Page 33 of Tristan’s Temptation

“You want her. She wants you. Just fuck each other and enjoy the hell out of it. Quit worrying about who knows what. Or who’s going to approve or not approve. God. If I worried about that I’d never get laid.”

Tristan glanced at Shannon. It was good advice. There was nothing he wanted to do more right now than to flip her over the sofa and sink into her sweet pussy. Going without her for three whole days had tested his restraint and seeing her with another man had pushed him close to the edge. He didn’t want her to want any other man. Only himself.

His feelings for her definitely went way beyond mere lust. They were ravenous and feral and harsh. And he wanted her bad. He didn’t particularly care who knew about it. All he cared about was feeling her desperate, panting breaths in his ear as she came.

“Now,” Steve said primly. “My work here is done. I’ve got to go.” He drained his wineglass and picked up his jacket. He paused at the door to add, “Just remember this. None of the people you’re trying so hard to please are worried about pleasing you. Your life is your responsibility. You have to make yourself happy, and damn the consequences.” And then, with a sketched wave and a cursory pat for Bosco, he let himself out

Finally. Alone at last.

Tristan fixed Shannon with a hungry look.

She avoided his gaze. Instead she busied herself collecting the plates and glasses on the coffee table and meticulously arranging them on the kitchen bar. “Would you care for something to drink?” This, she asked in her most hostess-y voice. “Some cake, perhaps?”

“No.” Tristan’s voice was rough, laced with tightly reined passion. “I want you.”

She stopped in her tracks.

“I’ve wanted you every minute since I was inside you last.”

“But we—”

“I know what we agreed. I know what I said. But you heard Steve. Damn the consequences.” Steve’s little speech had really resonated in his soul. What was keeping them apart, after all?

It was his stupid rule and his stubborn streak. Adam wouldn’t really care if Tristan broke the rule. Hell, Adam had already shattered it.

“Why shouldn’t we enjoy each other?”

“Because.”

“Because why?”

She dipped her head. He thought, perhaps, he saw the glitter of tears on her lashes.

“Why?” He took the Scrabble board from her and set it back on the coffee table. When she wouldn’t look at him, he gently nudged her chin up with two fingers.

Hell. They were tears.

“Why, Shannon?”

“Because you are also enjoying Tandy Larsen.”

His mouth fell open. “What?”

“I know you went on a date with her.”

“Now wait just a minute. I did not go on a date with her.” His belly lurched at her expression. Panic flared. “It wasn’t a date. Honestly. Kat and Adam set it up. They thought they were doing me a favor. You know I can’t stand her. She drives me crazy.”

“But you went out with her.”

“No. I went to Levin’s party and she was there. I didn’t ask her out. I didn’t want to be with her. I only want…”

“What?”

“You. I only want to be with you. And damn the consequences.”

Shannon cleared her throat and stared at the floor. “Sometimes consequences have a way of catching us unawares.”

He moved closer and pulled her soft body against his. She was warm and she smelled sweet. He buried his nose in the crook of her neck and tasted her. “Shannon,” he rasped. “I need you.”