Tristan: An MC Romance (Heavy Hogs Book 3)

by Elias Taylor

  “Wh-what?” Kayla asked. “I can’t just stop, I mean, he’s coming over for dinner tonight.”

  Cleo’s face broke into a wide grin, and her eyes sparkled.

  “Kayla Carpenter, you have got it bad,” Cleo said. “I’ve never seen you this infatuated.”

  “That’s the thing,” Kayla said. “I almost feel like it’s more than infatuation, I think I’m falling in love.”

  Kayla bit her lip and furrowed her brow.

  “Only you would look this distressed over falling in love,” Cleo said.

  Their sandwiches arrived, and Kayla took a big bite. Cleo regarded her friend.

  “He’s not part of the plan, so adjust the plan,” Cleo said.

  “I guess I could make a few tweaks,” Kayla admitted.

  “Great,” Cleo said. “I’m sure it’s for the best.”

  Kayla nodded. She had chosen Cleo for this lunch on purpose. She knew Cleo would support a relationship with Tristen. If Kayla had wanted to end things, she would have chosen Lindsay, an older coworker going through a nasty divorce. Lindsay would have thrown cold water on the whole thing.

  Kayla didn’t want things to end, so she had chosen Cleo. She had known Cleo would be the biggest fan of the budding relationship.

  “You know,” Cleo said. “I think it could be good for you and your career.”

  “How so?” Kayla asked.

  “It’s only been two weeks, but you seem looser and less stressed,” Cleo said. And this is the first time ever you’ve ever taken a full lunch.”

  Kayla nodded. She had to admit that there was an extra spring in her step thanks to all the great conversations with Tristen. And the other activities with Tristen.

  “And you do your best work when you’re not stressed,” Cleo said. “So Tristen is decreasing your stress and therefore increasing your professional performance.”

  Kayla raised her eyebrows.

  “Plus, a healthy work-life balance is pivotal in order for a career to have long-term success,” Cleo said.

  “When did you become such an expert on work-life balance?” Kayla asked.

  “I read an article,” Cleo said.

  Kayla tipped her head and laughed. Cleo had a point. It was true, she had been killing her work so far with the Hastings client, and small setbacks no longer frustrated her as much. She was too happy to go get angry, so she just started to focus on finding solutions. Even Clifford had commended her on her recent work.

  Plus, the workday never dragged. It seemed to fly by when she knew she was going to see Tristen in the evening. Kayla wasn’t getting distracted. She was working even harder during her office hours so that she could enjoy her time with Tristen outside of work.

  Kayla just wasn’t sure she was ready to admit all that out loud. After all, things with Tristen were still so new. It almost felt silly to discuss falling in love after so short a time, but then Tristen had a certain way about him that made her feel so safe and secure. He didn’t hesitate to show his affection for her, and he made time for her while also respecting her time.

  Kayla shook her head and focused on Cleo.

  “Ok, enough about my stress levels,” Kayla said. “How are you?”

  Cleo launched into a story about her eccentric boss and his most recent obsession with argyle socks.

  Cleo was also planning a party in a few weeks, and she told Kayla that she just had to bring Tristen.

  “You two would be the hottest couple there, no competition,” Cleo said.

  “We’re not trying to be the hottest couple, we’re just trying to get to know each other and spend quality time together,” Kayla said. “I’m not even sure we are a couple yet.”

  Cleo frowned and tapped her finger against her lip as she considered this new level of the situation.

  “Ok, have you talked about if you’re monogamous?” Cleo asked.

  “No, but I think we are,” Kayla said. “I don’t even know when he would have time to see someone else.”

  Kayla thought back on the last two weeks with concern. Tristen would have to be going on a date every single night if he was seeing other people. Could it be possible?

  “You’d be surprised,” Cleo said with a wry smile. “And sometimes it’s not about actually seeing someone else, but being open or looking at other women.”

  Kayla sighed. Even the happiest of relationships had their challenges.

  “Just talk about it,” Cleo said. “Don’t be weird or awkward, just say you want to know where you stand before going further.”

