She gasped when I unexpectedly gripped her hand, stopping her. “Are you sure?”

  Before I could assure her, tell her what I felt so deeply in my heart, tell her how much she meant to me, how much she’d always meant to me…

  I spoke the truth, “I can’t stay away from you, Belle. I love you. I’m in love with you.”

  With wide eyes, she whispered, “I love you too.”

  I let go of her hand and she unclasped my belt, unbuttoned my jeans, and then lowered the zipper. Before she could touch me where I really wanted her to, where I had been craving since the second I saw her, I moved her hand away.

  “This isn’t about me. It’s about you. Let me take care of you.”

  Her gaze set me on fire, and my heart kicked into overdrive. I loved the way she looked at me. No one had ever looked at me the way she did. Everyone usually expected something out of me. I could never get away from it. It was always there, looming over me.

  She made me feel an emotion I hadn’t felt since my parents died. She had my heart in her hands to do with as she pleased. I knew right then and there I’d never be able to go without her.

  Licking my lips, I leaned in to kiss her. The second my tongue touched hers, the world faded away, and it was just us. My body fell forward, pushing her further into the mattress. Her legs spread wider, and I readily laid in between them, placing all my weight on my arms that were now cradling her face. The room was dim, but I could feel her everywhere and all at once.

  “You’re so fucking beautiful, kitten. So damn beautiful,” I groaned as I placed soft kisses down her cleavage.

  She lightly moaned in response, and it earned her a forceful yet tender caress of my hand against her core. I manipulated her bundle of nerves and within minutes her legs started to shake, and she couldn’t keep her eyes open. I wanted to memorize her body, spending hours upon hours exploring it until I memorized every last curve.

  I kissed her again, giving her exactly what she craved as I placed the tip of my dick at her opening.

  “I don’t have a condom, and I’ve never gone bare back before.”

  “It’s fine. I trust you. I’m on the pill.”

  I arched an eyebrow.

  “Oh! It’s not for that. My cycle is all messed up, and my doctor suggested it to help stabilize, you know…”

  It was all I needed to hear.

  Not breaking our kiss and eye contact, she moved her hips, beckoning me to keep going. I still hadn’t moved my fingers from playing with her pussy, wanting her as ready as possible before I thrust deep inside of her. My fingers played her over-stimulated nub, and seconds later, I slowly eased my way inside of her. The sensation of my fingers was replaced with the force of my penetration.

  I was done for.

  There would be no coming back from her.

  She. Was. Mine.

  “Are you okay?” I groaned into her mouth.

  “Mmm hmm…”

  “You’re so fucking tight, so fucking good. Your pussy was made for me, kitten.”

  Nothing compared or even came close to the feeling of her, to the sensations that only she stirred within me. This was more than just sex, more than just two bodies coming together, more than anything I’d ever experienced before.

  Mine.

  I patiently slid inside of her, inch by inch, taking her slowly and cherishing her the way she deserved to be cherished, the way I ached to do for so damn long.

  Her back arched subtly.

  “Almost there, kitten.” I thrust in a little more. “I love you,” I reminded, wanting to give her some comfort.

  “Mmmm…” was all she could reply.

  I took a moment when I was fully inside of her, consumed with the feel of Belle Montgomery for the first time.

  “Eyes on me.”

  Her eyes fluttered open.

  “There’s my girl.”

  I moved my fingers faster against her clit while gradually thrusting in and out. Kissing the tip of her nose, I thrust a little faster.

  A little harder.

  “You feel that?” I growled into her mouth. “You feel me?”

  Her breathing elevated, and I knew I was hitting her sweet spot as I gently grabbed the back of her neck to keep our eyes locked. My forehead hovered above hers as we caught our breaths, trying to find a unison rhythm.

  My thrusts became harder.

  Rougher.

  Her body responded to everything I was giving her.

  Everything I was taking…

  Our bodies moved like we were made for each other.

  Her eyes dilated in pleasure but also in pain, and I immediately lapped at her breasts, unable to get enough of her.

  “Tristian,” she breathed out, and I swear my cock got harder.

  I moved back up to her face, and our mouths parted as we both panted profusely. I was unable to control the thoughts that were wreaking havoc on my mind, desperately trying to cling to every sensation of our skin-on-skin contact. I felt myself start to come apart, and she was right there with me.

  “I love you,” she repeated, climaxing all down my shaft and taking me right over with her.

  I shook with my release and passionately claimed her mouth again. She returned every ounce of emotion I gave her. We stayed like that for I don’t know how long. I kissed all around her face, her neck, and her breasts before I got up to go to the bathroom. Bringing a wet hand towel back with me, I grabbed her ankles and pulled her to the edge of the bed.

  She shrieked, trying to cover herself. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m loving you, kitten.”

  I cleaned her up and then helped her strip her bed. I’d take the sheets with me to throw them out. She slept in my arms, and when morning came, I left.

  Except…

  My heart and soul stayed right there with her.

  Where it belonged.

