What the Heart Wants (2 page)

As he stood, his foot crunched a can that lay on the carpet. His eyes passed over a shimmering blue and white beer can. An empty liquor bottle lay on its side, just two feet away.

No wonder my head is pounding.A hangover
.
I have a damned hangover
.

He laughed, thinking about why he began drinking in the first place. To forget her.

What a joke. Not all the liquor in the world could erase her image from his mind.

Staring aimlessly, his heart grew weary, knowing he would never truly feel skin as soft as satin, never look into eyes as rich as marmalade. His soul grew restless.

She would never be his salvation, only his tormentor.

* * * * *

CHAPTER 1

“Please wake up…”

The words slowly rolled off Heaven Lewis’s lips. As the images faded, her mind grasped at the last fragments of her dream.

But the images, once vibrant hues of green, lilac, and gold, grew darker with each passing second. She wanted to remain in this dream, needed to stay in it to find the answers to her questions—why she was having the same dream, repeatedly.

She would get no answers this time, either. As she grew closer to the edge of consciousness, a voice barely discernible to the ear called to her soul. There was pleading in the tone; pleading to the point of desperation. The sound stung her heart.

Stay…

As if losing the dream wasn’t disappointing enough, the nudge in her ribs ripped away the last dark fragments of her dream.

“Ouch!” Heaven’s eyes flew open. The elbow met her ribs once more.

“Get off me!” her sister Faith grumbled in the seat next to hers. “It’s hot enough in here without you laying on me.”

The dream was gone, but Heaven still felt dazed. She knew she was on a plane, heading to Los Angeles, yet she felt like the kid who fought for the window seat in her parents’ car.

She leaned to her other side, trying to give Faith her space, only to invade her other sister Hope’s, instead. “There’s no more room on this side, either. Faith can deal. Just ignore her. Trust me; it’s not hard.”

God, it feels like we’re six, again.

The thoughts playing in her mind reminded her that she was every bit of twenty-one.
Those chocolate eyes—no, more like espresso.
They captivated her, even though
Faith’s leg shook ninety miles a minute.

“Why didn’t Chelsea fork out a little extra for first class-seats? I mean, we’re best friends. Aren’t we worth more than coach? Is it too much to—”

“Zip it, Faith.” Hope cut in. “We’re almost there. And Chelsea is
Heaven’s
best friend.”

Faith’s frown consumed her face: brows puckered, eyelids narrowed, lips turned down. Though Heaven empathized with Faith, she knew it was time to play referee before this disagreement turned into a full-blown fight. Despite reaching adulthood, going off to college, and living individual lives—some things never changed.

But Heaven found herself losing focus. She could still feel espresso eyes devouring her as tiny strands of the dream floated in her mind.

She inhaled deeply.

Fresh cloves lingered in the air. Her skin prickled at the familiar scent.

His scent.

If she could close her eyes again, she could re-enter the dream; re-enter the happiest time of her life.

She felt a bony finger firmly poke her shoulder. And then, again. Her muscle burned from the assault. She glanced at Faith, teeth sinking into her bottom lip.

Faith’s jade eyes sparked with anger. “If you’re too worried about offending
your
best friend, I’ll ask Chelsea why she skimped on the seats.”

Heaven’s lips parted, but warm fingers curled around her other shoulder, pushing her back.

Hope leaned forward; her golden brown ringlets swayed gently, but her blue eyes glared at Faith. “Do it! Please, give me a reason to help Chelsea toss your ungrateful butt on the street. Stop being such a—”

“Come on,” Heaven said, leaning forward to physically separate her siblings. She felt her face heat when the man sitting in front of them glowered. “This may be our last trip together. I want it to be exciting; something we can tell our kids, someday. Can you manage that?”

“Sure,” Hope replied, brushing back her shoulder length hair as she reclined against her seat, “once Faith gets out of
bitch
mode.”

“Says the kettle to the pot,” Faith retorted, slumping back in her seat.

Heaven watched Faith fan herself with an airplane safety manual. The air stirred as lavender rushed through Heaven’s nose.

And they say lavender relaxes you. Humph. A field of lavender couldn’t ease my frustrations with Faith. But his lips…
Her skin tingled.

