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When we finally needed air, Tristan pulled his lips back and dragged in fast shallow breaths. Leaning his forehead against mine, he said, “As soon as we find out Dad is going to be okay, I’m taking you out of here and making love to you as soon as possible.”
I felt such a release from my body. It was as if everything bad vanished from one single kiss. The phone in the elevator began to ring. Tristan turned and pushed the stop button back in and the elevator began moving again.
Glancing back to me, his beautiful green eyes held my blue eyes in such a gaze, I felt as if I would combust from his stare.
“I promise to never again in my life hurt you, Ryn. I swear.”
My hand ran along his chest and up behind his neck. Pulling him closer to me, I leaned up and pressed my lips to his. The elevator doors opened and I pulled back some. “I’m going to hold you to that, Williams.”
Pulling me out of the elevator, Tristan walked us to the cafeteria. I wasn’t sure how I should be feeling right now. I was elated. My stomach was doing all those crazy dips and spins as we walked together, Tristan holding my hand and gently brushing his thumb across my skin.
Then, I’d think of Peter and I wanted to cry. I wasn’t sure how much longer my body was going to be able to hold up to all of this stress and the emotions that went along with it. From yesterday’s episode to getting lost in the woods, Tristan yelling at me, Tristan asking me to stay, then Peter’s heart attack. Ugh.
“Stop thinking so much, Ryn. It’s all going to be okay, baby.”
Smiling, I nodded my head. I knew he was right. I felt it in my heart that his father was going to be okay. Tristan held onto my hand the entire time we ordered the five coffees. Pulling out his wallet, Tristan paid for all the coffees then handed me one of the carriers. I couldn’t help but smile like a silly schoolgirl. The fact that he wouldn’t let go of my hand had me all kinds of giddy.
Walking back into the waiting room, Lark and Azurdee looked up. Azurdee’s eyes went right to Tristan holding my hand. She smiled and looked into my eyes. Turning, she bumped Lark’s shoulder and tipped her head toward Tristan and me.
Lark smiled and nodded his head. Tristan let go of my hand to get his mother’s coffee and handed it to her. Her eyes were so red and swollen from crying. I sat next to her and took her hand. Smiling, she leaned over and kissed my cheek. Then she whispered, “I knew he would come around. He loves you very much.”
My face blushed and I stole a peek at Tristan. He was gazing at me with such a loving expression. My heart soared and I returned the look. I never dreamed I’d be standing here with Tristan gazing upon me like I was his everything. I silently prayed this feeling would never end. This feeling of love was like nothing I’d ever imagined.
The door opened and a doctor came walking out. Everyone jumped up. Azurdee and I stood back as Joyce, Lark, and Tristan made their way up to the doctor.
“He’s okay. He had a blockage in one of his main arteries that we were able to clear.” We stood and listened as the doctor explained how Peter was going to have to rest and most importantly slow down. When Lark mentioned his father ran a very successful hunting ranch, the doctor said Peter was going to have to bring someone in to help manage it, most likely fulltime.
Glancing over to Tristan, I saw the conflict on his face. I knew he wanted to run this ranch, I just wasn’t sure if he wanted to run it now.
Before the doctor left, he told us Peter could have one visitor at a time. Knowing his first question was going to be about the ranch, Lark brought it up. “What are we going to tell him about the ranch?”
Joyce held up her hands and said, “The ranch is the least of my worries.”
“But it will be one of Dad’s. You know he is going to worry about it, Mom,” Lark said.
Tristan was sitting in one of the chairs. I knew his heart was being torn in two right now, and I didn’t want to be one of the causes. Walking over to him, I sat down next to him.
“I don’t know what to do, Ryn. I felt like for once in my life everything was falling into place and now . . .”
Reaching for his hand, I knew that we still had a lot to talk about. A lot to work through, but I knew I wanted a future with Tristan and I believed in my heart he meant what he said when he said he would never hurt me again.
“You told me once your dream was to run the ranch. Has that changed?”
Lifting his head, he whispered, “No.”
My heart was breaking for Tristan. I knew he was conflicted and I needed to reassure him that he was making the right decision, not only for himself but for his family as well. I also needed to make it clear I would be there for him no matter where he was. “Tristan, I know you don’t have to work. I know that if you stopped working tomorrow, you would still be set financially because of your grandparents. Quitting your job and moving here to take over the ranch should be the easiest thing you’ve ever done.”
