Heaven

by Rebecca Julia Lauren

  I was about to argue, about the “freaking clueless’ comment, definitely not about the part where I usually know everything, but Amber continued.

  “That boy has lust in his eyes and love in his heart when he looks at you.” She held up a hand when I started to protest. “What happened this morning?”

  “We didn’t have wild-hot-monkey-sex if that’s what you’re thinking.” I sighed, remembering how I’d woken up curled against Jase with his arms wrapped around me. Sometime during the night, he’d gotten up and carried me into the bedroom without waking me up.

  “He made coffee. I cooked pancakes, and he told me he’d pick me up later.” Okay, so it was a little more exciting than that. Jase had come up from behind me and kissed my neck, and I smeared pancake batter over his nipple. He hauled me against him and lifted me onto the counter with my legs wrapped around his waist, while we kissed and groped each other until the pancakes burned.

  Amber’s knowing smirk let me know she damn well was aware that I wasn’t telling the whole story. “You’re gonna have some fun in Padre.”

  I always had fun. So why did I feel like a damn thundercloud had made me its personal bitch? Because Jase had cajoled, soothed and comforted his ex-girlfriend last night while I seethed with jealousy in the kitchen, thinking of how I’d like to smack her silly.

  “Don’t worry, Cora. You’re her competition, not the other way around,” Amber said, reading my mind.

  “I know it sounds crazy, but I am insanely jealous of this woman I’ve never met.”

  “Of course you are,” Amber replied easily, not appearing in the least surprised by my admission. “I’d be shocked if you weren’t.”

  “She called him last night. While he was trying to calm her down, I was trying to keep myself from snatching the phone from his hand and hanging up on her.”

  Amber smiled. “You’re jealous.”

  “Thanks, I’d already figured that out,” I replied dryly.

  “It’ll be fine,” she said easily.

  I still wasn’t sure. Forcing a smile, I thanked Amber and finished packing. If Jase did take one look at his ex and decide to pick up where they left off, at least I’d get a beach vacation out of it. I tossed a black bikini into my suitcase and thought of sandy beaches, clear water and the kick-ass tan that was in my future.

  Jase

  “Wake up, sleepyhead.”

  Cori stirred, yawning, and lifted her head out of my lap. How she could sleep with my hard-as-a-rock cock beneath her head, I didn’t know.

  “Are we there yet?”

  “No. I’m hungry.”

  She half-laughed, half-purred. “I know. I can feel how hungry you are.”

  “Keep talking dirty like that and we’ll be stopping for the night so that I can slake some of that hunger on you.”

  “Promise?”

  “Don’t tempt me. I’d be too much for your virgin-self to handle right now.”

  “Is that what’s bothering you?” she asked, quirking a brow.

  I glanced over at her curiously as she sat up and reached for her purse. “What makes you think something is bothering me?”

  “I know you, Jase. You’ve been quiet. I figured it was either that or you’re worried about this weekend.”

  “Why would I worry when I’ve got you by my side?” I replied with a slow smile that made Cori’s gaze drop to my mouth. “It won’t be all bad. You’ll like my brother and sister.”

  We got out of my truck and I put my arm around Cori.

  “I’m sure I will.” She smiled.

  Catching her hand in mind, I glanced down at her. “It’s not you, Cori. Going home always does this to me. I’m sorry if I’ve taken it out on you.”

  “It’s fine.” She fought back a smile. “I mean I cannot believe you don’t want to talk about your feelings, but hey, it’s cool.”

  Feeling her shoulders shake, I caught the sparkle in her eyes, slipped my hand around her waist and tickled her.

  “Hey!” she cried, still laughing.

  “Maybe I really did want to talk about my feelings, but now that you’re mocking me. Well, I’m plain hurt.” I kept my tone serious.

  “You’re full of shit, Jase.”

  Crossing my arm over my heart, I frowned. “I’m crushed.”

  “You’re bad.” Her eyes glittered with mischief.

  I caught her hand, pulled her against me and kissed her neck. Cori made a soft mewling sound that drove me wild. She lifted her chin, I bent my head and suddenly we were kissing. It wasn’t until I heard the whistles and catcalls that I realized we were making out in the parking lot of a truck stop. I didn’t care, but I pulled back anyway just in case she did.