  “Alright, I can do that,” Kayla said.

  “Don’t get uptight about it,” Cleo said. “It’s not a business meeting.”

  “I can be fun and chill,” Kayla said.

  She realized she was speaking in a tone that she was not fun or chill. Cleo smiled.

  “I know that,” Cleo said. “And I’m glad Tristen seems to know that as well.”

  Kayla thought of how many times Tristen had made her laugh or told her she seemed happy, and she allowed herself a secret smile.

  “I invited him to my place for dinner tonight,” Kayla said. “I thought I would cook him something, make it romantic, and then maybe I can bring up our status then.”

  Cleo squealed in excitement.

  “That’s so cute,” she said. “A romantic dinner at home is definitely a sign that things are getting serious.”

  Cleo’s enthusiasm was contagious, and Kayla gushed about her plan for the menu and decor for the rest of the lunch. In typical perfectionist fashion, Kayla wanted to blow Tristen away with a home-cooked meal and delicious wine.

  Kayla didn’t cook extravagant meals often, preferring to keep her meals simple and healthy. She did enjoy cooking though, when she had the time for it. Something about gathering all the right ingredients and presenting the meal with a nice aesthetic was appealing to Kayla.

  “I’m going to leave the office at 5 on the dot today,” Kayla said. “So I have time.”

  “Good,” Cleo said.

  Kayla glanced at her watch. The lunch hour was almost over.

  “So I had better head back soon,” Kayla said. “So I get everything done this afternoon.”

  The friends paid the bill and walked out to the sidewalk.

  “Seriously, thanks for having lunch with me,” Cleo said. “I really appreciate it.”

  A sudden burst of affection for her friend hit Kayla, and she reached out to give Cleo a big hug.

  After they parted ways, Kayla speed-walked back to the office. She wanted to be back at her desk before 1. She might be less stressed, but she wasn’t going to lose all her habits after all. Tristen wouldn’t want her to anyway. He had commented more than once how much he admired her commitment and hard work. He had even asked for advice on how he could best advance in his workplace. Kayla had been flattered and ready to dole out her hard-earned wisdom.

  She reflected on Cleo’s observations about her lack of stress. She realized that she probably hadn’t made it easy on Cleo over the years, between her constant cancellation of plans because of work and her neverending stressing about her plan.

  Kayla realized that she hadn’t just been sacrificing romantic relationships in the past few years. She had been pushing her friendships and familial relationships to the side, and compromising them.

  She resolved that there would be no more of that. Cleo was getting weekly lunches. Or at least a lunch every other week. Kayla would also stop bailing on weekend plans, within reason.

  Her relationship with Tristen might very well go down in flames. Kayla might end up in a pit of heartbreak and pain that would distract from her work.

  Cleo, on the other hand, would never break her heart.

  Chapter Sixteen: Falling

  Tristen agreed to grab a quick drink with Perry after work. It was Friday after all.

  “Just one though,” Tristen said. “I’m meeting Kayla at 7.”

  Perry settled into his seat and ordered them both beers.
/>   “I can not believe this is working out between you two,” Perry said.

  Tristen shook his head as he took a swig of beer. Even he was still marveling at how things had developed. Perry, who knew exactly what a bizarre beginning the relationship had, was entitled to his shock.

  The last two weeks had been amazing. Kayla had opened up and been more than willing to continue dating. Tristen could tell she always had a great time with him, and she hadn’t mentioned his being a distraction once.

  Tristen just wasn’t sure if it was temporary. He just knew that he wanted to keep things going the way they had been going.

  He was serious about Kayla. Yes, it was new, but he was more than willing to commit at least for the foreseeable future.

  “It has been crazy,” Tristen admitted to his friend.

  “Well, I’m really happy for you,” Perry said. “I hope it keeps going well.”

  “Me too,” Tristen said. “It feels so solid right now, I just hope nothing happens to derail it.”

  “And does she feel good about it?” Perry said.

  “Yeah, I think so,” Tristen said. “She’s obviously very focused on work, but she seems happy.”

