Chapter 72 They Really Make a Good Match
Tristan shrugged, "C'mon, it's not like we haven't grubbed together before."
Katniss clutched her bowl, staying super quiet, her eyes glued to his tall frame by the window. She bit her lip.
After what felt like forever, she finished her porridge, feeling all warm and cozy inside. "I'm stuffed."
Tristan pocketed his phone, turned around, and grabbed the bowl from her. "Let's head downstairs."
Katniss nodded and trailed behind him. She watched as he handed the empty bowl to a servant and then reached out his hand to her.
His dry, warm palm was open, and she couldn't help but notice the intricate lines on his skin.
She hesitated for a sec before slipping her hand into his, a small smile creeping onto her face as he led her to the garden.
Lucy wanted to dash over but Brady held her back. "They're all lovey-dovey; why crash their moment?"
"They're like a perfect match, seriously. I shouldn't butt in," Lucy said, a bit envious.
The evening breeze blew, making Katniss's long hair brush against Tristan's arm, their fingers tightly intertwined.
The distant lights cast a glow on them, making them look like they just stepped out of a painting, all perfect and stuff.
When they got closer, Lucy teased, "Tristan, no one's gonna snatch your girl here. Why you holding her so tight?"
Tristan's face stayed the same, but Katniss blushed and pulled her hand away. "Lucy, long time no see."
"Yeah, it's been ages!" Lucy finally got her chance, pulling Katniss to sit on a bench. "I heard you and Tristan were coming, and I've got so much to spill."
Tristan's gentle gaze stayed on Katniss. Brady came over, threw an arm around Tristan's shoulder, and led him to sit elsewhere, handing him a glass of red wine.
"Katniss, congrats." Lucy handed her a glass of juice. "You should drink this."
Katniss was puzzled by the sudden congratulations but took the juice and thanked her. "Thanks."
Lucy flashed a sweet smile. "No need to be all formal. Just so you know, you gotta watch your nutrition now and skip those wild parties with Tristan. But hey, this time's different. We're friends, and I'll look out for you at tomorrow's bash."
As Lucy's words got more out there, Katniss frowned and asked, "Lucy, what do you mean by watching my nutrition?"
"I get it, you don't have to spell it out. I know." Lucy patted her chest with a knowing look and then switched topics. "Tomorrow's party won't just be couples; there'll be a ton of business folks. It might get tricky to mingle, so I'll help you sneak out."
Katniss dug Lucy's carefree vibe and grinned, "Alright."
She glanced over at Tristan, who was practically glowing under the moonlight, his deep eyes occasionally flicking her way.
Their eyes locked, and he raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips.
Brady noticed and clapped Tristan on the shoulder, cracking a joke, his eyes darting between her and Tristan.
Katniss looked away, feeling a mix of sweet and sour, but she had to admit, being seen as a couple felt pretty awesome.
'Too bad it only feels real here in this vineyard,' Katniss thought.
Just like Tristan said, she wasn't into beef and only nibbled on some veggies. Luckily, that bowl of porridge kept her from starving.
Around midnight, Tristan finally managed to peel a drunk Brady off him and asked Lucy to take Brady to bed.
"Tristan, you're such a cheat. Every time you come, you get Brady wasted," Lucy complained. "Katniss, you should discipline him. This guy's too wild."
Before Katniss could say anything, Tristan's long arm wrapped around her, his fingers resting lazily on her shoulder, a charming grin on his face.
Lucy got someone to help Brady to his room.
Katniss and Tristan headed back to their room too, which had an awesome view with a full-length window overlooking the whole vineyard.
Outside, a light rain started to fall, the hazy moonlight turning into colorful glimmers.
They stood by the window, soaking in the beautiful scene. Katniss suddenly thought—if she could just stay here with Tristan for a couple of days, forgetting everything, she'd be happy.
Tristan's phone buzzed. He glanced at it and gave Katniss a look before stepping away to take the call.
It was Nicholas, his voice impatient, "What did you mean by that message you sent me?"
Two hours ago, he got a simple text from Tristan: [Help me.]
He'd been scratching his head over it for two hours and still didn't get it!
"There are some things I can't handle myself. You're the best guy for the job, and it needs to be low-key," Tristan said, his voice low as he stood outside, looking at Katniss by the window.
His gaze softened without him even realizing it.
On the other end, Nicholas was stunned for a few seconds before saying, "Oh, I get it. If you step in, Michael will probably get even nastier, and Katniss isn't the type to complain. Who knows what she's putting up with in private, I..."