  Her cry of protest made me groan, but if I didn’t cool off Cori was going to lose her virginity before we made it to my parents’ house. Holy shit, I didn’t want it to be in a truck stop. It wasn’t going to be at my parents’ home either. I’d already booked a room at a nice hotel on the beach.

  “Come on, Cori. I’ve only got so much control.”

  “You’ve got too much,” she complained, sticking her bottom lip out in a way that made me crazy.

  “Fine. We’ll ask the clerk for the key to the bathroom.”

  Her eyes danced with pleasure. “Really?”

  This time I slapped her ass, hard. Cori grinned and, hand in hand we went inside the truck stop to splurge on greasy cheeseburgers with fries.

  It was late when we pulled into the hotel parking lot, and the tension between Cori and I was palpable. All I could think about was stripping her clothes off and sliding inside of her. From the heated looks I’d been getting from Cori, I knew that she was as eager to get to the room as I was.

  So when the desk clerk frowned in apology I almost groaned in frustration.

  “I’m sorry, sir. It says here your reservations were cancelled this afternoon.”

  “That can’t be right. I never called to cancel.”

  The clerk’s forehead crinkled in worry, and she squinted at the computer. “Oh, yes. It says here that the cancellation was made by a Douglas Ford.”

  I almost swore, but sympathy for the clerk had me softening my expression and gentling my tone. “I’m sure this is a misunderstanding,” I lied, knowing my dad had done this on purpose. How the hell he knew I’d booked a hotel room was a mystery. “Could you please book us another room?”

  She looked distressed. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Ford. There are two conventions going on and we’re booked. I’m afraid you won’t be able to find a hotel anywhere on the island this week.”

  “I understand. Thank you.” I hid my disappointment for Cori’s sake.

  Cori shot me a sympathetic look. “What’ll we do?”

  “We’ll have to do what my father wants, at least for now. We’re going to my parents’ house.”

  Cori nodded, took my hand in her own and smiled. “It’s going to be okay, Jase.”

  I smiled at her attempt to comfort me. She really was remarkable. Too wonderful to be torn apart by my critical parents. I didn’t give two shits about what they thought, but it would kill me to have Cori be the victim of their holier-than-thou attitudes. For the first time since I’d asked her to help me, I regretted it.

  Cori was vibrant, courageous, and confident. Douglas and Beverly Ford would despise her because she wouldn’t be controlled.

  If they said or did anything to hurt Cori, they’d quickly discover how important she was to me. Leaning in to give her a quick kiss, I prayed like hell this family reunion wouldn’t blow up in my face.

  Cora

  Jase didn’t want us to stay with his parents, and I got the strange feeling his unease was because he was concerned for me. He kept assuring me that everything would be okay, which only did the opposite of what he was trying to do.

  “I can take care of myself, Jase. You don’t need to worry.”

  “It’s that obvious?”

  “Hell yeah. What, do your parents have something against redhead
s?” I joked.

  “They have something against most people. Don’t take it personally.”

  Intrigued, I looked over at Jase in time to note the line of concern between his brows. “Okay. I won’t.” Turning, I faced the hotel we were pulling into. “The clerk said all the hotel rooms were booked.”

  “I don’t doubt it.”

  “Then why are we here?”

  “This is my parents’ place,” Jase replied grimly.

  I digested the piece of news slowly, my gaze sliding from Jase to our destination. “Your parents own a hotel?”

  “No. This is their house, Cori.”

  My jaw dropped. The place was a mansion times ten. As we drove along the winding road, I gaped at the humongous-ass mausoleum on the beach that Jase called a house and realized my best friend had some secrets.

  From his easygoing attitude, the comfortable way he wore his jeans and cowboy boots, and his stint in the army, I’d assumed Jase came from an upper middle class family. Not once in all the time I’d known him had I thought his family was filthy-freaking-rich, despite me jokingly calling him a rich playboy.

