“Yep. You’ve got to talk to him.” She shook her head. “I feel like I’m always giving love advice to my friends. Maybe I should start a blog—Call Cora.”
“That’s not a bad idea,” I said with a smile. “You’re really good at it.”
She smirked as if it was a joke. “My own love life sucks. I’m only good at telling other people what they should do.”
I frowned, noticing the sad look in her eyes. “What happened with Jase?”
Cora shook her head and picked up a muffin. “We’re working on your crisis. Actually, this is more of a mini-crisis because I know he’s not cheating on you. Let me clue you in to something you are totally freaking oblivious to—you are gorgeous, no stunning, and you’ve got this vulnerability about you that makes men want to protect you.”
“Thanks Cora.”
“You don’t believe me.”
“Sure I do.”
“No. You said, ‘Thanks Cora’ in that tone of voice that you only use when you think someone’s full of shit.”
“I don’t think you’re full of shit Cora. I do think you’d say anything to make me feel better, and I love you for it. But I don’t need an ego boost.”
“Don’t you?”
That made me pause. “I haven’t told you everything about my relationship with Hunter.” I looked away, trying to gather up the courage to finish. “Cora, I think he might be bored with me in bed. He treats me like he’s afraid I’ll break. I guess I don’t blame him. The night before I went to court I had a nightmare and it scared the hell out of him.”
“He doesn’t seem like a man that scares easily.”
I agreed. “You’re right. I should talk to him or seduce him,” I added with a smile. “What do you think?”
“It sounds like you love him. Look, if I thought he was going to rip your heart out and stomp on it, I’d probably be giving you different advice. Since I’m ninety-nine percent sure he’s the man I think he is, I say go ahead and seduce him.”
Watching Cora bite into the fluffy muffin, I contemplated what she said.
“Wow. This is heaven. If a man’s heart is through his stomach, you’ve got to feed him more of these.”
“Thanks Cora.”
Her eyes lit up as if she suddenly had a brilliant idea. “When he comes home you should make sure you’re baking muffins in the nude.”
I laughed. “Women’s liberation groups all over the world are going to come after you for that statement.”
She shrugged and took another bit of her muffin. “I’m not suggesting this be done for any man, just men like McAllister.”
“And Jase,” I added with a sly smile. “Now that I think of it, I’m positive Jase Ford loves muffins.”
“He’s got a harem to bake for him. I’m not joining that kind of women’s group. The Libbers would definitely come after me then.”
We both laughed. Cora was always a lot of fun and never failed to cheer me up. Over coffee and muffins we talked for the next hour, but before it was time for her to go Cora’s usually quirky expression turned serious.
“You haven’t heard from Scott have you?”
“No, thank God. Reed paid him the money he claimed that I owed for the car, but I kept thinking he’d still cause trouble for me. I guess I was wrong.”
“Good.” She seemed relieved, and her smile reappeared. “Let me know what happens tonight.”
“I will. Next time we meet we’ll talk about you and Jase.”
Cora rolled her eyes and I laughed.
I spent the rest of the day trying not to think about Hunter and I naked and baking blueberry muffins.
Chapter Nineteen
I wasn’t baking muffins in the nude when Hunter got home from work, but I did make him pork chops and mashed potatoes for dinner. Since I didn’t cook nearly as well as I baked, I’m not sure it was a good thing.
I’d gotten home later than I expected so I was still dressed as Izzy in a hot pink and purple skirt, red t-shirt and suspenders, with my hair in braids and lots of glitter on my face. Colorful, multi-patterned socks were pulled up to my knees and I wore a pair of purple sequined ballet flats with my outfit. To an eight-year-old kid, I looked totally cool, but I was positive that my outfit was one of the last on earth anyone would choose if they were trying to seduce a man.
Glancing at the clock, my heart sank when I remembered his meeting, and I almost broke down and called him. I’m not sure what stopped me. I’d like to think it was pride, but I was fairly certain it was fear. I didn’t want to lose Hunter, and I was willing to forgive him for the other woman.
