Heaven With You (13 page)

“You wouldn’t do that to me.”

“Don’t be too sure,” I replied.

They called our names and a tremor of fear rippled inside of me. “Oh God.”

Hunter’s arm slipped around me and he glanced down. “Don’t worry. No one cares if we sing great or screw up. Just concentrate on the music, and if you get scared just look at me.”

My heart warmed. “Just look at you. I think I can manage that.”

“Sure you can.”

We walked up onto the stage, and I couldn’t help but admire Hunter’s easy confidence as he stood by my side appearing unaffected by the fact that we were about to perform in front of all these people.

“Good luck,” said the guy that had introduced us.

My heart pounded. I was certain I’d never be able to perform without my voice trembling over the notes, and then Hunter turned slightly, his intense blue eyes locking with mine.

The first notes of the song began and, surprisingly, I sang without missing a beat, my eyes never wavering from his. When it was Hunter’s turn his deep, velvety-smooth voice glided over my skin, teasing my senses and filling up empty spaces within me that I hadn’t known existed.

His voice was incredible! I listened, mesmerized by the hypnotic sound of his voice. We took turns singing to each other, and I focused on Hunter, pretending we were the only two people in the entire room. Once we’d finished the last note, the crowd went wild with applause, and I felt as if I was on a high that I’d never experienced before.

It was amazing, exhilarating and I could hardly contain my excitement. So when Hunter wrapped his arms around my waist, I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him.

I.

Kissed.

Hunter.

My lips brushed his, and my heart thumped madly against my chest. I thought I felt him stiffen, but maybe I was imagining it because I was sure he pulled me closer and deepened the kiss, our tongues teasing each other’s until I felt as if I was melting beneath his touch.

Slow, fast, light and deep, the kiss went on. When his tongue flicked over my bottom lip, I gasped at the delicious sensation and he swallowed my reaction, groaning as my hands crawled up his chest, over his rock-hard biceps and slid into his hair.

And then, suddenly, it was over.

I looked up into his eyes and saw…regret? It hurt.

“Isabelle,” he said gently.

Why couldn’t he just call me Izzy? It was because he was thinking again, realizing all of the reasons why he shouldn’t be kissing me.

“Sorry, I got carried away,” I replied quickly before he could continue. “Wow. It’s just that it was awesome and I couldn’t help myself.”

His gaze burned into mine. I gasped, realizing how he could misconstrue what I’d said. “I wasn’t talking about the kiss,” I added quickly.

He cocked a brow.

“The singing was awesome. I mean, the kiss was good too, but well, you know what I mean.” I was rambling again.

 “Yeah, I know what you mean.” His gaze pinned mine and it was impossible to look away beneath the sultry eyes that seemed to see deep inside of me.

 I knew that we were supposed to be friends. That’s what he wanted and I’d accepted it, but I felt like I was being tugged toward Hunter by some invisible force that wasn’t going to leave us alone.

“Izzy.”

“Yes.”

 His eyes snapped to mine.  “The kiss was awesome too.”

I think that was the moment I fell completely in love with Hunter McAllister.

Chapter Nine

“How’d the double dates go?”

I’d been lost in thought, staring down into my beer as if it was supremely interesting.  At Cora’s question, my head popped up. “Unbelievable. Our dates went home together.”

Cora’s eyes widened. “You’re kidding?”

“They were each other’s ex’s.”

“Seriously?” Cora laughed.

“I’m not joking. Hunter ended up taking me home.”

“I can’t wait to hear this.”

I told her about the dance, the karaoke and the hot kiss. She listened, fascinated. “Wow. That’s even better than I’d hoped.”

“Nothing happened.”

“It doesn’t matter. Things were happening.”

I looked up at Cora, wishing I felt as optimistic as she obviously did. “So what’s going on with you and Jase?”

She shook her head. “Don’t change the subject. I want to hear more about the hot kiss.”

“There’s nothing more to tell. He took me home and that was it. I’m beginning to think something happened between you and Jase. That’s why you don’t want to talk about him.”

She scoffed. “Sorry, but you’re wrong.”

“I think he’d commit to you, if you’d say the word. He really likes you.”

Cora looked uncharacteristically doubtful. “You think so? I was actually warming to your earlier opinion that he’s a player.”

