Secrets

by L. A. Fiore

  “Can I have my girl now?” Hank bellowed through the office.

  Jo threw a hand in the air. “Keep your skirt on. I’m catching up with my girl here.” Arissa’s eyes drifted to Hank, a smile curved her lips at the look he threw Jo.

  “Babe?” Hank said when his hard eyes skated away from Jo and turned on Arissa. “My office,” he told her and took off toward the bathroom.

  Arissa grabbed Jo’s hands that were flying around carelessly. “We’ll chat later.”

  Jo shook her head. “I’d get pissed but in your shoes, I’d already be in his office. Alright, drinks at Moe’s. Your turn to buy.”

  “I’ll call you,” Arissa said, moving away through the desks of the bullpen to Hank’s office. Despite her day being shitty, being in his space, smelling his scent that was her favorite smell…she didn’t want another day like this. The tension between them, even knowing she was doing what she could to cause more tension, but around him she didn’t think about any of it. Maybe she should let it go, maybe she should just have trust in what was growing between them, knowing they both felt it. Maybe she should think with her heart on this one and not get into her head. And it was with that thought that she moved behind his desk, a smile curving her lips because he’d fucked her on it. She ran her fingers along the smooth wood surface, remembered how it felt against her back as he was driving his cock into her. She drew her lower lip between her teeth as the tingles started at her head and took their sweet time moving down her body. She noticed he had less on it than he had before, either from shit breaking when he swiped everything off it or he was thinking ahead for next time…easier access. That thought had the tingles settling between her legs. She noticed the bottom drawer was open and was going to close it for him, when she saw the files; the corner of a photo was sticking out of the file on the top. She’d never seen a crime scene photo before. Glanced up, thought to wait for Hank, but what was the harm? One little peek. She lifted the file to see an exquisite woman looking back, with features that any modeling agency would sell their soul for. Sadness swept through her, what had happened to the woman? It was really without thought when she lifted the photo and saw the sheet under it and then the name.

  Phoebe Garretson.

  The blood drained from her face. Why did Hank have a file on Phoebe? She’d left, so what warranted a file? And as she answered that question, numbness filled her. His smile earlier, she thought it had been directed at her, but he’d been looking down, in that drawer, to a file of his ex that sat on top of all the other files, one with a picture of her right on top. Talk about easy access.

  He did still have feelings for her. That realization was like taking a sucker punch to the gut. She moved from his desk, fighting the tears she couldn’t let him see. His mother hadn’t been lying. Phoebe was the love of his life. She dropped her head, struggled to pull air into her lungs. She understood what he was feeling when it came to Phoebe because she was feeling it now. Shit. How could she not find Phoebe after seeing proof that she was still a part of his life? Jesus. She was going to orchestrate a reunion that was going to lead to a broken heart…hers.

  She heard Jo’s voice, then Hank’s deep one. She took a few long, calming breaths. She had him now, so needed to make the time count. She turned as he entered his office then crossed it, threw her arms around his neck and kissed him because she knew deep down their time together had an expiration date.

  Hank bent into Arissa and wrapped his arms around her waist, deepening the kiss. His hand glided down to her ass, where he put pressure and pushed her into his hardened cock. His mouth moved from hers, his lips slowly worked their way to her ear. “What do you think about naked steak night?” he whispered.

  She felt the chill, it moved seductively down her body. Pressing closer to him she said, “I think…why the hell are we still standing here?”

  “Cause the anticipation will only make it better, Sweetheart.” He laid a soft bite to the flesh behind her ear and said, “Let’s go get a beer.” Then squeezed her ass before he let go.

  She didn’t move to follow him at first, just took him in, memorizing the moment…she’d be doing that a lot more now. Then she said softly, “Not everything is better the longer you wait.” She was thinking of them, just jumping in headfirst. Hindsight being what it was, it was a damn good thing they didn’t wait because time wasn’t on their side. She pushed the thought from her head. “A beer sounds good.”

