A Dash of Desire (Spiced Life #2)

by Charity Parkerson

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.”

  “Some things need to be said in person.” Faith’s dire tone set him on edge. When she took a deep breath, seeming almost unsure of herself, warning bells sounded in his head. The moment she began twisting her fingers, his nerves cried “uncle”.

  “Okay. Let me have it.”

  Faith blew out a sigh. “I think this girl needs you,” she said the words in a rush and while cringing as if she hated getting in his business. Honestly. It did go against her nature. She shifted from one foot to the other, adding, “And trust me, I know you’re not running short on people who want a piece of your time, but this is different, because I think you need her too.”

  Tristan shoved his hands in his pockets simply to buy a second of time. Faith’s knowing stare was too much. God help him. Riley was quickly becoming necessary to him. It was ridiculous, he knew. They hadn’t known each other long.

  “Riley makes me feel alive.” Faith’s luminous smile proved he’d said the words out loud. Once it was out there, Tristan couldn’t stop. Everyone came to him with their problems. He’d forgotten how much of a relief it was to have someone around to listen. “It’s been so long since I felt…” Tristan searched for a way to describe Riley’s effect on his soul. “Anything,” he finished, realizing it was the truth. “I know how that sounds, but—”

  Faith jumped in, saving him from further explanation. “No. I get it. That’s the way it works. One day, you’re trucking along, living life the best you know how. Surviving. Then here comes this person who sees you in a light no one else does. They see the side of you that you’ve kept for yourself.”

  Tristan nodded, adding his thoughts to the mix. “The next thing you know, you’re scheming to find ways to see them.”

  “Or like me,” Faith interjected. “Running away.”

  Faith’s confession stole some of the wind from his sails. “Do you think I’m trying too hard?” He’d interrupted her girl’s night out. That was big. Adam and Carter were easily the most intense men he knew, and he didn’t want Riley to think he was controlling. “Dang. I’d forgotten how much of a minefield dating is.”

  “Hush. After having spent the morning studying Riley, I’ve noticed she has a bit of a barbwire, bite-before-being-bitten attitude. It makes me wonder if she’s accustomed to being around people who are not so nice. I think the closer you stick to her side, the quicker she’ll get hooked on having someone being good to her.”

  “You’ve seen her this morning?” Tristan asked.

  “Yeah. She’s at the bakery, working on a social media plan with Adam.”

  Tristan almost growled. He felt it rising in his throat. It didn’t matter that Adam was Faith’s husband. He’d seen the way women looked at the man. Money and influence always seemed to catch their eye.

  “You know, I think I’m in the mood for some cake.”

  With a chuckle, she linked her arm through his, and steered him toward the parking lot. “Oh good. I was hoping you’d say that.”

  ***

  Riley wasn’t anywhere in sight when they arrived at Desserts First. They found Adam hanging out in the corner by himself and playing Solitaire on his phone.

  “Oh no. Did Riley leave?”

  Adam smirked at Faith’s question. “Am I no longer enough for you?”

  Faith swatted his shoulder. “I didn’t ask for me.”

  He captured her hand. “She’s in the office, using the computer.” He touched his lips to the back of her hand, before adding, “With Hunter.”

  Tristan didn’t wait to hear more. He was heading toward Adam’s office before the words died in the air. When the door came into view, Tristan’s heart rate increased when he saw that it was closed. His pace increased. The door bounced against the wall making Tristan realize he’d thrown it open. Hunter and Riley were sitting with their heads together, staring at the computer screen as he stepped into the room. At his over-the-top entrance, the pair looked up wearing matching shocked expressions before exchanging a glance and bursting into peals of laughter. He wasn’t jealous. Maybe.

  Riley was the first to recover. “Hey baby.”

  The endearment soothed his ire a tiny bit, even if her voice was shaking with suppressed giggles as she said it. “Hey,” he said back lamely. “I guess I’m stronger than I realized,” he added as he checked the wall to ensure he hadn’t put a hole in it.

  Riley nodded. “Very brawny.” She waved him over. “You have to see this. I set up a Twitter account for Hunter.”

  Still chuckling, Hunter added to the story. “I just got my first follower. It’s sin.”

  Riley released another snort of laughter. She tried talking past it, making it almost impossible for Tristan to understand her. “Hunter clicked the follow back button, and then you threw open the door.”

  “Like you were here to sav
e the day,” Hunter finished with a chuckle and swiping at his eyes. The pair fell into another fit. The way Tristan’s cheeks ached let him know he wasn’t immune. He shook his head.

