White Trash Witch (10 page)

The second the door was closed, he pushed her up
against it, his arms resting on either side of her head, his hips
locked with hers, his knee settled between her legs.

"What was that all about? Hmmm?"

"All what?" she asked, fighting a smile.

"That erotic act of yours at the restaurant. You had
every man there begging to take you home."

"Well, although you took me home, you said good night
and left me, so I guess it didn't work very well, did it?"

"You know very well exactly how much it worked," he
said, grinding his hips against her, his hard staff pressed into
her belly.

Gasping, she said, "I thought that perhaps you'd
already got a new girlfriend. Maybe I was looking for more options.
Now that Lacy is gone, I have an awfully big bed to myself." Her
fingers played with the buttons on his shirt, slowly popping one
opened, then the next as she spoke.

"I have no other girlfriend and well you know it. I
don't do one-night stands. I thought we had something going, but I
guess I was wrong." He growled, watching her lips as she licked
them.

"Maybe I've had time to think about it, and I've come
to a decision," she whispered, leaning forward to kiss his smooth
chest as she released another button.

He sucked in a breath and shuddered beneath her lips
as they continued their sweet assault. Now that the shirt was
undone, she slipped her fingers inside his waistband, undoing the
belt, then the button, followed by the zipper. Sliding her hand
inside his pants, she found him hard and ready. He groaned when she
circled him, moving her warm fingers up and down his shaft.

Ryder grabbed her wrists then pulled her arms up and
pinned them over her head, with one hand. With his free hand, he
started from her knee and slowly worked his way up to her inner
thigh, until he found her mound. He gasped when he realized that
she wasn't wearing underwear, acknowledging that she had power over
him.

Finally, he lost control and dropped his pants,
lifting her up by her buttocks. He thrust upward, bringing a shout
from both of them. Like a man possessed, he held her as close as
possible with his hands on her buttocks.

When he dropped his head on her shoulder, and cried
out, he began to climax, shooting his seed deep within her. She was
right behind him, his thumb helping her along as it rubbed over her
nub.

Her arms around him, Wiley held on, gasping for air.
Instead of letting her down, Ryder took her to the bed, still
resting within her. He lay them down on the mattress side-by-side,
and remained silent while their hearts and breaths slowed.

It was some time before either could speak, but Wiley
was the first to talk.

"I missed you."

"I doubt you could miss me even half as much as I
missed you. I couldn't eat, barely slept, and wasn't able to focus
at the office. You're like a blanket that covers my every waking
minute. Even my dreams are filled with you, Wiley."

For a moment she blinked and stared, and then hugged
him. "That's the most beautiful thing anyone's ever said to
me."

"It's the truth, my white witch."

"That's white trash witch!" she teased.

"Trash isn't a word I would associate with you.
Treasure is more likely."

"You are so sweet, Ryder," she murmured, kissed his
cheek, nibbled on his chin then swirled her tongue in his
dimple.

"Compliments get you dessert," he said, hardening
inside her.

"Mmmm, dessert. Do you have any whipped cream and
cherries in the fridge?" she asked, grinning.

"Don't move," he said and raced out of the room,
completely naked. Wiley's laughter followed him.

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The day Dara was released from hospital, Ryder had
his driver take them back to Salem in a limousine so that she could
lie down for the trip. Dara slept the entire way, leaving an
uncomfortable silence between Wiley and him.

"It was nice of you to help my family, Ryder."

"Wiley, I did it because I wanted to. Please, stop
thanking me. Your family has already done that ten times over."

"Still, not many people would be so kind."

"Wiley!"

"All right, I'll stop," she said, letting loose a
nervous giggle, when inside she was dying. This is it. I'll go
about my life, and he'll continue with his. We'll never see each
other again.

As though reading her mind, Ryder took her hand in
his.

"Wiley, can we talk about us?"

"You know there is no us. You're rich and handsome,
everything I hate in a man. I can't continue to see you. It hurts
too much."

