by Nikki Ash
I pull out my paperback—the second book in the series that had the horrible cliffhanger—and read for a little bit before I snuggle up next to Tristan. “Night, baby,” I whisper as he wraps me up in his arms. I look around the room for the first time finally feeling at home.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Tristan
“All right! Everyone hop in and find a seat. Lexi, I put your booster seat in the middle. Buckle in.” I throw the last of our luggage into the trunk of the SUV I rented but leave it open. Mason hasn’t come out yet and he’ll need to throw his stuff in.
“Hey Lexi, can I sit next to you?” Alec asks, and we all wait for Lexi’s answer.
“Fine,” she huffs out. “But you better be nice, and no calling me names.” Her voice is stern and Alec nods in understanding.
“I guess I’m in the back,” Mila points out sounding annoyed. I give Charlie a questioning look as we jump into the front seats.
“She’s going to be in the back…with Mason for four hours.” Charlie giggles and I join in, laughing.
“I’m here!” Mason announces as he throws his baggage into the back and slams the trunk shut.
“Maybe I should sit in the back,” Charlie suggests, but I’m already shaking my head.
“No way. I get four hours of my hand on this leg.” I squeeze her thigh making her laugh.
“Oh man! Are you Mason Street?” Alec whisper-shouts, completely in a trance at Mason standing in front of him, the SUV door open.
“I am…who are you, kid?” Mason looks around confused like he’s standing in front of the wrong vehicle, until he spots Lexi. “He a friend of yours?” Then he looks toward me. “You aren’t letting her hang out with boys, are you?”
I hear Charlie snort out a laugh as I say, “No…that’s Alec.”
We all watch as Mason puts the pieces together. His head swings from me to Alec then to the back where Mila is sitting in the third row with a playful smirk resting on her lips.
“You’re Alec?” Mason questions.
“I am! And I’m your biggest fan! I love the UFC. Your record is fifteen and two! And that one fight you lost against Fredrick Ricardo was bullshit!”
“Alec!” Mila scolds. “Don’t you use that word.”
“Sorry Mom, but it’s the truth! I added up the points. Mason should’ve won that fight!”
Mason is cackling at Alec’s antics. “I agree.”
“But the other one you lost. I know it was in the beginning of your career, but you deserved that one.”
“Were you even alive for that fight?” Mason asks, incredulously.
Alec gives him a look. “I know you’re getting old, but haven’t you ever heard of YouTube?”
“Alec,” Mila chides, and Mason is speechless.
“Is he…yours?” Mason points to Alec.
“Yes, he is. Mason, this is my son, Alec. As you can see, he’s a huge fan of yours, and the only guy in my life.”
“Dammit,” Mason curses under his breath. “A man I stood a chance against. A kid…” he shakes his head slowly, then looks to me. “You knew?” I laugh, nodding my head. Next he looks to Charlie. “And you knew?” Charlie cracks up, the smile bright on her face as she nods knowingly.
“Well shit…game over.” Mason climbs into the back seat next to Mila, buckles in, and pouts like a two-year old who was just told no to having dessert before dinner.
“What game are you playing, Uncle Mason?” Lexi asks.
“One where I lost, Lexi girl. One where I lost.”
It’s been two days of fun in Vegas. We’ve hung out in the pool, had lunch at the Rainforest Café. We’ve visited with my parents at the resort since their house is under contract and full of boxes. Mason has been busy working out and preparing with his trainer, and Marco, who is training an up and coming fighter, has been helping him to prepare for his fight. Mila and Alec have been hanging out with us, along with Bella—who’s ready to pop any day now—and Micaela.
Now it’s Saturday morning and I have to head over to where the event is taking place. Mason has just finished showering and we’ve all congregated into my room.
“Okay, Mason and I have to go check-in, and he needs to warm up. Mila, here are your tickets and VIP passes. Bring these with you.” I hand her the tickets and the passes hanging on a lanyard. “You’ll be seated with my parents and Bella, so if you need anything just ask.” Then I turn to my daughter. “Lexi, please behave for Charlie. I won’t be back until later. Probably close to four in the morning.”
