What the Heart Wants

by Kelli McCracken

  “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…

  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.