Seduce Me (12 page)

“Are you sure?  I could have sworn you were friends with Faith Benjamin.”

“Ah…yeah I am.  She’s sort of my sister.”

“I thought so.  I’m Dustin Merriweather.”

“Angela Turner.”

He extended his hand, and she shook it, tamping down her spurt of excitement.

Dustin Merriweather! 

Was she dreaming?

For the past two weeks, she’d been gagging over Faith’s fling with his brother.  When he’d sent her those diamond earrings, Angela could have dropped dead with envy and resentment.  Maybe her luck was changing, maybe she was about to get what she deserved.

“Could I buy you a drink?” he asked.

“I wouldn’t say no.”

He peered around, assessing the busted tables, the dilapidated chairs, the litter on the floor.  It was a dump, and he knew it.

“This place doesn’t suit you,” he realized.  “Do you come here very often?” 

“It’s close to my apartment so it’s convenient.”

“How about if we go somewhere that’s more your style?”

“That would be great.”

“My Beemer is outside.  I’ll drive.”

“Cool.”

Angela scooped up her purse, and with a sly grin to the bartender, she let Dustin escort her to his car.

CHAPTER EIGHT

“You look…different,” Faith told Angela, choosing her words, not eager to say
happier
or
sober
.  “Did you color your hair?”

“No.”

“Cut it?”

“No.”

“Have you lost weight?”

“A couple of pounds.”

“Good for you.”

They were in the kitchen.  Faith was cooking supper, and Angela was sitting at the table and watching her.  She didn’t think Angela had lost weight, but Faith would play any game to keep the peace.

For a second, she thought about Lucas.  He hadn’t called all day, and she’d been sure he would.  Like a love-struck teen, she’d stared at the phone hour after hour, positive it would ring.  When it didn’t, she couldn’t believe how disappointed she’d been.

She smiled to herself.  The prior weekend, she’d convinced herself that she was finished with him, but she’d changed her mind completely.  Now, she was in a hurry to push matters forward.  She wanted a full-fledged romance, with them in contact all the time, sleeping together often, doing things as a couple. 

It was silly to expect so much from him, but she couldn’t help wishing.  She’d decided to jump in with both feet, and she didn’t know what he’d make of it.  She doubted he’d like it.  Or he might like it for awhile, but he was a die-hard bachelor.

He’d be wary of any activity that smelled of bond or commitment, yet for as long as she could manage to be with him, she’d give it her all.

“Can I tell you a secret?” Angela asked.

“Is it a ‘don’t you dare tell Gracie’ type of secret?”

“Yes.”

They’d had plenty of those over the years, and they both chuckled.

“I have a new boyfriend.”

“Anybody I know?”

“No.”

“When did you meet him?”

“Last night—at the bar by my apartment.”

“And he already qualifies as boyfriend material?”

“I realize it sounds fast, but I’m really excited about him.”

Angela and a
new
boyfriend was a thorny issue, and Faith had to tread carefully.  She didn’t want to upset her or hurt her feelings by saying the wrong thing.  Angela frequently accused her of being judgmental and maybe she was, but Angela had the worst luck with men.

Her affairs were notoriously dysfunctional and always ended badly, but Faith had to give her credit.  She never gave up.  She was an optimist, certain Mr. Right was just around the corner.

“That’s terrific,” Faith lied. 

“He loaded.”

“That’s even better.”

“Next weekend, he’s flying to L.A.  He might take me with him.”

“Wow.”  Before she could stop herself, Faith said, “Isn’t that kind of sudden?  I mean you barely know him.”

“I’m not a baby, Faith.”

“I’m sorry; I just worry about you.”

“You don’t have to this time.  He’s so different.  He’s rich and handsome and charming and…and…”  Her voice trailed off, and she laughed at herself.  “Don’t pay any attention to me.  I’m being ridiculous.”

“No, you’re not.  It’s fun to fall in love.  You can gush; I don’t mind.”

“How about you and Lucas Merriweather?  How’s that going?  Are you falling in love too?”

“No,” Faith hastily denied.  “We’re friends.  The diamonds were a fluke; he was trying to impress me.”

“Did it work?  ‘Cuz I have to tell you, it impressed the hell out of me.”