I drank a glass of merlot, but it didn’t take the edge off as much as I’d have liked. So I had two more glasses. Lying down on the sofa in the living room, I picked up the remote and started flipping channels until I found a horror movie that had me jumping at every sound. Unlike Ellie and Cora, who loved romances, I preferred the thrill of being terrified when I needed to take my mind off of something.
After half an hour of watching the scary movie, Jack, who was lying at my feet, suddenly hopped up and began to growl. I frowned. The low, ominous sound coming from such a friendly dog prickled my nerves.
“What’s wrong, Jack? Is it a squirrel?”
Jack’s growl deepened, and he ran toward the back of the house. I followed him, stopping dead in my tracks when he began to bark ferociously at the windows overlooking the backyard.
My heart raced.
Jack charged forward so that he was between me and the door.
Pulling out my phone, I’d already punched a nine and a one before Jack stopped barking as suddenly as he’d started. For a moment, I just stood frozen while Jack came over and started nudging my leg.
Relief overwhelmed me. Looking down at my cell, I wondered what I was thinking to have started dialing 911. The last thing I needed was another run in with the police. With one last glance into the backyard, I shook my head, feeling crazy for freaking out.
Five minutes later Hunter came home, much earlier than I’d expected him. Wrapping his arms around me, he kissed the side of my neck and I sank against him.
“You cooked dinner.” I heard the smile in his voice.
“If you want to order pizza, I’ll understand. Just wait until after you’ve tasted it.”
His deep chuckle made my stomach flutter. “I’m sure I’ll like whatever it is.”
“Pork chops and mashed potatoes. I even made a salad.”
“My favorite. Mind if I grab a quick shower first?”
I tried not to let the disappointment show on my face. Leaning into him, I sniffed but smelled no other woman’s perfume. He smelled amazing, like always. “Sure.”
He gave me an odd look, and I realized he knew that I smelled him. I felt the heat creeping up my neck, and I shifted beneath his unwavering blue gaze.
“You okay, Izzy?” he asked gently.
“I’m great!” I replied with a little too much enthusiasm.
Studying me as if he wasn’t sure I was telling the truth, he finally nodded and dropped a kiss on my mouth. “I’ll hurry.”
I watched him go, my courage dwindling and I knew I had to do something fast before I started thinking too much. This wasn’t how I imagined this happening. Dressed as Izzy, I didn’t feel all that sexy but I followed him anyway.
“Hunter.”
I caught up to him in the living room and he stopped and turned. The sight of him made my breath catch. I’d discovered that Hunter in his work clothes turned me on. He looked like a super-cop, capable and sexy.
He cocked a brow at me.
I launched myself into arms and kissed him. Although he hadn’t expected it, he caught me easily and kissed me back. My hands moved over his broad shoulders and slid down to squeeze his backside. Next, I slipped my hand to his front and grabbed him. Hearing him inhale sharply, I was sure I’d surprised him since, despite all of the times we’d made love, I’d never touched him so boldly.
He hardened beneath my t
ouch, his rigid arousal straining against his slacks.
“Hunter, I need you.”
Pulling away just enough to glance down at me, I saw the heat burning in his eyes just before he looked toward the bedroom.
“No, I want you here. Now.” I stroked him.
“I get it,” he chuckled. “You want to make love.”
“I want to have sex. Hard and fast.”
His eyes locked with mine, and he seemed to struggle with something. “Okay.”
Now that I’d made my intentions clear I wasn’t exactly sure what to do next. Should I take of my clothes or his? Where would we do it? Had he been with another woman tonight?
I ignored the doubt that threatened to chase away my courage. Moving my hands to his slacks, I fumbled with the button and unzipped them.
Hunter made a sound that seemed to come from deep within him, and then his hand slipped beneath my skirt. Into my panties. He slid a finger inside of me and I flinched.
