AllFreeNovel
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He unties his tie and pulls it off as I stand and stare at his home. An elegant chandelier bathes the room in warm ambient lighting. Rich wooden furnishings contrast with contemporary art pieces, blending classic and avant-garde.
Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the city's sprawling skyline as raindrops race down the glass like tears in a storm. The sleekly designed kitchen, which looks rarely used, blends seamlessly with the rest of the space. There was a pool on the balcony, with clear, blue water being battered by the rain.
“Are you okay?” Tristan suddenly asks me as he removes his jacket and throws it onto the couch.
I shake off my awe, wobbling as I click my heels off. The marble floor’s cold against my feet, and the storm isn’t helping matters. “I’m starving.”
“You did well tonight.” Tristan sticks his hands in his pockets. “I wasn’t sure how you’d handle it, but you did fine.”
Some of his shirt’s buttons are undone so that I can see his broad chest behind the fabric. I try and fail not to stare. It must be the wine because suddenly I recall licking his chest the other night during the one-night stand, lightly sucking on his skin as he pulled my hair and grabbed my—
“The mighty Tristan Jackson praises me,” I mask my attraction to him with sarcasm as my nipples tighten beneath my gown. “My life is complete.”
Tristan laughs—a sound that shocks me. “Joke all you want, but I’m serious. You handled the situation like a pro. It’s a compliment, take it.”
I’m still reeling from the fact that he just laughed while speaking to me. There’s no one around to put up an act for, so his laughter was genuine. Is he starting to let his guard down around me? This is great for my plan. My shoulders tense, and I push back against the giddy part of me about him getting closer to me.
“You threw a curveball at me. You didn’t tell me about the proposal.”
“I wanted your reaction to be genuine. I’d say it worked perfectly.”
We stare at each other from across the room. Tristan’s dark hair falls across his face in an attractive mess, his long, dark lashes batting with every slow blink. His shadowed jaw is set as he holds my eyes.
How the hell is he so attractive?
“Do you want to go change in the bedroom?” Tristan points to a large door in the corner. “I’m sure there are some clothes that used to belong to my—”
His face darkens, and every hint of laughter disappears as his words fade. I know he was thinking of Deanna. I can see the tension in his posture as he sticks his hand back in his pocket.
“I’ll check. This gown is squeezing the life out of me.” I tug at the sides of the gown. “What about dinner?”
“The cook is out since I didn’t know we’d stay here tonight, and we can’t order in the storm, but—” he cocks his head, “—I could cook you something? You like pasta?”
“You?” I chuckle. “Cook?”
“Go shower.” Tristan rolls his sleeves, his hair flopping as his head drops. “Caymus ’92 or ’93?” He looks down at me.
“What?” My forehead wrinkles.
“Which do you prefer with your pasta?” He opens his hands.
“What’s Caymus?” I mirror his gesture.
He makes that face that looks like a smile and a frown. “Wine.”
Should I have more wine after what I took at the party? This isn’t a good idea.
“Uh,” I pout, thinking. “Whichever you think pairs better.”
“I thought you didn’t like it when I choose for you.” The smirk is back on his lips as he runs a hand through his hair, flipping it around.
“You asked permission this time.” I shrug as I head to the room, my heels in hand. I don’t have to turn around to feel his eyes on my ass. I hate how much I enjoy knowing he is checking me out.
***
The sound of sizzling pans and the aroma of pasta hits my nose when I step back into the living room. The fabric of the oversized, white t-shirt I’m wearing rubs against my skin, and the shorts feel like it’s riding up my butt. I pull it out. I look down and can see my nipples poking against the shirt.
They’re Deanna’s clothes, and I feel even more like an imposter wearing them.
