Chapter Six #2
“Because you like me,” he answers with an easy lift of his shoulders.
“So cocky,” I mutter. “Now, you tell me something about you. Do you have a big family?” I ask.
“No, but I wish I did. I was raised by my grandparents because they were the only family I had left. My mom died giving birth to me, and my dad took off a few months later. I guess he just couldn’t deal with being a single parent.
He dropped me at my grandparents’ house, my mom’s parents.
Then he took off. They were kind of stuck with me, I guess. ”
“Are you close with them?” I’m so curious about everything I can get from him.
He shakes his head. “They’re both gone now. My grandfather died five years ago in a car accident, and my grandmother went just a few months later. Her heart gave out. A part of me thinks she just didn’t want to live without him.”
I reach for his hand and squeeze his fingers. “I’m so sorry. That’s really awful.”
We hold hands and swing arms as we walk.
“I’m not going to lie. It was rough. But to answer your question, yes, we were close.
I never really felt like I missed out on having parents because they stepped right in the role.
I never felt like I was a burden they had to take on or that they resented me for their unexpected change in life. ”
“They sound like good people,” I murmur, glancing up at him.
Tristan’s smile is sad. “They were, and I miss them. In fact, I think that’s part of the reason I gave that older couple my room. They reminded me of my grandparents.”
We’re still holding hands, not swinging, as we walk, and it feels right.
“You know, my grandparents were a big part of my life too. They lived in New York, and I used to visit them every summer for about two weeks. They were always so happy to see me, and they made sure it was a fun experience for me.”
“Oh yeah? Tell me.” I feel the weight of his stare, the depth of his interest, and it warms me more than the sun.
“Well, one of my favorite memories is when my grandpa took me to see The Lion King on Broadway. I was probably around ten, and I loved the movie, so I couldn’t wait to see the play.
My grandpa was an old-school, flannel-wearing carpenter that had no time for the arts.
But he sat right beside me for the whole show.
He even sang along to a few of the songs, which surprised me, until he explained that he learned them for me.
So that I’d have the best time possible.
” I smile at the memory, one I keep tucked away in my heart.
“They sound like amazing people,” Tristan says.
“So do yours.”
I was so lost in both the memory and talking to Tristan I barely noticed how close we’d gotten to the resort until he pulls on my hand until I stop.
From the corner of my eye, I see people from the wedding party on the beach.
Ashley and Rainey are laying out, working on their tans, while their significant others surf.
Ashley’s other bridesmaid, Paige, is flirting with a group of guys sitting under an umbrella.
I don’t see Mark and Shannon anywhere, but I’m not concerned about where they are.
In fact, as Tristan steps close to me, my mind blanks of everything but him. The anticipation is too much, and as I tilt my head back, my lips part, and I know this is it. We both want the kiss, and I’m not leaving this beach without knowing the feel of his mouth against mine.
“Kaylee,” he says, running his fingers up my arms to my shoulders and then burying his hands in my hair. “I need to taste you. I’m dying to find out how good we are.”
He doesn’t ask for permission, but I know that’s what he’s looking for. I place my hands on his chest, my palms flat on his broad pecs. His sun-kissed skin is warm and smooth, and I want him. Everything about him.
“Yes,” I breathe. “Tristan, yes.”
With the yearning I see in his eyes, I expect it to be rough, a man taking what he wants so badly he loses control.
But Tristan moves with slow intention. His mouth gently brushes over mine, the contact barely there, but he’s still able to steal my breath.
He teases me, nipping at my bottom lip, and I gasp, giving him the opening he needs to deepen the kiss.
His tongue slips inside, and I melt into him, a soft moan escaping, and he swallows the sound. My mouth moves against his and my heart pounds in my chest and as I press against him, it’s his heart racing with an excitement that matches my own.
I’ve never ached like this, and all I can think about is getting him alone.
I want more from this man. His grip tightens on my hair for a moment before he suddenly releases his hold.
Then, he breaks the kiss but keeps me close, his forehead pressed against mine.
“That was just the beginning, sweetheart. But now, we have to get ready for the rehearsal dinner.”
Damn it. Another event before I finally get him to myself.
Tonight, I have no intention of staying on my side of the bed.
None at all.