Lie to Me

by Verdenius, Angela

  “She asked for it.”

  “Did she?”

  “She was spreading shit about Ryder.”

  “Didn’t you kind of start that?”

  “No. I said it to Del in her shop.”

  “Public place, sweetheart.”

  “I thought it was empty. How was I to know Yvonne was lurking behind the dress racks?”

  “Yes, I wonder about that, too.” Smoothing his fingers across his chin, he studied her.

  Arching one eyebrow, she kept her gaze on his.

  The seconds stretched past. Longer. Turned into a full minute. His gaze didn’t waver.

  Shit. “I would never deliberately hurt Ryder.”

  “I know.”

  “So why the wondering?”

  “Dee, words can come back to bite you on the arse when you least expect it. It’s kind of wise to be careful what you toss out in public.”

  “Bloody oath,” a deep, familiar voice said from right behind her. “And her arse is overdue for a bite.”

  Simon smiled slightly.

  The warmth from Ryder’s body crept along her skin. Feigning nonchalance, she shifted her gaze to his reflection in the mirror. He was right behind her, his attention on Beth. Close behind her.

  So close, in fact, that he leaned his forearm on her shoulder as he bent forward to give his order to Beth. “One margarita, love, and a light beer.”

  “Dancing with Rachel thirsty work?” With effort, Dee dragged her attention from his seductive warmth.

  Ryder grinned at her in the mirror. “You have no idea, babe.”

  “I guess not. Thank God for small mercies.”

  Man, he smelled good. Soap, aftershave, and that unique Ryder scent. All clean male.

  “Now, now, babe, that tongue gets sharper every second.”

  “Only because I like sharpening it on you.”

  “Tell me about it. It draws blood every time you start on me.” He laughed.

  Slouched on the barstool, Simon sipped at his Coke.

  “Maybe you should get some carbs into you, Ryder,” Dee suggested. “You need to feed your brain. You’re firing off neurons every time you look at Rachel, and you don’t have that much left to go around.”

  He tugged on her braid. “I’ve a hot date, a hotter night coming up-”

  “Spare me the details.” Please, spare me the details.

  “-and nothing you say can dull my mood tonight.”

  “Is that what I do?” The words fell out before she could stop them. At Ryder’s quick, startled glance, she pasted a smile on her face. “Then my job is done.”

  “Such a witch.” Another tug of her braid, Ryder’s attention turning to Simon. “So you have the chore of her company tonight?”

  “I have the pleasure, yes,” Simon drawled. “And delightful company it is, too.”

  “How much did she pay you to say that?”

  “You have no idea what you’re missing, mate.”

  That had Dee casting him a startled glance.

  “Pretty girl like Dee is bound to get snatched up any minute, so I’m enjoying her company while I can.”

  What the hell…? She arched one eyebrow. What on earth was he up to?

  “All I can say is good luck to the man fool enough to pick up our little shrew.” Ryder dropped some money on the bar as Beth placed his drinks down before them. “Thanks, Beth.”

  “Maybe not such a fool,” Simon stated mildly.

  “Mate, trust me. Every man here knows what Dee’s like.” Ryder gave her back a quick, friendly rub, grabbed his drinks and disappeared back towards his date.

  His gesture hurt her more than she cared to admit. Hurt her because she loved his touch, hurt because it was only friendly.

  Taking refuge in sharpness, she turned to Simon. “What the hell?”

  He slanted her a sideways look. “Just saying the truth.”

  “Are you hitting on me?”

  “Me?” He gave a bark of laughter.

  What a prick. “Oh, please, don’t be shy about revealing your feelings.”

  Still chuckling, he swivelled around on the barstool to face her. “Sweetheart, trust me, you are a catch, sharp tongue and all.” He stopped chuckling but kept smiling, his eyes warming with a kind light that had her blinking in surprise. “I wish I felt more for you than good friendship, treasured friendship, but I don’t. If I did, I’d have snapped you up long ago.”

  “Wow.” She swallowed. “Thanks. I think.”

