Chapter 4
Movin' On
"Rory, wait!" Tristan yelled to her as she stormed out of Maxwell's on her way back to her apartment.
She ignored him and continued walking in a huff. She did not want to deal with this right now. She was upset, and she was hurt, and she was even more annoyed that she was letting Logan get to her so much. She should not take it out on Tristan, she knew that, but she just wanted to be alone, at least for a while.
"Please Rory." Tristan said, finally catching up to her and grabbing hold of her arm. The touch of his hand on her bare skin sent chills through Rory, and she begrudgingly turned around and faced him.
"Talk to me Rory." Tristan said, not knowing what to say to comfort her. He could only imagine what it must feel like for her. She was publicly embarrassed by the man she thought she loved. He did not want her to shut him out, and he wanted to make sure she was going to be okay before he left.
Rory stared into his blue eyes and sighed. "Okay, let's talk." Rory said, walking towards the park across the street. She found an empty bench and sat down, looking thoroughly dejected.
"So that was Logan?" Tristan asked her with a small smile.
"Yeah, that was Logan." Rory said shaking her head. "I just…urgh. I knew it was over, and I knew that he was still in town…but seeing him today just made it all so real. They say that ignorance is bliss, and now I am starting to understand why." Rory said, her eyes tearing up.
Tristan looked at her and shook his head. He reached over and wiped a stray tear off her cheek, leaving her skin tingling where he had touched her. "Don't cry over him Rory. He is not good enough for you."
Rory laughed at this comment. "How do you know he is not good enough? I thought I finally found a guy who would live up to everyone's expectations." Rory said angrily.
"Well, nobody who makes you cry is good enough. You need a guy who worships you, challenges you, and makes you feel like there is no one better than you." He said frowning.
"How do you know that is what I need?" Rory asked bitterly. She did not want to hear all of his speculation; she just wanted to be alone.
"Because I know you Rory. I know that in high school I was never that guy, and trust me when I tell you that I wanted to be."
"Yeah right." Rory said, looking away from him.
"It's true. I was deeply and hopelessly in love with you." Tristan said, reddening in embarrassment.
"Then why did you never say anything?"
"I thought I had. I was immature and stupid; I thought that you would pick up on my actions. I was jealous of Dean, and I wanted nothing more for you to be with me." Tristan said, his red face deepening in color.
"I thought you hated me. And then when you kept asking me out it was to prove a point. Like you could get any girl you wanted." Rory replied honestly.
"I know. I went about things all wrong back then. I had a crush on you from the first moment I saw you, and I was not used to being turned down. I did not know how to get your attention, and at least when I was irritating you I knew you thought of me. What can I say, I was a moron." He smiled.
"Well, fortunately that was a long time ago. Thankfully you have grown up since then." Rory said.
"Well…" Tristan started.
"Yes?" Rory said looking at him, her heart skipping a beat.
"Never mind." Tristan said, looking away again.
"No, tell me Tristan." Rory said with pleading eyes.
"I don't think you are ready to hear what I have to say." He said looking into her eyes.
She looked back at him, seeing the truth in his eyes. She had always known it. Tristan Dugrey was in love with her.
"Tell me." Rory said, her hand sliding over on the bench so it touched his.
Tristan let out the breath that he was holding. "I…I still feel that way about you Rory." He said, not wanting to tear his eyes away from her, but wanting to run away all at the same time.
"I…I know." She said, looking back at him.
"What?"
"I know." Rory said, surprising herself.
"What do you mean by 'I know'?" Tristan asked again.
"I don't really know. I mean, I could just feel it…" Rory said, herself turning red.
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"Because I am not any good with that kind of stuff. I figured that I was just reading into something that was not there. I thought it may have been wishful thinking. I don't know." Rory sighed.
"Wishful thinking?" Tristan asked interested.
"Well, yes. I don't know. I mean it is obvious that you changed, and I was lonely and heart-broken. It just made me feel better to think that you liked me."
"Rory, you don't know the half of it." Tristan said with a sad smile.
"Do you care to explain it to me then?" Rory asked.
"Not really." Tristan smiled his wicked grin and stood up.
"Hey now! You can't do that to a girl." Rory said, standing up and catching his arm before he turned away.
