Page 5 of Shadows of Recovery

Tristan sighed, resting his elbows on the table. “It was probably something someone mixed up themselves, not a standard drug you’d find on the street. That makes it harder to know exactly what was in it and how it might affect you in the long-term.”

A wave of unease washed over Sophie as she processed what he was saying. The idea that someone targeted her with a homemade drug was terrifying, and the uncertainty about what it could do was even more unsettling.

Tristan must have noticed the worry in her eyes because he leaned forward, his gaze steady and reassuring. “I don’t want you to panic, but I do think it’s a good idea to get some basic bloodwork done. It’s just to be safe, to make sure there’s nothing lingering in your system that could cause problems later on.”

Sophie nodded slowly, appreciating his straightforwardness. “That makes sense,” she said, her voice a bit steadier now. “I’ll do that.”

Tristan smiled, clearly relieved she was taking his advice seriously. “I can set up an appointment for you with a friend who’s discreet. We’ll make sure everything is handled carefully.”

“Thank you,” Sophie replied, feeling a bit more at ease. “I really appreciate everything you’re doing for me, Tristan.”

“It’s no trouble at all,” he said, his tone warm. “Just focus on taking care of yourself.”

As they continued their light breakfast, his calm presence was exactly what she needed to navigate the uncertainty of what had happened. For the first time since waking up in that strange room, she felt like she had a plan—a way forward—and it made all the difference.

As Sophie finished the last bite of her toast, a yawn escaped her, surprising her with how tired she still felt. The events of the night had clearly taken more out of her than she realized.

“Tristan, do you have a phone charger?” She stifled another yawn. “I want to call my friend Jenna and let her know I’m okay. I also need to grab my purse and shoes.”

Tristan nodded, a small smile on his lips. “I have a fast charger in my room. It’ll get your phone up and running in no time.” He stood up and gestured for her to follow him.

Sophie got up, feeling a little steadier on her feet now, and followed Tristan up the stairs. He pointed to a comfortable-looking chair in the corner of the room, near a side table where a phone charger was plugged in.

Tristan took a seat in the chair, and Sophie couldn’t help but ask, “Is this where you spent the night?”

He chuckled softly, looking slightly embarrassed. “Only until you settled down. I wanted to be close by in case you needed anything.”

Sophie felt an additional pang of gratitude. “Thank you,” she said quietly, handing him her phone.

Tristan plugged it into the charger. “I’ll give it a few minutes to build a charge.”

Sophie nodded, feeling the pull of exhaustion even more now that she was sitting down. The bed was soft and welcoming, and it didn’t take long for her to give in, lie down and drift off into a deep sleep. The last thing she remembered was Tristan’s comforting presence.

The next thing she knew, her phone was ringing, startling her awake. Disoriented, she reached for it, hoping it was Jenna. But when she looked at the screen, she sighed—it was just a telemarketer.

A few more texts popped up.

Jenna: Call me when you get home. I’m not worried knowing you’re with Tristan.

She wanted to know how Jenna knew him. She was about to call her when she glanced at the clock, realizing with a start that she had been sleeping for hours.

Just as she was about to sit up, Tristan walked into the room, his expression a mix of concern and amusement. “I should have awakened you,” he sat down beside her on the bed, “but you looked so comfortable. I didn’t have the heart to disturb you.”

Sophie smiled, a warmth spreading through her at his words. “I didn’t realize how tired I was,” she admitted. “But I feel a lot better now.”

Tristan returned her smile, his eyes soft with understanding. “That’s good to hear. Rest is the best thing for you right now.”

She nodded, feeling more at ease than when she woke up earlier. “Thank you, Tristan. For everything.” Impulsively, she leaned in and pressed her lips to his.

He hesitated for a moment, then kissed her back, gently at first, then with growing hunger. Their kisses intensified, their bodies moving together in a wave of desire. They tumbled into the bed, lost in the heat of the moment.

As Sophie and Tristan’s lips met, their kiss deepened. The tension that had built between them, unspoken and electrifying, now grew exponentially in their embrace. His hands roamed over her back, pulling her closer.

Sophie's fingers threaded through his hair, her breath coming in soft gasps against his mouth. "Oh God," she whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of desire and uncertainty. His hair was soft as silk.

He pulled back slightly, his eyes searching hers. "Are you sure about this?"

Sophie nodded, her hazel eyes now rimmed gold with longing. "Yes. I've never been surer." She nibbled his jaw, nuzzling his chin. She had no idea what she was doing other than there was something about this man that made her want him.

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