Chapter 32: Chapter 32

AMY

“Go get him,” Serena says right after the director finishes his closing words.

People around us are rising from their seats, and conversations are blossoming, yet the eyes of the crowd on my back are a tangible pressure. My heart races, but I’m not going to let shyness deter me.

I’m going to kiss him again, and this time, I won’t back away.

Tristan is having a conversation with the film crew, but his eyes dart in my direction every few seconds. As if magnetized, my feet carry me toward him, each step filled with purpose. He turns to face me, his bright-blue eyes locking onto mine, and time slows.

He loves me.

I love him.

Everything is as it should be.

When I’m close enough, I leap into the air, and he wraps his arms around me.

“Tristan,” I murmur and press my lips against his.

It’s a kiss full of the words I have yet to tell him. That I’ll tell him tonight. As our tongues press against one another, cheers break out. I don’t even care that we’re being watched. My heart is too full.

“What does this mean?” he asks, but there’s no mistaking the hope in his voice.

I place both hands on his cheeks and give him a warm smile. “We have a lot to talk about, and I know you still have your closing interview. Can I wait for you in your room while you wrap things up here?”

The happiness that spreads over his face makes my heart grow light and airy. He knows now that wasn’t just a simple kiss.

It was a promise of much more to come.

After moments of just staring at me with loving eyes, his smile grows wolfish. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his keys. He takes a single key off the ring and sets it on the center of my palm. The silver sparkles under the stadium lights, and my stomach does a little turn.

I’m really going to do this. I’m going to go into his room, take off all my clothes, and present myself like a gift when he walks through the door.

He grabs me by the shoulders and kisses me hard. After pulling away, he probes me with a hard stare. “Don’t you dare fall asleep, little one. I’m not nearly done with you tonight.” He glances over his shoulder at the camera crew. “Alright, I’m going to wrap this interview up as fast as possible.”

A while later, I turn the key on the frat house door and walk inside. A few heads turn in my direction as I make my way to the stairs, but I don’t bother to explain my presence.

I was given a key. I’m meant to be here.

When I walk into Tristan’s room, the scent of him washes over me, and a pleasant tingle runs over my skin. He smells so damn good, tastes so damn good. And I’m going to enjoy it this time.

Our first time was tainted in lies, Harper’s and my own refusal to tell him what was really on my mind. I won’t let anything stand between us this time.

Before I lose my nerve, I start taking off my clothes. With each layer I shed, my confidence grows. Six weeks ago, I wouldn’t recognize this shameless girl I’ve become.

I’m living my fanfic instead of hiding away in it.

When I’m fully naked, I slip under the cool sheets of his bed. My nerves are on fire, but it’s a pleasant sensation. Tristan is going to lose his mind in the best way.

This is the first time I’ve ever fully accepted that he really wants me.

That he loves me.

The door opens, and there he is. Tristan steps into the room and halts, his eyes wide as they meet mine.

~Here we go.~

I sit up and let the blanket fall to my waist. The cold hits my skin, but my skin is on fire. Tristan lets out a strange sound—something between a gasp and a moan. I’ve hit my mark. He’s stunned at my boldness. After my hesitance during my little strip show weeks ago, I can tell he never thought I’d do something like this.

“God, Amy.” His voice is husky. He closes the door and locks it with a soft click that seems to seal us away from the rest of the world.

In three long strides, he’s at the edge of the bed, his hands cupping my face as his lips crash onto mine. The kiss is fiery and all-consuming. I wind my fingers into his hair and pull him closer.

“Tristan,” I murmur against his lips. I fall back and pull him with me.

Before I hit the bed, he grips my waist. His forehead rests against mine, and his breathing is ragged. “What does this mean?”

I place my palms on his face and press a gentle kiss on his nose. “What do you think it means?”

“Fuck, Amy.”

I jerk back, and he winces. “Sorry, I’m just…I’m dying right now. Please put me out of my misery and tell me how you feel.”

My heart swells, threatening to burst. In my dreamy haze, I forgot that he still doesn’t know. How thoughtless of me to be coy. “It means…I love you, Tristan. I’ve loved you for weeks.”

“What?” He nearly shouts.

I blink once. “I love you.”

His eyes search my face before growing heavy. “Oh, holy fuck,” he mutters.

In the next moment, I’m crushed against the bed by his huge body, and he’s pressing kisses all over my face. “Do you really mean it?”

“Of course, I mean it.” I laugh against the fervor of his lips.

Tristan rears back, a wild joy lighting up his features. “Say it again.”

“I love you.”

He kisses my cheeks, my forehead, my eyelids. “Again.”

I giggle. “I love you.”

He groans deeply, and the sound vibrates through me. He starts kissing me with renewed zeal, his hands fumbling to rid himself of his clothes. Fabric rustles as his body becomes barer, and his warmth crushes me.

“Again,” he says, his eyes shimmering.