  They were tucked in the back corner booth, one that Moe always had empty for Hank, the perks of being the sheriff. Arissa was absently picking at the label on the bottle; Hank was studying her. “Care to share?” he questioned before taking a pull from his beer.

  She glanced up at him, her gaze moving to his throat. She wanted to kiss him there. Share what she was thinking? She couldn’t, even wanting to. She could scarcely believe she was going through with it, bringing his ex back but if she didn’t, she’d always wonder and didn’t want that between them. Though she couldn’t help but wonder if Phoebe was the love of Hank’s life, a fact Catherine knew, why the hell had she chased her off? She didn’t want to think about Catherine and her mind games at the moment. Arissa’s gaze lifted to Hank’s. “I think the Belles and I are going to take a day trip to Charleston tomorrow.” To find your exquisite ex so I can watch her take my place. That thought had her lifting her beer and draining half of it.

  “Charleston,” Hank repeated, and gave a sly chuckle before he added, “Haven’t been there since you came along.” He winked.

  Arissa almost choked on her beer. He’d mentioned that when they first met, his visits to Charleston. Her beer soured in her stomach because Phoebe was in Charleston. What the hell was she supposed to say to that? Her focus turned back to the label on her beer. “How often would you go?”

  Hank let the smile spread wide along his face before looking down at the table. Lifting his eyes, he looked at Arissa. “Not as much as I would’ve liked to.” He chuckled. But he didn’t need one-night rendezvous anymore. He had what he wanted…what he needed right in front of him.

  Arissa had lost her taste for the beer so set it away from her. He’d been going into the city, likely seeing his ex. She supposed the silver lining was in at least one way he’d chosen her because he’d stopped visiting. She couldn’t help wonder, though, about that man who had come to the house, the texts…was Hank still reaching out to Phoebe? The many times he had to take a call or answered a text when they were together, was it really all work related? Could she even blame him? Knowing what she felt, knowing he felt it before, didn’t have closure because his mother was being the fucking puppet master…no, she didn’t blame him. She glanced around the bar, didn’t hide how she was feeling before she said, “You know what. I’m not feeling so great. Can I get a rain check on naked steak?”

  The upbeat feeling he had since walking into Moe’s hearing half the place singing loudly to “Your Mama Don’t Dance” died quickly. Hank jerked his head back as if someone punched him straight in his jaw. A chill moved down his spine. Grabbing Arissa’s hand that was laying on the table, he said softly, “Honey, my nights in Charleston stopped.” He assured her, expecting that her sudden illness had to do with his confession. “I’m sure there were guys before me,” he added.

  Her heart hurt watching him because she knew down to the bone the man was trustworthy, she just also suspected that his heart belonged elsewhere and that’s what hurt. That she made him think she didn’t trust him…she squeezed his hand. “I’m not upset that you went into Charleston, Hank. And I trust you; don’t doubt you for a second. I think it’s just, honestly, I’ve felt like shit all day, the tension this morning, it’s been eating at me. When we have naked steak, I don’t want the ghost of earlier haunting me.” She smiled. “Besides, it’s just more anticipation.”

  “Baby,” he started softly. “I know the shit with my ma is eating at you. But really…” He squeezed her hand. �
��She means well, just…” He paused, shrugged and ended with, “Overprotective. Once she realizes your intentions are good all will be golden.”

  Arissa wasn’t so sure about that, but if things went the way she thought, it wouldn’t matter what Catherine thought of her. To him she said, “I hope so.” She studied him before she said, “Maybe tomorrow night for naked steak?”

  Hank didn’t press anymore, just lifted the bottle off the table, drained it and said, “Okay, let’s get you to my place. I’ll run you a warm bath.” He let her hand go and started to slide out of the booth.

  This was going to be harder than she thought because all she wanted was to go home with him, but feeling as she was she needed space before she went off to sabotage them. She wasn’t going to be able to go through with it otherwise. “It’s been awhile since I’ve been to my place. I think I’m just going to go home.” She saw the look so added, “There aren’t words good enough to express what you make me feel, Hank. It’s the kind of thing you live for, fight for. You are everything I’ve ever wanted. With your mom, I’m sure in the end it will all work out. I just need tonight, Honey.”

