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He immediately stepped away, and there was a sudden chill in the air. I shivered, wanting the warmth of his body back around me.
“No biggie,” I said. “Let me just get something done real quick and I’ll be ready to go.”
I turned and rushed to the laundry room to try and gather myself.
Why did I always have to complicate things?
Tristan
I couldn’t believe how I’d behaved with Arya earlier. But I was also frustrated. We clearly wanted each other, so why were we letting doubts and other people’s opinions stand in our way?
Knowing I couldn't really have her made my primal impulse want her even more, and it was slowly driving me crazy.
I heard Arya call me from downstairs. She was clearly hesitant to come find me in my room, and I didn't blame her. It was hard for us to resist each other.
“I’m ready to go whenever you are,” she said as I walked downstairs and into the kitchen. She smiled, and I knew she was just trying to be friendly, but damn if her lips didn’t look inviting. Did she have any idea how gorgeous she was just moving through life?
“Great, we can head out now then,” I said, grabbing my keys and sunglasses from the counter. I took my time getting my things, as I dreaded what would inevitably be an awkward car ride. I checked my pocket for my wallet, and realizing I was out of things to use to stall, we headed toward the front door.
It was going to be fine. We were two adults. We were friends.
I wasn’t even sure why I was so bothered. I typically had no problem moving on. Even after Regina and I had officially separated, I’d started dating barely a week later. I loved spending time with women, both in and out of bed, and I had no trouble finding them. And I had no trouble going my separate way when the time together had run its course.
We reached my SUV and both slightly hesitated before climbing inside. But once we were driving down the street, I felt myself relax slightly. I could do this.
“So, where are we going first?” Arya asked next to me, breaking the ice.
“Do you remember Mr. McGregor’s warehouse?” she nodded, so I continued. “The real estate agent I’ve been talking to said it’s been vacant for years. It sounds like a sad story actually. He made a couple of bad deals and lost everything. His wife left him and he became estranged from his kids. Not long after everything happened, he died. The place has been for sale for years, but no takers. It sounds like it would be a big project, but the space is massive.”
We drove in silence for a few minutes, and I thought about Mr. McGregor. I couldn’t imagine the pain he’d felt at the end of his life. It was one thing for your wife to leave, but your kids? I had no shortage of differences with my parents, but I’d never completely cut them out of my life. We always seemed to find a way to at least keep some semblance of a relationship. I had learned in life that you don’t always have to like your parents, but loving them, despite their many, many flaws, could sometimes be enough.
In just a few minutes, we were pulling up outside the old warehouse. The place was locked and fenced, so we’d have to wait for Zara, the real estate agent. I looked at the time on my phone and realized we were ten minutes early for the appointment.
We stood in the dirt lot in front of the building and I walked around to take in the surroundings. There wasn’t really anything around, mostly trees and bushes. It felt secluded, even though we were just a few minutes from town. I imagined all the landscaping I could do to make it a cool, calm, serene location–perfect for getting back to good health.
“We have a few minutes before Zara arrives. Want to take a walk?” I asked Arya.
“Sure, that would be good.”
She walked ahead of me, and I watched as the muscles in her calves moved with each step. My eyes followed upward to her truly perfect ass. She wore short, gauzy black shorts. Her cropped yellow t-shirt showed off the smallest streak of smooth skin. The way her hips swayed as she walked made my mouth water.
“I’ve meant to ask,” I started to say, clearing my throat to gather courage. “Are you seeing anyone?”
Maybe that was why she was keeping me at arm’s length. I hadn’t asked. I’d just assumed she was single. I was desperate to find a reason why she wasn’t in my bed every night.
“Nope,” she said simply. “I’m not in the right frame of mind to be dating again.”
“Mason mentioned an ex of yours that he clearly didn't like,” I said, cautiously. Immediately, I realized I was on dangerous ground. She whipped around, and her eyes simmered with rage.
“What did he say about him?” she said, anger dripping from every word.
I suddenly wished I could take the question back. I had just been trying to get to know more about her. But stepping into this topic had clearly been a very, very bad idea.
Chapter 12
Arya
Icouldn’tbelievewewere having this conversation. Here. In front of what was, essentially, an abandoned building.
