“You’re the only promise I couldn’t keep.”
Chapter 8
Tristan
The pain and rejection splayed across her features make me wish I’d never said the damn words. God, her fingers burned my flesh as she traced my tattoo. It was like she was trying to burn through to my soul, yet the touch was so gentle. She wanted to know about it. It was written all over her face. I couldn’t deny her that. I just wish she would say something. Instead, she nods once, stumbles toward the bathroom, and slams the door shut, locking it behind her.
I rub my hands down my face and groan. God, I’m such a dick. I couldn’t even leave her alone last night. I shouldn’t have coaxed it out of Holden when he said he was going out for drinks with her. I tried not to go. I tried to busy myself with the guests at the ranch, but when Mom saw me pacing and I wouldn’t stop, she urged me to leave.
Then, I walked through the damn doors, and it’s like there was this magnetic pull. I knew she was there; I could feel her energy. I didn’t have to see her to know she was staring at me. I looked right at her, my beautiful angel, and wanted to wrap her in my arms. Tell her over and over again how sorry I was. How much I’d fucked it up all those years ago. Her being sent here has to be fate. What are the chances I’d hire the company she works for, and that they’d send her?
Fucking Emmett Loney had his hands wrapped around her, and it took everything in me not to march over there and punch him in the face. Wouldn’t be the first time my fist has found his face. I was relieved when she left him on the dance floor in favor of sitting at the bar with Holden. I know he’s not going to try to jam his tongue down her throat.
Every time she took another shot, she’d stare at me as she knocked it back, all the while Clarissa was trying to cop a feel. She was a mistake one lonely night after I had too much to drink. The whole time I was with her, I pictured Lana. I shake my head, trying to rid the memory from my mind. I’m sure Clarissa hanging all over me is what pushed her to feel Holden up and kiss him after one too many shots. The two of us already worked through that issue.
She’s going to want me gone by the time she gets out of the shower, and if I’m being honest, I think it would be best if I left her alone for a little. I pull my jeans up my legs and snag my crumpled shirt from the floor at the foot of the bed. With a heavy sigh, I drag my sorry ass out of the cabin to get my head on straight.
I step into the bright sun of the morning and breathe in the fresh air. There’s something almost magical about early mornings at the ranch. The hustle and bustle of the day hasn’t started yet. The birds chirp in harmony, creating a cacophony of sounds.
I take my walk of shame, if I can even call it that, back to the house and help Mom and Dad with breakfast.
“How’d last night go? Did you work everything out?” Mom asks, fishing for information.
I fight the urge to roll my eyes in her direction. “No.” In an attempt to change the subject, I say, “She had a good idea about the new cabins, though. What if we make those smaller cabins for folks who want a shorter experience? They get to enjoy the all-inclusive part of the ranch, but for a shorter stay.”
“Did she now?”
Her eyes sparkle. Shit. I drop my chin to my chest and shake my head. That’s the same thing she and Dad suggested months ago when I told them I wanted to build some additional cabins that were split. I didn’t want to listen to their suggestion at the time because I was too wrapped up in my own thoughts. As soon as Lana said it, though, thoughts and ideas started bouncing around.
“Let’s not talk about it. I didn’t get much sleep last night, and I have a full day ahead of me.”
She smirks but turns around and busies herself with the table. I wave hello to some of the guests that meander over for some food and even convince a young couple to go for a hike to the spot I wanted to take Lana today. Hopefully, someone will get some use out of the beautiful hike.
Just the thought of her makes me harden in my pants. She was so sexy last night. I’m not even sure she remembers what happened. She practically flung herself on me after doing one too many shots with Holden. She told me what an idiot I was for letting her go, and I couldn’t argue with her logic because she’s right. I’m the biggest idiot known to man.
When I told her I was taking her home, she tried to fight me, saying she wanted Holden to take her home.Yeah, not a chance in hell.I’m not letting him protect her when I’m perfectly capable of doing it myself. Then, I got her back to the cabin, and she asked me to stay with her. She said she didn’t want to be alone. How can any man be strong enough to refuse a woman in need?
I sure as hell didn’t sleep well with her right next to me. She tossed her hat and kicked off her boots before settling down into the bed. At one point, she complained about her shirt being scratchy, but she didn’t want her pajamas. I helped her pull her shirt over her head, my fingers trailing her delicate skin, goosebumps rising in their wake.
It was the hardest damned thing to refuse when she begged me to kiss her—to take her. She was drunk, and I wasn’t going to break the small thread of trust I have left with this beautiful woman. She rolled over, giving me her back, and passed out. After her breathing evened out, I placed a gentle kiss on her shoulder and pulled her against me.
I may have done the right thing by not taking things too far, but there was not a chance in hell I’d miss wrapping my arms around her for the night. I’ve had this fantasy since she first came to the ranch. She enveloped my senses, and all my thoughts ran rampant with memories of her. Touching her, kissing her, making her moan.
Holden tosses a granola bar at me, snapping me out of my stupor. I snatch the bar from the ground and glare at him as I stand to my full height again. He has a shit-eating grin on his face.
“Hey, Romeo. How’d last night go?”
“Fine.”
“That’s all I get? Fine? Didn’t see you come back last night. Those look like the same clothes as last night. Did the walk of shame this morning?” he eggs me on.
“That’s because I didn’t. She was drunk, Holden. Nothing happened between us. We slept.” Even though I would have given my left nut to get any sort of action from Lana.
I walk into the house so I can shower and get some new clothes on. Holden calls after me, but I ignore him. I lock my bedroom door behind me and strip out of last night’s clothes as I let the water heat up. The water droplets trickle down my body, splashing on the bottom of the tub as I think about Lana again. The thought of her has my cock growing to attention.
She felt so perfect with her ass pressed against me last night. That, coupled with the memory of seeing her naked and kissing her tender lips, has me reaching my hand down for a quick tug. It doesn’t take me long to work out the pent-up frustration, and I moan as I coat the tiles with my cum. I drop my head and catch my breath.
What the hell am I going to do?She leaves tomorrow morning, and I’m not prepared to let her walk away. I’m not ready to say goodbye. I haven’t gotten to say any of the things I promised I would say the next time I saw her. I haven’t gotten to apologize properly. I tried when she first arrived, but she wasn’t having any of it.