by L. A. Fiore
Arissa spoke the next words like they were being dragged across broken glass. “Do you think it’s possible she scared Phoebe away, because that is exactly what she’s trying to do with me.”
The expression that swept Hya’s face was as close to soft as she was capable of. “Phoebe loved Hank, was written all over her how crazy she was about him,” she said softly. “Yeah, I suppose it is possible.”
Arissa didn’t hide her tears. “That’s what this is all about,” she confessed. “His parents are overprotective, pathologically so, but what’s really bothering me is the reality that Catherine might have scared off Phoebe and…” She played with a crack in the table before she lifted burning eyes to Hya. “I might not be his first choice and the thought of that, feeling like I do, is eating me alive.”
“The man is crazy about you.”
“But he was crazy about her too, wasn’t he?”
She saw the answer before Hya whispered, “Yeah, he was.”
A tear slipped from her eye to roll down her cheek. “She needs to know. He needs to know.” Arissa reached for her glass. “I never saw him coming, and I’m out of my head for him, but I’m still getting to know him. If we get even deeper and she comes back, if Catherine’s shit blows up and Hank realizes that Phoebe hadn’t left on her own…how the hell do I get over that?”
“What are you saying?” Hya demanded, yanking out her chair and sinking into it.
“I need to learn more about Phoebe, her relationship with Hank…” Arissa leaned back in her chair and couldn’t believe the next words came from her mouth when she shared, “If it was like what I have with him, we need to bring them back together, let him make the decision and not have it made for him by Catherine.”
Hya’s jaw dropped. “You want to push Hank back to his ex.”
“I want him to choose me, but after being on the receiving end of Catherine’s deceit, I can’t honestly say he would choose me if he had the choice. I can’t fall farther down the rabbit hole for him knowing there’s a chance he’s still tethered in some way to another.”
Hya drained her glass again. “Well fuck.”
Arissa held her stare. “I know you’re not a big fan of Phoebe’s, but when you think of them what’s your first impression?”
Hya’s voice was a rough whisper. “Happy.”
That’s what Arissa feared. She didn’t hide how much that hurt but she signaled for another splash of Jack, liked the numb that followed because it all hurt too fucking much.
Hya smacked the table. “Let’s see what the Belles say. My recollection could be off because I’m old. I’ll call them, we’ll talk,” she suggested. “Maybe all this worry is for nothing.”
She didn’t doubt for a minute what Hank felt for her because she felt it for him, and she’d fight for it, but what she couldn’t get past was knowing how he felt, and knowing he had likely felt that way about Phoebe and her for him…did you ever really get over that kind of love? Had she been Phoebe, the one who came first, she’d want a second chance. “Okay, but not today because I’m really fucking drunk and it feels really good.” Her gaze collided with Hya’s. “Is it wrong that I’m doing this behind Hank’s back?”
“You love him?” Hya asked bluntly.
Arissa didn’t hesitate in answering. “I do.”
“Are you thinking of him?”
“I am.”
“Then no. He may be a man, definitely an alpha, but even the best of the best, Honey, need a good woman looking out for them.”
Arissa lifted her glass to Hya again, feeling better hearing that because the last thing she wanted to do was hurt him. “Does this mean I’m a Bell?”
“Don’t go getting carried away, especially since you refused to share the dirt on our sexy sheriff and his abilities between the sheets, or kitchen table. Jury is still out.”
Arissa wasn’t sure if it was the Jack, Hya or both but she laughed out loud. “A few more of these and I’ll be sharing all about our sexy sheriff.”
Hya didn’t miss a beat and filled her glass again.
* * *
Hank had just shut down his computer when his cell buzzed in his back pocket. Retrieving it, seeing the name across the screen, he thought not to answer it. But he was the sheriff and ignoring a call wouldn’t make him look good.
So, he tapped the screen and brought the phone to his ear. “If you’re calling to tell me Vern’s cats are out, I already wrangled them back in.”
“Sheriff, Sugar, why is it you wrangle everyone else’s pussy but mine?”
