Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
“I’m going to kill him,” Cree mumbled as she drove through downtown Chicago at the peak of after-work rush hour. It had already been a long day, and sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic was making her madder at Tristan for changing the plans.
When he called a short while ago, she’d thanked him for lunch but then wondered why he was calling when he should’ve been there.
He’d been scheduled to come to her office to go over his endorsement offers but had called, talking fast, while telling her he couldn’t make it.
He had suggested rescheduling, but then he’d come up with the idea of her coming to him.
At first Cree had shot the idea down. When it came to him, and the fear she’d have no self-control where he was concerned, she preferred to meet in her office. There, she could be professional without worrying about being tempted to kiss him or something equally stupid.
Yeah, she could admit—she had a problem.
Since lunch, he’d been all she could think about, and that was a problem because in the past, the man had been irresistible.
Now? He was equally irresistible but even more so since she’d sworn to keep her guard up around him.
She’d gone years without thinking about him every minute of the day, and all that self-control was shot to hell.
“Ugh, I can’t stand him.”
She hated feeling like this. She should’ve just insisted they reschedule, and then she wouldn’t be in this position. But no, she went along with his stupid idea of meeting him at a condo he was touring this evening and then they’d talk.
Supposedly, he was in the process of house hunting.
His real estate agent found a place that she insisted he had to see now, the same time he was supposed to meet with Cree.
There were several offers on the place, but if he liked it enough, the seller’s agent would give him until tonight to submit an offer.
“His butt better not be lying,” Cree mumbled as she turned left and started looking for the address. There were several high-rises in the area, one as jaw-dropping impressive as the next.
Tristan was lucky she was curious about the condo he wanted to see.
There’d been a time when she had considered buying in the area, but these were way out of her budget.
Her sister, Dorian’s fiancé, Lynix, owned a penthouse not too far from here.
His place was gorgeous with great views.
She had a feeling that this place would be even more awe-inspiring.
Just as she pulled into the circular drive of the condominium complex, Tristan walked outside.
He pointed to a small area several feet away for her to park.
As she followed where he’d pointed, she stole a few glances at him in her rearview mirror.
His swagger was on point, and she had to stop herself from smiling.
Gone was the young kid who’d had no money, no life experience, and no idea what he’d do if he didn’t play professional football.
But he had confidence in himself, big dreams, and a ton of talent.
Now look at him. Tristan Whitmore was all man and had accomplished everything he had set out to do. Cree couldn’t help but be proud and impressed by him.
She backed into a parking spot, then watched him through her windshield. “Ooo wee. How the heck does he just keep getting sexier?”
Tristan had gotten his hair cut since the last time she’d seen him, and his face was clean-shaven like usual.
Again, with the bling. That was one thing Cree didn’t remember about him—his love for jewelry.
But maybe when you made more money than you could possibly spend in a lifetime, you had to find something to spend it on.
Diamonds and silver appeared to be his choice.
Cree liked the look on him, though. It added to his bad-boy swagger. Large diamond studs sparkled in his ears, a thick silver chain peeked out from the collar of his short-sleeved T-shirt, and a platinum watch and chain-link bracelet graced his wrists.
Her gaze quickly took in his powerful-looking body, admiring the way his gray T-shirt left nothing to the imagination. Big, broad shoulders, a chest that showcased muscular pecs, and his sinewy biceps that were bursting from the short sleeves had her moaning.
Hmm… more tattoos.
Both of his muscular arms had a sleeve of elaborate tattoos. Definitely more than he used to have. She wondered how much of his body was covered with them now. Then again, she didn’t want to know because she wasn’t interested. She just had to keep reminding herself of that.
I’m not interested. Really, I’m not.
“Hey. You made it,” Tristan said, opening the driver’s side door for her.
He helped her out of the car, and when their hands touched, the tingle scurrying through her body had her shivering.
Yeah, it was not good that her body was so in tuned to him like this. Especially when his alluring bedroom eyes met hers, and a slow smile kicked up the corners of his gorgeous lips. And then those damn dimples made an appearance.
