Faith’s Temptation (Dueling Dragons MC Book 1) (8 page)

I inhale deeply and smell the strong coffee. It doesn’t stink of that burned odor like the stuff at the diner. That coffee could make a spoon stand up straight in it.

“So, Mom,” I say sarcastically around the rim of my cup. “What are you going to tell me about Ryder now?” I ask with a snide tone.

“Look, smarty pants, I know that you think you’re hot shit, and that no one can break down the wall that you have built around yourself, but you need to know what you’re getting into with Ryder. I am not telling you this just because he’s my brother, but because I look at you like a daughter. I will always be here for you, but I don't wanna have to pick up the pieces after. I don't wanna see you suffer.”

Her words are so heartfelt that I start to feel the back of my eyes burn. What the hell? How is she making me feel so emotional? No one has ever gotten me close to crying except for Beau.

“Layla, I—I don’t know what to say. There is something about Ryder. I’m drawn to him. It’s like my soul wants him and needs him. I’ve never felt this with anyone.” I can hear the raw emotion in my own voice, and it brings me to tears. “The last time I was drawn to someone—and in hindsight, it was only half as much as this—was when I was 15. He shattered my heart.”

“Oh, honey, don’t cry. It’s gonna be okay. What’s wrong, baby doll?” she asks as she pulls me into her arms.

I haven’t broken down since I caught Beau in the worst circumstances, something that changed me, I’m sure, for the remainder of my life.

“I have been so, so hurt. I can’t trust anyone. No guy is ever going to want me because of what has happened.” I hang my head in shame—the shame that she will see right through me and into my deepest secrets. “Ryder will figure out sooner or later that I’m not worth his time.”

“Trust me, I know my brother, and he has more than taken notice of you. But, honey bear, please don’t fall for him.”

She is such a wonderful woman. I love the way she calls me ‘honey bear’ and all the other small ways she shows her affection for me. I feel like I have a mother in my life, or at least I know what it feels like to have a mother figure.

Layla lets out a huge sigh. She puts her hand on my shoulder, lifts my chin with her other hand, and looks right in my eyes. “Just promise me you’ll keep your guard up as long as you can, and know that he is not the one for you to fall in love with. That way, he won't shatter you as much. He won't break your heart if you don't let him.” She almost has an angry look on her face when she says that.

“Also, I want you to start packing up your things. I’m getting you out of this shithole.” She tosses a key on the bed as she stands up to leave. “That’s the key to your new apartment above the machine shop of the Choke and Puke. It’s yours. You can work part time for your rent and food. I’ll pay you the other half of your time in cash so you can have money. How’s that sound?” She raises her eyebrow and looks at me.

I jump up and throw my arms around her neck. “You're amazing, Layla! Thank you so much. I will start moving in this afternoon!” I am so excited that I barely hear her leave and close the door. Hell, yeah! I have an actual apartment.

Oh, no. I forgot to ask if it has any furniture, ‘cause I have no money to furnish a place like that.

I jump into the shower and then start getting all my stuff together to move over to the apartment, which is on the backside of the big lot where the truck stop is. I will be even closer to work so I can sleep in more, and I’ll be closer in case Ryder wants to stop by.

I throw my coat on and grab my backpack and bag of clothes, push my earbuds in my ears, and turn on my iPod. I head for the main office of the motel to turn in my key.

My life seems to be making a little headway here. Just a few months ago, I had tons of money, and I wasn’t worried about anything. Now, I have to worry about everything—my rent, my food, and everything else that I need to live is now coming out of my pocket. But since landing the job at Layla’s, things seem to be smoothing out…for the most part.

I was finally able to break down in front of someone and I got a little comfort, so that helps some, and it even means that my feelings about Layla being a mother figure were right. She is very warm and caring, and I can tell that when she loves, she does it with her whole heart just like I do.

I walk up the steep set of stairs on the outside of the machine shop. They lead up to my new place. I squeal inside. I am so happy to be given this opportunity. I have to think of a way to thank Layla.

I sling my purse over my shoulder so I can unlock the door and, to my surprise, it isn’t locked. I push open the door and say, “Hello?” I wait to make sure I don’t hear anyone inside, then I walk in.