“Cause there’s lines I won’t cross, Hya, that’s one of them.” Hank grabbed his keys off the desk and asked, “What’s up?”
“I have a very drunk Arissa currently snoring the wallpaper off my walls. Thought you might miss her,” Hya said then added, “The thought did occur to me to assume her place at your house, but somehow I think you’d know the difference.”
Hank locked up his office and started through the darkened bullpen. Rob was on call for the night but joined Mike and Jo for dinner at Dehlia’s. Hank was going to chuckle at Hya’s comment, but decided to throw her a bone. “Difference is slight, but, yeah, I’d notice.” He tucked his cell between his ear and shoulder, locking the front door, he told Hya, “Be there in five.” Then he tapped the screen.
He tossed his cell into the cup holder when he folded into his truck. Last he’d heard from Arissa was after lunch. She was still at his place working on the spread. Hank didn’t have time to let his thoughts wander because he was already pulling into Hya’s driveway. He parked around back and entered through the door that led to the kitchen.
He was only a step in the door when his eyes caught sight of the sexual paraphernalia spread across her kitchen table. He stopped dead in his tracks and grumbled, “Jesus, fuck, woman.”
“This is only a small part of it,” she said with a gleam in her eyes, ones she let roam over his body, settling on his cock. “Trying to get it just right,” she purred before her gaze lifted to him.
Hank closed the door behind him and told her. “You know I can arrest you…” Then he stopped himself, held up a hand before her mouth opened. “Never mind, please, Hya, don’t.” He sat in a chair and with just his elbow he pushed two dildos to the side. “Now, you’re gonna make me a cup of coffee and tell me why my woman is drunk and passed out on your couch on a Wednesday afternoon.”
It wasn’t often that Hya grew serious, but this was one of those times. She didn’t make a move for the Keurig, just studied Hank for a few seconds. “She’s crazy about you.” Hya’s gaze drifted to the living room. “I could be envious, but that woman…she’s really crazy about you.”
Hank took a deep breath and looked to his boots before leveling his eyes on Hya. “I’m crazy about her too.” Then his eyes drifted toward Hya’s living room where he saw a softly snoring Arissa snuggled on Hya’s couch.
Hya went to the Keurig, put a mug under it. Turned back to him. “She’s going to twist herself into a knot to make it right for you.” Before Hank could reply she put her hand up. “Looking at the big picture, Hank.” She jerked her head to the living room. “That’s what she’s doing, the big picture. Not sure any of us have looked at the big picture in a long fucking time, if ever. But coming here, seeing shit with fresh eyes, she has some interesting questions and I gotta be honest, she’s got me curious.”
Hank was staring at Hya as if she had a halo above her head. He tilted his head, sat back in the chair, put an ankle to a knee, and crossed his arms over his muscular chest. “Not getting what you’re saying, Hya.” When Hya looked at the mug, Hank asked. “Care to explain?”
She brought the coffee to Hank, pulled out a chair and dropped into it. “I tease, but I love you and I’m coming to love that woman in there. That’s saying a lot for me, so, yeah, I’ll explain. First time your mom saw Arissa she told her tha
t Phoebe was the love of your life.” Hya didn’t let Hank speak, even witnessing the shadow that moved behind his eyes before he took a gulp of coffee. “She, on more than one occasion, tried to scare me and the Belles off until she realized we weren’t a real threat.” Hya leaned back in her chair. “Even Phoebe. I was no great fan of hers, that’s not a secret, but she loved you. Then she left and based on what Arissa has shared about her experiences with your mother, I’m beginning to wonder if there’s not more to Phoebe’s departure.” She leaned closer, dropped her elbows on the table, held his stare and said, “So what I gotta wonder is why the fuck is your mother running off all the women in your life?” Hya leaned back, gestured to Arissa and added, “She won’t tell you because she doesn’t want to put you in the middle, but Catherine was at your house today, taking pictures from it. Told Arissa to tell you Brianna is looking forward to seeing you again.” She held his stare. “As a certified class A bitch I can say with certainty that parting comment was fucking bitchy.”
