What the Heart Wants (21 page)

He’d never forget this night. Not in this lifetime. Or the next.

But one question still remained.

Did Heaven want to be with him?

* * * * *

CHAPTER 13

A week dragged by when you weren’t having fun. Or when you were obsessing over a man. Like Heaven was. Maybe she’d misread Dylan’s signals that night at the club.

The same night everything changed.

In her mind and heart.

Had she made a mistake?

“It was just an act of kindness. That’s why I haven’t heard from him.”

At least she had a great view of the ocean while she wallowed in her misery.

The distant waves crashing against the shoreline caught her attention. Each white crest covered the wheat-colored sand, enticing the grains to join with it as it receded back into the salty water. Above the playful waves, sea gulls cried as they searched for nourishment, circling the water in hopes of finding their next meal.

She longed for the beach. Wanted to feel the warm sand between her toes. Feel the salt in the water as it splashed up her leg. Enjoy the gentle breeze as it rustled through her curls.

But leaving the condo meant risking a run-in with Zeke.

Fire churned in her stomach. Not the good kind, like when she thought about Dylan. More like acid churning.

Zeke was warped. Did he actually think she wanted his grimy hands all over her that night? And what if no one had been around? Would he have—?

“You over-think things, Hev.” Hope’s voice drifted from Chelsea’s room. “Maybe he is busy with the band.”

Maybe. But…

“If that is true, how have Scott and Layne found time to see you and Faith?”

“Because we’ve made ourselves available. You’ve holed up in this condo for the last week. Have you been anywhere?”

Heaven shrugged. She turned her back to the ocean as the wind whipped her hair about.

“No. But can you blame me? After the crap Zeke pulled? What if I run into him and he asks about my
relationship
with Dylan?”

“Don’t worry about that idiot. If anything, I’d be afraid of him trying to break in here. I mean, if he’s friends with Chelsea and Kyle, he may know where she lives.”

Hope sure knew how to diminish a person’s fears.

Not.

Heaven drew in a breath until her lungs tickled. She faced the warmth of the sun. “Why do I attract all the crazy ones?”

And now Hope was laughing.

Siblings…

“You attract more than the crazy ones. I mean, look at Dylan. He isn’t crazy.”

“That we know of,” Faith added as she came walking through the bedroom toward the balcony.

Someone was chipper this morning.

Heaven opened her eyes to meet Faith’s. Hope’s eyes fell on Faith as well. Her brows seized above her nose. “How long have you been eavesdropping?”

“Not long. I have better things to do with my time,” Faith’s eyes rolled like sarcasm off her tongue. “I came to see if I could borrow your pink sundress, the one that ties around the neck?”

Hope crossed her arms. Her fingers tapped her skin. She finally nodded her head “Go ahead, but try not to get it dirty.”

Faith’s face puckered like a prune. “You act like I’m going to root with the pigs or something. Layne is taking me to lunch and then around the city.”

“That’s not the type of dirty I was talking about,” Hope grumbled.

Was Faith actually blushing?

“I won’t get
anything
on your dress.” Her eyes moved past Hope to Heaven. “What’s wrong with you?”

Heaven pursed her lips. Did she really want to provide Faith ammunition to humiliate her with at another time?

No.

“She hasn’t heard from Dylan since the night after the reception.”

That was it. As soon as Heaven found a needle and thread, she would sew Hope’s lips together. Instead, she gazed back at the waves.

“That was a memorable night, with freak boy, Zeke.” Faith’s snorted. “You should have let me beat the crap out of him.”

When Hope’s phone chimed, Heaven gazed back at her.

Hope stroked the front of her phone. The screen lit up as she tapped it a couple times. “Why, so we could bail you out of jail?”

“It would have been worth it.”

For once, Heaven agreed with Faith.

The weight of Faith’s eyes flipped from Hope to Heaven. “Don’t worry about Dylan. He went out of town with his dad for a few days, on business. Layne said they just got home last night.”

You might know Faith would have the answers. The last person Heaven would ask.

“Thanks for letting me know.”

“Yeah, you know me. I’m here to make your day.” Faith’s sarcasm was drier than the Sahara Desert. Even when she was being nice. She turned toward the door, tossing a last comment over her shoulder. “I’ll see you two later.”

