Page 249 of The Professor's Wife

I didn’t stop.

Not until I reached the hotel.

I pushed through the glass doors, the blast of air conditioning hitting me like a slap. I didn’t pause. Didn’t hesitate. Just walked.

I went straight for the elevators, my heart thudding harder with each step. I didn’t know what I was going to say. I didn’t even know if he’d be there.

But I knew I had to see him.

I got to his door and raised my hand to knock.

Then I paused.

The hallway was quiet. The air smelled like old carpet and lemon cleaner. My hand hovered, trembling slightly.

And then I knocked.

Once. Twice.

Waited.

One minute, then two—

The door opened slowly.

Tristan stood there, face flushed, wet hair tousled, bare chest glistening like he’d just stepped out of a shower. His eyes flared at the sight of me.

My breaths quickened as I searched for words, wringing my hands together.

“It wasn’t revenge,” I whispered, imploring him to understand. “Tristan—”

“I know.” His gaze moved over my face. “I was a bastard.”

I swallowed. “You were right to be cruel.”

“No, Daisy, I wasn’t.” He frowned, looking bothered. “I thought you’d used me and were running back to him.”

“No…”

My broken word hovered in the air. Neither of us moved.

Water slipped from the ends of his dark hair and traveled over the hard planes of his chest. My cheeks burned. I wanted to follow each drop with my tongue.

“Why are you here, Daisy?” he asked, tightly.

“I told you.”

“You told me it wasn’t revenge.”

My heart beat harder. “I went to you in the restaurant because I wanted you.”

Something shifted in his expression. “And now?”

My mouth went dry. “Now too.”

“Say it properly, Daze.”

Heat moved through me, low and immediate. “I want you, Tristan.”