"That's it." Tristan cut him off and hung up, his eyes following the figure heading into the dressing room.
He set his phone on the cabinet and gently nudged the dressing room door with his fingers.
Katniss had already shrugged off her coat, her hands lifting her camisole just enough to show her flat stomach and a hint of her chest.
Sensing something was off, she turned around to find Tristan standing there, arms crossed, the door slightly ajar, giving him a clear view.
She quickly dropped her hands, pulling her camisole back down to cover herself.
Her face turned beet red, the blush spreading from her cheeks to her ears and down her neck.
"Why are you peeking at me changing?" Katniss asked, flustered.
Tristan chuckled softly, nudging the door open with his foot and strolling in, unbuttoning his shirt one button at a time.
"It's not like I haven't seen it before." He peeled off his shirt, revealing his muscular chest, glowing bronze under the warm light.
Katniss felt a wave of nervousness and turned around, saying, "You've already stripped, so you shower first."
Before she could finish, her wrist was grabbed, and she stumbled as Tristan pulled her into the nearby bathroom. Before she could react, he had already turned on the shower.
Warm water started to flow, soaking her long hair and camisole; droplets splashing onto his short hair.
Katniss looked up, her eyes trembling as she met his deep gaze.
"Didn't you say you were gonna sexually discipline me for Lucy?" His thin lips parted, his words dripping with temptation.
A dangerous aura surrounded her, making her heart race. If this kept up, tonight would be a total mess for her.
The real problem was she had to wear a dress for tomorrow's party, and any marks would be a disaster.
Suddenly, a strange sensation made her raise an eyebrow. "I don't dare to discipline Mr. Forbes," Katniss said.
The title "Mr. Forbes" sounded particularly harsh. Tristan narrowed his eyes, his grip on her waist tightening slightly at her most sensitive spot. "Call me something else."
He was teasing her, and realizing this, Katniss found it both amusing and exasperating. Gaining some courage, she wrapped her arms around his neck, looking up at him with slightly squinted eyes.
"Tristan," Katniss called out.
His breathing quickened involuntarily, and his thin lips landed on hers. "Say it again."
"Tristan," she whispered again.
Tristan cursed under his breath. "Damn it." A name that seemed so ordinary when uttered by others sounded remarkably enchanting when it came from her lips.
He lowered his head and kissed her lips, the kisses light and frequent, stealing all her breath.
Suddenly, Katniss pushed him away. "Shower first."
"Alright." His voice was already frighteningly low.
After showering, Katniss came out wrapped in a towel. He seemed impatient.
But Katniss placed her hand on his chest, innocently saying, "Let's sleep. Tonight's really not possible."
"Hmm?" He looked up, his face full of unfulfilled desire and disbelief.
What was she saying?
In his current state, how could it not be possible?
Katniss raised an eyebrow and said, "I'm on my period."
"Move over, I need to get a sanitary pad." With just two fingers, she pushed Tristan's stiff body off her.
His loosely tied bathrobe was in disarray, and his body inside was rigid and straight, his whole being in a daze.
Katniss chuckled as she went into the dressing room, taking out a sanitary pad she had prepared in advance. Her periods were irregular.
They were always delayed, so she carried sanitary pads wherever she went when it was close to time.
After changing, she came out to find Tristan still lying on the bed, resting with his eyes closed, the loose bathrobe still showing some clear contours.
She couldn't help but smile, sensibly lying down as far from him as possible.
After a long while, Tristan got up, changed into loungewear in the dressing room, and lay down on the other side.
His long arm reached over and pulled her into his embrace, his voice displeased. "Don't move."
Katniss really didn't move. There were more ways to satisfy his desire, but so far, they had only tried having sex.
Katniss wasn't ready to try other methods yet. If she disobeyed and really angered him, she couldn't bear the consequences.
That night, it was peaceful, yet not so peaceful.
She didn't sleep well, constantly disturbed by his heavy breathing and his tight embrace.
From time to time, he would whisper in her ear, and she later realized it was his way of retaliating.
If he couldn't have it easy, neither could she!
Finally, morning came. Katniss got up from the bed, opened the curtains and the window to let some fresh air in and disperse the room's hormonal atmosphere.
She suddenly noticed the manor's gate slowly opening, and a luxury car driving in from a distance.
It stopped at the castle entrance, and Michael got out from the driver's seat, greeting Brady first before walking around to the passenger side to open the door.
Bella got out as well.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
