Page 37 of Vengeance Becomes Her

The nickname had never sounded as good as it did from his lips. His voice was warm and full like honey when he said it again.

“I like it.” Tristain’s face transformed into a bright smile. He was like a beacon of light breaking through the darkness that had been consuming her just hours before.

“Are we good?” she asked.

He nodded and raised his glass. “To moving forward.”

Rhiannon met him mid-air before taking a long drink from her glass.

She took her first bite of cake now that her nerves were settled. The light strawberry flavor and decadent cream cheese frosting danced over her taste buds, broadening the smile that had spread across her face at theirreconciliation.

Guilt at keeping the delicious dessert all to herself started to gnaw at her. She didn’t really need the whole slice when theyalso had wine.

“I’ve reconsidered my ultimatum. I’m willing to share, if you want some.”

He leaned forward, opening his mouth expectantly.

Her stomach dipped at the image in front of her as she cut the edge of the cake with the side of the fork and directed it toward his mouth. His lips closed gently around the tines and he slowly pulled his head back. The dip in her stomach turned into a flutter. He made eating cake look so good.

When he opened his eyes again, she dropped her gaze back to the plate, hoping he hadn’t noticed her staring at his lips.

The silence drew out between them, both of them awkwardly taking largegulps of wine.

Tristain spoke first. “I missed you yesterday.”

He was looking into his wine glass like it held the secrets to the universe—but Rhiannon suspected he was desperate to avoid eye contact.

A rush of excitement flooded through her, but she took a moment to collect herself.

“I thought it would be a nice break for you, give you some time to spend with my sister.”

As soon as the words left her lips, she knew she had said the wrong thing.

His fingers drummed anxiously on the table. “Your sister? I mean…we get along but why would we be spending time together?”

“Aren’t you…you know…” she gave him an insinuating look.

He huffed a laugh that she met with a glare. “Oh. You’re serious? Rhiannon, nothing is going on between me and your sister. At all.” He emphasized thelast two words.

“I see the way you two look at each other, those passing glances at the table aren’t as discreet as you think they are.” She couldn’t keep the irritation and hurt from entering her voice.

“Passing glances?” He tugged at his roots in frustration. “The only thing we talk about is you. We’re both worried about you.”

Jealousy, doubt, and embarrassment tangled within her. “Right.” She shook her head at herself for letting the word slip out. She was being an asshole, she knew it, but she couldn’t stop now that she’d started down this track. But Tristain wasn’t playing into her fit.

“I’m going to go. Enjoy the wine. I’ll see you tomorrow?” His voice was a bit shaky.

“I’ll be there.”

He turned, rushing toward the door like he could not escape her company quickly enough.

She tugged at the end of her braid, torn over how to fix the damage she’d just caused.

“Tristain…” He froze near the door. “Thank you.”

He looked back at her over his shoulder, his features drawn in concern. “Goodnight, Rhiannon.”

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