Taking my hand, Tristan stood and began walking down the hall. Opening a closet door, he pushed me inside and shut it. His face was filled with such angst. “Don’t you see, Ryn? If I follow that dream, I lose you. The one thing I’ve been so worried about, pushing you away, isn’t even the thing I had to worry about.” Pushing his hands through his hair he yelled out, “Fuck! I can’t believe this.”
Reaching for his arms, I pulled them down. “Tristan, I’m going to be wherever you are. I don’t care if it’s in Austin, here in South Texas or in some god forsaken desert.” Placing my hands on his face, I whispered, “Tristan, I promise you, I’m not going anywhere.” Closing my eyes briefly before opening them again, I continued talking. “We still have a lot of talking to do and things to work out, but I just got you back, Tristan Williams. I’m not letting you go ever again.”
Tristan leaned his head against mine. “Do you have any idea how much I want to fuck you right now, Ryn?”
“Hmm . . . I forgot how romantic you were.”
Tristan laughed and pushed my skirt up and slipped his fingers under the sides of my panties. The moment I lifted my leg and his fingers slipped in, I let out a moan. I missed his touch so much.
Dropping my head to his chest, I began grinding against his hand. Gripping his shirt, I felt my body building up my orgasm. Oh God, this was going to be big. Tristan’s expert fingers worked me up to the max. “Tristan!”
His lips pressed against mine as I came on his fingers. I could feel my insides pulsing as he slowly moved his fingers in and out of me.
“Fucking hell, Ryn. Your pussy was clamping down on my fingers like you really needed to come, baby.”
Breathing into Tristan’s massive chest, I nodded my head. “I needed you, Tristan. You’re all I’ll ever need.”
Brushing his lips against mine, Tristan spoke. “I’m going to make you mine tonight, Ryn.”
“I’ve always been yours, Tristan. Always.”
PULLING UP TO THE HOUSE, Lark jumped out of the backseat of my truck and opened the passenger side door. My father pushed Lark’s hand away. “Damn it. I’m perfectly fine. I don’t need to be babied.”
Looking over Dad’s shoulder, Lark winked at me and smiled. Shaking my head, I got out of the truck and got Dad’s stuff from the back seat.
“I can’t believe those assholes let me out on Christmas Eve. Have the two hunters checked in, Tristan?”
Laughing, I walked up to my father. “Dad, just relax, what did the doctor say?”
Giving me a dirty look, my father replied, “He said I needed to step down and give you the ranch. I’ll have you know, I’m not too happy about that. Matter of fact . . .”
Mom opened the door and came out smiling. “Peter Williams. Stop complaining right now. You know you are over the moon to know that Tristan will be moving down here fulltime.”
Walking up the stairs, Dad started talking. “Tristan, you know we could hire someone and you wouldn’t have to give your life in Austin up. I know how much you love it there.”
“I love it here more, Dad
. Stop worrying. Please just try and relax. You, Lark and I will talk shop later tomorrow. For now, you don’t worry about anything.”
After getting my father into the house and settled, I walked into the kitchen. My mother and Azurdee were cutting up fruit and smiled as I made my way over to them.
“Where is Ryn?” I asked. Looking over her shoulder, my mother motioned outside. Heading to the door, she cleared her throat.
“Tristan?”
Glancing back, I asked, “Yeah?”
“Thank you, for everything you are doing for your father and the ranch.”
Giving my mother a smile, I winked at her and headed outside. Ryn was sitting down in a swing that had been up for years. Debating if I should tell her how old that swing was, I walked over and bent down in front of her. “Hey.”
Smiling, she looked into my eyes. “Why did you tell me that your mother wanted me to stay for Christmas?”
Smiling, I gave her wink. “I wanted you to stay. Besides, Mom really did want you to stay.”
“Is your dad settled?”
Letting out a chuckle, I said, “As best as he can be.”
“It’s been a long day.”
Taking her hand in mine, I nodded my head. “Are you tired, Ryn?”
“I am but . . .”
Lifting my eyebrow, I asked, “But?”
“I want . . .”
The back door opened and mother called out. “Dinner is ready, Tristan and Ryn. Come and get it.”
Ryn and I stood. Reaching for her hands, I pulled her to me as I cupped the sides of her face. Bringing my lips up against her lips I asked, “What do you want, Ryn?”
Closing her eyes, she barely spoke. “You.”
