Sweet Tooth Read online

“Inferno hot.”

  Ella shrugged. “I only meant the way he treats you.”

  “That’s in public,” Arianna murmured, still watching Isandro.

  “Probably a good thing,” Trent answered.

  Isandro’s brow arched, and Arianna faced Ella and Trent. “Want chocolate? Or did you want to discuss cake options?”

  “Both,” Ella answered enthusiastically.

  “Mmm, she makes damned good chocolate cake in all sorts of varieties,” Isandro pointed out.

  Ella grinned. “Chocolate is a must. Maybe white. Some nutty flavor? I don’t know. How many tiers?”

  “Three or four tiers I can handle,” Arianna stated. “More and I may have trouble. And each tier could be different. I can experiment with some flavors. Maybe I can have a party, and we’ll try different cakes.”

  “I’ll grill,” Isandro offered. “You cover dessert.”

  “I’ll bring some sides,” Ella added. “When do you want to do it?”

  Isandro shrugged. “This weekend? That is if you’re up for coming out to my place.”

  Trent nodded. “We hadn’t set up a barbeque in a few weeks. Seems like everyone’s kids have sports lately.”

  Arianna grinned and turned to find a pad and pen. “So, chocolate, white, something nutty. What else do we want to try?”

  “Um.” Trent’s brow cocked. “That’s already a variety. How complicated does it need to be?”

  Ella rolled her eyes. “Surprise us. You know what I like. Trent’s easy.”

  “Okay. Maybe get some design ideas and we can discuss them then.”

  “Sounds good.” Ella crouched down to eye the chocolate. She placed an order, and they were on their way.

  Isandro took her hand and pulled her closer. “You don’t mind doing this at my place, do you?”

  “Not at all. I’ll do the baking here, while I’m open.”

  He nodded. “Okay. And if you want help, ask. I’ll do anything for you.”

  “You would, wouldn’t you?”

  Caressing her face, he smiled sadly. “Someone needs to.”

  “Still wish I’d realized that sooner. Things would have been so different if I told Derrick no and said yes to you.”

  His shoulder lifted in a shrug. “You crushed me.”

  “Which I regret. More than you know.”

  “Don’t. Better now. We both know what we want. I know how to please you.” A smirk pulled at his lips. “Probably better we waited so I didn’t have to stumble around with you.”

  “Were you a player?”

  He shook his head. “No. I had my share of relationships.”

  “Why hasn’t anyone lasted?”

  “Maybe I let go too easy. After watching my mother hold on too tight for too long, I’m afraid to force someone to stay if they don’t want to be there.” Turning away, he tried to hide the pain in his eyes.

  “I noticed that.” She sighed.

  “This is different, Ari. Yeah, that first morning I fucked up. And again yesterday. No more. I won’t blow another chance.”

  “Wouldn’t let you if you tried.”

  “Hey, I learn my lessons. You want me, you got me.”

  Chapter 18

  Two days later, Arianna’s phone rang. She picked it up and saw Cherise’s number. “Hey. How’s being engaged?”

  “Great. What’s going on with you? No one has been to your condo in days. You haven’t called to tell me what happened.”

  Arianna sighed. “Been staying with Isandro. By the way, Mom faked her collapse. Nothing’s wrong with her, except she hates my man.”

  “You’re calling Isandro your man? I want to know more. What are you doing for lunch? Can you get away for a little while?”

  “Sure. Where are we going?”

  “The diner. I’ll be there in a minute.”

  Arianna grinned as she grabbed her purse and locked up. She put a sign up saying she’d be back in an hour. Once again, she thought about hiring someone to be there a few days a week. Maybe more. It had been a few months since her last employee moved away, and she hadn’t bothered looking.

  Taking time off with Isandro was enough motivation to put an ad in the paper. She headed down the street to the diner and found Cherise already there.

  Verna greeted Arianna warmly and led them back to a table.

  Cherise bounced in her seat. “So, your man? How serious is it?”

  “I love him,” she answered without reservation, a smile beaming from her face.