"What about the past two weeks. Didn't they mean
anything to you?" he cried, an angry red flush on his cheeks.

"Of course they did, but you know I've already been
hurt by someone like you and"

Ryder grabbed her arms and turned her to face him,
giving her a gentle shake. "You have to stop comparing me with that
loser you married. The man must have been insane to let you go.
Wiley, at least give us a chance."

Her heart full of agonizing pain, she fought back
tears, and shook her head.

"I can't. I won't take the chance. Thank you for all
you've done, but I'm not going to change my mind about this, so
stop badgering me."

Though tears flowed down her cheeks, she refused to
swipe at them, more concerned about him leaving her alone.

"Fine!" he snapped, releasing her. "We should be
arriving in a few minutes. I'll get you settled, and then I'm
leaving." A tick in his jaw showed the control he used to keep from
showing her his true feelings. His anger was so great, she could
practically taste it.

Wiley wanted to ease his pain.

"Would you like me to make you a soothing spell to
forget me?"

She was stunned when he reacted completely opposite,
and shouted, "Stop it! I'm a man, not a fool. You can't simply wave
your magic wand and make this go away."

"I…I'm sorry. I thought it would help you."

"Keep your magic to yourself, witch."

"What's going on," Dara asked, awakened by the
yelling.

All Wiley could do was shake her head, and avert her
tear ravaged face. Hurt deeply by the rebuff, she stopped talking
for the rest of the trip.

As soon as the bags were stowed on the front deck of
the house, Ryder stood by the car for a moment and stared at her,
as though to give her a chance to change her mind, but she turned
and went inside with her sister. The sound of the car leaving
brought Wiley to her knees as sobs took over.

"You're a fool to let him go, no matter what your ex
did to you, Wiley. This man truly loves you, and by the look of it,
you love him too," Dara said, her eyes filled with pain for her
sister.

Their mother stood in the doorway. "I agree. Let's
get your sister up to bed. You'll have lots of time to think about
the fact that you just made the biggest mistake of your life."

"Stop it, both of you. I've had enough of being
painted the bad guy. He's not right for me."

Her mother looked at her with sadness in her gaze.
"Who is? Victor?

"Oh, mom, how can you even ask me that?" She burst
into tears and raced to her room.

"Well, I hope you're happy with yourself, you creep.
Now they'll never know if they could make it in a relationship,"
Sera yelled.

Zan nodded his agreement, but Nigel only laughed with
delight.

"It worked out better than I'd hoped. You lose, and I
win."

Eyes narrowing in anger, Sera shook her head. "Not by
a long shot. This isn't over."

"Sure it is. Admit it."

He seemed surprised when she laughed.

"You can't stop true love."

"Watch me," Nigel snapped. He disappeared, leaving
behind cruel laughter.

The weeks that passed after that fateful day were
slow and painful. Wiley took on another job, and kept herself
busier than ever. Each time she stopped for a breath, Ryder's face
hovered there, the love shining out of his eyes.

"Wiley, what are you doing now?" Victor asked.

She'd decided to work at the precinct to keep
going.

"I'm cleaning the cells. You can move some of the
prisoners to the clean one so I can do the next one, then I'll do
the two washrooms, the small office, and the large office. Mr.
Winkle is waiting for his extra order of Danish, and Mom still
needs help with Dara. The least you can do is make them move out
faster so I can get busy."

"Stop! Stop running around like a chicken with its
head cut off. You need to slow down, Wiley."

She suddenly turned and faced him, anger making her
cheeks burn. It seemed like a locomotive had just stalled her in
her tracks, and she was having no part of it.

"Don't you dare tell me what I should or shouldn't
do, Victor. No man tells me what to do."

"Ever since that loser left town, you've been acting
weird. I have a little gift for you to help you get over your
infatuation with him. Here, take a look at this." Victor threw a
file down on the desk and waited for her to read it.

Wiley stared at it for the longest time, afraid to
see what might be inside. Finally, she lifted the folder, and
opened it. Within minutes she was bawling like a baby, and Victor
made the mistake of trying to comfort her. When he attempted to
take her in his arms, she shoved him away.

