Layers Peeled Read Online Free Page B

she was doing that. Her
bosom lifted in an instant and her lips pursed.
    A distinct
smell of scotch and Old Spice intensified, and I turned in my seat.
At first I didn’t even recognize him, and had I been single and not
pregnant, I was sure I’d curse Jess for spotting him first. The
lifted lip, high cheeks, and hair tossed to the side like he’d just
roamed his fingers through it were only the beginning. Tristan wore
blue jeans, slightly ripped at his thighs to expose enough of his
leg muscle that I could imagine them flex as he held me up. The top
three buttons of his white shirt were open, its sleeves short
enough to show that dangerous thorn tattoo leaking inked blood. My
stomach tightened. I’d hardly recognized him, and I still felt the
drool collect in my mouth. Tristan looked hotter than any time I’d
seen him. He strolled between the crowd like the god of all things
sexy and hot, seemingly to be moving in slow motion. The crowd
parted for him like the Red Sea had for Moses. Every single woman’s
head turned to follow his confidant and panty-dropping walk. Even
some men couldn’t help but stare.
    “Hello,
ladies,” he purred.
    Some giggled,
others replied with a shy “Hi.” A few girls who were not in our
group just happened to join us like they somehow belonged.
    I couldn’t get
a word out. First, because seeing him here like this, the father of
my child, was beyond dreamlike. I felt like I was just seeing him
for the first time. No matter when I looked at him, though, Tristan
Cross became hotter than a burning skillet. Jess was at his arm in
an instant, claiming him with her fingers, digging into his arm
like she wouldn’t let him go, ever.
    Tristan gently
removed her slithering hands and kissed the top like a gentleman,
then looked to the group, saying, “And what is the top class of a
beauty school drinking tonight?”
    “Is he for
real?” Tessa, our other friend, leaned into me.
    “Holy shit,” I
heard Laura gasp, and I guessed she’d just recognized Tristan as
well.
    “I’m not sure
that’s on the menu,” he grinned, turning to the bar. “Bartender’s
Wet Dream for the girls, please.”
    Jess was back
on his arm. “Dance with me and I’ll make your wet dream come
true.”
    Lame, I
thought, hoping I could come up with a witty one-liner, one that
would scream get your fucking claws off my man. But of
course my mouth was still not cooperating, and thankfully my
Tristan put Jess in her place before she shoved her hands down his
pants. In all truthfulness I couldn’t blame her. I wanted to grasp
what I already knew was hiding under that zipper myself. And as
forward as she was, she’d never behave that way if she knew I’d
claimed him.
    “With all due
respect, I’m already spoken for.”
    For a moment
Jess’s confusion was worthy of an Oscar. Pride swelled in my chest
and I felt my boobs instantly lift in my tight corset.
    But Tristan’s
class was higher than those trained at Academy for Sexy Hunks and
Gentlemen. He leaned closer to Jess’s ear and I heard him whisper,
“But the bartender has had his eye on you all night.”
    Her attention
flew to the grinning blond who was finishing off another round of
our shots. He winked at her, way differently than he had at me, and
her knees wobbled. Man, what did he put in that tequila? The
girls swooning at Tristan hadn’t even noticed the count of
Bartender’s Wet Dream shots was one less than in our group, but I
was already aware he wouldn’t serve me any alcohol.
    “Ladies, I
hope you don’t mind if I steal Allie for a while.”
    Slowly their
heads shook in agreement and Tristan took my hand. The warmth of
his touch flew along my skin and I felt like I’d just been picked
up by the sexiest guy alive. Actually, I had been. And I
couldn’t help but gloat that he was mine, all mine.
    Laura remained
speechless, but I saw a thumbs-up by her hip, aimed completely at
me.
    I followed
Tristan to the dance floor, trying not to trip over the