“Have fun,” Hope yelled. Her eyes still glued to her phone.

“I always do.”

Heaven waited until Hope finished typing on her phone. Probably a text to Scott. Envy sprang in Heaven’s heart. She wanted a text from a certain someone.

My, how the tables had turned.

“Sorry,” Hope said as she tossed her phone on the bed. “Had to text Scott back. Where were we? Oh, yeah, Dylan. See, I told you there was a reason why you hadn’t heard from him.”

Heaven nodded. Maybe this newfound interest in Dylan wasn’t one-sided after all “I guess you could be right. I wouldn’t even be worrying about it if I hadn’t rebuffed him.”

“Why are you still worried about that? Do you not remember the way he went off on Zeke? The man referred to you as his girl.”

Hearing those words leave Dylan’s lips had been the highlight of her week. In fact, she’d replayed those words in her mind so many times, she began to wonder if Dylan had actually said them. Why did she over-analyze everything?

“What if all of that was for Zeke’s benefit? Dylan said Zeke would leave me alone if he thought Dylan and I were together.”

Hope shook her head as she leaned against the French doors. “You wouldn’t be saying that if you’d seen Dylan’s eyes. He gave me goosebumps just watching him. What he said to Zeke…it was a territorial thing. Primal instinct.”

Huh?

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“You know, for someone as smart as…never mind.” She cupped Heaven’s shoulder, giving her a little shake. Maybe she was trying to give her a wakeup call. Who knew? “Dylan wants you, Hev. He wants you so much he is willing to fight anyone who tries to take you away. Or get in his way. The man is passionate about you, Sis. You’ll see.”

Heaven took a deep breath, enjoying the way the breeze tossed her hair. “We did have a moment, after he confronted Zeke.”

Hope’s eyes disappeared behind her cheeks. “I saw it; the kiss on the cheek,”

“I ran cold, then hot in just a few hours. He probably thinks I’m nuts.”

“Nah. You’re a woman. We’re unpredictable. He knows that.” Hope gave her a playful push. “He wants you, Sis. And judging by your smile, I think you’ve had a change of heart.

Was she just figuring that out?

“I feel a pull toward him.” Heaven clenched her stomach. The butterflies would be the death of her. “He reminds me of the man from my dream.”

“I wouldn’t know. You never gave me any details. Have you had another dream?”

Heaven struggled to recall her last dream with mystery-man. She came up blank. “I don’t think I’ve had any dreams since our first day here.”

How odd.

Hope hesitated when her phone chimed, again. She glanced at it, but then turned back to face Heaven. “Guess you’ve been busy obsessing over someone new, right?” Did Hope have to make her sound like a stalker? “I need to get downstairs.” Hope said as her eyes fell to her watch. “Scott should be here any minute.”

“Where are you guys going?”

“We’re doing lunch, but after that, I have no clue.”

“Have a good time, Hope.” Trying to smile was like telling her pulse not to quicken each time she thought about Dylan.

“I know that look.” Hope tapped her foot against the concrete. “Are you going to be okay? You know that you are more than welcome to come with Scott and me.”

‘Cause it would be so much fun to drag your sister along on your date.

No, thanks.

Heaven curled her nose. “Thanks for asking, but I will be fine. You deserve to have some fun, so get to it.”She followed Hope inside as her sister tossed her phone inside her purse.

Taking one last look in the mirror, Hope moved toward the door. “I won’t be out late.”

Heaven decided to wait until she heard the front door shut. Then she’d go lock it. No sense in being at the house by herself with an unlocked door. Not when Zeke had it in for her.

* * *

Heaven’s cell phone was on its third ring by the time she grabbed it off the end table. Who could be calling? Faith and Hope had been gone for a half an hour and Brooke was still at Jerry’s house.

Was it Dylan? Her heart gave an extra thud in her chest. She slid her finger across the phone.

“Hello?”

Would she be able to hear the caller with her pulse thumping in her ears?

“Hey, Hev, it’s Chelsea.”

Her heart beat a twinge of disappointment.

“Hey, you,” she said, hoping that Chelsea wouldn’t notice the weight of her voice.

What an idiot. Like Dylan would actually call. At least it was good to hear from Chelsea.

