Page 65 of Priest

“I meant…” I run a hand through my hair. “My house.”

I see a small smile forming on her lips. “I like your house. It’s cozy.”

“That’s also another word for small.”

“No. It’s a good word. It’s a word that most homes wish they could be. You can have a big house and it be cold and empty, like a museum, marble floors and counters making it look like a freaking hotel lobby.” She wafts a hand in the air. “Or small apartments that lack any kind of warmth or character. They’re all a dime a dozen. But your place has character. I like it.”

“Good. I’m glad.” I lean on the side of the bar. “Was that what your house was like? Cold and empty?”

She looks down at her hands. She does this a lot and I want to break her of the habit. I want her to know she can tell me anything. “Yes. It was cold, empty and like a museum. No life there at all. Nobody to talk to…”

“You were there alone a lot?”

She nods. “Aside from going to school, yes. Then we moved and I postponed my classes at the end of term. I was homeschooled for most of high school, my dad… he was very strict, but he wasn’t home a lot. So I had my cousins come over sometimes, but we didn’t really get along.”

“What about friends?”

“I don't make friends easily.”

I frown. “Why not?”

She shrugs, swallowing her real answer when she says, “I don’t relate to many people. I’m socially awkward, at best. So I’ve found it’s best to just keep to myself for the most part.”

“That sounds like a lonely existence.”

Her bottom lip wobbles. Has this woman been deprived of affection this much? She felt that lonely in her own home? No parents to talk to when she got home, no siblings to hang with, or friends. Just cold, monotone walls that held many secrets.

I know Bella is well off. I had that inclination from the start, but I also know she doesn't have access to money.

“It is.” She swallows hard. “But like I said before, I’d rather this than to give myself to a man I don’t love, nor do I respect.”

Her words hang between us as Amber returns with our drinks. I give her chin lift and she smiles back at me. “There ya go, holler out if you need anything else.”

I nod. “Thanks, sweetheart.”

The bar is busier than usual being Friday night, and I try to shield Bella away as much as possible. I didn’t want to bring her here so soon, but until I find Rueben, I don’t trust that he isn’t still watching. If he wants to come in through those clubhouse doors, I won’t stop him, but I doubt that’s gonna happen anytime soon.

I turn back to Bella. “I’m glad that you won’t stand for anything less than you deserve,” I say. “But it has put you in this unfortunate position, one that I’m sure you haven’t ventured into lightly.”

She sips on her drink through the straw. “I had money, but I can’t access it without giving away that I’m…” She clears her throat. “That I ran away… That I did what I did.”

I know she has secrets. I know there is a lot she’s not telling me, but she will in her own time and I’ve gotta respect that.It’s bad enough she had to fake her own death.

“It’s very brave. To get out of a bad situation is one thing, but to uproot your whole life is somethin’ else.”

“Tell me about it. But I won’t be down for long.”

I take my shot and down the entire thing. The sting on the back of my throat feels good. “I was thinkin’,” I say suddenly, “that we go to Texas the day after tomorrow. It’ll be quieter on the road.”

“Can we go on the motorcycle?”

I look up at her, surprised at her words. “It’s more than a four hour trip.”

She shrugs. “Can you handle it?”

I smirk. “I can handle it. The question is, can you?”

Her cheeks flush and my eyes flick down to her chest. Her breathing has accelerated and I know what my bike does to her. That only makes the wood between my legs stand to attention. For fuck’s sake. Why does this woman have this hold over me?

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