Ugly Dark Truth

by Sapphire Knight

  “You’ll tell them?” I ask, stunned at the prospect.

  “Of course; we tell each other everything.”

  “Oh, my God!” I hiss, and he laughs.

  Cracking the door, he peeks out and grabs my hand. “Come on, you delinquent.”

  Hastily, I try to fix my skirt before I’m yanked out into the hallway. My cheeks feel hot, and I’m sure I’m beet red after what just went down. I’m not sorry it happened, just that we had to stop. I’d have loved to keep going and even return the favor for him. I want to make him let go and feel good as well. I already think he’s insanely sexy. I can only imagine how good he looks when he’s coming.

  “Kresley?” A deep voice says from behind me, and I freeze. Turning toward the voice, I come face-to-face with Axel. His brow shoots up as he looks between me, his brother, and the closet door.

  “Hey, Axel.” I flash a guilty smile, and he grins.

  “Having fun?” he asks, and I swallow, at a loss for words.

  Brent rasps from behind. “She was. I made sure of it.”

  If the ground would just open up and swallow me, that’d be great right about now.

  “I’m glad,” he replies, and my eyes fly to his. He smiles widely and holds his elbow out, tucking my hand in the crook. Brent leans over to press a parting kiss to the top of my head before muttering his goodbye and heading in the opposite direction.

  “You’re not upset?” I eventually ask, peaking up at him through my lashes. My stomach twists with worry. There’s no doubt I was doing some heavy making out by the tingle of my skin. Brent’s whiskers left behind a pink trace of evidence.

  He shakes his head and meets my cautious stare. “No. I’m happy my brothers make you feel good.”

  “It doesn’t make you...” I stall before he gestures for me to keep going. “Jealous?”

  “Do you want me to be?” he questions and my nose scrunches as I shake my head.

  “Not at all.”

  “That’s a relief because I’m not. I know they can give you what I can’t, and vice versa.”

  “So it doesn’t upset you when I’m with them, not even a little bit?”

  “No. On the contrary, I’m glad they care about you so much.”

  “You do?” I’m taken aback on his ease with the entire situation, but also bursting with joy inside. “Do you know how anyone else feels, by any chance?”

  Axel chuckles, the sound instantly making me smile in return. “I’ll let you discuss it with them, but you don’t have to worry about me. I want you happy.”

  Popping up on my tiptoes, I press a quick kiss to his cheek. It’ll look like a friendly kiss between best friends to everyone else, but Axel knows it means more than that. “I am,” I admit, feeling better than I have in a long time.

  He comes to a stop before my fourth period classroom, offering me a goofy grin. “See you soon, Lois.”

  He’s cute and charming, and I love it that no one knows how special that nickname is between us. “Later, Clark,” I reply with a cheesy wink and skip to my seat. I’m pretty much on cloud nine having spent a few minutes with both Brent and Axel. The seven minutes juniors and seniors get between classes certainly came in handy today, and I have a feeling it will work in the future as well. Brent seems to have woken up a wilder side in me today, and I can’t wait until we have a repeat performance.

  Falling into my usual seat with a flourish, I’m smiling widely when Devon Monteith shoots me a malicious grin. She leans over and mock whispers, “Looks like you won’t be on your pedestal for long.”

  My brow scrunches. “Excuse me?”

  She lights up her phone like she’s been waiting for this moment all day. “Tristan has a side chick.”

  My heart stutters, feeling like it may drop into my stomach at first glance. I won’t let Devon know it upsets me. That’s exactly what the hateful cow wants. Swallowing my usual kind attitude, I hold my hand up to her face and wiggle my fingers. The large diamond catches the sunlight beaming in through the windows and sparkles. “I’m still wearing this, so I’m not worried. Besides,” I replied flippantly, “pretty sure that’s one of your little minions. It was probably a setup.” The guys were right; I need to stand up for myself against the mean girl bully types like Devon.

  “Ugh, you really are dumb,” she mutters and rolls her eyes before turning away.