  “It seems I’m not going to be able to leave the two of you alone.”

  Hunter pushed to his feet. “This has been fun, but I have to get back to work.” He quickly kissed Riley’s temple before heading for the door. With a pat on Tristan’s back, he was gone. Tristan kicked the door closed behind him.

  “I know it’s stupid, but I’m over-the-top jealous right now. It’s sickening actually how possessive I feel at the moment.” Even Tristan couldn’t believe what he was saying. He couldn’t stop. “I kind of want to run after Hunter right now and puff out my chest all manly-like.”

  Riley giggled. The childlike sound caused something inside him to shift. He realized he was smiling. She was happy and that mattered more to him than any amount of self-doubt. He wanted that, even if Riley never spoke to him again. He just wanted to know she was smiling somewhere in the world. Riley came to her feet.

  “You shouldn’t be, you know.” She circled the desk, until she stood toe to toe with him.

  “I shouldn’t?”

  She shook her head. “Nope.” With her chin tilted up and holding his gaze, Riley wrapped her arms around his waist. The stupid grin on his face wouldn’t die no matter how hard he tried biting it down.

  “Why’s that?”

  Riley shrugged. “Because Hunter likes you. Unlike most the people in this town, who see you as their minister, Hunter thinks you’re a good person and is genuinely your friend.” Okay, so now he felt like a jackass. “He likes me by extension.” Tristan’s eyebrows hit his hairline at that bit. It sounded like a crock to him, but the laughter in her eyes kept him from saying as much. She pinched his side. “Don’t look at me that way. It’s true. He’s hoping you’ll be selfish for once, and take what you want for a change.”

  “He said all of that?” Tristan asked, skeptical.

  She nodded. “He did. People tell me things. Of course, I didn’t tell him that it didn’t matter if you intend to be selfish.”

  The shameless glint in her eye had him dying to see what she would do next. “Why’s that?”

  “Because I’m greedy,” she answered. “I intend to be selfish enough for both of us.” Going up on her toes, Riley touched her lips to his. Tristan’s brain stuttered to a stop. His heart raced. For a moment, the universe held its breath before Tristan buried his fingers in her hair and took control of their kiss. She tasted like summer and happiness. It was heat and spice, controlling his every action. His cock was beating at the zipper of his khakis, attempting to get closer to Riley. He couldn’t control it. Riley was enticing, easily the most dangerous woman he’d ever met. She made him burn.

  The office door opened, slamming into his back and knocking what little sense he had left out of him. Hunter poked his head around it and flushed.

  “Oh. Sorry about that.” He handed Riley a card. With her face buried against Tristan’s chest, she accepted. “I forgot to give you my cell number, so you can text me when you want me to come out and add those deadbolts for you.”

  Riley’s face was red, but Tristan couldn’t tell if it was due to embarrassment or lust. She shifted in his arms long enough to shove the card in her back pocket. “Thanks. I’ll call you sometime tonight.”

  His gaze moved between her and Tristan, taking in every detail. “Again, so sorry.”

  Tristan blew out a breath and dredged up a smile. “Don’t worry over it. We…” He had no idea how to finish that statement. Hunter’s idiotic smile stole away any need for an explanation.

  “I’ll just close this,” Hunter said, doing just that and leaving them alone.

  Riley pressed her forehead to his chest. The shaking of her shoulders told him everything he needed to know, even before her laughter filled his ears. She was having the time of her life watching him twist in the wind.

  Chapter 6

  In all her years, Riley had never been truly angry with Billy. Today was a new day. After four solid days of listening to multiple lectures, Riley had finally given in to her aunt’s demands to attend service at least once. Of course, then Billy had ended up getting called into work as Riley had been getting dressed to leave. Her relief over her near miss lasted only long enough for Billy to guilt trip her into going alone. So here she was, unhappy as hell and with hundreds of eyes boring into the back of her head. Billy’s sins were only slightly worse than Tristan’s. She’d never forgive him for snagging her hand the moment she walked in the door and forcing her into the front row. He was sexy. She wouldn’t kill him. Maybe. The chant ran through her mind several times before she decided she really wouldn’t do well in prison.

  Riley’s nipples hardened, and not in a good way. A chill raced over her skin. The Church of Holy Light kept their thermostat set exactly two degrees below Antarctica as if it made people think they were as far away from the fires of Hell as possible. It was a trick, of course. Riley was closer to its scorching depths than ever before, which was only laughable since she was sitting in the front pew. The one closest to him. The reminder of the sins he dared her to commit warmed her skin until she barely noticed the chill any longer. While the elderly lady to her left clutched her shawl tighter, Riley fanned her face with the weekly newsletter as she watched Tristan deliver his sermon to the congregation. For some reason, his hands mesmerized her until she waved the pages harder. The elderly woman shifted, drawing Riley’s eyes her way. The woman was watching her. Riley flashed her an apologetic grin. No doubt, she was kicking up a breeze that was making the other woman miserable.