He swore. “You’re not wet.” Pulling away from me and positioning himself back inside his boxer shorts, he frowned down at me.
“I don’t want to stop.”
Hunter didn’t look sure, but he nodded. “Alright, we’ll slow this down.”
“We don’t need to slow down,” I insisted. “I want you now.”
Intense blue eyes pinned mine. “Do you?”
“Yes! I want to have sex now and not the way we usually do it. I want it—wild.”
“What’s going on Izzy?” he asked quietly.
“During sex you’re always trying to please me. I want to please you.”
“I like pleasing you. That’s what turns me on.”
“You don’t have to do that. If you need something more than the vanilla sex we’ve been having, I want to give it you. I’ll try anything.”
His eyes widened at the last word, and he studied me as if trying to figure something out. “What do you have in mind?”
I had no idea. “Whatever you like.”
“I’ve already told you what I like. Turning. You. On.” He gave me a measured look. “If you’re wanting something more, you’re going to have to let me know what it is. I want to please you,” he finished, echoing my earlier words.
His words caused a slow flip in my belly.
I had no idea what to say to him. As far as I was concerned, I loved everything about the way he made love to me and I could not imagine it being more perfect. For me it was incredible, but if Hunter was sleeping with someone else he obviously felt our lovemaking lacked something.
“You can’t honestly say you’re satisfied with our boring vanilla sex,” I said carefully, watching the surprise flash in his eyes. “Don’t you want to try new things or like—“ I drew a blank, and tried desperately to come up with something interesting. “Like…sex toys, maybe?”
The corners of his mouth lifted. “Just out of curiosity, what kind of sex toys were you thinking about?”
“The usual ones, you know.”
Amusement danced in his eyes. “No. I don’t know. You’re going to have to tell me.”
Ellie’s door prizes she’d won at her co-worker’s lingerie/sex toy party came to mind and I felt a little sick, my entire body rebelling at the idea of trying any of that stuff. I looked up at Hunter and found him watching me intently. For him, I’d be willing to do almost anything.
“Handcuffs, riding crop, blindfold…porn.” I didn’t dare look at Hunter as I tried to remember what else was in that bag. “Pretty much anything you’d like to try.”
“You and Ellie must have gone to the same party,” he replied dryly.
“You know about that?”
“I’ve been trying to forget it.” He raked a hand over his chiseled jaw, which was covered with sexy scruff. “It’s a long story and it ends with me almost getting into it with your brother.”
For some reason this made me smile. “I can understand how that must have upset you.”
“Izzy.” His voice was gentle, and as he said my name he picked up one of my braids, his fingers gently tugging the silky plait. “I’m sorry I’ve disappointed you.”
What? “No! That’s not true at all.”
“It’s okay. You should always tell me the truth.” His knuckles brushed the side of my face, and his eyes caught mine. “The thing is I’m a vanilla sex kind of guy. I’ve got no interest in trying any of the things you’ve just mentioned. If there’s anything else, I’m willing to listen to whatever you have to say.”
I had no idea I’d been holding my breath until I exhaled in relief. Only now I was more confused than ever. Lifting my chin, I met his questioning gaze. “If you’re happy with the way things are between us in bed, then why are you sleeping with someone else?”
He froze, his expression blank. For a long moment, he said nothing just simply stared at me. “What are you talking about?”
“The woman that texted you this morning. You saw her tonight, didn’t you?”
“No.” Understanding registered on his face. “That’s what this is about.” He looked irritated and shook his head. “You should have just asked me to explain.”
That’s what Cora had said. “You didn’t sleep with her?” I asked carefully.
He stepped back, away from me. “No. Jana is someone I used to date. She was in town for a couple of days and I’d agreed to meet her before you and I got together. I didn’t even remember it until I read her text.”
“Oh. I’m sorry.”
“I told her I was seeing someone.”
I swallowed, feeling guilty for doubting him. “That’s why you’re home early.”
