Choosing the Hart: A Love Triangle

by René, Dani

  He whispered in my ear, and I felt his teeth on my earlobe, eliciting a moan from my lips. “Did I not say you should be quiet?” I nodded. “And how, pray tell, do you think I am going to punish you now?” His voice was laced with desire, his hand flat on my back, pushing me down. Bent over at the waist, the twinkling lights of New York were in front of me. Triston spread my legs wider just as the sting came suddenly. His hand swatted my ass hard, twice. I bit my lip to keep from moaning out loud. “Miss Reid, do you like me doing that to you?” His voice deep, husky, and so sexy. I was so turned on my panties were soaked. The knot in my stomach had tightened, and I was ready to feel him fill me.

  Triston gripped my hair, pulling my head back. “I asked you a question, Miss Reid?” I nodded. I felt his other hand slowly trace a line from my neck in a slow, sensual movement down my spine. “I think I’m going to find my sweet girl is soaking wet already.” His words were taking me higher. I could come just by what he was saying to me. His fingers found the heat between my legs, moving my panties to the side and plunging into me. “Triston!” I cried out; my body shook. I was seeking the release only he could give me, aching for it.

  “Miss Reid, you’re always so fucking wet. So hot and sweet, ready for me.” He pulled his fingers out, turning my head to watch him as he slid them into his mouth. My knees shook as I gripped the railing tighter.

  Our eyes locked. “Now, Miss Reid, I am going to fill you. I am going to” — he leaned in closer, his hot breath on my ear — “fuck you!” I was hovering over the edge. He was behind me in an instant. Hearing the zipper of his slacks, I shivered in anticipation. Suddenly and quickly, he filled me. “Triston!” I cried out, not caring anymore. I watched the city below us as the man I loved took me and pushed me over the edge. He moved faster and faster. I couldn’t hold on any longer, and I came undone over him. “That’s my girl, the one I love.” His words carried him over the top as he filled me.

  Our bodies trembled as he pulled me up against him, brushing his lips over my shoulder. I looked at the lights below us. “I love you Triston.” My words were barely audible, but I knew he heard me.

  * * *

  How am I back here? Where’s Triston? I ran into the room to find Blake and Triston. I saw a gun shimmer in the light. “What the fuck are you doing here, Emily? You’re my wife!” Blake sneered. “You’re coming with me!” My eyes darted between the two men. I couldn’t go with Blake. I loved Triston. I needed Triston.

  “No, Blake, I am not your wife. I’m with Triston. Please just let me go!” I begged, pleaded. His eyes were dangerous, and I knew he wouldn’t think twice to use that gun. I took a step forward, and Blake grabbed Triston, an arm around his neck.

  “Em, go to the living room. Now,” Triston choked out. I shook my head; I wasn’t leaving him here. I couldn’t.

  “Get your stuff. We’re going, Emily! Or I kill your blue-eyed boy!”

  “Blake, please? Don’t do this.” Lifting the gun to Triston’s head, his finger squeezed the trigger. I shut my eyes and screamed.

  “No! NO!!!! DON’T!!!!”

  My body was shaking. “No!” I sat up with a start, my face moist with sweat. I looked into beautiful blue eyes. “Triston! Oh my god, you’re okay!” I wrapped my arm around him. His pulse was racing.

  “What are you having nightmares about?” His voice filled with concern. “Please, angel, talk to me?” I leaned back against the headboard, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath.

  “Triston, I just . . . Can we not?” I turned to face him in the dim light of the sunrise creeping in through the blinds. “I just can’t talk about it right now.”

  “Angel, you’re going to have to tell me sometime. I can’t be in the dark about this. You have told me about your ex, and I know it’s about him. You can tell me anything.” He opened his arms, and I slid into the warmth of his bare chest.

  “I know, Triston, but I just need to breathe. This has shaken me.” His soft hand on my shoulder slowly trailed lines up and down my arm.

  “When you are ready angel.” I looked up, and even in the dim light, I could see his eyes were filled with love. I closed my eyes and savored the feel of him. “You’re taking the day off tomorrow, and I don’t want any arguing about it. Now let’s try and get some more sleep.” I laid my head on his chest. Closing my eyes, I let sleep claim me once more.

