Heaven With You (15 page)

My eyes flew to Hunter and I thought I caught a glimpse of sympathy. Luckily, the burning jealousy I was experiencing burned away the humiliation of Amber’s statement.

Before I could think of a response Amber launched herself at Hunter. With impressive reflexes he caught her, looking as if he intended to push her away but before he got the chance she kissed him.

My brain short-circuited, and I just stared as Amber desperately crushed her mouth against Hunter’s.  I hated seeing this. Jealously, anger, betrayal vied for control of my emotions. Mentally shoving all of them back, I jumped forward, grasped Amber’s arms and pulled her back.

“Stop,” I ordered her. “Think about what you’re doing. You’ll regret this in the morning.”

“I’m s-sorry Isabelle.” She looked up at me curiously. “Is he good?”  

I shook my head and tried not to smile. “Not really.”

Hunter had moved toward the door, probably thankful to be free from Amber, but at my attack on his virility he turned and flashed a smile that melted through me, clearly willing to prove me wrong if I’d just say the word.

Desire shot through me. When I glanced back, he was gone and I turned my attention back to Amber.  After I finally got her to bed, I left her water and aspirin on her nightstand. Then I flipped off the light, and, with butterflies fluttering in my belly, I went to find Hunter.

Chapter Eleven

“You can take me back to get my car.”

Tension practically crackled between us. It was as if my body and his were completely in sync.

“You shouldn’t drive tonight.”

He was probably right, and I didn’t argue.

“You want to talk about it?”

“Oh, sorry. I’m sure your amazing in bed.”

He laughed, clearly unoffended that I’d attacked his manhood. “I meant do you want to talk about what’s bothering you.”

Glancing over at him, I took in his worn jeans and black t-shirt. He didn’t really look as if he was going out, and suddenly I wondered if he’d found me on accident tonight.

“Ellie called me,” he said, answering my unspoken question. “She was worried because you weren’t answering your phone.”

My heart twisted with anguish. “I couldn’t talk to her yet.”

“Why don’t I take you to my place and you can tell me about it.”

Surprisingly, Ellie must not have told him everything that had happened between us since he was issuing an invitation to his house.  I cast a cautious look his way. “You’re not going to want to have anything to do with me once you find out all of the horrible things I said to Ellie.”

“It can’t be that bad.”

Tears filled my eyes when I thought of all that had happened today. “I’ve never spoken to anyone the way I did Ellie. I don’t know what came over me. I was hurt and I felt bad for Amber, and—“ I stopped, knowing I was babbling and giving away more than I’d intended.

“This is about your brother.”

“You know?” I shook my head. “Of course you do. I’m the only one that didn’t know about Reed and Ellie. All this time I’ve been trying to get him and Amber back together. They’d been best friends since kindergarten.” Glancing out the window, I saw that we were at Hunter’s house.

My pulse jumped when he took my hand in his. “Izzy, I know it’s hard to let go, but Reed is a grown man. You’ve got to let him make his own decisions.”

It was difficult to think with him holding my hand. “I love Ellie. It’s not that I don’t want them to be together. I was so sure that he still loved Amber.”

“You don’t have to explain. I know what it’s like to be a single parent, and that’s what you’ve been to Reed all these years. You want the best for your child whether it’s what they want or not.”

I could tell that he really did understand. “I was afraid you’d hate me for how awful I’d been to Ellie.”

“You meant well. Don’t worry about Ellie. She’s strong and she understands you were upset.”

“Of course she’s strong. She’s your daughter.”

The emotion of the night had temporarily chased away my buzz, but when I got out of the car dizziness hit me and I swayed. His arm fastened around me. I figured Hunter was probably sick of dealing with drunken women tonight.

“You okay?”

 I tried to smile. “Don’t worry I’m not going to throw up on you or kiss you.” The last part was added after I thought of his ordeal with Amber. “Not that I wouldn’t like to kiss you again,” I said casually, trying to sound as if I didn’t think about kissing him all of the time.

“I wasn’t worried.” Once we were inside he turned to me. “I was making dinner when Ellie called me. You hungry?”

I was starving, and my stomach grumbled in answer. Part of the reason I was still buzzing was that I hadn’t eaten anything all day. “Can I help you do anything?”

