24. Chapter Twenty-Four Adriana
Chapter Twenty-Four: Adriana
T he click of the lock yanked me from sleep, my eyes snapping open as the door creaked. I rubbed the tiredness away; every motion felt like dragging weights through thick mud. The room was tinged with the gold of late afternoon sun, but all I could think about was how my body ached for more rest.
"Adriana?" Tristan's voice, weary but unmistakable, cut through the silence.
"Here," I managed, pushing myself up against the pillows. My voice sounded like gravel, and I swallowed, trying to find some moisture in my throat.
Tristan wheeled himself in, his blond hair tousled and his face showing that he'd seen better days. Kieran followed just behind him, a shadow with dark circles under his eyes that told stories no words could express. They both looked like they'd been chewed up by the same storm that had been raging inside me.
“You’re here,” I said.
Tristan smiled. “Of course I’m here.”
“I’m also here,” Kieran mumbled, dumping his bag on the floor with a thud that seemed to echo off the walls.
Tristan didn't say anything, just met my gaze for a moment too long. There was something in those blue eyes of his—a question or maybe a plea. It was hard to tell with Tristan. He always had layers you'd need a shovel to get through.
Kieran grunted something that might have been an agreement and moved toward the window, leaving Tristan and me to circle around the unspoken things hanging between us.
“I’m just going to go to the bathroom and then I’ll leave you two alone. Is Carmen looking after the kids?”
“Yes,” I said. “She said I looked like I needed to sleep.”
Kieran nodded. “I’ll help her out,” he said.
After Kieran was done, Tristan and I were alone. And I had no idea where to start…we’d barely had time to talk since the babies had been born.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “You were right. I should have never trusted them.”
“You weren’t to know,” Tristan said. “Can I say hi to the twins?”
I nodded, gesturing toward the adjoining room where Carmen was watching the babies. Tristan wheeled himself over, his movements slow and deliberate. I followed, my legs still unsteady from hours of lying down.
The twins were asleep in their bassinets, tiny chests rising and falling in perfect synchronicity. Tristan reached out, his large hand hovering over their delicate forms. He didn't touch them, just watched, his eyes filled with a mixture of awe and fear.
"They're so small," he whispered, his voice cracking.
I stepped closer, placing my hand on his shoulder. "But strong," I said. "Like their father."
Tristan looked up at me, his blue eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I was so worried, Adriana. About you, about them. I thought..."
His words trailed off, but I knew what he meant. I'd thought it too, in those dark moments when everything seemed lost. I squeezed his shoulder, trying to convey everything I couldn't say.
"We're here now," I murmured. "We're safe."
“And you need sleep,” Carmen cut in. “Leave them alone. Kieran and I got this.”
Tristan nodded, his gaze lingering on the twins for another moment before he turned back to me. We made our way to the bedroom, closing the door softly behind us. The silence stretched between us, heavy with all the things we needed to say.
I sat on the edge of the bed, my body aching. Tristan wheeled closer, reaching for my hand. His touch was warm, familiar. I intertwined our fingers, feeling the rough calluses on his palm.
"How are you really doing?" he asked, his voice low
I sighed, closing my eyes. "Tired. Sore. Scared." The words tumbled out before I could stop them. "But relieved. To have you here. To have them safe. To have you safe."
“Me too, love.”
"You look terrible," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
He let out a low chuckle. "You should see the other guy."
“You killed him?”
“Yes,” he said simply.
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. There was a time when the thought of Tristan killing someone would have horrified me. Now, it was just another reality of our life.
"Come here," Tristan said softly, tugging gently on my hand.
I slid off the bed and into his lap, careful not to put too much weight on him. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me close. I buried my face in his neck, breathing in his scent - a mix of sweat, gunpowder, and something uniquely Tristan.
I slid off the bed and into his lap, careful not to put too much weight on him. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me close. I buried my face in his neck, breathing in his scent - a mix of sweat, gunpowder, and something uniquely Tristan.
"I missed you," I murmured against his skin.
His hand stroked up and down my back. "I missed you too. Every fucking second."
We sat like that for a while, just holding each other. I could feel the tension slowly leaving Tristan's body, his breathing evening out.
