Heaven

by Rebecca Julia Lauren

  Well, hell. Cori’s shocked gaze flicked to mine. We went to answer the door.

  Chapter 10

  Cora

  “Did the cops arrests Jase?” Amber asked, her eyes sparkling with interest.

  I tossed a pillow at her and she ducked, laughing. “We were having fun, and it was getting really hot. Too bad my neighbor is a light sleeper.”

  “Rita is jealous. She’s been lusting after Jase for months. Still, I can’t believe she actually called the police.”

  Surprise lifted my brows. “She has a boyfriend.”

  “Trust me, Cora. She wants your man. Be careful with that one. So before the cops busted the party things were getting hot and heavy?”

  I smiled remembering last night. “It was a lot of fun, but we didn’t have sex.”

  Amber stared at me with an odd look in her eyes. “Girl, you are lit up like a Christmas tree. I can’t wait to see what you look like after he’s made love to you.”

  “We’re having sex,” I corrected her. Making love sounded way too intimate, and I didn’t want to mess up my friendship with Jase because things got complicated.

  “Whatever.” I heard the regret in her voice. “I love that red top on you. It’s super sexy. Definitely pack that.”

  I nodded, placing the top into the suitcase. “I ran into Cade today at the coffee house.” Glancing at Amber to see the expression on her face, I added, “He asked about you.”

  She seemed genuinely surprised. “He did?”

  “Yep, he thought you got back together with Reed. I set him straight.”

  “I dumped Cade when I realized that breaking up with Reed was a mistake. I’m lucky he doesn’t hate me.”

  “Maybe you should call him. He was alone. I don’t think he’s seeing anyone.”

  “I’ll think about it. Right now I want to hear more about your night of kinky, panty-melting fun with Jase Ford.”

  I laughed, but I’d been wondering all day if what had happened between Jase and I would change the way we were with each other. We hadn’t seen each other since yesterday morning when he gave me a quick kiss goodbye and told me he’d see me that night. Later, he’d called and told me he and Reed were working late, trying to land a contract on a new subdivision that was being built in West Houston.

  Sure, I was disappointed but I didn’t read anything into it. I suppose he could be avoiding me, but that wasn’t Jase’s style. He and I were a lot alike in that respect. If something were bothering him, he’d come right out and say it, even if it was difficult for me to hear.

  My phone rang and I started. Tapping the screen, I said with a smile, “Hey, Ellie.”

  I nearly dropped the phone with excitement. “That’s great. Okay, I’ll be there.” Glancing over at Amber, I told her, “Reed and Jase got the contract. We’re celebrating at Shooters tonight.”

  “I’m happy for them. Congratulate them for me.”

  “Tell them yourself. You’re coming with me.”

  She was about to argue, but I shook my head. “Not this time. You can’t hide from everyone forever. We’re going out tonight.”

  Jase was standing beside a stunning brunette with her expensive boobs smashed against his chest. Leaning down, he whispered something in her ear that made her giggle.

  “We don’t have to stay,” Amber said nervously, taking in the scene with Jase and the brunette.

  “Yes, we do. I don’t run, and you shouldn’t either.”

  “I almost feel sorry for Jase Ford. Almost.”

  Amber and I made our way to the table where our friends sat. Isabelle and Ellie stared daggers at Jase and then turned their sympathetic gazes to me. I smiled, unaffected by the knockout with her paws all over my man. Okay, that wasn’t totally the truth. I was irritated, even jealous, but not for one second did I believe that Jase had betrayed me.

  I strolled up to Jase’s side, slipped my hand over his sexy butt and squeezed. My other hand rested possessively on his chest. He smelled incredible. One whiff and heat settled in my lower belly.

  “Hey, lover,” I purred, smiling up at him and ignoring the shocked look on the brunette’s face.

  If Jase was at all surprised to see me, he hid it well. His arm settled comfortably around me and he pulled me closer, smiling and seeming genuinely pleased to see me. “Hi, Cori.”

  “Wait till you see the sonogram! Awesome news, we’re having twins.”

