Hell Bound (Seventh Level Book 2)

by Charity Parkerson

  The sound of his laughter combined with his words made her smile. “Well, with a two-year old around, both of those things are over,” she said, and the burst of humor fled at the reminder of what having Cole there might do to Wade mentally. Meeting his gaze, tears pricked the back of her eyes. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Daddy,” Cole called as he came tumbling into the room. Stooping, Wade scooped the boy from the floor and Cole let out an ear-piercing squeal at the sight of the pool through the window. Wade cringed against the sound, but the smile stretching across his face caused Morgan’s heart to turn over in her chest. It was real. Very few people saw the real Wade, but Morgan knew him, and he was genuinely happy.

  Cole pressed his face to the window, while Wade kept him from falling to the floor. “Don’t be sorry,” Wade said over the sound of Cole happy chanting. “This is the good kind of invasion of privacy.”

  She knew he’d not misunderstood her apology, but she let it go. There was something different about him. He almost seemed healed or whole in a way he’d not been before. Cole threw himself backwards in Wade’s arms nearly clocking him in the chin before pushing forward and kissing Morgan several times. Wade didn’t flinch over the assault and stood patiently holding him. Finally, Cole demanded Wade let him loose and went back in search of Mark.

  “I’ll remind you tomorrow how this is a good break from your solitude when you’re ready to pull your hair out,” she teased, but Wade’s face had gone serious again and she caught herself fidgeting nervously under his stare. “Mark is a godsend by the way,” she added to fill the silence.

  “Yes. He’s a good friend.”

  To Morgan’s mind, his confession said everything. Wade didn’t consider many people as friends. Mark might work for Wade, but Wade cared about him. People didn’t get close to Wade and if Mark had, then he was truly special.

  “Are you tired?”

  “A little,” she admitted even though she didn’t want to sleep. What if he disappeared or she woke up only to learn he’d never really been there? It wouldn’t be the first time such a thing happened to her.

  “Come on, I’ll show you to your room.”

  There was no way they could’ve left Kathy behind to face the media on her own, and she’d been forced to come along with them. Mark had shuffled Kathy away as soon as Wade had begun his tour, and if it had not been for the knowledge she was there to help with Cole, then Morgan would not have felt right accepting his offer. The pain medicine and lack of sleep was kicking her ass.

  “All right,” she agreed after a moment of debate and he snagged her good hand. Linking their fingers, he tugged her toward a hallway to her left and she forgot to make note of where they were headed. Nostalgia filled her as she automatically brushed her thumb over the familiar callus where his guitar rubbed while he played. The light squeeze of his hand let her know the motion had not gone unnoticed and her heart sped up. Even through his shirt, she could see how the muscles flexed in his back as he pulled her behind him making his way down the hall. She didn’t care about the shining wood of the gorgeous furnishings of each room they passed and the beautiful molding never fazed her. It was him keeping her in thrall.

  As he led her through an open doorway, she spotted a closed door across the hall, before the massive bed in the center of the room caught her eye. It looked soft and was calling her name, but still she didn’t want him to leave.

  “Where’s your room?” she asked, and then wanted to slap herself for doing so.

  Nodding toward the closed door, he answered. “Right there.”

  She filed away the information that he would be sleeping only feet away as she looked around the room. Gleaming marble of an opulent bathroom peeked out of an open doorway near the bed. She was tempted to go look, but the soothing yellow walls and cushy white comforter drew her in like a magnet. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she suppressed the urge to moan as she sank into the soft mattress. Wade glanced around uncomfortably as if reluctant to leave but unable to find a reason to stay.

  “I guess if you don’t need anything else, I’ll let you take a nap.” He finished with a nod and shoved his hands in his pockets but made no move toward the door. When she didn’t respond he took a step toward the door.

  “Will you stay with me?”

  Her question seemed to freeze his feet to the floor and she almost took it back. A muscle ticked in his jaw and she came to her feet. Turning her back to him, she pulled the comforter down and rearranged the pillows to support her wrist. She didn’t want to look at him as he rejected her, and she didn’t know why she’d asked other than she didn’t want him to go away.

