I Just Need You

by J. Nathan

  I was the one who wasn’t so sure.

  I was the one who needed more proof that he’d be the one I could rely on if things went south.

  Because nothing so far had proven that Tristan Stone would be there if I needed him.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Tristan

  It was two in the morning, and I should’ve been asleep. But instead, I lay in bed staring at the ceiling of the damn dorm room trying to figure out how I was going to get through this fucking assignment unscathed. Because I was pretty damn sure it was gonna be the death of me.

  I’d started Elite Security at eighteen. Marco came on as my partner right from the start running everything for me. He’d been Special Forces and taught me everything he knew. My plan had never been to just own the company. I knew since the age of nine that I wanted to protect those who couldn’t protect themselves. And, after seven years in business, it’s what I was doing.

  We currently employed twenty (both in the field and working cyber security), but Marco wanted us to grow even bigger, opening up branches across the country. And, the only time we’d ever come to heads over something was this assignment. I knew better than to take on a young client who’d traipsed across the globe for college when she knew there could be threats against her. But Marco had stood behind his decision, arguing it was important for our expansion plans to take on high-profile clients. And it was him who promised the Hastings that he and I would personally handle their daughter’s protection.

  Fuck me.

  I knew it would be bad, but nothing could prepare me for being at a college and protecting a rich girl who didn’t give a shit about her own life. I’d called it from jump. Our typical clients hired us because they cared about their own safety. But this one? This one thought life as she knew it could go back to normal—back to how it had been before the botched kidnapping. Well, I had news for Miss Over-Privileged. If she expected me to do my job right, she needed to do what I said.

  A door opened in the hallway. Students were constantly in and out of each other’s rooms, but being late, I needed to check the live camera feeds on my monitor.

  I slipped out of bed and grabbed my gun from the desk beside me. I moved to the monitor and checked the hallway feed. Kresley tiptoed down the hallway in her pajamas. God dammit. I moved to the door and threw it wide open. “What the fuck?”

  She stopped short, turning slowly to face me. “I just needed the bathroom.”

  “You need to call us.”

  Her eyes dropped to the gun at my side and her teeth ground together. “I didn’t want to bother you.”

  “Ironic.”

  She pointed at me, her index finger tapping in the air as if to poke me as hard as she could with it. “That right there is why I didn’t want to call you. I didn’t want to see the condescension on your face.” Then, as if exhaustion had taken over her, she dropped her hand and a sigh of resignation left her. “I am trying to coexist here, but you are making it impossible.”

  “You keep doing careless shit,” I countered, keeping my eyes on hers and not on the tiny tank top and shorts she apparently wore to bed.

  “You really think someone is waiting in the bathroom for me?”

  “No.”

  Her brows squished together. “Then what’s the problem?”

  “The problem is we have protocols in place for a reason.”

  She closed her eyes and exhaled, gesturing her hand toward the bathroom. “Go ahead.”

  I walked to the bathroom, pushing open the door and checking for feet under the stalls. When I saw none, I pushed open every stall door to make sure no one hid on the toilets. Then, I stepped back out into the hallway and leaned against the wall. “All clear.”

  Kresley walked inside.

  The sweet scent of lavender body lotion wafted by me, and I couldn’t help but breathe in the girlish scent. I wondered if she wore it to bed to make her sleepy since lavender had that effect. I wasn’t too proud to admit I’d tried it before. Didn’t work, but it was worth a shot.

  The toilet flushed, and I heard the sink switch on then off. The bathroom door opened and Kresley walked out without looking at me.

  “Should I expect a call in the middle of the night every night?” I asked as I followed her down the hallway.

  “I don’t sleep,” she said, not bothering to look at me. “So probably.” She stepped into her room and closed the door.

  And, as I was left standing alone in the middle of the hallway at two o’clock in the fucking morning, that’s when it hit me. Me and the rich princess had more in common than I realized.

  Dammit.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Kresley

  Marco standing outside my room the next morning was a welcome sight. Despite my lack of sleep the previous night and the exhaustion I currently felt, I smiled as I took in his jeans and blue Henley. “Morning.”

  Marco nodded, and I was beginning to realize he only spoke when absolutely necessary. Tristan was the opposite, offering his opinion freely. It must’ve been his age or inexperience. Because I’d been around enough bodyguards to know, they took their jobs very seriously. And pissing off the client wasn’t ever their top priority.

  “I like your outfit,” I complimented Marco.

  His lips quirked as I walked to the showers.

  “You can smile, Marco,” I called over my shoulder. “I won’t tell my parents.”

  He didn’t say anything, just waited outside the bathroom while I showered and then my room while I got ready for class. He walked alongside me out of the building, growling when a couple of guys pushed between us as they rushed into the dorm from what looked like their morning run.

  Marco stayed a few feet behind me on the path, giving me space while still assessing the area around us. We arrived at the building where I had my Ethics class. It was more modern than the other buildings I’d been in and was located behind the library, not on the quad like my other classes. Inside, Tristan—in black on black—leaned against the hallway wall outside my classroom. I didn’t meet his gaze, just said goodbye to Marco and disappeared inside.

