Chapter 31: 20| Special-2

Once Tristan got in and started driving, he didn't utter another word. He kept his eyes on the road except for the occasion when they drifted to my hand as I reached for my own dagger in the cupholder. "Don't," he warned sternly. "You're in no condition to work a knife." "Are you trying to steal it?" I mused, turning in my seat to face him. He glanced at me. I lifted an amused brow at him and let out a tiny laugh. "You don't think I'm unaware of your little habit, Mr. Harper, do you? Every encounter we've had where I've left a dagger in my wake, you pocket it and take it for keeps. Do you keep a little collection?" Resting the side of my head on the headrest, I watched him carefully. "Does it remind you of me?" He let out a low breath but remained quiet. "Do you think of me often, Mr. Harper?" I whispered teasingly. Scoffing lightly, he met my gaze. "Are you always such a handful, Malyshka?" Smiling, I scrunched my nose up at him. "I suppose you would know best." He ignored my remark and parked the car but didn't turn off the ignition. "Show yourself out," he said, facing me. "I'm sure you can handle yourself." Frowning, I faced forward. "You're no gentleman." "I never claimed to be," he replied. Opening the door, I moved to climb out, a small noise escaping me as my seatbelt pushed me back into my seat, preventing me from getting out. Huffing in annoyance, I groaned in frustration and fell back in my seat, looking at Tristan. "I'm stuck." "You're not stuck," he deadpanned, "unbuckle yourself and you'll be free." "I'm stuck, Mr. Harper, help me," I demanded, glaring at him. A flicker of disbelief washed over his face before he shook his head slowly. "You're testing me," he warned. A small, sheepish smile tugged at my lips. "I'm entertaining myself, Mr. Harper. Amuse me, will you? It's not like you ever do," I grumbled at the last bit. "And pray tell, why should I amuse you?" he questioned. I glanced at the dagger pointedly. "I'm not afraid to use it again," I told him. "Try and I will kill you," he said softly, taking it before I could and getting out with a light scoff. Rounding the car, he held my door open and leaned forward, his face coming within inches of mine as he unbuckled my belt. I watched him, my eyes scanning his face as he lingered. "Careful, Ms. Milano," he said. "Of what, Mr. Harper?" I challenged him, lifting a brow as I suppressed an eye roll. "Can I not look at you?" "You shouldn't. Not like this," he said, ducking out and standing upright, clenching and unclenching his fists before extending a hand for me. Taking it, I moved to climb out but with my drunk and hazy vision, I didn't duck low enough and would have hit my head against the top of the car if it weren't for Tristan's massive hand on top of my head as he pulled me out swiftly. I stumbled and my head spun as he shut the door and placed me against the car, keeping his hand at the top of my head for a few seconds. Sighing, he drew back and stared back at me, lightly brushing his thumb over my temple before pulling it away. His jaw ticked. "Go upstairs." I hummed and nodded once before stepping forward. "Take me." As he paused, I could see the conflict in his eyes. "I won't bite you," I scoffed. He hummed and stepped nearer. "Somehow, I don't find that very convincing." My brows twitched up as he took my wrist and pulled me toward the entrance. I tugged him back but before I could whine about anything else, his patience reached its limits. "This is your final warning, Ms. Milano," he said, his voice low. "I will either kill you tonight or throw you over my shoulder and drag you inside for everyone to see. Pick your poison." Silently, I pulled my lips in a thin line and lifted a finger to them, agreeing to be quiet. His eyes darted across my face as a tiny smirk tugged at his lips. "Very well." Maintaining a firm hand on the small of my back, Tristan walked beside me, slowing his pace to match my own and catching me whenever I stumbled on the few steps before the entrance. Through the elevator, we reached upstairs and I simply slumped against the wall as Tristan unlocked my door, holding it open. I half-expected Tristan to leave, but I noticed the way he lingered at the door after I walked in and I felt his light footsteps trailing behind mine as I approached the glass staircase that led me up to my room. A tiny, mischievous smile haunted my lips as I took the first step and then fell back without warning, testing my luck, testing him. A strained breath escaped him as he caught my waist. "Amara," he warned in a whisper beneath my ear. "Are we finally on a first-name basis again?" I teased, glancing at him over my shoulder. "Drunk you is ten times worse," he said with a light grunt as he hoisted me up, tucking an arm under my legs and then my back. I couldn't help the giggle that escaped me as I rocked my legs back and forth, throwing my head back. Jumping upright as my heels slipped off, I watched them tumble down the stairs. "My heels!" I exclaimed. "They won't run away. Consider yourself to be Cinderella tonight," he told me dryly, kicking my bedroom door open and taking me to the bed, easing me down. "You're being rather gentlemanly tonight though, aren't you?" I asked. "Am I that special?" He scoffed, running his tongue along the inside of his cheek. "You think very highly of yourself. Goodnight, Ms. Milano," he said sharply, moving to leave. I barely managed to grasp his hand before he moved out of reach and pulled him back, tugging him down. He glared down at me, his entire body growing taut. Glowering up at him, I grabbed his hand with both of my own and dragged him down. "Sit," I demanded. Closing his eyes, he inhaled deeply to maintain his patience and knelt down beside my bed without thinking twice. Whether it was a result of his impatience and frustration or something else entirely. "What?" he snapped. Finally, I allowed my head to hit the pillow and stared at him through a hooded gaze, offering him a sleepy grin. "You're on your knees, Mr. Harper," I whispered. Realization swirled in his eyes before he snickered softly. "I guess I am special," I added in amusement, "I win." Closing my eyes, I finally let him go. . . . . . Chapter 20