  “Love? Wow. And Mom told you about his dad. Any chance that monster is lurking under the surface?”

  Arianna froze, a scowl taking hold. “He’s not his father. Isandro has no respect for the man. He wants nothing to do with him. If you’re going to warn me away, I’ll go back to the shop.”

  “No, no…please.” Cherise grabbed her hand. “Sorry. What Mom said scared me. That doesn’t mean I think Isandro is anything like that. Promise. I had to ask. You would know better than I would.”

  “Yeah. No, he’s not. In fact, he’s pretty damned incredible. No one has ever wanted me for me. He doesn’t want me to lose weight, or change my hair, or have a better job. He loves my chocolate. I’ve never felt sexier, or more desired.”

  “It shows. You carry yourself differently. I’m jealous.”

  “Oh, Bentley treats you like a princess. Don’t tell me he doesn’t.”

  “He does, and I’m not complaining.” She smiled and glanced away. “But your smile is stunning, and your confidence is obvious. I’m glad you finally kicked Derrick to the curb.”

  “Wish he’d get it through his head.”

  “He might have. He was at Long Ride Steakhouse with Ingrid. The girl he’s with more often than not.”

  “For how long?”

  “At least three years.” Cherise shrugged. “Always when you’re off, sometimes when you were on. I honestly thought you knew. I thought that was why you kept dumping him.”

  Her chest ached. Not because she missed him, but because she wasted so much damned time.

  He dumped her when she wouldn’t let him move in after college. He came crawling back a few weeks later. On and off, round and round they went. She’d get sick of his lies and games and kick him to the curb. Sooner or later he came back, promising to be better. He never was, only got worse. And for three years he was cheating…probably more.

  “If I had known he was getting some on the side, I would have shut him down for good. In the beginning he seemed so wonderful. I always thought we could get back there. It never happened. Then I saw him with Ingrid, and that was it.”

  “And how did you wind up with Isandro?”

  She gulped. “I went to the bar to drown my sorrows. He offered to buy me a drink and my mouth started watering. I pulled him onto the dance floor, then I kissed him, and um…took him home.”

  “Ooh, and you’ve been together since?”

  She gave Cherise a brief rundown of the events leading up to her staying with Isandro. Her sister’s eyes grew rounder by the moment.

  “Oh my God, someone broke into your shop and your condo? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Sorry. Things have been hectic. You’re newly engaged. I didn’t want to bother you.”

  Cherise glared at her. “You are never a bother. I love you, and I know I’m a pain sometimes, but I do want to be there for you. You’re always there for me. Help me to be a better sister.”

  Arianna smiled. “Okay. I promise. No more secrets.”

  “So you’re staying with your man now?”

  “It’s okay. I have everything covered. And Isandro is happy to have me there.”

  “I bet. He can’t keep his eyes off you. I’ll admit. He looks intimidating until he has you in his sights.”

  “Intimidating? Why?”

  “Because he’s huge!” She giggled. “I mean, he’s built. I’ve seen him at the pool in the gym. And the piercings.”

  Arianna giggled. “Oh, I like those. And you hav
en’t seen the best one.”

  “What’s that?” she asked innocently.

  “A prince Albert.”

  “You mean…he has his…dick pierced?” She burst out in giggles. “Really? And you like that?”

  “Oh yeah. And it—” Arianna slapped her hands over her mouth. “Never mind that.”

  “Oh my God. You little perv.”

  “You asked,” Arianna taunted.

  “I guess I did.” She laughed. “So what should I say if Mom asks about you?”

  Arianna sighed. “Tell her to fuck off. I’m done. She faked needing to go to the hospital, and I was stupid enough to fall for it. I honestly wonder if she put Derrick up to parking in front of my place.”

  “If you’ve been staying with Isandro, why would she assume you went home?”

  “I don’t know. Doesn’t matter. It won’t be an issue again.”

  The food came and they fell into an easier conversation.

