Eleven
Georgia
“HEY.” TRISTAN STEPPED up behind me.
“Hey.” I was standing on the shore the following afternoon, my sweater-covered arms wrapped around my body and toes buried in the sand while the frayed cotton of my cutoffs tickled my thighs in the brisk breeze.
“Okay?” Tristan stood next to me, eyes on the eastern horizon as the wind howled around us.
“Yeah.”
“Georgia,” he breathed and placed a hand on my shoulder. “Is this about―”
“No,” I interrupted before he could continue. The memory of the kiss we’d shared yesterday morning had consumed my thoughts these past twenty-four hours. Shame clouded my mind, along with the overwhelming desire to feel his lips connected to mine again.
“You look so sad out here with the wind whipping around you, like you want to blow away,” he said sadly. I forced a small smile before tears welled in my eyes.
“How do you have the ability to be inside my head?” I whispered as my eyes bore into his.
“I just…thought…” he hesitated, his eyes searching mine. I turned back to the horizon as my head swam with past memories―the hurt, the pain, the healing. Always the quest for healing. While Kyle had been physically present, he hadn’t always been emotionally. In recent years, Silas had been a far better companion. That realization crushed my heart. I had thought Kyle was the only person I would ever need―the only person that was ever good for me, but a few mornings over coffee, a kiss, and a truckload of physical chemistry had me rethinking everything I thought I knew.
“What's this?” Tristan slid his hand down my arm and took the book I was clutching to my chest.
“I came down here to read,” I answered, thankful for the distraction. He turned the book over and read the cover.
His lips parted before his eyes met mine. “Tristan and Isolde?”
“It's been a long time since I’ve read it. I found it in town yesterday. I'm thinking it must be a pretty special story if your mom…” I paused, hoping I wasn’t drudging up a painful memory.
I watched his throat contract as he swallowed. “Do you want to read it together?” he asked tentatively.
“You want to read it together?” My eyebrows shot up.
“Sure. It's been a long time since I’ve read it. My mom used to read it to me when I was a kid, like a bedtime story,” he said, his finger sliding across the loving couple on the cover. I watched him, lost in his own memories.
“Sure.” I took the book back and sat in the cool sand, my toes just out of reach of the waves.
I began to read.
“Triste means sad in French. Your name means sadness.” I looked over at him after reading just the first few lines.
“Yeah.” Emotion swam in his eyes and a frown crossed his beautiful features. Whatever he was thinking, I wanted to take it away, to hold him as long as needed until the pain melted from his body. Suddenly I wondered if he had the ability to take my pain away too. My heart skipped a few beats in my chest before I continued to read.
As I read, the fictional Tristan's childhood was revealed. He’d lost his parents at a young age, and was fiercely loyal to the uncle who had raised him, his sense of duty and honor unparalleled. He had first met Isolde after a battle―she’d come upon him in a ditch and nursed him back to health. He was to bring her back to marry his uncle, but on the journey they’d mistakenly drunk a love potion together―sealing their fates to each other forever.
“Do you think the potion was really a potion or just an excuse?” I asked aloud.
“An excuse?” he laughed.
“Because they fell in love even though he’s supposed to be taking her to marry his uncle.”
“Right.” He pursed his lips in thought.
“Think about it―if a love potion caused them to fall in love, it’s not their fault. It leaves them without guilt; they can’t be held responsible for their actions.”
“Rather pessimistic of you.” Tristan bumped my shoulder with his.
“It's just convenient that they can love free of guilt. They can be selfish, betray his uncle, and tear apart a kingdom.”
“But shouldn't you always follow your heart?” Tristan raised an eyebrow.
“At the detriment of others? I don't know.” I frowned.
“So you’re of the opinion that one should sacrifice true love for the sake of others? How selfless of you.” Tristan rolled his eyes.
“You advocate lovin’ all over town without care for who gets hurt?” I shot him a disbelieving look.
