by Elle James
“No, silly,” Lydia said. “I made a mistake about our, you know, our little divorce thingy.”
“Our divorce thingy?” Rider looked at her as if she’d grown another head. “Our divorce is final.”
Lydia stared across at him. “I know. I was there at the signing. But does it have to be final?” She closed the distance between them and touched her fingertip to his chest. “I mean, we once were in love.”
Rider grabbed her finger and moved it away from his chest. Lydia pulled her hand back and studied it as though looking for grease spots.
“You have to admit,” Rider said. “What love we might have felt for each other was long gone by the time you decided to sleep with my partner.”
Lydia pressed her pretty pink lips together in a tight line. “Are you going to hold that against me forever?”
“Lydia, you cheated on me.” Rider shook his head. “Where I come from, people don’t forgive cheating. There’s a reason for the cheating. At least one of the people involved no longer loves the other person. Lydia, I don’t think you ever truly loved me.”
“Of course, I loved you, Rider.” Lydia walked toward him again, her hand outstretched.
Rider backed away, holding his hand up. “Don’t touch me, Lydia. You’ll get your hands dirty.”
“But, Rider, darling,” Lydia said, “I want you to come home to me.”
Rider shook his head. “This is my home, Lydia. I told you a long time ago that I wanted to come back to Hellfire. You didn’t want to come. Are you telling me you want to come now?”
Lydia looked around the garage again and shook her head. “Of course not. I want you to come back to Dallas with me.”
“Why, Lydia?” Rider demanded. “Did your daddy cut you off from the trust fund?”
“Daddy’s got this silly thought in his head that I need to go to work for his firm.”
“You mean, your father’s finally going to make you work for your money?”
Lydia sucked in a deep breath and let it out on a huff. “Daddy doesn’t understand that I don’t get the numbers games.”
“Your daddy has a business to run. He just wants you to understand how money is made and how best to spend it.”
“I know how to spend money. It’s making it that has me baffled.”
“Lydia, what you need is to go to work for a minimum wage job to understand exactly how much it takes to live on a minimum wage salary. Then perhaps, you’d understand more about the amounts you spend on your shoes.”
“And what’s wrong with my shoes? “Lydia stared down at the white pumps she wore with her white suit and made a face. “Oh dear, look, there’s a little black spot on my shoe.” She pulled a tissue from her small designer handbag and bent to dab at the dot on her white shoe. The dot smeared into a line, and she grimaced. “Now, look at what you’ve done,” she whined. “My shoe is ruined.”
“Lydia, I didn’t ask you to come to Hellfire.” Rider tipped his head toward the garage door. “Go home to Dallas. Go home to your daddy, Lydia.”
Lydia frowned. “Does this have anything to do with the woman who bid for you at the auction last night?”
Rider frowned. “What do you know about the auction?”
Lydia shrugged. “I might have been there…” She ran her gaze from the top of his head to the tip of his boots. “I never expected to see Rider Grayson strutting his stuff on a stage with a lot of women hooting and hollering like heathens.”
“The auction was to raise money for the children of the tri-county area.” Rider said.
“I get that. I’m not stupid,” Lydia said.
From Rider’s perspective, Lydia was not stupid when it came to manipulation and working people. She may not understand numbers and where money came from, but she was not stupid when it came to dealing with people. “Lydia, the auction had nothing to do with you,” Rider said.
Lydia’s eyes narrowed. “So, the woman who bought you is nothing but a stranger?”
“I didn’t say that,” Rider said.
Lydia’s eyes narrowed to slits. “Then she does mean something to you,” Lydia said as a statement, not as a question.
“If she means something to me,” Rider said, “that has absolutely nothing to do with you.”
Lydia crossed her arms over her chest. “You’re saying I mean nothing to you, after all the time we were married?”
“Obviously, I meant nothing to you, Lydia,” Rider said. “Otherwise you wouldn’t have slept with my partner.”
Her expression crumpled. “But, Rider, I was lonely. You were never home. What was a girl supposed to do?”