Hank slowly put the mug on the table. He heard everything Hya said but only some had stuck out. And all of it settled into a nice tightly wrapped package of deceit. Hank dropped his ankle from his knee, the thud of his boot hitting the floor echoing through the room. He sat straight up in the chair, nodding his head. His words were firm when he said, “So, everyone is shit talking me and my parents while I’m holding this fucking town together.” Hank rose, leveled his hard eyes on Hya. “Thanks for the coffee.” He started for her living room.
“And it’s exactly that attitude that is going to cost you that woman.” Hya moved from the table, right up into his face causing Hank’s steps to come to a halt. “We all tease you out of love, but every one in town respects the shit out of you. You want to talk about shit…” She leaned in. “Look a bit closer to home, Hank, before the best thing in your life becomes collateral damage.”
Hank wouldn’t have done what he did next to any other woman but Hya because he knew she had thick skin, could fight with the best of them and come out without a scratch on her. He leaned down, got in Hya’s face and said firmly, “I think what this town really needs is to stay the fuck off my dick. You included.” Hank, of course, didn’t mean what he said literally but Hya knew what he was saying. Stay the fuck outta my life.
“Hmm. For the first time in ever, don’t want your dick, Sheriff. Collect your girl. You know where the door is.” She turned her back on him and walked away.
Hank did just that; he softly woke his girl and got her tucked into his bed. She had mumbled a few words during it all and he even had a thought to call Hya and ask just how much Arissa had to drink, but he’d let her sleep it off. So the woman he was in love with was upstairs in his bed while he sat outside looking up at the night sky. The words Hya had said to him tumbling around in his head. Sure all of it would be odd to a newcomer but from Hya, who had been living in Summerville for as long as he could remember, it felt like betrayal. Summerville stuck together and Hya going off the tracks, taking another’s side wasn’t sitting well with him. Then again as the night carried on, the words she’d said weren’t either. So what if he never went on school trips. Never went on family vacations. Never applied for colleges because his mom said everything he needed was right in Summerville. Hank’s breathing picked up, the heat of his blood coursing through his veins. He stood and took a long pull from the bottle of beer in his hand, draining it. So who gave a flying fuck he never had a fucking life.
“Fuck,” he grumbled and flung his arm back and chucked the bottle at a nearby tree. The sound of glass shattering against the wood echoed through the night. Hank thought the smashing of the glass would help the fire burning inside but it didn’t, only fueled it more. He’d get to the bottom of it. But for tonight, before he ruined it all, he was going upstairs to slide into bed with the woman he loved because he wasn’t sure if tonight would be the last time he’d get to.
12
Arissa woke, felt a warmth at her back and realized she was in Hank’s bed. Yesterday came back in startling clarity. She’d gone to see Hya and even with the guilt she felt at going behind his back, Hya’s words rang in her head. Even the best of the best need a good woman looking out for them. Arissa knew in her gut that Hank needed that, even if he didn’t see it.
She turned, careful not to wake him. The sheet had slipped, his bare chest on display for her viewing pleasure. She understood the appeal, but it was so much more than skin deep for her. Watching the even rise and fall of his chest, the ache that never seemed to be sated grew stronger. She ran her fingers lightly over his chest, along the muscles of his abs. Drawing her lower lip into her mouth, her eyes followed her hand, moving under the sheets. She brushed his cock, her eyes on his face, before she curled her fingers around the base of it. Saw the grin before she moved her hand up his shaft. He moaned, she moved between his legs. Looking up his body, his eyes were open, sleep and lust looking back. She fisted the base of his cock, kept her eyes on him when she took him into her mouth.
Hank groaned as he closed his eyes enjoying Arissa’s warm mouth on him. His hand came to her head, his fingers lacing between the strands. “Fuck,” he grunted and shifted his hips up into her, trying to get more.
She ran her tongue along the underside of his shaft, sucked on the head before pulling him even deeper. The heel of her hand pressed against the sac between his legs as she squeezed the base and took him even deeper.