“If this is about Bambi, you can relax. Reed says she hangs around Jase a lot, but he’s not into her.”

“He left Shooters with her.” Cora held up her hand. “There’s only one reason he’d leave with Bambi and her expensive boobs, and it sure as hell isn’t to drop her off and go home to a cold shower.”

“Maybe if you’d stop giving him hot and cold signals, he’d take you and your girls home.”

“My girls barely fill a B cup. From what I can tell Jase is a boobs man.” Cora took a sip of beer, and flashed a wicked smile my way. “What about Mr. McAllister, what kind of man is he?” she asked, carefully maneuvering the conversation back to me. Cora was really good at that.

“I don’t know. He doesn’t look at me like that.”

Cora choked on her beer, and some of it sprayed from her lips. “Bullshit.”

“It’s true. He mostly looks into my eyes, and I like that. Not many men listen to me when I talk, Cora.”

“So he doesn’t leer at you like a perv. He still can’t keep his eyes off you. Funny how you don’t notice that.”

“Yeah, that’s kind of what I was thinking about you and Jase,” I shot back.

Cora and I looked at each other and smiled. Suddenly Cora’s light mood vanished and she frowned into the crowd.

“What’s wrong?”

“I thought I saw Scott.”

A sliver of fear snaked inside of me. “It couldn’t be. He hates this place.”

“But he’s obsessed with you.”

I’d been denying that for weeks, but I was starting to fear that Scott wasn’t going to get over me leaving him as quickly as I’d hoped. “I thought he’d have forgotten me by now.”

“You didn’t go the police, did you?”

“No. I only told Ellie I would because she was worried.”

“You should be worried Isabelle.”

“He hasn’t done anything wrong.”

“Even if it’s only to leave a paper trail that he’s been harassing you, I think you should file a complaint.”

“Hunter knows.”

“Alright,” she said with a sigh of relief. “I feel better knowing you have your own private cop to keep you safe.”

“He’s not mine.”

“Not yet. Now that ya’ll are no longer continuing with the crazy-assed matchmaking scheme you two can focus on each other.”

“I’m pretty sure he knows I want him, Cora,” I replied, thinking about that incredible kiss.

“Don’t be so sure. Men need things spelled out for them. You might think they know something because it’s clear as glass to you, but sure enough, without the help of a woman, a man will screw things up.”

“You talkin’ about any particular man, darlin’ or is that a general assignation of the character of men?”

Jase Ford’s smoky gaze slid slowly over Cora and even I could feel the heat. He propped his arm casually on the table, a devilish smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

“Hey, Isabelle.”

“Jase.”

Cora brow’s lifted and she glanced around Jase. “Where’s your women harem-boy?”

I let out a sound that was part laugh, part cough.

Jase stared at Cora as if he was trying to decide if he wanted to kiss her or shake her. Maybe both. “What did you just call me?”

“Harem.” Cora paused. “Boy.” She smiled cheekily. “It fits. You’re always with a gang of women.”

“Jealous Cora?”

“Hell no, harem-boy.”

“I’d comment on that but I’m too much of a gentleman to resort to name-calling.”

“I think I’ll go to the bar,” I said quickly, excusing myself.

“Isabelle,” Cora protested, glancing around worriedly. I knew she was thinking of Scott.

“I’ll be back soon,” I reassured her. “Nothing will happen to me in this crowd. You two play nice.”

Jase’s gaze narrowed in concern. I walked off before either of them could stop me.  Weaving through the crush of people, I wondered what Cora thought could possibly happen to me with all these people around.

As if fate was determined to answer my unspoken question, someone grabbed my arm and I flinched.

“Miss me Isabelle?” whispered a terrifyingly familiar voice against my ear. Pulling toward the door, I dug my boots into the floor but he was too strong. Shoving me outside, he turned on me.

I was only slightly comforted by the people around us.

His oily smile made my skin crawl. “Why have you been ignoring me Isabelle?”

“We’re broken up Scott.”

“At least you remember my name. I think your forgetfulness has something to do with your new boyfriend. How is Captain McAllister?”

Something about the way he said Hunter’s name seemed ominous. “What do you want?”

“I want to talk to you.” His voice had softened. “I’m sorry about Deana. If you’d have taken my calls, I’d have apologized before now.”

