Page 10 of Inadmissible

Tristan

N o amount of time would have made me forget my sweetheart.

She was even more beautiful tonight than she was one year ago.

The biggest difference was her body. She’d lost a significant amount of weight, but she was still just as beautiful with her slim-thick frame.

Her medium height and build was covered in a gold, shimmery dress that fit her like a motherfucking glove.

It was also the perfect complement for her peanut butter brown skin.

Her hair was longer now, flowing down to her round ass in wavy curls.

She had freckles all over the top of her face.

They covered her cheeks, nose, and a bit of her forehead.

Pouty round lips were glossy and begging to be sucked, nibbled, and kissed.

Sweetheart’s high cheekbones were adorable, but my favorite part of her was her eyes.

Her under turned, lazy eyes. They were a shiny honey brown color that had me captivated the first time I looked into them a year ago.

I would always remember my sweetheart, and everything about her.

This evening, she looked healthier than she did when I first saw her.

Her smile was genuine, and she was sober, even after having two glasses of champagne.

I remembered she said she only drunk that and tequila in her letter.

Before I could tell one of the servers to send a bottle of champagne to her table whenever she planted herself for the evening, I noticed the change in her demeanor when she was approached by Destin and his fiancée.

Destin was an egotistical corporate lawyer who had been annoying the hell out of me since he tried to find representation a year ago.

He was the one who wanted a lawyer on retainer in case he had to press charges against his ex-fiancée.

Well, I assume it was an ex and not the one he was currently with.

I didn’t care enough about him or his love life to ask questions.

I was surprised when Carson agreed to represent him a year ago, but it made sense when he convinced Destin to not press charges.

He talked to him and got inside his head like he was known to do and got to know him.

Upon learning Destin was well known in the corporate sector uptown, Carson convinced him it would be best for him to keep his personal affairs hidden, especially since he was also in the wrong.

That didn’t last long, because Destin went on a social media rant from what I heard.

At any rate, Carson trying to look out for him made Destin cling to him.

I guess he didn’t have real men in his life who held him accountable or gave him good advice.

Carson got on my nerves sometimes with that bleeding heart shit.

Him and Zander. They gave too much grace and too many chances if you asked me.

Me and Kaos, however, were always quick to be with the shits and had no problem cutting anyone off.

So now, I was stuck dealing with his ass at events or when Carson invited him out.

I had no idea how he knew my sweetheart, but it was clear his presence had made her uncomfortable.

The changes within her body and breathing were apparent as I made my way over to them, making me even more anxious to get her the fuck away from him.

As I wrapped my arm around her, Destin’s face twisted into a scowl. So they had a personal attachment to each other? Hmm.

“Hey, sweetheart. You good?”

Her eyes locked with mine. They watered, but she didn’t shed a tear. Her small hand lifted to my face, and her thumb caressed my cheek as she cupped it.

“My angel,” she almost whispered, causing me to tighten my grip around her.

“Are you good, sweetheart?” I repeated, because all I needed was a reason to throw Destin and his date out.

“Um . . .” She looked back at them briefly before returning her eyes to mine. “I am. I’d just like to go somewhere else if that’s okay.”

“Of course. Come to my table.”

“Wait,” Destin said as I placed my hand on the small of her back to lead her away. “How do you know my ex?”

Chuckling, I licked my lips as I turned to face him. “I’m sure she’s your ex for a reason, so how I know her doesn’t matter. Have a good evening, Destin.”

The further we got away from them, the more her body relaxed. By the time we made it to my table, Sweetheart released a long breath.

“Oh,” Zander muttered at the sight of her. A wide grin spread across his face as he stood and buttoned his suit jacket. “Who is this? You are absolutely beautiful and stunning in that dress.”

“Thank you,” Sweetheart replied with a shy confidence that made my dick harder than it already was.

I didn’t know her name to formally introduce them, but I did know one thing: she was off limits to everyone in this room—except me.

“My name is Taj,” she said to him while looking at me.