  His eyes twinkled. “My loss.”

  “You’re going to turn my head in a minute.”

  “Okay. Your loss.”

  “Hey, maybe I’m lusting after you. Have you ever considered that?”

  “Not for a second, because I know it’s not true.”

  Dee sighed. “How sad are we?”

  “Sadness is having no-one, not even friends.” Standing, he slipped his arm around her shoulders to give her a gentle squeeze. “We have lots of friends and family who love us. We’re lucky.”

  The man could spread sunshine even when it was raining.

  Feeling a little better, she smiled up at him. “Thanks, Simon.”

  “Don’t mention it.” He dropped a kiss on top of her head. “I gotta go. Will you be all right?”

  “Sure. I’m always all right.” She raised her Diet Coke in salute, flashing him a big smile. “I’m Dee Miller, sharp-tongued shrew of the west.”

  He chucked her under the chin and left. Dee watched him stride through the bar, noting she wasn’t the only woman to do so. When the door shut behind him, she turned back to the bar.

  Okay, she did feel a little better. She had friends, family, people who loved her. She had her own business, her own home. She had a lot of blessings.

  Straightening her shoulders, she glanced around to check where Del was, seeing her dancing with abandon, Farris practically eating her with his eyes. A lot of men eyed her like that.

  Del was her cousin, and they looked very alike. Same coloured eyes, long blonde hair, even the same sense of humour. But there it stopped. Del was slim and buxom, every man’s wet dream. Dee was generously proportioned and buxom. Every man’s…well, forget that.

  Refusing to dwell on what normally didn’t worry her, Dee’s gaze wandered, only to fasten on Ryder with his arms around Rachel, his face angled down as he spoke to her. Rachel was smiling up at him, her glossed lips inviting. She looked sweet, pretty, a little fragile in his strong arms, and he held her like fine china. And yep, his hand was on her backside, just resting there, his skin tanned against her skirt, his hand arched over the small swell. Bending suddenly, he kissed her.

  That cut like a knife. Especially when he lifted his head and whispered something to her, that roguish grin curving his lips.

  Rachel blushed and giggled.

  Dee couldn’t watch anymore. Turning back to the bar, she downed the Diet Coke, feeling as though it would choke her.

  Yeah, she might be a catch as far as Simon was concerned, but as far as the only man she’d ever loved was concerned, she was just a friend. Just Dee.

  Maybe it was time she moved on, though how the hell she could do that when he was in the same town, when she saw him almost every day, when they had the same friends, she didn’t know.

  The urge to go home hit her. Go home, shut the door and, as her mother sometimes said, pull up the drawbridge and put the alligators into the moat.

  Yeah, for sure being in the pub wasn’t doing her mood any good. She had to grow up, move on. Easier said than done, but she could start with getting out of here where she wouldn’t have to see the man of her dreams kissing another woman.

  It reminded her so sharply, achingly, of when - Don’t think about it.

  Slipping off the barstool, she caught Del’s attention. Immediately her cousin stopped dancing but before she could leave Farris, Dee shook her head, pointed at her wristwatch and mimed going to bed.

  It didn’t put Del off, she started across the room.
<
br />   With a sigh, Dee waited for her.

  “What’s wrong?” Del asked as soon as she was within hearing.

  “Nothing, but I have a five thirty start in the morning and I need to get to bed.”

  “Let me get my bag and-”

  “Del, you’re having a great time. I can get home myself.”

  “Let you go home alone? No freakin’ way.”

  Knowing her cousin wasn’t going to listen, Dee unashamedly lied. “I’m not going home alone. Simon is giving me a lift.”

  Del glanced around. “Where is he?”

  “He’s already gone to the car. I just wanted to let you know I’m going home.”

  “We came together-”

  “But we’re not going home together. One, we’re both women and I don’t swing that way. Two, you’re my cousin, so that makes it grosser. Three...” Dee thought for a second. “There is no three.”

  “I’m coming.”

  “No, you’re going to stay and enjoy yourself. I’ve had my fun, I’m going home to bed.”