The first thing that hits me is the smell of roses and lavender, which reminds me a little of home.

I stop two steps into the place, drop everything in my hands, and look around the smallish room that’s decorated in brand-new everything. It reminds me of a show home. There is enough room for one generously overstuffed couch and a small armchair. They look so comfortable, the kind where when you sit down, you don’t want to move again.

One wall has the front door and a window with beautiful frosted glass on each side. I can see all the way out the back door from the front door to the fields of wheat beyond. In the summer, I can imagine the doors open and the breeze off the field coming through.

Light, oak-colored hardwood floors run the whole length of the place. The walls are painted in light beige, blending with the hardwood floors and color of the couch. It looks amazing!

Just past the living room is a small dining table with three chairs and it is pushed up against the wall just under a pass-through to the kitchen. The pass-through has a set of white, plastic, wood-effect shutters to use if you want to close the hatch. The stunning flowery smell is coming from the shelf of the pass-through.

The kitchen is galley-style. Not my ideal kitchen, but I can finally start cooking for myself again if I want to. Off the kitchen and through a sliding glass door is a fairly good-sized deck that has barbeque and patio furniture. Not that cheap plastic furniture that melts in the summer, but a set of metal furniture with fancy fretwork on the legs and seat backs.

The cushions on the seats are a putrid green. Hmm. I think they'll have to go. When I walk farther in, there’s a door open and....

Are you kidding me?

I’m greeted with a large king-size bed with lacy curtains hanging from the ceiling, giving it the illusion of being a canopy bed. It has deep-purple and black sheets. Egyptian cotton if I’m right.

There are splendid black throw rugs on either side of the bed. They look so luxurious with their long pile that they just beg you to stand on them barefoot. On the side where the door is, there’s a huge bay window with a seat scattered in deep-purple cushions.

I can just see myself curled up there reading a book on my Kindle in my downtime. Whenever I actually get some!

A walk-in closet with mirrors and doors is on the other wall with another door. I step into an average-sized en-suite bathroom. It has a large tub built for two with jets, and it’s also a shower-tub combo. It is a Jack-and-Jill bathroom that connects with another very small bedroom, and just outside the door of that room is a half-bath for guests. This place is pretty spacious for where it is located.

I am kind of worried about the noise from downstairs, but it seems pretty quiet at the moment. I really want to know who decorated this place. This stuff is incredible. Everything from the towels down to the napkins is brand new.

If it isn’t the smell of the flowers, it’s the fresh wooden floors, the faint odor of the paint, or the linen on the bed—and don't even get me started on the plush towels! Everything smells so clean and new.

I am pulled out of my daze by a knock on the door.

“Just a second,” I call out as I walk toward the door and move my bags out of the way to open it.

“Ryder, what are you doing here? How did you know I was here? Are you stalking me?” I fire out the questions at him. Seriously, though!

“Well, you said that you were feeling more at home here, and when I talked to Layla about you needing a place to stay....” He trails off and looks me in the eyes. “So you like it?” He has the expression of concern and raw need and want in his face.

“Ryder, I absolutely love it.” He beams like a kid who’s just given his first piano recital. “I don’t know what I am going to do with all the space considering it’s just me. But I’m sure I’ll figure something out.” I start to turn away, but I stop dead in my tracks when I see the look in Ryder’s eyes and notice the dimples again.

He’s happy. I really believe he is truly happy. So I’m not going to spoil the mood. “Well, I’m gonna go unpack and get ready for dinner tonight. What are you gonna do?” I ask him as I walk toward the master bedroom.

“I’m gonna go finalize a few things for this short run that I have. I’ll be leaving on Saturday,” he says with a not-so-happy tone. Wo
nder what that’s about?

“Oh, I didn’t realize you would be leaving so soon. But that’s cool. Gotta make that money, right?” I give him a simple little smile and start unpacking my clothes, hanging up the clean ones and putting the ones for washing in the corner that I bagged up at the hellhole of a motel.

“I’ll be back soon, Faith. I promise. I’d never just up and leave you. You’ll always know where I am, and I’ll always come back to you no matter what.” He sounds like he’s casting me some kind of promise in stone or something.

