Suspended Desires, page 16
I have no idea who it is. I guess he invited someone else from the office. I hear heels click across the floor and look up straight into a set of dark-brown eyes that I know all too well. Her squeal is ear-piercing as I push from the table, not able to jump up quick enough.
I run inside and take her into my arms. “Hazel!” I say as a tear runs down my cheek. She reaches out to swipe at the moisture on my face. We stay frozen in our embrace for longer than necessary.
She looks amazing in a rusty-orange dress—my favourite colour—that comes down to the middle of her calves with splits up each side. It scrunches at the top of her chest, drawing your eyes to her cleavage, with tiny straps across the back.
I have missed her so much.
She takes the seat beside me, while Tristan claims the seat on my other side. The evening goes off without a hitch. We all get along so well. Hazel falls into easy conversation with Grace, and I can see they have formed a friendship already, organising for us to go out together tomorrow night. We’re getting drinks at the bar, or so they inform me as they giggle like schoolgirls.
I watch on. Taking it all in. Noticing how much attention Tommy pays Hazel. “Hmm… that’s interesting,” I whisper to Tristan. He stops the conversation with Grace to follow my line of sight. The smile that stretches across his face makes my breath catch. He’s gorgeous, and this life we are creating is going to be beyond anything I hoped for. “I can’t wait to marry you,” I say so quietly only he can hear.
He freezes and looks at me. “Say that again, Willow. I need to know I heard you right.”
I laugh at him and watch intently as he brings my fingers up to his mouth, kissing the tips of each.
Everyone compliments me on the dish I cooked. I’m glad everyone liked it. I smile as we all say our goodbyes. I grab Hazel’s hand, escorting her to the spare room the room I once slept in and Tristan had set up for her without me knowing.
I’m so happy right now. All seems right in the world. I have an amazing group of friends, a man who loves me, and my best friend back by my side. I can’t believe he flew her in for this. She says she’s staying for the weekend, so we can have a proper catchup.
Hazel and I are still hand in hand as we jump on the bed, both laughing so hard that she falls right off the edge and lands with a bang on the ground. I reach out a palm to help pull her back up but we are so caught up in our hysterics, neither of us manages to move. Finally, we calm down, as each of us clutch our sides from the involuntary muscle spasms.
I look up to see Tristan leaning against the door frame, looking as sexy as ever. Man, he takes my breath away every time I see him. His smile is to die for. I feel my body weaken as I stare at him watching us. I must be in my own world, because I jump when Hazel kisses my cheek.
She leans in, whispering, “You two are making me hot and I’m just a spectator. Get out of here. Work that pussy, girl!”
I laugh, covering her mouth, but it’s too late. I can tell by the look on Tristan’s face he definitely heard her. I slap her shoulder softly and quickly grab her arm as she almost falls off the bed again. I lean down and kiss her cheek.
“Thank you so much for coming. It’s so good to see you,” I tell her as I pull her into my arms before adding, “You can always move in, if you like. We have plenty of room.”
I release her from the tight hug as I walk towards Tristan, and he reaches out, grabbing my hand as Hazel responds with, “And watch you two get all hot for each other all the time? No, thank you!”
I laugh, glancing back over my shoulder at her one last time as Tristan pulls me after him.
She calls out, “Keep ya noise down, will ya? And don’t be up all night. We have a big day tomorrow.” She’s cracking herself up, and I roll my eyes in her direction.
Tristan throws me over his shoulder, calling back, “I hope you brought earbuds, Hazel. I suggest you put them in now, because I do plan on keeping this one busy all night.” He laughs, and I smack his butt as he drops me to the floor.
And that man knows how to keep his promises. My voice is still husky in the morning from all the screaming he made me do last night.
I can hear soft chatter in the kitchen as I make my way towards the sound, in search of some coffee. As I enter, Hazel gives me a hug, and Tristan does the same, pulling me into his strong body. It has my core clenching just thinking of last night.