Rider had to admit that he’d worked late hours many nights, trying to prove himself as a financial planner in her father’s firm. But that hadn’t given her the right to fool around in his bed, with his partner. “Lydia, the point is, we are divorced.”
Lydia touched her fingers to his chest. “But it doesn’t have to be that way.”
Rider took her hand in his and pulled it away from his chest. “Yes, it does.”
“But I don’t want to be divorced.”
“It’s too late, Lydia,” Rider said. “What’s done is done. I have no desire to be married to you anymore. I have no love left for you.”
“Oh, Rider, you don’t mean that.” Lydia slipped one of her hands around his neck. “There has to be some little flicker of love still left inside.”
Rider shook his head. “Nope.”
Lydia wrapped her other hand around the back of his neck. “Are you sure about that?”
“Absolutely positive,” Rider said in clear concise words.
“Kiss me,” Lydia said. She leaned up on her toes and pressed her lips against his.
With Lydia’s lips pressed against his, Rider could only think about Selena and how different the two women were. Where Selena was curvy, warm and passionate, Lydia was cold, stiff and annoying.
He didn’t want the kiss. He hadn’t asked for the kiss. But he suffered it to prove to himself that he really did have no more feelings for Lydia.
He’d much rather be kissing Selena.
The sound of metal clattering against concrete outside the garage made him push Lydia away and look around. A movement caught his eye, but he couldn’t tell who it was or where they were going. When he tried to push Lydia away, she clung to him, holding her ground and refusing to let him set her aside.
“Oh, come on, Rider,” Lydia said. “You know you love me. You can’t stop loving a person that quickly.”
“Lydia, I didn’t stop loving you that quickly. It happened over time.” He set her away from him and turned her toward the door, giving her a gentle push. “Go back to Dallas.”
She turned back to him. “But I can’t go back,” she frowned. “Daddy will make me work.”
“Is that all I am to you?” Rider asked. “A way to pay your bills and let you live in the lifestyle to which you’ve become accustomed?”
“But, Rider, honey, the alimony doesn’t go far enough. I can’t afford my penthouse apartment on such a paltry amount.”
“Then move, Lydia.” Rider picked up a greasy oil can and held it between him and Lydia as a shield.
It was effective. Lydia maintained a distance between the oil can and her white pant suit. “But I can’t move to another apartment. The penthouse is where I live. What would my friends think?”
“They might think that you’re divorced now, and that you might have to live a little more within your means.” Rider had a hard time feeling sorry for the woman. “Lydia, you got everything you’re going to get out of me in the divorce decree. I’m paying you alimony for another year, and then you’re on your own. I recommend you either get a job as your father has suggested, or you find another husband willing to support you and your lifestyle.”
Lydia stomped her foot. “But my daddy likes you.” She frowned. “You won’t change your mind, will you? You came back to Hellfire because of her, didn’t you?” Lydia stared at him.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I came back to Hellfire, because it’s my home.” Rider pointed to the door. “Go home, Lydia. You don’t belong in Hellfire. You never wanted to come here. I don’t know why you’re here now.”
“I came to bring you back to your senses,” Lydia sneered. “You belong in Dallas. You’re wasting your talents here in Hellfire. I mean, really, a grease monkey?” She looked around the garage with obvious distaste marring her brow.
“You see it as wasting my talents. I see it as using my talents.” Again, Rider pointed toward the door. “Lydia, we never had anything in common, face it. We weren’t meant to be together. Go back to Dallas and forget about me. Find yourself a new husband. Find yourself a new life. Or get a job. You might like it.”
Lydia snorted, a very un-ladylike sound. “I should have known you had another woman in your life. Had I known that, I would have asked for more money in the divorce decree.”
Tired of the discussion, Rider hooked Lydia’s arm with his hand and marched her toward the door.
“Un-hand me,” she said. She jerked her arm loose from his grip and stared down at the grease marks he’d left on her white jacket. “Now, see what you’ve done? You stained my suit.”
“You’re trespassing, Lydia. Leave before I call the sheriff and have him escort you out of my shop.”
