What the Heart Wants

by Kelli McCracken

  Thank God, they’d made it to the second floor. Another second of the steps and he’d have lost his willpower. He lingered around the steps, talking a moment to breathe through the need pooling in his groin. But watching her put space between them with each step had him falling back in step with her.

  “I wonder if Hope is sleeping,” Heaven said softly as she opened the door.

  Dylan watched as she peered around it and looked inside. “What’s the verdict?” he whispered.

  Heaven’s body jiggled. “You have to look at this. It’s just too cute.”

  “What is it?” He waited as she opened the door a little wider before stepping beside her. When his eyes fell on the bed, he noticed Hope and Scott lying across it, sideways. Hope lay at the foot, her head near the edge. A trash can sat beneath on the floor.

  He wasn’t sure if it was in use or a precaution to what might lie ahead. Scott was lying just behind Hope with his hand resting on her waist.

  Dylan shook his head as Heaven turned toward him. “It looks like they’re sound asleep,” he whispered.

  “I guess when he said he would take care of her tonight, he meant all night.”

  “Now I have the guesthouse to myself.” He took a step back as she shut the door. When she turned to him, he gazed into her eyes. “You are more than welcome to crash there.”

  “It would be a little awkward to crawl in bed with Hope and Scott.” She chuckled, her eyes trailing over the closed door.

  “That’s exactly why you should stay at the guesthouse house, with me. I’ll take the sofa and you can have the bed.”

  “I guess that would work,” she smiled. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

  Was she kidding? The thought of her sleeping under the same roof as him…“I don’t mind at all.”

  “Then it’s a deal.”

  Dylan flashed a smile her way, lacing his fingers through hers before they walked down stairs and out the side door.

  * * *

  Once they entered the guesthouse, Dylan showed Heaven where the bedroom was. She walked over to the large, picture windows facing the ocean. A gorgeous view of moonlit waves rolled to the shore below.

  Her eyes drifted to the king-sized bed. Images from earlier played in her mind. Of Dylan stretched across it. Relaxed. Smiling. Thin white sheet…

  Her pulse quickened.

  “Is there anything else you need?”

  She gazed over at the doorway, half expecting to see him naked. More like half hoping. His body blocked most of the view to the other rooms, but it was fully clothed.

  Damn…

  And now he was ready to call it a night. She didn’t want him to leave; she wanted to be close to him. It was as if she needed to be around him. Every time they parted company, she noticed herself missing him.

  Was she already forming an attachment?

  “I think I’m good,” she answered.

  “If you need anything else, just let me know.” He turned in the doorway, ready to give her privacy, but he only increased her anxiety. She was relieved when he stalled.

  “Are you going to sleep?” she asked, wanting to keep him close.

  He tossed a glanced over his shoulder. “Not yet. I’ll probably watch a little TV first.”

  TV. That was it. She could keep him close, at least for a little while longer.

  Her eyes went to the flat screen on the wall. “Why don’t you just stay here and watch this one with me. I’m not sleepy, yet.”

  Their eyes met, again. “Do you really want the company?”

  “Yeah, I do.”

  He strolled over to the bed. His smile made the butterflies dance. Their gaze didn’t break as they stepped out of their sandals and laid across the bed. When he finally tore his eyes from her, it was to fluff their pillows.

  Heaven turned to grab the remote off the nightstand. She took a breath to calm the urge, the one screaming at her to straddle his hips and press her lips to his. When she pictured herself on top of him, the shy girl inside laughed it off, which broke the fantasy and helped her to compose herself. Turning back toward Dylan, she handed him the remote.

  “You can choose what we watch.”

  “What type of shows do you like?”

  “I’m good with anything, but I love comedies.”

  “Let’s see what we can find,” he said, giving her his usual sexy smile. He aimed the remote toward the TV, flipping through the channels.

  * * *

  Dylan’s eyes left the flat screen and went to the clock on the wall. Both hands pointed toward the ceiling. Midnight.

  Damn.

  He’d have to leave her in another minute or two, as much he didn’t want to. Her eyes were getting heavier by the second. As were his. But he couldn’t find the strength to move his legs.

  His eyes trailed down her legs, stopping on her feet. She was rubbing them together. He scanned the outline of her body, noticing the way her sundress hugged her hips and waist. The gentle rise and fall of her chest grew longer with each breath. She worked her lips open as she yawned.

  He tried tapping into their connection, curious to see what she was feeling. A soothing hum flowed through him, wrapping around his arms, legs, and chest. He smiled to himself, enjoying the connection he shared with her. For whatever reason, they definitely had an emotional link.

  When the show ended, Heaven turned off the TV and fell against the pillow.

  “I think I’m finally tired,” she said as she uncurled her legs and stretched out across the bed.

  A pulse of desire surged through his body. Each time his eyes fell over her skin, he felt his willpower slipping away. He’d better leave before he lost the strength to keep his distance. “It is late. I should go get a blanket and a pillow for the sofa.”

  Cotton sheets met his palm as he pushed up on his arm. He started to turn until her hand came to a rest on his shoulder. She gave him a little squeeze.