  The chill that had run down Hank’s spine resurfaced and coursed through his body. He stopped his exit and leveled his eyes on her. Something more was bothering her. He could see it floating behind her beautiful eyes. The water wouldn’t settle long enough for him to catch what it was. His thoughts of earlier came to the forefront; maybe she really did just need a break. He was just thinking that afternoon how quickly they jumped. He cocked his head and said softly, “Okay, Baby.” He rose from the booth, held his hand out toward her. When she took it, he held hers tightly as he walked her across the street to her car. He didn’t push, although he wanted to. Instead, he gave her a kiss and told her to call him when she got settled.

  Hank watched as the distance between them grew, and once she had turned onto Magnolia Lane, he went to his truck, folded in and headed straight for Hya’s house. It was time for another talk.

  * * *

  Hank opened the door an inch and put his mouth to the opening. “All clear?” he shouted into Hya’s kitchen. He knew a lot about Hya, maybe too much seeing what he did the last time he was there. This time, he wasn’t taking his chances because with Hya you never knew.

  “Just in time,” she called back. “Get your ass in here.”

  He entered at the sight of Hya with a meat cleaver, her focus on him when she brought it down with too much force on what looked like the best damn ribs he’d seen in a while. She studied him a second. “So, you pull that handsome head out that sexy ass?”

  Hank took careful steps inside, not getting too close to Hya’s butcher block island. That counter had more marks in it than a dartboard. He wasn’t stupid, he knew the damage she could do with just words, so any sort of prop in tandem with those words would be extreme fucking torture. “It depends, you still pissed, old lady?” he asked while eyeing the cleaver.

  Her cackle was his answer. “Never could stay pissed at you.” She looked behind him. “Where’s your better half? You can tell me while we eat. You know where the plates are.”

  Hank let out a breath he didn’t even know he was holding. Moving around her kitchen, grabbing plates from the cabinet and silverware from the neatly placed ceramic colored canisters on the counter, he told her. “You know what you’d be good at? Interrogation torture.” He heard the loud thud of the cleaver on the block and added, “Hell, you’d get all the shit outta them in a day as opposed to the months it takes others.” He placed the dinnerware on the table and headed for the fridge to retrieve the pitcher of margaritas because Hank knew Hya only drank that when she ate her barbecue.

  Hya watched Hank move through her kitchen, waited until she caught his eyes and said, “It’s about time you noticed…” She eyed him from head to toe. “How good I am with my hands,” she said with a salacious grin. She plated up the ribs, grabbed the potato salad on the counter and dropped both dishes on the table unceremoniously. “Grab what you want cause I’m fucking starving like I’ve got a goddamn bun in the oven.” Her head jerked to him. “And before you say anything, plenty of action for that just don’t got the parts anymore.” She then grabbed a rib and ripped the meat off with her teeth. “But I’m still a fucking lady,” she said, and smiled showing the barbecue sauce and pieces of meat between her teeth.

  Hank’s mouth was watering from the smell; he almost drooled just looking at the ribs. Hya could make some mean barbecue but hearing her comment about how much action she still got had his gut twisting. It didn’t stop him from grabbing a rib while saying, “Jesus, woman, you gotta stop saying that shit.” Hank tore a piece of meat off the rib. Fuck, it melted in his mouth. “Especially when there’s good food around.” He took another bite and spoke around chewing. “Damn, woman, you still got it.”

  “Damn straight I do, and in more ways than one,” she said and winked. “So what brings the sexy sheriff to my door?”

  He didn’t even scoop the potato salad onto his plate, just dug his fork in it and brought the hefty scoop to his lips. He let it rest there and said, “Owe you an apology.” Then shoved the fork in his mouth. Yeah, that was it. Woman made the best of the best potato salad. He’d never tell his mom, though.

  Hya reached for her glass. “From the way I see it, it’s me who owes you one. We tend to get carried away, but the intention is in the right place.”

