“C’mere,” Tristan drawled. “You’re too far away.”
She giggled as he pulled her backside into his front, cuddling them close together. “I have to go to work.”
“You don’t. Stay here. Relax for the day. I’ll call in a service to give you a spa treatment. Call Shandra and invite her over for the day.”
Camille turned her head to look over her shoulder. “Stay here? Invite Shandra over?” He’d never volunteered his house for something like this before. He liked Shandra, she knew he did, but he’d never offered the use of his house for an all-day spa treatment. Hell, she didn’t even do all-day spa treatments. She’d rather go to the gym and hit the bag for a couple hours.
At her continued look, he pulled back, “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
Camille knew he was holding something back. Was something going on that he was trying to hide from her, or was it his natural behavior? Either way, she didn’t like it one bit. If they were going to be together, she needed him to be truthful. All the time. Not some of the time. There was no way she could live a life of half-truths.
“Tristan, what’s going on?”
“What do you mean?” He asked, rolling away from her and getting off the bed. “Nothing’s wrong, baby. I just thought you may want to stay at home today. You’ve been working too hard.”
Smiling, she sat up, the sheet covering her naked breasts. “Yeah, both during the day and at night when I’m with you.”
Coming around the other side of the bed, he stood in front of her in all his glory.
Licking her lips, she wanted to take his length inside her mouth. It would be so easy to start their play all over again, but she had to stay strong. “You can’t tempt me, Tristan.”
Taking his hand, he placed it under her chin. “I’m not trying to tempt you, Sweetheart. Been there. Done that. And you taste very well, thank you very much.”
Slapping his hand away, Camille laughed as he leaned down to kiss her softly on the lips. Tristan turned to walk toward the large closet, opening both doors before walking in. She liked it when he did that. Seemed like such a small gesture, but to her, it showed that he wasn’t trying to shut her out.
Considering the life he led, she shook her head at her thoughts. Him keeping the closet open meant more to her than his sharing what was going on in his world? No. That would be ridiculous. On the other hand, she knew once she was brought into his family life, things wouldn’t be the same again.
Was she ready for that?
Yes. Camille had been ready for a while.
“Tristan? I know something’s going on with you. I’ve had more security these past weeks. I’ve even seen one of those black trucks near the office. You’ve been acting shifty these past couple of weeks.”
Walking out of the closet with some clothes in his hand, he hung them up on the door hook. He’d put on his robe. Thank goodness, she thought with a smile. The man was hard to resist.
He strolled over to the bed, sitting down with her again. Sighing, he ran a hand down his face.
“Tell me, Tristan. I don’t care how bad it is, but you have to let me decide if I can handle it.” She just hoped he trusted her enough to share what was going on. Because heaven knew, she loved this man so fucking much. Didn’t matter that he hadn’t said it back. His actions spoke louder than words.
He loved her, but maybe he didn’t know how to express it. Maybe he’d never said the words before. She’d give him that. For now. The important thing right now was to understand what the hell was happening around her.
“Baby, I don’t want you to worry about anything,” he said in a low tone. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he pulled her body close to his. Lifting her chin with his finger, he kissed her lips. “It’s my job to protect you.”
Jerking back from him, Camille looked at him with surprise and curiosity, “Protect me from what?” Thinking quickly, she stood and began pacing. “Is that why I’ve had the extra security? Tristan, don’t treat me like I’m a child who can’t handle the truth. Tell me what’s going on, or I’m sleeping at my house for the next week.” It was an empty threat. She wasn’t going anywhere, but he didn’t know that.
He stood as well, facing her as he breathed deeply. His nostrils flared, and his eyes were hooded in either anger or desire. She couldn’t tell which emotion was taking over. But whatever was happening, she was getting turned on again, and that wasn’t good at all.
“You aren’t leaving me, Camille.”
Okay, that was definitely anger.
Calming her own tone, she tucked the sheet in so it wouldn’t fall. Taking steps to bring her body flush with his, she tilted her chin to look in his face. “Why would I leave you? I’m frustrated with you. Annoyed that you’re keeping secrets. But I meant what I said. I love you. I’m not going anywhere. But I don’t like being kept in the dark.”
“It’s for your protection. I need you to do what I say,” Tristan practically growled.
Stepping back, she pointed at him. “See, now this is where I know you’ve lost your fucking mind. Have I ever done what you said, just because? Is that the kind of woman you want me to be? Someone who stays in the shadows being the good and quiet mouse while the big, strong men protect her?”
Crossing his arms over his chest, she could see his stubborn nature coming to the forefront. Well, he’d better get ready, because she’d fight him tooth and nail on this. Or she’d walk the fuck away. Either one was an option, so he’d better make the right decision.