I look up to see Hazel smiling at me. She fans her face. “You two are something else,” she says with a wink, and I can already feel my cheeks heating up.
My god, did she hear us? Tristan had me so worked up I forgot to even try to hold back my moans.
She sees my blush and adds, “It’s okay, Willow. I plan on one day finding a sexy man like that to keep me awake all night as well. However, until then, I will definitely be declining your offer to move in.”
Tristan laughs, and I just stand there, shaking my head at my two best friends.
We share breakfast. Tristan’s housekeeper was in this morning and cooked for us. It’s not very often we accept her offer, preferring to do it ourselves, but since Hazel is here for the weekend we will be too busy having fun to worry about meals.
Tristan heads to the office for the next few hours, leaving Hazel and me to catch up on gossip. It’s like I never left her side. We so easily fall back into our old ways, chatting and snacking all day. Snuggled up on the couch, watching movies, laughing, and just enjoying each other’s company.
It isn’t long before Lucas is knocking on the door calling out, “Ladies, It’s just me. Tristan rang this morning, suggesting that you two wanted to go to the shops to get new dresses for tonight.” He opens the door and makes his way towards us, only to pivot on his heel and turn back around when he sees we are still in our pjs. “Let me know when you’re ready. No rush.” He waves a hand as he shuts the door and crosses the hall again back to his apartment..
Standing, I grab Hazel’s hand. “Let’s shower and go shopping.” Then I open the door and yell out, “Lucas, come back. We won’t be long.” When I hear his footsteps approaching, I add, “Make yourself at home. There’s leftovers in the kitchen if you’re hungry.”
Hazel leans in, whispering, “I would so give him something to eat.”
I burst out laughing, slapping her arm. “Hazel, I thought you were giving Tommy the googly eyes last night.”
She blushes. “Oh, yes, he’s something else all right. That man sets my body on fire,” she confirms.
I smile back at her. Interesting.
“I mean, how are you not a wet mess 24/7, Willow? With these god-like men surrounding you constantly,” she says, and I nod.
“Yeah, they are all very handsome, but I have found the one for me.”
“Lucky girl,” she whispers back.
We make our way around the mall with Lucas hot on our heels, his arms full of the bags he refuses to let us carry ourselves. Although I’ve always seen myself as a very capable woman, he seems to think it’s his job, and I can see the disappointment on his face when I refuse to let him do it. So we pile him up more and more with each shop we visit.
Hazel and I laugh so hard we are bending over when we get back to the car, and he’s juggling bags as he struggles to get the keys out of his pocket. I move to his side, grabbing some bags off him, and he smiles. “Thanks, Willow, but I had it.”
I shake my head as we stuff everything into the boot and head back to the apartment to get ready. Grace will be over soon. She is stopping by early to get ready with us, instead of meeting us there.
Tristan’s at home, looking edible as ever, dressed in a perfectly tailored suit. He comes to the door, helping Lucas with the bags from the car. I crank up a playlist of chick-flick music when Grace arrives. We all get our hair and makeup done, then put dresses on as we dance around the room, drinking bubbly, and singing at the top of our voices. Once we're ready to go, Tristan informs me he’s coming too.
I smile because he’s so protective. “You don’t have to, Tristan. We will be fine. It’s just a girls’ night. Plus, you already made sure we had a roped-off section at the club. You have done enough.”
He grabs my chin, pulling my face up to look into his piercing green eyes. I can see concern in them, as he says, “Willow, we won’t cramp your style. Lucas and I will just have a couple of Scotches at a table off to the side. You won’t even know we’re there, and you girls can have fun. This way, I won’t be stuck at home, stressed out and worrying if you’re okay.”
I kiss his lips. “I will always be okay, Tristan. You forget I can very easily take care of myself and hurt anyone with wandering hands.”
The reminder has him smiling and I see some of the tension leave his body.
