Sweeter Than Sin (25 page)

“She must be something special,” Lana said.

“She is.” Noah pressed his lips to Lana’s forehead. “But then again, so are you. I don’t know what I did to have two amazing women in my life.”

“Shit, Noah.” She pulled back and turned away as the ache inside her spread. “I had you for a couple of years and then I disappeared. I don’t think you can call me that amazing.”

“I was the one you amazed, so yeah, I get to call you that.”

A truck appeared at the end of the road, just barely visible through the webwork of pine branches. Her heart jumped and she fought to keep her voice level. “Well, whatever you say. I’m happy for you, Noah.”

“Thanks.”

If she hoped he wouldn’t notice her interest in the truck, she was very much mistaken, and she tore her gaze away before he decided to ask. Backing away, she gave him an easy smile. “It was … interesting,” she decided. “Take care of yourself.”

He arched a brow. “When you need me, let me know.”

Then he turned and disappeared into the trees.

When you need me …

Somehow she suspected that time would come.

Sighing, she looked back toward the house and then started to trail after Noah. She’d have to come back later.

*   *   *

The little park across from the cemetery was a good place for people watching.

Layla wasn’t particularly in the mood for people watching, but she was in the mood to find somebody to either give her some money or let her crash with them for a while. She did have a particular man in mind.… He was older than she usually went for, but he kept himself in shape, plus he played rough.

That was the only way to play, in her mind.

Plus, once he went out for the night, he went
out.
That left her alone to do whatever in the hell she wanted, including lazing out in the hot tub and getting stoned if she wanted.

The former deputy liked to relax at nights in that hot tub, with a little bit of weed, a nice cold beer. That wasn’t a bad way to spend a night, in her mind.

But so far, he hadn’t shown his face in town.

If Willie T. didn’t show up soon, she just might hunt him down.

He might try to push her out, but all she’d have to do was go down on him and that would be that.

He was a typical man—his brain was always in his dick, and she knew how to handle him.

He was probably her best bet for finding a place to crash for a few days, too. She hadn’t been able to make her rent, and yesterday she’d been thrown out on her ass. The landlord had agreed to store her stuff—because he didn’t want his wife knowing that he’d taken sex in exchange for rent more than a few times. Layla had tried to barter that again, but Bo wasn’t going for it. He’d outright told her that she could either pay him or just tell Betty about the months when she’d given him a quickie in exchange for a cut on the rent, and the look in his eyes said he hadn’t been joking.

Since she might need the reference from him at some point, she didn’t see the point.

If he wasn’t going to back down, he wasn’t going to back down.

She was good at reading things like that.

Last night, she’d used her key at the house and slept on the couch for four hours, leaving before Sybil woke up, before the kid could find her there.

She was still tired, cranky, and she needed a hit bad.

But she had to figure out where she was going first.

If she could stand the fucking idea of it, she knew she’d have a bed at her old place. Technically, it was
her
house, too. Mama had left the house to Sybil
and
Layla, but Layla hated that place. Every damn room was a reminder of what a failure she was. Especially compared to Sybil. Perfect, confident Sybil.

Maybe Mama had never pointed that out and Sybil didn’t have to, but they all knew it.

No, going back home to the place where Saint Sybil lived wasn’t an option. Layla couldn’t stand the thought of seeing her sister every day. She could barely tolerate seeing Sybil on the rare occasion when they ran into each other in town.

And besides … if Layla was there, she’d have to see Drew.

Sighing, she dug out her cigarette and lighter. Drew, that kid. She loved her boy, but he had a way of looking at her with those big blue eyes that just outright
told
her how much she disappointed him. It wasn’t her fault she didn’t know how to be a mom. Sybil was so much better at it anyway—

“Well, hello, there.…” Layla’s attention zoomed in on the man striding up the street. A few dozen yards behind him she saw a woman—the woman Layla didn’t know, but the man? Oh, yes. Knew him. Alternately hated and wanted him. Mostly, he just pissed her off, but lately she wanted him like crazy, and it wasn’t just because he acted like he wasn’t interested. That was bullshit. Noah wanted her. He’d always wanted her; he just tried to hide it.