Heaven eased back in her seat. What she wouldn’t give for a steaming cup of coffee—and a matching set of eyes. She wondered if she concentrated hard enough could she remember the rest of the dream?

Why does it matter? It’s just a dream. He’s not real.

She closed her eyes, anyway. So what if it was a dream. It was the best part of her day, escaping with him. She wanted to return to him, to stay in the dream.

Stay…

Her heart fluttered at the word.
Call me back to you…

Faith tugged at her short skirt. Her fidgeting hands brushed Heaven’s leg, sweeping the fragments of her dream under a mental carpet.

Only Faith could get by with a skirt that short.

She wished her sister wouldn’t dress so provocatively. It drew the wrong attention. But try telling that to Faith who right now was exaggerating her movements as the man across the aisle tried not to stare.

Faith’s need for attention was bad, but her shopping habit left her broke. Luckily, their father had a big heart—and a bigger line of credit. Heaven cringed at the thought of Faith’s plan to hit Rodeo Drive.
She’ll max out every credit card Dad gave her.

“So what does he look like?” Faith asked.

Heaven gazed over at her sister. “Who?” She didn’t need to ask. Her gut twisted in a warning.
Tread lightly.

“Don’t play stupid.”

A wave of embarrassment heated Heaven’s cheeks. Her eyes shifted past Faith, out the window to fluffy clouds lining the cerulean sky.

His dark eyes…such passion inside them. And those lips. I would give up a trip around the world to kiss those—

“Well?” Faith’s voice felt like a bucket of ice water smacking Heaven in the face. “I’m not asking you to solve Fermat’s Last Theorem. Are you going to tell me about the dream or not? You did have it, again, right?”

“Yeah,” Heaven whispered. When she met her sister’s eyes, the smile straining her cheeks faded. “I mean no. There was no dream.”

“You’re lying. You were talking in your sleep. You told someone to wake up.”

“Leave Heaven alone, Faith.”

Faith snapped her eyes toward Hope. “Keep your nose buried in
Truth Newspaper
. Catch up on the latest cat fight between Jen and Angelina; just leave me alone.”

“You’re majoring in fashion, not psychology. Worry about your portfolio so you can get a top internship in New York or Paris. Heaven’s dreams should be the least of your concerns.”

“You would love to coordinate my whole life.” Faith said, turning to face the window. “You need to find a project to manage that doesn’t involve me.”

God, where’s a muzzle?
Heaven massaged her thumping temples. She closed her eyes, blocking out the voices, except the one calling to her soul.

Stay.

Heaven felt a shiver run up her spine.

“If we don’t get off this plane soon, they better have a straight jacket waiting at the gate,” Faith grumbled, her eyes glued to the little, round window.

“Can we be so lucky.”

Why couldn’t Hope keep her mouth shut? Just a few more seconds and Faith would—

“Keep it up and there’ll be a gurney waiting for you.”

“With some hot EMT to help ease my pain.” Hope’s body shook from a stifled laugh.

Angling herself in her seat, Faith kicked the seat in front of them, again. Even the man in front of them fully turning and glaring didn’t faze Faith.

“I’ll have you know that—”

Heaven said a silent prayer when the intercom buzzed to life.

“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We have arrived at LAX airport in sunny California. The time is now nine forty-five a.m., and the temperature is pleasant at seventy-four degrees. We hope you enjoy your stay in the Golden State and would like to thank you for flying with us on American Airways.”

Just like someone had shut off the faucet, the flowing anger ceased. Frowns turned to grins. Faith even flashed both sisters a smile.

This too was like old times, when they fought in the back-seat over who was poking the other. Once they made a trip to Grammy’s house and bickered all three hundred miles. Faith hogged the back-seat. Hope whined about Faith pulling her hair while Heaven deflected slaps from her triplet sisters.

But three magic words brought everything to a halt.
We are here.
Heaven and her sisters raced out of the car and showered their Grammy with hugs and kisses.

That same excitement raced through Heaven’s veins at the thought of what lay beyond the walls of the plane. She offered her hand to Hope, who didn’t hesitate to grab it.