  I took a seat in the middle of the small classroom. Students filled in the seats around me and before long the professor entered and began his hour-long lecture on unethical behavior in the workplace. If ever there were a lecture Tristan needed to sit in on, this was the lecture. Luckily, it was Marco who waited for me after class. He stalled to follow me, but I slowed my pace so I could walk beside him.

  We crossed campus on our way to event planning, my final class for the day.

  “Watch out!” someone yelled.

  Marco jumped in front of me, shielding me from impending danger. He reached out and snatched the Frisbee that flew at our heads, glaring at the guy who threw it. He tossed it back to him.

  “Sorry!” the guy called.

  “No problem!” I called back, trying to ease Marco’s agitation while calming my own nerves. I glanced over at Marco as we continued to walk. “It would’ve done me some good to get knocked in the head with the Frisbee.”

  His forehead scrunched as he searched my face.

  “A black eye would’ve made me look tough.”

  He cocked his head. “Or, like the other guy got in a good shot.”

  “You saying I can’t protect myself?” I teased.

  His eyes assessed my biceps—make that lack thereof. “You got a weapon?”

  “Yeah. You.”

  He cracked a smile.

  “There it is,” I said, as much needed warmth spread to my chest. “I knew you had it in you.”

  ***

  “You have to tell us,” Elodie whispered over dinner.

  I leaned forward, inching closer to her seated across from me in the noisy dining hall. “What do you mean?”

  “Who’s the other guy?” Alice asked from beside me. “The one in the room across from yours.”

  I rolled my eyes on a groan. “Tristan.”

  “Tristan,” Alice cooed.
/>   “Don’t let his good looks fool you. He’s a jerk.”

  “I wondered about him,” Elodie said. “I introduced myself as his RA and he slammed the door in my face.”

  “Sounds about right,” I said before taking a sip of my water.

  “You don’t have to like him to hook up with him,” Alice said, popping a French fry into her mouth. “Just tell him to keep his mouth shut.”

  Elodie burst out laughing.

  I peeked over at Marco standing across the room and out of earshot—thank God. “There’s no chance of that happening.”

  “Does that mean he’s fair game?” Alice asked.

  “If you’re into cold jerky types,” I said.

  “I’m into his type. He’s got to be the hottest guy on campus,” she said.

  I wouldn’t argue with that. Those eyes were hypnotizing, but… “Just be warned,” I said. “The second he opens his mouth, he’ll ruin it for you.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Tristan

  I lay in bed staring up at the ceiling, my nightly routine as I waited for Kresley’s two a.m. bathroom run. Sleep felt heavy in my eyes, but I fought it. It was just a matter of time before I got her text anyway.

  I glanced to the desk. The live camera feeds on the monitor displayed the hallway, exits, basement, and stairwells. The dark one was for Kresley’s room. I climbed out of bed and stood in front of the monitor. It was forbidden to check her room unless we had reason to do so. But if I just peeked to see if she was asleep, I could attempt to get some sleep of my own. As if that would be a pleasant experience.

  I knew it was wrong, but I switched on the camera feed anyway. What I didn’t expect to find was Kresley pacing the floor. Our cameras were state-of-the-art and high-definition, so there was no denying what I was seeing. She’d told me she didn’t sleep. I just thought she was being dramatic.

  I watched the camera feed for at least ten minutes and not once did she stop pacing. She paced in a straight line. Then she switched it up and walked in a circle. Was she trying to put herself to sleep? Was she scared to close her eyes? I wondered if her insomnia began before or after Paris. Hold up. It wasn’t my responsibility to figure out why she wasn’t sleeping. It was my responsibility to protect her.

  I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. Now that I knew she didn’t sleep, was I supposed to do something with that information? Was I supposed to tell Marco? And, how would that conversation go? ‘Hey, Marco, while totally disregarding protocol and switching on Kresley’s camera feed, I saw she doesn’t sleep.’

  Yeah. No, thanks.

  A text pinged on my phone.

  I opened my eyes and checked my screen. Bathroom

  I quickly switched off the feed to her room, as if she could somehow sense I had it on, and moved to the door. I opened it at the same time Kresley opened her door. She walked out without saying a word, unaware that I’d been watching her. She moved down the hallway, waiting outside the bathroom, knowing the drill. I moved past her, checking it and walking out a minute later. “All clear.”

  I leaned against the hallway wall while she took care of business. When she stepped back out, I followed her to her room. She opened the door and moved inside.

  “Hey,” I said, stopping her before she closed the door.

  She glanced back to me, her red eyes indicating her need for sleep.

  “Do you want me to sit out here tonight?” What the fuck was I doing?

  She tilted her head. “In the hallway?”

  I shrugged. “Just thought it might give you peace of mind.”

  She shook her head. “I’m fine.” She turned and closed her door, leaving me standing alone in the empty hallway. And, despite her usual show of bravado, she was far from fine.

  I moved back inside my room, and against my better judgment, I flipped on her room feed. Call it curiosity. Call it me calling her bluff. But I proceeded to watch her pace her floor until five in the morning when the sun began to rise and she finally slipped into bed.

