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For the last fifteen years, I’d bent over backward for my family’s business that I’d expanded into multiple successful businesses. My grandfather wanted an heir, and I jumped at the chance of inheriting his legacy. To see Tristian in my office, a place I called my second home, was a situation I never thought I’d find myself in.
What’s going on?
As I took him in, my mind raced with questions I had no answers for. I hadn’t seen Tristian in twenty years, and there he was…
Sitting right in front of me with an expression I couldn’t quite place. Although with Tristian, it wasn’t unusual to feel like I couldn’t read him. If he didn’t want me to know what he was thinking, what he was feeling, what he wanted or needed, then that was the end of it.
He was always in control of his emotions, even back then.
After what felt like forever, I finally broke the deafening silence between us.
“Well look what the cat dragged in.”
He grinned, in that shit-eating way I always hated.
“And the pussy has claws,” he drawled.
Those five words had the effect he wanted, making me remember our first encounter when I was sixteen-years-old.
“I see the boy grew up.”
He smiled. “I could say the same about the girl. She looks nothing like the Southern belle I left behind.”
I narrowed my eyes at him, once again taking in his words. “Are you here for a walk down memory lane? Because I’ll save you the trouble—I have no interest in reminiscing with you. Better yet, I have no interest in speaking to you.”
“You’re definitely going to want to hear what I have to say.”
“Then why are you wasting my time with preludes of a past that needs to stay there?”
He cocked his head to the side. “Does it, though?”
I ignored his query. “What do you want, Tristian?”
“Now that’s a loaded question if I’ve ever heard one, kitten.”
“My name is Belle, or you could just address me as Miss Montgomery. Considering you have the nerve to show up here. If my grandfather knew a Hawkins was in his building, he’d personally throw you out.”
“And if he knew a Hawkins had been in your bed? What would he do then?”
“That’s enough.”
“Kitten.” He leaned over, setting his elbows on his knees. “I’m only getting started.”
“I don’t have time to play your games.”
“I’m not the one with the games this time.”
I flinched. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“So now you want to know?” he mocked in a condescending tone I didn’t appreciate.
“You’ve already ruined my day, so you might as well tell me what you want.”
With a predatory regard I was used to from him, he smirked. “Ruined your day, huh?”
“Tristian, you’re lucky I haven’t kicked you out of my office yet.”
“I’ll test my luck then.”