  Once her gaze is off me, I dab at the perspiration dotting my brow. Thankfully, she’s too self-centered to notice it. Sliding my phone out of my jacket, I pull up Instagram, and sure enough, multiple people have posted the same photo to their accounts, asking if Tristan is back on the market.

  I won’t lie, it hurts seeing him like that with another girl, but for all I know, it could be an old photo. In this one, he’s standing against the building, his hair glinting in the sunlight. There’s a girl with her arms wrapped around him, pressing a kiss to the corner of his mouth. Tristan’s eyes are closed, and he doesn’t look like he’s not enjoying it. I can’t tell in the photo if he wanted the kiss or what happened exactly.

  I know one thing, though. Tristan in this picture with the girl’s arms around him makes me want to puke. Before, I’d wanted him to choose anyone else but me to marry, but then everything else happened. He’s finally shared with me how he really feels about us, and now, this pops up. I’m trying not to jump to conclusions, but the more it festers, my worry increases. What if he is seeing someone on the side?

  Do I have any right to be upset when I’m technically dating him and his three brothers? I’m a hypocrite because I only want him with me and no one else. It will kill me inside if he wants to date multiple people as well as me. When he confessed his love, I imagined I would be the only woman for him.

  I know one thing’s for certain; I need to talk to him about it. Fingers crossed I don’t get answers I won’t like.

  Kresley sits at the lunch table and requests her usual order to the staff. My fiancée looks like she has a lot on her mind, and I have one good guess as to what it is. I was caught off guard earlier today when a girl came running up to me and wrapped her arms around me. She was able to plant a kiss on me, and I’d moved just in time for her to miss my lips. Usually, I’m on my guard and don’t allow anyone to get that close, but I’d just sneezed. It was all timed perfectly, and it’s absurd how it’s played out to look like I was cheating on my fiancée.

  Not knowing how to broach the subject, I grab for her hand. She allows it, though hers sits limply in my palm. I’ve already caused her enough pain in the past; hurting her is the last thing I ever want to do again. Swallowing down my pride, I clear my throat and quietly suggest, “We should talk.”

  Her lip trembles before she meets my worried gaze. She’s more upset than I’d thought. I bet Kresley’s been putting on a brave face in front of her peers while they’ve all been whispering about us. She’s so sweet and beautiful that the majority of the catty, gold digging women around here try to sink their claws in her every chance they get.

  Bringing her knuckles to my lips, I press a kiss to her hand and stand, “Come on sugar plum. I have some explaining to do.”

  She nods silently and stands, allowing me to lead her out into the hallway and away from prying eyes. Not wanting to be overheard, I keep walking until we hit the parking lot and eventually make it to Cole’s oversized Escalade.

  I open the passenger door and nod to it. “I’ll turn the heater on, and we’ll have more privacy in here.”

  “Okay.” She steps onto the side step, and I help her in before rounding the vehicle and climbing behind the wheel. Cranking the engine, I blast the heat to warm the large SUV.

  “You’re being really quiet. I was expecting shouting or something of the sort,” I confess, and she raises her brow, staring me down.

  She’s definitely not going to make this easy on me, I’m not even guilty, and I’m feeling uncomfortable inside. I start driving toward the mansion to give my hands something to do. I put off a very confident persona, but I
do get nervous—a lot. I’ve gotten good at hiding my feelings over the years, but you have to when you’re always thrust into the spotlight. My brothers are rarely in it. Brent’s too broody and angry, Cole doesn’t care what he says, and Axel will bore them to death with his overactive brain. My father says I’m confident and charismatic enough to work the crowd like he does, so that’s the role I fill in our family. I hate being in the public spotlight, but it is what it is; we all have our parts to play.

  “Should I be?” she inquires, “yelling or angry? Do I have a reason to be upset?”

  I sigh, shaking my head and make the turn off onto the road that leads to the mansion. “Of course not, and believe it or not, I can explain what happened if it would help.”

  “I think that’s a good place to start. I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but I’ve seen girls hanging off of you before.”

  My mouth turns down into a deeper frown. “Yeah, but that was before us.”

  “You mean before the plan,” she fills in harshly, and I wince.

  “You’re getting off track; this has nothing to do with that.”