“I’d already put the chicken tetrazzini together before she called. It just needs to bake.”

“You know how to make chicken tetrazzini?”

“I know how to make a lot of things.”

 “Really?” I asked fascinated. “I’ve always wanted to cook meals and bake cookies, but it’s a waste since it’s just me.”

“I eat a lot of leftovers, but it beats fast food every night.” He glanced over at me. “You want to bake some cookies?”

My taste buds salivated shamelessly at the mention of cookies. I couldn’t decide what I wanted to taste more—Hunter’s chicken tetrazzini, his cookies or him.

Hunter frowned. “Don’t tell me you’re dieting.”

This made me laugh. “Poor people don’t diet, Hunter,” I told him, the beer loosening my tongue.

His gaze raked my body, and I got the feeling he was upset. “You’re so thin. I’d just assumed it was by choice.”

“It is. I’m choosing to save my money for college rather than eat it. Stop looking at me like that. I’m not starving.”

His gaze narrowed suspiciously. “What have you eaten today?”

“A cheeseburger for lunch with fries,” I lied.

“You always bite your nail when you’re lying.”

Dropping my hand from my mouth, I sighed. “Okay, so I haven’t eaten anything today. It’s because of the crazy day I’ve had not because I couldn’t afford a meal.”

He swore and raked a hand through his hair. “Does your brother know about this?”

“No, and you’re not going to tell him. He’d only worry.”

“Someone should worry about you.”

“I can take care of myself.” As if to prove the opposite I turned and ran right smack into the island. “Oh!” I clasped my middle and tears of pain stung my eyes.

Hunter stepped forward and I felt his arms encircle me. It felt so good to be held, to know that someone did care and for some inexplicable reason this made the tears I’d been fighting slide down my cheeks. The events of the day and beer that Amber had bought caught up with me. Leaning into him I wept silently.

“Hey, it’s going to be okay,” he whispered against my hair.

Several moments later I lifted my chin and met Hunter’s warm blue gaze. “I’m fine, really. Sorry, I cried all over you.” I took a deep breath. “You know the kind of people that drink too much at parties and end up dancing on top of tables or wearing lampshades on their heads?”

His lips twitched. “Yeah.”

“I’m the complete opposite of that. That’s why I’m blubbering all over you like a crazy person.”

“I wasn’t complaining,” he replied softly.

“Good. If you’re uncomfortable, I can find a lampshade or a table and pretend to be a happy drunk.”

He smiled. “I might like to see that.”

I was acutely aware of my body pressed against his and wondered if he felt the same hot need licking his senses that I did. His gaze darkened. Mine dropped to his mouth, and I thought of the last time we kissed.

“Izzy.”

My name was deep, husky rumble that slid over my body like melted chocolate and left me with an insatiable hunger. “Yes,” I managed to whisper.

“You’re hungry.”

“I am.”

His hands cradled my face, his thumb brushed my bottom lip and flickers of desire shimmied down my spine.

I lifted my chin.

He dipped his head.

We were so close. And then he kissed me. I sank into him as our mouths moved eagerly over one another, wild and hot, fast and slow, the kiss turned like a winding road. He lifted me onto the island, my legs wrapped around his waist, and we kissed until both of us were breathless, stole gasps of air and kept on making love with our mouths.

“Anyone home? Hunter?”

I froze. Hunter pulled away suddenly, and I struggled to catch my breath. One look at him and I knew who had interrupted us. My heart felt as if it had been cracked wide open.

“Hunter?” Allison called again just before she found us. “Oh! I’m sorry.”

Clumsily, I fell off the granite-topped island and stepped away from him.

“Allison, can you give me a moment?” Hunter asked calmly.

“Sure, no problem.”

“Actually, it’s fine. I was just leaving,” I told them, my voice wobbling embarrassingly. Determined not to fall apart in front of them, I lifted my chin, smiled and took a single step before Hunter placed his hand on my arm, stopping me.

“You’re not going anywhere.”

I’d never liked taking orders from anyone, and my temper spiked at his order even though I knew he was trying to protect me. “Yes, I am.” Our eyes tangled. “Let go,” I whispered so that only he could hear.

His expression was torn. “Izzy, you can’t leave now. Your car is at Shooters,” he replied softly.