He was angry with me. “I’m home early because my meeting wrapped up quickly. I never met Jana.”
I’d made a mess of things and had no clue how to go about fixing them. “I know I shouldn’t have read your message. I didn’t mean to. You weren’t there and the phone was ringing—“
“I don’t care that you read the message. You should have told me then what was bothering you.” He raked a hand through his hair in frustration, his eyes narrowing on mine. “I can’t believe you thought I slept with someone else tonight.”
“I’m sorry.” I felt terrible, guilty and confused. How had everything gone so wrong when all I’d wanted to do was try to keep him in my life? I reached out to touch him, but he turned and strode off.
“Hunter, please,” I cried, following him.
“Not now, Isabelle.”
Knowing I needed to give him some time, but desperate to make things right I took hold of his arm and he spun around. I saw the flash of anger in his eyes, saw him lift his arm, and I flinched. Closing my eyes, I waited for the blow.
It never came. The still rational part of my brain knew that Hunter would never hit me. Ever.
Opening my eyes, I saw him staring at me in shock.
“I’ve never hit a woman in my life.” His voice was soft, laced with an unmistakable note of sadness. “I’d never hurt you.”
“I know that. It was a reflex.”
I saw shadows in his eyes and the pity. “The ex-boyfriend, he hit you?”
“Once.” I couldn’t stand the way he was looking at me, as if he felt sorry for me. “I really am sorry about tonight,” I told him.
Then I turned and ran to Ellie’s bathroom, wishing I’d listened to Cora instead of making a fool of myself.
After washing my face I felt a little better, but I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that he wouldn’t forgive me. I’d have to spend the night with Reed tonight. There was no way I could stay with Hunter tonight, knowing that he didn’t really want me here.
While he was in the shower, I gathered as many of my belongings as I could from his bedroom and took them to my car. There was a chill to the air that seemed to seep into my bones, and I shivered. The hairs on the back of my neck lifted. Sensing someone watching me, I spun around and my gaze scanned my surroundings, searching the source of my unease.
The night was quiet. No one was o
ut and yet I couldn’t shake the feeling that I wasn’t alone. For some inexplicable reason my gaze kept coming back to a black car parked across the street and to the left of Hunter’s house. I don’t know what it was about the car that bothered me. Maybe it was because not many people in this neighborhood parked on the street, so the sight of the car was out of the ordinary.
I was probably losing my mind. It had been weeks since I’d heard from Scott, and that had been before my arrest. Dismissing the peculiar feeling as part of the backlash from a day that had sucked from beginning to end, I went back inside to tell Hunter I was giving him some space.
Opening the back door, I ran into a rock-solid wall of muscle and I gasped. Hunter reached out to steady me, and I tried to relax but my heart was pounding against my chest like a jackhammer. I really had to cut down on the caffeine.
“You’re shaking.” Hunter peered down at me, frowning. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
I tried to smile. “Like you said this morning, I need to cut down on the coffee.”
His expression was pensive. “What’re you doing outside?”
“Just putting some stuff in the car.” I thought I felt him tense.
“Are you going somewhere?”
Taking a deep breath, I nodded. “I thought I’d spend the night with Reed.”
“You’re leaving.” He sounded surprised as if he hadn’t expected me to say that, and I was suddenly confused.
“I didn’t think you’d want me to stay here. You seemed so angry with me.”
“Yeah, I was, but I never wanted you to leave. Izzy, you can’t run away every time we have an argument.”
“You don’t want me to go?” I asked, unable to keep the hopeful tone from my voice.
“No.”
“Good,” I breathed in relief. “Because there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
He pulled me against him, stroking my hair and back. “Ah, Izzy. If I’d known that’s what you were thinking when you ran to Ellie’s room, I’d have set you straight then.”
Closing the door, he lifted me into his arms and took me back to his bedroom. He set me down and my body slid along his.
“If you need some space, I can sleep in Ellie’s room.”
Heaven With You Page 18