I giggle and stop on the spot, looking at him. “Ryder, it’s fine. You can come and go as you please. I don’t own you and you don’t own me, so it’s fine. Promise.”

His face goes from soft to instantly cool with anger.

I step back and realize that something I said has hit a sensitive spot.

Okay, this is just strange. Damn.

“I’ll pick you up here at 4:00 p.m. sharp. I expect you to be ready to go then,” he says with a very dominant tone. He turns and walks out of my apartment.

That’s still strange to think.
My
apartment.

***

Ryder

Closing the door to the apartment behind me, Faith’s words repeat over and over again.

I don’t own you and you don’t own me
. She said it so casually, like she doesn’t feel the connection and draw we have for each other

Fuck.
I kick the dirt when I reach the bottom of the stairs. What the hell am I thinking? This chick is just that—a chick. Why am I acting like I give a shit whether she likes me or not? I run my hand over my beard and walk toward the diner.

Pulling the door open, I step inside and am greeted by a couple of the regulars. Making my way to the bar, I take a seat and wait for Layla to make her way over to me.

“So, what did she think of the place?” Ziggy finds a seat next to me. “Did she go all girly and shit?”

I shake my head, letting out a small laugh. “Yeah, something like that.” After all these years, you’d think Ziggy wouldn’t be able to surprise me, but the shit that comes out of this man’s mouth is comical, to say the least.

“So, are you still taking that breezy out or what?” He slides a toothpick around in his mouth.

“What the fuck is it your business?” I snarl. “But yeah, we’re talking.” I put my elbow on the counter and lean against it. “What’s your problem with Faith anyways?”

Ziggy sits back in his chair for a second and then leans forward. “Ryder, you remember who you’re talkin’ to. You and I have been bros for years, but I won’t hesitate to kick your ass.”

He leans back and continues. “I’m fuckin’ concerned because your thoughts are getting all fucked up with this broad. Do you know what tomorrow is?”

I run my hand over my head, trying to think of what he’s getting at. “No, what’s tomorrow?”

He reaches over and punches my arm. “Asshat, we have to be in Yuma to finalize things for the big run next month.” He shakes his head.

“Ah, fuck. Okay, yeah.” Shit, I have been fucked up. “I guess I’ll take her to dinner and that’s it.”

Ziggy nods just as Layla walks up. “What’ll you have, Ry?”

“Anything. I’m not picky this morning. But I do need to borrow your office.” I decide I can make all my phone calls in her office without being interrupted.

“Yeah, go ahead. I’ll bring your food back there. You okay?” She moves her head around to make eye contact with me.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just realizing it’s all gonna be over soon.” I give her a small smile.

“Oh, I know. I can feel it. Your life will get that much better after all this is done, Ry. Just think of the possibilities.” She smiles a genuine smile that reaches her eyes.

“I know, sis, I know. I’ll be in the office.” I grin at her and get up from the bar. Arcing around the end of the bar and through the swinging doors, I find Layla’s office and close the door behind me after I enter.

Now, to get down to business so tonight I can focus on Faith.

I want to make it a night she’ll never forget.

Faith

I HADN’T HEARD FROM RYDER
all day. I wandered around looking at all the clothes I have and determined that I have nothing to wear to dinner. I decided to call Layla a little while ago to ask if she had any clothes that I could borrow that didn’t smell like the diner.

“Layla, help! I need your assistance. Hurry!” I say to her the second she picks up her phone.

“Faith, are you all right? Is anything broken or on fire? Are you dying? Do you need 911?” She is all out of breath and is practically screaming into the phone.

I start busting up laughing and can barely catch my breath as I stop long enough to huff out, “Layla, I’m fine. Nothing is on fire, and no, I don’t need 911. I need the fashion police. I left all my nice clothes back home, and I haven’t made enough money to—”

She cuts me off by saying she will be right over and then hangs up.

Five minutes later, she is busting through my door with the most spectacular outfit ever—a red halter-top sundress with black, two-inch heels, a medium-sized opal necklace, and matching earrings. She does my makeup and hair. She promises to leave before Ryder shows up so things won’t be awkward.