Okay, so that was a problem. I wanted to cry, but I smiled instead. “If the two of you will excuse me, I’ll just be in Ellie’s room.” I spoke with calm dignity that betrayed none of my pain.

Hunter let me go, probably relieved that I wasn’t going to start a drunken walk home. My gaze landed on Allison and I saw, with a sinking sensation in the pit of my stomach, that she was beautiful.

I walked passed, stopped, and turned. “I’m Ellie’s friend. Captain McAllister insisted I stay here since I got into some trouble tonight.” I gestured toward Hunter, knowing I had to fix this.  No way in hell did I want their relationship to end because of me. “I didn’t want you to misunderstand what you saw.”

Relief showed on her face. I didn’t bother to look back at Hunter. I practically ran to Ellie’s room, curled up on her bed and fell asleep.

Chapter Twelve

The next morning I rolled over and heard something crinkle. Opening my eyes, I glanced around the unfamiliar room—Ellie’s old room.

Yesterday slammed into me, delivering a powerful punch to my already bruised feelings.  Finding Reed and Ellie in bed, Reed’s surgery, Amber’s drinking, kissing Hunter and Allison walking in on us, all of it flashed in my mind like a movie that refused to be paused.

Strangest of all, and what I’d kept from everyone, was the unnerving sense of being watched that had me jumping at every noise and constantly afraid. I hadn’t gotten any more calls or texts from Scott so he’d probably forgotten me while I was freaking out.

Picking up the paper I’d rolled over on, I saw that it was a note.

Isabelle,

We need to talk. I got called in early this morning. If you need to go somewhere before I get back, I had someone drive your car to my place. The keys are on the nightstand. Kolaches and donuts are in the kitchen.

Hunter

I fell back onto the bed with grimace, thinking that Hunter probably wanted to apologize for kissing me, which I did not want to hear, and for his girlfriend walking in on us, which I did not want to think about.

All I wanted to do was pull the sheets back over my head and hide from the world, at least for a little while longer, but I forced myself to get up. I made the bed and took a quick shower, even though I had to put back on the clothes I’d worn last night. Borrowing Ellie’s clothes, after the awful things I said to her, didn’t feel right.

I twisted my long hair into a loose knot at the back of my neck and went without make-up. Just like he’d promised, my car was parked in his driveway. I got in and drove to the hospital, thinking of all the things I could say to Reed to make him forgive me for the way I’d acted yesterday. Luckily, I wasn’t working today and I had some time to fix the mess I’d made of things.

Knocking on his door, I walked on in and found him sitting in a chair beside his bed with the TV remote in his hand. “You’re awake.”

Reed’s deep blue eyes, the same color as my own, landed on me and he forced a smile. I guess I couldn’t blame him for not being thrilled to see me after the way I’d behaved.

“I deserve that look, but I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”

Surprised flashed across his features. “It’s not you Isabelle. I didn’t sleep last night.”  He shook his head. “I’ve got this feeling…” His eyes met mine. “It’s nothing. What are you doing here so early?”

“I wanted to see you. You look good.” I glanced down at his bandaged leg. “No more bionic leg. Think you’ll miss it?”

“Hell no,” he laughed. “I finally feel normal again.”

“I’m glad. Listen, I feel terrible about what happened yesterday. I really am sorry.”

He held up a hand, stopping me when I would have continued. “You don’t need to do this. I understand and so does Ellie. We should have just told you about us.”

Sitting in the chair beside Reed, I patted his back like I used to do when he was little. “I shouldn’t have overreacted, especially right before your surgery.” I took a deep breath. “I hope you and Ellie can forgive me.”

Reed reached out and gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. “It’s okay, Sis.”

“It’s not okay. I shouldn’t have said those things to Ellie. I’ll fix it. I promise.”

“So you made a mistake,” he said, minimizing what I’d done. “No one is going to hold it against you. If you’re worried about Ellie, don’t be. She’s upset that she didn’t tell you about us, but that wasn’t just her call. I could of told you, but I didn’t.”

“I know why since I kept pushing Amber on you.”

“Yeah, there was that.”

“I just wanted everything to be perfect for you.”

“You’ve always wanted that for me, and I love you for it.” Reed’s eyes softened. “Isabelle, I’m in love with Ellie.”