“Yeah, sure, we could go to the center. We could ride, too, if you want. Hit the trails,” he suggested.
“Really? We can ride? Oh my gosh, that would be so great. I did get to do it a few times when I was in school, but never for long, and I wasn’t with a friend,” she exclaimed excitedly.
Tristan smiled broadly this time, gazing into her wide eyes. She was like a child who’d been told she could go to an amusement park. It was almost as if she’d missed out on a lot in life and was getting an opportunity to live, experience. His heart squeezed at the tragic thought.
“Sure thing,” he replied, picking up the salad she’d created. He walked over to the table and set it down.
“Um, so, I also thought we could talk after dinner. I, uh, I have some things I need to tell you. But let’s eat first, okay?” she croaked. She was not looking forward to the conversation.
“Yeah, sounds great,” Tristan struggled to reply, deciding that it could wait thirty minutes so they could eat dinner. He could see that she was getting ready to tell him, and he preferred for her to submit on her own and tell him without a quarrel. But if it was the last thing he did today, he would have verity from her within the hour.
Somehow, they’d made it through dinner without choking or ripping each other’s clothes off. Both of which seemed possible considering the incendiary tension that threatened to combust the room. After everything was cleaned up, the time of reckoning had arrived. There were no more dishes to wash or food to put away. It was just Tristan and Kalli and the truth waiting to be told.
Tristan walked over to the sliding glass doors, sensing her hesitation. She’d cleaned the countertop and stove from top to bottom, procrastinating in order to avoid the inevitable. He was done waiting. As he was about to call her over, she nervously played with her hair then untied the apron, revealing a hot pink cami and black boy shorts. All the blood rushed to his cock, responding to the sight of the second skin material. Jesus, she was killing him. He prayed their talk would go quickly so he could peel her out of her barely-there excuse for clothing.
He pointed his finger at her and then crooked it, indicating it was time. He knew it. She knew it. He could hear her heartbeat quicken as she closed the space between them. Her breath hitched as she met Tristan’s eyes. His finger beckoned her to join him. Her legs were moving before she thought she’d said yes. By the time she was within a few feet, he slid open the door.
“Come, Kalli. Let’s talk,” he instructed. He held out his hand gesturing for her to go outside.
“I…I can’t go out there,” she stuttered. “I’m not even dressed. Well not really.” She was petrified of heights. The entire time she’d stayed with him she’d avoided the windows as much as possible. The view was lovely but her stomach dropped as soon as she got within a foot of the glass.
“Yes you will, Kalli. Truth. Now. Why don’t you want to go?”
A test?
She looked down to her feet and then met his eyes yet again. She crossed her arms protectively across her chest. “Okay, fine. I hate heights. Satisfied? Let’s just stay in here…please,” she begged.
“No, Kalli. We’re going outside. It’s a beautiful night. Very few people get to see the city like this, alone on a Penthouse balcony. Call it my gift to you.”
“Gift? I don’t understand how…”
“As long as you live in my home, my building, I am your Alpha. You accepted this when you accepted my protection. The wolves, I protect them too. Guide them when necessary. From the youngest pup to the eldest grandwolf, I have their best interests in mind in everything I do. This is your gift. Teaching you to trust your Alpha. Now come to me, Kalli,” he demanded with a smooth sexy voice.
It seemed as if there was nothing she’d consider denying him as she reached for his hand.
“That’s it, chére. Come with me,” he encouraged as he led her outside. He chuckled as she looped her arm within his, clutching him tightly.
She tried concentrating on her breathing in an effort to calm the fear that threatened to take over her sense of reason. As her bare feet touched the warm terracotta tiles, she closed her eyes.
“See how nice it is? There’s nothing better than a warm September night.” He looked down at Kalli to see that her eyes were completely shut tight.
“Cheating are we?” he laughed. “Okay, brave girl. Close your eyes all you want, for now. But I’ve got something I want to show you, and you will open your eyes,” he stated confidently.
As he led her over to the wrought iron fence, he smiled. “All right, come on, turn around for me.”
Extricating his arm from her deathly grip, he gently took her by the waist and slowly turned her toward the skyline. He peeked at her and saw she still wasn’t looking. She was a stubborn little thing, he thought to himself. What fun it was going to be breaking her of that habit. He planned on teaching her a lesson she’d not soon forget.
Placing his hands on her shoulders, he rubbed them gently. A small moan escaped her lips. “That’s it baby, relax. I want you to enjoy my gift.” With a final caress, he let his hands roam down her bare arms, never losing contact with her skin. When he reached her hands, he pulled them over to the fence and placed her palms on the cool iron bars. He proceeded to wrap each of her fingers around the metal until she fully grasped it.
Sliding his hands around her waist, he pressed his body against her until the hard bulge of his erection was nestled into the crease of her bottom. She released a small gasp at his delightful intrusion.
“Okay, Kalli. It’s time. You can do this. Your Alpha is with you. And you’re safe. I won’t let anything happen to you. You must trust me. Ready? One, two, three. Open your eyes. Now,” he demanded.
By the time her eyes flew open, she was so aroused she’d forgotten where she even was. With Tristan holding her waist, and her hands clasped to the bars, she let her fear go and gasped at the incredible sight. The city vista danced with lights to an orchestra of urban music. It was magnificent, like nothing she’d never experienced.
“Tristan, oh my God. It’s beautiful. Thank you,” she breathed, aware that she truly had been given a gift, one that she’d never have experienced if it weren’t for Tristan and the trust she put in him.
“What do you see Kalli?” he asked.
“Lights, buildings, shadows…” she wasn’t sure of what he meant.
“Yes, all that is true. But let me tell you what I see. I see my city, my wolves. I see my responsibility. And whether my wolves are up the mountains or in the city, they know they can trust me to lead them and protect them. And you Kalli, you can trust me too.”
“Yes, I know,” she moaned again. She trusted him. But part of her was done talking; she simply wanted this man. “I have to tell you. Tristan…my apartment. They took something. Something really important.”
“What, chére? What did they take?”
“Pills. My medicine. But I’m afraid… I need…I need…” She took one of her hands off the iron and reached behind her to touch his thigh.
Something in Tristan snapped. He knew he should keep up with her confession, but the feel of her warm hand on his thigh, mere inches from his hard arousal, flared his desire. His fingers slid under her stretchy cotton cami, until his hands were full with her soft breasts. He gently pinched her nipples, enjoying the feel of her tender, excited flesh.
Kalli released a loud breath at Tristan’s touch. The sweet sting sent a rush of desire to her core. Needing more, she wriggled backward, relishing the feel of his cock on her ass.
“Yes, please,” she begged.
“Ma chérie, what do you need? Tell me,” he whispered into her ear. As the word, ‘chérie’ left his lips, he briefly took note of what he’d called her. It was a term he’d reserved only for a girlfriend. Intellectually, he knew that she wasn’t, but his body disagreed.