“No, it didn’t work,” Faith sarcastically scoffed.  “Who wants a couple of tiny diamonds?  You know I only like men who shower me with millions.”

“Like Harold?”

“Yes.  What are a few paltry diamonds when I can have the whole bank account?”

“It was great,” Angela facetiously said, “how you tricked him into leaving you his estate.  The poor guy didn’t stand a chance.”

Faith wiggled her brows.  “Not after I’d worked my feminine wiles on him.  I had him so confused he didn’t know up from down.”

“I really think you missed your calling.  You have a knack for torture.”

“It was so amusing to tie him to that chair, to badger him: 
Sign the papers, Harold.  Sign the papers
.”

Angela grinned.  “Did you hold his hand when he signed his will?”

“I didn’t have to hold his hand.  He was so terrified of me that he was scared to disobey.”  Faith cringed, shocked by her cruel remarks.  What had come over her?  “I can’t believe I said that.  It’s not funny.  Let’s talk about something else.”

Angela sighed.  “Harold was a good man.”

“The very best.”

“I feel sorry for what happened to him—with his family and all.”

“They were awful.”

“Why won’t you spend any of the money?”

“You know me,” Faith mockingly replied.  “It’s all about expensive clothes and cars and jewelry.  It’s all I think about; it’s all I want.”

“No, seriously.  You should buy a bigger house.”

“I like
this
house.  It was Harold’s; the kids are settled here.”

“But you could use more space.”

“Maybe when they’re older.”

“You’re such a tightwad.”

“I can’t help it.  I’ve never had any money, and now I have some, but it seems like a dream.  I expect to wake up and find out it never happened.”

“Harold’s dead.  That’s not a dream.”

“Yes, he is and the money is mine, but I don’t want to waste it.”

“How could a bigger house be a waste?  You’re nuts.”

“Just frugal.”

The timer on the stove beeped, reminding Faith that the spaghetti noodles were finished.  As she bustled about, searching for the colander and carrying the heavy saucepan over to the sink, Angela pushed back her chair and stood.

“I didn’t realize it was so late,” she said. 

“Aren’t you staying for supper?”

“I have plans.”

Angela always showed up for meals, being perfectly willing to let others pay for and cook her food.  She had no shame about it, so it was odd for her to leave.

“What’s up?” Faith asked.

“Hot date.”

“With your new guy?”

“Yes.”

“Where are you going?”

“He’s surprising me.”

“Ooh, that sounds exciting.”

Angela grabbed her purse and had started out as Faith remembered to inquire, “What’s his name?”

“Who?”

“Your new guy.”

Angela had the strangest look on her face.  “I’d rather not say.”

“Why?”

“I’d just rather not.”

“Is it a military secret or something?”

“No, I’m simply keeping it to myself.”

“Okay.”  Faith nodded slowly.

“Don’t worry, Faith.  I’ll tell you very soon.  I promise.”

 “Why can’t you tell me now?”

“I don’t want to.”

“Is he someone I know?”

“No.”

Dread filled Faith’s stomach.  “He’s not married is he?”

“No, Faith, he’s not married.  But he might be someday—to me!”

Angela strutted out, smiling and slyly furtive in a way that concerned Faith very much.

When Angela had a boyfriend, she chatted incessantly, spewing lists of why he was amazing.  Faith could never shut her up, so her evasiveness was unnerving.

Why wouldn’t she gush over him?  Why wouldn’t she brag? 

There was no satisfactory reason.

Angela was racing to another bad end.  Faith could practically smell it in the air.

*          *          *          *

“Come here.”

“No.”

Lucas walked past the living room where Dustin was pacing in front of the huge fireplace.  Though it was a pleasant summer night outside, he’d lit a fire.

He was wearing an old smoking jacket he must have found in the attic.  He was playing lord of the manor and could have stepped out of a scene from a period movie about aristocratic England.

For the prior two days, Lucas had been busy with his lawyers, conferring with them about Bryce and Peanut.  He was reviewing his options with regard to them.  He would never try to take them from Faith, but he had to be clear about their relationships.  What were his rights?  What were his responsibilities?

He hadn’t had a moment to call Faith, and he was stunned to find himself missing her very much.  He’d only known her for a few weeks.  How had she inserted herself into the center of his life so completely? 

“Lucas!” Dustin snapped when Lucas kept going.

“What?”  He stopped and turned around.

