Heaven With You (16 page)

“I’m not surprised. She’s incredible.”

“Yeah, she is. She’s everything to me, and she’d never hold a grudge against you. Ellie isn’t like that, so stop worrying.”

“I know that, Reed.”

We visited for a while longer. When I got up to go, he stopped me.

“Isabelle?”

I turned.

“I love you.” His gaze locked with mine. “Be careful, Isabelle.”

I tried to smile but I was getting a strange vibe from my little brother. “I love you too. Reed, is everything okay?”

He hesitated. “Fine. Just take care of yourself. I worry about you.”

I understood the feeling. We always looked out for one another. “You too,” I told him, shaking off the weirdness that I felt.

My next stop was Ellie’s place. She wasn’t home but Cora was, and I braced myself for Cora’s ire, knowing how protective Cora was of her friends.

“Come in, Isabelle.”

I relaxed, a little. “I’m taking it as a good sign that you didn’t slam the door in my face.”

 “Hey, I’m staying out of this. It’s between you and Ellie.” She poured a cup of coffee and glanced over at me. “Need some?”

“Thanks. Cora, I really screwed up with Ellie. I wouldn’t be mad if you did take her side.”

“You and I are friends too. Besides I knew you’d pull your head out of your ass eventually.”

Cora’s way with words usually made me smile and now was no exception. “How sweet. You think Ellie will forgive me?”

“Uh, hello. We’re talking about Ellie, who sent flowers to the woman that backed into her car last year because the woman was distraught and Ellie wanted to make her feel better.”

I laughed. “You’re right.”

Her gaze raked over me. “So what’s going on with you? It’s obvious you didn’t go home last night.”

“You mean other than the fact that I’ve been a jerk to my friend and my brother?” I said, avoiding her question.

Cora leveled a ‘cut the shit’ look at me. “Look, if you don’t want to talk about who you slept with last night then don’t show up at your friend’s home in the same clothes you wore the day before.”

I closed my eyes. “It’s not that interesting a story. I didn’t sleep with anyone last night.” Cora listened while I told her about last night at Shooters, going home with Hunter and then about Allison walking in on us.

“Hmm. Let me get this straight. He kissed you, she shows up, he tells you not to leave but you run away and hide in Ellie’s room.”

“Right. Except that it sounds much better in my head than it does when you say it aloud.”

“That’s why you shouldn’t talk to yourself. You don’t realize when you’re acting like an idiot.”

“I know I shouldn’t have kissed him,” I said miserably.

“Okay, so like I said before. You don’t know when you’re being an idiot.” Cora tossed a dishrag at me and I ducked. “Of course you should have kissed him! What you should not have done was run and hide.”

“What was I supposed to do? She’s his lover, and I’m—I don’t know what I am to Hunter. Friends, I guess.”

“You’re not just friends, even though neither of you realizes it now. So you just went to sleep and didn’t see him after that?”

“Yes.”

 “When you talk to him today you need to ask him what’s going on with Allison.”

Frowning, I shook my head. “I don’t want to hear that.”

“Jeez. Focus Isabelle. If he’s kissing you, then I doubt he’s still sleeping with her, but you need to make sure. Don’t try to overanalyze things, just talk to him.”

“And if he says he’s still with Allison?”

“That’ll shock the hell out of me and devastate you, but at least you’ll know where you stand.”

“You’re right.”

“I usually am.”

“True, but only when it comes to other peoples love life. Your own you can’t figure out to save your life.”

Cora rolled her eyes. “One: This is your therapy session. Two: You were the one that told me not to trust Jase. I believe the word you used to describe him was
man-whore
.”

“That was before I saw the way he acts around you.”

“I repeat, we are not fixing me right now.”

I sighed. “Alright, for now. Thanks for everything Cora. Let me know when I can return the favor.”

 “Make sure your bridesmaid dresses don’t suck.”

I laughed. “We haven’t even gone on a date—with each other. But if I ever get married, I promise to pick out a non-sucking dress.”

When I left Cora and Ellie’s place I went home, changed into my running clothes, grabbed my music and ran. Running was Ellie’s thing and when she’d first asked me to go with her, I’d agreed with as much enthusiasm as a slug. Surprisingly, I loved everything about running—the exertion, the peace of mind, the feeling of accomplishment when you kept on going long after you thought you were done.

I lost myself in the steps, letting my mind shut out everything as I ran down 1712, cut through the woods and made my way through a well-to-do neighborhood that was laced with paved jogging trails through the woods. I let the physical stress conquer the mental, and I felt strong, powerful, amazing. Well, that’s how I usually felt.

Today I was shaky, a little dizzy and weak.  I’d actually felt that way for a while now but I’d ignored it, blaming it on the fact that I hadn’t been sleeping well, but I knew deep inside that Hunter had been right. I hadn’t been eating enough. Unconsciously, I slowed down.

The trail turned and went downhill through a dark copse of trees. I kept moving, suddenly, inexplicably scared. The hairs prickled at my neck and I ran faster. The strange sense that I wasn’t alone took hold of me and refused to let go.

I turned my music down and that’s when I heard it, the unmistakable sound of footsteps behind me, closing in. Sharp claws of panic sank into me, propelling me forward. My heart pounded, muscles burned, and I ran faster than I’d ever run in my life.

 It wasn’t going to be enough.

He was gaining quickly. Without thinking, I turned off the path and ran into the woods, branches stinging my face as I dodged trees and balanced the uneven terrain.

“Please, it’s okay!”

I kept moving.

“You dropped your keys! My husband was just trying to catch you to return them!”

Glancing back, I saw the woman behind me, holding up my keys. Oh, God. I stopped and sagged weakly against a tree as the adrenaline-high deserted me.

