Page 142 of Love in the Dark

“I fucking love them. Thank you, baby.”

He drops a quick but intense kiss on my lips.

I smile at him. “You’re welcome.”

“And thank you for what you did with Luca.”

I freeze, feigning ignorance. “What do you mean?”

“I spent the day atSambourbeing put to the test by him. I know you set it up.”

“I told him not to tell you!”

The morning after our emotional night at the hotel, I’d snuck out of the room and called Luca. From the start, I’d been taking photos of the meals Tristan cooked for me so I texted them to Luca live as I was trying to convince him. Helping Tristan get a foot in the door was the least I could do when he’d been there for me in a way no one ever had before.

“He thought I should know.” His eyes narrow on me. “He also thought I should know he asked you out.”

I groan and wave him away. “That was months ago and I turned him down.”

“Because you don’t date,” he says, smirking down at me. “And yet, he seemed to think you turned him down because of me.”

I think about it for a second. I’m sure he’s expecting a denial but I find I can’t give him one. “You were playing hard to get back then. I guess I was holding out hope.”

Tristan makes a satisfied noise that sounds awfully close to a purr and tightens his hold on me. “I’m glad I came to my senses in time to not lose you.” He places a lingering kiss on my lips. “Although, believe me, I wouldn’t have let you go that easily.”

Butterflies come alive in my stomach and I tilt my head up to look at him.“I thought you didn’t fight for things?” I teasingly remind him.

He brushes his thumb gently over my nose like he loves to do, then runs his fingers down my cheek until they settle under my chin. Fierce intensity burns in his gaze.

“For you, I would,” he whispers.“I’d fight for you every day of my life if needed.”

The butterflies erupt, taking up all the available space in my body until I feel full. Happiness seeps so powerfully through my skin that I’m surprised I don’t glow.

“How did it go with Luca?”

He beams when he answers and my heart swells.

“I fucking nailed it. He wants me to work with him and he’s going to be flexible around my schedule. So, during term I’ll only do a couple hours at night, but starting next week when we break for Christmas I’m going to be doing full days.”

I squeal and jump up, throwing myself into his arms.

“Holy shit, that’s amazing news! I’m so happy for you. You deserve it.”

He laughs happily and twirls me around before setting me down, grabbing my face and kissing me.

“This opportunity is truly the best present anyone’s given me, thank you.” His eyes drop down to my body and he bites his lip. “Now take off your clothes and let me show you just how thankful I am.”

I step back out of his arms, thumbing the zipper of my hoodie and bringing it down to reveal my sports bra. He takes a step towards me and I put my hand up to stop him.

“One last thing,” I say. “Coach Krav resigned apparently. One of the assistant coaches is taking over. Do you know anything about that?”

I’d been dreading going to practice today and the relief I’d felt hearing I wouldn’t have to see or deal with him again had been monumental.

His eyes flash in satisfaction.

“I’m not implicating you, remember?”

My heart rate speeds up impossibly.