Layers Peeled (9 page)

“Is marriage
something you envisioned in your life?” he asked.

“No. Never.” I
shook my head.

“Because of
what happened to your mother?”

“Yes, it never
really crossed my mind. Not that way, at least. I was preoccupied
with keeping my mother safe, and trusting another man after what
I’d seen... It just never happened. Until I met you.”

“Are you
trying to propose again?” he teased.

“I’m a quick
learner, Mr. Cross. If I was going to propose, you wouldn’t even
expect it and you would definitely not hear it coming out of my
mouth ahead of time.”

“That’s good
to know.”

I yawned,
feeling the fullness of my belly lull me. There was nothing better
than a little siesta.

My mother said
from across the table, “You should take a nap, Allie. We can see
ourselves out.”

“That’s a good
idea.” Tristan helped me up from the table. Even if I wasn’t
showing yet, I felt like my stomach was about to burst, or at least
tip me over to the side. “Let me show you up. I’ll be right back,”
he said to the rest of the family.

There was no
way I could argue with him. My eyes suddenly felt like they’d been
glued together.

“I’ll be just
fifteen minutes,” I said.

Mrs. Cross and
my mother shared a knowing glance and chuckled.

“Take your
time, dear,” Mrs. Cross said.

Upstairs the
wooden theme continued. Tristan guided me to the most beautiful
bedroom I’d seen in a long time. The bed with white sheets and
plush rug looked surreal, like the decorations and crisp linens had
been stolen from a ski chalet. Chocolate curtains flowed to the
breeze of the warm air that puffed from the ducts. I removed my
dress and crawled under the covers and felt Tristan snuggling in
behind me.

“You sleep.
I’ll take care of our guests.”

“Okay.” I felt
my eyes lower. “I’ll only be fifteen minutes”

“Of course,
baby.”

His soft kiss
on my shoulder was the last thing I remembered. When I woke up, the
room had darkened. I shot off the bed, trying to find my
bearings.

“What time is
it?”

“It’s ten
o’clock,” Tristan answered from the other side of the bed.

“At
night?”

“Yes,” he
laughed, “at night.”

“That’s so
embarrassing. I just abandoned my family in the middle of
Thanksgiving.”

“They
understand, Allie. You’re pregnant, and you should sleep as much as
you need to.”

I rubbed my
eyes. “I need to use the bathroom.”

“This way.” He
turned on the side lamp. The yellow glow somewhat illuminated the
room.

“And first
thing tomorrow morning, you’re going to show me around this
mansion. I can’t wait to see it all.”

“Absolutely.
But promise me you’ll wear something more than panties and a bra.”
The growl from his throat excited me the moment it hit my ears.

I bit my lip.
“You don’t like a woman strolling nearly naked around your
house?”

“I love it.”
He gently slapped my behind. The delicate sting sent a pleasurable
tingle between my legs. “But know that I won’t be able to keep my
hands off you.”

“Then it’s a
good thing we have a full weekend ahead of us because I seem to
have left my suitcase in the trunk of your car.”

“Your clothes
are already in your closet, but I’m thinking of skipping showing
you where that is so I can have you in your birthday suit all
weekend long.”

“So long as no
one else is in the house.”

“Oh, come on,
you enjoyed it. Admit it.”

“Maybe.”

Tristan guided
me into a bathroom the size of a five-star Hilton and let me
be.

The glass
shower in the corner with a rain showerhead and jets called out to
me. I turned on the water and stepped in. I’d need to change the
dressing on my arm and leg later, but the doctor said a shower
would help heal the wound. The warm flow encased me and I closed my
eyes, enjoying the way the water seemed to spray from various
sides. Once I warmed up, I played with the knobs, turning up the
intensity of the jets on the wall. One of them shot right between
my legs. I jumped up, startled, but then repositioned myself to
feel the warm water pulse at the awakened spot. I reached for the
pink sponge which I assumed belonged to me, squished some soap on
the scrub, and lathered myself up. The pressure of the nozzle on my
sensitive part began to build, and I wondered whether Tristan would
come into the shower.

With each
passing second I wanted him and needed him that much more. My body
ached to be caressed once again, and I blamed it on the
hormones.