  * * *

  “Right, sleepy head, you need to get up . . .”

  I opened my eyes, noticing the sunlight streaming through the window. I scooted up, sitting with my back against the headboard. “What time is it?” My head felt heavy like I had a hangover. Triston handed me a steaming mug of coffee. “It’s not late. Just after 9. I wanted to let you sleep for a bit.” I nodded, holding the mug, inhaling the amazing smell.

  “I have work to do today, Triston.” I knew he didn’t want me to work, but there was so much to do. I couldn’t just take the day off. I pushed the covers down and got up and walked to the window. It looked like it was going to be a beautiful day.

  “You’re not going into the office. You can stay here and work in the study. I have a meeting with James, and I would rather know you’re here, safe. Then I don’t have to worry about you being unprotected.” I nodded, knowing I wouldn’t win this fight, and I felt too tired to try anyway. So much happened the night before. I was exhausted.

  “So, I can work wearing this?” I gestured to my tank and panties. A smirk crossed Triston’s handsome face as he crossed the room toward me. “Miss Reid, I would rather have you wearing nothing.” He leaned down to kiss me, his lips crashing into mine. Grabbing my ass, he lifted me in his strong arms. I held onto his shoulders as he walked me back to bed. Landing on the soft sheets, his body hovered over me. “Now, where is that breakfast you promised me?” His voice is filled with amusement and lust.

  “You’re supposed to come and get it, Mr. Hart,” I teased, shifting higher on the bed out of his grasp. I rolled over to the other side and got up. We stood on either side of the bed now, staring at each other. The dark lust flickered across his face; he loved playing these games. “I will get it, Miss Reid; you can count on that. Then we will both come.” His words ignited the fire inside me instantly.

  I ran toward the living room giggling. Triston caught me at the doorjamb, holding my back flush against his half-naked body. I could feel his pajama pants straining in the front. “Miss Reid, you do realize I was never going to let you get away?” he hissed in my ear, causing the heat between my legs to worsen. I turned my head, kissing him. He held my neck with one hand, his tongue invading my mouth. His other hand found the apex between my thighs, causing me to moan into the kiss. My body was his, completely. I was trembling as his fingers moved deftly inside the front of my panties, his mouth on mine. He pulled away slightly, his eyes burning into me. “So wet, so perfect. I love it.” His words added fuel to my fire as I let him stroke me. His fingers are circling my clit, teasing my entrance, plunging into me. I was slick, and his fingers moved easily inside me. I was so close. “Come for me, angel.” His whispered order sending me soaring.

  My body trembled in his strong arms as he held onto me. He removed his fingers from my panties and spun me around. Lifting me up, he walked us to the living room wall and pinned me against it. “I need you, Emily. I need to feel your hot tight pussy around me.” Pushing his pants down, his erection sprang free. He moved my panties to the side and rammed into me hard. My head fell back as I felt every hard, exquisite inch of him inside me. He slammed into me, harder and deeper. “Emily, look at me.” I lifted my head. As our eyes met, I felt the electric current shooting through my body. We were made to fit together. I watched his shoulders flex as he held me against the wall, his veins pulsing. His smirk was sexy and dark, and I knew I was about to come undone for the second time that morning.

  “Yes, Emily, come for me. Give me your pleasure!” His voice was a hoarse whisper, and I felt myself spasm. “Triston!” My body shook violently, and he held me t
ight. His lips were on my neck, moving up to my ear. “You. Are. Mine.” With the last word from his mouth, I felt his release inside me. We stayed in each other’s arms until we had come down from the high. Triston looked into my eyes and smiled. “You are amazing, do you know that?” I flushed at his words.

  “Nope, I’m just a girl.” He let me down slowly. I still felt wobbly but completely satisfied.

  “An amazing, beautiful girl, who drives me crazy.” Triston stepped back. “Now I need to get to my meeting, and you need not to distract me.”

  I smiled up at him. “I did no such thing, Mr. Hart. You started it.”