Everybody nods, and I give my girls a kiss before heading out with Mason.
“So…tomorrow?” he asks once we’re alone. I nod wordlessly. We’re staying one more night and leaving Monday morning. Since winter break has started, the kids don’t have school, so technically we can stay as long as we want to, but Charlie wants to be home for Christmas next week, and Mila has to get back to work.
“Yeah, tomorrow night. My parents are watching Lexi at their place, and I made reservations.”
“Any doubts?” I think about this for a minute as we walk through the lobby toward the stadium.
“No, I know she has a past, and while I wish she would let me in when it comes to the asshole who hurt her, it doesn’t change anything. I know everything I need to know about Charlie. There’s no doubt in my mind I want to spend the rest of my life with her.”
After I few minutes I ask, “What about Mila?”
“What about her?”
“You know…now that you know she isn’t taken.”
“Nope. Not happening. You know I don’t fuck with moms.”
“Yeah, you might’ve mentioned that once or twice, but you never explained why.”
Mason gives me a side-eye. “My mom…fuck…I don’t want to talk about it. It doesn’t even matter. The point is, moms are a no-go.”
We get to the stadium and time flies by. Mason is the main card event and we don’t have time to watch any of the other fights. I go out with Steven, a new fighter at my gym who has proven himself in the UFC and earned himself a spot in the lineup. Hours later, Mason is up. He, of course, kicks ass and wins his fight. The crowd goes crazy as the ring announcer announces Mason the defending champion.
We go to the club to celebrate his win along with several other fighters, and around three in the morning, after checking on Lexi who is asleep in her own room, I crawl into bed with Charlie. She’s snuggled under the covers and snoring softly, and I take a minute to watch her. If everything goes as planned, tomorrow Charlie will agree to spend her life with me. I think back on everything I’ve been through the last several years: Bella, the baby, Gina. And the truth is, I don’t regret a single moment or decision, because every choice and every heartbreak led me to Lexi and then to Charlie, and I can’t imagine my life without either of them in it.
“Hey,” she says sleepily, “I missed you.” She brings her lips up to mine, and lazily kisses me.
“I missed you too,” I murmur against her lips. “More than you know.”
“Make love to me, Tristan,” Charlie whispers, and my woman doesn’t have to tell me twice. If I have it my way, I’ll be making love to her every damn day for the rest of our lives.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Charlie
After spending the day at Tristan’s parents’ house—technically it was out back because the inside was torn apart in preparation for their move—they grilled and we rode their four wheelers—Tristan and I made our way back to the resort to get changed. He’s taking me to dinner, just the two of us. I told him I was more than okay with Lexi joining us, but he insisted he wanted a romantic night out, which means Lexi is staying with his parents.
I get out of the shower—Tristan is getting ready in the other bathroom—and find a box on my bed. The tag reads: Wear me. Opening it up, I find a simple yet gorgeous black dress. I step into it and zip it up from the side. It’s tight up top with a low V cut and flares out at the bottom, ending just above my knees. Also in the box is a p
air of beautiful Christian Louboutin lady peep patent red sole pumps. It’s been a long time since I’ve touched something this expensive, but it feels different coming from Tristan. It’s a gift from his heart, no strings attached, and I know he won’t throw it back in my face later on.
I’m putting each heel on as Tristan walks out of the bathroom dressed to the nines. I’ve never seen him in a suit before, but damn does it look good on him. Black slacks, black jacket, and a white button-down shirt underneath. Collar is open, no tie.
“You look beautiful,” he says, pulling me into his arms and giving me a gentle kiss on the corner of my mouth so as not to ruin my lipstick. I let out a soft moan wanting more and he chuckles softly. “Later.”
“Thank you for the dress and heels.”
“You’re welcome. But I must admit, they were purchased with purely selfish motives. I get the pleasure of staring at you from across the table all night in that sexy dress.”
