Three months. It was three months ago, now, since I'd let this happen. Since I'd let Tristan touch me, ravage me, consume me in ways that I'd never considered letting. Three months since we established the ground rules: no emotions, no attachment, just sex. And yet still, I couldn't help staring at him. He was leaning over the office, heavily discussing something with some business ass in a suit that was two sizes too small, but I wasn't listening. I wasn't even pretending to listen. Because Tristan was a fucking problem. Him, Tristan, in a tailored suit that clung to his beautifully sculpted physique, jacket fitting perfectly over expansive shoulders, tie slightly undone as if he'd tugged on it in exasperation beforehand. Sleeves rolled up, forearms bare, veins protruding on his skin as he gestured, dominating the room without making the slightest effort. And his face. Cold. Focused. Completely detached. That sentence—cold, impatient, a bit cruel—shouldn't have coiled my stoma
Christmas was coming. The office was quiet, everyone leaving or half-working until the holidays themselves started. Ornaments thrown around everywhere—a tacky wreath on the front counter, a sad little Christmas tree in the break room. Nothing serious. Nothing homey. And Tristan? Tristan couldn't care less about Christmas. I'd known that before I opened my mouth, but still I was in his office, fumbling about like a fool, trying to find the guts to say it. I'd just handed in my report to him, should've been making a retreat, but I hung around instead. His eyes flicked up. Piercing. Waiting. "You have something more to say?" I swallowed. Why was this so hard? "I was just—uh—wondering." Tristan's brow jumped up. Waiting. I was sweating buckets, completely insane, like I was going to ask him out on a dumb date. Which, technically, I wasn't. Not exactly. "I was just wondering…." I swallowed. "How do you usually spend Christmas?" Tristan's expression didn't change, but something
I wiped my hands across my sweater to dry them and glanced at the screen. Tristan: How's the holiday going so far? I stared at it. I hadn't really heard from him much since the office shut down. It wasn't unusual—this was the longest either of us had ever been out of the office. And yet, the look of his name sent something burning slash through my chest. I answered quickly. Me: Loud. Chaotic. Mom yelling at the gravy. One second later: Tristan: Sounds like fun. I smiled already anticipating the dry-as-desert look on his face. Me: You tell me, but you'd really hate it. Too human and warm. There was a longer pause than that one. Then: Tristan: Still invited? I breathed in. Home for the Holidays I texted my address out hurriedly, before I could regret it. And then I just.stood there. For what was an eternity, I simply sat there, my phone in my face, irregular heartbeat, stomach twisting itself into impossible knots. He was coming. Tristan Wolfe was in my hometown for C
It wasn't the disaster I'd pictured in my head, but it wasn't silky smooth by any means. Because if there was one thing I'd learned tonight, it was this: Tristan Wolfe, cold CEO, menacing businessman, career-killer…was downright fucking awkward with my parents. I’d never seen him like this before. Usually, he was the most composed, in-control bastard in any room. His words were always measured, his confidence unshakable. But here? Here, he sat at my parents' dinner table, shoulders a little too straight, back a little too stiff, holding his fork like it was some kind of delicate weapon. My mom had been impressed with him at first, just because he had good table manners and was sporting a nice coat. And my dad? My dad was keeping him on the hot seat. So, Tristan," he said, stirring his drink slowly. "Tell me. How did you and Dylan meet?" I paused with a bite halfway to my mouth. Oh. Oh no. I could feel Tristan's tension beside me. He set his fork down carefully, answering with
He was fully in my space now, his hands pressing against the wall on either side of me, his body too warm, too solid, too fucking much. “You’re being awfully quiet, Dylan.” His voice was low, amused. “I—” My voice died in my throat. Because suddenly, his mouth was right there. Floating inches from mine, his breath on my lips, his eyes on mine like he was holding his breath waiting for something. Waiting for me to break. I clenched my fists. "Tristan—" And then—he kissed me. Hard. Hungry. Teeth scraping against my lower lip, his hands digging harder into my waist, yanking me toward him until there was no space left. I made a noise—a gasp, a curse—something, but he swallowed it whole, kissing me like he was trying to erase every thought from my head but him. And it was working. I was warm all over, my knees weak, my body totally betraying me. His lips moved lower, tracing over my jaw, down to the juncture of my neck, open-mouthed kisses pressed against my skin. I fucking s
Harvard.It took me a second, then I realized where I'd heard it, and immediately I felt queasiness.I stood on campus, with people, overlapping conversations, wind biting and nipping, pavement under feet where people rushed between classes. It felt too real, the familiar feel of the pack on the shoulder, coffee smell from the student union from afar.And then—A name.“Tristan Wolfe.”I froze.I turned toward a familiar face. "Who's that?"The way he gazed at me was quite insulting.“You don’t know who Tristan Wolfe is?”I shook my head and a shiver rose onto my spine.There was not a vocal reply, because I had been grabbed and jerked towards him.“Come on, take a look, then.”I barely had time to comprehend what I had heard when we were slashing across the quad, pushing our way between groups of students, towards the gym. The louder we got, the more raucous the sound sounded—the unmistakable boom and crash of a basketball being played.Mason shoved the doors wide open.And there he