  “Dee-”

  “You can tell me in the morning if I miss any excitement.”

  “Oh yeah, like that’s going to happen.”

  “Del, seriously. Simon will be waiting. He’ll see me home.” She gave her a light punch in the arm. “I’m the one ditching you.”

  “But-”

  “Do you really want to go home now?”

  “Well-”

  “You’re having fun with Farris. You love dancing. Dance his arse off, show the whole town what you can do.”

  “If I dance his arse off, the whole town will be talking about it.”

  “Then I can’t wait to hear the gossip. I might even start the rumour myself.” When Del laughed, Dee gave her a little wave. “I’ll see you in the morning.” Before she could protest anymore, Dee strode from the room.

  She smiled, nodded to people she knew, and walked out of the pub. The cool night air hit her and she sucked in a big breath.

  Her flat above her shop wasn’t far away, the street well lit and quiet. It was peaceful and she just wanted to stand there and soak it all in.

  Turning to the tables and chairs standing empty in the outside sitting area, Dee sank down onto one of the benches and looked out at the street. Behind her sounded laughter, the clinking of glasses, voices. It should have made her feel happy.

  It made her realise how lonely she felt, especially knowing that inside, laughing and joking, was Ryder.

  Closing her eyes, she called herself all kinds of a fool. Yearning for something she couldn’t have, something more that was just a memory she could picture and feel as clear as if it had happened yesterday instead of so long ago… It had only affected her, not Ryder.

  Never Ryder. He didn’t even remember.

  Some days she wished she could cut the memory from her brain and bury it deep. Those few precious seconds had changed her whole life.

  She registered a presence before whoever it was sat beside her on the bench. Expecting it to be Del, she groaned. “I told you I was fine.”

  “You don’t look fine.”

  Shocked, she snapped her head around to see Jason sitting beside her. He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees, looking ahead.

  What the hell was he doing here? Much less sitting beside her?

  “You all right?”

  That was the second time he’d asked her that, and she started to wonder exactly what kind of expression she had plastered on her chops. It must be a bloody beauty for a Dawson to be concerned.

  Unless he was playing some sick joke on her. “Did Yvonne put you up to this?”

  “Huh.” With a small, grim smile, he continued to gaze down the street. “Guess I should have expected that.”

  “If you’re in cahoots with her, I guess you should.”

  He was silent for several seconds before glancing at her. “No, I meant I should have expected the cold shoulder.”

  “I’m not giving you the cold shoulder, just a healthy dose of disbelief and suspicion.”

  He nodded.

  Dee stood up. “You can tell her to-”

  “I’m not here with or because of her.”

  “Then why are you here?”

  Jason stood as well, towering over her, his lean strength a quiet threat around him. But his face was expressionless, the usual grimness gone yet no humour lightening his features. He had a rugged handsomeness about him, a rough-hewn style of good looks that attracted unwary women. His long, dishevelled brown hair added to the dangerous allure. One thing she couldn’t afford to forget, though, was that he was one of the Dawson brothers, a troublemaker and up and coming woman abuser like his father.

  “Saw how upset you were,” he said gruffly.

  “Upset?” She blinked. “I’m not upset.”

  Silent, his head angled to the side a little as he regarded her.

  “I’m not.” She drew a composing breath. “What do you want?”

  “Just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

  “You?” She couldn’t hide her disbelief.

  “Yeah.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “Forget it.”

  He’d taken no more than a couple of steps away before Ryder’s voice sounded warningly. “Everything all right out here, babe?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “You bothering her?” Stopping next to her, his hand came to rest in the small of her back.

  For an instant she felt a fissure of warmth, right before it was doused by the memory of that same big hand resting on his date’s backside.

  It was enough to make her pull away. “We were just talking.”

  “Really?” Ryder didn’t take his gaze from Jason.

  He looked from Dee to Ryder and back.

  “Really.” Dee gave a tight smile to Jason. “Thanks for the concern, Jason, I’m fine.”

