What the Heart Wants (22 page)

This is where she was staying. Made sense, it being her best friend’s room.

He lost focus on her things as visions of her face overtook the other thoughts. She acted different. More so than she had the other times they were together. Was he just getting used to her personality?

She was a lot like the dreams. But shyer. That sexy woman who teased him in his dreams was in there. He sensed it. Heaven was trying to hide it. Which was cool. She didn’t come on too strong. Like her sister.

Faith and Layne were definitely a perfect match.

As were he and Heaven.

If only she’d realize that.

His hair brushed against his neck as he kneeled at the end of the bed where some of Chelsea’s totes and bags sat. He tucked his keys into his back pocket. Grabbing the straps on one of the duffle bags, he slung it over his shoulder before picking up a couple of totes.

What the hell did Chelsea have in these things? Bodies?

His muscles tightened as he struggled toward the door. He felt the keys in his pocket, working upward.

Clink
.

“Damn it,” he whispered He set the tote down and bent down to grab them. His fingers clasped around the cold metal.

Pushing up on his legs, he stared at the key ring. Then the ground shifted beneath him. His body chilled like a bucket of water dumped on him. The keys disappeared as the ceiling came into view. Why was the ceiling so hazy? And wasn’t he just looking at his keys?

How the hell did he end up on the floor? On his back?

As his eyes drifted in and out, the sweet sound of an angel called to him. Shook him. Stared into his eyes…

* * *

“Dylan, answer me! Are you okay?” Heaven asked as she leaned over him, shaking his shoulder with one hand, the other stroking his hairline.

How many times could you knock a man down before he stayed down? Literally ?

If she had only known that he was right behind the door, she wouldn’t have pushed it open so hard.

His brows puckered, then relaxed. He blinked his eyes a few times before they rose to her face. Sweet Hershey Kisses…that’s what they reminded her of.

She bit her lower lip, her stomach knotting until she saw the corner of his mouth curving into a smile.

“Damn, beautiful, you sure know how to make an entrance.” His laughter filled the space between them.

“I’m glad to see you still have a sense of humor. I guess I didn’t do too much damage.”

She stroked his head, again, searching for a knot.

Dylan smiled as he gazed into her eyes. “I’m too hard-headed for any serious damage.”

She stood, reaching her hand out to his. “Let me help you up.”

A jolt coursed through her when their skin touched. Their eyes met, again.

“I’m sorry,” they said in unison and then broke into laughter.

When Dylan was finally on his feet, he released her hand. The warmth that once caressed her skin evaporated like steam.

Darn it.

* * *

Dylan eased down on the bed as Heaven helped him. He liked the feel of her fingers on his arms. Hell, he just liked the feel of her.

“Sit here until I get an ice pack.”

He reached for her as she turned to leave. Her eyes twinkled as they fell to his hand. “I’m okay. I don’t need an ice pack.”

“Will you do it for me? It will help ease my guilt,” she pleaded.

He stammered for the right words, feeling like an idiot when nothing more than a growl formed. When she gazed into his eyes, the world stopped.

She was worried about him. That meant she cared about him, didn’t it? That was the only medicine he needed. But it wouldn’t be enough to comfort her.

“All right, go get the ice pack. I’ll be a good patient.”

And he would. So long as she was his nurse.

* * *

Heaven’s face burned like coals on a fire. She’d officially sent Dylan to his knees. Though this wasn’t the way she imagined it happening.

Her face heated for a different reason.

God, she had to get her emotions under control. The more she thought about Dylan, the more she acted like Faith.

She grabbed an icepack from the freezer. Thank goodness Chelsea’s dad was a doctor. First aid necessities were like fire extinguishers. They had to be in the house. Just in case you needed them.

A quick stop at the counter to grab a dishtowel and then back to the staircase.

How would she be able to walk into the room and look Dylan in the eye? She’d just knocked the guy on his ass. With the door.

This man’s never going to want to be alone with me, again. Ever.

Heaven eased the door open and walked inside. The heat of Dylan’s eyes washed over her. Her body, the positive pole on a magnet. His eyes…the negative pole.

