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“I’ll bring you a stun gun,” Ray told her.
“Ray,” Tristan shot at his brother.
Ray shrugged. “We’ve seen what this snake is capable of. I don’t think we can have too many layers of protection.”
“Thank you.” Jennifer arched an eyebrow at Tristan.
He shrugged, conceding. Ray was right, and he wanted Jennifer safe more than he wanted to assuage his ego of being able to protect her.
Thanking them both, Tristan promised to call at even the hint of trouble. He escorted Jennifer out of the car. They strolled up to the cottage, flirting with each other as if she’d done as William instructed and gained his trust, but it felt fake. He and Jennifer were never fake. Would she let him talk to her and kiss her and work everything out between them?
They entered the cottage, and Tristan wondered if it was odd or unnerving for her to guard what she was saying. He was so used to it from the political spheres of his life that he could flip the switch easily.
But Jenn ... He certainly noticed her. The swish of her bronzed curls over her smooth shoulder. The alluring but unfortunately cautious smile she granted him with. The brush of her soft fingers against his arm.
They went into the kitchen, each grabbed a bottle of water, her with gas, him without, and talked about some old friends as they sipped. When Tristan thought it had been long enough, he said, “I’m exhausted from the long day with the wedding. Would you mind showing me where I’m to sleep?”
They knew William wouldn’t believe they were sleeping together. Thankfully he didn’t have cameras, just the recording devices.
“Of course. Thank you for staying with me tonight,” she said.
His heart raced at the thought of staying with her. Would she go with him into the bedroom without the recording device and finally be able to talk through so many things? Would they have time to kiss? Without interruptions?
They walked up the stairs and into the bedroom. Nerves assaulted him. They hadn’t discussed it, but he wanted her to come into his room, talk without William monitoring what they were saying, and never leave him.
“Goodnight,” Jennifer said brightly. She darted at him, planted a loud kiss on his cheek, and then pulled away.
“Jenn,” he moaned, reaching for her.
She scurried back and hit the opposite wall of the hallway.
“Come stay with me,” he murmured, following her, easing close, and brushing his fingers gently down her cheek. He meant the line innocently. He wanted her to come talk with him and work everything out, hopefully snuggle and kiss, but nothing inappropriate.
Jennifer leaned into his touch, her dark eyes intense and full of him.
Suddenly she straightened and ducked away from him. “I’d better rest in my own room. If my dad caught us together…” She made a cutting noise and pretended to cut her own throat.
He nodded, though he wanted to protest. She was overwrought, tired, and stressed. Her parents in that maniac’s power was taxing and terrifying. Hopefully she wasn’t also thinking Tristan had willingly danced with some blonde while she sat waiting for him in his suite at the castle.
“Goodnight.” She walked across the hall and shut the door.
Tristan had no other option but to go to bed. He slept fitfully, wanting to sneak into her room and carry her into his so they could finally talk. There were so many missed days and misunderstandings they needed to work through.
He felt off the next morning as he showered and got dressed in casual clothes. No morning weight training or trail run, no suit to wear or meetings to deal with. Without Henry, the focus had to be on getting him and Leslie back.
Today he wanted to drag Jennifer into the bedroom free of recording devices and into his arms. They needed to talk freely and kiss even more freely.
Unfortunately, neither talking nor kissing would happen any time soon. Her door was ajar, so he went down to the main level. She was in the kitchen chopping vegetables. “Omelets?” she asked brightly, but her dark eyes were red-rimmed.
“Yes, please.” Tristan was once again reminded of the recording devices. Suddenly, being trapped in a villa with the love of his life wasn’t so appealing. He didn’t know what to say that would keep William from hurting Henry and Leslie. The guy was so unstable it was hard to know what to do.
“Did you sleep well?” he asked, striding around the kitchen bar to help. His arm brushed hers and made him warm all over. She startled and glanced at him, but stepped away.
“Yes. You?”
It was such a lie. Her face and entire being looked worn out.
“Great. Thanks,” he lied back. All he’d wanted was to be with her. Sleep could wait.
