White Trash Witch (7 page)

"I'll leave you the cell phone number for my driver.
He's at your beck and call, twenty-four hours a day."

"You're a kind man, Ryder," Lila said. Kissing Lacy
and Wiley on their cheeks, she turned to go, but stopped for a
moment. She reached up and kissed Ryder on his cheek too.

His face flushed with heat. "Let's get you two home."
With a hand on each of the girl's shoulders, he led them to the
elevator.

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Closing Lacy's bedroom door quietly behind her, Wiley
turned and threw her arms around Ryder, and hugged him close. His
strong arms surrounded her, and his lips brushed her forehead.

"I'll give you the tour of the house tomorrow. Would
you like a drink to calm you down?" he asked.

"Ha! A drink to calm me down! A drink to kill people,
and a drink to practically kill my poor sister! Why was alcohol
ever created?" she said, breaking down and crying. They still stood
in the hall. Ryder didn't want to wake Lacy, so he picked Wiley up
and carried her to the bedroom beside his. After closing the door
behind him, he walked over to the large lazy-boy chair, and sat in
it with her in his lap.

"Hush now. Wiley, one drink doesn't make you an
alcoholic. It's a disease. I'm not excusing him, but he probably
doesn't even think he has a problem."

"I'm so afraid that I'll lose my sister," she
cried.

"Have a little faith, Wiley. The doctor told your
parents that her chances of survival look good."

Lifting her head, Wiley asked, "Why are you doing all
this?" Her cheeks were lined with teardrops. It broke his heart to
see her so upset.

"All what?" he asked, confused.

"One minute you're fishing and watching movies, and
the next you take on my whole family, and help us. Why?"

"It's just who I am. Wouldn't you do the same if the
situations were reversed?"

"Well, yeah, but there aren't too many people that
think the way I do."

Taking a tissue from the end table, he handed it to
her, and she blew her nose.

"Better?" he asked.

"Better."

"Now, do you want a drink? Hot chocolate? Milk,
coffee, tea, pop…"

Laughing, she shook her head. Suddenly she stopped
and stared at him. He knew that she saw was a balding man in his
early thirties with the kindest eyes she'd ever seen. She cupped
his cheek with her hand, and he tipped his head, leaning into
it.

In a blink, her lips were on his, and she moaned.
Pulling him closer, she met his tongue thrust for thrust and he
began to spin out of control. He wanted her like no other. He'd
never felt such strong passion with anyone else.

Her fingers began unbuttoning his shirt, and he
pulled away.

"Wait. Baby, I'm more than willing to go that route,
but I want you to make sure that it's what you really want. Please
tell me you won't regret this tomorrow."

"I've wanted you since I first landed on your lap in
the diner. Make love to me, please, even if it's only for tonight.
I need you. I want you so."

Ryder hugged her close and kissed her again,
threading his fingers through her silky hair.

"Oh, Wiley, you are so beautiful, inside and out," he
whispered, his voice husky with passion.

"So are you. Kiss me again, she murmured, undoing the
last button on his shirt and pushing it down his arms.

Releasing her only long enough to get out of his
shirt, he went right back to her, circling her waist in his arms.
His hands slowly moved up her torso until they were stopped by her
breasts. Using his thumbs, he caressed the bottom of the soft
globes. His mouth commanded hers while his fingers found the clasp
to her bra, releasing her from it.

Wiley whipped the shirt and bra over her head,
allowing him access to her breasts. She moaned when his lips closed
on her nipple, and he gently tugged on it with his teeth. Her hands
cupped his head, pulling him closer still.

Picking her up, Ryder carried her to the bed, laying
her gently upon it. As Wiley struggled to remove her jeans, he
undid his and dropped them to the floor, along with his boxers.
Leaning forward, he took over for her, slipping her jeans off, then
coming back to slowly slip her lace panties off.

"God, you are beautiful," he said, lying down beside
her, his eyes on her satin skin. He trailed his fingers over her
abdomen, amazed that she was so perfect. Even the tiny scars on her
legs were beautiful.

"Please," she begged.

"Wait. There's something I have to tell you. I'm
not—."

