The Enforcer or The Mafia Prince

Chapter 50

Sunday morning, Jessica woke up wrapped in Tristan's arms. She smiled and turned over to face him. He was in a deep sleep. A gentle hum-like sound told her that Tristan was snoring a little. Jessica held her breath and wiggled out of his arms. He looked so handsome. She couldn't bare the thought of waking him. Searching the floor, Jessica found Tristan's sweater. She put it on and crossed her arms to protect against the early morning chill.

She tiptoed to the kitchen and pulled out a bottle of water. As Jessica took a drink, she realized her mouth and throat were still sore from the night before. She bit her lip and thought about the delightfully sinful things they'd done to each other. Jess clenched her thighs together, remembering everything. It was amazing. Tristan left her feeling cherished.

She looked around the spartan apartment. It was still dark outside. She guessed it was a little after five. Jess wanted to check her phone but couldn't find it. She retraced her steps around the apartment. Jessica discovered her phone nesting on a wireless charger in Tristan's office. Tristan must have done that for her after she'd fallen asleep. He was so thoughtful of her.

Jessica picked up the phone to check the time. The bright screen blinded her. She blinked a few times before looking again. She was right. It wasn't even a quarter after five in the morning. Jess snuck back into bed and lay on her side, looking at Tristan. His peaceful face gave her butterflies. Why had she spent so much energy on Declan? He kept running from her, always putting things before her. Tristan treated her like a queen, and she didn't have to question how he felt about her.

The rest of the world may see him as a facetious daddy's boy, but Jess knew better. There was a warm comfort in knowing that he cared about her. She was the only person he felt he needed to open up to. Jess realized his trust in her meant more than anything she could ask for. She leaned forward and kissed him. Tristan moaned and fluttered his eyes open. He gave her a lazy sideways smile.

"What time is it?"

"It's early. Go back to sleep. I didn't mean to wake you."

Tristan stretched and yawned, "How can I sleep when you're in bed with me?" Jessica placed a hand on his chest and blushed.

"Oh, no, you don't, Prince. I'm still sore from last night. You need to give me time to recover before we're at it again." Tristan c****d an eyebrow at her.

"Again?"

Jess realized what she had said and blushed deeper. Tristan wrapped her back in his arms and snuggled into her shoulder.

"Jess?"

"Hmm?"

"I don't need an answer right now, but I want you to be my girlfriend. For real."

Jessica could feel Tristan's heart hammering again. He was nervous. Jess felt comforted knowing she made him nervous. It meant his feelings were real.

"Okay, Tristan. Let's try this, for real." Tristan's eyes flashed open. He sat up, almost dropping her.

"Do you mean it?"

"I mean it," Jess smiled.

Still naked from the night before, Tristan leaped out of bed and ran to his dresser. Jess couldn't tear her eyes away from his sexy ass. She'd never understood how someone's butt could be attractive until she met Tristan. His was perfect.

"What are you looking for?"

Tristan grabbed his phone off the nightstand. He returned to the dresser without answering her. He used the phone's flashlight to search in his top drawer.

"Ah!"

Jessica heard Tristan's excitement and looked back up. He spun around and hid whatever it was behind his back. Tristan used his free hand to turn the light off and crawled back into bed. He switched on the bedside lap.

"This is for you," Tristan said, holding a pale blue box.

Jessica gasped as she opened the gift box from Tiffany's. Tristan had given her a rose gold and diamond Elsa Peretti Wave Necklace. Jessica's mouth was open as she stared back at Tristan. She couldn't believe he'd get her something so beautiful.

"I," Jessica stuttered, "When... I... Wha-"

"I was meeting someone for work the other day," Tristan explained as he took the necklace from the box. "They happened to work at the shop. I asked them what to get a girl who doesn't like wearing jewelry on their hands, and this was his recommendation."

Jessica loved the gift, but more than that, she loved that Tristan remembered what she said.

"You bought this for me without a reason?"

