Redemption (Book 3) The Fixer Series (23 page)

“You are more than welcome to sleep in my bed if you’d like,” I offered.

She turned, pulling her shirt down suddenly trying to hide from me.  “I really couldn’t impose, the couch will be fine.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” I said.  “You’re not imposing.  I offered you my bed.  I’ll sleep out here on the couch.  Besides, a good night’s rest will keep you from being completely hungover in the morning.”

“You’re sure you don’t mind?” she asked.

“Of course,” I said, taking her hand and walking her slowly down the hall to my room.

I pulled the covers back and helped her into bed.  Then I pulled the covers up over her and watched her snuggle with my down comforter.  She really was one of the prettiest girls I had ever seen.  I walked toward the door when I heard her sweet voice.

“Tristan?” she asked.

“Yeah?” I turned facing the bed.

“Will you come and lay down with me?  Please?” she asked, as she reached her hand out to me.

I hesitated. 

“Tristan.  I asked you to come and lay down with me, not screw me.”

“Yeah, sure, okay,” I said, climbing in bed behind her. 

Well, now this is awkward,
I thought.  I’d never been in bed with a girl I wasn’t fucking.  What was I supposed to do now?  I wanted to touch her, but something told me that if I did, I’d regret it in the morning.  Or should I say afternoon since it was already morning.

I struggled to fall asleep with her being so close to me.  I wanted to reach out and touch her and honestly, I don’t think she would have minded, considering she backed herself into me, causing me to cuddle her while she slept.  Fuck!  Cuddling!  That was something I was definitely not accustomed to.  Usually the girls I brought home left after we were done screwing.  I never had any intentions of lying with a girl and cuddling with her, ever.  I just wanted sex, straight up, raw, dirty, no strings attached sex.   

I laid there feeling the heat of her body against me as I slowly drifted off to sleep.  When I woke it was nearly noon and she was no longer in my bed.  How did she leave without me noticing and more importantly, why did I even give a shit?

I threw the covers off of my body, got up and went to the bathroom to take my morning piss.  I washed my hands, grabbed my toothbrush and brushed my teeth, then walked back into my room.  I wasn’t paying attention and walked right into A.J. who was trying to get dressed.

“Shit!  I’m sorry,” I said, running my hand through my hair. 

“No.  No.  I’m sorry.  I would have gotten dressed in the bathroom but someone was in there, so I decided to come in here and get dressed where there was some privacy,” she stood blushing red.

I stood there taking her in.  I wasn’t really all that sorry that I had walked in on her dressing.  I was only sorry that I had nearly knocked her on her ass when I bumped into her.  She was even better standing in front of me in her bra and panties.  Her tits were so beautifully round just like her ass and her tiny waist and thick thighs gave me the best morning wood I’d experienced in a long time. 

I knew it was making her uncomfortable, me standing there checking out the goods but in that moment, I didn’t give a shit.  I wanted her and I wanted her to fucking know it.  I knew I was going to regret fucking the hell out of her, because she was different than the other girls, but it would be one hell of a ride and totally worth it.  I made up my mind in that moment and the old me finally reared his ugly head.  A.J. Kane would be mine before the end of the week.  I would see to that, regardless of what I had to do. 

I stepped closer to her and reached out, running my fingers down her arm.  She shivered and dipped her head to the right.  I watched as her body reacted to my touch, her breaths coming faster as her nipples hardened.  I took another step closer, looking into her beautiful, blue eyes and whispered in her ear, “I’ll let you have some privacy while getting dressed, but if I ever see you like this again in my room, I won’t be such a gentleman about it.”  I stepped back, turned and walked out of the room, leaving her standing there to process everything that had just happened between us. 

I knew it was dick move but it needed to be done.  I was dead serious in what I’d said.  It wasn’t a threat, it was a full on promise and she needed to know exactly what kind of guy she was dealing with. 

I sat on the couch, threw my feet on the coffee table and turned on the TV.  Dylan and Christina were nowhere in sight.  I had a feeling those two assholes had ditched A.J. and I in an effort to play matchmakers.  That was fine with me.  I didn’t want their nosey asses poking around in my business, especially when it came to A.J.  I wanted to keep her all to myself. 

I heard my bedroom door open and A.J. appeared in the living room.  I looked over at her, flashing my sexy smile.  She looked less than amused.  As a matter of fact, she looked down right pissed.  I chuckled.  There was nothing like a woman pissed off to fuel the best sex of your life. 
Bring it on baby,
I said to myself, secretly laughing inside.

She placed her hand on her hip. 
Uh oh, and we’re off! 
Then she opened her mouth and let me have it.

“Look Tristan.  I don’t know who you think you are and where you think you can get off talking to me the way you just did, but I won’t put up with that shit from you,” she said crossing her arms across her chest. 

“Well… to be quite honest A.J., I really don’t give a shit if you like how I spoke to you or not.  As a matter of fact, I think you liked it, just like you’re enjoying this little conversation we’re having right now.”

“Why are you being such an asshole right now?” she asked. 

“I’m not being an asshole sweetheart; this is how I am all the time.  I see no reason to hide who I really am from you.  What you see is what you get,” I said, as I stood and walked toward her.

She didn’t move.  She just stood there with her arms crossed over her chest, with a slight smile curling on the edges of her lips.  It was almost as if she was challenging me and it was hot as hell. 