Then it dawned on her. They were alone. In a bedroom. No one would be back for hours.

Dear God, she wanted to be bad.

* * *

It was kind of crazy. Knowing how much Heaven affected him just by walking in the room. She swayed her hips with each step. His body heated. In places that weren’t appropriate at the moment.

“This should help.” His skin cooled as she placed the ice pack on his head. “Did I hurt you anywhere else?”

“I don’t think so.” Unless you counted the way his heart ached for her.

He watched her scan his face for other signs of injury. She was standing between his legs while he sat on Chelsea’s bed. Not the best position for her to be in right now. It wouldn’t take much to pull her on top of him and unleash the need pooling at his hips.

His face grew hot.

“The only thing that hurts is my head; it's throbbing.”

“Dylan, I am so sorry for hitting you with the door. I feel awful.”

“I’ll survive. I’ve been through worse out on the road. This is just a bump.” A painful bump, but he’d never tell her that.

His eyes fell to her hips. Even clad with jeans, he could trace the delicate curves that led up to her tiny waist. He wanted to grab her up in his arms.

“But if I’d hit your temple just right…” Her eyes snapped shut.

“Heaven, it is okay.” She didn’t open her eyes. Chills cut across his skin as if the last ember in a fireplace died out. He touched her hip. Her breath caught.

Ah, hell.

Adrenalin rushed into every nerve in his body. He tightened his grip on her hip. But fought the urge to pull her closer. The vibes coming from her mingled with his. He sensed she wanted him. But she was afraid.

And he’d never push her into anything.

When she wanted more from him, she’d come. He’d wait until then.

He loosened his grip on her hip, forcing a laugh from his chest. “I guess you can tell everyone I fell for you.”

That had her eyes opening. Beautiful eyes. He wished he could tell her about the dreams. Would she believe him?

* * *

Heaven peeked under the icepack to look for swelling. Luckily, there was only a small knot behind his hairline. “You’ve got a little bump up here, but I don’t see any other marks.”

“See, I told you I was okay.”

His spicy scent flooded her nose. God, he smelled delicious. If he didn’t stop looking at her like that, she’d give in to the want heating her thighs.

What a new sensation. She liked it. Didn’t want it to stop.

Where did these thoughts keep coming from? She’d spent too much time with Faith.

Or Dylan had awakened something within her. Something she hadn’t known existed.

Concentrate…

“Sit here and relax for a few minutes. I will get the rest of Chelsea’s things ready to go. It’s the least I can do after trying to give you a concussion.”

“Do you really want to make it up to me?”

Was he serious? Of course, she did.

“Just tell me how,” she answered.

“Come out with us this weekend. Have a little fun.” Us? Who was he referring to? “The whole gang is heading to Jerry’s beach house this weekend. To unwind. Your sisters are coming, too.”

Since when? Why hadn’t they told her?

“Really? They haven’t mentioned anything to me.”

“Well, Hope just agreed to it today. I talked to Scott before I came here. Faith’s known for a few days.” His brows pinched. “I’m surprised she didn’t tell you.”

Heaven’s eyes did a somersault. “Faith does what she wants, when she wants. If she feels the need to tell me something, she will. If she doesn’t, she won’t.”

“She is a little difficult, isn’t she?”

Understatement.

At least she got to hear his laugh.

“So is everyone staying over?”

“That’s the plan. Jerry has several bedrooms and a guesthouse. You can share a room with your sisters.”

“Sounds like fun. I’d love to go.”

He looked pleased with that sexy smile on his face.

Her knees wobbled.

“I think you’ll have fun. We’ll have a bonfire and some drinks. Sebastian and Jerry will try to drown each other in the ocean. They make our get-togethers interesting.”

“I bet,” she chuckled. “It will be nice to spend some time with you, too. You know, get to know each other better.”

Did she just say that out loud?

Dear God.

At least he smiled.

“I like that thought,” he whispered.

So did she.

Her heart fluttered. God, it was going to be an amazing weekend.