The next morning, Tristan was packing his things.I leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching him with a growing frown.“You’re really leaving?”He didn’t even look up, shoving a sweater into his bag. “I have to see my father.”The words were flat, detached. Like the topic meant nothing to him.Something about it sat wrong in my chest.I wanted to say more—How long would you be away? Would you call me? Why the damn hell do you sound like you'd rather die by a bus than come and see your own dad?But I didn't.Because I wasn't really allowed to say things like that.Instead, I asked: "You can't stay an extra few days?"He hesitated, hands tightening around the strap of the bag, but he didn't look back."Not this time."And then, suddenly, he was gone.I was out the entire day.Not in a super obvious manner—at least, I didn't think so—but my mom picked up on it immediately.We were in the kitchen when she finally confronted me, drying off a plate with slow, deliberate movement
Dinner was expensive, of course.The restaurant was the kind where they didn't list prices on the menu, because if you had to ask, you shouldn't have been there.Tristan sat across from me, utterly calm, completely…… Hot.One fist clasped his wine glass, the other dangling on the table, languid, negligent slap against the white tablecloth. His suit, black as midnight and cut to shred people, stretched over his shoulders like it had an agenda of its own to make it difficult for me.The top of his collar was open, his tie dangling loosely by one inch, like he'd been tugging on it in frustration prior to us coming. His hair, slicked-back waves and crisp edges, was just a little bit too neat, apart from that rebellious curl which had fallen across his brow. Ah, fuck, Tristan Wolfe…. The man you are.I was supposed to be having dinner, but all of a sudden I no longer wanted to eat. I grumbled at my food instead, avoiding the sauce on the plate with my fork, faking disinterest in all of hi
Dylan’s POVI barely have time to catch my breath before Tristan’s hands are on me again, pulling me closer, his grip firm and unyielding. I don’t even have a chance to process the shift before he pushes me back onto the bed, his body following mine down. The mattress creaks under our combined weight, and I barely manage to brace myself before Tristan is straddling my waist, pinning me down.His eyes are dark, heavy-lidded, and wild—like he’s barely holding himself together. My pulse races, heart thundering in my chest, and I can feel the heat rolling off him in waves. His hands are on either side of my head, caging me in, and he leans down, our noses brushing, his breath hot and uneven against my lips.I can’t think straight. Everything’s spinning out of control, and I know I should push him back—should remind him that he’s still feverish and not in his right mind. But fuck, the way he’s looking at me—like I’m the only thing anchoring him to reality—it’s got me trapped.“Tristan,” I
Dylan’s POVMy body buzzing from the way his hands had moved over me, the way his lips had claimed mine like he was staking his territory.Tristan’s hands are still trembling, but now they’re softer, almost hesitant as he pushes me back gently onto the bed. He straddles me, his fingers tracing my collarbone and drifting down to my chest, his eyes still dark with desire but tempered now with something softer—something almost tender.He swallows hard, his throat bobbing, and I can feel his pulse racing under my hands as I rest them on his hips. There’s something unspoken hanging in the air, and I know he’s fighting to keep himself composed.“Are you okay?” I ask quietly, brushing his hair back from his face.He nods, but his hands are still shaking, his breath uneven. I can see the tension in his shoulders, the way he’s trying to ground himself. I reach up, cupping his face, and he leans into the touch, his eyes fluttering shut for a moment.“Talk to me,” I murmur, my thumb stroking his
Dylan’s POVI’m losing it.Tristan’s hands are moving with more purpose now, slipping under my shirt, fingertips tracing the lines of my ribs. His touch is scorching, leaving trails of fire on my skin. I can’t help the way my breath hitches, the way my body instinctively responds to his touch. I know I should be pulling back, telling him to calm down, but fuck, it’s impossible when he’s looking at me like this—eyes dark, lips parted, and his hands sliding up my sides.He leans in, his mouth finding the hollow of my collarbone, and his lips are hot, pressing open-mouthed kisses that make my head spin. I grip his hips, trying to steady both of us, but he just presses closer, his chest flush against mine, his mouth dragging up to my neck.“Tristan…” I whisper, trying to sound firm, but it comes out like a rasp.He doesn’t answer—just nips at my collarbone, sucking the skin gently before kissing it again, as if apologizing for the bite. I can’t think straight. My hands slide up to his wa
