Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Cree lay on her back, her heart finally beating normally. Sex with Tristan had always been exciting because he was a thorough lover. He knew what she liked, what turned her on, and what moves always sent her over the edge of her control.
Today, though, their chemistry in the bedroom had been on a whole different level.
Maybe because they were older. Or maybe it felt unbelievably wonderful because it had been a long time since she’d been with a man.
Or maybe it was because she was still in love with Tristan—something she was finally ready to admit to herself.
Whatever it was, she would never get enough of him.
Tristan had renewed something within her that she thought long dead. Desire. Passion. Love. Cree had forgotten what it was like to make love with a man who truly cared about her. Someone who reached down into her soul and loved on every part of her body and her mind if that were possible.
Hooking back up with Tristan again wasn’t the mistake she thought it would be, but instead, it was an opportunity for them to try again. A second chance for their relationship, and Cree could admit to wanting that, even if it scared her a little.
But what would that look like exactly? Maybe they could just play it by ear and see what happened.
When the bathroom door opened, Cree glanced across the room as Tristan moved toward the bed in all his naked glory.
Her heartbeat picked up speed with every step he took, and she couldn’t look away.
The man’s body was something to behold. Every inch of his muscular form was carved to perfection from his defined arms, solid chest, on down to the magnificent tool between his legs.
Seeing his semi-erect shaft reminded her of all they’d done in the last hour, and what she knew he was capable of doing.
Cree placed her hand on her chest as if that would help get her heartbeat back to a normal rhythm. The man was absolutely breathtaking.
“You keep looking at me like that, I’m going to insist on another round between the sheets with you,” he said as he climbed back into bed and under the covers.
“I’m counting on it,” she said seriously. She hadn’t had nearly enough of him.
“Let’s talk about what happened at the restaurant,” Tristan said as he wrapped his strong arm around her and pulled her against his side.
“Let’s not.” Cree rested her head on his hard chest and sighed.
Tristan had always been in touch with his emotions and hers as well.
He also used to be a good communicator, except the one time that had sent their relationship imploding in every direction.
Maybe that was why learning he had signed with another agent had hurt so much.
He hadn’t talked about it at all and then bam!
The news fell on her like a two-ton bolder, and she hadn’t handled it well.
There’d been more going on at the time, and that hadn’t helped the situation.
So, the last thing she wanted was to rehash that subject all over again.
“Tristan, I’m sorry about what happened at the restaurant.
The tears caught me off guard too. It’s clear the breakup was hard on us both, and you were right, we were so young back then.
There were things we both should’ve done differently. ”
He kissed the top of her head. “Yeah, I have a lot of regrets, but I hope you can forgive me, Cree. You have to know I would never intentionally hurt you.”
“I know, and I knew back then, but…” She shook her head. “Anyway, I forgive you. I forgive us. Now can we leave the past in the past and move on from here?”
“Definitely,” he said without hesitation. “But I have a question for you.”
She tweaked his nipple and smiled when he hissed. “Of course, you do because you know how much I love being questioned,” she said sarcastically.
He chuckled. “Yeah, I know, but this is important.”
Recognizing the seriousness in his tone, she said, “Okay, what’s the question?”
“Have you ever considered restarting your sports agency?”
Surprised, Cree wondered if he could now read minds.
She’d been thinking about her agency a lot over the last couple of weeks.
Partly because he was back in her life, and it was impossible to be around him and not to think of the agency.
He’d been a key part of the success of it—and the downfall of it—but she’d come to terms with that not being his fault.
“Yes. As a matter of fact, I have,” she said and went on to tell him that, even if she didn’t restart her agency, she was seriously thinking about opening her own law firm. Things still weren’t great between her and Warren.
“Do you think Warren could be jealous of your success?” Tristan asked. “Which would be crazy. If you’re successful, that spills over into the firm. Meaning he reaps the benefits one way or another. He should be trying to support whatever is working for you.”
“I agree, but for the last few months, there’s been tension between us, and to be honest, I think it is jealousy. He’s been bringing in clients, but his billable hours are nowhere near mine.”
She gave Tristan examples of some of their encounters, including the one from a couple of weeks ago. For the most part, Warren had been keeping his distance, but every now and then, he’d say something in a meeting or in passing that was condescending or just mean.
Cree leaned back and glanced at Tristan. “Why are you asking about the agency?”
He released a long yawn as he tightened his arms around her.
“I’ve just been thinking. Actually, I’ve thought about this a lot over the years, but more so since moving back to Chicago. I hate that you closed your sports agency, and I feel responsible.”
He explained how she’d been an amazing agent, even when she was still learning the industry. With her love for sports, her experience, and her ability to negotiate great deals, he wanted her to try rebuilding her agency.
Cree’s heart swelled hearing him talk about her accomplishments and how impressed he’d always been with her natural abilities to lead and make things happen.