She placed her fingers over his lips, and shook her
head. "Not now. Please, don't talk. I need you, Ryder.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

At her nod, he reached for his pants and pulled out a
condom, putting it on. When finished, he kissed her, baring his
heart.

"Now. I want you inside me, now," she murmured amid
kisses.

"Let's take it slow, honey."

"No! I want you right now. We can go slowly another
time if you want to."

"Oh, Wiley, you're killing me."

"Shhh…"

He didn't resist, kissing her hard. She didn't
either, their passion, increasing with her moans. When he found her
hot canal with his fingers, he groaned. Inserting a finger, he
found her ready for him. Lost, he covered her with his body,
kissing her until he couldn't think anymore.

With one quick thrust he was deep inside, moaning
right along with her. Shudders of passion shook him as he began
moving, using his hands to cup her buttocks. Incredibly, she took
all of him, her hips shifting with his body.

"Faster, please," she said, gasping. She shivered as
he took control, and built up their passion.

Waves of feeling washed over him when they both
tensed as ecstasy built between them.

Suddenly, she gasped and released his lips, pulling
him toward her. "Please, oh, please," she cried, shrieking when she
started to climax.

Feeling the pulsing heat beckoning to him, he let go
and followed her over the gaping chasm, losing himself in the wild
sensations she shared.

Long moments later, she tapped his shoulder.

"Mmm?" he moaned, his face hidden beside her
neck.

"Are you alive?" she murmured.

"Mmm-hmmm."

"I'm not sure I am," she whispered.

"Mmm…ehur," he mumbled against her neck.

"What?"

"Me, either," he said more clearly.

"Wow," she said, kissing his forehead.

"Wow, wow, wow," he said, slipping out of her and
moving to her side.

"I just have to say, wow, you are good!" she said,
then chuckled at his lopsided smile.

"Thank you. I think the same of you."

"I need to call the hospital."

"Sure. The phone's right beside the bed," he said,
climbing of the bed. He went to the adjoining bathroom and cleaned
himself up, returning just as she hung up the phone.

"Mom said that Dara's stable. Dad had to go home. He
has to take care of the farm."

"Did you remind her to call Ronald, my driver if she
wants to come here for a sleep, or to clean up?"

"Yes. She said she wants to stay there tonight. I can
take over tomorrow morning."

"Do you want to eat?"

She shook her head.

"Sleep?"

Once again, she indicated no.

"Ah, watch TV?"

She smiled at him, the curve of her lips sultry, and
beckoning.

"Oh, play poker?"

"Maybe later." With her index finger, she called him
forward.

"At this rate, I might have to take out shares in
condoms and Viagra.

Laughing low in her throat, she kissed him.

Seraphina laughed, pleased with the outcome.

"Sera, it might not last when she finds out about the
real him," Zan said in a worried tone.

The dark angel appeared, grinning at them.

"They haven't got chance." He chuckled, waving his
hand over the couple on the bed.

As they fell into a deep sleep, he glanced over at
her, winking.

"What are you up to?" Zan asked.

"You'll see." His maniacal laughter echoed as he
vanished.

"I'm glad he's gone, but what has he done?" Sera
asked.

Zan shook his head. "I don't know, but we'll find out
soon enough. Let's go ask him."

"Agreed," Sera said. The two angels disappeared.

The world was slow to come back to her as Wiley
gradually awoke. She felt sated, comforted, adored. Ryder had his
arms around her, and she ran her palm along his arm, sighing.
Spooning, she had her back to him, feeling safe and secure. It was
just getting light out, and the room was dim.

Picking up his hand, she kissed his knuckles. She
felt him stir slightly. Long through the night he'd loved her, held
her, supported her. When she'd had fears for her sister, he'd
relieved them. He was everything she wanted in a man, and more. Her
only concern was that he was rich. She believed that if she married
a poor man, he'd be true to her.

Sitting up slightly, she picked up the phone and hit
redial to call the hospital. She'd called many times through the
night. The nurses said that her mother had finally curled up on the
couch in the waiting room and had fallen asleep. Her sister was
doing fine. They were moving her out of ICU later in the day.

