A Dash of Desire (Spiced Life #2) (7 page)

Faith nodded. “I suppose that’s a good way to describe her.”

Riley found herself moving closer to Faith in hopes of catching her every word. “What happened to her?”

“She drowned. Along with our parents. I was eighteen and two weeks out of high school. Serenity was sixteen, and we were devastated.”

Riley could imagine. Her mother was a crazy zealot who made Riley’s life hell until she’d finally severed all ties, but Riley would still be hurt if she died.

“I was also bitter as hell,” Faith said, and Serenity nodded, adding her agreement.

“She was, but she took care of me and never made me feel like a burden. Not that she needed to. I did enough of that all on my own.”

Faith patted Serenity’s arm, before taking over. “Anyhow, I was so pissed off at the world. I didn’t consider how Tristan must’ve felt. Harmony made his life miserable, and they got along like oil and water, but she was his wife. We were his family. Part of me blamed him,” Faith admitted. “A huge part of me,” she added with a sad smile. “They’d gotten into a fight that day, and I needed to be mad at someone. It fed my determination. Of course, he had his own guilt and mine. It was pretty ugly.”

“Then he found God,” Riley said, putting the pieces together.

Faith waved a dismissive hand. “Nah. Tristan’s always been good. I didn’t want to see it after my parents died. When I first heard about him becoming a minister, I kind of wanted to hunt him down and beat the shit out of him. After I had time to cool down…”

“Years later,” Serenity put in.

“Years later,” Faith agreed. “I realized he was the perfect person for the position. He cares. I mean, really cares about other people. He sees the good in them. That’s why I didn’t want to like you. When I first heard about you, I thought for sure Tristan had found someone who was going to bore him…”

“…and us,” Serenity added.

Faith nodded. “…and us to tears. Now that I’ve met you, I’m over it.”

“You recognize a kindred spirit, don’t you?” Riley said, attempting to lighten the mood. Faith lifted her wine glass to her lips, taking a sip before responding.

“In a way, I guess I do. You’re a bad girl, Ms. Henderson. But mostly, I like you because you’re broken. If there’s one thing Tristan won’t be able to resist, it’s a damaged bad girl. You’re going to rock his fucking world and I love it.”

Riley wanted to argue that she wasn’t broken. In the end, she couldn’t lie. She was totally fucked up.

“Don’t look so crestfallen,” Serenity said with a laugh. “We’re all a little messed up. Only the best of us embrace it.”

“I’ll drink to that,” Riley agreed, waving a waiter over. Fuck her usual no alcohol rule. She needed fortification.

Tristan watched as Riley tossed back a glass of white wine. God help him. Why was he here again? Oh yeah, Carter and Adam had forced him to come and Riley was there. That last part was a big one. Leaning over the back of her seat, he touched his mouth to her ear.

“Would you like a dance?”

Riley slammed her glass down. “For the love of fucking God. Why won’t you go—” The words died on her lips as Riley turned her head, catching sight of him. Her features shifted, going from irritated to ecstatic in an instant. His breath caught. He’d done that. Carter had been right to threaten to pull his support for the church if Tristan didn’t get in the car. Apparently, they were supposed to look like asses together. He’d never been happier to be inside a male strip club with Riley. That was one thought he’d never expected to have.

“How much?”

His brows drew together at Riley’s question. “How much for what?”

“A dance, of course,” she answered on a laugh.

“Um. I was joking. Obviously,” he added, in case she couldn’t tell.

A slow, naughty smile stretched her lips. “Nope. It’s too late. You offered. Now, you have to pay up. I want my dance.”

Yeah…there was no way in hell he was doing that. It wasn’t happening. Nope. “Twenty dollars.” He heard it, but couldn’t seem to stop the words from leaving his lips.

“Done.”

Everyone else disappeared when he was held captive in her gaze. “I’ll do it for free if you’ll let me do it in private.”

“Come on guys. I don’t want to see this.”