I cupped her face with my hands and placed my lips on hers.  Damn, they were soft.  I felt her loosen up as I continued to move my lips over hers, coaxing her to open up and take my tongue in her mouth.  I pushed her up against the wall as her hands fell to the side, her body giving into mine.  Her lips relaxed and she welcomed my tongue in her mouth.  She tasted minty and fresh from just brushing her teeth and something strange happened in that moment when I was kissing her.  My heart started beating faster and I was overcome with emotion for a girl that I’d only just met, and knew that I could easily fall in love with.  No, it wasn’t just a kiss, I was giving her my heart and she knew it. 

I pulled away breaking the kiss before things got to out of hand.  I wanted her so much but I wanted so much more than just a one-night stand.  I was also a little afraid of how I was feeling, especially after that kiss we’d just shared. 

She looked at me and smiled. 

“That was nice.  Really nice,” she said.

I grabbed her and kissed her again, taking everything she was willing to give.  When we finally broke the kiss, she gathered her coat and purse and left.  I was left standing there, wondering if I’d ever hear from her again. 

It had been three days since I had heard from A.J. and I was freaking out inside because she was all I could think about.  I know, it seemed like I was acting like a big pussy, but I couldn’t help how I was feeling about her.  I had given her my heart with my kiss and that wasn’t something I could easily forget. 

So when she called, I immediately let it go to voicemail.  I didn’t want to answer and seem too eager or excited at the fact that she had called.  And if I answered, that’s exactly how it would have come out.  I wanted to call her so many times during the past three days, but I had to play it cool.  It wasn’t my thing to call a chic right away.  I waited at least a week because it helped to build anticipation for the next time that we’d hook up. 

I picked up my cell and hit re-dial on my phone.  She answered on the first ring.

“Hello?” she answered in her sweet, soft voice.

“Hey, I saw that you called,” I said, trying not to sound too eager.

“Yeah.  I was calling to see if you wanted to hang out or do something tonight,” she said.

“Can you hang on for just a sec?” I asked.

“Sure,” she replied.

I set the phone down on my bed to make it appear that I was checking my calendar.  I was trying really hard not to come across as a complete douche bag, but that was exactly how I was feeling.  I picked the phone back up.

“You still there A.J.?” I asked.

“Yep.  I’m still here,” she said.

“Good.  It looks like I don’t have any plans this evening, so sure, it’d be great to hangout,” I said, fist- pumping the air.

“Cool.  What do you want to do?” she asked.

“Why don’t we grab dinner and then we’ll figure it out from there.  I’ll pick you up at six, okay?”

“Six sounds great!  I’ll text you my address.  See you then,” she said and hung up.

I sat and thought about what we could do after dinner and then it hit me.  I just had to make sure that everything would be perfect and I knew just who I needed to call for help- Dylan, Brody and Christina.

I spent the day finalizing the plans for my date with A.J. and everything was set and ready to go.  Dylan, Brody and Christina had been more than willing to help execute my plan and Christina had even shared with me that it was one of the things A.J. had always dreamed of doing, but was too afraid to try. 
Perfect!

I showered and dressed in a nice pair of black slacks, and a blue long-sleeved button up shirt and ran some gel through my hair.  I packed a small bag with jeans, a t-shirt and socks.  I put on my coat and headed down the stairs to my truck.  Once again it was freezing ass cold, but it was winter in Colorado and it was nothing in comparison to the winters we had in Moscow.  I let the truck warm up and programmed A.J.’s address into my GPS system. 

It took me thirty minutes to get to A.J.’s place and when she opened the door, I nearly devoured her on the spot.  She looked downright adorable, standing there in a little black skirt, tights, boots and a black and red sweater.  I leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips and then helped her put on her little, black pea coat.  She grabbed her purse and the small bag that Christina had told her to pack with jeans, a t-shirt and socks.  She had no idea where we were going after dinner.  I opened the door and stood behind her as she locked the dead bolt.

We arrived at dinner just in time for our reservation.  I had decided to take her to a small restaurant just outside of Boulder that was known for its shrimp bowl.  It was decorated and crafted in fine mahogany wood that lent a romantic feel to the dining area. 

As we approached the table, I took A.J.’s coat and pulled her chair out for her to sit.  I hung our coats on the nearby coat hooks and took a seat across from her.  Our waitress came by and lit the one, lonely candle that sat in the center of our table and then took our drink order.  We both ordered a glass of white wine.  Next came the shrimp bowl and then we placed our food order.  I ordered the grilled salmon and A.J. ordered a steak. 

We sat talking and eating shrimp as we waited for our main course to arrive. 

“So, where are we going after this,” A.J. asked. 

“It’s a surprise.  You wouldn’t want me to ruin it for you, would you?” I said, smiling at her.

“No, I guess not but I thought maybe I could get it out of you,” she pouted, twirled her brown locks.

“You don’t think I’m that easy now, do you?” I asked.

She giggled, “Well… I was hoping, but I can see that you that you’re going to play hard to get,” she said taking another bite of her shrimp. 

“You never know.  If you play your cards right, you might convince me to be easy,” I said, cocking my head and smiling.

The waitress came once again and placed our food on the table. 

“Oh, I almost forgot to tell you, I purchased my dress for Friday night,” she noted, as she cut into her steak. 

“What color is it?” I asked.

“Royal Blue.”

“Perfect,” I said, taking a bite of my salmon.  “I’ll make sure I match.”