  Chapter 22

  —Belle—

  Then: Eight months later

  My debutante ball was next month, and my mom was on my butt to figure out what kind of gown I wanted. We decided the theme would be masquerade even though it wasn’t the standard debutante ball. If they wanted me to have a ball to officially introduce me to society, whatever that meant, then I was going to make it as unique as possible.

  My mom was at a charity event for the day, but she arranged for the chauffeur to drive me around town so that I’d find a style of dress I wanted to have made. Of course, it had to be custom made. My family wouldn’t have it any other way.

  Only the best for their little girl.

  Despite almost being seventeen, they still treated me like a child, and I hated that more than anything. I didn’t feel like a kid. Not with everything Tristian had done to my body. The number of times we had sex on his street bike was astounding. The fact that we could even do it on his bike was completely unexpected. However, that was how things were with him.

  Spontaneous and exciting.

  In the last eight months, we’d truly become best friends in every way, shape, and form. There wasn’t much we didn’t do together. I spent all of my free time with him. Nobody knew about us. We were each other’s best kept secrets. He basically snuck into my room every night to sleep in my bed. I don’t know how he was getting away with it, but he always told me to not worry about it. His grandfather didn’t pry into his life like that. Tristian was almost an adult.

  Thinking of him getting caught reminded me of the night my mom unexpectedly walked into my room with him there about a month ago.

  The sound of the leaves rustling through my window caught my attention. As soon as I saw his handsome face, I smiled.

  “Isn’t it a little early for you to be sneaking into my bedroom?”

  He grinned as he stepped onto the wood flooring. “I couldn’t wait any longer.”

  “I just saw you at school.”

  “Yeah, but it wasn’t enough. I can’t do this at school.”

  Before I could respond, he kissed me. Making me giggle.

  “Don’t get all cocky, Tristian. That’s how you can get caught.”

  “I’m not worried about it.”

  “You’re never worried about anything.”

  “That’s not true. I worry about you all the time.”

  “What is there to worry about?”

  “I know you don’t realize how fucking gorgeous you are, but I see the way guys look at you at school. It takes everything inside of me not to throw them through a wall.”

  “I think you’re exaggerating.”

  “You underestimate how beautiful you are. It’s one of my favorite things about you.”

  “Oh! I like this game. What are your other favorites?”

  “Mmmm…” he hummed, leaning forward. His weight pushed me back onto the bed with him hovering above me. “I love your lips.” He kissed me again, making me smile. “Especially when their wrapped around my cock.”

  “Tristian!” I blushed.

  “What?” He deviously grinned. “You’ve sucked my dick too many times to still blush like that, kitten.”

  I shook my head, feeling my cheeks burn redder. “And what else?”

  “I love your smile. Your heart. Your kindness. I love how smart you are. I know one day you’ll do big things with your life.”

  I scoffed out, “Yeah, I’m not so sure about that. If my family has anything—”

  “Fuck them.”

  “Tristian…”

  “I’m serious. You can do anything you put your mind to. They don’t dictate your future, Belle. They’re just making you think they can. At some point, you’re going to have to figure out what you want for your life and then go for it.”

  “My grandfather is old school. He’d never hand down the business to me. It’s a man’s world.”

  “Kitten.” He pecked the tip of my nose. “If that’s what you want, then all you have to do is prove to him that you’re the most qualified to take his throne. At the end of the day, he’s a businessman, and competence is what he wants.”

  “I guess I never thought of it that way.”

  “Well, start thinking about it. I think you’d look sexy as fuck as a CEO.”

  “And you? What do you want for your future?”

  He grinned again. “You.”

  “Have I ever told you you’re the sweetest guy?”

  “Once or twice, but don’t go spreading that around. I have a reputation to uphold.”

  I laughed. “Other than me, what do you want?”

  “I’m not sure. I don’t like thinking about the future. So much can happen that we have no control over.”

  I knew he was referring to his parents dying suddenly. As much as he tried to pretend that he no longer grieved their passing, it was very much alive and present in his daily life.

  “Well,” I exclaimed, pulling on his collared shirt. “I think you’d look quite handsome wearing a three-piece suit, sitting in a nice, expensive office in your grandfather’s building. The title CEO on the door. What do you think about that?”

  “I’ll tell you what, the day you start working for your grandfather, I’ll consider working for mine. Deal?”

  I stuck out my hand to shake his. “Deal.”

  He shoved my hand away, kissing my neck instead. “Let’s seal it with my dick inside you.”

  “Tristian,” I giggled, hiding my neck from him.

  He was about to reply, but the door to my bedroom abruptly opened. I always locked it, but since he showed up early, I didn’t have the chance to. He jolted off me and immediately fell to the floor in a hard thud.

  “Mom!” I jumped onto the ground, playing it off like I was the one who made that noise.

  She cocked her head to the side. “Are you alright?”

  “Yeah.” I nodded, pulling myself up off the floor. “You just scared me.”

  “Darling, I’m sorry. I was just coming up here to remind you that your father and I will be in Savannah this weekend for a conference. Would you like to join us? We could do some shopping. Maybe look for your debutante dress inspiration?”