  Jase looked like he’d stepped right off the cover of a magazine, not that it mattered what he looked like since they were his family. Self-consciously, I took in my own attire—cut off jean shorts, flip-flops, black tank top and wild mane loosely piled on the top of my head. I didn’t have to check a mirror to know that my light make-up hadn’t survived the long drive.

  “You look great,” Jase told me, correctly guessing my thoughts.

  “I don’t, but thanks for saying so.” I cut my eyes toward the mansion. “I’m guessing your parents are waiting up for you.”

  “Count on it.”

  Since he made the comment in the same tone he might say, ‘We’re dead meat’, I knew I was in for an interesting evening. “Yay.”

  Jase pulled his truck into the circular drive, parked, and reached over to chuck me under the chin. His gaze flicked to mine, and his voice was deep and reassuring when he spoke. “I won’t let them hurt you.”

  My heart fluttered at his tone. His words were a little strange, and I placed my hand on his thigh. “Don’t worry about me.” I smiled, but inwardly I was conjuring up an unflattering image of Jase’s family. I’d never seen him this agitated, and it was unsettling.

  Jase grabbed both of our bags from the truck, and we made our way up the steps to the massive porch. Instead of pushing open the door and calling ‘Hey, I’m home!’ he rang the doorbell.

  A moment later the big door opened and a gentleman that looked like a butler greeted us. I stared at the first butler I’d ever seen in real life because in my world people answered their own doors.

  “Good evening, Mr. Ford,” the distinguished-looking man in a suit said with a smile before turning his attention to me.

  “Harper,” Jase grinned, patting the man on the back. “Good to see you. I’d like you to meet Cori Heaven, my girlfriend. Cori, this is Harper.”

  The man beamed. “It’s certainly nice to make your acquaintance, Miss Heaven.”

  “Thanks, Harper. It’s great to meet you too. Call me Cora.” I glanced over and found Jase watching me intently. “Jase is the only one that calls me Cori.”

  Something flashed in the older man’s eyes and I thought he was pleased about something, but why he’d care what Jase called me I didn’t know.

  Jase leaned down. “Harper has been with us since my brother Charlie was born. He’s family.”

  Seeming uncomfortable with the attention, Harper gave a half-smile. “You’ve been expected.”

  “I don’t doubt it.”

  “Are Charlie and Lucy here yet?”

  “Your brother and sister should arrive tomorrow.”

  Jase tensed and took my hand as Harper led us into an enormous entry that looked astoundingly luxurious. Expensive-looking tiles, a massive chandelier, a gorgeous winding staircase, and fancy entry tables that looked like they cost more than I’d make in a year or two adorned the room. “What exactly does your family do?”

  “They’re in the mob.”

  My gaze flew to his, and he winked.

  “They own an oil company, Cori.”

  I blinked and tried to swallow this news but it refused to go down easily. “How is that you’ve never mentioned this before?”

  “You’ll understand when you meet them, Cori,” Jase whispered in my ear, his tone apologetic.

  Following Harper into a room that was the size of a small department store, Jase pulled me to his side as my gaze skated over the people in the room and settled over a dark-haired beauty who jumped up upon seeing us.

  “Jason!” she cried, throwing herself into his arms and kissing him. He caught her easily, which was too bad for me since I was knocked away from Jase in the tramp’s desperate attempt to crawl all over him.

  Jason?

  I stood stunned while they kissed and I felt like someone had just punched me in the stomach. The tramp’s mouth and hands were all over him and Jase, while he might not have been kissing her back, was letting her grope him.

  Clearing my throat, I stepped up to the kissing couple. Jase pulled away, tearing his gaze from the tramp and locking his eyes with mine. I wasn’t sure what the hell I read in his eyes. It might have been an apology, but I didn’t know if he was sorry for letting her stick her tongue down his throat or sorry I had to witness it.

  To his credit, Jase stepped away from her and reached for me but was cut off by a stylishly dressed woman in crème slacks and turquoise blouse.

  “Jason. It’s fabulous to have you home.” She leaned in to him and air-kissed his cheek.

  “Jason,” a silver-haired, distinguished looking gentleman replied stiffly.