  There was no way she could continue going to school during the day and staying up all night. She’d eventually break, and that would be on me. Because, while I shouldn’t know she didn’t sleep, I was the only one who fucking knew she didn’t sleep.

  God dammit!

  Kresley

  Not sleeping at night was definitely beginning to wear on me, so when Elodie and Alice invited me to a frat party Friday night, I was all in. Drinks and partying would definitely wear me out. Then I’d sleep. Nightmares be damned. I informed Marco about the plan to go to the party, and he instantly took off for the frat house. I pitied the frat guys who had to deal with him.

  When it was time to get ready, I slipped on some skinny jeans, a sleeveless navy top, and nude Louboutin heels. I curled my hair in loose waves, brushed on some blush and eye shadow, and swiped a pass of gloss across my lips.

  Around nine, there was a knock on my door.

  “It’s us!” Elodie and Alice announced at the same time.

  I smiled and opened the door to find them both giggling.

  “Are you two already drunk?” I asked.

  Alice shook her head while Elodie nodded. Though amusing, it was their big eyes that told me there was more to their giddy behavior.

  I stuck my head out into the hallway. Tristan stood against the wall in black on black staring down at his phone. Now I understood what caused their behavior. “Looks like our escort is ready,” I said to them as I slipped into the hallway. I heard Tristan push off the wall and follow us out of the building.

  Once outside, the girls led the way down the sidewalk.

  “Woah,” Tristan said.

  We all stopped, turning to look at him behind us.

  “You’re not walking,” he said.

  “It looks like we’re walking,” I said.

  He looked to Elodie and Alice. “I’ve got a car.”

  “He’s got a car,” Alice said all giddy at the thought of riding in a vehicle with him.

  “It’s nice of you to offer,” I said. “But I’m good with walking.”

  “Get in the car,” he said, sounding pissed.

  “I’m sorry. I think you’ve mistaken me for someone else,” I said, now that he thought he was going to dole out orders in front of other people.

  “Nope,” he shot back. “Same high maintenance princess from the bar.”

  I sucked in a sharp breath as my blood began to boil. It was one thing to do this in private, but to do it in front of my new friends pissed me off. I stood tall, pulling my shoulders back. “Well, since I’m the boss and am not desperate for a ride, this is how it’s going to play out. I’m going to walk with my friends to a frat party where I plan to get pretty damn drunk. You are more than welcome to follow us there. Or, you can drive the car and meet us there which would probably be welcome later when we can no longer stand up straight. Your call.”

  He glared across the space between us, the ticking in his jaw throbbing like the second hand on an old clock.

  “Looks like it’s settled.” I spun around, linked my arms with the girls, and walked toward the frat.

  “Damn, girl,” Alice whispered. “That was hot.”

  “Hot?” I asked quietly.

  “The two of you,” Elodie answered.

  I groaned and they both laughed as they directed me toward the frat house. It took a good ten minutes to get there with Tristan trailing a few feet behind us. Note to self. Take the ride next time.

  Music pounded the pavement beneath our feet as we neared the two-story white house. Lights poured out the black shuttered windows and Greek letters flanked the peak of the roof. From the street, it looked like a packed house.

  We walked up the sidewalk and into the open front door. People filled the rooms, and Elodie and Alice waved to those who called out to them. I followed them to the end of the hallway to a door leading downstairs. As soon as we stepped into the basement, we found the source of the loud music and people dancing under
the glow of black lights.

  “Come on,” Elodie called, leading us to the bar. She must have known the guy running the keg because they chatted briefly, and he got us three cups of beer pretty quickly. We held up our red cups and tapped them together.

  “To a wild night,” I said.

  “To a wild night,” they repeated with excitement in their eyes.

  I tipped back my cup and drained the contents.

  “You weren’t kidding,” Alice said once I finished.

  I shook my head as I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. “I plan to get very drunk.”

  They held up their cups and cheered like I’d done something so much better than chugged my beer.

  “It’s been a hell of a first week, and I haven’t really slept. I need something to help me along.”

  Elodie tipped back her cup and downed her beer. “Can’t let a girl get drunk by herself.”

  I laughed as Alice did the same.

  The guy by the keg refilled our cups, and we made our way out onto the dance floor, flailing our arms to the music. We danced to the next few songs and drained our cups.

  I sensed someone watching me and turned to my right. A good-looking guy with dark hair and a sexy smirk stared at me. I smiled at him and that’s all it took. He walked out onto the dance floor, moving behind me and placing his hands on my hips. He moved right along with my body to the beat of the song. “I’m Chris,” he said, leaning in with his lips beside my ear.

  “Kresley.”

  “You’re beautiful,” he said.

  Heat pulsed in my cheeks as I continued dancing, not minding the feel of Chris’ hands on my hips at all. It had been a long time since I’d been in a guy’s arms, and I was long overdue.

  Elodie and Alice’s eyes were all big—the way they’d been when they saw Tristan in the hallway earlier.

  Speaking of Tristan.

  I glanced around the crowded space and spotted him almost immediately. He was taller than most and was leaning against the bar, staring at me with his arms crossed. His lips were pressed into a tight line and annoyance played in his eyes.