  “Fanning yourself won’t don’t you a lick of good. Not with that one right there,” she said, nodding in Tristan’s direction. The motion seemed to catch Tristan’s attention. He met Riley’s gaze and winked. “Oh, girlie. You’re so fucked.”

  Riley pressed her lips together. Unfortunately, in spite of her best efforts, an unladylike snort still escaped her. She covered her mouth. The woman chuckled. Riley liked her already. Dropping to a whisper, Riley openly agreed with her assessment. “One can only hope,” she said with a smile. She held out her hand. “Riley Henderson.”

  “Ah, Marty’s daughter. I should’ve recognized you straight away.” She accepted Riley’s hand, and held on. “Berta Daniels. Tristan’s grandmother.” For a moment of absolute horror, Riley couldn’t respond. Only she could unwittingly tell a man’s grandmother she’d like to fuck him. Surely most people didn’t have such things happen to them on a daily basis. “You’re going to be so much fun,” Berta chirped, pulling Riley from her mortification. “My grandson could use a little adventure in his life.”

  Riley nodded. “Truly. I’m a ride he should experience at least once.”

  Berta chortled, but someone shushed her. The older woman’s features transformed at the sound. She turned a jaundiced eye to the offender. Riley mused over the fact that even her hat appeared to take on an air of intolerance. She almost felt sorry for the person who’d drawn Berta’s ire. That is, until Riley followed the line of her stare to find Emma May blinking innocently.

  “I do not like you,” Berta said loud enough for all to hear, causing Emma to flush. Riley scooted closer holding tighter to Berta’s hand as she turned her attention back to Tristan.

  “We’re going to be the best of friends Mrs. Daniels. I can see it already.”

  Riley’s humor lasted until the end of service. That’s when Tristan had her back to wondering if she could handle prison after all by forcing her to remain at his side as he saw everyone out. He shook hands with an elderly man. She took a step away, intent on making her escape. Tristan stepped on her foot, keeping her in place. Even though he didn’t look her way, she knew it was intentional by the shit-eating grin on his face. She could be someone’s bitch in prison. She could.

  “This is Riley Henderson. She’s Billy’s niece from California. Riley this is Edward Tarpley.”


  “California, eh?” Spit hit Riley in the chest, as the man took her hand in his. She tried not to flinch but her inner germaphobe was sobbing big fat tears.

  “Yes sir.”

  “You do have a sunny shine to you.” Riley held onto her smile by force of will alone. She really wanted to find a way to wipe away the specks of flying saliva, but the man held tight to her hand.

  She had no idea if his words were meant to be a compliment. “Thank you.”

  “Yes ma’am. Such a pretty young woman. I can see why Tristan’s taken with you.”

  God. Make it end. “Thank you.”

  Since Riley’s luck was holding true, Emma May appeared. “Technically, Riley is from Tennessee too. Her mother…” Berta dropped her Bible at Emma’s feet, cutting off her words and leaving her no choice but to pick it up or openly disrespect an elder. She bent and Berta struck. Literally. There was no way it was accident. Spinning in Riley’s direction, her oversized bag smacked Emma in the forehead, knocking her off-balance and leaving her clutching her head. Berta ignored her squawk.

  “Riley,” Berta said, sounding entirely too cheerful as she plucked Riley’s hand out of Edward’s. “I fully expect for you to come with Tristan the next time he visits.”

  Riley wanted to hug her—hard—and then run for her life. Luckily, Tristan was no longer standing on her foot. She could make it. “Yes ma’am. I can’t wait.” She meant it too. Berta said something else but a familiar scent hit her full blast. She knew that cologne. Her gaze shot to the crowd, seeking out its owner. The panic rising in her chest was choking the air from her lungs. She caught a flash of dark hair and expensive business suit before the man slipped outside. It couldn’t be. Please God. Don’t let it be. “Excuse me, Ms. Daniels,” Riley said absently. Without bothering to glance her way to check the older woman’s reaction, Riley headed after the man.

  The sun blinded her for a moment as she stepped through the door. She shielded her eyes against it and searched the parking lot with her gaze. He wasn’t there. The knot in her stomach eased, but the sense of unease lingered. Tristan materialized next to her.