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When I stepped out of the bathroom, Tristan was gone just like yesterday.
I tried not to read too much into it as I got dressed, pulling on jeans and a soft sweater that still smelled faintly of his cologne from when he’d held me.
I walked to the kitchen with a strange lightness in my step, already planning what I’d cook for us.
Maybe his favorite pancakes with fresh berries, or that omelet he always complimented me on.
For once, I wasn’t going to bring up family or siblings or any of the walls we’d built between us.
Last night had been my third time, and somehow it had left me wanting more. Not just the physical part, though that had been incredible, but more of him.
More of the way he looked at me like I was the only woman in the world. More of the way he whispered my name against my skin.
I knew It was dangerous, of course I knew and that was why I shoved the thought off immediately.
I was cracking eggs into a bowl when I heard his bike roar to life outside. My hands stilled, confusion washing over me. Tristan never left this early on a Sunday. He had nowhere to go, no work obligations, no meetings that couldn’t wt.
Where was he going?
Maybe he needed to pick something up from the store. He’d be back soon. Tristar wouldn’t just leave me alone, not when he’d made such a big deal about
always protecting me.
Even if I didn’t need his protection, I’d gotten used to having him around. His presence had become as natural as breathing.
And part of me had started to trust that he wouldn’t hurt me again like he had file years ago.
“He wouldn’t try it,‘ Claire said, her voice appearing in my head for the first time in days.
“Where have you been?” I snapped at her mentally. “Aren’t you supposed to be with me always?”
“When you were screaming Tristan’s name last night, did you think about me?”
1
Heat flooded my cheeks even though no one could see me. She was right, of course. I’d been completely lost in him, in us, in the way he d made me feel
alive again.
“But I don’t blame you,‘ Claire continued. “Tristan is….”
I cut her off before she could finish. Claire had a way of planting ide
in my
he, making me want things I shouldn’t want. Things that might be too much
to ask for.
The food was ready twenty minutes later. I set two plates on the dining table and waited, checking my phone every few minutes for a text that never came. An hour passed, then two. The eggs grew cold, the toast turned stale, and still no sign of him.
Finally, I ate alone, each bite tasting like disappointment. W
the trash with more force than
“sary
fi to both plates back to the kitchen and scraped his untouched breakfast into
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19:39 Tue, Jan 6 T
Chapter 99
I didn’t need to depend on anyone. I could be fine on my own.
Back in my room, I grabbed my phone and dialed Drake’s number. He picked up on the first ring.
‘Hello?‘
Relief flooded through me at the sound of his familiar voice.
“Hi, Drake.
“Say what you want to say. I’m busy, girl,” he said in that hurried way that used to drive me crazy but now just made me smile.
‘I miss you. The words came out in a rush. “I miss you so much, and I’m sorry for cutting you off.”
There was a pause, and I could picture him stopping whatever he was doing to give me his full attention.
“Where are you?” he asked, his tone softer now.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.