She spent the rest of the day wondering if Tristan would grace her with her presence later that evening. When it came time to go home, she breathed a sigh of relief and left the office, hoping she would not be alone for dinner. She paced around the apartment 66
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like a caged animal, hoping that Tristan would call soon and say she was on the way.
At 9 p.m., she had nearly given up hope when the phone rang.
Tristan sounded exhausted, and Claire felt her heart sink. “I’m sorry to call so late, Claire. I felt like I should stick around until his parents were ready to go to their hotel. I hope you didn’t go to a lot of trouble.”
“Nope, no trouble at all.” Claire did her best not to sound disappointed. “I made spaghetti, which is easy to warm up if you’re hungry.”
“I’m starved. All I’ve had to eat was a candy bar. If it’s not too much trouble, I’d love a home-cooked meal.”
“Then, come on over. I’ll have it on the table by the time you get here.” Claire’s heart started to thud in her chest at the prospect of being allowed even a little time alone with Tristan.
When Tristan arrived, the exhaustion was evident on her face.
She had spent most of the time at the hospital on her feet, fetching coffee for the worried family members of the deckhand who had spent the afternoon in surgery. She and Cameron Hughes had done their best to make sure the family had everything they needed.
During the drive to Claire’s place, Tristan felt the last of her adrenaline fade away.
“Are you sure this is not too much trouble? I could just grab a plate to go, so you can go to bed,” Tristan offered as Claire waited on her.
“Sit down, Tris. This is no trouble at all.” Claire set a glass of red wine next to a steaming plate of spaghetti and meatballs. She sliced a couple of pieces of French bread and set them down in front of Tristan, who looked like she was about to fall asleep at the table.
“Tristan, I want you to stay here tonight.” She held up her hand to silence the protest forming on Tristan’s lips. “I’m not talking about sex. You’re exhausted, and I’m worried about you getting back out on the road. While you eat, I will run you a hot bath, and I have clothes you can wear to sleep in. You can take my bed, and I’ll be happy to take the couch.”
Tristan’s big brown bloodshot eyes stared at her for a moment.
She was truly whipped, and dinner and a hot bath were just what she needed, but she didn’t want to run Claire out of her own bed.
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She opened her mouth to protest, but Claire put up her hand again, silencing her.
“I won’t take no for an answer. You’ve spent the day taking care of that man’s family, and it’s time you allowed someone to pamper you for a change,” Claire stated resolutely.
Tristan was too tired to argue, and she figured that Claire knew she was too tired to do more than sleep, so she reluctantly gave in.
“Okay, but I am not taking your bed. I will be just fine on the couch.” Claire left to run the bath. “We’ll debate that after you’ve had a bath.”
Tristan had nearly eaten the entire plate of spaghetti by the time Claire returned to the room. She was enjoying the relaxing effect the wine was having on her aching body. “You’re an excellent cook, Claire. Thank you so much.”
“The pleasure was all mine. I’m sorry I couldn’t wait for you.
After smelling the food, I had to eat it.” Claire gathered up the dirty dishes and waved off Tristan’s attempts to clean up after herself. “You go soak in the tub. I’ve put some clothes in there for you, and there’s a new toothbrush on the counter. Make yourself at home.”
Tristan did as she was ordered. She quickly stripped off her clothes and settled into the soothing hot water. She sighed as she lay back in the tub and looked at her surroundings. She estimated that there were at least twenty bottles of hair care products on the surrounding ledge of the tub. “She’s a high-maintenance woman,”
Tristan chuckled to herself as she bathed.
Emerging from the bathroom clean and relaxed, Tristan found Claire curled up on the couch with a book. “Feel all better?” Claire asked as she set the book down.
“I feel like a new woman. Thank you again for all of this, Claire.” “There’s no need to thank me. I’m happy to have your company.” Claire jumped up from the couch, grabbed Tristan by the hand and led her to the bedroom. “What time do you want me to set the alarm for?” she asked as she turned down the king-sized bed.
“I bet you look like a fly in a bowl of soup in this big bed,”
Tristan teased.
“I like to have lots of room when I sleep.” Claire grabbed the alarm clock and looked at Tristan with a questioning expression.
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“Set it for five, I need to get up early enough to go home and get dressed, and I will have to spend some quality time with Ralph because he is going to be pissed when I don’t show up tonight.
The last time I stayed away, he murdered two house plants in protest.”
“Five it is. We can’t have Ralph taking out his anger on your plants. Now, get into this bed, Miss Delacroix.”
“I’m not taking your bed.” Tristan folded her arms across her chest. “We can share, or I’m taking the couch; that’s my final offer.” She hoped Claire would relent and allow her the couch.
Claire’s heart hammered inside her chest. The thought of curling up against Tristan for the night was almost too much to bear.
“Okay, but only if you promise to behave yourself,” Claire teased, wishing Tristan would not.
“I may cuddle up against you if that is acceptable, but I am way too tired to misbehave.” Tristan climbed into the bed and groaned when her head met with the soft pillow. Claire rushed off to brush her teeth and cut off the lights. The sound of Tristan’s groan sent shivers up and down her spine.
She crawled shyly into bed, smiling at Tristan, who was now lying on her side facing her. “Claire, thank ...”
Claire pressed her fingers to Tristan’s lips. “I should be the one thanking you for allowing me such delightful company.”
“That was good. You get two brownie points for that line,”
Tristan teased with a smile.
“How many brownie points do I have to earn for a prize because I have tons of those lines. And what kind of prize do I win when I meet the quota?” Claire’s face flushed with her boldness.
“Well, you’ve already earned a bunch, which entitles you to a night of cuddles. I’ll get back to you on the rest of the prize package.” Tristan yawned, and her eyelids grew heavier.
Claire switched off the bedside lamp and scooted closer to Tristan, who rolled onto her back and draped her arm around Claire when Claire rested her head on her shoulder. Almost immediately, Tristan’s breathing became deep and regular, and Claire knew she had fallen asleep. They lay that way for a long time as Claire listened to the slow steady rhythm of Tristan’s heart.
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Tristan eventually rolled onto her side, facing away from Claire, who snuggled up against her back. She buried her face in the long dark brown locks, enjoying the smell of her soft hair. Claire smiled as she held onto Tristan. Tonight, Claire would sleep better than she had in a long time. She felt safe and protected with Tristan there.
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CHAPTER FIVE
Tristan’s entire body jerked in surprise when the unfamiliar alarm clock sounded and jolted her into consciousness. She felt Claire pull away from her and heard her slap the clock. “I hit the snooze,” Claire said sleepily as she snuggled back against Tristan’s warm body.