A Dash of Desire (Spiced Life #2) (11 page)

He found her at the edge of the pond. Her light-pink t-shirt and white shorts made her stand out in the moonlight. She was staring at the water. He was standing mere inches from her before she noticed his presence. It took him a minute to realize she’d been drinking. She startled at his arrival clutching her chest, and losing her balance. He snagged her upper arm, steadying her.

“I missed you at church this morning.”

“Is that disappointment I hear in your voice?” There was a slight slur to her words. She stepped out his hold, losing her balance again but waving away his help. She turned back to face the water. “Get used to it. That’s what I do. I let people down.”

He had no idea what was going on. In all the time he’d known Riley, he’d never seen her like this. “I think I’ll survive it,” he said, attempting to read her mood. “Maybe next week.”

She shot him an exasperated look. “Quit trying to save me, Tristan.” Before he had time to argue that he was doing no such thing, Riley spread her arms wide and tilted her head back. “I don’t need to be rescued,” she yelled. The words echoed across the field and water before being carried away on the breeze. “And why is it so hot?” she growled, tugging at the neck of her shirt. “It’s nighttime for fuck’s sake.”

“I imagine the liquor has something to do with it,” Tristan muttered under his breath. With her fingers still curled around her collar, Riley froze. Her slightly unfocused gaze met his.

“I’ve just realized something. You don’t think much of me.” It hadn’t been a question, but a statement of fact. The hurt in her voice let him know, even though it was the most ridiculous thing he’d ever heard, she’d already made up her mind. He opened his mouth, intent on telling her he thought she was the best person he’d met in a long time. She whipped her shirt over her head and unsnapped her bra, causing the words to die on his lips. Snapping his teeth together, Tristan tore his gaze away, but he could still see her wiggling out of her shorts from the corner of his eye. The split second of pure decadence, before he’d turned his head, would forever be seared into his mind.

“You should save me then if you’re so determined,” she said, sounding unnaturally calm for such a ridiculous moment. “There’s water right here. Baptize me, Mr. Holier-than-thou. Save me from myself. Come on, Tristan. Don’t back down now. Do your Christian duty by me.” He couldn’t speak. His throat wouldn’t work. The pain in her tone tore at his heart in a way he couldn’t describe, but he couldn’t be a part of whatever self-destruction she had going on. He didn’t have the strength to withstand that bullshit twice in one lifetime. When he didn’t speak, she huffed. “Fine then. I’ll do it myself.” The splashing of water followed her statement.

In spite of his best efforts, Tristan wasn’t strong enough to stop his head from turning in her direction. She was floating in the water, silently staring at the sky. Her gorgeous breasts were bathed in moonlight. His cock lengthened. The sight was too much for a man too long starved. He gave up trying to look away. He moved closer to the water’s edge. Even though he wasn’t sure if she could hear him, Tristan still said her name. Either she was ignoring him or her ears were full of water, because she wouldn’t look at him.

“I have an issue with alcohol. I don’t deal well with people when they’re drinking.”

She snorted at his admission, proving she had been ignoring him. “You’re a fucking idiot.” Oddly, her insult made him chuckle. This was the version of Riley he knew how to handle. He’d rather have her anger over whatever this was any day.

“You’re not the first to say so.”

She finally stirred, standing in the water and facing him. Unfortunately, her breasts still bobbed above the water, doing nothing to alleviate his lust. He sat down before she could catch sight of his erection. He might want her, even when she was like this, but he didn’t have to let her know it.

“It’s especially true tonight. You’re so damn determined to find fault in me that you didn’t even consider I might have a good reason for not being there today.” Droplets of water flew through the air, sparkling as they caught the moonlight when Riley raised her arms above her head. Even in the dark, Tristan couldn’t miss the large bruises marring her skin. They ran from elbow to wrist and looked painful. He had no idea how he’d missed them. Before he could ask how it happened, her breath shuddered, wiping his brain clean. She sounded like she was crying. With water running down her face from her hair, he couldn’t be certain. Since it was obvious she had his full attention, she dropped her arms.