And right now, he was moving like his ass was on fire.

Smashing her cigarette out on the bench, Layla slid off the bench and moved to cut him off.

He checked himself right before they would have collided, and she sulked privately, just a little. That body of his had just gotten so much better over the years, and part of her yearned to see what he’d be like if he let all that hunger out. He had laced himself up all nice and proper, and she knew that on the inside Noah was
anything
but nice and proper.

Smiling at him, she reached out to stroke a finger down the front of his shirt. He sidestepped before she made contact. Poking out her lip, she said, “Now, Noah … you act like you don’t want to see me. You aren’t still mad at me, are you?”

“I don’t much see the point in being mad at you, Layla.” And his blue eyes met hers levelly.

He seemed to mean it. Oh, that made this easier, then. Taking a step closer, she went to rest a hand on his arm, but again, he didn’t let her touch him. Damn it, this was like dancing with a cat. “Well, if you aren’t mad, how come you’re acting like I’m contagious?”

“Layla.” He said her name in a low, quiet voice and leaned in just close enough for her to feel the heat of him.

It made everything inside her clench up, tight and hungry. Very few of the men she’d been with had ever made her feel like Noah had. He’d fucked like he had demons inside him and only fucking would get them out. “Yes, sugar?” she murmured. “What can I do for you, Noah? You know I’m up for just about … anything.”

“You can stay away from me, okay? I’m getting married in a few days. I’m in love with my fiancée … and you’re nothing but trouble. We both know it. So just … stay away.”

She jerked back, glaring at him. “Nothing but trouble?”

Somebody brushed by them.

That woman.

Her gaze, shielded by overly large sunglasses, lingered on Noah for a long moment and then moved to Layla. “Everything okay?” she asked.

Layla went to snap at her, but then she stopped, looking at the brunette. Her voice … Scowling, Layla stared hard at the woman, trying to place her.

Noah gave her a polite smile. “Everything is fine, ma’am.”

The woman nodded and headed on down the street.

“It’s
not
fine,” Layla said, raising her voice.

The woman just kept on walking.

“You honestly think Holly Homemaker can give you what you need?” Layla demanded, thinking of the slick, sexy blonde from New York who was going to marry Noah in a few days. “
Seriously?
She doesn’t even
know
you.”

“She does.” Then he shook his head. “But this isn’t about her. Or even me. It’s about the fact that you can’t stand me turning you down.” His gaze lingered on her face, his expression sad. “Layla … you deserve better than this. Find a way to be happy with yourself. You’re never going to do that by just chasing after every guy you think can give you a good time in bed.”

He brushed past her and headed on down the street.

She whirled around and glared at his retreating back.

“Yeah? Like
you
would know shit about giving a woman a good time in bed, you uptight prick!”

The back of his neck went red.

But there was no other response and a moment later he disappeared around the corner.

*   *   *

“Why isn’t Mr. Noah here?”

Trinity looked down at Micah and reached across the table to stroke his cheek. “He will be.” She showed Micah the message on her phone. “He’s just having a crazy day—said he’d join us in another thirty minutes or so.” Of course, if she’d seen that message thirty minutes ago she’d have waited awhile before they headed to the pizza place.

Micah pouted, poking his lip out. “I want to see Mr. Noah. I haven’t seen him since last night. That’s too long.”

Trinity chuckled. “Baby, in just a few more days, you’ll see him all the time.”

Micah’s eyes started to shine. “And he’ll be … like … like my dad almost. Except…” He looked away and started to scribble harder on the menu in front of him. “What do I call him? He’s not Mr. Noah if you’re married to him, but I have a dad.”

“What do you want to call him?”

Micah never had a chance to respond, because at that very moment an angry, sulky-faced woman plopped herself into the seat next to him. Micah tensed, his eyes going wide as he looked over at Layla Chalmers.

Trinity managed to keep from snarling at the woman and demanding she get the hell away from her baby. It was close, though. Very close.