  Kicking off her shoes, she climbed beneath the covers refusing to ask again. She turned on her side unable to look at him and she felt the bed dip at her back. The sound of his boots hitting the floor seemed unnaturally loud, but nowhere near as loud as the sound of her heart beating in her ears.

  “Scoot over,” he demanded. “I’m not about to lose an eye from your cast as soon as I doze off.”

  Hiding a smile, she did as he bade and he slid in beside her. The weight of his arm landed across her waist as he hauled her backward, molding her against his chest. They still fit together perfectly. She didn’t want to look at things too closely or admit she was playing with fire. It wasn’t only her who would lose this time if Wade shut down, but it seemed she would never shake her addiction to him. “You’re the only person I’ve ever been able to sleep in the same bed with.”

  “Not as if you had a choice in the tiny studio apartment of ours,” she reminded him with a laugh.

  “Nah. There’s always a choice. I slept in a truck more times than I can count but there was no way I was leaving you alone in our bed.”

  She knew he’d intentionally lowered his voice to lure her into sleeping, and she could feel her eyes growing heavy even though she didn’t want to fall asleep. The warmth of his embrace and the steady beat of his heart against her back took away any choice she had in the matter. As the last wisp of consciousness drifted away, she felt Wade’s lips brush her temple.

  * * * * *

  As soon as Wade was certain Morgan wouldn’t miss him, he slipped from the bed long enough to retrieve his song notes. Returning to her side, he spent close to an hour watching her sleep and simply scribbling in his notebook before attempting to work on his latest lyrics.

  When the light faded from the room, preventing him from continuing, he went in search of Cole. It was going to take some getting used to on his part to keep track of his son’s schedule. He never considered such a thing would ever occur in his life. With Kathy and Mark on the job, he’d let time slip away. By the time, Wade thought to check in on them, Mark had already assigned Cole his bedroom, and Kathy was sleeping soundly at the boy’s side. A swell of gratitude for her friendship with Morgan caught him off guard. He never expected to be thankful for Kathy’s presence in his life. It’s not as if he didn’t like her as much as she was bit overwhelming.

  Wade wandered aimlessly throughout the house, biding his time before Morgan woke. Normally, he didn’t have any trouble filling his day, but with her in his home, he didn’t want to do anything but spend time with her. His feet carried him into the living room and over to the same bay window he’d stood at with Morgan a few hours earlier. With only the glow of the lights from inside of the pool to illuminate the outdoors, the bright white room at his back cast a mirror image in the glass. Even as he stared at the gleaming cherry wood bookcase in the reflection of the window, it still took him a moment to realize Mark had moved to join him. Although Wade was there in body, his mind remained in the bedroom down the hall.

  “I feel guilty for neglecting Cole all day.” As he spoke, Wade glanced at Mark taking note of the guard’s appearance for the first time in months. Although they were together a majority of each day, Wade had a way of drawing inside of himself and becoming only half-aware of the people around him. He realized now, Mark looked exhausted. Mark seemed every bit as ste
ady as ever, but the dark smudges beneath his eyes told a different story. His massive shoulders rose in a dismissive shrug.

  “He was busy checking out the place and didn’t notice either of you were missing. He fell out from exhaustion about an hour ago, and Kathy decided to stay with him in case he woke up scared. Besides, you and Morgan need some time alone. You have the rest of your life to get to know your son.”

  Wade still felt bad, but he nodded in agreement, recognizing the logic in Mark’s words. “Whatever happened to the girl you followed to Nashville?” Wade asked. It wasn’t like him to pry, but he did consider the man a friend, and Mark knew all his business now so it seemed only fair.

  Mark rocked back on his heels and shoved his hands in his pockets. He couldn’t have looked more uncomfortable if he tried. His face took on a guarded look, but he still answered. “She disappeared on me in the middle of the night.”

