The Biker Alpha Who Became My Second Chance Mate Chapter 57

Athena's POV

My eyes fluttered open to find myself still wrapped in Tristan's arms. He was fast asleep, his face relaxed in a way I hadn't seen since I came back. The tension lines around his eyes had smoothed out, and his breathing was deep and even.

I studied his features in the morning light filtering through my bedroom curtains. He looked like someone who hadn't slept this peacefully in forever.

There was something younger about his face when he wasn't carrying the weight of everyone else's problems on his shoulders.

Memories of our night together flooded back, making my cheeks burn hot with embarrassment and something else I didn't want to name.

If I'd thought our first time together five years ago was incredible, last night had been something else entirely.

It was Mind-blowing and breathtaking, literally because I lost my breath multiple times.

I couldn't believe how thoroughly he'd satisfied me, how many times he'd brought me to heights I'd never experienced before.

With Daxon, pleasure had always been something I had to find for myself afterward, alone and ashamed.

But Tristan had made me feel like I was the center of his universe, like nothing else mattered except making sure I felt good.

The memory made my body tingle all over again, but it also filled me with a sadness so deep it felt like drowning.

Because it would never happen again.

The thought settled on my chest, making it hard to breathe. Whatever had happened last night was a mistake, a moment of weakness brought on by nightmares and something else.

Tristan would never have kissed me under normal circumstances. He'd only done it to wake me up from my bad dream.

I knew he'd regret it when he woke up. I was actually shocked to see him still here, still holding me like I was something precious instead of something he needed to escape from.

Maybe he hadn't left because he didn't want to hurt my feelings. Maybe he was trying to spare me the humiliation of waking up alone after giving myself to him so completely.

I didn't want his pity. I couldn't bear it if he started blaming himself again, treating me like I was fragile and broken. I wasn't sure I could survive another conversation where he explained why we couldn't be together.

I carefully untangle myself from his arms, trying not to wince even though my body felt like I'd been thoroughly and wonderfully used.

Every muscle ached in the best possible way, reminding me of everything we'd done together.

I needed to use the bathroom and figure out how I was going to handle this situation. How do you face someone the morning after you've crossed every line you swore you'd never cross?

I slipped into the bathroom and stared at my reflection in the mirror. I looked like someone who'd been thoroughly satisfied, which I absolutely had been.

My lips were still swollen from his kisses, and there were small marks on my neck where he'd been particularly enthusiastic.

I splashed cold water on my face and brushed my teeth, trying to wash away the taste of regret that was starting to build in my mouth. By the time I'd showered and gotten dressed, Tristan had already left my room.

Today was Saturday, which meant neither of us had any excuse to leave the house. The garage was running smoothly enough that we didn't need to be there every day unless something urgent came up.

I needed to act like an adult about this. We had to talk it out, clear the air, and move forward without making things weird between us. We lived in the same house, for crying out loud. I couldn't hide in my room forever.

I went downstairs to the kitchen and decided to make breakfast. Cooking always calmed my nerves, gave my hands something to do while my mind tried to sort through complicated emotions.

I was halfway through preparing scotch eggs when I felt Tristan's presence behind me. My entire body tensed, but I forced myself to take a deep breath before turning to face him.

"Good morning," he said, his voice coming out husky and deep in a way that made my knees weak.

How could someone sound so sexy this early in the morning? It wasn't fair.

Focus, Athena.

"Good morning. How was your night?" The question rolled out before I could stop myself.

Nice one, Athena. Why would you ask about his night when you both spent it doing things that would make a grown man blush?

"It was... nice. Really nice," he said, his eyes locking with mine in a way that made my cheeks burn red.

I nodded quickly and turned my attention back to the stove, trying to ignore the way he was looking at me like he wanted to eat me for breakfast.

"What are you making?" he asked, moving closer so he could see over my shoulder.

"Nothing much, just scotch eggs and toast," I replied, glancing back at him. He raised an eyebrow and smiled in a way that made my heart skip several beats.

He was so handsome it actually hurt to look at him directly.

"You're making my favorite," he observed, and I felt my hands freeze on the spatula.

Yeah, this was his favorite breakfast. What was I doing? Who makes a guy's favorite meal the morning after sleeping with him unless she's hoping for something serious to develop?

He was going to think I wanted more from him, that I was trying to play house or something equally ridiculous.

"I just wanted to make something quick because I woke up feeling hungry," I said, then immediately realized how that sounded.

What was wrong with me? Everything coming out of my mouth had a double meaning that made me sound like I was asking for round two.

I needed to clear the air before this got any more awkward.

*But he's not acting awkward,* Ciara pointed out unhelpfully. *You're the one making this weird.*

I ignored her. She didn't understand how human emotions worked, how complicated things could get when you crossed certain lines with people you cared about.

"So, about last night," I started.

"I wanted to talk to you about last night," Tristan said at exactly the same time.

We stared at each other for a moment, both of us caught off guard by the timing.

"You go first," he suggested, and I was grateful because it meant I could control the narrative instead of having to respond to whatever he wanted to say.

"Let me just turn this off first," I said, pointing to the eggs that were about to burn. Tristan nodded patiently while I transferred everything to plates and tried to gather my courage.

When I started dishing out portions for both of us, I finally found my voice.

"What happened last night was my fault," I began, noticing how Tristan's eyebrows shot up like he wanted to argue. But I couldn't let him interrupt, couldn't let him try to be noble about this when I knew the truth.

"I know you were just trying to help me out of that nightmare," I continued, letting out a laugh that sounded hollow even to my own ears.

Tristan was staring at me like I'd lost my mind, and maybe I had.

"That's why you kissed me, and we just... got carried away. You don't need to feel guilty about it."

"Ath..." he tried to interrupt, but I shook my head firmly. I needed to get this out before I lost my nerve completely.

I wasn't sure I could handle the embarrassment if he was the one trying to let me down easy. Again.

"I know we're like family," I rushed on, my voice getting smaller with each word. "I know you see me as your best friend's little sister. And I know that whatever happened last night was a mistake that can never happen again."

Tristan had moved closer while I was talking, his arms now resting on the counter beside me. He was watching me with an intensity that made me feel like he could see straight through to my soul.

"Is that really how you feel?" he asked quietly, his voice so gentle it made my eyes sting with unshed tears.