Especially considering she could see the need for blood in Layla’s eyes. Figuratively speaking.

“Layla,” Trinity said, keeping her voice level. “Did you need something? We’re kind of on a dinner date.”

“How sweet.” Layla’s face smoothed out and she leaned forward, dropping her voice. “I just needed to tell you this: I didn’t want you hearing from just anybody … or, worse, having Noah just
not
tell you. He might not lie, but he
excels
at keeping secrets.”

Oh, puh-leeze.
Trinity didn’t roll her eyes, but she wanted to. Hard. Arching a brow, she said, “Oh? And just what do you need to tell me?”

“I saw him coming out of the woods with another woman.” Layla pasted a look of mock sympathy on her face. “And when I tried to ask him what he’d been up to, he just wouldn’t tell me. He was all secretive like … Honey, that man was a … well. I can’t say with a kid here, but let me tell you, he has been around. He’s good at hiding it, but every now and then, he slips. Oh, honey … how he slips.” She gave a suggestive laugh and then slid out of the booth. “Trust me, I know
that
from experience.”

As she turned to the door, the bell over it rang.

And Noah walked in.

When he saw Layla, he stilled; then he sighed and shook his head.

Layla gave Trinity a secretive look. “Ask him about what happened in the woods.”

*   *   *

It was a shot in the dark, Layla knew, but as Noah approached she saw his face tighten and she thought to herself,
Score.

Noah was always talking to people in confidence, or some such shit. And when he did that, he didn’t tell
anybody.

If Layla knew anything about women, that little nagging voice of doubt would eat at his blushing bride and it wouldn’t help when Noah wouldn’t explain.

As Layla passed by him, she gave him a smug grin and decided she felt pretty damn good about herself.

Now, if she had any luck at all, she could sit here and maybe, just maybe, Willie T. would show up for the pizza he liked to treat himself to on Saturdays. He lived too far out of town for delivery, but he did like his little indulgences, as he’d always called that extra-large pie he bought two or three times a month.

He’d place his order, have a beer … and she’d be right here waiting.

And if he was really lucky, he could take
her
home along with the pie.

Plus, Layla had the added benefit of sitting here to watch the show.

*   *   *

“What on earth was that about?”

Trinity managed to keep the question inside until Noah had given Micah a hug and the standard male bonding. Then Micah was off like a rocket to the play area in the back of the pizza place and she couldn’t keep it inside anymore.

Noah rubbed his hands over his face, and when he lowered them he looked at her from eyes that looked like they’d aged a good ten years. Worried, she reached over and covered his hands with her own. “Baby, is everything okay?”

He sighed and turned his hands so that their fingers laced. “Have I told you lately how much I adore you?”

“Well, yeah. But it’s been ages … like a couple of days, even.” She smiled. “You can tell me again.”

He lifted their joined hands and pressed a kiss to her wrist. “I adore you. Love you.”

“Okay. So you’ve told me. Now … what on earth is she up to?”

“She’s being…” He blew out a breath.

“Herself?” Trinity offered caustically.

“Yeah. Pretty much.”

“Okay.” She ran her tongue around her teeth. Told herself she wasn’t going to give in to the bait. Then she decided,
Screw that.
She’d give in because if she didn’t, it would eat at her and that was the entire point of this mess. “She wants me to ask about what happened in the woods. She mentioned it because she wants to get at you. I’m asking because now I have to, but I trust you. You know that, right?”

Some of the strain faded from his face and he reached up, brushed her hair back. “Yeah. And I’m hoping that because you trust me, you’ll understand when I tell you that I can’t tell you what she’s talking about.” He paused and looked down, staring at the table for a long, lingering moment. “There … well, I did speak with a woman earlier, but what we spoke about was her private business. They aren’t my secrets to tell.”

Trinity studied his face, saw the heaviness in his eyes. Heaviness, some sadness. But not guilt.

She knew the face of a guilty man, probably better than most.

And more, she trusted
this
man.

Slipping out of the seat, she moved around to join him on his bench. His arm came around her and she snuggled against him. “Will you be able to tell me?”