  * * * *

  Lunchtime came around and Isandro opened up the box Arianna had packed. A smile lifted the corners of his mouth as he pulled out the salted caramel truffles and popped one in his mouth.

  “She’s spoiling you,” Trent said as he took a seat across from him.

  Metcalf dropped down beside Isandro. “You two work your shit out?”

  “Yeah. I didn’t get a chance to call her. She came to me. Thanks for talking sense into me.”

  Trent leaned forward with a quiet tone. “What did I miss?”

  “My misunderstanding the other morning.”

  Trent’s jaw flexed. “Tell me you two are good.”

  “We are now. I needed to know she was all in, and someone had created a situation that made it easy to doubt. I know better now. So can we drop it?”

  “Touchy, touchy,” Trent taunted.

  “Shit, it wasn’t as bad as your bullshit with Ella last year,” Isandro countered.

  Dumbass accused Ella of being a drunk when he walked into a situation he didn’t bother attempting to figure out before running his mouth.

  Isandro didn’t shut Arianna out. She came, and he caved. Seeing her tear-streaked face nearly killed him. And she’d been waiting long enough to fall asleep on his porch. “I fucked up, but it’s fixed now. So let it be. I won’t make the same mistake again.”

  Trent looked at Metcalf with a raised brow.

  He shrugged back. “I didn’t ask for the whole story.”

  “She’s staying with me. Someone broke into her home. That was after breaking into her shop. It’s probably the same asshole who wrecked my car at the country club, because they already verified he broke into Sweet Tooth.”

  “A stalker?” Trent asked.

  Someone had been stalking Ella back when they met. Isandro had the pleasure of dragging the fucker down the stairs after he threw Ella from the second floor to the first.

  “No. Seems to be after money. They didn’t steal anything, but they tried to get into her office, and they were looking for something in her bedroom. They haven’t found what they were looking for.”

  “Why didn’t you tell any of us?”

  “What was I supposed to say? The police are handling it. I’m staying out of it because we all know I’ll only get myself in trouble if I come in contact with the bastard.”

  “You didn’t kill the guy who hit your car.”

  “We were at the country club. Her mother had already made the situation uncomfortable. Derrick was hassling her. I didn’t want to make it worse. Besides, asswipe called the cops and Marissa texted me to let me know she was on the way.”

  “Oh, that had to have been fun.” Trent laughed.

  “The night was a mess. Morning sucked. That evening everything fell back where it needed to be. And now we’re where we should be.”

  “Next time, talk to her before jumping to conclusions.”

  “No shit.”

  The bells rang and Isandro repacked his lunch and headed for the fire truck.

  Chapter 19

  Isandro climbed off the truck and found the same car that crashed into his Mustang engulfed in flames out on a logging road. He stood there, trying to figure out what the hell was going on.

  “What is it?” Trent asked.

  “Where’s the driver?” Isandro demanded.

  Metcalf pointed at the road. “Looks like another set of tires.”

  Isandro snarled, “Are the police on the way?”

  Trent said, “Should be, we still need to put it out.”

  Where the hell is the pipsqueak?

  They set to work on putting out the fire. There was no sign of the idiot, other than tire tracks on the dusty road. Who picked him up? Who convinced him to set his car on fire? It wasn’t like there was a lot of theft in Lakeridge.

  Once the fire was out and they were loading the truck, the cop car arrived. Marissa and Brian climbed out. A scowl darkened his sister’s face.

  “Where is he?” she asked.

  Trent gave him a raised brow. “Who are you talking about?”

  “Talbot Squires,” Isandro answered. “Some kid from the country club. This is his car. He’s the one who drove into mine.”

  Marissa sighed. “We’re looking for him. He’s definitely the one who broke into her condo.”

  Isandro stopped to stare at his sister. “When did you confirm that?”

  “Today.”

  “Have you told Arianna?”

  “Not yet. We received confirmation an hour ago. Looks like he’s running. I tried to convince the judge he would.”

  “Don’t blame yourself. I’ll make sure she keeps the alarm on. It’s the best I can do.”