He seemed sincere. Relaxing a little, I nodded accepting his apology but I didn’t want him to get the wrong idea. “Thank you for that. Still, it’s best that we’re broken up.”

The sudden pain that crossed his features surprised me. “I love you Isabelle.” Stepping closer, he grabbed my arms and leaned forward. “I want to marry you.”

It wasn’t the first time he’d told me he loved me but never before had he mentioned marriage. Six months ago, I might have been overjoyed to hear Scott say that to me, but now I felt nothing.

I wasn’t even upset that he’d cheated on me. Seeing him with Deana had made me realize all of the things that were wrong with our relationship. Scott was jealous, controlling and manipulative. I dressed the way he liked, ate the foods he loved and pretended to enjoy the places he took me. Looking back, I was as much to blame for our messed up relationship as he was because I allowed him to treat me the way he did and I never complained.

“Didn’t you hear what I said?” he demanded, gripping my arms too tightly. “That’s what you always wanted, for me to marry you.”

“No.”

“No?” His expression was incredulous, but it quickly morphed into outrage. “Do you realize how many women would kill for a proposal from me? What makes you think that you’re so special?” he snarled.

I didn’t give him a reply and he didn’t expect one.

Several people had turned to look at us, and Scott lowered his voice, his breath sickeningly hot against my ear. “You’re fucking hot, but you don’t know shit about pleasing a man. Eventually, he’ll tire of you just like I did.”

“Thanks for the warning,” I replied cheekily, and saw his eyes flash with fire.

“You’ve already been replaced bitch, but you and I are not done until I say we’re done.”

“Let go of me.”

“You owe me Isabelle. If you’re wanting to break up, I’ll expect payment in full on that nice car you’re driving.”

A sliver of unease slipped through me. “What are you talking about? I’ve already paid you for that.”

“Not nearly enough,” he shot back, his lecherous gaze creeping down my body in a way that made my skin crawl. “If you’re short on cash, I’d be happy to work out an arrangement with you that would satisfy us both.”

Unlike the time I mistakenly believed Hunter had wanted a similar payment, I was disgusted. “I’m afraid there’s no way that would satisfy me,” I answered calmly, watching the fury transform his features. 

I took a step back.

Scott followed, his body crowding mine. He smiled, a cold look in his eyes. Leaning forward, he whispered, “Maybe you’d be a better lay now that you’ve been with McAllister. I’m curious as to what he’s taught you.”

I stepped to the side, but he blocked me. Remembering what my brother had taught me about defending myself, I jerked me knee up. Scott groaned. I ran.

I’d made it just inside the door when he caught up with me and yanked my arm hard and twisted it behind my back. “Bitch! I’m going to have to teach you your place.”

He tightened his grip on my arm until I thought it would snap. Tears stung the backs of my eyes. What happened next would stick in my mind for a long time.

“Let go of her creep!” Cora cried.

The next instant she reached for a pitcher of beer off a table and dumped the whole thing on top of Scott’s head. At first he seemed stunned, then heat crept up his neck, turning his face red with fury. He lunged for Cora, but Jase stepped in front of her protectively.

“Need a napkin, buddy?” Jase asked with grin.

Scott shoved Jase, but Jase didn’t budge. He did laugh which only seemed to make Scott angrier. Without another word, he stormed off.

“Have a nice day!” Cora called to him.

Jase’s smile vanished. “Next time let me handle it. If that guy had touched you, I’d have gone to jail for kicking his ass.”

Cora shook her head. “I didn’t think. He was hurting Isabelle and—“

Jase’s gaze flew to mine. “He was hurting you?”

“No,” I assured him quickly, knowing my brother’s best friend would get himself into trouble defending me. “We, uh, actually just settled some things between us. I doubt he’ll be bothering me again.”

“Let me know if he does,” Jase said, glancing in the direction Scott had gone.

“It’s fine. Let’s go have some fun,” I told them trying to lighten the mood. But for the rest of the night I kept looking over my shoulder, unable to shake the eerie feeling that Scott wasn’t going to leave me alone.

Chapter Ten

On the day that Reed was having his last surgery to remove the IIizarov device from his leg, my alarm clock went off at four o’clock in the morning, I drug myself out of bed and stumbled to the kitchen to overdose on strong coffee before I showered and dressed.