“Hey, we’re not talkin’ about lovin’ all over town.” He laughed. “We’re talking about true love,” he said with a shrug. “I don't know the answer. Just something to think about.”
My heart slammed against my rib cage when he said the words true love. Tristan was a romantic.
“We should go in.” I closed the book and stood quickly. “I’ve got dinner planned and I imagine Gavin gets growly without food.”
“Does he ever.” Tristan grinned and butterflies danced in my stomach as we headed to the house.
Forgotten was the sadness that had consumed me as I stood on the beach earlier.
Twelve
Georgia
“WHO'S UP FOR a night out?” Drew threw out as she bounced into the kitchen the next afternoon. I'd been cleaning the house from top to bottom. I'd scrubbed the bathrooms to gleaming before telling Drew that she and Gavin were on their own from here on out because I was not interested in coming into contact with any of their…fluids this summer.
“I'm so tired.” I slid down the wall to sit on the floor. My head tilted back and my eyes closed; I was ready to sleep for a decade. I wasn’t exhausted just from cleaning; my mind was still reeling from the kiss two days ago―Tristan’s lips on mine, his taste, his clean ocean scent, his sexy rumpled hair. I couldn’t keep my mind off him and I hated it. I tried avoiding him, or at least kept busy when he was around so I didn’t dwell on every move he made.
“You promised you'd go next time, and it's next time. We’re going. Everyone in this house is going!” Drew yelled the last part to make sure she was heard.
“Going where?” Tristan stepped through the front door.
“Out―a bar, a club, I don't care where as long as there is alcohol and dancing. Where have you been?” She arched an eyebrow at him.
“I was cleaning the boat.” He gestured to the bucket of cleaning supplies he held.
“Oh. So are you in?” she asked.
“Always up for a good time,” he said before his eyes flashed to mine.
“Great! I'll go wrangle Silas.” She bounced out of the room.
“Hey.” He set the bucket by the front door and stepped toward me.
“Hey.”
“Look, about the other morning―”
“It's okay.” I avoided his gaze as I stood up from the floor.
“Georgia―” He placed a warm hand on my arm.
“Really, Tristan. It’s okay. It just can’t happen again. I’m with someone.” I pulled my arm away. He stood silently before his lips parted then closed again. His eyes shifted to the bright blue sky out the window and I wondered what he’d been about to say.
His eyes clouded over for a moment before he turned back to me. “Okay.” He turned and strolled out of the room. I kicked myself for ruining something that had been so easy and simple between us. We could have been friends this summer if I hadn’t been so hopelessly drawn to those perfectly full lips and deep green eyes.
* * *
THE TAXI PULLED up outside the club and we piled out. We were all dressed for a night on the town. It was unacceptable to Drew to go for a night out without getting dolled up; heels and short dresses were a requirement. Thankfully, I knew this and brought some Drew-approved clothing. I wore a tight black dress and deep red heels. My hair was pulled halfway back in chocolate waves with a few wispy tendrils.
Gavin and Drew looked adorable together as they
walked hand in hand into the club with Tristan trailing behind them. Tristan wore a black, button-down shirt that clung to his lean build, with the sleeves rolled to the elbows in a way that had my stomach listing. His jeans hugged his ass perfectly, so perfectly even Silas let out a low whistle behind me. Tristan was wreaking havoc on both of us before we’d even stepped into the bar.
We made our way to a table with a view of the dance floor where bodies were already grinding to the thumping music.
“We'll get drinks.” Tristan clapped Gavin on the shoulder as they headed to the bar. I, along with every girl he passed, watched his retreating figure.
“Let's dance,” Silas insisted as he grabbed me by the elbow. Drew followed us as we wiggled our way to the center and started dancing in our little threesome. It was packed and we were constantly jostled together but it only added to the atmosphere.
After a few songs, Gavin angled up behind Drew and held her close to his body. She smiled and arched her neck to kiss his lips. His hands trailed up her torso as they moved together seductively. I turned to dance with Silas before I witnessed some form of indecent exposure on the crowded dance floor. After the song, the four of us headed to the table. I took a long sip from the drink the guys had gotten me―a cherry vodka and coke. I made a mental note to keep track of how many I had before I got too drunk.