Faith’s squeal pulled Tristan’s attention her way before Riley had time to respond. Faith’s hands were cupping her eyes, creating a barrier between Carter and Serenity kissing. Tristan chuckled at the sight.

“Half the people here are in their underwear but that’s what you don’t want to see.”

Faith scoffed at his statement. “Those people aren’t my sister.”

“Or my dad,” Adam added, making Tristan realize he kept his face carefully turned away from the couple as well.

“That’s your dad?” The disbelief in Riley’s voice was only matched by the expression on her face as she leaned forward as if trying to get a better look at the man. With a giggle, Serenity untangled from the man’s embrace.

“Riley, this is my husband, Carter. Carter, this is Riley, Tristan’s girlfriend.”

Tristan held his breath, wondering if Riley would argue with Serenity’s description of their relationship. She didn’t. Instead, Riley reached across the table, offering her hand to Carter. “It’s nice to meet you.”

He accepted. “You as well. Your reputation precedes you.”

“Yet you still let your wife spend time with me. How odd?”

Carter’s brow furrowed as if he didn’t know what to make of her. Serenity snorted into her drink. “I think he meant what he’d heard about you from me, not what he’d heard around town.”

Riley chuckled. “Oh good. Thankfully, you haven’t known me long enough to list too many of my sins. Of course, I did drag you to a strip club, so that’s probably a mark against me.”

Carter wrapped his arms around Serenity’s waist tugging her from her chair before settling her into his lap. “Considering that you’re trying to make me believe you brought her here as opposed to the other way around. I think it’s a mark in your favor.”

Tristan silently agreed. Of course, he didn’t get to say as much, since Serenity took over. “No worries, Riley. He knows me too well, and I wouldn’t have suggested this place if I thought Carter would be upset.” Indeed the man couldn’t have looked more content in his lot. “Plus, none of these men hold a candle to my hubby.”

Carter eyed Serenity with open lust. “Damn right they don’t.”

“Please? No more,” Faith begged, making Serenity giggle. “For God’s sake, Brother Daniels is here.” Tristan nearly groaned. Faith never called him brother unless she was mocking him. He almost would’ve preferred that.

“Not for long,” Riley said, snagging everyone’s attention. “Sorry,” she added when Faith groaned. “This has been fun, but my head is pounding and Tristan has offered to drive home.”

“I rode with Carter,” he said where only she could hear him.

Riley pushed her chair away from the table. “Don’t worry. I have my car.”

“We’re right behind you,” Adam said, coming to his feet as well. “Dad, we’ll take your car, if you want to ride home with Serenity.” While the rest of the group discussed the best way for everyone to go their separate ways, Riley quickly said her goodbyes, and had them out the door in a matter of minutes. She was good. Tristan had to give her that. She gave him her keys.

“I wasn’t joking. You get to drive. I haven’t had a drop of alcohol in three years. My head is spinning.” With her confession still hanging between them, Tristan searched the parking lot with his gaze, finding her car. With it locked in his sights, he ushered Riley in its direction. The moment they stepped off the curb a black SUV laid on its horn nearly mowing them down. Tristan jerked Riley to a stop before any damage was done.

“Holy crap. I’m sorry. I forgot to look both ways, and didn’t see them coming.” Riley’s face had gone white. Wide-eyed, she watched the SUV pull from the lot.

“Don’t worry over it. I’m distracting like that.” Her tone didn’t match her words. It was as if the life had gone out of her.

“That you are,” he agreed, trying not to read too much into it. After all, he had almost gotten her killed. His heart was still racing. Silence filled the air on the way home. Tristan found himself searching for a way to break it as he pulled into her driveway. “The edge of my land falls just on the other side of Hunter’s. I can cut through the field and walk home, so you won’t have to worry over me. As long as you’re home and safe, that’s all that matters.” Instead of responding, Riley reached over and took his hand. He immediately brought it to his lips.

“Do you believe in karma?”

Even though he hadn’t expected the question, Tristan thought it over before answering. “I guess to some degree, I do. Why?” He felt more than saw her shrug.