  “I’ll stop by your place. Make sure she knows. She needs to know what we’ve learned. And I can make sure the alarm is on.”

  “Thanks. I don’t get off until later, and I don’t want her stressing out alone.”

  Marissa smiled. “I’ll keep her company. If she wants it.”

  “Thanks. I’ll give her a call on the way back.”

  “We’ll see if we can figure out who picked him up.” She nodded at the tracks. “Looks like someone was back here with him.”

  “I hope you find Talbot,” Isandro answered. Otherwise, he might kill the little prick when he got his hands on him.

  * * * *

  While closing up Sweet Tooth, Arianna could have sworn someone was watching her. Not that she could find anyone, but she wasn’t going in search of them. Instead, she wrapped one hand around her pepper spray and gripped a key between her first and middle finger, ready to gouge anyone who came near her while hauling ass to her BMW.

  No one showed themselves, so she slid into her car, locked the doors, and hightailed it out of the lot behind the shop. Isandro wouldn’t be home until after ten, and she already felt lonely.

  She stopped at the Thai restaurant and ordered enough food for both of them. While waiting, she sent a quick text.

  Hey, there will be Thai in the fridge. Didn’t want to wait to eat dinner. Miss you. She left out the fact she was freaked out all of a sudden.

  A few seconds later her phone rang and she answered. “Hey, you. Wasn’t expecting a call.” She’d heard the sirens earlier and figured he was busy.

  “Wanted to hear your voice,” he murmured.

  “Long day?”

  “Yeah, and when you get home, set the alarm. Keep it on. Marissa confirmed the kid from the country club is the one who broke into your shop and home. And today we were called out to put out his Honda Civic.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Think he set it on fire. Left it back out in the woods. He wasn’t in the car. Looked like someone took him away from there.”

  Anger and a trace of fear flowed through her. “Great. So maybe that’s why I felt like someone was watching me when I left the shop.”

  “You what?”

  She shrugged and glanced at the wall. “Probably being paranoid. Don’t worry. I’m going straight home and turning on the alarm.” />
  “Don’t worry? Ari, I can’t not worry. I could try to take off.”

  “I’ll be fine. Promise. I’m picking up food now, then I’ll be home, locked inside with a book. Besides, if he’s skipping bail, he’s probably running.”

  “I don’t like this. I don’t want you alone.”

  She sighed. “I’ll keep my pepper spray with me. Go back to work. Try to think of me in your bed instead of me being paranoid.”

  He sighed. “Call when you get there. At least text me. Then maybe I’ll relax.”

  “You’re sweet. Have I mentioned that?”

  “Only for you,” he admitted. “Be safe, beautiful.”

  “I will.” She ended the call, regretting the fact she’d be home alone most of the evening, but she was a big girl and could take care of herself.

  * * * *

  After eating her fill, she sat on the couch, wrapped in a blanket reading Roxana Nights’ latest book. She used to daydream she could have a sexy werewolf, or maybe a strapping mage to take care of her. Her hot as hell fireman was better than any book boyfriend. She didn’t have to lose herself in her imagination to feel his touch.

  The knock startled her. She dropped her tablet and grabbed the pepper spray before walking to the door to peek out. Marissa stood there, and she shut off the alarm before letting her in.

  Arianna offered a smile, nervous about the nature of the visit. “Hey, want to come inside?”

  “Please. We should talk.”

  Her hope drowned as she stepped back. “Isandro gave me an update. Talbot’s car went up in flames. He’s running.”

  “Sure looks that way.” Marissa shut and locked the door before turning toward her. “Want some company?”

  Not wanting to appear weak, she shrugged. “You don’t have to. I was reading. I’m okay.”

  Marissa offered a smile. “That’s not what I asked.”

  “Sure. If you want.”

  “We’re going to be around each other. I’d rather be friends than strangers.”

  Arianna smiled. “Friends it is.”

  She smiled a second before becoming serious. “My brother says you thought someone was watching you when you left.”