Page 108 of Lorcan's Obsession

“Jeeves, go ahead and register Tristen’s biometrics in addition to mine.”

“What?” Tris objected. “No, Lorcan, it was meant to be your gift.”

“I want you to have access as well. You’re one of the few people who knows why this is close to my heart. I want you to be the only one who can open it too.”

Tristen’s lashes fluttered, her cheeks darkening with a blush. She’d understood my double meaning about being the only one who could open my heart. She allowed Jeeves to take her prints and then escorted him to the door. I wasn't eavesdropping, but I caught the end of their conversation. Jeeves asked if I was worth the five percent to which she answered, yes. And that piqued my curiosity.

"What was that all about?" I asked when she returned.

“It was a bet we had," she replied with a shrug. "I lost five percent. Nothing big. Wanna go check out all the other functions of the bottle case?”

Smiling, I did as my girl asked. Together, we stared at the bottle, as if we were waiting for it to become something else. A pang of longing hit my heart, and I held Tristen a little tighter. How I wished this memento would transform and bring my mother back to me.

“Uhm…” Tris mused, breaking into my thoughts. "It's good, but the setup isn’t complete. It’s missing something.”

She walked over to her handbag and fished through it for a few seconds. When she came back, she was holding a small charm bracelet. Without a word, she opened the case and slid the bracelet around the neck of the bottle.

A lump grew in my throat. Tristen’s dad had left her that bracelet for her fourteenth birthday. Now it rested on a fine vintage of Macallan whiskey. My mother’s last souvenir and her father’s final gift fit like two puzzle pieces.

“These belong together,” Tris murmured, staring at the display. “Sometimes, I feel like they brought us together. If you hadn’t ordered this exact whiskey that was only sold by the bottle, our first night probably would have been very different. And then you wouldn’t have taken me to Switzerland…”

I turned her to face me, tipping her chin so I could look into her eyes. “That is a beautiful sentiment, and I am sure both of our parents are looking down on us with pride and joy. But I am convinced we were destined to meet, Tristen. No matter the time, no matter the place, we would have found our way to each other because I was meant to be yours. Just as you are meant to be mine.”

Tristen nestled herself in my arms, purring softly. Tilting up her head, I captured her lips in a deep, sensual kiss.

“Do you know what I want to do, baby?” I asked.

“Me?” She laughed, a tinkling, crystal laugh. I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Always.” I pressed a kiss on her nose. “But I was thinking of something else, for once. Seeing your bracelet made me think. I want to travel the world with you, Tristen. We would find more charms and add them to the bracelet until it was filled up, just like your dad wanted.”

Her green eyes softened, misted with emotion. “Oh God, Lorcan, that’s beautiful. But it can barely fit my wrist now…”

“We can get it refitted with an expansion band, polish it up. Where should we begin? The Big Apple? You seem to be fond of the city.”

“I’d love that, baby.” Tristen spoke softly.

I leaned forward to capture her soft lips again. We pulled away flushed and panting.

“Now, I’m thinking about doing you.” I smirked.

She giggled and wrapped her arms around me. I was about to lift her to my waist and take her back to the bedroom when the doorbell rang.

Stupid fucking cockblocker. I groaned in annoyance. My raging boner wanted some relief already.

“I’ll get the door,” Tristen said. “Jeeves probably just forgot something. I’ll send him away quickly and then come take care of that.” She eyed my dick pointedly, then strolled to the door with a smile.

It wasn’t Jeeves.

“Bitch, the fuck are you?” an entitled, feminine voice screeched. “And what are you doing in Lorcan’s apartment?”

Wait, why did that woman’s voice sound familiar? I knew it from somewhere. Shit. Was that Crystal? As in, the daughter of my dad’s business partner, Crystal?

What the fuck was she doing at my apartment?

“Excuse me?” Tristen snapped back at the intruder, her voice laced with rage.

Shit, shit, shit. I tucked my stiffy under the waistband of my sweats and ran to the door.

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