Her answer came out sounding quiet, almost in a whisper. “Because I’ve done a lot of bad things in my life. I’ve just realized that I know exactly what the universe intends to rip away from me to even the score. It’s going to hurt.”

“I can’t imagine you doing anything truly harmful.” He found himself holding his breath. There were a thousand details he didn’t know about Riley, but he wanted to, and he’d given her an opening. Even in the dark her eyes flashed with mischief.

“Kiss me before Billy realizes I’m not out here alone.”

Her demand made him forget all of the questions he wanted to ask. Closing the distance between them, Tristan said the only thing still bouncing around in his brain.

“Yes ma’am.”

Chapter 5

“Who drives the Land Rover?” Faith’s question nearly caused Tristan to jump out of his skin. With his mind firmly locked on Riley while studiously avoiding Emma May’s stare Faith had him off his guard. Her sudden appearance at the edge of his desk had his heart racing, leaving him confused over her question.

“I have no idea. Why?”

Faith shrugged. “There was a black one in the parking lot when I pulled up, but it pulled away before I got out of my car. It’s probably still sitting at the light.” Emma May moved to the window. Faith’s next words left Tristan wondering if Faith’s intent had been to get the other woman out of earshot

“I like Riley. Let’s keep her.”

Tristan leaned back in his chair, doing his best to contain his happiness. “I take it you had a good time hanging out with her last night.”

Faith set her purse on top of his desk. “Dude. She’s a fucking riot.”

“Language,” Emma May called in a singsong voice—the one that always got Faith’s back up—and, proving she was indeed listening.

“Bitch. Mind your business,” Faith said, matching Emma’s pitch and tone so closely Tristan almost laughed. Emma’s offended sniff put a nun’s to shame.

“I don’t have to listen to this.”

Faith snorted. “But you will, won’t ya? You’re too damn nosy to stop.”

Recognizing it was time to intervene, Tristan stood. “Ladies, please?”

“
Lady
,” Emma said under her breath, making Tristan groan. Faith’s smile did nothing to reassure him.

“I know that shit’s right.”

Tristan scrubbed his hands over his face. “Why don’t we go outside, Faith,” Tristan offered, cutting off any retort Emma could muster before it happened. Unlike her, Tristan knew Emma couldn’t win against Faith in a war of words. Emma May was catty. Faith was mean. There was a huge difference between the two. Snatching up her purse and snagging his arm, Faith led the way.

“That’s a great idea. I’d much rather speak to you without any listening ears around.” At his heavy sigh, Faith shot him an innocent look. “What? I meant God’s ears.”

“God’s always listening,” Emma called at their back, obviously hoping to get the last word in before they made it out the door. Faith didn’t turn or miss a step.

“He’s probably trying to figure out why she’s always shouting his name from the No-Tell-Motel out on Highway 96.”

The back door swinging closed behind them wasn’t enough to block out Emma’s horrified gasp.

“No good can come of me asking this, but didn’t you and Emma May use to be best friends? What happened to make you hate each other?”

Faith waved a dismissive hand at him. “Don’t be silly. I love Emma May.” Tristan took a step back in case lightning struck. Faith added, “But I can’t stand that woman sitting in there, pretending to be someone she isn’t. She hates that I know the real her and I’ll never let her forget it.”

“You should cut her some slack. She’s trying to change.”

Faith stare let him know she clearly thought he was being blind. “No. She’s not. I realize that as her minister, you have to think she can be saved. People tend to show you their best side, but no. She’s hasn’t changed at all. She’s just gotten sneakier.”

Tristan pressed his lips together, doing his best to hold back his humor. He thought he’d passed the danger, until he spoke, and laughter ended up lacing his every word.

“Are you telling me this is your best side? If so, I can’t even begin to imagine your worst.”

Faith’s mouth turned up in one corner and her eyes flashed mischievously. “You can’t count me. I’m not like anyone else.”

That was true. Tristan decided it was time to change the subject. “Speaking of unique people, did you just come by here to tell me you like Riley? You could’ve done that over the phone.”