  “Ummm…” I glanced down at the ground, and Tristian pressed his fingers in a V around his mouth, his tongue sticking in between as he shook his head no.

  I stifled a laugh at the oral sex gesture. “I actually have plans with Erica, but maybe next weekend?”

  “That’d be lovely.” She walked toward me, but I closed the distance between us instead.

  “Goodnight, sweetheart.” She kissed my forehead and left.

  My hand flew to my chest as I locked the door behind her. Tristian stood up and smiled wide.

  “You’re becoming quite the little liar.”

  His words reminded me of Chase, who once said the same exact thing to me. As quick as the thought appeared, I shook it away. The last thing I wanted to do was have my thoughts ruin the moment. We still spoke a couple times a week. I couldn’t cut him out of my life. He was too important to me.

  With my arms around his neck, I uttered, “No more sneaking into my room before ten.”

  He smacked my ass, causing me to yelp before he picked me up, and my legs instinctively wrapped around his back.

  “You don’t make the rules, kitten. I do.”

  I rolled my eyes, smirking.

  “Miss Montgomery, did you hear what I said?”

  “What?” I looked at the sales lady. “About the color pattern of your dress? Is there a specific color you’d prefer?”

  “Oh! Yeah. I’d love something in white with maybe scarlet underneath. Rich, bright red is my favorite color.”

  And Tristian’s was white.

  “Are you thinking lace applique bodice and full tulle skirt?”

  “That sounds amazing.”

  “Alright, let me see what I can find for you. In the meantime, there are a few undergarments I recommended in your fitting room.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Of course. I’d be honored to design Belle Montgomery’s dress.”

  I smiled politely while she continued to gush.

  “You have no idea how lucky you are to be born in such a prestigious family.”

  “Of course…”

  “I mean, you and the Hawkins’ are practically royalty around these parts.”

  I nodded, not knowing what to say.

  “I think they have a boy around your age. He lives with the grandfather. I believe his name is Tristian.”

  “I’ve heard of him.”

  “Such a tragedy your families despise each other. You two would look so cute together.”

  I nervously chuckled.

  “Anyway, look at me, Chatty Cathy. I’ll be right back.”

  She turned and walked away.

  I breathed out a sigh of relief as I made my way to the dressing room. I opened the door and jerked back, shocked at who was sitting in the chair, waiting for me.

  “Tristian,” I whispered, closing the door. “What are you doing here?”

  “I’m here to see my girl in her dresses.” He stood, pointing to the undergarments the seamstress hung for me. “These are ugly as shit.”

  I chuckled. They were kind of old fashioned.

  He grabbed the lingerie hanging off his chair. “Now these … these I like. Try them on for me.”

  I blushed. “My mother would kill me if she knew I was wearing that under my gown.”

  “Who says she has to know? No one will know but me.”

  “She’s going to know if she’s paying for them.”

  He gripped the back of my neck, stating, “I’ll pay for them. Problem solved.”

  “You’re going to buy me lingerie?”

  “I’ll buy you whatever you want. Now try it on for me.”

  “What does it matter what I’m wearing? It’s not like you’re going to be there.”

  He arched an eyebrow. “I’m your first dance.”

  “That’s never going to happen.”

  “It’s a masquerade theme, right? No one will know it’s me.”

  “I’m just supposed to tell my family that my first dance is going to be a friend?”

  “I’m more than a friend, kitten.”

  “I know that, but they don’t. I’m supposed to dance with my dad or brother or someone like that.”

  “Then you’re going to have to come up with a plan. It’s your first dance as a woman. I’ve already claimed all your other firsts, and I’m claiming this one too.”

  The sound of footsteps trailing closer interrupted our conversation.

  “She’s coming.” I put my finger over my mouth. “Shhh!”

  “She’s not going to come into your dressing room, kitten. Relax.”

  “Fine.” Inhaling a deep breath, I tried on the lingerie for him.

  It was an intricate white corset top with matching panties and a garter belt. Once I was dressed, I stood in front of the mirror with Tristian standing behind me.

  “You’re fucking stunning.” He kissed my shoulder.

  I moved away from him. “Don’t start that. We can’t do that in here.”

  “Kitten, when are you going to learn that I can do what I want?”

  “Tris—”

  With that, he walked out of the room.

  Oh my God.

  The expression on the seamstress’ face was one I’d never forget as she witnessed him stepping out of my dressing room.

  “Mr. Hawkins, I—”

  “Here’s five hundred dollars. You never saw me here, understood?”

  Her eyes beamed, grabbing the bills from his hands. “Yes. No problem. I won’t say a word.”

  “Great.” He gazed at the rack of dresses. “She’s going to try these on, and she’ll call you when you’re needed.”

  She eagerly nodded, glancing back and forth between us before leaving.

  I smacked his chest. “Are you out of your mind?”

  He laughed.

  “Where did you get all that money?”

  “I have a trust. It was in my parents’ will.”

  “You just spent five hundred dollars to be alone with me in a dressing room.”

  “And I would have paid more if I had to.”

  “You’re insane.”

  He smiled, tugging me toward him with his hand on the back of my neck. “Insanely in love with you.”