  Wade winced. The thought of Morgan sneaking away without a word almost caused him to run and check to make sure she was still there. In fact, it took all his willpower to stay still.

  “I went after her,” Mark added. “But I never did find her.”

  Wade opened his mouth to offer something, but he wasn’t sure what. He only knew there had to be some way to track her down. If she didn’t want to be with Mark any longer, she could tell him to his face instead of taking the chicken shit way out.

  However, the security lights for the pool house fired to life casting a bright glow around the building and drawing both men’s attention away from their conversation. The lone figure standing bathed in the light got Wade’s feet moving. He didn’t stop to consider his own safety, or the fact that security was Mark’s job. All Wade could think about was the possibility of Pamela harming his family. Mark shoved Wade aside before he could clear the doorway.

  “Damn it Wade. Stay inside,” he ordered. A gun appeared from behind Mark’s back before he stormed outside. Everything inside Wade demanded he step out the door and forcibly remove Pamela from his property, but his need to protect his family was stronger and he held his ground. Somewhere between the window and back door, Wade lost sight of Pamela. She wasn’t standing where he’d spotted her and he searched every corner of the darkness with his eyes. It was as if she’d disappeared into thin air. Rage boiled in his blood. The crazy bitch had gone too far. It was one thing to accost him in public, but it was another to stalk him in his home.

  Mark returned a minute later, shaking his head at Wade’s questioning look. Only when Mark returned his gun to its holster did Wade wonder why the guard thought it had been necessary. “She was already gone by the time I got there.”

  Wade nodded toward the weapon. “Pamela is crazy, but I don’t imagine you would have needed to shoot her to get rid of her.”

  “You know her?” Mark asked angrily.

  Wade let it pass since he recognized he should’ve warned Mark sooner. “I met her in Nashville a couple of years ago. She’s like some sort of vampire freak or something. She tried to get me to sleep with her. I refused. Very crazy shit, but I’d forgotten all about her until she showed up at the hospital the other night.”

  Mark’s face could only be described as thunderous as he held up what appeared to be a baby’s rattle. “Well, she’s left you a little calling card.”

  Wade’s eyes locked on the child’s toy and the blood froze in his veins. His hands curled into fists as he pictured wrapping his fingers around Pamela’s throat. He heard himself growl, “If she thinks to harm my son, I will see her dead first.”

  Mark scrubbed a hand over his face seeming even more tired than before. “I’ll take care of it,” Mark said as he pulled out his cell phone and organized more guards to secure the house.

  Chapter Six

  Morgan knew Wade was gone before opening her eyes. Rolling onto her side, she did her best to ignore the ache throbbing at her wrist as she blinked at the darkened ceiling in surprise. She’d slept the entire day away. Tossing a glance around the room, she didn’t spot a clock. With a sigh, she clicked on the bedside lamp and went in search of her cell phone. It confirmed her fears. She’d slept past Cole’s bedtime and she felt like a horrible mother for missing his entire day. Since it was too late to do anything about it, she made a quick trip to the bathroom and headed back to bed. As she climbed under the covers, she caught sight of the notebook Wade had been writing in at Champ’s.

  Snagging the corner, she pulled it closer and inspected the cover. The blue book had seen better days, and a few of the pages looked ready to fall out completely. She debated for a few seconds whether she should open it, but realistically she knew she couldn’t kid herself. Of course, she was going to read it.

  Flipping open the cover, Morgan ate up the sight of Wade’s words. It had been too long since she’d seen his scrawled writing. Perhaps it was a small thing, but she missed it just the same. She traced the lines with the tip of her finger. She recognized the lyrics on the first page as a song already on the radio and she turned the page. The breath caught in her throat as she read her name at the top. It wasn’t music this time but a note.

  Morgan,

  One of these days, I’m going to work up the courage to mail these letters. For now, they only serve to make you seem less far away. I don’t have long today. My plane will be landing in Denver in about twenty minutes. After doing a show for one night, I’ll be off to someplace else. I can’t really keep up with where any longer.