“I love you, Tristan.”

His kisses halt, and he breathes heavily against my neck. He keeps his head down for a moment, and I wish I could see his face. The depth of his emotion fills the room like warm, radiant sunlight.

“I’ve wanted your heart for so long. I never thought you’d give it to me.”

The raggedness in his voice makes my throat grow tight, and tears rise to my eyes. I lift my hand to his head and run my fingers through his hair. “I’ll make sure I say it all the time to make up for lost time.”

The joy on his face is so palpable I can almost touch it. “Again,” he whispers.

“I love you.”

He collapses on top of me, his movements driven by a hunger so obvious that it sends shivers down my spine. His fingers find my wetness, and he lets out a loud groan.

“You’re so ready for me,” he rasps. “You won’t be leaving this bed for a month.”

I laugh as he guides his cock to my entrance. “A month?” I ask.

“Yes, a month.”

He plunges inside me in one thrust, and we both let out startled gasps.

“You really want me to fail all of my classes?”

“I’ll let you leave for class,” he says, “but that’s it.”

The fullness between my legs makes the world grow hazy. His thrusts are rapid and hard, sending arrows of pleasure through my limbs.

“Am I going to starve?” My words are breathless.

“I’ll feed you in bed.”

He pulls his hips away and plunges back in, filling me with every inch of him.

“Tristan,” I gasp as the intensity builds like a storm.

“I love you, Amy,” he breathes against my skin. “I love you so fucking much.”

The world narrows down to just us. There’s nothing gentle about him tonight. His movements are wild and unbridled.

“Show me how much you love me, my girl.”

With a strength that leaves me breathless, Tristan sits up and pulls me onto his lap. My legs instinctively wrap around his waist as we find a new rhythm.

“You’re taking me so well,” he whispers in my ear. “Your tight cunt is perfect. Just for me.”

“Yes!”

“Only mine.” He thrusts his hips upward, and a sharp heat shoots into my gut. “Only mine, forever!”

He lowers his mouth to my tits and takes a nipple in his mouth. His thrusts are so fast now, there’s a slick smacking sound between us.

“This will be quick,” he says against my skin. “I’m too starved for you. But there will be more. I’m fucking you raw before this night is over.”

His fingers reach my clit, and he starts flicking rapidly. I scream as pleasure crashes over me in a burst of fireworks.

Oh God, I love this man.

I love him, and he’s mine.

“That’s my girl.” His words come in as though from far away. “Come for me.”

I collapse against him and he lets out a loud roar before falling onto the bed and bringing me with him. We lie in a tangled mess of limbs and labored breaths.

“God, Amy,” he murmurs, his voice thick with emotion. “This is only the beginning. I have so much planned. So much I’ve dreamed of.”

I turn to face him, and our noses brush.

“How could you have plans already?”

He frowns incredulously. “Did you hear my speech tonight, little love? I’ve adored you for years. I’ve watched you and dreamed of being a part of your life. I have a whole list of things I want to do.”

How could this be true? For years, I’ve disdained and ignored him, and all the while he wanted me.

Only me.

I guarded my heart too preciously to ever allow him to touch it. But not anymore. I’m going to give him everything.

“Tell me your plans,” I whisper.

A grin spreads over his face. “This summer, I’m taking you to Europe.” His fingers trace idle patterns on my arm. “There’s this Jane Austen tour I looked up—”

“Oh my God,” I nearly shout. “You really have thought about this.”

“Hell yeah, I have.” He strokes my cheek with his rough, callused fingers. “We’ll see everything—the English countryside and her home. It’s all about her life and work.”

The depth of his love overwhelms me. I turn around to bury my head in his pillow, and my tears soak the pillowcase.

“Are you crying?” His voice is full of disbelief.

“Yes, I’m crying.” I turn around and let him see my face. There will be no secrets between us.

Never again.

“No one has ever…” I wipe my eyes with the pads of my fingers. “You know me so well. I’ve looked up those tours too. I knew I could never afford one anytime soon. I couldn’t even do it DIY. It was a bucket-list dream. Something I dreamed about doing someday.”

A triumphant smile spreads over his face. “We’re doing it. This summer, it’s you, me, and Jane Austen.”

Tears start streaming down my face, but I refuse to look away. He needs to know how much this means to me.

“Shh,” he hushes gently, his thumb brushing away another rogue tear. “Let me love you like I’ve always wanted to. You don’t have to be afraid.”

A quietness settles in my heart. He’s right to sense my fear. It’s a big step committing to a future with him.

Now is the time to finally live my life. To choose to be brave. Nothing is certain. He could break up with me in a few months, but I won’t let fear guide me. I’ve allowed uncertainty to keep me from trusting, but never again.

I think that teenage girl inside me has finally grown up.

I lift my hand to stroke his face. “Only if you let me love you too.”

He shuts his eyes and sets his hand over mine, bringing it to his lips and kissing my palm. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”