“And the heels?”
“I’m hoping later tonight they’ll be digging into my back while I’m inside of you.” I feel my face heat up as Tristan lowers his head down and places a soft lingering kiss on my neck. “You ready to go?”
I nod, and he takes my hand in his, walking us out of the room and to the elevator. When we get down to the lobby, there’s a car service waiting for us. We don’t even drive a mile down the street when we pull up to the Bellagio. Tristan tips the driver and guides us through the lobby and to an escalator, which leads up to at a restaurant called Picasso.
Tristan flashes me his panty melting grin, his dimple on full display. “I figured it was only fitting.” He shrugs. He gives the hostess his name and we’re guided back to a balcony overlooking the fountains. The hostess hands us menus and says our server will be right with us.
“Tristan! This view is breathtaking,” I say, looking out at the dancing water.
“I agree completely,” he replies. My eyes are trained on the show which is taking place, but when I glance to Tristan, he’s staring at me.
“My dad brought my mom on a date to watch the fountains, so I figured it was good luck because they have the kind of relationship…the kind of marriage I hope to have one day.”
Tristan backs his seat up and gets down on one knee, and I hear myself gasp. “When I made the reservations, they asked me when I planned to propose. I know most people wait until the end of the meal, but I told them in the beginning. There was no way I would be able to sit here across from you with this ring in my pocket and focus on anything other than begging you to become my wife.”
He pulls out a small box and opens it. Nestled inside is an exquisite heart-shaped diamond surrounded by several tiny diamonds in what looks to be a platinum setting. My hands go to my mouth in shock and I can feel my body trembling.
“I looked at so many rings.” He lets out a quick laugh. “So many…and then I saw this one and I knew this was it. Charlie Pratt, you stole my heart the first night I saw you, and soon after you stole my daughter’s.” I shake my head, tears burning my lids at his words. “I know some people might think this is too soon, but I believe when you know, you know, and I know without a doubt I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you. This is me willingly giving you my heart and asking you to never give it back. Will you marry me?”
The tears release and fall down my cheeks as I nod my head yes because it’s the only answer I can give him. “Yes! Yes, I will marry you.” Tristan grins a boyish smile and plucks the ring from the box, sliding it onto my ring finger. I stare down at the ring and realize I’m going to have to leave the present and head back to my past in order to clear the way for my future, and that thought scares the ever-loving shit out of me.
We enjoy a delicious meal while chatting about our future. I tell Tristan I would love to get married here and he agrees. We discuss purchasing a bigger home and one day growing our family. All of it feels tainted because of what I’m hiding, and I vow to myself to make things right as soon as possible.
After we finish eating, we head back to the hotel room. Awaiting us are several candles placed all over the room and rose petals covering the bed and floor.
“I can’t believe you planned all this,” I say in complete awe. Tristan comes up behind me, and after gently tugging the side zipper down, removes my dress so I’m in only heels and a black lace matching bra and panty set. Dusting my hair to the side, he kisses right below my ear, and then trails open-mouthed kisses down my neck and over my shoulder.
“Let’s take this to the bathroom,” he murmurs, taking my hand in his, and guiding us to the bathroom. When we get inside, I notice the bathtub is already filled with water. Tristan lifts me up and places me onto the expansive counter before stepping back and stripping off his clothes. First is his jacket. It falls onto the floor. Next, he unbuttons his pants and pulls his shirt out. After pushing his slacks down, he’s in only his briefs and a shirt.
“Come here.” I reach out my hand and he steps between my legs. I undo each button of his shirt until his hard chest and abs are on display for me. Leaning down, I kiss his left pec over his heart. He shrugs out of his shirt and is left standing in only his briefs.
I give his pec another kiss, this time my lips lingering on his nipple and he lets out a groan. Reciprocating, Tristan pulls both my bra cups down, my heavy breasts jutting out. He takes both breasts into his large hands, and bringing them together, wraps his lips around both of my nipples and sucks. I let out a moan as the pleasure shoots straight to my core, my thighs tightening around his legs.