  “It doesn’t? Are you sure?”

  “Damn it, Kresley, yes I’m sure. And back then, you hated me. You didn’t want anything to do with me,” I point out.

  “So, it’s my fault then?”

  “No! Fuck! This is getting so far off. I didn’t bring you on a drive so we could argue over stuff that happened seven or so months ago.” The vehicle comes to a stop, and I place it into park as she hops out with a huff, slamming the door behind her.

  I wasn’t planning for us to get out, but it appears we are. She hightails it inside, and I move at a much slower pace, allowing her a minute to cool off. Once I make it inside, I find the maid standing by the door rather than Kresley. “Did you see her?” I ask.

  She nods. “Yes sir, she ran up the stairs. Is she feeling well? I could make her some tea and bring it up? I noticed she was crying.”

  I shake my head, groaning. “No, thanks. I just need to speak with her.”

  “Please let me know if I can get you two anything.”

  “Thank you,” I repeat and take the stairs two at a time. I wanted her to cool off, not cry and get more worked up. I hit the landing and jog to our shared wing, calling her name. “Kres? Darling, we need to talk.” Her door’s closed so I pause, “Can I come in, please? We need to discuss this. I didn’t pull you from lunch for us to fight.”

  “Fine, come in,” she answers.

  Opening the door, I discover her in the middle of the California king bed. Her gorgeous face is stained with tears that she furiously wipes away with a bathroom towel.

  “The picture wasn’t real,” I state immediately, wanting to put a stop to her tears. “I was outside, Brent is usually with me, but he’d ducked out of class early. I was leaving the gym and on my way inside when I was interrupted by a group of girls. They were asking me questions, and I had turned my face because I sneezed. I was about to sneeze again when I felt arms surrounding me. I backed away just in time for the chick to miss my lips. When I realized what had happened, I told her if she touched me again I’d file a lawsuit for sexual harassment and informed them all that I have a beautiful fiancée, and they shouldn’t be so quick to hurt her.”

  She sniffles. “You did?”

  I nod, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Of course, I would never cheat on you. I told you how I feel about you already.”

  “I know you did, but when Devon showed me that picture, I couldn’t stop thinking that maybe you wanted to see multiple people since I’m close with your brothers.”

  “Devon Monteith?” I question, as my brows turn in.

  She nods. “Yeah.”

  “She was with the group this morning. I bet she’s the one who uploaded that photo first. What a deceiving bitch! I’ll ask Axel to do something about this, maybe get her transferred or have her car towed in front of everyone.”

  Kresley cracks a smile. “I like the car idea.”

  “Consider it done,” I promise but it doesn’t stop the worry playing across her face. “What else is bothering you? Talk to me, sugar plum.”

  With a hiccup she asks, “S-so do you want to date more than one person? I have you and your brothers. Does that mean you want more than me? Am I enough for you?”

  With a huff, I knee walk to her sitting in the middle of the bed and fall onto the mattress beside her. Wrapping my arms around her, I tuck her body into my chest and say, “Of course not. I only want you.”

  “You do?” she breathes, relief evident in her voice, and I nod, placing a tender kiss on her temple.

  “Of course. I told you already, I’m in love with you. I meant what I said to you the night of the race.”

  “I-I know that, but doesn’t it bother you that I’m with your brothers as well as you?”

  Exhaling, I admit, “I would love to have you all to myself, but I’m not stupid. I know that won’t happen, and I’d rather have as much of you as I can, versus nothing.”

  “Why wouldn’t it happen?”

  She tilts her head back, meeting my gaze. Not being able to hold back from touching her, my fingertip moves to trace her jawline. She’s so beautiful it makes my chest ache at times. “Because I’m not blind. I see how you look at them and how they look at you in return.”

  “How do they look at me?” she asks innocently, and I offer a sad smile. It’s only because I wish she was all mine...but like I already told her, I’ll take whatever I can get from her.

  “The same way I do—like you’re the most beautiful woman in the room...like a man in love.”

  She blushes, her irises lighting up at my confession. “I love you, too, Tristan,” she admits softly.