“Maybe if you cared about me at all beyond your belief that I need a fucking keeper, you’d know that I’m allergic to pain medicine but that didn’t stop them from pumping me full of it at the ER this morning. That’s why I’m out of sorts. My brain is still trying to shake off the aftereffects.”

He felt sick, and furious. “Yet you’re splashing around in a pond,
where you could drown.
” His voice rose with every word until Tristan was certain he was screaming at her. At some point in his rant, Tristan had come to his feet. The scariest part was that he didn’t remember doing so. Something warm pressed against his leg causing his heart to slam against his chest. His eyes shot to the ground. A groan rose in his throat. Hunter’s dog Brutus sniffed at his shoes. His owner wouldn’t be far behind. Sure enough, the glow of a flashlight moved across the grass before landing on him.

“Tristan?”

Damn. There was no way he could explain a nude Riley. He could kiss his job goodbye. “How’s it going, Hunter?”

As the man closed the distance between them, Tristan could see the frown marring his brow. “What are you doing out here in the middle of the night?”

“Just out for a stroll,” Tristan answered immediately, thankful it wasn’t a complete lie. “I didn’t realize how far off my own property I’d gone until I reached the pond. Guess I was lost in thought.” Tristan cast a nervous glance at the water while trying not to draw too much attention to the action. He wasn’t quick enough. Hunter shined the light across the water. Riley was gone. Keeping his features carefully blank, he searched the pond with his gaze, hoping she hadn’t drowned while his back had been turned.

“Couldn’t sleep, eh? Same here.” Tristan turned his attention back to Hunter at the man’s words. He obviously hadn’t spotted anything out of the ordinary. Tristan was trying not to panic. Where was Riley? Hunter shook his head. “It’s hard to believe Harmony’s been gone for years now, but I find myself out here more and more often at this time of night. Guess that night will always stick with me. Now, I find myself wandering out this way at the oddest hours.” Tristan couldn’t say a word. For the first time since Harmony died, Tristan hadn’t been thinking about her at all when he’d come here. Riley filled his head now. Even as she splashed in the same water that had claimed his wife and in-laws, he hadn’t spared a thought for them. Of course, now that Riley was missing and Hunter raised the topic, he couldn’t stop worrying about Riley’s safety.

“What you got there boy?”

Tristan had become so obsessed with Riley’s whereabouts, he didn’t understand Hunter’s question right away. His confusion turned to horror as Hunter stooped and pried something from Brutus’ mouth. The white lace bra and pink t-shirt Hunter held between his hands were unmistakably Riley’s. Tristan bit back a groan. With his eyes locked on his hands, Hunter seemed to weigh the scraps of material he held, moving a few feet away, he found the other half of Riley’s clothes. Tristan stared at the top of Hunter’s bent head, praying harder than he had in years, and that was saying something.

“I know I’ve seen these before but darned if I can remember where.” Lifting his gaze, he flashed the light around the surrounding fields and into the nearby tree line. “I wonder what they’re doing out here?”

Luckily, Tristan didn’t have to pretend as if he was searching out the owner of the clothes, as well. He really was. “I have no idea,” he muttered under his breath, before saying louder, “It looks as if their owner is long gone now.”

Tristan watched in horror as he stuffed the clothing under his arm. “I’ll just take them with me. Maybe their owner will turn up wanting them back, or I’ll remember who they belong to if I stare at them long enough.” That was a bit creepy. All Tristan could do was nod. Inside, he was dying. No doubt there were a million ways the night could continue its downhill spiral, but wow, at the moment, he couldn’t think of many. Hunter shook his head again. “Well, Brother Daniels. I’ll leave you to your walk and don’t worry about having wandered off your land. You know you’re always welcome here.”

“You have a good night,” Tristan said, shaking hands and rushing him along. Hunter paused, casting another sad look toward the pond.

“Yep. I think about that night all the time,” he muttered as he walked away, finally leaving Tristan alone with his panic. He watched the other man’s form fade away, trying to wait until he was certain he was alone before freaking out.

“He took my clothes.” The matter of fact words floated from inside some nearby bushes, bringing an immediate smile to Tristan’s face.

“Yes, ma’am. He sure did.”