My hands move to his freshly shaven head, my fingers caressing the back of his neck. “Lift up, baby,” he demands, and I lift my butt up so he can remove my panties. As he pulls them down my thighs, I reach back and remove my bra so I’m completely naked.
Tristan’s body moves down with my panties, and once they’re off, he spreads my legs, my body on display for his taking. “Put your thighs on my shoulders.” I do as he says, my heels digging into his back just like he said they would be doing. He wastes no time, delving into my pussy like he’s a starved man and I’m his long-awaited meal. With languid strokes up my seam and ending on my clit, his tongue has me coming apart in what feels like seconds. My body convulses and my legs shake uncontrollably as I scream out in orgasmic bliss.
Of course, Tristan doesn’t stop until he’s pulled out every last drop of my orgasm. Once I’ve come down enough, I’m forcing him to stand and pulling him closer to me, our mouths colliding. His tongue swirls around with mine and I taste my essence on his lips and tongue. With the heel of my pump, I hook the band of his briefs and push them down until I feel his hard length spring free, hitting my leg.
Needing him inside me right this second, I push him back slightly, my Louboutin pumps making a clacking sound as they hit the floor. I turn around and lean over the counter. “Fuck me, please,” I beg, and seconds later, in one fluid motion, Tristan is entering me from behind. With one hand gripping my hip and the other encircling my hair around his wrist, he begins to thrust in and out of me with such force my head is jerked back, my scalp tingling in the most delicious kind of pain. My breasts are heavy, my nipples are hard, and as they slide against the counter, I reach up to pinch them, the stimulation causing me to squirm in pleasure.
I can feel another orgasm building. My vaginal walls clenching around Tristan’s cock as he continues to mercilessly pump in and out of me. “Fuck, baby. I’m going to come. Tell me it’s okay to come inside you.”
“Come in me,” I moan. With my words, his movements turn frantic, savage even. His dick hits that spot deep within me over and over again. His balls slapping my clit. And seconds later we’re both falling apart. Tristan lets out a guttural groan and then stills inside me, his shaft thickening as he releases everything he has into me. A few seconds later, his warm seed is dripping down the inside of my thigh as my pussy pulsates from my own orgasm.
Before pulling out, Tristan leans over—releasing my hair—and t
rails a line of kisses down my back.
“I can’t wait to marry you. If it were up to me we would get married right now…tonight.” My body freezes at his words, a chill rising up my spine. I can’t postpone this. I can’t move forward with the man I love until I have dealt with the man I hate.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Tristan
I wake up to my cell phone ringing. Reaching over, I notice the bed is empty and the sheets are cool like it’s been empty for a while. The phone stops ringing then picks up again. Without looking at the name, I answer while standing up to find my fiancée.
“Hello?”
The voice on the other end hesitates. “H-hey Tristan, it’s Bella.” I can tell by the sound of her tone something is wrong. I pick up my pace, looking around the suite for Charlie.
“Hey Bella, everything okay?” When she doesn’t say anything, I start to panic. “Is everything okay? The baby…”
“Yeah, yeah, everything is okay. The baby is still cooking in my oven.”
“Fuck, Bella. What’s wrong?” There’s no way she would know if something was wrong with Charlie, but between her missing and Bella not saying what she called for, I’m about ready to lose my shit. “Bella! What’s up?”
“It’s Gina…she’s dead. She died a few days ago.” My body comes to a stop. My heart hesitating for a brief moment. I’m not sure how to feel about this. Do I mourn? Do I cheer? Isn’t this what I wished for? So why does the reality that the biological mother of my daughter is dead make me feel sick inside? “She overdosed. I saw a post from an old acquaintance on social media. There’s going to be a funeral. Tomorrow. I just thought you should know.”
“Thanks,” is all I say before I hang up. Gina is dead and Charlie is gone. I search the rooms again before I call down to the lobby.
