Chapter 17: Chapter Seventeen

“Can we call it quits now?” Tristan groaned, setting his pencil down on his notebook.

“Just one more problem, then we can take a breather,” I promised him, standing up to stretch my legs.

“I want a breather now.” He tugged me onto his lap, and I couldn’t help but giggle.

“You’ll still have to solve it after the break,” I teased.

He let out a dramatic sigh. “You’re so mean,” he grumbled, releasing me. I laughed and hopped off his lap.

Being with Tristan made me feel so alive, so full of joy. I’d let go of my doubts and started to feel at ease around him.

He made me feel so cherished that sometimes I wondered if I was worthy of it. I’d never thought I’d experience these so-called ‘romantic’ feelings.

He was bringing out the best in me, a side I didn’t even know existed until now.

I wandered over to his balcony for some fresh air. Standing there, I closed my eyes, relishing the feel of the cool breeze on my face.

After a few moments, I felt a pair of arms encircle my waist from behind. I smiled, knowing exactly who it was.

“I’m done. Can we take that break now?” he murmured in my ear. I let out a shaky breath.

“I need to check your work before we break,” I managed to say, my words stumbling over each other as his lips traced a path down my neck, sending a thrill of excitement through me.

We hadn’t gone beyond kissing yet, even though I’d told him I was ready to move faster. I wondered if he didn’t feel the same physical pull.

“Hold still, Adams.”

~How can I when he’s making me feel like this?!~

He spun me around and kissed me. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

His hands were tantalizingly close to my ass, and I was practically buzzing with anticipation. I wanted him to touch me, to cross those boundaries.

I was ready to take that step, but it felt like he was holding back.

“Okay, what’s going on?” I pushed him away, frowning, and he looked at me, puzzled.

“What do you mean, babe?”

“Why—Why aren’t you touching my ass?! I mean…why are you holding back?” I asked, my cheeks heating up.

Tristan’s eyebrows shot up; I could tell he was trying not to laugh.

“You want me to touch your ass?” He bit his lip, and I glared at him. He seemed to be enjoying my discomfort.

“Get lost, Tristan. This isn’t funny.” I tried to push past him to go inside, but he pulled me back, looking into my eyes.

“Close your eyes,” he instructed.

“No.”

“Just do it.”

“No.”

“Riley!”

But I stood my ground, crossing my arms over my chest.

“Damn it, Adams. I’m trying to do something romantic here. Stop being so difficult,” he pleaded.

“Fine,” I grumbled, closing my eyes.

“You can open them now,” he said after a moment.

I opened my eyes to find him on one knee, holding two tickets. I gasped.

“Riley Adams, will you go on a date with me to the carnival tomorrow?” he asked, grinning widely.

My jaw dropped. I loved carnivals; this was perfect. I clutched my chest.

“Oh my God! Yes, Tristan,” I laughed, hardly believing what I was seeing. This was the most romantic thing anyone had ever done for me.

“That’s settled. Now, to answer your question.” He stood up, pocketed the tickets, and pulled me close.

“You have no idea how much I want you, Riley,” he whispered, his lips almost touching mine.

I swallowed hard, feeling his warm breath on my face.

“I want to fuck you so hard.”

He said it so bluntly, looking straight into my eyes. I couldn’t look away.

~Wow, that escalated quickly.~

“Umm…then why aren’t you doing anything about it?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. He gave me a sweet smile.

“Because I want to do this right, babycakes. You were right the other day. I didn’t even get a chance to ask you out on a real date. So let’s make it official.”

He paused to kiss my nose, then continued, “Then I’ll touch your ass. And not just your ass, every-fucking-where.”

I blinked, trying to calm my racing heart.

“God, I don’t know what I’d do without you,” he chuckled, hugging me tightly. I hugged him back, feeling content with his answer.

“Alright, let’s go check that problem.” I patted his shoulder, then pulled away and walked back into his room.

“You’re such a buzzkill, Adams,” Tristan grumbled, following me inside.

***

“We’re just going to the carnival, Lu. Do I really need makeup?” I asked for what felt like the hundredth time as my friend continued to apply powder to my face.

“Excuse me? This is ~literally~ your first date. I’m not letting you go looking like a mess.”

We were at my house, where she was helping me get ready for my date with Tristan, who would be here any minute.

“I’m just going to ignore that comment, but jeans would have been fine, just saying,” I mumbled.

Lucy shot me a look that silenced me immediately. “All done. Go ahead and take a look.”

She stepped back, and I finally got a chance to see myself in the mirror.

I was wearing a little black dress with a teasing neckline—nothing too revealing, but still sexy—and my hair was curled at the ends, giving it a nice bounce.

She’d done my makeup just right, with smoky eyes and a hint of blush. I had to admit, I looked pretty good, and I felt a surge of confidence.

I couldn’t help but smile, picturing Tristan’s face when he saw me in this dress.

“I don’t look like I’m trying too hard, do I?” I asked, needing reassurance. Lucy just rolled her eyes at me.

“You’re on fire, Ri. He won’t be able to keep his hands to himself.” She gave me a playful wink and I felt my cheeks heat up.

“Riley!” My dad’s voice echoed from downstairs.

~Oh, crap!~

~I totally forgot to tell Dad about the date.~

“Be right there, Dad!” I quickly gathered my things and hurried downstairs, finding my dad and Tristan sitting on the couch, a palpable tension hanging in the air.

They both shot up as soon as they saw me, and my dad put his hands on his hips.

“Wow! You look—” Tristan’s words died in his throat when my dad shot him a warning look.

“Where do you think you’re going dressed like that, young lady?”

“Dad!” I hissed, mortified. He glanced between Tristan and me.

“We’re just going out on a date,” I mumbled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

Lucy appeared in the living room. “Don’t worry, Mr. Adams. Tristan will take good care of your daughter,” she assured him.

Tristan looked like he was about to pass out. Sweat was beading on his forehead, and he didn’t dare glance my way.

“I want my daughter home by ten, and not a minute later. Understand?” My dad’s tone was stern.

Tristan nodded so fast I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing.

~This is too good.~

“You look beautiful, sweetheart. Have fun,” my dad kissed my forehead, making me smile.

“Think I scared him enough?” he whispered in my ear. I burst out laughing.

~I knew it.~

“Yeah, but don’t worry, Dad. I’ve got this.” I winked at him and said my goodbyes.

“I should get going, too. Bye, Mr. Adams.” Lucy waved and joined us as we headed for the door.

Once we were outside, Tristan let out a huge sigh of relief.

“Man, that was intense.” He looked at me, and we both started laughing at his stricken expression.

“What did you expect, Harris? You screwed up with her, now deal with the fallout.” Lucy smirked at him.

He shot her a glare.

“Ready to go, Adams? I can’t wait to have you to myself,” he said, opening his car door.

“Remember to use protection, kids!” Lucy called out before hopping into her own car. My cheeks flamed with embarrassment. I climbed into Tristan’s car, and we sped off.

“God, she’s nuts,” Tristan commented.

“I know, right? But I love her to pieces,” I chuckled, buckling my seatbelt.

“You look fucking incredible, Riley. That dress…you took my breath away,” he said, stealing a glance at me.

I smiled and turned to look at him. He was wearing a gray t-shirt and low-rise jeans that looked insanely sexy on him. He managed to look casual and hot at the same time.

~How does he make it look so effortless, when I had to spend an hour to look like this?~

“You don’t look too bad yourself.” I shrugged, trying to play it cool.

He let out a soft laugh. “Ready for our date, babycakes?”

~God, that nickname is too much.~

“Hell, yeah! Can’t wait.” I grinned, trying to keep my blush under control.