Climax by Lauren Smith Read Free Book Online

to leave. My dad and I…”
    “Where do you want to go?” He rubbed his palms up and down her back, and she leaned in again, resting her cheek against his chest above his heart.
    “Could we go back to Cambridge? I don’t really have anywhere else to go.”
    “What about Fox Hill?” he suggested. “It would be just you and me. No one else…except for the servants.”
    She gave a watery giggle. “Why is it that talking to you sometimes sounds so ridiculous? Just us and the servants, darling,” she teased in an attempt to imitate his accent.
    “You truly want to leave?” He brushed a lock of hair back from her face so tenderly her heart turned over.
    “Let’s do it. Let’s go right now.” Rolling up on her tiptoes, she kissed his chin, then his lips, and relished watching his lashes fan up and down as he gave in to her kiss.
    His fingertips dug into her back as though he was on the verge of gripping her hard, but he pulled away, licked his lips, and breathed out slowly.
    “Pack a bag and change. I’ll be back soon. If I stay here right now, you won’t leave your bed for a few hours. And your father might shoot me.” His wry chuckle didn’t erase the sting of the truth to their situation.
    Tristan was right. Space would do them both some good.
    I just need some time to think, that’s all. So does my dad. He’ll come around. He has to.
    With another brush of lips, Tristan left her alone to pack.
    Fifteen minutes later she was changed and carrying her duffle bag down the stairs. Tristan was a few feet ahead of her, his own leather travel bag slung over his shoulder.
    They were almost to the door when her father strode out to meet them. His lips were in a grim line and his hands were shoved deep into his pockets. Lizzy joined them, her hands clasped tensely together, as though she was unsure of what to do.
    The foyer was thick with tension. Kat felt like the four of them were facing off.
    “Don’t leave,” her father said. He kept his eyes on her and ignored Tristan.
    “Only if you change your mind.” Kat wasn’t going to back down. Not on something this important.
    “No. I’ve told you how I feel, and that hasn’t changed.”
    Her throat stung as she fought off a sob. “Ok-kay. Then we’re leaving until you do.” Without looking at her dad again, she reached for Tristan’s hand, and they walked past their parents to the entrance.
    “Kat, please…” It was the last thing she heard before Tristan shut the door behind them.

Chapter 5
    K at had chosen him over her father? Conflicting emotions spiraled through him: elation, worry, pride, regret. The only person she had left to call family in this world, and she’d walked away from the man for him. Would he have done the same if he’d been forced to? Leave his mother like that to keep Kat in his life? The idea of being without her…He repressed a shudder.
    Kat truly belonged to him, for however long he could keep her.
    “I’m sorry,” he whispered, holding her hands tight in his. “You shouldn’t have to choose.”
    I’m a bloody bastard for being happy she chose me . Guilt turned his insides to fire, and he forced the sickening sensation down as deep as he could. It was almost Christmas, and he and Kat were together, just as he’d wanted.
    She wiped her face with her free hand and laughed, but the sound was full of pain. “Well, I had to. Let’s go.”
    He put the bags in the trunk and glanced back at his mother’s town house.
    I’m sorry, Mum .
    Tristan hated leaving her behind, but she had Clayton now, and Kat needed him more. Everything that had happened to her was because she couldn’t stay away from him and he couldn’t keep his hands off her.
    Tristan wasn’t sure how long they drove in silence before he glanced at Kat. She’d stared at her phone a few times when it had buzzed and he’d seen the name “Dad” on her screen before she silenced it. Now she was reclined back in her seat with her eyes closed. Her features