“It’s nice to meet you, Taj,” Zander said, extending his hand for her to shake.

“None of that,” I declined, shoving his hand down before pulling back the empty seat that was next to me.

Zander, Carson, Kaos, and Serenity laughed as I helped her into her seat.

“Damn, brother. It’s like that?” Carson joked.

“ Just like that,” I replied, sitting down.

“Tristan, I think it’s okay for your date to shake my hand. That’s just a common greeting.”

“For anyone else. I’m not about to play with you, bruh.” I took the time to introduce her to everyone at the table before giving her my undivided attention. “You okay? That looked kind of intense.”

“I’m good now,” Taj said. “It’s a long story, and I’d rather not bore you with the details.”

“There’s nothing boring about you. Just let me know if I need to put his ass out, because I will.”

She giggled until she realized by my facial expression that I was serious. “Wait, you’re serious. Why don’t you like Destin?”

“He’s weak and annoying. I only tolerate him because he’s attached himself to one of my fellow partners and friends.”

“What’s your last name?”

“Pierce.”

Realization covered her face as she nodded. “Ah, gotcha. Tristan Pierce. So you’re a partner at MPWG?”

“I am. How are you familiar with us?”

“I work at Adams and Co. Emilia Hart is my best friend. She’s the one who invited me here as her plus one.

” She turned in her seat and looked around the room.

“I actually need to find . . . oh! There she is.” Taj waved sweetly at Emilia, who shot me a look of warning before giving me the I’m watching you sign with her fingers.

“Sorry about that,” Taj said as we shared a laugh. “She’s very protective of me.”

“I respect it. Hell, I am too, and I don’t even know you.”

Her eyes returned to mine. “Thank you again for that night.”

“You don’t have to thank me, sweetheart.”

“I do. There’s no telling what he was going to try and do to me. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Taj.”

“I prefer sweetheart.”

“Sweetheart it is.” I complied through my smile. “How do you know Destin?”

Her eyes rolled as she pushed her hair off her shoulder. “He’s my ex-fiancé. That night, I was reeling over what was going on between us, and that’s how I ended up drunk at the hotel. He cheated on me and got her pregnant. I guess they’re married or at least engaged now.”

“Oh, so it was your brother that beat his ass last year?”

Taj nodded and covered her mouth as soft laughter escaped. “Yes. How do you know about that?”

“That’s how he made his way into our orb. He came to the firm looking for representation and has been attached to Carson ever since. I knew there was a deeper reason why I couldn’t stand someone I barely knew. Now, I know it was because he hurt you.”

Her expression softened as she silently stared at me.

“Here,” Emilia said, extending a two ounce glass of what I assumed to be tequila in Taj’s direction.

“Thanks, E.” Taj gave me a sad smile. “I have to go, but thanks again.”

“Oh no, don’t leave for my benefit,” Emilia said. “I see a few people I know, so I’m good. Enjoy yourself.”

“Uh, wait.” Laughing nervously, Taj stood and pulled Emilia away from our table.

“Where do you know her from?” Kaos’s overprotective ass asked as soon as she was out of earshot.

“That’s my sweetheart.”

Realization settled over the table, because I’d shared with them how we met.

“I see why you didn’t want Zander talking to her,” Serenity teased.

“Wow. Y’all act like I’m Mr. Steal Your Girl or some shit,” Zander said with faux offense.

I waited until my laugh died down before I said, “You definitely try to be.”

Taj groaned and pouted as Emilia gripped her forearms and planted a kiss on her cheek. She gently scooted Taj back over to our table.

“Take care of my girl,” Emilia commanded, keeping her eyes on me.

“I most certainly will. I think she knows she’s safe, if nothing else, with me.”

I stood and helped Taj back into her seat, and I couldn’t stop myself from dropping a kiss on her shoulder as I sat back down while Destin watched us.

“Your boy is visibly boiling over with anger,” I told her. “Wanna have some fun?”