  Isabelle had just taken a sip of beer and it spewed from her mouth. Ellie’s eyes widened. Hunter and Reed just stared at me as if I’d stripped off all my clothes. Amber was behind me so I couldn’t see her face, but I was sure she thought I was crazy.

  “Who is she?” the brunette shrieked, stepping in front of us, her humongous boobs way too close to my face for comfort.

  “I’m his girlfriend.”

  “Jaaase,” she whined.

  “Bambi, this is Cori.” He glanced over at me before finishing, “my girlfriend.”

  “You have a girlfriend? I thought you didn’t do relationships.”

  “That was before I met Cori. I couldn’t help myself. She’s a keeper.” Jase glanced down at me with a smoldering look in his eyes, as if he meant every word.

  “Awe, that’s so sweet.” I looked over at Bambi, who didn’t seem to share my opinion. “Don’t you think he’s sweet?” I didn’t wait for her to answer. “He’s great in bed too.”

  Bambi didn’t stick around much longer before she stormed off in a huff. An awkward silence had fallen, but I pretended to ignore it as I poured myself a cup of beer from the pitcher on the table.

  It was Reed that broke the tension, with a slow smile and a remark that stirred the pot. “Should you be drinking that since your carrying the twins?”

  “Funny, Reed.”

  “You sure scared the silicone out of Bambi,” Isabelle laughed.

  Jase grinned and spoke in his deep, Southern drawl that slid over me like melted butter. “If ya’ll will excuse us, I’d like a moment with my baby-mamma.”

  I felt bad for ditching Amber her first time to face everyone since the drama last year with her and Reed. I looked over at her, and she mouthed, “Go” to me.

  “We’ll just be a minute or two.”

  “Take all the time you need,” she told me with a smile.

  Jase led me away, casting his gaze down at me curiously. “You’re worried about leaving Amber. This won’t take long,” he promised.

  “This is the first time she’s hung out with everyone since—well, you know. She didn’t even want to come. I had to drag her here, so I kind of feel responsible for her.”

  “She’ll be fine for couple of minutes.” Jase turned to me once we’d reached the outside deck, his expression wary. “Cori, I didn’t come here with Bambi and I didn’t invite her.”

  “I know. You don’t have to explain.” I let my eyes drink him in dressed in dark slacks and a gray button-down shirt that was rolled up to reveal strong, tanned forearms. He’d unfastened the top two buttons at the neck, and I knew he’d probably had a tie on earlier, but that was long gone. Instead of my rugged, hot cowboy he looked like a sexy, white-collar businessman.

  “You’re not mad?”

  My eyes lifted to his. “No.”

  He stared at me, as if he’d been expecting a different answer. Raking his hand over the sexy scruff on his jaw, he continued to watch me as if I somehow amazed him. “I was prepared to beg your forgiveness.”

  I felt myself smile. “That’s something I might like to see.”

  “Cori, I was going to call you and I got tied up with the contract negotiations. Then my dad called.” He tensed. “We got into an argument. He’s not pleased about me bringing a date this weekend.”

  I wasn’t sure what to say. I’d never seen Jase so serious, and I wanted to ease his tension.

  Slipping his hand around my neck and kissing my forehead, his eyes flicked to mine. “I know we need to talk. I promise I haven’t been avoiding you.”

  My
skin tingled where he touched me, but my attention had snagged on his words. “Are you ending our arrangement?” I asked, only half-joking.

  His brows shot up in surprise. “What?”

  “Isn’t the phrase ‘I know we need to talk’ code for ‘Baby, it’s over’?”

  “Cori, I thought after what happened the other night that you’d want to discuss it.”

  “What’s there to discuss?”

  He just stared at me. “We almost had sex.”

  “You’re not really my boyfriend, Jase.” For some reason, saying that felt wrong. I ignored the feeling and forged on. “As long as we’re honest with each other and agree to stay friends, this can be a win-win for both of us.”

  “Did you read that in a book?”

  “Nope. It’s all mine.” I smiled.

  Jase tilted his head, studying me. “You don’t want to talk about that night?”

  “I want to talk about when we’re going to do it again.”

  Heat flashed in his eyes. “We’ll have to go to my place. I don’t want to get the cops called on us again.”