  Hank took another forkful and mumbled around the rib meat in his mouth. “Call it even then?”

  She stopped with her forkful of potato salad halfway to her mouth, leaned to the side, looked at his cock and said, “Okay, if that’s what the kids are calling it these days.” Her eyes met his, but he saw behind the humor to the sincerity under it. “So where’s Arissa?”

  “Think us diving in head first is getting to her.” Hank took a swig of the margarita and shook his head trying to get past the sweet tanginess of it. He stood and went to the fridge to grab a beer. “Not sure how you drink that shit at all and especially with barbeque.” He twisted the cap off the bottle and chugged half of it down. “Better.”

  “Because I’m a sweet, delicate, motherfucking flower.”

  Hank held his beer out toward her. “Whatever you like to think, Hya.” He dropped back into his chair and shared, “Thinking that’s why she came to you last week. All this…” Hank waved a hand down his body, winked at Hya and finished, “Might be too much to handle.” He smiled and then tore another chunk of meat off the bone.

  “Maybe for some, but you know the offer is open,” she said and wiggled her brows. “She’s still young.” Hya took a pull from his beer before putting the bottle on the table near him, and then reached for another scoop of potato salad. “But that woman stumbled onto the goddamn golden ticket. Didn’t see you coming and she’s smart…knows what she’s got.” Hya met Hank’s stare. “Big heart too, that one. Thinks about everyone else before herself.” She shook her head. “How she didn’t get chewed up in the city is beyond me.” She sobered. “You’re not too much for her Hank. You’re exactly right for her, and she knows it.” She paused and added, “She’s right for you too.”

  Hya was right; no doubt, Arissa did have a huge heart, golden down to the core. Hank held her stare, let his lips tip up on one side before he said, “Got that goddamn golden ticket myself.”

  Hya studied him a second, satisfied with how that conversation went, then grabbed Hank’s beer, took another long swig and said, “Enough about you, it’s time to talk about me. Frankie Dee, he’s going to be pressing charges of assault.” She glared at Hank. “What do I gotta do to get you to squash that? I’m willing to do anything?” This time her smile went from ear to ear.

  Hank shook his head, his eyes moving off her to the potato salad. Taking another scoop from the serving bowl, he looked at the creamy goodness and said, “Consider it squashed.” Then he tossed the bite into his mouth and wink
ed at her.

  Hya reached for another rib, grinned and said, “Yep, I still got it.”

  14

  Arissa’s head jerked to Hya as one hand moved to the seatbelt and the other to the door handle. The woman was weaving in and out of the lanes on the expressway like she was in the Dukes of Hazzard.

  “What’s the rush?” Arissa shouted, because the top was down while Hya was attempting to break the sound barrier.

  At Arissa’s question, Hya pulled her eyes from the road, the damn obstacle course she was creating with the other cars, and glared at Arissa.

  “Eyes on the road, Hya!” Everyone shouted at once.

  “You made us wait for a half an hour,” Hya hissed. Her focus moving back to the road when the horn blared, the occupants of her car all flew to one side as she corrected her course.

  “We’re not living through this!” Maureen screeched.

  “A half an hour! Knowing damn well what you were doing for that half an hour.”

  Arissa turned her head to hide her smile, even as her body grew warm. She’d asked if they could stop at the station. She had no reason for it other than seeing Hank. She’d missed him, realized after she’d gotten home that she should have had naked steak because she wasn’t sure the opportunity would come again. As it was, she’d spent that half an hour against the wall in his office and on his desk. That was another piece of furniture that should be bronzed.

  “Well, we’re on our way now,” she shouted to be heard over the gusting wind and horns that trailed after the lunatic that was driving.

  “You sure you want to still do this?” Maureen asked.

  She didn’t want to do it. She wanted sex on Hank’s desk and naked steak, darts in the garage and sex in that amazing bedroom. She wanted him to hold her hand like he did when they were together, like he needed to make sure she was there because that was why she touched him so often. She wanted a lifetime of that, hoped she’d get it, but his past wasn’t in the past. He needed to end that chapter before he could start one with her.