He laughed, playfully tugging at her curls. He hadn’t touched her like that in years, and she tried desperately to ward off the sweetness of the memory. “Sweetheart, there are always issues. Remember the Reidy house? The electrical ended up being shit, and I ended up over budget.”
She shuddered at the thought. “That’s right. You had a bit of a tantrum that week.”
He glowered. “I don’t have tantrums,” he corrected. “Toddlers have tantrums. Men blow off steam.”
“Well, you rivaled Thomas the Tank Engine then,” she teased, trying to keep a straight face. “Throwing files around, bitching at Cal for not hiring the right electrician. Bitching at Dalton for breathing.”
“This business isn’t for the weak.” He cocked his head, frowning. “Did I bitch at you for something?”
“Yeah, I paid the bill for the electrician too fast. You wanted to negotiate for a discount.”
“That’s right. Why didn’t you wait?”
She crossed her arms in front of her chest and frowned. “Because you never asked me.”
He tried not to wince. “Oh, yeah. I don’t think we were communicating well at that time.”
“You think? If I didn’t read your mind and stay out of your way, you behaved badly.”
“I was working out some issues.”
She was tempted to gloss over his answer, but a few days ago he’d been buried deep inside of her, wresting raw pleasure from her body. They both deserved more honesty from each other. She couldn’t ever go back to the cold distance between them, even if they stopped at just one night of perfect sex. “Why now, Tristan?” she asked softly. “We barely spoke for two years when you got home. Now suddenly you’re focused on trying to forge a relationship again. It’s confusing. And it—”
“What?” He stepped closer and laid his hand on her cheek. The tender gesture tore down her barriers.
“It scares me.”
He let out a ragged breath and nodded. “I know. Me too. I needed that time to sort through my feelings about what had happened between us. I think we needed that time. I’m sorry I treated you like shit, Syd. I really am. I was confused about still wanting you and didn’t know what to do with those feelings.”
Her breath caught at his honesty. This was what she’d missed. The Tristan who told her the truth and never flinched. She couldn’t keep blaming him for the past. The only thing she could do was move forward and see if they had a shot at something beautiful, something they’d just missed so many years ago.
As long as she told him the truth.
She didn’t think she had a choice any longer.
“I accept your apology.” A smile touched her lips. “I never could stay mad at you for long.”
“True, but you always did make me pay first.”
Her brow lifted. “I made sure the punishment fit the crime.”
“Sure you don’t want me on my knees?”
The sexual tide surged and caught fire. Suddenly her body softened, ripening for his touch. The image of him on his knees before her, pulling down her jeans, giving her pleasure, made her sway slightly. His eyes darkened. “Ah, I see you do like that idea,” he murmured. “I’ll have to remedy my apology.”
Pink flushed her cheeks. “Stop.”
“You won’t say that to me later.”
He’d always been extremely sexual, and she’d always responded with ease. It was no different years later. The only thing that stopped her from stepping into his embrace and calling him on his dare was the presence of the trucks parked outside and the workers still tromping through the site. His gaze promised their discussion wasn’t over.
She was looking forward to continuing it.
“Tris! Syd! Where are you guys?”
They headed toward the familiar voice and greeted Brady and Charlie. Sydney noticed they were holding hands. The pairing had astonished her at first. Brady was ten years older, with a defined view of how women acted in a romantic relationship. His Latino heritage and his strict father had limited his acceptance of a woman daring to challenge him, teaching him to prefer demure, submissive, and conservative females to pursue romantically.
Charlie was the complete opposite.
At twenty-five, she was addicted to her job and looked barely legal. With generous curves, a teen-type wardrobe, and long, straight honey-blond hair, she’d driven Brady nuts her first six months at the company. They’d fought consistently, challenging each other on various projects, while everyone stepped back and watched the fireworks.
Guess the real problem was they were crazy about each other. Once they stopped fighting their feelings, a true love had blossomed between them. Sydney had never seen the architect so happy with a woman she would’ve sworn was his opposite. It was another lesson learned.
Sometimes love was just meant to be.
“Is everything okay at the office?” she asked.
Charlie gave her a thumbs-up. “Yes. I have a bunch of contracts and invoices for you to look at. I put them in chronological order on your desk.”
Brady grinned. “She was dying to get out here and get dirty,” he explained. “The idea of so many houses being renovated without her made her a bit itchy.”
Charlie nodded. “Guilty as charged. Could you use the extra help?”
The woman loved rehabbing houses like some women loved diamonds. She also had a gift for knowing which features could be saved in a house and which needed to go. In under a year, she’d gone from intern to full-time, and Pierce Brothers was lucky to have her.
“Are you kidding? All hands on deck. Would love you to take a look at house number seven and give me some feedback on design.”
Her hazel eyes filled with zeal. “I’m on it.”
“I’m sorry I had to contain you in the office, Charlie. I can always look to hire someone else part-time.”
Charlie waved a hand in the air. “I don’t mind at all. I think it’ll be a great way to learn more about the business. My uncle used to say work the paperwork from the bottom up to learn what you need before going out in the field. But at least I’ll get my hands on one of these babies on weekends.”
Brady shook his head. “Why do I have a feeling I’ll have to turn into a crappy house to get some attention from you now?”
Charlie laughed. “Babe, you’re the one I’m coming home to. Think of all the aggression I’ll get rid of destroying the walls and ripping out cabinets.”
Brady grunted. “Maybe I can be convinced.”
Tristan groaned. “I’m getting a cavity right now. Time to turn in your man card.”
Brady gave him the finger.
Tristan laughed. “Fine. While you’re here, let’s go over the tweaked plans for the fireplace and the outside wall in this one. Follow me.”
They spent the next hour gathering feedback on some outstanding issues. Sydney was excited about Charlie’s vision for number seven, which included a bolder design aesthetic paired with brand-new dark wood floors. They didn’t want a row of houses that looked too alike, or it would lower the price. No one wanted to feel like they were living in the same house as their neighbors. Charlie had a brilliant outlook on how to tweak a budget. She was one of the most budget-conscious women Sydney had ever met.
Charlie just laughed and called herself cheap.
When Brady and Charlie finally left, the other workers had gone, leaving the abandoned block in a quiet that hummed with exhausted energy. Sydney gave out a sigh. Her whole body hurt, and there were weeks of the same ambitious schedule unfolding ahead. Still, satisfaction flowed in the way hard work cleansed the soul. She headed toward the kitchen to grab her clipboard. Tristan followed. “I may have to rely on pizza delivery to get through this project. Thank God for chicken fingers and pasta to round things out.”
“I think you owe me that dinner tonight.”
She glanced over. He was studying her intently, as if he’d easily peeled off the surface and dove deep into her soul. A shudder wracked her. She couldn’t keep the truth from him for much longer—not after their night together. She just needed to figure out the best way to present it and decide if her daughter should know first.