“How are you, Mrs. Winters?”

“Hev, I’m in paradise. I wish you could see this place. The water is the prettiest blue and there are white, sandy beaches for miles.”

Heaven gazed out the French door to the ocean. And she thought it was pretty here…“Sounds beautiful. Are you at least going out to enjoy the sights?”

“Um,” Chelsea paused before a burst of schoolgirl giggles echoed over the line. “We’ve been out as much as we’ve been in.”

“Mmm, hmm, I bet.

“Now that I got to hear your voice, I have a favor to ask. I have a few things that need to go to my new place. I’m going to have someone come and get it. Are you going anywhere today?”

Yeah, right. She was, as Hope had put it, holed up in the condo. She glanced at the TV screen. Pretty Woman was paused on DVR, waiting for her return.

“I hadn’t planned on it.”

Especially with freak boy Zeke lurking God knew where.

“All right then, I’m going to call Emma to see if she can swing by and pick it up.”

Heaven grabbed a pen and paper off the end table. “If you tell me what you need, I can get it together.”

“That would be great, Hev. Thank you. I’ll repay the favor someday. Maybe when you’re on your honeymoon.”

Ha. Like that day would ever come at the rate Heaven was going.

Not in this lifetime.

* * *

Heaven was in the dining room, grabbing a large manila envelope, when she heard the doorbell ring. Who had Chelsea sent to collect her things?

A shot of panic spread up her back. What if Chelsea sent Zeke? Her stomach twisted into a tight knot.

She should have told Chelsea about Zeke’s stunt at the club. Too late, now. She turned the doorknob, holding a deep breath.

Mysterious eyes gazed back at her as shoulder-length hair whipped around his face.

One of God’s feathery elite couldn’t be as handsome as the man standing before her. Or smell as good. Fresh cloves swirled up to her nose.

She inhaled until her lungs couldn’t take another ounce of air.

“Hi, Dylan.” Had he finally come to talk to her?

And what was with the stubble on his jaw? Dear God, his hot factor just shot through the roof.

Heaven wanted to sink into a puddle of bliss. She wanted to be in his arms. Hell, her entire body pulsed with want.

“Hello, Heaven. I came to get the stuff that Chelsea called about.”

Her excitement sank like a ship.

Great. He wasn’t there to see her. And when had seeing or wanting him become so important?

“Oh, okay,” she said, stepping out of the way as he walked past her.

A charge of electricity coursed within her, bringing the hairs on her arms on end. And he hadn’t touched her.

Wow…

Once the door clicked shut, she gazed up at him. “I thought Emma was coming to get the stuff.”

He shrugged. “I was the only one available today. I guess everyone else is busy.” His eyes roamed the room. Then landed on her.

Her belly flopped. “Yeah, I guess they are busy…except you and me.”

“Are we that much alike?” he asked. “You know, the solitary type.”

This time, her belly didn’t flop, it rolled. Sweet Jesus. Maybe he was still interested. Hard to tell with the way his eyes kept leaving hers and wandering around the room. At least they kept coming back to her.

“I guess maybe we are alike,” she finally answered, playing with the envelope in her hand. Need pulled at her navel. Each one of her breaths amplified.

If she were a compass, Dylan was north.

She finally broke his gaze as the burn of a paper cut tore away the magical haze looking at him had caused. “Most of the stuff is ready. I have one more thing to grab. The rest of the stuff is in Chelsea’s room.”

“All right. I’ll get started. Where is her room?”

“It’s upstairs, to the left,” she answered, leading him up the staircase. His eyes swept over her body. Not that she could see him gazing at her. It was instinct.

She choked back a laugh. What would he do if she stopped on the top step and planted her lips on his? Her luck, he’d back away. And then fall down the steps.

That’s just what she needed. More guilt. She’d already rebuffed him. Why not break his legs while she was at it?

“I’ll be in to help as soon as I get this last item.” She didn’t look in his eyes. Couldn’t look in them.

She’d be in trouble if she did. Or jumping on top of him.

* * *

Dylan opened the door to Chelsea’s bedroom and gazed around. Sandalwood greeted his nose the moment he stepped inside. Signs of Heaven’s occupancy were everywhere. Clothes. Shoes. Perfume…