Tristan's Temptation by Sabrina York

care who knew about it. All he cared about was feeling her desperate, panting breaths in his ear as she came.
    “Now,” Steve said primly. “My work here is done. I’ve got to go.” He drained his wineglass and picked up his jacket. He paused at the door to add, “Just remember this. None of the people you’re trying so hard to please are worried about pleasing you. Your life is your responsibility. You have to make yourself happy, and damn the consequences.” And then, with a sketched wave and a cursory pat for Bosco, he let himself out
    Finally. Alone at last.
    Tristan fixed Shannon with a hungry look.
    She avoided his gaze. Instead she busied herself collecting the plates and glasses on the coffee table and meticulously arranging them on the kitchen bar. “Would you care for something to drink?” This, she asked in her most hostess-y voice. “Some cake, perhaps?”
    “No.” Tristan’s voice was rough, laced with tightly reined passion. “I want you.”
    She stopped in her tracks.
    “I’ve wanted you every minute since I was inside you last.”
    “But we—”
    “I know what we agreed. I know what I said. But you heard Steve. Damn the consequences. ” Steve’s little speech had really resonated in his soul. What was keeping them apart, after all?
    It was his stupid rule and his stubborn streak. Adam wouldn’t really care if Tristan broke the rule. Hell, Adam had already shattered it.
    “Why shouldn’t we enjoy each other?”
    “Because.”
    “Because why?”
    She dipped her head. He thought, perhaps, he saw the glitter of tears on her lashes.
    “Why?” He took the Scrabble board from her and set it back on the coffee table. When she wouldn’t look at him, he gently nudged her chin up with two fingers.
    Hell. They were tears.
    “Why, Shannon?”
    “Because you are also enjoying Tandy Larsen.”
    His mouth fell open. “What?”
    “I know you went on a date with her.”
    “Now wait just a minute. I did not go on a date with her.” His belly lurched at her expression. Panic flared. “It wasn’t a date. Honestly. Kat and Adam set it up. They thought they were doing me a favor. You know I can’t stand her. She drives me crazy.”
    “But you went out with her.”
    “No. I went to Levin’s party and she was there. I didn’t ask her out. I didn’t want to be with her. I only want…”
    “What?”
    “You. I only want to be with you. And damn the consequences.”
    Shannon cleared her throat and stared at the floor. “Sometimes consequences have a way of catching us unawares.”
    He moved closer and pulled her soft body against his. She was warm and she smelled sweet. He buried his nose in the crook of her neck and tasted her. “Shannon,” he rasped. “I need you.”
    “Tristan.” She arched against him as his lips and teeth and tongue tormented the side of her neck. He knew how to rouse her. He knew the spots that made her twitch and groan. And with every tryst, he learned more. He ached to discover it all, even if it took forever. He skated his hand up her flank and cupped her breast. When he swiped a thumb over a nipple, her entire body jerked in response.
    “I want you.” He allowed his mouth to make the pilgrimage to her ear and over her cheek, to trail along her jawline and nibble at the dimple on her chin. Then he took her lips.
    He tasted her gently at first, rubbing his lips against hers until they were tender and tingling. He laved her lips with his tongue, tasting the sweet nectar of her breath. Then, finally, he settled his lips upon hers and set about seducing her with his mouth. He drew her tongue into his mouth and sucked and was shot through with passion when she reciprocated. His kiss became wilder then. He held her head and feasted madly, loving everything from the taste of her to the tiny impassioned grunts issuing forth as he explored, demanding more and ever more.
    His cock was hard and throbbing. He was ready to take her now. But then, he’d been ready to take