The club is packed. The smell of sweaty bodies grinding against each other overtakes my senses, and the loud music vibrates the floor as we make our way to the VIP section.
True to his word, Tristan and Lucas stay out of our way. Leaving us to have fun dancing, laughing, and drinking mimosas. Then there’s the best surprise. The one and only Kylie Kent shows up, as organised by Grace. We click instantly, seeing as we both share a lot of the same interests. It was hard to keep myself from fangirling over her and the incredible books she writes. She promises to stay in touch and meet up for coffee soon.
“Don’t have to ask me twice. I’m there!” I say as I hug her goodbye and thank her for coming to meet me.
I smile at Tristan and make my way over to him. It’s been very hard to keep my hands off him. I mean, I know it was a girls’ night, but it’s hard when I can see his tight muscled body and gorgeous green eyes watching my every move. I just want to touch him, push my hands up his shirt, and rub my fingers over every ridge of his sculpted body. He stands as he sees me coming towards him, and Lucas does the same.
“Are you okay, Willow?” Tristan questions, as Lucas rests a hand on his piece.
“Oh, yes, everything’s fine. I just really want to kiss you.”
He leans down immediately, taking my mouth in his. I smile into the kiss, knowing he’s been missing this as much as I have. Then he pulls me tightly into him and grinds me against his hard body to the beat of the music.
I’m feeling very happy. The mimosas have definitely loosened me up. I’m not much of a drinker, and my grandfather never allowed it before I turned eighteen. So I’m still very much a light weight, and having the four I have had tonight has certainly affected me. It’s making me even hotter, with Tristan’s hands rubbing up and down my back. I circle my hips, still grinding on him to the music.
I let out a little groan, and he whispers into my ear, “Come on, you. Let’s get you home. I need you bouncing on my cock right now. I cannot hold on much longer. I need inside you.”
I can’t find the right words to answer him, so I nod instead, and he makes his way to Lucas, letting him know the plan.
Hazel runs to my side. “I’m just going to the toilet before we leave.”
As she attempts to brush past me, I grab her hand. “Wait. I’ll come with you.”
But she carries on. “It’s okay. I’ll just be a second.”
I head towards Tristan and wrap my arms around him. “I’m going to go to the toilet with Hazel. She just ran off.”
“Lucas will go get her. Let’s wait for her at the car.”
Grace follows us as we head outside to the SUV, and Tristan opens the back door for her. She slides down the seat so I can slip in beside her. But I pause when I hear a scream. I know that voice all too well.
“Hazel!” I yell as I jump from the car, looking up and searching for the origin of the sound. I see Lucas running towards us, gun drawn. All the pedestrians around us drop to the ground or move out of the way. Tristan has pulled his piece from his hip holster as well, and has it aimed at a black SUV not too far in front of us.
I start running towards the car on instinct, and skid to a stop just in time to see the gorgeous mess of brunette hair being pushed into the back seat of the dark vehicle. Before we know what’s happening, the tires are screeching, and the SUV speeds off, my best friend disappearing along with it.
Acknowledgments
Firstly, I’d like to acknowledge my very own Tristan, aka, Gary. My soulmate, my truest of loves. I could not have achieved this book without your unwavering support and confidence in me.
To my daughters, Shar and Ella, your support means the world to me and I can’t wait to share this journey with you.
To my Beta Team, Amy, Vicki and Jennifer. You girls are amazing, I appreciate all of the time and effort you put into to working on this manuscript with me.
To my editor, Kat. What can I say, other than you are the bomb!! Thank you for all of your hard work to turn this manuscript into a readable, enjoyable experience.
About the Author
Share grew up in a tiny town on New Zealand’s north island. She made the move to Perth a decade ago where she met her real life book boyfriend who she now lives with.
Shar can be found spending time with her partner and their two teenage girls . But mostly she’s with her beloved fur baby Lucy.
Shar loves all things books, mimosas and singing really bad karaoke with her family and friends.
Shar Stevens, Suspended Desires