  Laughing, I slid my hand around his waist. “You didn’t think that was fun?”

  “I’m lucky they didn’t arrest my ass and so are you.” He brushed a lock of hair from my lips. “You’d have had to bail me out.”

  “Fine, no cops.” My eyes fastened on his mouth, and I remembered how it felt on mine. “We’ll have to find other ways to amuse ourselves.”

  Jase dipped his head and my lower belly tightened in anticipation. His mouth claimed mine in a hungry kiss that left me weak in the knees.

  Jase

  I couldn’t take my eyes off of Cori.

  She was line dancing with Ellie and Isabelle, laughing as she messed up the steps and kept on going. Watching her move, my breath caught. I took a deep pull of beer, but it did little to cool my urge to go haul Cori into my arms and kiss her until she moaned my name.

  I’d never met anyone like Cori Heaven. Her eyes sparkled with life, and she was warm, passionate and courageous. She genuinely cared about other people, and they loved her in return.

  Wearing black skinny jeans and blousy green top that dipped between her breasts and drove me wild with that hint of cleavage, I thought of peeling those clothes off of her and replacing them with my hands and mouth.

  I still couldn’t believe that she wasn’t upset with me for practically ignoring her the last couple of days. Most women would have had a fit, but not Cori. She was as confident as she was beautiful. I’d been prepared, hell I had been eager, to soothe her and was disappointed that she didn’t seem to miss me at all the last couple of days when I couldn’t stop thinking of her.

  “What’s with you and Cora, bro?”

  I glanced over at Reed, knowing he wasn’t asking to be nosy. Feeling the weight of Ellie and Isabelle’s eyes on me, I sighed. “You can tell your wife and sister that I’m not going to hurt Cori.”

  Reed relaxed, probably pleased that he could go home and reassure Ellie that I wasn’t screwing around with Cori’s emotions. “So you’re not hooking up with her?”

  “Do you really want to know the answer to that question?”

  “Not really, but Ellie and Isabelle are concerned.” He sighed, uncomfortable with the conversation. “I like Cora. She’s a great friend. If you’re just looking to get laid there are women lining up my friend. Choose one of them.”

  I started to tell Reed that our hookup-arrangement was Cori’s idea, but I stopped, unwilling to say anything that might hurt Cori.

  “I appreciate the advice.”

  Reed clapped his hand on my shoulder. “Just be careful.”

  “Thanks, I will.”

  My gaze scanned the dancers and found Cori. Our eyes met and I got up, heading toward her, my hands itching to touch her. She tossed back her long, loose curls and laughed at something Isabelle had whispered. My chest constricted.

  A slow country song started playing just as I reached her. “Dance with me?”

  Her eyes lit up. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  “You know I don’t line dance.”

  “That’s not what I meant,” she replied as I took her into my arms. “We’ve never danced together, Jase.”

  Frowning, I realized she was right. I’d always wanted to dance with her, but I was—afraid. Whoa. That stopped me cold, but it was the truth. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to hide how much I wanted her. Now that the lines between friends and lovers had been blurred I didn’t have to watch what I said or did around Cori for fear I’d reveal too much. Well, fuck me. I’d been watching too many girlie movies with Cori. If I wasn’t careful, I’d be analyzing my feelings and shit like that.

  “You’ve always been busy with one of your harem-girls. Is that what Bambi is?”

  I blinked, snapping back to the woman in my arms. “If you want to know if I’ve slept with her, then just ask?”

  “Who says I want to know?”

  “You’re acting jealous.”

  “Oh, pul-lease. Just because I don’t have ten-grand boobs, a tongue ring and a name that screams STRIPPER doesn’t make me jealous.”

  I stared down at her, liking the way she glanced away nervously when I stared too long. I grinned. “You are jealous.”

  “I totally am.”

  “You don’t have to be. I’m going home with you tonight, baby.” I pulled her closer.

  “Hmm. I can’t wait.” Her eyes darkened. “Amber’s gone. I don’t need to hang around anymore.” Her eyes caught mine. “Unless you want to stay.”

  She didn’t need to ask me twice. “Let’s get outta here,” I growled against her neck, nipping her and feeling her shiver in my arms.