When Heaven offered Faith her other hand, Faith gazed down at it. She seemed reluctant to allow their differences to slide. The way her green eyes wavered between Heaven’s hand and her own was awkward, but Faith finally reached for her sister’s hand.

They weren’t ready to sing Kumbaya, but at this point, Heaven felt happy that they were looking forward to their vacation once again.

* * *

Heaven followed Hope into the concourse. Her body, twitched with anticipation at the thought of seeing Chelsea. A smile played at her lips as she searched for her best friend in the sea of cheerful faces. Suddenly, she heard a piercing squeal coming from her right.

“Oh, my God, you’re finally here!”

Heaven recognized the voice at once, even if it did have valley girl twang to it. Just as she turned around, a pile of platinum blonde hair covered her face. She only knew two people with hair that color. Chelsea and Brooke McConnell. Judging by the aggressive hug she was getting, this pile of blonde hair belonged to her best friend.

“Hey, Chelsea,” Heaven said as she pulled away from the bear hug. She held her best friend at arm’s length, studying her. “Good God, I think you’re even taller than the last time I saw you.”

“Maybe it’s these three-inch heels I have on,” Chelsea replied, gazing back at the foot she raised.

“No, you’re definitely taller. You should be in Paris or Milan, strutting your stuff on a runway,” Heaven teased. “I’m loving the turquoise dress. The one shoulder design is gorgeous
.
”

“Thanks.” Chelsea beamed brightly as she brushed a wavy lock behind her ear. “The shops out here have the best clothes. L.A. has the best of everything.”

Heaven immediately sensed a change in her best friend. There was a sparkle in her eyes. It had been four years since Chelsea emitted rays of positivity.

Whatever reason she invited us here, I think it’s a good one
.

“Where is that sister of yours?” Faith cut in, scanning the waiting area. “I know
my
best friend wouldn’t miss my arrival.”

“Brooke didn’t come. She’s out running some errands for me.”

“Yeah, right. Brooke doesn’t take orders; she gives them.”

“True, but she’s more thoughtful than she used to be,” Chelsea chuckled.

“Brooke’s playing nice? Humph. Who the hell is she seeing?” Faith sighed as she examined her manicured fingernails.

It was too good to last
.
Heaven noticed Hope’s eyes slant in a glare intended only for Faith.

When Faith glanced in Hope’s direction, she shrugged her shoulders, silently mouthing,
What?

“Ask Brooke about her love life when you see her. It’s not my place to tell,” Chelsea said as she locked arms with Heaven. “Let’s get your luggage and get out of here. We have a lot of catching up to do.”

* * *

Heaven eyed the sleek sports car that beeped in answer to the keyless entry remote Chelsea pushed. “Wow, Chels, is this your—”

“Nice BMW,” Faith interrupted, leaving her suitcase near the trunk to walk the length of the jet-black car. She opened the door and sat in the passenger side. “The leather seats are plush, comfy even—nothing like coach seats.”

Heaven flashed her sister a warning look.
Watch it.
She glanced at Chelsea, dreading the offended look she would be wearing, but Chelsea didn’t bat an eye at Faith.

“Isn’t it nice? I love this car. It was a gift,” Chelsea answered, flashing Faith a smile as she and Heaven stuffed the trunk with suitcases.

“Does your sugar daddy have a brother?”

Chelsea’s smile didn’t falter. She simply asked, “Did we get everything?”

The sisters nodded, turning toward the passenger side of the car. “We’re ready to go,” Heaven told her, “as soon as Faith moves her butt to the back-seat.”

“Oh, come on. You know I don’t ride well in the back.”

“Save it, Faith. Heaven gets shotgun. You get to ride in the back with me,” Hope said as she pulled Faith out of the passenger seat.

While Heaven waited for her sisters to settle in the rear seat, she didn’t let the fact that Chelsea was avoiding Faith’s question go unnoticed. She’d find out what Chelsea was hiding, when the moment was right.

Once they buckled their seat belts, Heaven felt excitement coursing through her body. She was about to get her first view of L.A. Ever since her best friend’s family had moved here, she’d wanted to come for a visit. Her conversations with Chelsea about seeing celebrities on the streets and in restaurants left Heaven wanting to experience the excitement herself.