“For you to be in control of the pace, then I take over,” he states, and from the determined tone of his voice, I know it’s not open for negotiation.
“Okay,” I agree.
We continue to eat, and every couple of minutes, I steal a glance, taking in the man sitting opposite from me.
Yeah, he’s all man. I haven’t even dated a boy yet.
Crap, am I making the right decision? A lot can happen in eight months.
My heartbeat speeds up again, and I swallow hard on the dumpling.
Tristan’s eyes settle on my face, and I can feel his senses focusing on me. “Relax, Hana. I won’t bite.”
I let out a nervous burst of laughter. “That remains to be seen.”
My comment makes the sexy smirk return, giving him a predatory look.
Taking a deep breath, I’m dead set on getting to know more about him. “What do you do at work?”
Tristan takes a sip of his whiskey before answering, “I’m looking into starting my own company. Imports and exports. In the meantime, I bring in new business for Indie Ink.”
“Do you like it?” Having had my fill of the delicious food, I slowly sip on my water.
“It’s tolerable,” he replies as he pushes his plate to the side.
Chef Anand comes to clear the table, and it has Tristan asking. “Would you like anything else?”
I shake my head.
“A walk then?”
My lips curve up. “Okay.”
Thanking Chef Anand for the meal, we leave the restaurant. Tristan drives us to a park, and when I see the grounds are empty, I ask, “Did you plan this?”
He chuckles as he takes hold of my hand, and linking our fingers, he leads me away from the vehicle. “I hoped for it.”
As we walk down a path, I hear car doors shut behind us. Glancing over my shoulder, I see four men spread out around us.
Feeling apprehensive, I say, “Tristan, there are men here.”
He gives my hand a comforting squeeze. “They’re protection.”
My gaze darts to his face. “Why do we need protection?”
He stops walking and turns to face me. Letting go of me, he brings his hand to my face. His fingers brush lightly over my jaw, then he murmurs, “Some things are precious. They need to be guarded.”
His words draw me closer to the flame. Feeling like I’m being hypnotized, I fall into his icy blue pools.
Realizing I wouldn’t stop him if he tried to kiss me right now, my lips part as if to invite him.
Tristan’s gaze drops to my mouth, and anticipation sizzles to life in my stomach, creating an intense fluttering sensation.
His thumb brushes over my mouth, leaving a trail of tingles. His eyes become hooded, making him look ravenous.
My body responds to the attraction between us with a burst of heat pooling between my legs.
Tristan’s teeth scrape over his bottom lip, and then he pulls back.
My. God.
Instantly I’m released from whatever spell he had woven around me, and I let out a shaky breath of air.
The corner of his mouth lifts. “And you think I’m the dangerous one?”
TRISTAN
Aphrodite reincarnated.
The urge to kiss Hana burns through me, making the world around me erupt into light.
Twenty-four hours is all it took for Hana to ensnare me. It’s intoxicating that she doesn’t know what power she holds over me.
I’ve fallen in love with a goddess at the speed of light. It’s overwhelming, stripping me of all common sense. It’s reckless, satisfying my constant craving for excitement.
She’s an adrenaline shot straight to my heart.
Eight fucking months.
She’s worth the wait, though.
Linking our fingers, I say, “You being in control of the pace might just be the end of me.”
Hana lets out a chuckle, the sound almost musical. “So you won’t even try to kiss me unless I make the first move?”
Begrudgingly I nod.
She surprises me by saying, “Hmm… sweet torture.”
“For you or for me?” I ask, lightly brushing my thumb over the back of her hand.
She remains quiet as we wander down a path. Just as well, I have security with us because I’m so swept up by Hana I’m not able to take in anything around me.
Finally, she admits, “Both of us.” She pauses then asks, “When was your last relationship?”
“High school.”
My answer makes her glance up at me. “Really? No one since?”
I shake my head. “Until now, I haven’t met anyone worth pursuing.” Lifting an eyebrow, I ask, “And you?”
Hana shakes her head. “I haven’t dated.”
My lips curve up with satisfaction. “Really?”
Her gaze sharpens on me. “Just ask the question, Tristan.”
I don’t hesitate. “Have you slept with anyone?”
She shakes her head again. “No. I had a conservative upbringing.”
She’s unspoiled. A pure white light.
I savor her answer. It intensifies the excitement of knowing when I finally get Hana in my bed, I’ll be the one to own her innocence.
“I’m not even going to ask you that question,” she mutters.
Wanting to direct the conversation away from my sexual history, I ask, “Do you want to study law, or are you doing it for your father?”