Lydia harrumphed. “Well, I’ve never been treated this disrespectfully.”
“Well, maybe someone should have. Then maybe you’d get the hint you’re not welcome.”
Lydia lifted her chin. “You’ll be sorry.”
“I’m sorry I let our marriage last as long as it did.” Again, Rider reached for her arm.
Lydia stepped away and outside of the shop. “This isn’t over.”
Rider shook his head. “Yes, it is, Lydia.” He glanced at a shiny tin lying on the ground beside the shop door. It looked just like the one Selena had brought the day before, filled with cookies. His heart constricted in his chest when he realized Selena must have been there earlier while he was talking with Lydia. He wondered if she’d seen Lydia kiss him. That thought made him want to get rid of Lydia even more.
“Lydia, go away.” Rider pointed toward her car. “Now.”
Lydia opened her mouth to protest.
Rider raised his hand. “Just go. Not another word.”
Lydia pressed her lips together, turned and walked away. After she climbed into her car and drove off, Rider realized he had some damage control to do.
Lydia drove out of the parking lot, into the street, made a U-turn and drove straight back toward the garage, aiming straight at Rider. Rider had been so engrossed in his thoughts about Selena he didn’t realize until the last minute what Lydia was doing. As her car bumped up on the curb and raced toward him, he flung himself to the side and rolled to his feet.
Lydia’s car hit one of the other vehicles he had been working on, knocking it off the jacks, onto its metal wheels.
“Are you crazy?” Rider shouted.
Lydia rolled her window down. “Admit it, Rider Grayson. You love this place more than you ever loved me.”
“You’re right, Lydia,” Rider said. “I never loved you as much as I love my home. Now, leave. I’m calling the police.” He pulled out his phone and dialed his brother’s number. When Nash answered, he spoke loud enough for Lydia to hear. “I’d like to report a trespasser and an attack with a deadly weapon.”
Lydia glared, shifted into reverse and backed out of the parking lot. The bumper on her Audi hung loose and scratched against the pavement. Banged-up bumper and all, she drove out of Hellfire and hopefully back to where she belonged.
“Hey, Rider, what’s happening?” Nash asked.
Rider had forgotten that he’d dialed his brother’s number. “Just had a visit from the ex.”
Nash chuckled. “I bet that was pleasant.”
“Put her on your list of suspects for the spray paint job,” Rider said.
Nash whistled. “You think she might have done it?”
“I wouldn’t put it past her,” Rider said. “She is one angry bitch.”
CHAPTER 8
WHEN THE ALARM on her watch had gone off that morning, Selena had stretched between the sheets, feeling the cotton slide across her naked skin. Sun shone through the window warming her body, reminding her of the heat she and Rider had created between them the night before.
A smile spread across her lips even as she felt the empty bed beside her. Rider being gone didn’t bother her. She had a vague memory of him carrying her up the steps and laying her on the bed in the wee hours of the morning. He had laid her on the bed and kissed her gently before closing the door behind him as he’d left. The man was enough of a gentleman to save her the embarrassment of being caught naked on Lola’s couch in the morning.
Knowing she had less than an hour to get ready for work, she still couldn’t help lingering in the bed, reliving the memory of making love with Rider the night before. All her life she had dreamed of kissing Rider and, as she’d gotten older, of making love with him. Last night, all those dreams had come true. Only making love with him had been so much better than she’d imagined.
Fully awake, she couldn’t wait to see him again. She tossed the blankets aside, sat up in bed and swung her legs over the side. In less than a minute, she was dressed in the clothes she’d worn the night before, pulled her shoes on and gathered all her things to carry to the apartment over the garage. As quietly as she could, she left the bedroom and tiptoed down the stairs toward the front entryway.
She was reaching for the doorknob when a voice called out, “Good morning, Selena.” Lola stood at the entry to the kitchen. She held up a pair of panties that were obviously Selena’s. “I found these in the kitchen. They aren’t mine, so unless Rider has a thing for wearing ladies’ underwear, I’m assuming they’re yours.” She grinned from ear to ear. “I suppose your night went so much better than you’d planned.”
