Page 49 of Infatuated

His phone rings, and he walks out of ear shot as he talks to his mom. I don’t want to leave things like this. I don’t want him to think I’m giving him the brush off; I just don’t want to start anything with my parents around. When he returns, he tells me he needs to help his mom with something and he’ll save me a seat at dinner.

I want to kiss him, let him know he has nothing to worry about, but he walks away with his head down. I jump up, startling Russ, and rush after Tristan. I catch him when we’re out of view from the pond.

“Hey, Tristan, wait.” He slows and turns to look at me, and his eyes are dark. “I want to make sure you’re okay.”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” His response is clipped.

“I’d really like more lessons, if you’re willing to. Maybe early in the morning tomorrow before the hike? We could sneak off somewhere like you wanted to the other day?” I’m grasping at straws here, trying anything to bring a smile to his face. I touch his cheek, and he leans his head in my hand, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.There it is!

“Sure. I’ll figure something out, and we’ll talk tonight at dinner. It’s my favorite night again.” He plants a kiss to my lips and leaves just as quickly.

“Thanks for today,” I call after him, my face burning.

Do people actually thank others for having sex with them? Is that normal?Hey, thanks for putting your penis in me and making me feel good. It got better after the initial shock of something foreign in there.I’m being ridiculous and know I’m about fifty shades of red.

He turns and smiles at me. “Glad I made your day.”

The pond without Tristan is no longer interesting, so I gather my belongings and walk back to the cabin instead. I have a few hours before dinner, and I’m really tired. I decide the best thing to do is to take a nap. Mom and Dad are still at the pond, so I know I won’t have to worry about them for a while.

I look at the bed, and my face burns. I’m still waiting for someone to come by with new sheets, so I don’t want to lay down yet.I wonder if he forgot about it?I’m contemplating calling the house when there’s a knock on the door. I open it and come face to face with Mrs. Ellis.

“Hi, Lana, dear. Tristan told me you needed some new sheets for your bed?”

Could this get any worse?“Um, y-yeah. I do.” I hold my arms out to take them from her, and she holds them against her.

“I can change it, dear. Then I can get the other ones sent out to wash.”

I let her pass me and look to the ground, my heart racing and sweat forming on my brow. My hands are clammy, and I ball them into fists by my side, closing the door behind me. I follow her into the room, and she starts stripping the bottom sheet.

The blood stain is bright—like a beacon telling the world what we did today.

“I started my period overnight,” I blurt out, a bit louder than I intended it to. I groan inwardly. Great, now she’s going to think I’m crazy! What person yells that out that loud.

She finishes changing the sheets quickly and turns to me, the dirty linens crumpled in her hands.

“It’s all right, dear. It happens to us all at some point. Can I get you anything? Motrin? Tylenol?”

My heart beat slows down. She bought it. She doesn’t suspect anything. I decline and tell her I’m fine, and when she leaves, I plop down on the bed to stare at the ceiling. I take a deep breath and lay my hands over my stomach. My thoughts wander to today and what we did together, and I can’t help the tinge of arousal that pricks between my legs.

I want Tristan back here doing it all over again. This time would be better. It won’t be as painful, and I’ll be able to relax more now I know what to expect. I smile thinking about it and fight the urge to get up and do a happy dance.

Maybe I can convince him to take me behind the house, where I saw him and Kasey talking the other night. The thought of her brings me down from my high, and I frown. I’m so different than her. She’s all red hair and a sexy body, but I’m… me. There is nothing special about me. I’m average all around.

Suddenly, my high from today has morphed into doubt. It shouldn’t matter though; we aren’t a couple and never will be. This is supposed to be no strings attached. Yet I feel like a puppet, and he has control over everything.

Chapter 24

Tristan

I’m up early and sitting on the rocker on the front porch, sipping some coffee. The Carringtons and Lana should be here in an hour so we can start the hike. I don’t want to have to drive us out anywhere, so we are doing some of the smaller trails close by. Plus, I don’t think Lana has seen these ones, and they offer a great view of the ranch.

The thought of having to spend the day with Russ is irritating though. I don’t know what it is about that guy, but he makes me want to choke him.Don’t lie. You don’t like him because he’s trying to hit on Lana.That’s also true. Mom comes out and looks at the gear I have packed.

“Hiking today?”

“Yeah. The Carringtons want a guide, and Russ invited Lana to go.”

She smiles. “Lana, huh?”