Pulling out his cell phone he dialled his lawyer’s number. Kate had controlled him for long enough. He was tired of wanting something and always holding himself back for fear of hurting the person he cared about. Tristan loved Vicki, and he’d hurt her regardless even though she’d given up so much for him. He intended to get the divorce if it was the last thing he did and to earn back Vicki’s trust.
The call kept dialling, and he held on. His divorce should be easy to obtain. He’d been living in Law Castle long enough without Kate for there to be no problem.
****
“Okay, you’ve pulled me away from the best foot massage in the country, so spill,” Zoe said.
“There’s nothing to spill,” Vicki said. She lay back in the bath with bubbles all around her. The knots in her muscles were loosening from the bath salts she’d added. She felt wonderful for the few minutes of being able to relax.
“Several of the locals spotted you leaving with Tristan in his personal car. I’ve been in Law Castle long enough to know when you’re spotted leaving with someone, it is a big deal.”
Vicki laughed. “Have we little town people turned you into a gossip?”
“Babe, I’ve always been a gossip. I’ve just never had anyone to gossip over.”
“He took me to the supermarket near the city. It was a large one with everything inside.” She didn’t mention how he bought everything. Vicki didn’t want to know how a Sheriff could afford such luxury.
“What else did he say?”
“Tristan emptied my home of alcohol.”
“Woohoo, it’s about time someone did that for you. You as an alcoholic would never be pretty,” Zoe said.
There was some mumbling in the background.
“What are you doing?” Vicki asked.
“Brent is painting my toe nails. He wants some ideas for a book or something. I so hope it’s not a foot fetish. I’ve got tickly feet. Enough about me. What about you and Tristan?”
Vicki let out a sigh. “He says he’s getting a divorce. That has got to mean something, right?”
“It should, especially if the woman is the bitch from hell that everyone is describing.”
“I can’t speak for everyone,” Vicki said. She was also biased on the topic of his ex-wife.
“Is it true you walked in with his wife’s pants around her ankles?”
“Yes, and thank you for giving me back the visual.”
“Sorry. The town were talking. It’s already doing the rounds that she got some kind of weird marks on her ass and thighs.”
“She’s a pain slut according to Tristan. His wife liked a lot of pain. More pain than he could give her.”
Zoe stayed silent over the line.
“You can’t tell anyone this.”
“I won’t. I was just thinking about what her pain thing would mean,” Zoe said.
“I’m not following.” Vicki sat up in the bath and reached for the soap.
“If his wife likes pain and Tristan couldn’t give it to her then there’s a guy out there who provides her need. What if he comes to Law Castle?”
“I don’t know. From what Tristan told me it’s mutually consensual.”
“Still, it’s freaky shit,” Zoe said.
“This is coming from the woman in love with three men.”
“My men are hot.”
Vicki chuckled. “I’ve got to go. He’s staying to feed me. It should be fun, or not.”
“Okay, well give us a call with all the details.”
She hung up and placed the phone on the towel she’d laid out on the floor. Her friendship with Zoe meant the world to her. Zoe was older than she, but their friendship had blossomed regardless of everything else that happened.
Smiling, Vicki took the time to wash herself. It had been a long time since she’d relaxed enough to soap her body. She took the time relishing the feel of the warm water against her skin. Vicki also took the time to shave her legs and under her arms. After what Tristan said to her inside the supermarket she had to face some harsh reality. She had let herself go.
Once she finished in the bath, she let the water out, cleaned the mess, and then made her way through to her bedroom. She quickly dressed in a long nightshirt and made her way downstairs. Tristan stood without a shirt stirring some bubbling sauce at the stove. The scents made her mouth water as much as watching Tristan work her kitchen. His arms were huge and thick with tight coiled muscles. She remembered how those arms felt wrapped around her. They’d never actually fucked naked or in a bed. Some part of them was always clothed. She could imagine though, and her imagination always ran wild.
“Did you have a nice bath?” Tristan asked without turning around.