"How long did the doctor say?" Tristan asked suddenly.
I pulled back slightly, confused. "What?
"How long until we can..." He trailed off, a hint of color rising in his cheeks.
"Oh," I said, realization dawning. "At least six weeks. Maybe longer.”
“That’s just until I can fuck you, right?”
I felt my cheeks flush at his blunt words. "Tristan," I whispered, half-scandalized, half-amused.
He grinned, that cocky smirk I both loved and hated. "What? I'm just asking."
I shook my head, unable to hide my smile. "Yes, that's for... penetration. But we shouldn't do anything until I'm healed."
Tristan's hand slid up my back, fingers tangling in my hair. "Anything?" he murmured, his voice low and husky. "Because I've been thinking about tasting you for weeks."
A shiver ran through me, desire warring with uncertainty. "I don't know if that's a good idea..."
"It doesn't have to be your pussy," Tristan said, his lips brushing my ear. "I could eat your ass. I just want to be close to you, Adriana. To make you feel good."
I bit my lip, torn between wanting him and knowing I should rest. But the heat in his eyes, the gentle touch of his hands - it was intoxicating.
I definitely hadn’t asked the doctor if it was okay to do that but she had specified “penetrative sex”.
My breath hitched as Tristan's fingers traced down my spine. The raw need in his voice made heat pool low in my belly. I wanted him too - desperately. But uncertainty nagged at me.
"Are you sure it's okay?" I whispered. "I don't want to risk anything..."
Tristan cupped my face in his hands, his blue eyes intense. "I'll be gentle, love. We'll stop if anything feels off. I just need to taste you."
A whimper escaped my lips. God, I wanted him. Weeks of stress and fear melted away under his touch. Everything melted away when he touched me.
I nodded slowly. "Okay," I breathed.
Tristan's eyes darkened with desire. He captured my lips in a searing kiss, his tongue sliding against mine. I melted into him, weeks of tension uncoiling as his hands roamed my body.
"On the bed," he murmured against my neck. "Face down."
I obeyed, settling onto my stomach as Tristan wheeled himself to the edge of the bed. His warm hands caressed my thighs, pushing up the loose shirt I wore. I shivered as cool air hit my exposed skin.
"So beautiful," Tristan breathed. His fingers hooked into the waistband of my sweatpants, slowly tugging them down along with my underwear.
I buried my face in the pillow, suddenly shy. But Tristan's reverent touch chased away my insecurities. His hands kneaded my ass cheeks, spreading them gently.
I gasped as Tristan's warm breath ghosted over my sensitive skin. His tongue traced a teasing path along the curve of my ass, sending shivers up my spine.
"Relax, love," he murmured, his hands massaging my lower back.
I took a deep breath, willing my muscles to unclench. Tristan's tongue circled my entrance, warm and wet. A soft moan escaped my lips as he licked a broad stripe from my perineum to my tailbone.
"That's it," Tristan encouraged. "Let me make you feel good."
His tongue probed gently, working me open with slow, deliberate strokes. Heat bloomed in my core as he alternated between teasing flicks and firm pressure. I rocked back against his mouth, chasing the pleasure building inside me.
Tristan's hand slid between my legs, fingers ghosting over my clit. I whimpered at the light touch, desperately wanting more but knowing we couldn't risk it.
Tristan's tongue delved deeper, his stubble scratching deliciously against my sensitive skin. I gripped the sheets, muffling my moans in the pillow. Waves of pleasure radiated through me with each swipe of his tongue.
"Tristan," I gasped, rocking back against his mouth.
He hummed in response, the vibration making me shudder. His tongue pressed deeper, alternating between firm strokes and teasing flicks. Heat coiled low in my belly, tension building with each pass of his skilled mouth.
I cried out as pleasure crashed over me, my body trembling. Tristan held me steady, his tongue working me through the aftershocks. Wave after wave of ecstasy washed through me, leaving me boneless and gasping.
I cried out into the pillow as waves of pleasure crashed over me. My body trembled, muscles clenching and unclenching as Tristan worked me through my orgasm. He lapped at me gently, easing me down from the high.
When the aftershocks finally subsided, I collapsed boneless onto the bed. Tristan pressed a soft kiss to the base of my spine before carefully pulling my sweatpants back up.
