“But you just made a speech—” I shook my head; something wasn’t making sense.
Gabe cleared his throat. “But, Lisa, they think he’s here just to make the speech then go back to—”
“My job, which, coincidently, is not a full-time college professor.” Tristan shrugged. “I took a few months away from the company to clear my head…”
“Can you do that?” My eyes narrowed. The confusing distraction of Tristan’s background was a welcome change from the terror still pumping through my veins.
“He can probably do whatever the hell he wants, all things considering.” Wes shrugged and gave Tristan a brief nod. “We should probably get you back to the dorms, Lisa.”
“I’ll take her,” Tristan offered.
Wes’s hand froze on my arm, while Gabe’s nostrils flared with irritation.
Tristan wrapped his arm around me. “We should talk. I’ll deliver her safely and make sure she’s in her dorm.”
Gabe didn’t seem to be on board with the idea, but Wes slapped him twice on the shoulder and tilted his head toward the door. “We’ll leave you to it then. Have a good night, and, Lisa, call one of us if you get scared. And for the love of God, please use the pink Taser Gabe keeps teasing you about before I buy you a gun and hide it in your nightstand.”
I nodded and watched them walk away, knowing each step they took meant I was even more alone with Tristan. Was I crazy? Allowing him to watch over me? I was half-tempted to run after Gabe; then again, that wouldn’t make things less awkward when I sat in class Monday morning and had to face Tristan or, I guess, Professor Blake again.
Without turning around, I whispered, “Are we going to talk or make out, Professor?”
That got a chuckle out of him before he sobered and tucked me into his side. “Well, technically I have a house in Hawaii.”
“What?”
“It’s not midnight in Hawaii… not yet.”
“Oh.” I swallowed and looked away shyly.
“Come on.” He kissed my head and walked me toward the door. “I think I know how to end this night on a good note.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
“You almost died.” She wept against my body as I tried to lift my hand to tuck her hair behind her ear. “Please don’t ever do that again, Tay. Never again!”
“You care.” My throat felt like it was on fire. I talked anyway. “You really love me?”
“I do.”
“Then I want you to do something for me…” My voice trailed off, and I freaking had a heyday as her face went completely white. —The Journal of Taylor B.
Lisa
WE WALKED HAND in hand to the front of the hotel. Tristan presented his valet ticket. I was shivering, but not because I was cold. I still felt that creepy guy’s hands on me. And it sucked, because he’d ruined what would have been a good memory of Tristan’s hands.
I was pretty sure I was the last thing Tristan wanted to touch now. I wanted to pretend that our masks remained in place, that the kissing was still making me forget, rather than remember the type of girl I really was. Insecurity was a hard-enough battle when you’re female. Add that with the industry I grew up in, and then Taylor himself? And I struggled on a daily basis, fighting the looks people gave me and battling a strong sense of chronic self-loathing I carried with me night and day.
Just the thought of my demons, of Taylor, caused my body to give an involuntary shudder.
“Are you cold?” Tristan shrugged out of his jacket and placed it on my shoulders. It smelled like him — and I felt safe again.
I glanced over, and my mouth went completely dry. His black button-up shirt fit every muscle and crevice of his body like a glove. Clearing my throat, I forced myself to look away, even though I wanted to do a few double-takes.
A black Tesla pulled up to the curb.
“That’s us.” Tristan caught the keys as the valet threw them in his direction and opened my door for me.
I was almost afraid to get in. One didn’t hang out with Gabe and Wes and not know cars. I’d always thought cars told you a lot about a person. And the fact that he drove something both expensive and environmentally friendly? Well honestly, it just screamed CEO and tree-hugger.
Soft leather seats cushioned every curve of my body as I leaned back against the headrest. The navigation turned on, and an old Jay Z song started playing in the background. I seriously wanted to laugh, but I was afraid I’d forgotten how, especially after tonight.
Gabe didn’t know about the rape when I was younger.
I wasn’t even sure if it was rape. I mean, is it rape when you’re in a sexual relationship with someone, and they still force you? Bile rose in my throat at Taylor’s words. I’d blocked it out, just like I tried to block him out, from the way his smile made me do anything to his smooth commands. I swore I’d never allow a guy to control me again. Not that way.
Unable to stop shivering, I clutched Tristan’s coat closer around my body as he silently drove through the city.
“Lisa,” he said, turning down the music. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Oh, yeah.” I tried to appear nonchalant. “I get attacked all the time. I’ve got the damsel-in-distress bit down pat.”
“Don’t.” He hissed. “Don’t make a joke out of something so serious. I’m asking you if you’re okay. I want a straight answer. No eye-rolling, no shrugging. Hell, if you shrug one more time, I won’t be responsible for my actions. Just tell me, are you okay? And is there anything I can do to make you feel better than you are right now?”