Dylan’s POVI’m trying to keep my mind straight—keep my focus on soothing Tristan and not on how his hands won’t stop wandering. His fingers are tracing the line of my neck, light and teasing, and I can’t ignore how his touch makes my skin tingle. I know he’s still battling the remnants of his heat, but his movements are slower now, more purposeful, as if he’s caught in some trance of his own making.“Hey,” I murmur, trying to ground him. “Tell me more about your mom’s piano songs. What was your favorite?”Tristan’s fingers slide from my neck to my collarbone, his eyes still half-lidded, that feverish glow lingering in his gaze. “She used to play this old waltz… I can’t remember the name. I just know it was sad. Bittersweet. She’d play it when she thought no one was listening.”He moves closer, his lips brushing against my jaw before I can react, and I stiffen, swallowing hard. “Tristan, focus,” I say, voice low. “What did you want to be when you were a kid?”He pauses, his hands slid
Dylan’s POVI barely have time to react before Tristan steps closer, his hands gripping the hem of his shirt. He pulls it over his head in one fluid motion, letting it fall to the floor. The heat coming off his bare skin is suffocating, and my brain stalls, caught between instinct and reason.He’s standing there, chest heaving, sweat glistening on his torso, eyes locked on mine with a wild, feverish intensity. My mouth goes dry. His muscles tense and relax under his flushed skin, and it’s impossible not to notice every line, every defined plane of his body.He takes another step forward, and I instinctively take one back, my back hitting the wall. His lips curl into a half-smile, and there’s something feral about the way he’s looking at me.“We’re just stalling, you know,” he says, voice rough and low. “You’re just trying to delay the inevitable.”My heart is pounding so loud I can barely hear him. “Tristan… you’re not thinking straight. You don’t want this.”His eyes narrow, a glint
Dylan’s POVI’m holding onto my sanity by a thread. Tristan’s body is pressed up against mine, his head still resting on my chest, and I’m trying to keep my breathing steady, my hands moving gently through his hair. His fever hasn’t broken, but his shaking has eased a little, and for a moment, I think he might finally be calming down.Then his hands shift, moving up from my waist to cup my face, his fingers tracing my jawline with a featherlight touch. My heart stutters, and I swallow hard, fighting to keep my reaction under control.He’s looking at me through half-lidded eyes, pupils blown wide and glistening with something raw and unfiltered. His thumb brushes over my cheek, and I can feel the tremor in his touch, the way he’s barely holding himself together.“Prettyboy…” he whispers, voice shaky and soft. “Make it stop.”I know what he’s asking for—relief, comfort, something to pull him out of this feverish haze. I can feel his desperation like a physical force, wrapping around us
Dylan’s POVI know I’m in trouble the second Tristan’s mouth brushes against my neck. It’s just a fleeting touch—barely there—but it sets every nerve on fire. My breath hitches, and I force myself to stay still, my fingers tangled in his hair, gently massaging his scalp to keep him calm.He’s too hot—feverish and restless, his body shifting against mine, making me acutely aware of every inch of him pressed up against me. I tell myself to focus, to breathe through it, but it’s fucking impossible when he’s nuzzling into me, his lips grazing my skin again, this time more deliberate.“Tristan,” I murmur, trying to sound steady. “You need to rest.”He doesn’t answer—just sighs against my collarbone, his hands slipping from my shirt to trace along my sides. The touch is slow, almost absentminded, but it’s sending shocks straight through me. I swallow hard, reminding myself that he’s not in his right mind, that the heat is making him like this.But then he does it again—his lips ghost over m
Dylan’s POVTristan’s breathing has calmed some, but his skin still feels too hot, his pulse too rapid. I know I need to do something to help him cool down, but his hands are gripping my shirt with a kind of desperate strength, like he’s terrified I’ll slip away if he lets go.“Tristan,” I whisper softly, brushing his hair out of his face. “I need to get something to help you cool down, okay?”His grip tightens, his fingers curling into the fabric. “Don’t… go,” he mumbles, voice hoarse and laced with lingering need.I swallow the knot in my throat, forcing a smile. “I’m not leaving. Just let me get a cloth to help, alright?”His eyes are barely open, but I can feel his body tense as if the idea of me moving even a few feet away is unbearable. I don’t blame him; the synthetic heat drugs are making his instincts go haywire.“I’m not leaving,” I repeat gently, squeezing his hand. After a moment, he lets me pull away just enough to reach the bathroom. I grab a small towel, soaking it in c
Dylan’s POVIt feels like the room is collapsing in on itself, engulfed by the bloated scent of heat that Tristan’s body is emitting. He’s barely coherent, his head lolling against my shoulder, his breaths coming out in ragged, shallow gasps. I can feel his pulse racing under my fingertips, his skin feverishly hot.I know he can’t stay here like this. The paramedics have done all they can, and the suppressants aren’t working. I don’t trust anyone else to handle him right now—not when he’s this vulnerable, this raw. I take a deep breath, steadying myself before carefully pulling him up from the chair.“Tristan,” I murmur softly, brushing his damp hair out of his face. “We need to move you somewhere safer. Can you stand?”He mumbles something, too low for me to catch, but when I pull him to his feet, his legs give out almost immediately. I catch him before he hits the ground, wrapping my arm firmly around his waist. His body slumps against mine, and I can feel every tremor that runs thr