"Well, I would tell you, but you just broke up with your boyfriend, who you saw tonight and who made you cry. If I told you this now, I would just get lost in your jumble of emotions. I have waited 4 years to tell you this, I can keep on waiting."
"No you can't! You don't know what I am feeling! You have to tell me know. That is just pain evil." Rory said, crossing her arms and tapping her foot in annoyance.
"See that is the beauty of this. I don't have to tell you anything." Tristan said, turning back to her with a smile.
"Yes you do! Tristan Dugrey, you better get over here right now and tell me what you meant by that." Rory could not help but smiling as she said that.
Tristan walked over to her, allowing his body to press up against hers. "You want me over here?" He asked.
Rory gulped, feeling her breath leave her. "Umm, yes." She said, looking up at him.
Tristan leaned in closer "You want me to tell you that I still worship the ground you walk on?" He said, his breath tickling the delicate skin around Rory's ear.
"Yes." Rory said, her voice barely audible.
"You want me to say that every time I see you all I want to do is…" Tristan stopped talking and turned his head so they were once again staring at each other. Tristan did not give Rory time to react. He pulled her into him and kissed her deeply on the lips. Rory's eyes grew wide with shock at the unanticipated kiss. After a minute she was able to find her bearings and she began to kiss him back. She felt Tristan's tongue lick her lips, pleading for access, and Rory parted her lips, allowing him full admission. Rory felt her knees go weak and her heart race. She saw stars, something that she only thought happened in the movies.
Then, just as quickly as it started, Tristan pulled away. He stood there, looking at Rory for a minute before he turned around and started walking away.
Rory stood by the bench in complete shock. She had just experienced the most mind-blowing kiss and now Tristan was just walking away.
"Umm Tristan?" Rory shouted out to him.
He stopped when he heard his name and turned toward her. "Yeah?" He asked casually.
"Where the HELL are you going?" Rory asked.
"Oh, well I figured you had some stuff you wanted to think about, so I thought I would give you some time." Tristan said, playing it cool.
Rory walked up to him, anger flaring in her eyes. She glared at him, wanting nothing more to hit him, but instead he reached up to him and returned his kiss. She mustered all the passion she could, hoping to recreate her experience. She lightly bit on his bottom lip and then pulled away, this time Tristan was the one with the shocked look.
"What was that about?" He asked her, as she casually walked away.
"Oh well, I just figured you had a lot to think about." She said with a smile as she kept walking.
Tristan stood in his place for a moment, and then raced after her.
"What does this mean?" He asked her confused.
"I think it means that we have something called chemistry." Rory said smiling.
"But…I mean, you and me? You like me?" Tristan asked.
"Yes Tristan. I like you. I really like you. I want to be with you. I want us to try to figure this out." Rory said looking into his eyes.
"But what about Logan?"
"What about him? Logan and I are done. You and I are just beginning. You don't have to worry about him." Rory said, leaning towards him, wanting another kiss.
"But.." Tristan objected. Rory held up a finger and silenced him with another kiss.
Once they separated Tristan looked deep into her eyes. "Are you sure you are ready for this Rory?" He asked again.
"Like you said Tristan, this has been four years in the making, I think I can handle it."
"So you want to do this? Really do this? I am not going to be your Logan rebound or anything?"
"Logan who?" Rory said with a smile. "Tristan, you make me feel things that I never thought possible. You challenge me, but you don't want to change me. With Logan I felt I was being manipulated, like I was morphing into a dangerous version of myself. I thought that is what I wanted, but then when things started to get crazy, I knew that something had to change. I was getting into trouble, my mom and I were barely talking, and I was re-thinking my career path...things that I never thought I would do. I think Logan knew that he was bad influence on me, and luckily he had more sense than to stick around. As mad as I am that he did such an idiotic thing to me, I am happy that we ended it before I became totally unrecognizable. Trust me Tristan, things are much better this way."
"He really had you second guessing your major?" Tristan asked in shock.
"Well, more his dad, but yes. His father said I did not have what it takes to make it in the newspaper business. I am setting out to prove him wrong."
"Well then, Tristan's father obviously does not know you at all to make such a ill-informed claim. You are way too ambitious and stubborn to give up that dream."