  That caught Ryder’s attention immediately, his gaze snapping to her, sweeping up and down her form as though he had x-ray vision and was doing a scan. “What happened?”

  “Nothing.” Annoyed, she straightened her shoulders. “Don’t you have a date waiting for you?”

  “Yep.”

  Good grief, sometimes the man was a real dimwit. “Don’t you think you should go back to her?”

  “And leave you here with him?” Ryder snorted. “I don’t think so.”

  That he was obviously protective of her should have made her feel all warm and fuzzy, instead, she wanted to punch him. Jesus, how could the irritating man be her protector one minute, then go off and shag his date the next without another thought?

  “Jason was going to see me home.” The words were out before she could think.

  That had both men blinking, Ryder in shock, Jason in, well, shock. That probably made three of them, because even Dee felt a little shocky.

  Damn, Simon was right. Her words were coming back to bite her on the arse. Big words, big mouth, big arse, it all fit.

  But to back down now would make her lose face, and the hell if she was going to do that in front of Ryder. Plus he’d want to know why she’d lied and she sure as hell wasn’t going to tell him. Not in this lifetime. Not even if she was tortured with her mother’s old bagpipe records.

  “I beg your pardon?” Ryder finally managed to ask incredulously.

  Give credit where it was due, Jason didn’t dob her in, instead, he just watched her silently.

  “I said, Jason’s going to see me home.”

  “Him?” Ryder jerked his thumb in Jason’s direction.

  Call her mean, but it gave her a little bit of satisfaction to see the disbelief in Ryder’s eyes, not to mention the little flare of anger.

  “Oh, haven’t you met Jason yet?” she cooed. “Ryder, this is Jason Dawson. Jason, this is-”

  “I know who he is,” Ryder snapped. “I just can’t believe you’re going home with him.”

  Hands in pockets, not one expression on his face, Jason watched silently.

  “Bett
er believe it.” Striding forward, Dee linked her arm through Jason’s and smiled up at him. “Let’s go.”

  Without a word, he walked past Ryder.

  Dee fluttered her hand at Ryder with a cheerful, “See you later, have fun with Rachel.”

  “Dee!”

  Ignoring him, she kept walking.

  There were no more protests but she felt his gaze boring holes into the back of her head.

  The little flutter of glee was welcome, but it slid away when the silence remained unbroken and she found herself almost plastered against the side of a man she normally was only on nodding acquaintance with, mainly because he was so damned unsavoury. Now, thanks to her big mouth, she was walking down a quiet street with him, her hand in his elbow, his hip brushing hers.

  Not that he could help it, not with her generous hips, but still… Okay, now she felt awkward. Goddamn, why did she have such a big mouth?

  As the sound of the pub faded, she cleared her throat. “You can leave me now.” Shit, that sounded ungracious. “I mean, its okay, you don’t have to walk me home.”

  “No worries.” He kept walking.

  Glancing up at him, she wondered what he was thinking. Stoic expression, gaze fixed ahead, silent.

  She had to stop from glancing over her shoulder to see if Ryder was still watching, but damn, she wanted to, mainly because she didn’t feel very safe. The Dawson boys weren’t known for their gentlemanly behaviour, and here she was having offered herself up simply to rile Ryder, show him she wasn’t needy.

  So she threw herself at Jason. Needy? Bugger that. She needed her head read. She was bordering on insanity right now. That’s what Ryder did to her.

  The closer they drew to her shop, the bull-nose veranda casting shadows, the more nervous she got. Not that she’d show it. If Jason tried anything funny she’d kick him in the nuts. A Miller never went down without a fight, and Dee sure as hell didn’t intend to go down at all.

  Normally she’d have gone around the back to go inside but she wasn’t going to risk it. At least they were still on the street where they could be seen and heard if Jason tried anything.

  Taking her hand from his elbow, she dug the keys from her bag and slotted the shop key into the door of the newsagency. As the lock clicked open, she looked up at him over her shoulder.

  Still silent, he simply watched her, the shadows on his face making his expression difficult to read.