"How dare you! You show me this now when all the time
he's been in such pain. Oh, Victor, I can't believe you."

"What are you talking about? The man's a fake. He
spent his youth in foster care, detention centers, and seldom went
to school because he hung out with gang members. I told you he's
trouble."

She shook her head. "Don't you see, Victor? Ryder had
nothing, and no one his entire life, yet instead of hoarding his
money and treating us like pariahs, he opened his wallet, his home,
and his arms when we needed him most. I'm a fool of the worst
kind."

"You're wrong, Wiley. He's trouble. I knew it the
minute I met him. Let's go out for dinner and a drink tonight and
I'll prove it to you."

"I've told you a hundred times that I'm not going to
go out with you."

"Why?"

"You know that too. Please, stop asking me."

"I'll stop asking when you say yes."

Wiley placed her palm on her forehead and groaned.
She'd been feeling feverish and weak all day. Her resistance
lowered, she snapped, "Fine! Take me out, but then you'll stop
asking. Deal?"

"We'll see how the night goes first."

"Then no deal."

She turned to walk away, but he snapped a handcuff on
her wrist and one on his.

"What are you doing?" she cried.

"Until you agree to go out with me, we're a
pair."

"Oh, for heaven sakes." Wiley wiggled her fingers,
and the cuff came off.

"Damn it! You are the most infuriating woman."

"Hey, witch. Come on over here and open my cell. I'll
help you clean it real fast."

The man was unkempt and smelled like a brewery.

"Harvey, the only way you'll leave that cell is if
Victor lets you out. You know better than to ask. You need a
shower, and a change of clothing." This time she twirled her finger
and he spun in a circle. When he finally stood straight again, he
was washed and dressed in clean clothing.

"I want you to come out with me tonight, Wiley.
Please?"

After releasing a slow sigh, she nodded. "Okay,
Victor. Tonight only, and no funny stuff."

The room suddenly spun as she stared up at him. She
grabbed the desk to right herself.

"What's wrong?" Victor took her chin in hand, and
looked her in the eye. "You're burning up. You have a high
fever."

"I'm fine. Now, are you going to move the prisoners,
or do I have to?"

"Only if you promise you won't overdo it. You look
exhausted."

Wiley didn't tell him that she hadn't slept for more
than a few hours a night since the day she last saw Ryder. She was
heartsick.

"I agree to your terms, for now."

While he moved the first prisoner, Wiley cleaned the
first cell, then he moved the next one, the town drunk, and she
cleaned another. By the time she was finished all five, it was time
to vacuum, dust, empty the waste baskets, and put her cleaning
supplies away, she was panting for breath and sweating.

"I'll see you at seven, Wiley."

She blinked as she stared up at Victor, not sure what
he was talking about.

"Seven?"

"I'm picking you up for our date." His expression
grew angry as he glared at her.

"Oh, date…right."

Wiley thought about Ryder's file, and felt a wave of
sadness crash through her heart. He was out of her life for good.
Tears threatened as she wavered on her feet.

"Are you all right, Wiley?"

She nodded. "I'm fi—" The world shifted around her as
everything went black.

A light flashed in her eye, causing her to cringe.
Wiley awoke quickly, trying to sit up, but someone held her
shoulder down. She moaned, her head feeling fuzzy. Victor stood
looking down at her, his face a mask of fear.

"What happened?" she asked, shivering with cold.

"I guess you'll do anything to get out of a date with
me," Victor said, trying to keep it light. He appeared to be
worried for her.

She shook her head, cringing when it began to
pound.

"I'm sorry, Victor. I have no idea what's going on
here."

The paramedic kneeling beside her checked her vitals
then spoke.

"You passed out. You have a high fever, and from what
I hear from Victor, you work too hard."

"Oh. I'm okay. I still have work to do."

Victor frowned. "You're not doing anything but
letting me drive you home, and put you to bed. You're sick,
Wiley."