“I have to talk to you.”

“I’ll be here tomorrow.”

“Now.  It’s important.”

“Let me guess,” Lucas snidely said.  “Brittney broke a nail.  Mother’s checking account is overdrawn again.  You deal with it for once.”

“It doesn’t have anything to do with them.”

“Good.  I’m tired of this whole charade.  All of you can fend for yourselves.  Leave me out of it.”

“I need you to listen to something.  It will only take a minute.”

A muscle ticked in Lucas’s cheek.

He didn’t want to fuss with Dustin, didn’t want to fight or debate.  He wanted to get in his car and drive to Boulder so he could be with Faith.

He’d hired a realtor and had him searching for a place in Boulder so Lucas could live there off and on.  He liked the town, and there was no reason it couldn’t be his base as opposed to other spots on the globe.  If he had a house in Boulder, he’d have an excuse to see Faith.  He could drop by to visit Peanut and Bryce.  He could attend more of Bryce’s games.

Since he’d met Faith, his world was changing so rapidly that he was almost dizzy with trying to keep up.  Yet from the determined gleam in Dustin’s eye, his brother wouldn’t quit yapping until Lucas did as he’d demanded.  Sometimes, it was easier to relent.

“I’ll give you five minutes,” Lucas said.  “Make it fast.”

He flopped down on the couch, watching as Dustin sat in the chair across.  Dustin pulled out a small tape recorder and laid it on the table.

“I want you to hear this,” Dustin explained.

“What is it?”

“A conversation.”

“All right.”

“First, though, I need to tell you that I’m sorry.”

“About what?”

“About this supposed kid you have.”

“I don’t have a
supposed
kid,” Lucas snapped.  “I have a son named Bryce.  He’s ten.  And you and I have a half-sister named Peanut.  She’s four.”

“Mother says they’re not related to us.  She says it’s all a big lie.”

“Mother is a…”

With a curse, Lucas bit off his remark.  There was no point in crude insults.

“You’re all stirred up,” Dustin said, “and I feel bad about that.”

“You’d be stirred up too if you’d had the week I just had.”

“I guess you’ve been spending time with Faith Benjamin.”

“What if I have?”

“I think you like her more than you should.”

“Not
more.
I simply like her.  She’s terrific.”

“Okay, she’s terrific,” Dustin agreed, avoiding a quarrel.  “Listen to this—to the entire thing.  Don’t comment until the end.”

“What is it?”

“It’s a recording of her—speaking confidentially with an acquaintance of mine.”

“A recording?  You wired somebody to tape her?  Why?”

“I thought we should.  You’re all hot to let her keep the money, and now, she’s got you worked up over these kids.”

“Just play the damn tape.”

Dustin sighed, actually looking remorseful, as he leaned forward and hit the
on
button.  There was some static, then Faith’s voice was clearly audible.  Lucas had no doubt it was her.

You know I only like men who shower me with millions
.

Like Harold?

Yes.  What are a few paltry diamonds when I can have the whole bank account?

It was great, how you tricked him into leaving you his estate.  The poor guy didn’t stand a chance.

Not after I’d worked my feminine wiles on him.  I had him so confused he didn’t know up from down.

Lucas grabbed the recorder and slammed it off.  A deadly silence filled the room.

“Where did you get this?” he seethed.

“I told you:  An acquaintance of mine got her talking.  I wanted you to see a different side of her.”  Dustin nodded at the recorder.  “Turn it back on.  You have to hear the rest.”

Lucas couldn’t bear to, but he felt as if a magnet was dragging his thumb to start it again.

It was so amusing to tie him to that chair, to badger him:  Sign the papers, Harold.  Sign the papers.

Did you hold his hand when he signed his will?

I didn’t have to hold his hand.  He was so terrified of me that he was scared to disobey.   

 Lucas gasped and shut it off.  For an eternity, he stared at it, pondering, wondering.  He’d assumed he knew Faith.  Could she have tricked him?  Was she a greedy, cruel manipulator?

He didn’t believe it.  He was no fool.  She couldn’t have deceived him so completely.

He glared at his brother, hating him suddenly, and he took a deep breath, struggling for calm.

“Who is the woman with her?”

“Her foster sister.  Her name is Angela Turner.  They were raised together as teens in Vegas.”