  I was rock-hard and ready to get Cori naked, but it seemed that Fate, the troublesome bitch, had other ideas. We’d just made it to my place when I got a call.

  “Maybe you should answer. It could be important.”

  It was my fault for not silencing the damned phone, and I wanted to ignore it but Cori was right, I had to take the call. “It’s Brianne,” I said, studying Cori’s reaction.

  The flash of surprise in her eyes before she masked it with indifference made me pause.

  “Take the call, Jase. I’m going to get some coffee while you talk to her.”

  I caught her wrist as she got off the couch. “You don’t have to go.”

  “Yes, I do. It’s fine.” Her eyes slid hungrily over me. “We’ll finish playing when you’re done.”

  This time when she walked away I didn’t stop her. Damn, I was tired and not just because I hadn’t slept in almost three days. Dealing with family drama was bad enough when it was actually family, but listening to Brianne’s tearful plea about how I was breaking my parents’ hearts because I wasn’t on board with the scheme to get back together with her made me want to throw my phone on a busy freeway.

  With a sigh of resignation, I took the call. “Brianne.”

  Ten minutes later I was cursing my decision. The trip down memory lane had given me a headache, and now she wouldn’t stop crying. I hated hearing a woman cry, even Brianne. Lowering my voice, I tried to soothe her without making promises. When I finally got off the phone, I was pissed at Brianne and myself.

  I felt Cori behind me, turned and smiled over my shoulder at her, feeling instantly better. Her scent drove me wild, and I inhaled deeply. It was subtle and sweet, making me think of sugar cookies. Damn, I loved sugar cookies. Her hand settled over my shoulders and she began to rub my tense muscles.

  “That feels amazing.”

  Her lips brushed my earlobe. “Good. I want to make you feel amazing.”

  Cori’s eagerness to please me sexually was hot, but unnecessary. I wasn’t sure if it was her lack of experience or that she was used to ignoring the chemistry between us, but it would be impossible for Cori Heaven not to please me. I’d almost told her that, but I caught myself before I spoke words that would reveal more than I wanted.

  I did not want
a relationship. Once had been enough, and I wasn’t a man that needed to be burned repeatedly to learn my lesson. But if I could choose one woman to have at my side, in bed and out of it, Cori would be that woman. I loved everything about her, the fearless way she spoke her mind, her quirky sense of humor, and even her smart-ass attitude. Hell, the girl cussed more than I did but I loved it.

  Loving the feel of her hands on me, I felt myself smile and closed my eyes. Yeah, I definitely loved everything about Cori. I felt the pull of sleep just as the unthinkable words popped into my mind.

  I loved her.

  Chapter 11

  Cora

  “My seduction skills suck. Jase fell asleep last night.”

  Amber flashed a wicked smile. “You rubbed him to sleep. He probably dreamed of you rubbing other parts of him.”

  She wagged her brows and I laughed. “Yeah, right.”

  “Reed said they’d been up for two nights working on their sales pitch. The poor boy was exhausted. Cut him some slack.”

  I tossed a sexy black camisole and sleep shorts into my suitcase, and glanced over at Amber with interest. “So you talked to Reed.” A smile of pure relief split my face. That’s great.”

  “You were right. No one treated me like an ax murderer last night. So, yeah, the evening was a success.”

  “I thought it went a little better than that. Isabelle and Ellie seemed friendly.”

  “I’m sure that had something to do with you. They know we hang out.” Amber’s eyes softened. “Thanks for that, Cora. You’re awesome.”

  I turned around, humbled by the gratitude in her voice. “So are you. Don’t forget it again.”

  Planting her hands on her hips and leveling a pointed look my way, she said, “Lucky I have you to remind me. And you are lucky to have me to tell you how whipped Jase Ford is when it comes to you.”

  A sound of disbelief escaped my lips. “Have you lost your mind? No, don’t answer that. It’s obvious you have if you think Jase could ever be whipped over any woman. That’s not possible.”

  Amber’s red lips formed a perfect O, and her delicately arched brows lifted almost to her hairline. “You are so freaking clueless,” she replied with astonishment. “That’s crazy since you’re the one that usually knows everything.”