Heat rose in Selena’s cheeks as she took the panties from Lola’s hand. “Sorry about that.”
Lola shrugged. “I’m just glad somebody’s getting some. I don’t suppose you’d share all the juicy details with a lonely old widow.”
More heat rushed into Selena’s cheeks, and she shook her head. “Sorry. I don’t kiss and tell.”
“Well, it doesn’t hurt to ask,” Lola said. “I do like to live vicariously when I can’t get a man in my bed.”
“Lola, honey,” Selena said, “you should have no problem whatsoever getting a man in your bed. You’re a beautiful woman.”
“Oh, I know that,” Lola said. “But I’m kind of picky. Lately, I’ve had my sights set on one man, and one man only.”
Selena frowned. “Anybody I know?”
“Oh, I’ve had my sights set one of the Grayson brothers.” Lola held up her hands. “Don’t worry. Not Rider.”
Selena narrowed her eyes. “You were bidding on Chance Grayson the other night. Is that the Grayson brother you’ve got your sights set on?”
Lola’s smile spread across her face again. “I guess it’s no secret I’ve got the hots for Chance Grayson. But I’m not interested in a long-term relationship. I had that with Mr. Engel, and it was lovely. I don’t think I’ll ever find a man that I want to spend the rest of my life with. But, a little romp in the bed wouldn’t hurt. And a romp in the bed with Chance Grayson would be incredible, I’m sure. What about you?” Lola said. “How did you let Rider get away so early in the morning?”
“I didn’t know he’d left.” Selena shrugged. “Perhaps he had to get to work early this morning.”
“Well, what are you waiting for? The man has to be hungry. And you know how he loves your cookies. Take him some cookies. What are you waiting for?” Lola shooed her toward the door. “Go get your man.”
Glad for the invitation to leave and to avoid any more awkward questions, Selena opened the door and stepped outside into the sunshine. And what a glorious morning it was. She hurried over
to her apartment and climbed the stairs, trying to ignore the harsh words spray-painted on the side of the building. She unlocked the door, let herself in and dropped her things on the counter.
Once inside, she hurried to the closet, took out a fresh shirt and jeans and dressed quickly for work at the convenience store. She pulled her hair back into a messy bun, letting some strands fall along the side of her face to soften her appearance. In the kitchenette, she gathered the best of the remaining cookies into a colorful tin. Then she slung her purse over her shoulder, hugged the cookie tin under her arm and stepped out of the apartment.
The sun shone down. The air was cool and smelled of freshly cut grass and honeysuckle. Since the convenience store was only a few blocks away, she usually walked to work. On the way there, she’d pass by Rider’s garage. She’d just stop in and drop off the cookies. If they just happened to kiss, well, then so be it.
She set off with a skip in her step and a happy song playing through her head. When she arrived at Rider’s garage, she noticed a sleek, expensive red car parked in the parking lot. It wasn’t a vehicle she recognized as coming through the convenience store to fill up for gas. She supposed it might belong to an out-of-towner who’d stopped, needing some kind of oil change or tire repair.
With a happy smile on her face, she stepped out of the bright sunshine into the darkness of the garage in time to see a blonde-haired woman throw her arms around Rider’s neck and kiss him as if there would be no tomorrow.
Selena stood for a moment in absolute stunned shock. Unable to move. Unable to voice a word. When Rider’s hands rose to grip the woman’s hips, something inside Selena triggered her to finally move. She dropped the tin and ran from the garage all the way to the convenience store.
When she burst through the shop’s door, her boss stepped back from cleaning fingerprints off the glass. “Good morning, Selena. It’s going to be a gorgeous day.”
Selena blew past him into the store and headed straight for the bathroom. Once inside, she turned, locked the door and faced the mirror. She looked at her reflection, her eyes wide and filled with tears. Pressing her hands to her cheeks, she fought those tears to keep them from falling. But she didn’t win that battle. Tears streamed down her cheeks and dripped from her chin into the porcelain sink. Why, oh why, had she thought that she and Rider Grayson would ever be a thing?