Page 27 of Sweet Little Spies

But he was actually doing her a kindness, reminding herthere was a map to follow if she couldn’t ask for directions.

Tris gripped the back of the closest chair, using it to hidehis raging hard-on. She’d seen his pants tent the moment they were alone, andhe’d felt the vibe she was sending out. His dick didn’t care that he’d brokenher heart.

“I need to know.” She didn’t want to elaborate. Elaborationwould mean talking, and they didn’t need to talk. But she had to know.

“Know what?” Aidan was shifting his gaze between them likehe wasn’t quite sure what was happening.

“She wants to know if I’ve been with other women.” Trissimply stared at her, his eyes seeming to go dark. “Absolutely none. Two and ahalf years. No one but my right hand and my vivid imagination.”

Aidan moved in beside Tris. “Baby, he wouldn’t cheat on you.I know he’s been kind of a dick, but I wouldn’t have trusted him at all if Ithought for a moment he was cheating on us…on you.”

“You had it right the first time.” Tristan’s gaze sharpened.“We’re all involved in this relationship. Anything outside the three of us ischeating, and I never even once thought about it. I had a job to do. I wasn’tlooking for a different life or a way out. I’ve been desperately trying to finda way back in.”

“Okay.” Aidan took a long breath and got his “I can fixthis” expression on. “We’ll go into the break room and get some coffee and talkthis out. Carys, I’ll tell you everything you want to know.”

Tristan huffed. “She doesn’t want to talk. Look at her. Hershoulders are tight. Her hands keep clenching open and shut, but otherwise,she’s perfectly still. Like she’s afraid to move. She doesn’t want to leave,but she also doesn’t want us to think she wants to stay. Stop thinking like herboyfriend. Start thinking like her Dom.”

This was absolutely what Tristan brought to the table. Hewas infinitely more physical than Aidan. Aidan would be happy making love andholding her. He didn’t mind the kinky stuff, but he didn’t seem to need it theway she and Tris did.

She’d had perfection. A sweet lover who thought about herall the time, and another who looked smooth and normal on the outside andinside was a fucking feral beast.

How the hell had he been gone for two and a half years? “Idon’t believe you.”

A brow rose over Tristan’s suddenly icy eyes. “You don’tbelieve I didn’t fuck someone else?”

It felt good to let a little venom flow. It had beenbuilding and building, and she’d had to be the sweet almost bride who deliveredbabies and did everything right. She’d suffered years of pitying looks, andthis resentment had been inside her for so long, she forgot how good it was togive some of it up. “I know you. I know how much you need sex, Tris. I alsoknow you’re a spy and probably fuck for intel. That’s what he’s not saying,Aidan. Maybe he’s been faithful in a purely personal way, but he’s a professional.”

Aidan’s eyes widened like he didn’t know her, but Tristansimply chuckled.

“Yeah, there you are, baby. I’ve been waiting for your inneralpha bitch to show up. Tell me something. Is she clawing to get out now thatwe’re in the same room?” Tristan taunted. “You wouldn’t let her take a swipe atAidan because you don’t think he can handle her. Personally, I think you’rewrong. A’s got some thick skin and a deep desire to give you everything youneed, including taking some battle wounds.”

“What are you two talking about?” Aidan looked her way, hiseyes pleading. “Carys, baby, there’s no need to fight.”

“She wants the fight,” Tristan insisted. “She needs ittonight. She needs to hit me and hard. Go on, Car. Poke at me until you wake upthe predator that’s always right here in my gut. I keep him tightly leashed. Iknow how to be a gentleman. I learned all the rules and codes my fatherstrained into me. But they also taught me there’s a time and a place to let itgo. Is it time, Carys?”

“I’ve been taking care of her.” Aidan’s jaw tightened.

“Yes, you’ve given her what she needs from you,” Trisacknowledged. “Now she needs something else. Tonight, she doesn’t need to be abeloved girlfriend or an equal partner. Tonight, she needs to be prey. Sheneeds us to take her down physically so she can find her way out of whateverroom inside her head she’s locked herself in. You believe in good guys and badguys, A. You think not every man is a closet predator. In your world there areblack hats and white hats, but she needs a little gray today.”

He was wrong about one thing. “I assure you I think you’rethe bad guy, Tris.”

He shrugged like he wasn’t about to argue with her. “I’mwhatever you need me to be, and I didn’t fuck for intel. Never. I assure youwhile I was putting my body on the line my dick remained perfectly andpristinely pure. I tell you that because you should understand what’s about tohappen. I won’t be able to be sweet and caring. You need me to be the bad guywho makes you cry? I can do it, but I’ll get what I need, too.”

“And you need to hurt me?” Carys asked.

“No,” Aidan argued.

“Stop it or leave the damn room,” Tristan hissed as heturned to his partner. “Normally we would sit down and discuss a scene we wereabout to play out. We can’t tonight because the minute we leave, the door inher head locks and she builds walls. Has she cried?”

Aidan seemed to think about the question, and then his eyesclosed. “No.”

“She’s been through this whole shitty day without shedding atear or having an emotion beyond icy anger,” Tristan pointed out. “Are you thegood guy who wants to do some very bad things to the woman who is acting allcalm and composed? What are your instincts telling you about her? Don’t bringyourself into it. Don’t bring your fear into it. This is about her. What doesshe need?”

She fucking hated the way Tris could see right through her.Hated it. Craved it. Needed it so badly.

The moment Aidan’s gaze went hard, she knew she was about toget the fight she wanted. “She’s wound so tight she can’t breathe. She’s heldit together because she can’t fall apart in front of anyone else. She might notwant to break down in front of us, but it’s acceptable. She wants to tear usup, to have us hold her down and force her to feel because if she doesn’t, sheworries she might never feel anything again.”

Tristan cocked a brow his partner’s way, firmly in bad-boymode at this point. “So do you want to clutch your pearls or help me top her?”

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