* * * * *

CHAPTER 14

Heaven folded her arms atop the dining room table. She leaned her chin against them, watching Faith pace the floor. A couple more rounds and Faith would be successful in burning a hole in Chelsea’s carpet.

“I hate waiting around for someone,” Faith said in her usual sarcastic tone. She parted the blinds and stared out the window.

Was she this impatient when Layne was around?

Hope hit the bottom step as she carried her bag to the door. “It’s only ten o’clock. Scott told me that he would be here around ten-thirty.”

“Well, Layne is riding with Dylan.” Faith snapped her head in Heaven’s direction. “Did Dylan tell you what time he would be here?”

Heaven gritted her teeth, wishing Faith could be pleasant for one day. “He said he would be here between ten and ten-thirty.”

Faith groaned and began pacing, again. “I was hoping Layne would drive himself, but he always wants to be around Dylan. It annoys the hell out of me.”

Good. Someone was annoying her for a change.

“They are best friends. What do you expect?” If Faith planned to be unpleasant today, Heaven would not accommodate her with kindness. “Do you dread spending time with me on the drive up to Malibu?”

“Don’t be sarcastic, Heaven. I want some privacy with Layne. Don’t you want to be alone with Dylan?”

Finally. The truth was out.

Just like Faith to think about her wants.

“I’m going to be around him all day. If we want to be alone, we will find the time.”

“Get your hormones in check, Faith,” Hope lashed out. She leaned against the dining room table, folding her arms at her chest.. “I know you are here to have fun this summer, but be careful in what you do.”

“I’m careful,” Faith boasted and pulled a few packages of condoms from her purse. “I’m always prepared.”

Hope blushed. “Dear Lord, I hope you don’t pull those out in front of everyone.”

“Oh, don’t worry. A man has to meet my standards if he wants to take it to the next level with me. My standards are very high.”

“Yeah, the main qualification is being rich, right?”

“It’s not the main qualification,” Faith grinned. She shoved the packages back in her purse and tossed it beside her bag on the floor. “A rich guy is a bonus.”

Faith had no shame. But at least she was honest. She wasn’t ashamed to admit she liked money. “I’ll be back in a sec. I think I’ll take my other bikini.”

“It better not be the string bikini.” Hope shouted up the stairs. “No one wants to see your ass all weekend.”

Except Layne.

Heaven buried her face in her arms, stifling a laugh.

She peeked up in time to see Hope’s lips twitch. “Are you okay?” she asked.

“I am a mixture of things: excited, happy, nervous…”

“Why are you nervous?” Hope questioned as she opened her compact mirror, giving herself a quick glance.

“Oh, I don’t know, Hope. Why
would
I be nervous?”

The compact snapped shut. “It’s not like you’re going off with Dylan alone. We’ll all be there.”

“I know. It’s just that…when I’m around him, it feels like I’m in a foreign country. I don’t know how to act or what to say. ”

“Is that so?” Hope’s brow reached for the sky. “Mind elaborating?”

Not really.

Heaven tucked a curl behind her ear and gazed out the window, again. “When he was here yesterday, I got so caught up in him. It feels like there is a magnet drawing us together. When I look in his eyes, I want to know what he’s thinking. Or I’m fighting the urge to pounce on him.”

Hope roared with laughter. “Wow, Sis. Blunt, aren’t we? Never known you to want to…um…pounce on someone. That sounds like Faith.”

“God, I know. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” Heaven tapped her fingers against the table, each thud filling the room like a faint drum. “Just a week ago, I wanted nothing to do with him. And now…”

“You’ve realized you’re attracted to him. You should be, Hev. Dylan’s gorgeous. The way he looks at you…” Hope’s voice trailed off as if she were searching for the right words. “It's as if he knows you on a deeper level.”

A subconscious level?

Dark eyes filled Heaven’s mind. The dream guy. There was no way Dylan could be him. She’d know.

Wouldn’t she?

“I’ll let you in on a little secret.” Hope said as she pulled at another chair and sat down in front of Heaven. “According to Scott, Dylan’s never been in love.”

Heaven crumpled her face. “What do you mean?”