  I push her backward, and she lies against the mattress. “I want you so badly, Kresley.”

  “I want you too,” she breathes, and I climb over her, bracing my big frame over hers, so I don’t squish her underneath me. She perks up, resting against her elbows to get closer, and I nudge her nose a few times until she falls back again.

  My legs move between hers, spreading her thighs wide enough to cradle my hips. Lightly, I rest the weight of my hips against hers; the placement instantly has me growing hard against the apex of her thighs. Her core is soft and hot. I can feel it through her panties and my slacks. Knowing her skirt’s hiked up and there are only her thin panties hiding her core from me makes sweat dot across the back of my neck. I want to rip the scrap of material to the side and plunge my length deep inside.

  Groaning, my nose nuzzles into the crook of her neck, peppering kisses along the sensitive flesh. She smells absolutely divine. Her scent drives me crazy, making me crave her even more.

  “What is it?” she asks, running fingers through my hair. She rests her other hand on my flexed bicep and squeezes.

  My hips flex on their own accord, the move feels so damn good that I pant out a few quick, unsteady breaths. “We should head back to school. We’re alone and on a bed. I’m not sure I’ll be able to stop myself if we don’t pump the brakes and put an end to this soon.”

  With my confession, her legs move to wrap around my hips. She locks her ankles over my ass, holding me to her. The closeness has my cock nestled right up against her center. Her chest heaves, her breasts rubbing deliciously over my shirt covered pecs. If only we could lose these clothes, I’d be lined up to her perfectly to feel her everywhere. Cursing, I silently try to recite the most powerful banks in the country to get my libido to calm down, but Kresley’s not having it.

  She squirms underneath me, rubbing herself against me. “Kres, sugar plum...I’m going to fuck you, baby, if you don’t stop that. I can only take so much.”

  “Please?” she whimpers, and I blink, sure I heard her wrong.

  “W-what did you just say?”

  “I said, please. Do you want me to beg for it? You were determined to put this ring on my finger and keep me, well, now I want you to make me yours, Tristan.”


  Swallowing, I move my head back enough to meet her desire-filled, heated gaze, “You’re sure about this? I want you one hundred percent sure, no regrets later or tomorrow.”

  “I’m completely sure. You’re going to be my husband someday, and besides that, I love you. I want this Tristan. I want you.

  “I’m already yours,” I whisper, grazing my lips over hers before relaxing my mouth against hers and coaxing a kiss. My tongue tangles with hers, longing and need overtaking any rational thoughts, and my hips tilt, grinding my hardness against her soft center. I can’t wait to sink inside and hear her call out my name. I want to make her come again and again, never wanting to leave this room.

  “Please Tristan, hurry,” she breaks away to beg. I’m a sucker for begging; the sense of control it fills me with is an aphrodisiac. Brent and I both lean toward dominant personalities, and that spills into our personal love lives as well.

  “How bad do you want it?” I ask, my hand making its way over her academy-issued top, undoing each button as I go. Once they’re all unfastened, I part the shirt exposing the lacy sky-blue bra set I’d bought for her. She has drawer after drawer full of sexy undergarments and sleep lingerie I can’t seem to stop ordering for her. Seeing her now, wearing one of them, confirms it’s completely worth it too.

  “So, so bad,” she sighs as I move to kiss and nip over the exposed mounds. Her heavy, plentiful breasts are more than a handful each. She’s absolutely perfect.

  “Damn,” I breathe, my eyes colliding with hers. “You’re stunning, I’m a lucky man.” My compliment makes her skin flush a delicious peach-pink tint, and it has me groaning, wanting to kiss every single inch. I think I will, if not today, then soon for sure. “I’ll never get enough of you,” I admit.

  “Then you better hurry up and get started,” she giggles, and I move down, biting her belly. She’s curvy and perfect, her body full of softness as a woman is supposed to be. I’ve dated plenty of rail thin models, and none of them have turned me on as much as Kresley’s large breasts and thick thighs. She’s in shape from running, don’t get me wrong, but my girl has meat on her too. I’d love her regardless of size, but you won’t hear me complaining that she’s been blessed with a figure made for sin.