"No, I had a reason. I hoped one day you'd agree to date me for real." Jessica was stunned, silent by Tristan again. He really did care about her.

"I guess I'll have to make some calls later to tell my mom and Drea that you're my boyfriend now."

"I hope so," Tristan said. He clasped the necklace around Jessica's neck and kissed her should. "Let's go back to sleep for a little longer."

Jessica basked in the warmth from Tristan's body as they drifted back to sleep. Declan's name didn't even cross her mind. All she could think about was her budding relationship with Tristan.

Hours later, the couple woke up to beams of sunlight dancing in and out of the room as the curtains fluttered. Jess stretched and looked around. Though she'd spent the night, this was the first time she could see the space around her. Like the rest of the apartment, Tristan's bedroom only had the essentials. His choice of bedding surprised her. She thought he'd have chosen something in black or blue, but his bed was all white with mixed fabrics. He'd chosen a woven blanket, silky sheets, and fuzzy pillows. Set against the dark wood floors and bed frame, it looked opulent.

Hearing him wake up, Jessica turned back and smiled at Tristan.

"Good morning, boyfriend," she teased. Jessica didn't know what was brighter, the sun or Tristan's smile.

"Good morning, my beautiful girlfriend. Would you like to grab brunch with me?"

"Sure," Jessica popped up. "I need to go back to my condo and change."

"Shame I can't get you to shower with me," Tristan winked.

"I would if I weren't worried I wouldn't be able to walk later," Jessica grumbled.

Tristan laughed and helped her gather her things. Once they dressed, he walked her to the elevator.

"I'll be up as soon as I'm changed, okay?"

Tristan kissed her again and waved bye until the elevator closed. Once Jess was sure he was out of earshot, she squealed and texted her mom, Andrea, and Gia to tell them the news. Thinking about it, she also texted Emma. She was sure that Emma and Jimmy would want to know, too.

"OMG! Congrats!" Emma responded in text.

"Get it, girl!" -Gia

"As long as he treats you well," Heather responded.

Andrea, though, called right away. Jessica shook her head. Her best friend never let her down.

"Are. You. Serious."

Jessica giggled, "I am."

"I thought you weren't sure which one you liked?"

Jessica explained to Andrea her thought's on Declan's behavior. Jess wished him well, but he made his decision, and it wasn't her. As for Tristan, well, he'd gone out of his way to show her how much he cared about her. Jessica didn't mention Tristan's project, but she did explain how much he'd opened up to her the day before.

"And you're sure you want this?"

"I am. I've thought about it, and the rest of the world already thinks we're together. There's no harm in giving us a real try," Jessica explained.

"Then you have my full support. I think he really likes you. But," Andrea made sure to say, "if he hurts you or tries to get you to do something you don't want to do, I'll be there in a heartbeat. Understand me?"

Jessica smiled. "Thank you, Andrea. You mean so much to me, you know that?"

"Then you'll have to take me on a date one of these days," Andrea laughed.

Jess laughed with her. Knowing that Drea could put her dislike of the O'Sullivan family aside for Jess's sake was a relief.

"You're right. When's a good day for you?"

"I'm free all the time right now.

"What are you doing since you're not..." Jessica couldn't bring herself to say, "Finishing the semester."

"Don't worry. I have plenty to keep my mind busy. The police arrested Greg on Friday, so I'm cooperating with the prosecutor on the case. They think they can charge him with a hate crime, but we'll see. Aside from that, I'm also looking for internships or self-study programs to pack my resume. I think this hurdle is a good lesson in overcoming unexpected obstacles."

Jess had to admire Andrea's resolve. If she'd been in her shoes, Jessica wasn't sure she'd be able to have such a positive outlook. The girls continued chatting until the moment Jessica needed to get in the shower. They'd hardly spent any time together and had so much to update each other on. Andrea agreed to hang up when Jessica promised to take her to dinner on Tuesday.

Jessica texted Tristan before stepping into the warm water. She'd need a driver and a bodyguard. It was at that moment that Jessica remembered she'd be meeting Declan's replacement today.