  He didn’t move.

  “I don’t feel right taking the bed when you have to sleep on the sofa.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” he told her, gazing back over his shoulder. “That sofa is very comfy.”

  Silence filled the space between them as her eyes met with his. The nearby lamp cast a warm glow about her, making it harder to pull his eyes away.

  “Would you feel weird if I asked you to sleep in here with me?”

  His heart stopped. The white sheets seemed to glare at him. “In the same bed?”

  Ah, hell. He said some really dumb shit, sometimes.

  “Yeah, in the same bed. Is it too weird for you? I would completely understand—”

  “It’s not too weird.” Good God, could he have answered her any quicker? He took a couple of breaths, hoping she hadn’t noticed his eagerness. “As long as you’re comfortable with me staying, so am I.”

  “I’m perfectly fine with it. I trust you, Dylan.”

  How could four simple words twist his gut into knots? Lying beside her was not going to be the easiest task, but it was something he couldn’t pass up.

  “I’m glad you trust me.”

  “Does that mean you’ll stay?”

  How could he not? Not with the way her eyes pleaded.

  “Of course,” he whispered. He eased back against the bed, laying his head on the pillow beside hers.

  Darkness surrounded them once Heaven turned off the lamp. The mattress shifted beside him as she turned back toward him. Not that he could see her face. He didn’t need to. He could hear her breaths, could feel them against his face.

  Christ. This wasn’t going to be easy at all. Good thing he was tired.

  He stretched his legs across the bed. “Good night, Heaven,” he whispered as he stared at her silhouette in the darkness.

  “Good night, Dylan.”

  Fire burned him from head to toe when she caught his hand and held it.

  Nothing but a few feet and a thin layer of clothing separated them. The pull he felt urged him forward. He fought against
it, but it was like jumping out of a plane and expecting not to fall.

  He swallowed hard.

  * * * * *

  CHAPTER 16

  The soft crashing of the waves, coupled with the distant cry of seagulls, released Dylan from the dream that entrapped him. It was the first time he had dreamed of Heaven since the day they had met.

  But this dream was nothing like the ones before it. Those dreams left him in want. This dream left him satisfied.

  He and Heaven were at their usual spot, underneath the willow tree. They were in each other’s arms, about to kiss, bodies pressed against each other. Once their lips met, he expected her to pull away, just as she had so many times before.

  But she didn’t.

  Tingling in his fingers broke through his thoughts. He glanced toward his arm. What he discovered had him smiling.

  Heaven’s head was resting near his shoulder. Her body curled on its left side and snuggled into his. She was still sleeping peacefully and partially underneath the sheet.

  The dress she wore fell to the middle of her thigh, clinging to her body. It showed off her curves, which had Dylan thinking about things he shouldn’t.

  His eyes moved up to her face, scanning every detail and burning each one into his mind.

  Her skin radiated from the sunrays creeping into the room. Curls fell away from her face, covering portions of the pillow, as well as his arm. Though her eyes remained closed, he still took note of her arched brows and long lashes.

  He continued to take in each feature until he came to her lips.

  He had finally kissed her.

  After six months of wondering if she existed and another week of knowing she did, he was able to do one of the things he had waited for. One of the things that always ended too soon in his dreams.

  The more he grew aware of their closeness, the harder it became to lie there and only stare at her. It tormented him to no end. He wanted to kiss her. Again. Wanted to feel her arms around his neck, like the night before.

  If Layne and Faith hadn’t interrupted them, where would things have gone?

  His heart thumped each time he thought about kissing her. Sporadic jolts of electricity radiated from his stomach and spread throughout his body.

  Everything about her called to his soul, stirring his primal instinct. Nothing seemed more important than being with her, not even his career. Heaven was his new focus because she was the only thing that mattered.

  He had a few months to find a way to convince her to stay in LA. He had no clue how he would accomplish it, but he was hell bent on doing so. The thought of Heaven leaving was too much. He couldn’t lose her now, not after the progress he had made in getting to know her.

  From him saving her from Zeke, to this moment where they lay in bed, her feelings for him had evolved.

  Their kiss was proof.

  She didn’t hesitate or back away when their lips met, like she had during their dance at Chelsea and Kyle’s wedding. This time she pressed her body closer.

  And her body…thinking about it had his breath increasing.

  The thought alone made him shudder, and in the process, he woke Heaven.

  When her eyes fluttered open, Dylan gazed into them and held his breath. Would she panic when she realized how close they were?

  She blinked her eyes. Closed them. Blinked, again. And finally, those eyes gazed at him. She inhaled deeply, her lips giving way to a smile. A sigh trickled from her mouth.

  “Good morning.”

  “Good morning, beautiful.” He wanted to smile, but couldn’t. Too many images ran through his mind when she nestled closer to him.

  He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.

  “I could get used to this,” she whispered against his neck.

  So could he.

  The heat of her breath sent a pulse through him. He fought the urge to press her body against the bed with his and make love to her for hours. Just the thought had his—

  “Are you okay?” she asked as she lifted her head to look at him.