  “I gotta say, I’m a fan,” Perry said. “The way you were looking at her at that work dinner, I thought you were an amazing actor, but now I guess you weren’t acting.”

  Tristen chuckled. The work event already seemed like it had been so long ago. He had barely begun to get to know Kayla in all her complexities.

  “And you seem happy too,” Perry said. “You’ve changed, it’s almost like you’ve gotten a boost in your morale.”

  Tristen shrugged. It was true that Kayla had helped his perspective at work. He no longer felt like he was fighting an uphill battle towards an unattainable goal. He had broken the climb down into key milestones, and now he had a better sense of how to get to the top. Plus, Kayla’s trick with motivation helped him. He didn’t envision travel destinations like her, but he thought of what he wanted in five years. A nice home and a way to provide for his family.

  “I guess I’m not freaking out as much at work,” Tristen said.

  “Totally,” Perry said. “I, on the other hand, need to quit soon.”

  Tristen laughed as Perry launched into his hundredth speech on how he was just going to storm out one day.

  After they had finished their drinks, Tristen said goodbye and headed for the door.

  He drove straight to her apartment. Tristen was aware that it was a big deal for Kayla to offer to cook a whole meal for him at her home. So far, all their dates had been going out to meals or movies or taking a ride, followed by some heavy kissing at his place or hers.

  This felt significant. This felt intimate.

  When he arrived, Kayla beamed as she opened the door.

  “Ok, wine is open,” Kayla said. “Have a glass, but no helping, just sit down and relax.”

  Tristen smiled as he poured himself a glass of red wine.

  “You sure I can’t dice any vegetables or anything?” he asked.

  “Absolutely not,” Kayla said. “And when you cook for me, I won’t help you.”

  Tristen sat down at the kitchen counter and watched Kayla bustle about the kitchen. He had been honest with Perry. Kayla seemed happy with him, but he still wasn’t sure. Tristen knew at some point they would have to address some issues. Her hesitancy about relationships and aversion to distractions hadn’t just vanished. Kayla had set them to the side, but Tristen would be an idiot to ignore them. He would have to help her sort through how she felt at some point.

  For now, he was going to enjoy the sight of her stirring a pot of sauce and turning to grab more salt. She had changed out of her work clothes and into a loose-fitting green dress that showed off her long legs. As far as Tristen was concerned, the dinner was already romantic. Nothing was better than watching her beautiful body as she cooked.

  Kayla was making homemade spaghetti, and Tristen was shocked when she pulled out a pasta making machine and started to push the dough through.

  “I didn’t know you had that,” Tristen said.

  “Isn’t it great?” Kayla said.

  She grinned at Tristen while she turned the wheel.

  “I took a class last year,” Kayla said.

  Tristen shook his head in amazement. Kayla had taken at least a dozen classes on random skills. Cooking, knitting, painting, you name it. She truly was a well-rounded individual. He couldn’t believe that a few short weeks ago, he had thought her to be obsessed with her job and nothing else.

  Kayla served the homemade spaghetti and sauce on her dining room table, with candles casting a warm glow over the meal.

  Instead of sitting across from Tristen in a formal set up, Kayla set her plate down right next to him so that their knees touched under the table. It made Tristen remember that evening at the work event when she had seen he needed encouragement and reached out.

  He reached out and grazed Kayla’s arm with his knuckles.

  “Hey, focus on the meal,” she said.

  But she was smiling, so Tristen snaked his hand up her arm and then around her waist.

  “Thank you,” he said.

  The spaghetti was delicious, but Tristen could only vaguely appreciate it. Most of his mind was consumed by watching Kayla put dainty bites into her mouth and admiring the way her lips scrunched up when she chewed.

  They talked about work and weekend plans. When they were almost done eating, Kayla cleared her throat.

  “I actually wanted to ask you about something,” she said.

  Tristen nodded. Kayla furrowed her brow and clasped her hands in front of her on the table. Tristen now knew that pose indicated she was gathering her thoughts in preparation to say something important.

  “I really like you,” Kayla said. “And I’ve had a great time these past two weeks, and I have been thinking, and I’ve decided that I want to be monogamous with you.”