“Tristan abandon us already?” Drew looked around the bar.
“A blonde at the bar caught his attention.” Gavin nodded toward a crowded corner. Behind a shock of long platinum hair I saw Tristan's honey-blond locks, a dashing smile on his face. He had an arm wrapped around the girl’s waist, his fingers caressing the fabric intimately.
“Doesn't take him long, does it?” I mumbled.
“He's a whore.” Drew muttered.
“With no shortage of whores throwing themselves at him,” I said.
“Not with a face like that.” Drew cast a glance at Gavin. He grinned and gave her a peck on the lips.
“Or that smile.” I watched Tristan’s hand rest on her lower back, just above the curve of her ass.
“That hair,” Silas groaned and rolled his eyes in the back of his head suggestively. We all laughed again but I couldn’t manage to tear my eyes from Tristan and that girl.
“Let’s dance more,” I said to Silas. Drew and Gavin joined us and I lost myself in the music as we howled and danced together. Gavin had his hands wrapped firmly around Drew whether she was dancing with us or grinding with him. She looked happy, and I was happy for her. They had undeniable chemistry, I just hoped she’d finally found someone she could have something more with.
I mouthed to Gavin and Drew that I would get the second round of drinks as Silas followed me to the bar. The intimate corner where Tristan and his blonde had been tucked away was now occupied by another couple that were all hands, arms, and lips. I placed an order for drinks then scanned the bar, taking in the crowd.
My eyes landed on Tristan sandwiched between two girls on the dance floor. His arms were on the hips of the blonde with his knee nestled in between her legs from behind. A brunette with long, shiny hair and a tiny, red dress was cuddled up behind him with an arm wrapped around his waist and under his shirt, her lips skimming along his ear. He wore a cocky half grin on his face, enjoying the attention from both of them. For the first time, I was seeing Tristan in all his glory. He was certainly living up to his manwhore reputation. I sucked in a breath of air as I watched him nestle into the blonde’s hair.
“Something got your attention, love?” Silas asked from beside me.
I ripped my eyes from Tristan’s would-be threesome and forced a smile for my best friend. “Not a thing.” I grabbed my drink and downed it in one guzzle, tipping my head to the bartender for another. His eyebrows shot up in surprise before he winked and made me another. He handed it to me and we made our way back to the table.
“Letting your hair down tonight, huh?” Silas winked.
“Absolutely. Let’s dance.” I set my drink down and tugged him back on the floor, the opposite end from where Tristan was grinding with his new friends. As we danced, the alcohol saturated my system and left my brain bursting with happy endorphins. Silas and I twisted, turned, and erupted in a fit of giggles, laughing at other people around us. I tried to scope out hot boys for him and would lean my head and quirk an eyebrow before he shook his head in mock horror.
A handsome, dark-haired guy invaded our space and tossed Silas a forward grin. A wide smile spread across my face and I mouthed to Silas that I was going to the bathroom. His eyes were so focused on tall, dark, and handsome, he hardly acknowledged my departure.
I threaded my way through the bodies and wound around tables to get to the ladies’ room. Turning down a dim hallway, I bumped headfirst into a couple making out against the wall. Hands traveling up torsos, fabric inching up to reveal damp flesh. The girl chuckled and I jerked my drunken eyes to their faces and saw Tristan's long, blond hair as he sucked on her ear. They hadn't even noticed me.
I swallowed a softball-sized lump in my throat and stood for a second too long. Before I moved around them, Tristan's eyes met mine and flickered in recognition.
“Sorry.” I averted my gaze as I walked around them to the bathroom. I opened the door and landed against the wall. There was a long line and I prayed that Tristan and his blonde would be gone by the time I was done. Instantly I missed Kyle.