  “Hi, Mom. Dad.” Jase nodded in acknowledgment before his gaze landed on the tramp. “Brianne.”

  Watching the scene with a sense of uneasiness, I realized why Jase had been reluctant to come here. These people seemed cold, their manner stiff and false. Oddly, I think I’m the only one that was aware of how awkward the situation felt.

  Disengaging himself from Brianne, Jase stepped around her and took my hand in his. “Mom, Dad, I’d like you to meet Cora Heaven.”

  I watched the comical looks of disbelief and horror play on his parents’ faces. Douglas Ford’s stern icy stare didn’t unsettle me as much as his wife’s cold look of disdain. She’d given me a once-over and apparently didn’t like what she saw. I suppose I couldn’t blame her since compared to upscale boutique attire my cutoffs screamed trailer trash.

  Feeling Brianne’s icy gaze on me, I carefully avoided looking at her. Stepping forward, I smiled and pretended the way I was dressed didn’t bother me. “It’s great to finally meet you Mr. and Mrs. Ford.”

  “Yes, I’m sure it is,” Jase’s mother replied coolly. “Is Heaven your real name or your stage name?”

  “Mom.” Jase’s tone conveyed a clear warning.

  “I’m sorry Jason,” his mother replied innocently. “You said she was in a band. Heaven sounds like a made up name.”

  “It’s not, and Cori is a talented violinist.”

  “I thought you said her name was Cora,” Mr. Ford said frowning.

  “It is. I call her Cori.”

  I sensed the tension rising in the room.

  “That makes no sense,” Mr. Ford snapped. “What shall we call you young lady?”

  It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him to call me whatever he wanted, but for some reason I didn’t think that was a good idea. “Cora is fine. Jase is the only one that calls me Cori.”

  “His name is Jason.”

  I thought his mother meant that to be humorous and lighten the mood, but one look at her stony, just-sucked-a-lemon expression and I knew she was dead serious. “He calls me Cori. I call him Jase. It works.”

  Silence fell over the room.

  “I believe it’s time for dinner.”

  Glancing at Jase, I saw that he was about as pleased about sitti
ng down at the table with everyone as I was. Trying to make the best of it, I smiled.

  “Rose will show you to your room, Cora, so that you can change into appropriate dinner attire.”

  I swallowed, prepared to follow Rosa but Jase caught me around the waist and wouldn’t let go. “She looks great just as she is, Mother.”

  Beverly Ford was clearly displeased. “Really, Jason. We have a guest,” she said, needlessly reminding everyone of Brianne’s imposing presence.

  “Cori is a guest. She didn’t know we’d be dressing for dinner when we made the drive from Houston.”

  “You should have informed her.”

  “That’s my fault.” His tone let everyone know that the subject of my dress was not negotiable.

  Just when I thought things couldn’t get any more awkward Brianne stepped up to me with a sly smile. “I’m so delighted you could make the drive with Jason, Cori. I know how bored he gets all by himself,” she said, rubbing Jase’s arm in a way that made me want to knock her hand away.

  Since I had no clue how the hell to respond to this I shrugged and uttered, “Me too.” Beside me, I felt Jase tense.

  “I suppose you already know who I am, but I would be remiss if I didn’t properly introduce myself. I’m Brianne Salter, Jase’s ex fiancé.”

  Something about that bit of news made me want to scream, ‘He’s mine!’ to this snobby, rich chick. Instead, I smiled brightly and played tit for tat. “Well, it’s nice to meet you Brianne. I’m Jase’s new fiancé.”

  A gasp of shock and a cry of outrage punctuated my declaration.

  Let the fun begin.

  Chapter 12

  Jase

  I’d have kissed Cori, but I was trying hard not to laugh at the drama unfolding in front of us. My parents were outraged. Brianne looked shocked, but recovered quickly and somehow we all made it into the dining room for dinner.

  Glancing down at Cori, I knew something was wrong. The look on her face after I’d finally pulled my head out of my ass and pushed Brianne away from me felt like a punch to the gut, like I’d somehow betrayed her, and I guess in a way I had. Brianne’s kiss had been unexpected, and I’d let it go on longer than I should.