His fingers curled harder into her hair, the moans rumbling up his throat was like an aphrodisiac, as she found a rhythm, his hips moving with her, driving him even deeper. She knew he was close when he started thrusting into her mouth and when he came the sound that came from him was the sexiest sound she’d ever heard. Her eyes found his again when she swallowed. The air left her lungs when he grabbed her under the arms and dragged her up his body. She shifted to straddle him; he looked into her hazy eyes. God, he loved getting lost in them. But as beautiful as she was in that moment, hell, every moment, last night came barreling back.
He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, watching the movement, he lied. “Gotta get into work early today.” His eyes met hers. “Rain check?”
Some of the warmth from their moment faded looking into his eyes and seeing them shuttered. It was the first time she’d seen that with him. She tried to keep what she was feeling out of her voice when she said, “Absolutely.”
Hank laid his lips briefly to Arissa’s before he pulled back and without any hesitation, Arissa slid to his side. Hank rose from bed and went straight to the shower. Afraid Arissa would join him, Hank took the quickest shower he ever had. He had a hard enough time leaving her in his bed; he couldn’t handle doing it to her twice. Once was enough to cause a chill to lay along his spine.
Arissa was in the kitchen with a hip to the counter and Hank’s travel mug in her hand. She rubbed her head again thinking maybe yesterday had all been a bad dream because the pictures that Catherine had taken were back in their places. The woman was more than a handful. When Hank appeared in the kitchen, she held his coffee out to him. He smiled at her. “Thanks.” He pressed his lips to hers then said, “Call you later.” And before he gave her a chance to speak, he ducked out the back door. The sound of the screen door slamming behind him, he felt that bang in his chest. The pain radiated through his body leaving a hurt he never felt.
Arissa stood in the kitchen, the sound of the door slamming echoing in her head. Her heart hurt. She wasn’t the only one to sense the tension. And given what fueled it, his mother, Arissa acknowledged there was a really good chance she was going to lose him, but if in the end he was happy, she’d find a way to move on too. She reached for her phone. Hya answered with a bellowed, “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“Call the Belles.”
Hya’s grunt was her only reply before she disconnected the call.
* * *
Hya studied the search results on the laptop, s
lapped her hand on the table again and said, “The altercation with that horse I thought was on the down low.”
Arissa stood in Hya’s kitchen, looking out at her yard, wasn’t even going to ask about the horse incident. There were some things better left alone. “She put the pictures back.”
Silence followed that comment before Maureen said, “What pictures?”
Arissa turned to Hya. “Every single one of them before he noticed they were gone.” Arissa had underestimated Catherine, and based on Hank’s reaction that morning, going toe to toe with his mother, Arissa wasn’t going to win. She looked at the other Belles. “Tell me about Phoebe and Hank.”
“Why?” Maureen asked. “You’re in his bed now.”
She shared with them her encounters with Catherine. Maureen was up and pacing. “Jesus. I knew she was overprotective to a fault but that’s just bullshit.”
It was Mille who said, “You’re thinking she did the same to Phoebe.”
“Yeah.”
“But again I say, he’s with you now,” Maureen said. “Let the past be in the past.”
Arissa wanted to but it wasn’t that easy. She held Maureen’s bewildered look. “Put yourself in my shoes. Having a man like that as yours and then learning the one he loved before you may not have left for the reasons everyone thinks. Knowing what you share with him, he shared with another…”
Maureen ran a hand through her hair. “And likely still would be.” She exhaled. “I get it. Shit, that sucks. So you want to know if what they had is worth you losing what you have with him?”
Just thinking about losing him hurt so much Arissa had trouble drawing a breath, living through it… “Yeah.”
“I suppose we could lie but that defeats the point,” Maureen said. “We need alcohol.”
“Already on it,” Mille said, filling up glasses of wine.
Maureen took a glass, drained it before she shared, “They were happy. Really happy. It’s kind of why I didn’t really like her because it was so natural, genuine.”