"You okay, love?" he murmured, his hand rubbing soothing circles on my lower back.
I turned my head to look at him, a lazy smile spreading across my face. "More than okay," I whispered. “Can I watch you come?”
He grinned. “What?”
I propped myself up on my elbows, feeling a flush creep up my cheeks. "I want to see you come," I repeated softly. "Please?"
Tristan's eyes darkened with desire. He wheeled back slightly, giving me room to turn over. I propped myself up on my elbows, watching as he unbuckled his belt.
Tristan's eyes locked with mine as he slowly unzipped his pants. The sound seemed deafening in the quiet room. He lifted his hips slightly, pushing his jeans and boxers down just enough to free his erection.
I bit my lip at the sight of him, hard and straining. Even after everything we'd been through, my body still responded to him instantly. Heat pooled low in my belly as Tristan wrapped his hand around his length.
"Like what you see?" he murmured, a hint of that cocky smirk playing on his lips.
I nodded, not trusting my voice. Tristan's hand started to move, long slow strokes from base to tip. His breath hitched as he swiped his thumb over the head, spreading the bead of moisture there.
"God, Adriana," he groaned. "The way you looked when you came... fuck."
His hand sped up, twisting slightly on the upstroke. I watched, mesmerized, as his muscles tensed and relaxed with each movement. His breathing grew ragged, chest heaving as he worked himself closer to the edge.
“Talk to me,” Tristan said.
I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry. "You're so sexy," I whispered, my voice husky. "I love watching you touch yourself."
Tristan's hand moved faster, his grip tightening. A low groan escaped his lips.
"Tell me what you want to do to me," he panted.
Heat flooded my cheeks but I pushed through my embarrassment. "I want to taste you," I murmured. "To feel you hot and hard on my tongue."
Tristan's hips jerked, his breath coming in short gasps now. "Fuck, Adriana."
"I want to take you deep in my throat," I continued, gaining confidence. "To make you come so hard you see stars."
“You want that? You want me to fuck your pretty mouth?”
"Yes," I breathed, heat flooding my cheeks. "I want to feel you hit the back of my throat."
Tristan groaned, his hand moving faster. His muscles tensed, thighs trembling with the effort of holding back.
"I want to swallow every drop," I whispered, my voice husky with desire. "To lick you clean after you come."
"Fuck," Tristan gasped. His hips jerked up, cock twitching in his grip. "I'm close, love."
I leaned in closer, mesmerized by the sight of him. "Come for me, Tristan," I murmured, breathing hard against his cock. “Do you want to come on my face?”
"Fuck, yes," Tristan growled, his hand moving frantically now.
I leaned in closer, tilting my face up. Tristan's muscles tensed, a low groan escaping his lips as the first splash of cum hit my cheek. I gasped at the warm wetness, arousal pulsing through me as rope after rope painted my skin.
Tristan's hips jerked with each pulse, his breath coming in ragged pants. I kept my eyes locked on his face, watching the pleasure wash over him. His brow furrowed, lips parted as he rode out his orgasm.
When the last aftershocks subsided, Tristan slumped back in his chair. His eyes raked over me, taking in the mess on my face. A possessive glint flashed in his gaze.
"You look so fucking hot like that," he murmured, voice rough.
I felt my cheeks flush, warmth spreading through me at his words. Tristan reached out, thumb swiping through the cum on my cheek. He brought it to my lips.
Without breaking eye contact, I sucked his thumb into my mouth.
Tristan's eyes darkened as I swirled my tongue around his thumb, tasting the salty tang of his release. A low growl rumbled in his chest.
"Fuck, Adriana," he breathed. "You're gonna kill me."
I released his thumb with a soft pop, a shy smile tugging at my lips. "Just reminding you what you have to look forward to in a few weeks."
Tristan chuckled, his hand cupping my cheek. "As if I could forget." His thumb traced my lower lip, eyes intense. "I love you, you know that?"
My heart swelled at his words. Even after everything we'd been through, hearing him say it still made me feel warm all over. "I love you too," I murmured. “So…what do we do now? Do we go back to Delaware?”
“No, love,” he said. “I think we have to go home.”