As soon as I
thought his name, a cool breeze touched my skin, and my eyes flew
open. Tristan had stepped into the shower in his naked glory. I’d
never be sated looking at the marvel of a man he was. How in the
world did I manage to score this delicious man? My gaze traveled
from his bulked arms to the thorn tattoo up to his chiseled face
with a scarred lip and then down to a set of pecs blessed with a
white scar over his heart that only added to his degree of
sexiness. Once I reached his navel, my mouth began watering, and I
licked my lips. That perfect valley narrowed into a triangle
drawing me to his manhood, all ready for me.

“You look
refreshing. Enjoying the shower?” The rumble of desire in his voice
couldn’t be denied.

“Far more than
I’d expected. Those jets are very greedy.”

Tristan’s
brows narrowed in a playful frown as he glided toward me and took
me by my hips. “I love a strong woman who speaks her mind.”

“What else do
you love about me?” I lifted my arms to his neck, feeling his
perfect naked front against me. His growth poked me in my stomach
and I fought the urge to spread wider to accommodate him so he
could finally have his lovely cock inside me.

“I love your
kick-ass moves when you flip my brother on his back.”

“What else?” I
bit my lip, pressing my chest harder to him, acutely aware of the
“L” game we were playing.

“I love your
hair, your eyes, your tits, and your ass.” He grabbed my backside.
Something stirred deep inside me. There was nothing that could
arouse me more than Tristan’s dirty mouth.

“What
else?”

“I love Puss.”
He lowered his hand to my belly, rubbing it around the navel, the
touch not only full of love and compassion but also desire. A
tingling sensation rekindled in my core. The flickering spark
turned into a small flame. Part of me wanted that hand to slide
even lower, but the gentle caress of his palm felt soothing.

I closed my
eyes, savoring the touch, and whispered, “What else?”

“I love
you.”

I gasped and
opened my eyes. Was this really happening? Tristan was looking at
me from above, smiling. His hazel eyes glistened with a look I
hadn’t seen before. Was that love? I’d never seen a man look at me
that way before. It felt good and warm and fuzzy, and I still
couldn’t believe what Tristan had just said to me. And it seemed my
vocal chords had rusted up in seconds.

Say
something!

And instead of
waiting for me to speak, or being insecure that I hadn’t said
anything, Tristan lowered his mouth to mine and kissed me like he
didn’t need to hear my reply because he already knew it. How could
he not? I’d been in love with this man for weeks. I couldn’t quite
place when or where it happened, because everything he had done for
me and with me—I just couldn’t imagine anyone else in my life like
that other than him. I trusted him with my life and my soul.

I opened my
mouth wider, feeling the soft curves of his lips trace mine. His
arousal stood higher with every second our bodies connected. The
slickness of the soap between us allowed me to glide against him,
coaxing and teasing him with my hips, pressing harder against his
growing length. I slid my hands up his arms and to his face and
cupped his beautiful cheeks. Pulling away, I looked into his eyes
and said, “I love you too, Tristan Cross.” Not because I had to and
not because he’d said it first, but because I wanted to.

His response
was a loving smile, one I would never forget. But the expression
quickly shifted to lust, and I was once again in his arms, pressed
against his naked body, feeling his skin on mine, his hands
everywhere and mouth possessing my lips like he’d never get enough
and never let go. The water cascaded around us, steam rising
higher, carrying on it a hint of our desire. By this time it was
difficult to stay close enough as Tristan’s cock jabbed me in the
side until I lifted my leg up, the wounded one, and braced it on a
marble bench.

He lowered
himself, aiming for my opening, guiding his cock inside me, all the
while caressing my breasts, stroking my arms, and grasping my ass.
His hands were everywhere! When he hit my depth I heard a yelp of
pleasure escape my mouth. He felt so good inside me and so
wonderfully thick. I squeezed around him.

“I also love
your tight pussy,” he said out of nowhere, right against my
shoulder, leaving sweet kisses on every inch of my skin so they
could be washed away.

“And I love
when you let me make love to you anytime.”

I smiled
against his chest, finding it more difficult to concentrate on
actual words with every slick push inside me.

Tristan’s
buttocks tightened under my palms.

“I love
feeling your muscles work,” I said digging my fingers into him.

“Like this?”
he asked, with a spicier thrust of his hips. I felt him so deep
inside me, hitting that one spot which sent zapping pleasure to my
pussy.