“Well. Damn.”

Tristan snorted. The instant the sound left him something inside him snapped, and a low chuckle left his lips, followed quickly by a roar of laughter. Relief and adrenaline pooled together in his blood making Tristan almost delirious. This was easily the most ludicrous thing he’d experienced in a long time. He’d never felt more alive.

***

Tristan’s deep laughter poured through the woods, caressing Riley’s ears. She pressed her forehead against the tree she hid behind, allowing the bark to bite into her skin. The smile pulling at her lips was beyond her control. Tristan did something to her on the inside. He touched her in some way. She very much feared it was her heart. Making him happy, if only for a minute, made her night. With a deep breath for courage, she stepped into view. The laughter died on his lips. This time, he didn’t look away as she moved toward him. Even in the dark, she could see the way his eyes flashed with lust. Before she reached him, Tristan tugged his shirt over his head. Her steps faltered. His body was even better than she imagined. When she didn’t move any closer, Tristan closed the distance between them. Rendered mute, she could only watch as he pulled the shirt over her head and tucked her arms inside the sleeves as if dressing a child.

Riley let it happen. Her gaze remained locked on his face. She couldn’t look away. With his head bent over his task, his closed expression gave nothing away. She wanted his thoughts. His words. Everything. His eyes followed his hands, carefully avoiding her stare. As he swept her hair from beneath the collar of the shirt and pulled it over one shoulder, his knuckles brushed her nipple. She gasped. A wave of pleasure rolled through her. Every nerve ending in her body fired to life at his touch. He did it again, making her realize the contact had been intentional. Tristan knew exactly what he was doing to her. Her sex quivered. Another slow, torturous stroke moved over her beaded nipple. Her body reacted as if he toyed with her clit. A moan rose in her throat. At the sound, Tristan’s gaze moved to hers. The heat radiating from his stare caused her mouth to go dry. Her fingernails bit into her palms as she fought to keep from touching him. Riley knew if she did, it would break the spell.

Tristan slowly lowered his head. Riley was almost scared to breathe for fear of spooking him. When their slightly parted lips met, they clung. For a moment, they simply shared each other’s oxygen. Even the night seemed to hold its breath in anticipation. The solid warmth of Tristan’s chest hitting her palms made her realize she was sliding them up his body. It was beyond her control. He captured her wrists in a light grip. She knew he was trying not to hurt her already bruised arms, but it was equally obvious he didn’t welcome her touch. Nothing was ever going to change between them. A hint of disappointment rolled through her. His tongue swiped her bottom lip, carrying it away. With her wrists held in one hand, Tristan used the other to continuing torturing her nipple.

Riley was torn between savoring the delicious flavor of Tristan’s mouth and fighting the urge to press her knees together. She needed relief. The way his tongue teased the roof of her mouth before curling around hers and then repeating the pattern had her near to dancing in place in her desire. Her body was on fire. She’d never realized before that her nipples possessed a direct line to her cunt. With every tweak and roll of Tristan’s fingers, she was left with no doubt in the matter now. Her muscles clenched. She rubbed her thighs together. The pad of his thumb brushed the tip of her nipple lightly. Riley whimpered. As if it was the cue he’d been waiting for, Tristan ate at her mouth, coming at her with such force Riley had no choice but to tilt her head back and surrender to his will. Her channel pulsed. Her lips stung. The world spun. Using his forefinger and thumb against her, Tristan rolled the distended bud between his fingers. Light exploded behind her closed lids. The orgasm slamming into her took Riley by surprise.

The knowing grin shaping Tristan’s lips against hers, made Riley realize he’d known what he was doing. Never had such a thing happened to her. She didn’t even know it was possible. Tristan had known. She gasped for air beneath the impact of spasms. Pulling away, Tristan set his forehead against hers and stared into her eyes while she tried to catch her breath. Riley desperately wanted to touch him, but he kept the hold on her wrists, denying her. She knew then, she’d never have his heart. No matter what Riley did, she would always fall short in his eyes. This man was going to destroy her. The knowledge settled on her shoulders like a two-ton brick. Her throat tightened and her nose stung.