"You think I am stubborn?" Rory said in mock hurt.
"Oh yes, one of the most stubborn people I know." Tristan said, whispering in her ear. His body pressed up against hers, making her feel electric with energy. He slid his hands down her sides and rested them playfully on her butt. A chill ran though Rory as she looked up at him.
"So four years hu?" Rory said to Tristan with a smile. "I hope it was worth it."
"I would have waited another 40 if I knew that I even stood a chance." Tristan said, kissing her neck. Rory tilted her head to give him better access as she felt his tongue dart out and lick her sensitive skin. She felt him move his hands back up and under her top. Not wanting him to stop, but knowing that they were standing in the middle of the park, Rory pulled away.
"You are going to give me a hicky mister." She said playfully swatting him.
"I will let you return the favor…" Tristan said, raising his eyebrow suggestively.
"In that case, maybe we should continue this in the comfort of my room." Rory said, giving him a wink as she started walking away.
Tristan stood in place for a minute, watching the woman who he had always loved walk ahead of him, inviting him home with her. He was shocked. He was excited. He was happy.
Tristan shook himself out of his daze and caught up to Rory. He casually draped his arm around her shoulder and placed another kiss on her neck. Rory wanted to run the remaining block to her apartment, but she was trying desperately to look calm and collected.
It seemed to take an hour to get to her apartment, and Rory fumbled clumsily with her keys, wanting nothing more than to break down the door to let themselves in. Tristan stood dangerously close to her, his hands wrapped around her waist, and his chin resting on her head. She finally got the door open, and glanced around the apartment. The living room was dark and deserted, and both Paris' and Marty's rooms were dark and empty.
"It looks like we have the place to ourselves." Tristan said, not wanting to break apart from Rory.
"So it would appear." Rory said, turning around to grant him access to her lips. "So where were we?" Rory said, picking up Tristan's hand and placing it under her shirt.
"Ah yes, I think I remember." Tristan said, sliding his hand up her stomach, causing her to shake with want and desire. "Are you sure you want to do this?" He asked her, not wanting to cross any lines with her.
"We don't have to go all the way." Rory said. "We can just have a little fun can't we?" Rory asked.
"I am always up for a little fun." Tristan said, gently biting Rory's neck, which sent waves of pleasure through her.
"Your reputation does not do you justice Mr. Dugrey." Rory said breathlessly leading her way to her room.
"Nor does yours." Tristan said, sitting on her bed, and pulling her onto his lap so she sat straddling him.
Rory bent down and returned his passionate kisses, making sure she did not leave a mark on his neck.
"Uh." Tristan grunted pulling away from her.
"What? Did I do something wrong?" Rory asked confused.
"No, not at all. It's just that I think we had better stop now, otherwise I don't think I will be able to." Tristan said apologetically.
Rory could feel what he meant, as he steadily stiffened under her. She gently stood up and smiled at him. "Do you have anywhere to be tomorrow morning?" She asked him, making sure to keep her eyes focused on his, and not wander down to see the affect she had on him.
"No plans." He squeeked.
"So do you think you may just want to sleep here?" She asked innocently. "I don't mean we have to do anything, I just…I want you to stay." She said.
"Of course. Just let me go to the bathroom and wash up, and I will be back in a minute." Tristan said, carefully standing and walking to the bathroom. He stood looking at himself in the mirror, knowing he would wake up any minute only to find this was all a dream. He splashed cold water on his face, thought about his mother…that always did the trick…and returned back to Rory's room.
Rory had already changed into her pajamas and had removed her makeup and was sitting in the bed waiting for him. Tristan smiled at her, and stripped to his boxers. He climbed under the covers with Rory, and she inched her way over to him so that her back was to his chest. Tristan wrapped his arms around her and let his head rest on her neck. He inhaled deeply, enjoying the soft scent of Rory.
"Thank you Tristan." Rory said before shutting her eyes and drifting to sleep.
"No, thank you Rory." Tristan whispered to her, and then he too closed his eyes.
Wow, its another chapter! So this one got a little…umm…racy. I do hope that none were offended…
Please keep commenting, because you all know I love em!
