Page 31 of King of Desire (Kings of Las Vegas #2)

CHAPTER THIRTY

Honeyeh

I wake in Triston’s arms, the Monday morning sun streaming in through the windows.

We spent most of the day yesterday wrapped up together, when we weren’t with Darius. This morning, Triston insists on going to Darius’s appointment with me.

Truthfully, I’ll be glad to have him there.

There is a weight that I’ve carried with my brother’s care, and I’m happy to share even a small piece of it. But I’m also aware that Triston feels the weight of his family too. I’m going to have to figure out how I help him in return, despite what he said yesterday.

I won’t just be an added burden for him to bear.

Maybe that’s why his brother Win doesn’t like me. He sees me as a distraction or a syphon of Triston’s time and energy. I’m not sure how, but I’ll have to prove Win wrong.

Triston is still asleep, looking more relaxed than I’ve ever seen him. In fact, he usually wakes before I do so I’m not sure I’ve seen him sleeping. I push up on one elbow, staring down at his face.

I love him so much my chest is tight with the emotion.

I’m still worried that I won’t be enough or that he’s just not the guy who loves a woman like me.

But, whatever fears I’m facing, I can’t just let him go. I must try and trust that he meant his promises. Trust has been in short supply for me, but I’m never going to find love without it.

Triston should not have been the guy for me. Between his playboy status and position as my boss, he’s the last man I should have given myself to. But then again, he’s exactly what I need.

I lean down, rubbing my nose over his cheek, giving him a light kiss on the jaw before I roll over to sneak off to the shower.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he rumbles, rolling with me and catching me in the cage of his arms.

I giggle as he pulls me into the cradle of his larger body. “The shower.”

“Without me? How dare you.” He holds me tighter as he nips at my neck.

I laugh harder as I bat at his hands, trying to free myself. “I don’t want to be late today, and we know what happens when you get in the shower with me.”

He holds me for a few more seconds before he finally lets me go. “Should I pick something for you to wear?”

Triston has amazing taste, and I love it when he chooses outfits for me. They’re always perfect. “Only if you don’t mind.”

“Why would I mind?”

I nip at my lip. A new day, a new insecurity… “I don’t want to be another person that you have to pour work into all the time.”

He stops, turning back to me and suddenly I’m under him, his body pressed on top of mine. “Banish the thought, Honeyeh. Now.”

“But…”

He kisses me, his tongue tangling in my mouth, before he lifts up his head. “Everything shines brighter since you arrived in my life. No more needs be said.” And then he’s up and off the bed.

I get up too, starting for the bathroom, but I stop just as he’s about to step into the closet.

“My life shines brighter too,” I say, drawing in a deep breath.

“I want to be the best I can be for you.” Our eyes meet and hold, his dark gaze holding the power that both captivates and excites me.

“Promise you’ll tell me if you need more from me, all right? ”

He doesn’t answer, and I worry that I’ve upset him as I slip into the bathroom. But before I’ve gotten the water on, Triston is walking into the bathroom.

I stop, turning toward him. “Chosen already?”

“I did.” He smiles then as he holds out a small velvet box. I gasp, a jolt running through me.

“Triston.”

“Open it.” And then he grabs my wrist, turning my palm up as he places the box in my open hand.

I open the lid, a very large sapphire winks up at me encrusted with layer upon layer of diamonds. “What is this?”

“It’s a family heirloom. My mother sent it.”

That only confuses me more. “How kind. Why…why would she do that?”

“In case I wanted to propose.”

My eyes snap up to his. Is he…

“Honeyeh. Will you marry me?”

I stare down at the ring. “But…”

“But what?” He frowns. Am I irritating him? I don’t mean to.

“It’s just…” I shake my head. I could ask, why me . All those women, I can’t believe I’m the one he wants. “You have all the choices in the world.”

He takes the box from my hand and slips the ring from the folds of velvet. “But I never fell in love with any of them the way I have with you.”

I smile, joy bubbling up from inside me as I hold out my hand, fingers wide as he slips the ring on my finger. “I love you too.”

“Being a man of business, I’d like an official yes.”

“Yes,” I half yell as I toss my arms around him. “Yes.”

Triston kisses me, before he lifts me up and moves to the shower to turn on the knobs and start the water. “No distracting me in the shower, future Mrs. Smith. We’ve got an appointment to make.”

I snort as he carries me into the warm water.

By some miracle we make it out of the shower and dress within forty-five minutes. He starts for the bedroom door, as I turn back to the bathroom. He stops, eyeing me curiously. “I just want to blow out my hair.”

“Breakfast?”

“I’ll eat after,” I wave for him to head down without me.

“I’ll make you a coffee to go.”

That sounds amazing and I hum to myself as I dry my hair. I’d love to curl it too. First, I can honestly admit that I want to be pretty for Triston. But also, going to Dr. Lawrence always makes me nervous and looking good is somehow my armor.

Triston hands me a coffee when I make it down to the kitchen, Darius munching on a piece of toast. I sigh with relief as we sail out the door and into Triston’s car.

We make it to Dr. Lawrence’s office in plenty of time. Darius doesn’t ask about the ring, and I don’t tell him right away about the engagement.

I want to focus on him first.

As the three of us shuffle into the exam room, Darius sits on the exam table, Triston and I move into the chairs for attending family.

I’ve been in this room a hundred times, but it feels much smaller with Triston here. And way less scary.

Dr. Lawrence comes in a minute later, his eyes widening as they land on Triston with his fitted dress shirt and slacks.

“Dr. Lawrence?” Triston rises, holding out his hand. “Triston Smith.”

“I know who you are,” Dr. Lawrence clears his throat. “I’m a property investor myself and you and the Kincaids…” he shakes his head. “Pleased to meet you.”

“Hi Dr. Lawrence,” I wave my hand, the sapphire winking on my finger, his gaze following the sparkling stone.

He sits down on the stool. “The necessary documentation was completed for me to speak in front of Mr. Smith?”

“Yes,” I nod, leaning forward. “He asked me about other medications or treatments available and I’d mentioned we hadn’t pursued them for financial reasons. He’s here to discuss them today.”

Dr. Lawrence waves his hand. “I can certainly go over them with you, but…” He shifts, his eyes sweeping over us. “The potential donor, that I thought had recovered, is having certain setbacks?—”

“Donor?” Darius asks, scowling at me. I know that look. I’m about to get a lecture on how he’s too old to protect like that.

I frown. “It wasn’t a for sure thing.”

“But—”

“Let’s let Dr. Lawrence finish,” Triston interrupts. Darius nods, quieting right down. I give my brother a quick sideways glance. I might not be the only one who’s been missing a strong man in our lives.

Dr. Lawrence nods to Triston. “It’s a distinct possibility that we’ll have a liver for Darius in the next few days.”

I blink my eyes, tears misting them. Because this time, there is no worry of the money, just the hope of a long life with my brother.

My hand raises to my mouth as Triston’s fingers slide into my other hand. He gives my hand a comforting squeeze. “How possible?”

Dr. Lawrence grimaces. “Seventy to eighty percent.”

Emotion clogs my throat as I look at Triston. This might be the best day ever. Dr. Lawrence keeps talking, Triston asks several questions, Darius asks a few. But all I can do is sit and breathe.

Because I finally got here…

To the place where my life is getting better.

And I know that letting Triston into my heart has made it all possible.