  “We are monogamous,” Tristen said. “Or I am.”

  Kayla’s shoulders dropped as she heaved a huge sigh of relief.

  “Oh thank God, ok, I thought so,” she said. “But Cleo said you never could know with guys, and it’s been a while since I’ve dated so I wasn’t sure.”

  Tristen reached out and touched her cheek with his fingertips, and Kayla’s babbling stopped as her lips curved into a soft smile.

  “I’m all in, Kayla,” Tristen said. “I want to do this for real, no more blackmailing or negotiation or faking.”

  Kayla nodded.

  “Ok,” she said. “I’m still nervous about a serious relationship, but I don’t want any more blackmailing either. I’m ready to give this a try, but I want to take it slow.”

  Tristen leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. Just as he was about to pull away, Kayla leaned into him and flicked her tongue across his bottom lip. Tristen felt a knot of arousal in his stomach, and he deepened his kiss, wrapping his hand around the back of her neck as he did so.

  When he pulled away, Tristen gave Kayla a sultry smile.

  “I can do slow,” he said.

  Kayla gave him a flirtatious raise of her eyebrows, and then picked up her fork to take another bite of pasta. As she chewed her past, Tristen felt her bare foot slide up and down his leg.

  He wanted her. They hadn’t had sex since that first time at the hotel, but he felt it was coming soon. He had been craving her at every single date, but he was happy to go at her pace. Every time they had kissed, fireworks had gone off in his head. Every touch was like electricity.

  “Maybe not too slow,” Kayla said.

  At her words, Tristen felt the tightening of his erection.

  He set aside his fork and scooted his chair even closer to Kayla so he could place a line of gentle kisses along her neck. She giggled and sighed as he found a sensitive spot at the nape of her neck.

  Kayla’s fingers wandered up his thigh in smooth strokes.

  In a flash, Tristen moved his hand from her n
eck to the hem of her skirt.

  “Tristen, I’m still eating,” Kayla said.

  Her thigh was warm and inviting, and Tristen quickly pushed his hand under her skirt until his fingers were fiddling with the hem of her panties.

  “You can keep eating,” he whispered. “I’m just having some fun.”

  Kayla gasped in surprise when he pushed one finger inside her underwear to stroke her fleshy folds.

  “Sorry, did you not like that?” Tristen teased.

  Kayla let out a little hum and scooted closer to Tristen in her chair.

  “No, I liked it,” she said.

  Tristen played with her while she finished her pasta. When she was done, he pulled his hand out from under her skirt and captured her mouth with his own.

  Kayla pulled away and started to stand up.

  “I almost forgot, I have dessert,” she said.

  Before he could depart for the kitchen, Tristen snatched her wrist and pulled her down into his lap.

  “You’re my dessert,” he murmured into her hair.

  Kayla let out a laugh, and Tristen kissed her smiling visage, over and over. She situated herself in his lap with her legs dangling over the chair and wrapped her arms around his shoulder.

  They kissed for long moments, Tristen’s desire grew stronger and stronger.

  He wanted her. He wanted every inch of her. He wanted her in all her glory. He wanted her with all her drive and ambition and laughter.

  With a soft grunt, Tristen pushed back from the table and stood up, with Kayla still cradled in his arms. She let out a soft cry and clung even tighter to his neck.

  “I won’t drop you,” Tristen said.

  “I know,” Kayla said.

  With confident strides, Tristen walked to the bedroom. Kayla had already kicked off her shoes at the table, and her bare feet swung in the air. Tristen set Kayla down on the bed and watched as she leaned back on her elbows.

  Her hair fell in shining dark waves around her shoulders, and she looked up at him with such depth of feeling that Tristen swayed with emotion.

  He slowly unbuttoned his shirt, and Kayla scooted to the edge of the bed and pulled her dress over her head.

  Tristen marveled at her body. Their first time had faded into blur due to the alcohol. But now he was clear-headed, and he soaked in every inch of her gleaming skin. Kayla reached out and grabbed his hand so she could tug him down onto the bed next to her.