What the Heart Wants (13 page)

Was she ready to get away from him?

Maybe that’s what he sensed. This uneasiness churning inside her. Had his gawking when they first met left an unfavorable impression? Could he convince her that he wasn’t some stalker watching her every move? That she enamored him to the point that he couldn’t focus on anything else?

Her brows gathered, lips twitched, as if something had caught her attention. He wanted those bright eyes staring into his. Not down the hall.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

 “I think so,” she whispered, letting a sigh trickle from her lips. She finally turned toward him, but not before checking the hallway once more. “That was…scary. They came from out of nowhere.”

“That’s how the press operates. Someone tipped them off that we were here.”

He paused as air from the vent above them blew her hair. When a strand caught on her eyelash, Dylan brushed it out of the way, tucking it behind her ear. Her warm skin teased the tips of his fingers. Silky. Just like he remembered.

He wanted to tell her how beautiful she looked. The words played on his lips, but a noise to their right broke the daze.

A flash blinded him.

When his eyes refocused, he stepped in front of Heaven and glared at the lens pointing at them.

“What are you doing here?”

“Relax, Mr. McBride. I’m not here to spin a story. My name is Sid Baker. I work for
Truth Newspaper,
and that is all I am after—the truth.”

Was he kidding?

This guy needed to change his sales pitch because Dylan wasn’t buying his bullshit.

“You guys wouldn’t know the truth if it bit you on the ass.”

Dylan’s chest puffed like a rooster ready to defend what was his. As far as he was concerned, Heaven
was
his and he would be damned if any reporter took advantage of her, again.

“I beg to disagree, Mr. McBride. May I call you Dylan?”

“Would it matter if I said no?”

Sid’s mouth fell open and his eyes widened. “Yes, it would matter.”

Dylan snorted. He shook the hair from his face. “You’d be the first reporter I’ve ever met who felt like that.”

“Most reporters don’t care about what they are reporting. They’re out for a story, and the juicer it is, the more money they make.”

“I bet,” Dylan grumbled in agreement, folding his arms in front of his chest.

At least the reporter couldn’t get any more shots of Heaven. She was hiding behind him. Or so he thought until she tilted her head to peer around him.

Either she was getting braver or wanted the attention.

Probably the former.

Dylan hoped.

“I’m not worried about the money,” Sid continued. His eyes lacked the aggression of his comrades outside, and he wasn’t bombarding them with questions.

Still, he was a reporter, and from Dylan’s experience, that meant one thing. They followed the story and went after it like an owl hunting a mouse.

“I know what you’re thinking, Dylan, but I assure you, I’m harmless. I went into journalism to get the real story, no matter how exciting or boring it might be. I’d like to truthfully tell your story.”

Harmless? If that were true, why was he hiding in the basement of a church, snapping pictures of unsuspecting people?

Dylan prayed he hadn’t found the bridal party. Kyle would be pissed if Chelsea didn’t get her wish—to have this wedding without the paparazzi getting involved.

While years of experience cautioned him, Heaven’s state of mind was his biggest concern. He glanced back at her, wondering if she had gone back to hiding or if she was still peeking at the reporter.

Her eyes rose to meet his. The corners of her mouth twitched until they turned upward.

Talk about distracting.

His eyes darted back to Sid. He hoped the reporter didn’t have his camera raised, trying to catch the moment on film. But to Dylan’s relief, or rather disbelief, Sid was only smiling.

Taking a step back, Dylan remained at Heaven’s side, though she was now in full view of the reporter. He’d give Sid one chance to prove he wasn’t as sleazy as the group outside. If Sid gave any indication of snapping a photo of Heaven…

“Look,” Dylan began as he cleared the roughness in his tone. “I’d like to help you out with a story, but this isn’t my story to tell.”

Sid’s eyes flashed to Heaven and then flickered to Dylan’s face as he said, “I’m not after the story I originally came here for. I want the story on you,” he paused, his eyes bolting in Heaven’s direction, again, “and her.”

A surge of heat spread from Dylan’s head, down to his arms and fingers, like a bolt of lightning had struck him. Were his intentions toward Heaven that obvious, or was Sid that good at reading people?