  * * *

  Triston left for his meeting with James, so I decided to start working on the schedule for our trip. I sat in Triston’s office with a mug of coffee and hit play on the playlist I had just created. I had a smile that wouldn’t go away. I still couldn’t get over the fact that Triston loved me. I shook my head. I needed to concentrate on work.

  I hit send on the booking email to our travel agent when my phone rang. Bash’s name flashed on my screen. I took a deep breath and answered. “Hello?”

  “Emily, are you okay?” I could hear the worry in his tone.

  “Yes, why?” I frowned. Why would he think I wasn’t okay?

  “I was just in the office. Jessie said you weren’t in today, and I—”

  “You what, Bash? You were worried?” My voice was incredulous. Anger seethed through me. I wanted to believe he didn’t know who Blake was, but I couldn’t be sure until we had figured all this out.

  “Yes, I’m worried. My brother storms into the restaurant last night, dragging you with him, and you’re not in work the next day. What must I think?” His voice was low and angry. Then I realize he thought that Triston hurt me. My body radiated with anger. I closed my eyes, trying to calm myself. I didn’t want to fight with him, but he needed to step back from whatever he thought of his brother.

  “Bash, your brother would never hurt me! How dare you even think that! Why don’t you ask your fucking business partner about hurting me? Unless you already know!” Not waiting for a reply, I hung up. I couldn’t believe Bash had the audacity even to ask me that. Why on earth would he think Triston would hurt me? It didn’t make sense. My phone started ringing again, but I hit ignore and carried on working.

  At midday, I had finished most of the work I had set out to do, and I needed lunch. My phone beeped with a message from Triston. He was going to the office to meet with a client and would be home at three. The apartment was so quiet without Triston, but I needed to get my mind off Bash and his accusations. I turned the kettle on and opened the fridge. There were a few ready-made meals which I could heat up. I decided on the veggie lasagna and put it in the microwave when the doorbell buzzed. I wondered who it could be.

  “Hart residence.”

  “Emily, it’s me. Open up, please?” My heart raced. What the hell was Bash doing here? Triston would freak out if he knew his brother was at the door.

  “What do you want, Bash?” I folded my arms across my chest and realized I wasn’t dressed for visitors.

  “Just open. We need to talk.”

  I pressed the buzzer to open the entrance door. I looked at my appearance. Shorts and a tank top shouldn’t be too bad. I hoped. Bash appeared at the door. He was dressed in a white tank top, which showed off the tattoo on his upper arm. The black slacks he wore hung low on his taut hips, and I remembered his sculpted V-line. He looked like he had just walked out of the gym, glistening with sweat as I took in his muscles.

  “What are you doing here, Bash?” I turned and walked into the apartment as he closed the door. “You do realize your brother will totally flip if he walked in and you are here?” His eyes roamed the apartment, and I knew he had never seen the inside of his brother’s place before.

  “I needed to see if you were okay! And I needed to find out what you were talking about earlier, about my partner?” He looked genuinely confused.

  “You don’t know who Blake really is, do you?” He shook his head slowly, walking over to me. I turned to face him with my arms crossed over my chest. His eyes flickered down to my braless chest, and I felt my face heat. He looked up again, locking his gaze on mine.

  “He is part of the team who helped me get out of the red last year. He arrived about two weeks ago, and he has been roaming around the company. We are not friends. My financial backer hired him. So I have no idea what you’re talking about, Emily.” He stepped toward me, and his warm scent enveloped me.

  “Bash . . .” I stared at him, and I saw the honesty in his eyes. That same honesty that he showed me last night. “Blake is . . .” I wasn’t sure if I should tell him.

  “What, Emily? I need to know; this is my company we’re talking about.” He was standing too close to me now. I turned to face the window. I couldn't look into those hazel-brown eyes. “He is my ex-husband. I left him because he almost killed me.” I closed my eyes, waiting for the onslaught of questions.

  “What?” Bash spun me around. His eyes were filled with concern, and I felt the tears fall down my face. “Emily, I am so sorry. I had no idea. I swear to you!” He pulled me into a tight embrace. I believed him, but I knew he had to leave. I didn’t want Triston to come home and lose it. I pulled away and giving him a pleading look.