This was ridiculous. She should still be pissed at him, but it’s like her girlie parts didn’t get that memo. Just a look and he had her licking her lips and squeezing her thighs together. Clearly, she’d gone too long without a man, and her body was betraying her.
The man was too fine for his own good, and he was too much temptation.
She huffed out a breath, frustrated with herself.
“I know you’re mad at me,” Tristan said, misinterpreting her frustrated sigh.
Still holding her hand, he gave it a little tug, pulling Cree against his hard body, and she was defenseless to fight him. Instead of fighting him or herself, she melted into him, loving the way his strong, powerful arms held her close.
She had always been attracted to tall men, and Tristan had several inches on her even in her heels. And as he held her close and tightly, she slid her arms around his waist. She breathed in his woodsy scent that had a hint of citrus and marveled at how perfect this moment felt.
A little too perfect.
Being held by him was like snuggling under a cashmere blanket on a cold winter’s night. It felt like she was exactly where she was supposed to be. Wrapped in his arms. Soaking up his strength. And being still… even for a moment.
She’d been working so much lately, Cree couldn’t remember the last time she’d been in a man’s arms. Even still, no one had ever held her the way Tristan did, and she didn’t realize how much she had needed to be held. Didn’t realize she needed to feel cherished in a way that only he could do.
Yeah, this was definitely a little too perfect.
If a friendly hug could get her mentally and emotionally twisted up inside, she was in more trouble than she realized when it came to Tristan.
He gave her a tight squeeze and placed a lingering kiss on the side of her forehead before releasing her. When he did, Cree hoped he didn’t apologize for hugging her. Maybe if she didn’t make a big deal about it, he wouldn’t either.
Since he had come back into her life, she’d given him a hard time—wanting him to stay away from her unless they were discussing business. Something within her had just shifted, and she didn’t want to think on it too much.
“You look amazing,” he said, snapping her out of her thoughts.
“Thank you.” She reached into the vehicle and grabbed her laptop bag. “Now why am I here?”
He placed a hand at the small of her back and guided her to the grand entrance of the building.
“You being here kept me from having to postpone our meeting, and I’m sorry about that, but thanks for coming.
I know you’re pissed I had to change the plans, but I really wanted to see this place before it was too late.
I promise, once I check out this condo, I’ll look over whatever you want me to and sign whatever needs to be signed.
I figured this was better than me rescheduling for a later date. ”
Cree nodded. “Okay.”
Tristan slowed and frowned down at her. “Okay? That’s it? You’re not going to give me hell for having you come out here? Are you feeling okay?”
She laughed. “No, I’m not going to give you a hard time, but I can if it’ll make you feel better.”
“Oh, no. That’s alright,” he said quickly. “Let’s go before you change your mind. I’m told this place is a must see.”
A few minutes later, they stepped off the elevator and into a place that stole Cree’s breath. The first thing she saw was a wall of floor to ceiling windows, and she crossed the room to them as if being pulled by a magnet.
“Wow,” was all she could say as she stood in front of the windows. The condo was so high up, most of the view of Lake Michigan was unobstructed and what a view.
“Wow indeed,” Tristan said from beside her.
“Oh, you made it.” A high-pitched voice sounded from behind them along with the clicking of high heels on the hardwood floors.
They turned from the window as a woman, looking to be in her mid-forties, dressed in a beautiful tan pantsuit with matching heels, approached. Her wide, genuine smile greeted them before she stretched out her hand.
“Good to see you two.”
“Hey, Cathy. Good to see you also,” Tristan said, shaking her hand and then placing his hand on Cree’s back. “This is a friend of mine, Cree Priestly.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Cree.” They shook hands before Cathy turned back to the unit and spread her arms wide. “So, what are your first impressions?”
“It’s bigger than I expected and impressive,” Tristan said as he roamed around.
Cree had been so busy looking out the windows, she hadn’t even noticed the rooms. The condo was a corner unit, and the open floor plan looked to have been decorated by an interior designer.
The contemporary decor was airy and had clean lines and a minimalist vibe.
It appeared a little cold, but no less exquisite.
As her gaze scanned the large space, she noted that, though the kitchen and dining area had partial lake views, the rooms mainly overlooked the skyline.