Not that the answer mattered. He’d deny an accusation in front of the press. For Heaven’s benefit.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t know what you mean.”

Dylan surprised himself with how clear and crisp his voice sounded, even though his insides shook.

“I mean the story about you and your girlfriend.” Sid smiled at Heaven before focusing his gaze back on Dylan. “People were starting to question your sexual preference.”

What the hell…

“If there was a question about it, maybe you should have asked my fans.”

Okay. Not his best retort. Now Heaven would think he was some man whore like Layne.

Jesus, could this be going any more wrong?

“Well, thank you for ending the speculation,” Sid chuckled, stealing a glance in Heaven’s direction. “It was an honest mistake. You haven’t dated since—”

“Yeah, I get your point,” Dylan snapped, cutting Sid’s response short. If their conversation kept going this way, Heaven would think his interest in her stemmed from either desperation or an attempt to add another notch in his belt.

“Very well, then,” Sid said, digging a pen and notepad from the bag slung over his shoulder. “We can move on to the good stuff—you and your gal. How long have you been together?”

“What?” Dylan and Heaven said in unison.

“Am I not speaking the right language? I know I’m from a different generation, but…” Sid stopped and leaned forward. Looking as though he were thinking twice about continuing, he finally did. “The hottie standing beside you … she is your girlfriend, isn’t she?”

Dylan’s eyes shot to Heaven. Were his eyes as wide as hers were?

He wished he could answer Sid’s question with a yes, but he couldn’t.

At least, not yet.

He shifted his eyes from Heaven and faced the reporter. “No comment.”

“Come on!” Sid laughed. “You can’t hide it from me, and you won’t be able to hide it from anyone else for long.”

“What makes you say that?” Dylan asked. His ears began ringing.

Sid’s lips radiated with a grin, his eyes dancing with laughter. “It’s the way you look at her…you are crazy about her.”

Christ.

Hiding his attraction to Heaven would be a lot harder than he thought.

Dylan's body warmed as he gave Heaven a sideways glance. Her eyes drifted from Sid’s, to the ground, and then up to his.

The brief moment dragged on like a presidential speech.

What was going through Heaven’s mind? Questions floated around in her eyes. Though Dylan knew the truth of Sid’s words, Heaven didn’t. He couldn’t let the truth come out under these circumstances.

His eyes veered back to Sid as he shook his head.

“Sorry, dude. You’ve got your wires crossed. She and I met less than an hour ago. And we need to get back to our, um, prayer group. Excuse us,” he told him before turning toward the door. He took a step before glancing back at Sid.

“The exit is this way.”

Sid replaced the pad and pen in his bag before nodding his head at Heaven.

“Good day, Miss,” he told her before hurrying to the exit.

Dylan cracked the door and then slammed it back. He waited until Sid looked at him. “If those pictures see the light of day, you’re going to have me to deal with. You don’t want that.”

Sid gave a tight nod as Dylan reopened the door. A few flashes lit up the entrance as the remaining paparazzi tried to find their story.

God, they were merciless.

Once Dylan rechecked the lock, he made his way back to Heaven. Unable to look her in the eyes, his eyes bore holes into the tile.

Time for some damage control.

“Think I should check and see if there are any more reporters lurking in the dark?”

The sweet sound of Heaven’s laugh echoed in his ears. Long locks shimmied around her face as she shook her head. “I think we’re safe. Finally. That was, um, insane. Do you deal with reporters like him all the time?”

“Pretty much. You get used to it after awhile.”

“And I thought the reporter at the bridal shop was pushy.”

An ambush of reporters in one day? He laughed to himself. Heaven needed a bodyguard. Especially if she got involved with him.

Then again, the thought of another man protecting her had him clenching his jaw.

He’d protect her himself. But would she allow him?

While Dylan soaked in every detail of her face, Heaven’s eyes dropped to the ground. An awkward moment of silence had her fidgeting.

Her nervousness was back. Dylan felt it poking his skin.

“I’m sorry that he was badgering you about being in a relationship with me,” she said, as she ran her fingers over the hem of her skirt.