  This morning, I passed a Daisy’s cupcake shop, and you were the first person to come to mind. I didn’t know any were still in business. Luckily for me, they were more than happy to ship a few your way. Maybe they will make it there before they’re stale. Damn, I hope you don’t throw them in the trash when you see they are from me.

  Morgan chuckled even as her heart swelled. She’d forgotten all about the cupcakes. There had been a moment or two while she had considered tossing them, but she did love to eat.

  I miss you. Every day I take out my phone and I debate whether you would answer if I call. In the end, I always decide you won’t, and I put it away. It’s crazy. I feel closer to you than I do anyone else yet I’m terrified to simply talk to you. You’re still my whole world and I love you. Please don’t give up on me?

  Months and months’ worth of notes to her were scattered throughout the book. Each new one she found, the more she realized something important. He’d never intended them to be apart forever. Wade always expected he would come home to her.

  One entry close to the end caught her attention, and she paused to read the entire page.

  Morgan,

  It was odd to see you tonight and not be able to speak to you. There have been times when I’ve been hyper-aware of the passage of time and every second apart has felt like an eternity, strangling the life from me. Other times—like tonight—it seemed as if it was only yesterday you were sinking your teeth into my shoulder while straddling my hips. I can still hear the sound of your moans ringing in my ears, yet as I watched you walking to your car, a spike of fear shot through me. What if you look at me the same way you would a stranger?

  Instead of tackling you in the parking lot of your work—as I was tempted to do—I followed you home. When I saw the lights on inside, I almost lost it, but then I recognized Kathy’s car. Maybe tomorrow night I’ll find the courage to talk to you.

  A sane woman might have freaked out over the thought of their ex following them around. Fortunately, sanity had never played a role in Morgan’s feelings for Wade. His note did clear up the matter as to why Wade had been there to save her life. A guilty burst of happiness raced through her at the thought, and she fought the urge to hunt him down that very second. To keep herself from moving, she turned to the last entry. It was another letter, one he’d begun while she was sleeping, but it wasn’t finished.

  Morgan,

  I have no idea how you expected me to sleep with your delicious ass rubbing against me. Just so you know, it’s only the dark smudges beneath your
eyes stopping me from slipping your shorts down your hips. It’s absolute hell knowing only a few pieces of material stand in the way of having your juices covering my fingers, tongue, and cock.

  Do you remember the time Kathy gave you handcuffs for your birthday as a joke? She laughed until I thought she’d be sick and even though you were blushing, I saw the truth in your eyes. I couldn’t get rid of her fast enough and I don’t think we slept for two days afterwards. There’s a lot of things I’ve done wrong in my life, but every time I caused you to scream my name I felt invincible. I still can’t see a set of handcuffs without getting hard. You trusted me to do things…

  A sound outside the bedroom door startled her, and without thinking, she tossed the notebook back onto the bedside table. The door opened and her heart fell as she realized the notebook had landed facedown instead of face up, as it had been when she found it. The sight of a slightly rumpled Wade peeking in stole away all her worries.

  “You’re awake,” he said smiling.

  The picture he painted with his words beat at her brain and she could only nod. Fortunately, he didn’t seem to need any encouragement. “I went to check on Cole. All the excitement wiped him out and Kathy is sleeping with him in case he wakes up scared.”

  Her traitorous body cheered at the thought of having Wade all to herself a little while longer. “That’s good,” she said genuinely relieved Cole would be taken care of. She forced her face into some semblance of regret as an idea took root. “It’s too bad I didn’t wake up sooner. I really need some help cleaning up.”

  A look of confusion crossed Wade features. “Why? I have a maid.”

  In spite of her best efforts, a flush touched her cheeks. “I meant myself,” she answered. “I need a shower.” Wade’s face cleared and she could practically hear his calculating thoughts as his eyes moved over her body.

  “I could help you.” The offer came out a bit too quick, and he immediately backtracked. “I mean, if you tell me what you need. I promise not to look,” he added lamely.