  “Triston can’t find you here, Bash. Please, can you leave? I’m sorry to do this, but after the threats, I don’t want to upset him.” I stepped back and gripped the countertop. I breathed in his scent again, allowing it to calm me.

  He narrowed his eyes. “Threats? What threats?”

  I finally locked eyes with him again, his hazel brown with tiny flecks of green. I stared at him for a few moments, watching the range of emotions wash over his handsome features. I had to tell him. “Blake has been threatening to hurt me. That’s why Triston told me to stay home today.” He nodded as if understanding his brother’s decision. I walked him to the door and unlocked it. “Thank you for coming over, Bash. I appreciate it.”

  “You call me if you need anything, you hear me?” His tone was serious, yet demanding, reminding me of Triston, and I smiled. “Thank you, Bash. I mean it.”

  He smiled and leaned forward, his lips brushing over my cheek. “Any time, princess.” He turned, and I closed the door behind him.

  * * *

  I heard the door open and close. “Angel?”

  “I’m in the study!” I heard his footsteps on the tiles. As I turned, I saw his beautiful face. He had taken his tie off, and his hair was loose. He looked so handsome. “How was your day?” I smiled as he leaned down to give me a kiss.

  “Busy, I had so much to do. I met with Mr. Jacobson. He is looking forward to the trip next week. He wants to meet with us on Friday, so you will have to come with me to the office. Did you enjoy working at home?” He sat down next to me, watching me finish up an email.

  “Yes, it was good. It’s so quiet without you here.” I closed the laptop and looked at him. “Did you see James?” I wanted to tell him about what Bash had said, but I didn’t think it would be a good idea. That would mean I would have to tell him that Bash was in the apartment.

  He nodded. “He has found Blake’s employment details. Apparently, he works for a financial backer that my brother used. He has contacted him, and they have also found the florist. Blake is clever, but he will get caught.” His fingertips stroked my arm leaving goosebumps in their wake.

  “Can we go out, like for a walk or something?” I stood up and stretched. “I’m feeling lethargic from being cooped up all day.” My tank top rode up, and Triston kissed my stomach. His scruffy chin tickled me, and I giggled.

  Triston smiled. “Sure, let me get changed, and we can go to the park.” Putting his briefcase down, he walked into the bedroom. His phone beeped from the desk. Picking it up, I looked at the screen. It was James. “Babe!” I ran into the room as Triston pulled his tee over his head. “Babe, it’s James.”

  He grabbed the phone and
answered. I pulled on my hoodie and sneakers, watching Triston as he walked into the living room. “What have you got for me?” He was quiet for a little while before I heard a glass smashing. I ran into the living room and saw Triston staring out the window. “Triston? Are you okay?” I walked over to him. He spun around, his eyes dark. “When were you going to tell me my brother was here?” My heart leaped into my throat, and it felt hard to swallow. My face heated. James must have seen Bash arriving or leaving. That’s what the call was about.

  “I wasn’t, because of this.” I gestured toward him and the broken glass on the floor.

  “Jesus, Emily, I’m trying to keep you safe, and you open the door to—”

  “To what, Triston? To your brother? He came to see if I was okay! He didn’t hurt me! He explained about Blake. He didn’t know who Blake was! You can’t keep me locked in a cage forever, Triston!” I felt the tears rolling down my face for the second time that day. Walking into the kitchen, I grabbed the dustpan and brush. I kneeled down, sweeping up the mess at Triston’s feet. “Are you happy now? Is this what you wanted?” I looked up at him through my tears. His gaze softened.

  “Stand up, Emily.” He pulled me up, wrapping his arms around me. I could feel his heart racing. “I don’t want this; I’m so sorry. I never want to make you cry. I just want you safe.”

  Pulling away, I stared at him. “Then why are you so angry? Your brother won’t hurt me.” My voice is softer now. I knew he was trying to protect me.

  “No, he won’t.” He stepped back and walked to the balcony.

  “Then what, Triston? This doesn’t make any sense. Why are you so angry? Because of the past? Isn’t it time you got over it and spoke to him?” I stared at his back. I could see how tense he was, but I wanted to know. He needed to be honest with me, and he needed to do it now. “Triston? Talk to me!” I wanted to reach out to him, but I knew it wouldn’t change anything.