allison charges in with determination in her eyes.

“We have a problem,” she says, setting her hands on her hips. Allison has been spending time at the hotel since yesterday when she ended things with Evan over his involvement with Jules. It was a brief phone call she made with me in the room, holding my hand with tears in her eyes while she broke it off. I think him helping me escape was his way of trying to make things right, but Allison didn’t care. I don’t blame her, but I’m also sorry she got hurt.

“Is it an emergency?” I ask. “Skylar needs this done ASAP, but we can get drinks when I’m finished here.” I want to tell her what Jules wants from me and get her thoughts on what I should do.

“I, uh, don’t really know.”

I frown, flipping through some papers, and pull out the one I’m looking for. “This problem—is it human or fae?”

She curls her fingers around the belt loops on her washed-out jeans. “Fae.”

Before Allison can answer, Tristan walks through the other door from his office and flicks a glance at us. “Ladies.”

“Perfect,” I say, jerking my thumb toward where he stands. “Allison, I’m sure Tristan would be happy to help with this problem, as he is a beloved knight of your court.” I drop my eyes back to the marketing report I was reading and uncap my pen. “We can talk about this later, I promise, but until then”—I point at Tristan again without looking up—“fae knight,” I say, then point back at Allison, “fae problem.”

“Okay, but I’m holding you to that drink. I think we could both use it.” She’s expressed several times how guilty she feels over Evan being there when Jules kept me captive, regardless of my assurance that I don’t blame her. There’s nothing else I can do—we just need to move past it together.

The two of them walk through the door into Tristan’s office, closing it behind them.

I’m still buried in paperwork when they come out almost an hour later. Allison says a quick goodbye before she leaves, and I offer her a wave.

Tristan approaches and perches on the table next to me. He watches while I work, and I can only ignore his presence for so long.

“What’s with the lurking?”

“Am I distracting?” he inquires in an amused tone.

The crispness of his cologne tickles my nose. I want to wrap myself in that fresh scent like a soft, comforting blanket of Tristan. I knock the thought out of my head and say, “You’re blocking my light.”

“My apologies,” he purrs, leaning down so his lips are at my ear. “You’ve been sitting here for hours.” He shifts so he can place his hands on my shoulders and massages them slowly. “How about a break?” His breath is warm against my lips as his eyes search mine.

I swallow, my chest rising and falling fast. “Tris…”

His mouth curls into a wicked smirk, my only warning before he drops his hands, gripping my hips and lifting me onto the table. I suck in a sharp breath, and my eyes land on his. He dips his face close to mine and presses his lips against my jaw, trailing his mouth toward my ear. He sucks the lobe into his mouth, and I gasp, pressing my lips together to muffle a moan as my eyes drift shut.

I grab his waist to steady myself and lean into him as he ravishes me with his mouth against my skin. Goosebumps rise on my arms as he takes his time exploring each inch of bare skin, bringing heat to my cheeks.

Someone could walk in at any moment.

We should stop.

I don’t want to stop.

He pauses briefly before his lips collide with mine, and my belly gives a happy flip as I move with him. He groans, and we fight for control, pressing closer to each other.

I wrap my legs around him, and he responds with a growl and teases my lips with his tongue. They part, and his tongue grazes against mine, sending a pleasant warmth deep into my belly. I grip his suit jacket as our tongues dance, and he gives my hips a gentle squeeze before dragging his hands up my sides. One hand dives into my hair, holding the back of my neck while he kisses me slow and soft, and my body jerks forward when his other hand skims my breast over my shirt. His lips curl against mine as his thumb deliberately brushes over it again. I gasp, but the sound is muffled by his insistent mouth.

Breaking away before I’m even close to wanting it to end, I succumb to the need for air. I rest my forehead against his chest, and he slides his hand out of my hair to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing across my skin. I lean back and meet his deep blue gaze, unable to help the grin that touches my slightly swollen lips as I push my fingers through the mess of soft blond hair hanging across his forehead.

“I’m never going to get this paperwork done,” I mutter as I catch my breath.

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