By Elliea, he was beyond famished, almost near death. For lunch, Julia had fed him a tiny piece of fish. He, who had once consumed an entire Daerabar on his own. Now he was in desperate need of sustenance. For Julia, he grumbled, “Aye. I will share.”
“Wonderful.” Faith smiled, revealing two sweetly shaped dimples. “I’d be happy to stay for supper, then. I’ve missed you, Jules, and it’s obvious we need to talk more.”
“I’ve missed you, too.” Relaxing slightly, Julia removed the bag from his hands, emptied the contents on the table and dispersed the food until everyone held what they wanted. “So what have you been up to lately, Faithie? Last I heard you were traveling through a jungle.”
Faith immediately launched into a tale about her latest expedition, a six-week journey through South Am-erica. Tristan only half listened. As he devoured the small slabs of meat and bread that did not settle well in his stomach, his attention focused on Julia.
He watched her eat, watched her mouth work slowly, sensually. Watched her tongue slide over the lushness of her lips, lifting crumbs. The words she’d spoken earlier played in his mind over and over, taunting him.
Sometimes, when I look at you, my hands ache to move up your chest, to feel your heart beating beneath my palms.
Had she thought of him when she’d spoken, or had she thought of Puny Peter?
Julia chose that moment to glance up, their gazes colliding. Blood coursed through his veins like a newly awakened river, his hunger for food forgotten. His jaw tightened right along with the rest of him. By the sudden flare of passion in the luscious depths of her eyes, he knew beyond a doubt that she’d meant the words for him. Not Peter. The knowledge sent more white-hot desire rocking through him. Desire and undiluted aggression; he felt more powerful than if he’d slain one thousand enemies.
“Hell-oo,” Faith sang. “Someone else is in the room, you know.”
With much regret, he tore his gaze from the source of his arousal.
Julia blinked rapidly, then shook her head. Her cheeks bloomed bright with color as she once again faced her sister. “Uh, yeah, you were saying, sis?”
A smile played at the corners of Faith’s lips. “I doubt you’re interested in a lost city. No, it’s okay,” she said when Julia protested. “I’d rather hear about you and Tristan, anyway. Where did you meet?”
“At a flea market,” Julia supplied. “We started talking, discovered we had a lot in common and became friends.” The paper covering her food crackled as she folded back the corners. “That’s the whole story. There’s nothing more to share. You get it.”
“I’m sure there is plenty more.” Amused, Faith regarded Tristan. “Do you collect antiques?”
“Nay. Julia bought my box.”
“Ah, so you’re a seller.”
“Nay, I am a—”
“French fry, anyone?” Julia asked, cutting him off.
Her panicked expression pleaded with him to remain silent. Tristan’s stomach clenched. He did not like that she begged him, even silently. Did she fear her sister would steal his box if she knew the truth? Whatever her reasons, he pressed his lips tightly shut and said nothing more on the subject. He would trust her judgment.
“Jules, you’re acting weird,” Faith said pointedly. “No offense, but I’ve never seen you this flustered. What’s going on? What am I missing?”
“Nothing.” Eyes wide, Julia stuffed her mouth full of food.
Faith glanced between Tristan and Julia once, twice. “You’re hiding something, Jules. I can tell. You can’t even look at me without trembling.”
Julia swallowed and said, “I’m not in any kind of trouble, if that’s what you’re thinking. I promise.”
“Oh, really.” Disbelief echoed in every syllable Faith uttered. “Well, something is going on here, and I want to know what it is.”
“Tristan has been taking care of me, that’s all. I’ve just been…sick.”
“Are you okay?” Faith demanded, instantly concerned.
“Oh, yeah. I’m fine,” Julia rushed to assure her. “There’s no need for you to worry.”
“I can’t help it. You’re my sister, and I—crap.” Faith clasped her hands over her mouth, practically radiating giddy excitement. “You’re pregnant, aren’t you? That’s why you’ve been sick.”
Julia began to choke, a piece of burger lodged in her throat.
Tristan pounded her on the back, dislodging the morsel. “Cease your questions, woman,” he ordered. “You are upsetting Julia.”
“I can’t believe this.” Disregarding Tristan’s command, Faith continued on with a jubilant smile. “You’re having a baby. Why didn’t you tell me? Oh, this is wonderful. I’m going to be an aunt. When is the baby due? Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl?”
Tristan pounded his fist against the table. “Enough!” Both women jumped at the harshness of his tone, but he had no regrets. He’d stopped the woman’s blathering. “Such questions are ridiculous. There is no child.”
“That’s right,” Julia said, flushed. “As I mentioned, Tristan and I are merely friends. I’m not pregnant, but I am dating my next-door neighbor, Peter. I mean, I think I’ll be going on a date with him soon. He’s come close to asking me out twice.”
Faith blinked, confused. “But I thought you were living with Tristan. You guys are sleeping in the same bed.”
“I am and we are.” Julia scrubbed a hand down her face. “As friends.”
Tristan ran his tongue over his teeth.
“I see,” Faith said, her eyes glazed with disappointment, and it was clear she didn’t “see” anything. “You two seem perfect for each other, that’s all.”
Julia’s sibling was a woman of great wisdom, Tristan decided.
A calculated gleam lit Faith’s eyes and she said, “Why don’t you ask Peter to dinner on Saturday? That way, Tristan and