Hanging up the phone, she felt better about Dara's
recovery. Careful not to disturb Ryder she eased back down beside
him, turning slightly until she was on her back. She could barely
see him in the dark and lay there studying him. He was handsome.
She liked his wavy, thick, auburn hair, his strong square jaw line
accented with stubble, his…

Suddenly she froze. Thick auburn hair? Strong square
jaw line?" Gasping she eased away from him quickly and then fell
off the bed with a loud "Oomph…"

"Oh, my God!" she cried.

"What's wrong?" Ryder's asked, sitting up on one
elbow.

She peeked over the edge of the bed and pointed her
finger at him, stuttering, "You…you…he…and I…oh, my God!"

Sitting up, Ryder ran his fingers through his hair
and froze. Somehow the spell had worn off, and she saw him as he
truly looked.

Turning on the light, he said, "Now, just a minute,
Wiley. I can explain it."

"You! Gorgeous…oh, God!" she cried, pulling at the
sheet to cover herself.

He climbed out of bed and stood up. Her eyes widened
even more.

"T…tall. Oh, God! What's happening to me…you…no!
You're a wizard!" she squealed.

"I have a good reason for disguising myself. Please,
let me explain."

"No! You…you lied! You…you horrible…you are not
bald!" she shouted, tears springing to her eyes.

"I'm still the same man. I only wanted you to like me
for who I am inside. You saw the real me, no matter what I looked
like on the outside. I'm not like Gerry. I'm nothing like him," he
pleaded, holding his hands out.

Backing up, she tripped and would have fallen, but
for him catching her.

"Let me go. Liar!" she cried, struggling to get
away.

Holding her firm, he kissed her for lack of a better
idea. At first she struggled, and then, after a moment, she melted,
kissing him back. She had her eyes closed, telling herself that he
was Ryder, not this stranger.

Pulling her lips away, she whispered, "Ryder…"

"Ryder. Duncan William, Ryder," he said.

She opened her eyes, and then cringed.

"No! This can't be happening to me!"

"What if I'd done it the other way around? What if
I'd been ugly, bald, and fat in reality? Would you have even given
me a half a chance?"

"I…I…I don't know, maybe. I hate gorgeous men! They
lie. Just like you lied to me!" she snarled, pulling away.

"I had to lie. I was being chased by some unsavory
characters. The ones you dumped the food on. Oh, thank you for
that, by the way. If I hadn't disguised myself, they'd have found
me."

"Chased? Why?" she asked, stilling her movements.

"Their boss is a mobster who wants to invest in my
computer business. I told him no, and now his hoods are trying to
get a hold of me and take me to him to force me to let him buy into
it."

"What about the police?" she whispered,
trembling.

"They can't do a thing without proof. I have to keep
dodging them until I can figure out a way to protect myself."

"What about the FBI?" she murmured.

"This is Canada. We have CSIS, the Canadian Secret
Intelligence Service. I already tried that. They can't help either
unless I get proof."

"Oh." Still trembling, she gently pulled away from
him, and sat on the side of the bed.

"Please don't be angry with me. I didn't mean to hurt
you. I'd never willingly hurt you, Wiley."

She flopped back on the bed, and closed her eyes.

"My worst nightmare comes true. That's just great!"
she said to herself. She thought about their past three days
together, and how much fun they'd had. How he'd stood up for her
with Gerry and even with Victor. She thought about how he'd rushed
her to Toronto to bring her to her sister, and take care of her,
and her family. He was everything she'd ever hoped for in a man,
except that he was rich and gorgeous, and he'd lied to her!

"I was going to tell you, just not in such a dramatic
way. Things happened so fast last night. There was no time to
prepare you." Lying down beside her he traced her lip with his
finger.

"You swear you didn't mean to hurt me?" she asked,
turning to face him.

"I swear."

Sighing, she nodded.

"I…I'll have to think about this. You lied to me,
just like my ex."

"I'm not like Gerry! I swear it. When I have a
relationship, I want only one girl. Wiley, have a little faith in
me. Sure I lied, but I was in disguise before I even met you. Those
men would have caught me if I hadn't been. I had to protect
myself."