Give in to Me (Heart of Stone #3)(49)
Author: K.M. Scott

Chuckling, she pressed her palm to the front of my pants. “That would only make you think I forgive you already. You’re going to have to do a little more than that to make up for this.”

Her touch thrilled me, making my cock spring to life. Wanting her more than a shower, I pushed my hips forward, causing her hand to slide down the length of me. “Forget the shower. I’ve got a better idea.”

She pushed me away and shook her head. “No way. Now get in there and wash the day off you. I’ll be back in ten minutes so you can tell me everything about what happened.”

“I like my idea better.”

Standing, she kissed me softly and smiled. “Don’t try to charm me. I won’t let you this time.”

“Can’t blame a guy for trying. Get ready for a great night. We’re celebrating being back in our own bed and together.”

“It’s a deal. See you in ten.”

After a quick shower, I dressed in pajama pants and prepared to tell Nina everything as quickly as possible so we could get to celebrating. I had a surprise for her I knew she’d love, but she was nowhere to be found by the time I got out to the bedroom. Thinking she may have gone to the kitchen for a snack, I made my way there only to hear her talking to someone in the entryway. When I turned the corner, I saw her standing with Varo, and suddenly all that jealousy I thought I’d conquered rushed back, filling me with rage.

What the fuck was he doing in my house?

Struggling to get a handle on my emotions, I crossed my arms and leaned against the wall to wait for one of them to realize they were being watched. Nina was talking about something concerning her garden, but it didn’t matter. Varo worked for me guarding Nina. He had no business standing there talking to her about anything.

He saw me first and instantly his body language became defensive. Crossing his arms, he took a step back away from her. “Mr. Stone, we were just talking about the gardener Nina’s looking for.”

Nina turned around and quickly the smile she wore faded. “Hey, that was less than ten minutes.”

“Be in my office at nine sharp, Varo. Good night.”

With a quick nod, he got out of there before I had to say another word, leaving Nina standing in the middle of the room staring daggers at me. “What was that about?”

“What was he doing here?”

Knitting her brows, she frowned and shook her head. “Exactly what he said. I’m hiring a new gardener.”

“Then I’ll take care of it.”

Her disgust came out in a huff, and she stormed past me down the hall. I followed her, knowing what was coming next and wanting it far too much. I found her in our bedroom pacing the floor just as I’d found her a short time earlier. Folding my arms again, I leaned against the doorframe and waited. It didn’t take long.

She spun around and pointed her finger at me. “You aren’t seriously going to be jealous after making me kiss him, are you? I mean, you wanted me to do that and now I have to deal with this nonsense?”

“Nonsense?”

“That’s exactly what it is. You’re jealous and it’s nonsense. Or maybe you’d rather me call it bullshit. Whatever we call it, I can’t believe you’re acting like this.”

“Like a man who doesn’t want his soon-to-be wife hanging out with other men?”

“You’re acting ridiculous, Tristan. So now there’s a problem with me talking to one of my bodyguards?”

“Maybe you wouldn’t mind if I had a conversation with Brandi?”

Her pacing stopped dead, and in her face I saw what I felt. Rage. Jealousy.

“What the fuck are you doing? I did nothing wrong out there and now you’re acting like a jackass. A jealous jackass!”

I knew she was right, but it was like I was standing outside my body and couldn’t stop the words from coming out of my mouth. My heart told me I had nothing to worry about with her and Varo, but my brain so filled with those old demons egged me on. “I’m not in the mood to discuss this, Nina. I’m replacing Varo tomorrow.”

Her mouth dropped open. “What are you doing? Why? He did nothing wrong. If anyone should be fired, it’s West. Varo’s been nothing but an obedient employee, even when you made him pretend to be my boyfriend,” she screamed. “Don’t do this.”

“I didn’t realize you cared so much about what happened to him.”

She came at me like she wanted to hit me but stopped short just inches away to stare up into my eyes, as if the answer to my madness could be found in them. Taking my hands in hers, she pleaded, “Tristan, what is going on? Stop acting like this and tell me what’s wrong. Whatever it is, we can handle it. Just tell me.”

Lowering my head, I shook it, unable to explain why I was acting so stupid. “I don’t know. It was just something exploded inside me when I saw you together.”

She caressed my cheek with her hand and said quietly, “Baby, I don’t know how to convince you that you’re the only man I want. I can tell you a million times, but you don’t seem to believe me.”

I caught her hand and lowered it between us. Looking down at it, I said, “You’re not wearing your engagement ring. Why? Have you changed your mind?”

“Is that what this is about? Look at me and tell me. Is that it?”

I let my gaze travel up to hers and shook my head. “No. I’m fucked up. That’s it. I don’t know why.”

“Well, fucked up or not, you have nothing to worry about. Remember you left me for months? I don’t want anyone else, so let poor Varo have his job and stop thinking I want anyone else on Earth because I don’t.”

“I have a surprise for you.”

Sighing, she asked, “A good one?”

“A good one. Sit down and close your eyes.” She did as I said and I grabbed the box I’d picked up earlier that day. Kneeling on one knee, I opened it and held it in my palm. “Okay. Open them.”

I saw in her eyes the surprise I’d hoped for. In my palm sat a robin’s egg blue Tiffany’s box with a new ring. It was meant as a new start, even though I’d nearly fucked it up with my jealousy just minutes earlier.

“Another ring? Why? I loved the first one,” she said as she lifted the box up to examine it. “It’s beautiful, Tristan. But why?”

“Maybe we had bad luck the last time. And the time before that. I want this time to go right, so I bought this ring hoping that maybe this can change our luck. Marry me.”