The hotel that our group stayed at overlooked the entire city of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower. It was absolutely breathtaking. Fortunately, Lily roomed with me; while Collin paired with Tristan, Zack with Dan, and Amanda with Allie. Ms. Davenport had an entire suite to herself, which was expected.
Our room consisted of two large queen beds, a large living room filled with a coffee table and couches, a kitchen, and a humongous bathroom. Every floor, wall, and countertop was constructed with either marble or granite. I glided my fingertips down all the smooth surfaces and giggled in excitement. Upon seeing the sliding glass doors on the opposite side of the space, I dropped my luggage and plopped down on the couch.
"I think I'm in heaven…" I mumbled, as I shut my eyes. Lily allowed her bags to plop down on the floor in addition to mine and spun around.
"I'd have to agree"—she declared. I leaned back and clung onto the satin cushion for support. My eyelids felt like a thousand pounds, as sleep beckoned me to drift off.
"Hey, let's go out to the balcony" Lily suggested after a moments pause.
I heaved myself up and reluctantly sauntered out onto the veranda. Swinging my head from side to side, I allowed the cool breeze to blow against my face and run through my long strands of hair. Lily followed right after me and placed her hands on the iron railing.
"Wow…it's amazing out here" she whispered, as she leaned forward and stared down at the drop below.
"Fourteen stories up" I declared with a nervous chuckle. Lily smiled and gave me a playful punch against the arm.
"I'm gonna check out the other rooms, alright?" she informed me before turning to leave. I nodded my head and propped my exhausted body against the barrier. Everything sparkled and glistened under the dark night sky. Never had I seen something so miraculous and beautiful.
"Hey…" a voice called from behind me. I opened my eyes and tried to match the sound of the voice with the person it belonged to. Blonde hair and a well-built figure slid right next to me.
"Tristan" I muttered softly, as I tucked a few strands of hair behind my ear. Peering over at him, I noticed the angular curve of his jawline and the gentle bend of his nose. He seemed at peace; like his feelings were nothing more than a docile wave within an ocean.
"The room's are so big" I began with a glowing expression painted on my face. Tristan sneered at my remark as if it was a joke and rested his chin on top of his palm.
"You should come to my house. We have rooms the size of stadiums" Tristan asserted in a raspy voice. I could detect the fatigue and drowsiness in all of his movements. Flipping out his cell phone, Tristan held it up in the air and squinted.
"No service…darn" he grumbled to himself in disappointment. I continued to gaze out onto the streets, watching the tiny cars wind around the narrow turns.
"I've never been to Europe before" I announced sadly. My eyes slanted downward and the smile on my lips slowly faded away.
"Don't do that" Tristan ordered firmly, as he lifted my chin and exposed my face to the light. I furrowed my eyebrows and chuckled.
"Do what?" I asked without the slightest clue of what he was referring to. Tristan licked his lips and took a step closer to me.
"Don't stop smiling…it breaks my heart" he uttered in a gruff voice. His blue eyes roamed along the features of my face, while his fingertips tenderly stroked the corner of my mouth. I wasn't sure whether Tristan was trying to make a pass or just being extra friendly. But, in any case, I was extremely turned on by his actions.
"Tristan…" I warned as his head tilted downward and his lips gently brushed against mine. His eyes flew open and stared deep into my blue ones. I was lost and caught in the moment. His breath swirled along my skin and danced down the curve of my neck. Then, taking my face in his hands, Tristan pressed his mouth against mine and inhaled deeply. I groaned and tried to regain my dignity and poise, but it was too late. His lips were too pliable and supple. My teeth nipped at his bottom lip and soaked up the sweet honey of his flesh. I could feel his body pushing against mine and his weight increasing. It made me want more and ache to be at his mercy; but, the thought of Collin made me stagger backwards.
"What's wrong?" he murmured in a ripple like effect that caused my knees to collapse in weakness. I could barely support myself with just one hand glued to the railing.
"I can't do this…I care about Collin" I cried softly, as my throat began to seize.
"Oh yah…then why did you kiss me back?" he stammered, taking another step forward.
"Stop…just…I can't do this—" I warned faintly. Tears welled up in my eyes, as my entire body began to tremble.
"Rory"—he cut in with a flutter of his eyes—"I like you…" I could actually feel the meaning of his words fade into me. The lost look in his eyes and the disconnected mannerisms made my heart sink. Tristan slid his hands into his pockets and peered up at me almost as if he was begging for a second chance.
"Please don't make me choose…" I whispered in a broken voice. A tear rolled down my cheek, as the wind swept loose strands of hair into my eyes.
"Why won't you admit that you wish it was me" he shouted in frustration. I could see the muscles around his eyes twitch and the colors in his cheeks darken.
"What are you talking about?"
I turned my head to the side and shut my eyes in confusion. Why is he doing this…I questioned myself internally.
"Every time you're with Collin…you wish it was me" he declared in a stronger voice. His face became stern and unyielding. I felt myself heat up a whole twenty degrees by how turned on I was becoming.
"We barely know each other. I mean, we met today!" I shouted at him in confusion and irritation. If he thought that twisting my feelings like this was just a game, he had another thing coming.
"Then, stop me…" he whispered as he leaned down and passionately crashed his lips against mine. I clutched onto his coat for support and allowed him to brush away the tears from my cheeks. His stubble prickled my skin and forced me into reality.
"Stop!" I yelled at myself more than him, as I wiped my reddened lips with the back of my hand.
"I'm sorry…I'm…I can't…" I sobbed softly. Running my hands down the sides of my head, I shut my eyes and took a deep breath. My chest heaved up and down, yearning for oxygen.
Tristan ran his fingers down the side of his face and heaved a sigh. Sniffling a little, I looked up at him and emotionlessly suggested:
"Just leave me alone."
Tristan opened his mouth and allowed a ragged breath to seep in. He bowed his head and bit his lip.
"I'm sorry that you feel this way Rory"—he began—"But, I'm not sorry for kissing you." With that, he turned around and slowly made his way out of the hotel room. I was left squatting down on the balcony with tears in my eyes and a shocked expression on my face.