“Yes.” I
closed my eyes. The water flowed down my back. His hands were on my
hips, holding them steady, guiding me where he wanted me to be,
supporting my weight to ensure I didn’t lose my balance. I held
onto his arms, savoring every single pleasing thrust that would
soon bring on my rapture.

“Or like
this?” His second jab was more urgent and closer, rubbing against
me on the way in and out.

“Yes,” I said
louder through the water, feeling a beautiful bundle of delight
thicken my flesh.

My head lolled
back as my body rocked to the rhythm of his hips. Tristan propelled
into me with ferocious plunges, burrowing himself deep inside me.
He made sure every single entry of his cock slammed our bodies
together, rubbing his pubic bone against mine and that sensitive
tip. The friction became unbearable.

A new buzz
fused in my belly and I felt like a can of coke, shaken in a hand,
about to be opened under pressure. Then I heard his raspy voice, “I
love to watch you come, Allie. Will you please come for me?” And he
tightened his arms around me, holding onto me like he was holding
onto his own life, knowing very well what was about to happen to
me. The delightful explosion from between us was beyond gratifying.
Each spasm and jitter of my body against his tantalized me all over
again, and I thought the release wouldn’t stop, ever. He robbed me
of strength and bones as I completely fell into his arms, letting
him do anything to me that he wanted.

“Open your
eyes,” he whispered as I shook in his arms. I looked up, seeing
only one emotion on his face: passion. And with one last push,
Tristan stilled inside me. His eyes widened and he bit his scarred
lip and I watched him reach his climax. It was the most beautiful
thing I’d ever seen, the vulnerability and commitment in his eyes
to share this special moment so freely and willingly.

“I love you,”
we both said at the same time.

Life couldn’t
get any better, could it?

After washing
off, we ventured downstairs to grab a snack. Now that I had my
appetite back, Puss seemed hungrier each week. Tristan heated
leftover turkey and tossed a salad with a garlic dressing Olivier
had left in a jar. But my taste buds craved something sweeter.

“Crème
brûlée?” Tristan asked.

The juices in
my mouth instantly collected into a small pool. “He made crème
brûlée?”

“Your mother
said it’s your favorite dessert.” Tristan removed a container from
the fridge.

I dug my fork
into the soft sponge glazed over with crispy caramel sugar. The
sweetness spread through my mouth as I savored the taste.

“This is
heaven.” I took another bite. “So, this wedding we’re going to,
should I buy them something special?”

“That’s going
to be difficult. Gabe and Sam have everything they need.”

“You’ll have
to help me out on this one. At least give me a hint.”

“Allie, I’m
the last person to ask about gifts.”

“Fine.” I’d
have to figure out on my own what to give to people who had
everything they needed. And if they didn’t, I was sure they could
buy it. “How long have they known each other?”

“A few
months.”

“And they’re
getting married?”

“I guess so.
You’ll love them. They’re a great couple.”

“Wow. That’s
pretty quick.”

“Everyone has
their own timeframe. I don’t think there’s a rule to how long you
should be together, or even if you need to be engaged.”

My eyes
bulged. “That’s exactly what I was thinking. There’s no book that
outlines the steps to happiness. Life is life.”

“We’re so
alike, Allie.” He shook his head in astonishment and jabbed a fork
into a piece of my dessert. “I never felt this comfortable with
anyone.”

“And that’s a
good thing?”

“That’s a very
good thing.” Tristan tapped my nose with his finger.

“So, if you’re
the best man, who’s the maid of honor?” I asked.

“Kendra,”
Tristan said.

My stomach
turned. As comfortable as I was with Tristan, seeing Kendra beside
him at the altar was the last image I wanted in my mind.

In less than a
month we’d be flying to Austria to witness the wedding of Gabriel
Silver, who was Tristan’s and Julian’s partner and cousin. I’d
never been to a winter wonderland-themed wedding, and I was looking
forward to meeting the rest of the family. At work, half the office
staff had already left on holidays. Even though it was a month
away, the Cross brothers liked to surprise their staff with an
exclusive vacation and perks no other company had offered. Their
motto of ‘A happy worker is a good worker’ seemed to pay off – I’d
never seen a more devoted bunch than the people who worked for
Cross Enterprises, and I didn’t doubt they would take a bullet for
one of their bosses.