As he told her about the potential office space, excitement swirled inside of Cree.
The more he talked, the more the idea of reopening her agency appealed to her.
It would be a dream come true considering she’d always wanted to be a sports agent.
“I’m going to seriously think about it,” she said, resting her head back on his solid chest.
Leaving Ellis, Priestly, and Watts wouldn’t be easy because she liked her job and most of the people she worked with. But to have her own firm or agency appealed to her entrepreneurial spirit.
“Now, let’s talk about us,” Tristan said, and Cree had to stop herself from groaning.
Why couldn’t he just go with the flow instead of needing to spell everything out? She almost laughed because this was how things had gone the last time they were together. He wanted it clear about where they stood while she just wanted to have a good time.
“We’re not kids anymore,” he continued. “And I want you back in my life.”
“You have me back in your life. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be lounging in your bed.”
“I want more, Cree,” he said, no humor in his tone. “I want a commitment.”
She lifted her head and narrowed her eyes at him. “What type of commitment?”
“I want us to pick up where we left off. I want you to be my woman. I want to be introduced as your man. Not your friend. Not your client. No more hiding me from your friends and family.”
Cree huffed out a breath. “Tristan, why can’t we just hang out, have fun? We’re getting reacquainted. Why do we have to put a label on—”
“Cree, I’m not going to be your dirty little secret anymore.
I stood for that shit back in the day. Not this time.
We’re either all in or nothing. Meaning, we date like normal people and meet each other’s friends and family and build from there.
I was serious about wanting my wife back.
I love you. I never stopped loving you,” he said with conviction.
She loved him too, but she wasn’t ready to say the words. Not yet, and that didn’t mean she’d never say them. But she was still getting used to the idea of them being together. Could she ever see herself marrying him again? Yes, but not until she knew for sure they’d stay married next time.
“We can take it slow if you want, Cree, but just know you still own my heart. I want what we once had and more.
“While I was recovering from injuries, I realized just how short life is. How things can change in a heartbeat. I had big plans for my career, and I know for a fact that, just because we plan out our lives, doesn’t mean that’s the way it’ll turn out.
I’m not taking anything for granted anymore.
I know you and I are meant to be together, that we still more than care about each other, and I want us to build on that. ”
Cree pulled out of his hold and returned her attention to the ceiling while trying not to growl her frustration.
After such an incredible afternoon, the last thing she wanted to do was argue.
She understood Tristan’s demand, and he was right, to a point.
He was the love of her life all those years ago.
Yet, she’d kept their relationship a secret, which hadn’t been fair to him.
Still, she’d had good reason for keeping things quiet the last time and would have just as good a reason this time around.
Like before, Cree was the one whose integrity was at stake when it came to her career.
Except this time, she had options. She had money.
She had an incredible track record as a kick-ass attorney, and she wasn’t just starting out with a new business.
“All or nothing, Cree,” Tristan said when she glanced at him, and by the serious expression on his face and in his tone, he wouldn’t settle for anything less than a yes.
It was more than just her career she needed to protect, though. She had to protect her heart too. What if she jumped all in and they broke up again? The first time almost killed her. No way she could go through that again.
But we deserve a second chance, a small voice in the back of her mind said. And he’s worth the risk.
Her cell phone, which she had brought into the room earlier, vibrated on the nightstand. That was twice in the last few minutes. When she glanced at the screen, there were several missed text messages. One from her mother, another from Dorian, and a couple from her father.
She skimmed Dorian’s first since it had come through over an hour ago.
Come to Mom and Dad's at your own risk. Mom is in match-making mode. She invited that pastor to come over later… for you.
Cree shook her head. Would her mother ever quit with her schemes? Cree skipped her mom’s message and glanced at the ones from her dad. After reading them, she groaned.
“What is it?” Tristan said from over her shoulder.
“I forgot I told my dad I would come by and read over some legal documents today. I was supposed to be there hours ago.”
Cree skimmed her mother’s text, which was asking if she was still able to stop by and read over the documents. She also told her that there would be dinner for her.
Hopefully, her mother’s guest would be long gone by now, but maybe not.
Cree set her phone down and turned to Tristan. “Do you have plans for the evening?”
“No, why?”
“Well, since you’re my man, I guess there’s no better time than the present to meet my parents. But I should probably warn you about my mother.”
His brows dipped into a frown. “Why? Does she have six fingers on one hand or something? Or is she going to interrogate me, then send me away crying?”
“No, worse. She planned to introduce me to the youth pastor at her church, and I have a feeling that he might be at their house.”
Tristan shrugged. “No big deal. We’ll just explain that you’re taken. I’m sure she’ll be fine with that once she meets me. She’s going to love me.”
Cree snorted. “Ha! If I were you, I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”