He struggled to find his voice. Clearing his throat, he finally said, “Don’t apologize. I should be apologizing for putting you into this situation. He will try to find out more info on you.”

“It’s okay,” she said, her eyes rising to meet his. His chest caught when he realized how close they were standing. Close enough to lean in for a kiss on those full lips his eyes kept drifting to. “Really. I don’t think he’ll waste his time on me. You are an important person. I’m no one special.”

His heart slowed to a steady beat. Didn’t she realize how wrong she was?

“You’re wrong. You’re someone special, too.” His voice thickened. “I’m sure you are important to a bunch of people. You’re so beautiful. You probably have guys dreaming of you.”

Like him.

Heaven’s chuckle lightened his mood, as did her rosy cheeks. “I don’t think anyone is dreaming of me, but thank you for such a sweet compliment.”

“I’m only saying what is obvious. I think you turned every head in the room when we met earlier.”

“Wow! Thanks. I’m very flattered that you think so.”

Her laugh eased the longing coursing through his body.

As their eyes met once more, Heaven’s smile faded, though her eyes twinkled under the fluorescent lights.

But the silence grew awkward.

“We'd better get back inside,” she finally said. “I’m surprised Chelsea hasn’t sent a search party for us.”

She took a step back and turned toward the hall.

Dylan fell in step close behind. “I was supposed to be your search party.”

“Oh!” she snickered as they grew closer to the sanctuary. “Then we are both in trouble.”

* * *

Heaven wished someone would pinch her. Not only had she just faced a mob of reporters, but her knight in shining armor was a celebrity.

A very sexy celebrity.

Of all the luck.

She paused in the doorway to the sanctuary, her eyes landing on Chelsea as she watched her best friend chatting with her sisters.

How was Chelsea doing it? Marrying into a celebrity lifestyle? Heaven couldn’t think of a more depressing life, except maybe being on death row. At the top of the list.

At least Chelsea could handle attention. But to be in the spotlight all the time. To lose your privacy. To be constantly looking over your shoulder, ready to run from the press. It wasn’t a life Heaven wanted for herself. Or her best friend.

Now there was Dylan.

What was it about him that made the butterflies in her stomach do a line dance?

And his eyes.

She stole a quick glance over her shoulder. Her body tingled to life when she noticed he was only an inch away from her. She held her breath.

His dark eyes gazed into hers. Was he reading her thoughts?

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

His breath caressed her cheek with cinnamon sweetness.

“I…I’m fine, thanks,” she whispered, forcing her gaze back to the bridal party.

She couldn’t look at him. Just being this close had her body reacting to the sound of his voice. Her legs trembled. Breathing deepened. Heart raced.

Nope. It wasn’t happening.

Getting involved with a rock star.

No way was she going to live the crazy life her best friend was about to embark on. Heaven had plans. Like going into the All Things Art program and traveling abroad. If she got accepted.

Her eyes roamed over Kyle’s face. The way he looked at Chelsea like no one else in the church existed. How his lips warmed each time she laughed.

Kyle loved Chelsea. But would love be enough?

“Guess it’s time to get this rehearsal going,” Heaven said as she took a step forward.

Her stomach knotted. A part of her seemed to break away when she moved away from the heat of Dylan’s body. She stole another glance behind her, meeting his brooding eyes.

“Thank you. For coming to my rescue.”

A smile teased the corner of his mouth as he nodded. “Glad I could help.”

* * *

Heaven stood in the archway near the front of the church. Her eyes roamed Dylan’s face, taking in each of his features as though he were a statue on display.

She knew him. How could she not? She’d seen his face so many times.

In the tabloids.

Yet something about him struck a familiar chord. Not a chord of celebrity recognition. Something about the twinkle in his eyes, or the way his smile perfected his full lips nudged her heart. Just the short time they’d known each other felt like a lifetime.

It was impossible, though.

She glanced at her watch. Yep. Just a little over thirty minutes since they’d met. So why did he seem like an old high school friend? Not that she had many guy friends in high school. Just the opposite. Even the last few years of college had only earned her a couple of male acquaintances. And one relationship.