Thoughts rattled through my head as the line shortened and I finally stepped into a stall. I had the urge to call Kyle and let him know I was thinking about him. I missed him desperately and wanted to curl up in bed with him tonight and feel his comforting arms around me. I closed my eyes and thought of the scent of his cologne and the smooth skin along his jaw. I fished my cell phone out of my clutch, noticing it was after one in the morning, definitely too late to call.
I decided I needed another drink to stave off my depressed mood, before remembering Tristan and the leggy blonde I'd bumped into earlier. I lifted my eyes and found the hallway absent. They were gone. I mouthed a silent thank you that I wouldn’t have to see them again.
Heading to the table, new drink in hand, I discovered where Tristan and his blonde had moved. She sat in my chair with her legs crossed, her dress creeping high up her thigh, and Tristan's palm placed firmly on it. I took a sip of my drink and angled my chair toward the dance floor.
“Having fun?” Tristan asked me.
“Yeah.” My eyes flicked to Tristan’s before landing back on Silas and his dark-haired dance companion. It seemed he’d found a new friend to keep his bed warm tonight, as had Tristan. Drew and Gavin were always a sure bet, so apparently I would be the only one crawling into a cold bed alone.
“Tristan told me you’re all staying at a beach house,” the blonde said above the music.
“Yep,” I responded with a tight smile before dragging my eyes back to the dance floor, not missing Tristan's eyes trained on me. What was he thinking? That I was upset that he was with someone? Because I wasn’t. I had Kyle, and I was missing him, the ache in my chest deep and profound. I had the ridiculous urge to inform Tristan of just that.
“Everything okay, Georgia?” Tristan asked as a small smile teased his lips.
“Yep, I'm good,” I said as the music and my own heartbeat pounded in my ears.
His eyebrow lifted in doubt as if he didn't believe me. I saw his hand was still resting on her leg, his thumb caressing her inner thigh, just like it had caressed the wood that morning before we'd kissed. I shut my eyes and willed the image from my brain.
I chugged the rest of my drink. “I'm going to dance.” I stood on swaying feet and made my way to Drew and Gavin. With the alcohol in my veins, I was suddenly overheating and pulling my hair off my neck. My hips swayed when a new song started and I felt hands slip around my waist. I settled into the embrace for a minute before I realized what I was doing. Turning my head to the side, I caught tousled golden hair nuzzling beneath my ear. My heart thudded as Tristan ran his
nose up my neck, sending tingles exploding through my body. His breath tickled the shell of my ear and I sucked in a quick breath. Thoughts swirled in my brain as the throbbing music pumped through my veins.
I felt out of control and I loved it. I surrendered to the freedom and settled back into his chest. His hands locked around my hips, pulling me tighter into his body before I turned and threw my arms around his neck.
Inhaling his clean scent, I closed my eyes, pressing into him. His knee positioned between my thighs caused my dress to ride up. We danced through multiple songs as the world fell away. I inhaled the delicious scent that was all Tristan while my brain buzzed from my proximity to the gorgeous Greek god wrapped around me. Thumping beats of Rihanna pounded through my body, nerves tingling and my breathing shallow. My brain focused solely on the rhythm of my form against Tristan’s. I shouldn’t have been dancing so close, but the vodka that pulsed through me was doing the thinking for me and for once, I let go of inhibition.
Tristan pressed my body up against a wall at the edge of the dance floor and moved his hips against mine. My hands smoothed across his wide shoulders and tangled in his soft hair. He ran his teeth up my neck and scraped my earlobe as his palms roamed my body―down my back, up my ribcage, over the underside of my arms. He dipped his head and trailed his tongue along my collarbone, sending a shiver of pleasure rocketing through me.
My fingers tightened in his hair as a small whine escaped my throat.
“Do you like that?” his words escaped in a throaty whisper.
“Yes,” I hissed, my eyes closed as my hips moved against his. Thoughts dashed in and out of my head. I felt like I was supposed to grasp their meaning, but too much vodka in too little time had left me with the inability to think straight.
“I want my tongue all over your body.”
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