Page 64 of Made for You
“And I’ve got other plans, sorry. Thanks for the invite.” Nikki gave him a small smile that made a little flash of a dragon-like urge to hoard every smile of hers for myself arc through me, but thankfully I kept that under wraps.
Kenny shot us a cheesy finger gun and spun out of the room, miraculously avoiding dumping his coffee all over himself or the wall or floor. He had a tornado-like energy and most of what he did, even after his injury, felt like he was justaboutto get himself killed at any moment because of the risks he took.
Fortunately, he never took them with clients, so the rest was up to him.
We both watched the space where he’d left for a beat before I turned back to her. “Yes, tonight.”
Her smile hit me then, and maybe it was the disappointment at how we’d both jumped apart like anything about this was wrong instead of being completely right, or maybe it was that I hadn’t gotten to spend time with her, or maybe it was the way she’d been biting on her lip, but I did it. I slipped a hand to her waist and stepped close so our bodies were deliciously flush after being so close and so far at once. My free hand slid up her spine and into her hair, and I kissed her, mouths fused for a heartbeat, two, and then I stepped back, raising my hands like I was being held at gunpoint.
“Okay, sorry. That crossed a line. I’m sorry. I won’t do that a—”
Suddenly, she was pulling me by the placket of my shirt, urging me back to her. She stole a kiss for herself, then shoved me away lightly with a low, disbelieving chuckle.
“I knew you were dangerous,” she said, shaking her head.
“Me? Dangerous?” The smile on my face was practically vulpine, I couldfeelit. And it matched the feeling, the need to absolutely devour her. But again, not here.
She huffed out a breath and stifled another smile. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“Seven. My house.”
She nodded and left me to lean against the counter and just breathe for a second before I padded out of the break room and down the hall to my office. Tristan was waiting for me outside it, propped against the wall.
“Been waiting long?” I asked as I entered the office and he followed.
“Just a few. Didn’t want to interrupt.”
I eyed him, catching the flicker of amusement that told me he’d probably heard every word of my and Nikki’s interaction. I refused to blush, especially since Tristan already knew how much I liked her.
“What’s up?”
Something about the set of his shoulders or the wrinkle of his brow hit me as off. I couldn’t pin it down, because Tristan knew how well we all read body language and other cues, and so he was likely doing his best to act like everything was fine. His response to the question would be very telling.
“Remember Winnie?”
“The woman who’s been writing you letters for like a decade? Yes. I definitely remember her.” They’d never met in person but were close—maybe closer to each other than anyone else in the world, at least on Tristan’s end. I wouldn’t swear to that, but it’d be my best guess.
He nodded, like he was glad for my confirmation.Odd.
“She’s coming here. Next month.”
My brows rose high on my head. “Wow. Finally meeting in person? This is huge.”
This could be really good for him. Already, my mind spun out into different threads of possibilities, different ways I could help make sure he didn’t screw this up by being too shy or closed off. He had to do the work, be open with her, but I had to believe this was fate at work.
Maybe she’s the one for him like Nikki is for me.I almost smiled at the thought but refrained for his sake since he seemed so serious and not all that happy about this.
In fact, his face had darkened considerably, and when he spoke, I had no more doubts.
“It is huge. It’s also not good… at least, not under good circumstances. I’m going to need your help on a few things, and I want it compartmentalized if we can.” He paused, exhaling enough that his shoulders moved. “She’s in trouble.”
All instincts in me went on alert. I’d never met this girl, but I didn’t have to. She mattered to Tristan and Tristan mattered to me, therefore, she had my protection, my resources, and anything else I could offer. “Say the word and it’s yours.”
He nodded in thanks and ran through the first things he’d need. After hearing the whole story, I felt no better about the situation. All that initial glee over him finally meeting this woman who seemed like such a fit for him had drained away and left one thing remaining: Tristan was an even better man than I’d already known.
Ten minutes later, we’d gone through everything he needed, and I’d done my best to shoot holes in his plan. He’d shored up every edge, every possible issue, and when he left, all I could do was hope I’d done the right thing.
He’d specifically given me permission to tell Wilder and Sarah if I felt I needed to, but for now, I’d keep it close. And for whatever reason, this conversation had me aching to be near Nikki. I just wanted to touch her—just hold her hand and feel her palm warm against mine.