  Christ…

  Had she felt that? His face heated with embarrassment, but he couldn’t help it. Her effect on him was powerful, untamable. He reached for her face. His fingertips stroked a path from her cheek, down her neck, until he reached her shoulder. “I’m fine. Why do you ask?”

  “Your heart is racing,” she answered, while placing her hand over his heart.

  Every inch of his skin flushed with heat. She was so beautiful. No wonder his heart was beating against his chest, just like the waves crashing below them.

  He had connected with her months ago in his dreams, which gave him an unfair advantage. He already knew her. She didn't know him like that…did she? There was a definite connection between them, so could Heaven have experienced the same dreams that he had?

  * * *

  Heaven leaned up on her elbow until she was face-to-face with Dylan. She peered into his eyes, waiting for an answer. But none came. His eyes wavered between hers.

  The light green walls seemed to close around her.

  “You didn’t answer me. Why is your heart beating so fast?” Her voice faded as fear choked the last bit of her words.

  “I’m sorry.” His voice faltered. His warm hand cupped her cheek. “It’s because of you, Heaven. You’re the reason my heart is beating so fast.”

  Dear God. His answer had her heart forgetting to beat.

  “Is that a good thing?” Her voice shook as much as her insides. Something in her heart already answered her question. But she wanted to hear the words from him.

  He let out a laugh and nodded. “Yeah, it’s definitely a good thing.”

  The air between them grew heavier, warmer. A knot formed in her belly. It was as if he’d lassoed her waist and pulled her closer.

  “Can I ask you something?” he whispered. She nodded. “Last night, when we were talking to Hope and Scott, she said that we were crazy about each other. Are you, Heaven?”

  She gazed down at his lips before meeting his eyes, again. His dark features stood out against the white pillow case, where his head rested.

  “Am I what?”

  He pulled her closer to his chest. “Are you crazy about me?

  Could he handle the truth? Could she?

  “Yeah…I am crazy about you, Dylan.”

  Calloused fingers caressed her cheek. “Do you know how much it means to me to hear you say that?” She shook her head this time, afraid that if she spoke, her voice would crack. “It means everything to me. You mean everything to me.”

  The butterflies in her stomach swirled their flaming wings until need sprang from a deeper level. “How can I mean that much to you? You barely know me.”

  Dylan’s eyes revealed conflicting emotions. Worry and want. Passion and patience. Hope and fear. His lips parted. Nothing but a grunt came out. Did he want to tell her something?

  No…well, maybe…yes, definitely.

  “It’s true. We haven’t known each other long,” he began, his dark eyes still locked onto hers, “but there is something about you that tugs at my soul. I want to be with you.”

  Her heart swelled. “You want to be with me?”

  He nodded as a smile crept across his lips. “I want us to be a couple.”

  The look on his face squeezed her heart. Worried eyes burst with hope. Tender lips slightly opened as though he were ready to beg if she objected to his wants. She had no doubt that he was being honest with her. Her soul said as much. The way it longed for his grew stronger the more they were together.

  Her eyes dropped to his shirt. The taut fabric outlined the muscles underneath it. She traced one of the grooves as she met his eyes. “I want the same thing, Dylan.”

  His brows lifted. “You want to be my girl?”

  “I do. More than you can imagine.”

  His eyes heated. “I doubt that.”

  * * *

  Dylan eased forward, staring into Heaven’s eyes. She closed hers just before their
lips met. And a jolt had him pulling back.

  Did he shock her?

  Did it matter?

  Every urge he’d suppressed from the moment they met, erupted. His emotions, like scorching lava. His passion…Mt Vesuvius.

  He pulled Heaven against him. His lips moved hungrily, desperately searching hers. The weight of her body sent another charge through him. She molded to his will, her fingers trailing up to his shoulder. When she squeezed, he flexed. One deft move and she was on her back, underneath him. He leaned his weight into her.

  Her lips parted. His tongue slipped past. He found hers. Caressed it. Swirled it with his. She tasted sweet, like raspberries.

  She whimpered. The vibration spread across his lips. God, he wanted her. Wanted to explore every secret cove of her body. Wanted to feel soft skin warming under his.

  Her arms wrapped around his neck, fingers raked through his hair.

  He cupped her face; his other hand traced the curve of her body, pausing at her hip. Their lips never broke as he shifted his weight above her, bringing one leg between hers. He hesitated. Waited for her to refuse.

  She didn’t.

  He shifted again until his hips pressed between her thighs.

  Warmth radiated to his waist. His abs tightened as he resisted the urge press into her. Not yet. Slow and steady. He had to be. She deserved that much.

  His lips left the heat of her mouth. They traced a path down her neck. He nipped and suckled a little section. The salty taste of her skin made his mouth water. He swallowed hard.

  All reason ripped away as her breath grew harder against his neck. He gripped her hip. She gasped.

  The sensual sound brought his attention back to her lips as he focused on kissing her. He released his grip on her hip as his fingers trailed down her thigh. The heat of her skin burning his fingertips.

  He didn’t know how much more he could take without reacting to the throb pulsing below his waist. And when she raised her hips against him, he growled.