Free Hazel St. James - Fighting For You (Redemption#1)[ by Hazel St James Page A

raised. All my twenty-one years. You?”
    Tristan winced, unprepared for the question to be turned around on him. He quickly answered, “I grew up near here,” and moved on to safer territory, “do you have to work again tonight?”
    “Nope, night off. Going to help you unload your groceries and then I’m off for a night of relaxation,” Peyton sighed and let her shoulders fall. “I haven’t had a night to myself in a very long time.”
    Tristan just nodded a few times. He gave her a few seconds to appear nonchalant before he asked the next question. “Anyone going to keep you company tonight?”
    Peyton smiled, but didn’t move her eyes off the road, “No, I’m single, and I live by myself.”
    “Ahh,” was his only reply. His brain was working frantically, trying to think of something else to say to her, trying to think of a way to get her to spend more time with him so that he could get to know her better, but he was running low on options.
    Finally, it clicked and he asked, “You wouldn’t wanna help me with a project tomorrow, would you?”
    They were pulling into the driveway next to Morgan’s place, and Peyton parked the car before she answered. “That depends, Tristan. I need to know your motivation. I didn’t peg you as a guy that asked for help, so for you to be asking me to do this, you must have a really good reason.”
    Damn it. Square on the head. Perceptive little thing.
    Tristan put up his walls before he answered, not wanting to give in and show any weakness. He reached across the seat and brushed her loose hair back from her face, making her tense up. Tristan put his hand up quickly to show that he didn’t mean any harm. “Hey, Peyton, I know you think I’m a psycho, but I would never hurt a woman, not on purpose. Are you scared of me?”
    Peyton unbuckled her seat belt and turned to face him. “You’re not psycho , Tristan. Fuck, I hate that word…that was my dad’s favorite word,” she mumbled the ending. “And no, I’m not scared of you. I was hired to help you get back on your feet. I need to keep some professional distance between us if that’s gonna work.”
    “Work for who? You? Certainly not me. You’re the first girl in years that sees right through my shit and hasn’t run away.” At first, Tristan was angry, but as he gazed at her sweet face, his anger melted.
    “To be honest, Peyton, I haven’t stopped thinking about you since you left my apartment last night. You are the first girl that has ever turned me inside out like this. I usually don’t get torn up over girls.” Every one of his last words were said as he leaned closer to her in the driver’s seat, and she closed her eyes and leaned into him.
    They were slowly inching towards each other when she finally hesitantly said, “I’m not going to sleep with you, Tristan.”
    “So noted. I’m going to kiss you now,” Tristan told her and she just nodded her head. The first brush of his lips across hers was electric and the sensation traveled right over his skin, leaving goose bumps behind. He leaned back in for another kiss, and she responded by tipping her head to the side so he could get closer. With their lips still connected, Tristan adjusted himself in his seat so that he could cup her face in his hands.
    Peyton whimpered softly when he nibbled on the corners of her mouth, and she parted her lips just enough, and he took control and delved inside with his tongue. He released her mouth and moved to place kisses along her jawline, dragging his lips across her skin on the way back to her ear. He pulled her ear lobe into his mouth and she moaned from somewhere deep inside. Her body sagged forward and he knew that she was willing to go further, but would likely regret a heat of the moment decision. This girl brought out every protective bit of his insides, and he needed to be with her, no matter what ground rules she laid out. For the first time in his life, Tristan was content to just kiss and hold a