Page 54 of Lust
However, when he slanted his face for a kiss, I exclaimed. “Stop!”
An ensuing panic was rising. It subsided when Tris dropped his hand and took a step back, a flash of hurt in his eyes.
I blew out a breath. “I-I can’t… I don’t know if I can do this… I’m not ready for what you want.” I twisted my hands together, hoping he’d accept my answer. Images of pain from that horrible day flashed through my mind. I couldn’t imagine his body on top of mine. It made me shrivel up from the inside.
As if he knew what I was thinking, he soothed, “That’s understandable, Angel. What if we start with something else instead? Something easy.”
“Something easy?”
He nodded. “What if all we do is touch? Until you get used to me, we can just… play around. I won’t go inside you, but I want to be able to at least touch you. Can you manage if I limit myself to only that?”
My eyes rounded. Here?
He caught my drift and shook his head. “I didn’t mean here or right now. I meant when you get home.”
I frowned. “But our parents are there—”
“They are gone,” he informed. “Steve mapped out a campaign trail for them. They’ll be gone for a couple of weeks. Maybe we can spend that time getting used to each other?” he asked with hope in his voice.
“I-I don’t know if it’s a good idea for you to stay over while they are gone.”
“Then I won’t. I’ll only stay on the nights you want me there.” He stepped forward. “I’ll keep my promise, and I won’t go inside you… not until you want me. But I want to try other things… things that might not scare you.”
Tristan patiently waited for my response until I finally gave him a curt nod. I promised to meet him at home, swallowing the dread.
Remember, Sara. It’s the only way for payback.
Vengeance consumed my mind as I dismissed the painting class, collected my things, and drove home to give my soul to the devil.
Ihad never been so damn nervous. Not while waiting for the results of the last election or even announcing my intent to run for Senate as one of the youngest in history.
Our parents were traveling to campaign on my behalf, leaving the house deserted for our use. And though Sara had agreed to oblige (much to my shock), her nerves were shot at the idea I might use this window to my advantage instead of keeping to my word.
In short, tonight was pivotal.
I asked her to meet me in one of the guest rooms, after she showered, in the hopes that a neutral territory might alleviate her reservations. Despite Sara’s lackluster introduction to it, sex was one department where I excelled.
Sara might not be impressed by the things other women were in my past, but my abilities in the bedroom were something even she couldn’t deny. Perhaps those capabilities were a gift like my physical appearance or merely owed to my experience. Either way, Sara came amidst my largest act of cruelty against her and even in her sleep.
If Sara agreed to our deal, I could teleport her body to an entirely different dimension while her mind remained for me to bend.
My muscles locked when I heard her soft steps gracing the room.
She came.
The moonlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling glass panel doors of the veranda was the only source of illumination. I was on high alert when the fragrant smell of jasmine moved closer, my back stiffening from anticipation. I stood by the two-tier bar trolley of the room, home to an overabundance of expensive liquor. I pretended to do something to the extent of making a selection. In reality, my hooded eyes were fixated on her like a predator in shallow water. There wasn’t a single sarcastic bone in my body, a hint of a prank, nor a sneer at the tip of my tongue. I was too stunned by this sight—a willing and vulnerable Sara.
I was being handed a gift, one I didn’t deserve. And God, did I want to unwrap this gift because Christmas had come early, and thank you, thank you, thank you to the Heavens for it.
Sara’s unruly curls cascaded down her shoulders, framing her face softly. She was wearing nothing but a silky blush-colored bathrobe that reached her knees. An ankle bracelet that had tortured me for years framed her delicate feet, and the exposed skin glowed like shimmery gold. All I could think of was how it’d look when she bared it all for me.
While I had seen women in expensive lingerie and all kinds of sexy costumes, Sara in a bathrobe was somehow more provocative. She tiptoed wordlessly. Her eyes wandered around the room on everything except for me. Wrapping her arms tightly around her middle, Sara appeared defensive. If only she’d allow herself, if only she’d open her heart, she’d know things could be different between us.
With a deep breath, I took a swig of the drink I had poured into my glass. To my surprise, she moved closer to the trolly. I had planned on starting with a reassurance or pep talk to put her at ease, but Sara beat me to it.
“Before we…” she didn’t know how to end the sentence and rephrased it. “I want to discuss a few things with you before we go any further.”
My back tightened. Fuck. Was she going to change her mind? Come on, Angel. You have come so far, don’t turn your back on us now.
