“What you’ve both lost,” I reminded him. “And what you cost me.”
He flinched then pressed his lips together before nodding. “Yeah, all that too.”
This was so fucked up.
And I wanted it so fucking bad.
Finally, I nodded.
Tristan’s shoulders sagged with relief. “That’s my good girl.”
I snorted. “No. I’m not your good girl, not today.”
Tristan’s answering smile was sweet and soft. “Yeah, you are. Nothing’s gonna change that.”
He cupped my cheeks in his hands and kissed me, his lips moving over mine in a gentle dance that was more seduction than hunger.
Tristan swiped at the tear sliding down my cheek then licked it off his thumb before crushing me against him in a fierce hug. “It’s gonna be okay,” he whispered. “I promise.”
He couldn’t promise that. He couldn’t do anything about Jed Carter’s insatiable need to destroy the team—to destroy Alek and his son. He couldn’t do anything to save my father or myself. But he could make me feel better now. He could help me forget.
I reached for the waistband of my sweats, but Tristan stepped closer, his voice dropping to a low rumble that made my knees weak.
“Let me, kitten.”
My hands fell to my sides without conscious thought.
“See? That’s my good girl,” he murmured. “So perfect, letting me take care of you.”
He knelt as he pulled my pants down my legs, his lips brushing my hip bone as he helped me step out of them. My chest tightened at his reverent touches.
“Tristan—”
“Shh.” He rose slowly, trailing kisses up my body as he went. His mouth found the sensitive spot behind my ear. “Let me.”
Before I could ask what he meant, his hands were at my panties, sliding them down over my hips and my calves with the same worshipful care. When I stood naked before them both, Tristan’s sharp intake of breath eased the pressure in my chest.
“Fuck, look at you.” His voice was rough. “Every inch of you is so goddamned gorgeous.”
“Pretty words won’t fix this,” I managed, but my voice was breathless.
“They won’t,” he agreed as he guided me backward until my legs hit the bed. “But you deserve them anyway.”
I sat, and for a moment, I hated the way my body looked, the way my fat rolled at my stomach in this position, untilhe dropped to his knees and stared at me with reverence in his eyes.
“Let me worship this perfect body. Let me make you feel so good, you forget your own name.” Tristan’s hands settled on my knees, his thumbs gently stroking over my skin, leaving fire in their wake.
A whimper escaped my throat before I could stop it.
“That’s it, kitten.” His hands pushed my knees apart, and I let him, helpless against the command in his voice. “Wider. Let me see this pretty pussy I’ve missed so much.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw Cole shift in his chair, palming his cock through his sweatpants, a bead of sweat rolling down his temple. The knowledge that he watched, that he could see how easily Tristan unraveled me, should have made me feel powerful.
Instead, it made me ache for everything I’d lost.
“Look at me, Eva.” Tristan’s thumb traced along my inner thigh, making me shiver. “Not him. Me.”
When my eyes met his, the intensity there stole my breath.