“I’m sorry. We didn’t mean to scare you,” the woman called cautiously to me.

I tried to respond, but nothing came out. Tears of relief filled my eyes. My phone rang. Reaching for it, I saw Hunter’s name on the screen and took the call.

Chapter Thirteen

“What the hell happened back there?” Hunter’s voice was soft and held a note of concern.

I was still recovering from making a colossal fool of myself by running from an older couple trying to return my keys. “I don’t know. I guess I got spooked and overreacted. You didn’t have to rush over.”

“You really scared those people.”

“I know.” I felt terrible. “The next time someone drops something, they’ll probably remember me and keep walking. Are they okay?”

“They’re fine. Just worried about you.”

We’d reached Hunter’s SUV, which he’d parked on the street not far from the trail, and I heard the click of the doors unlocking.

“I can’t get in your car. I’m all sweaty.”

He glanced down at me, seemingly unconcerned with my messy appearance. “Isabelle, I’m not in the mood to argue with you.”

“I’m sticky and wet. I probably smell bad too.”

“You don’t. Get in the car. Now.”

Looking at Hunter took my breath away. He was mouth-wateringly sexy dressed in slacks, a dress shirt and tie with a holster strapped to his shoulder. I could not stop staring.

“Do you have to go back to work?”

“No.” He glanced down at me. “I was hoping we could talk. Do you have any plans?”

“Actually, I have a hot date tonight. Maybe some other time.”

Hot blue eyes pinned mine. “Izzy, about last night, I’m sorry.”

Bracing myself for the conversation, I took a deep breath. “I know it was a mistake, but it’s not a big deal. Just a kiss.”

He shot me a strange look. “I’m not sorry that I kissed you. What happened afterwards, with Allison, I wanted to talk last night, but you’d already gone to sleep.”

“What happened with Allison?” The question escaped before I could stop it and I was unable to keep the jealousy completely out of my voice.

His gaze widened in surprise. “If you want to know if I slept with her, the answer is no.”

I was shocked and weak with relief.

He reached out and brushed the back of his hand along my face, sending tremors down my spine. God, he smelled great. I tried not to think about how I smelled.

“You really think I could kiss you and then have sex with another woman while you slept down the hall?”

“She is your lover,” I replied carefully, feeling guilty for the glimpse of hurt I caught in his eyes.

“I haven’t slept with Allison since that night you spilled beer all over me.”

“You haven’t?” I was relieved and surprised and elated.

His steady gaze held mine. “No, and last night I told Allison I couldn’t see her anymore.”

My heart squeezed. “You didn’t do that because of me, did you?”

“Yeah, I did do that because of you, Izzy. I know I told you that we should just be friends, but I was wrong.”

“Because you’re wildly attracted to me and want to have wild hot sex?” I joked because laughing took the edge off of my nervousness.

He chuckled. “There is that. I was hoping I could convince you to go out with me.”

My stomach did a slow somersault. “You mean like a date.”

“How do you feel about that?”

Hunter’s hand was still caressing my face and I leaned into his touch. “I don’t know.” My voice sounded breathless. “It’s difficult to think when you’re touching me.”

In response to that he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer. His hand made a sensual trail down my neck before sliding along my collarbone, hovering just above my breasts. I held my breath, wondering if he would touch my breasts, surprised that I wanted to feel his hands on me there.

A couple jogged past us, reminding me that we were on a public street.

“Izzy.”

My eyes met his. “Are you going to get into the car or do I have to put you there?”

“The first would be easier, but door number two sounds more fun,” I replied with a daring smile. “If you can catch me.” I caught the flicker of heat kindle in his eyes before I turned and took off in the grass.

I didn’t make it far before he caught me and hoisted me over his shoulder in a fireman’s hold. “Hey,” I laughed.

He was laughing too.

“Alright! You win. I’ll get in the car.”

“Too late.”

I started to squirm and he smacked my rear. “Hunter!”

“You never answered my question about the date.”

“If I say no, are going to smack me again?”

“Do you want me to?”

“You’re full of surprises,” I laughed.

“I was thinking the same about you.”

Opening the door of his car, he lowered me into the seat and buckled my seatbelt before going around to the other side to get in.

“Thanks for coming to pick me up.”

“We are friends, Isabelle. It’s up to you whether we become more.”

Building up all the courage I had, I blurted out the question that was lingering in my mind. “When you say ‘more’ do you mean the kind of ‘more’ that you had with Allison?”

“No, that’s not what I meant. I’m sorry I wasn’t clear before. I don’t want us to be friends that have sex. I want more from you.”

My heart skipped a beat. “A relationship?”

“Yes. Have I scared you?”

I shook my head. “You’ve shocked me. I never thought I’d ever hear you say that to me.”

The corners of his mouth lifted. “Does this mean you’ll consider it?”

“Yes.”

“If you decide to take a chance on me, let me know.”

“Hunter, I lied to you before.” He glanced over questioningly at me. “When you said you wanted to talk I thought you were going to tell me you regretted kissing me last night. I didn’t want to hear that, so I made up the hot date.”

He seemed to relax. “I’m glad. I was jealous as hell to hear when you said that.”

“Were you really?” I asked, thrilled.

“Yes. You look please about it.”

“I am. Not that you’d ever have reason to be jealous, but I like that you care that much.”

“I care Izzy. I care a lot,” he said as he pulled into his driveway.

Stunned, I sat there and a moment later Hunter opened my door and held out his hand for me. The sweetness of the gesture humbled me. No man had ever opened doors for me, held my hand, and I’d never had anyone that cared enough to come pick me up when I was in trouble.

I took his hand and an electric current sizzled up my arm. Although I didn’t have a lot of experience with men, I knew that the way I reacted to Hunter wasn’t something that happened with everyone. It was extraordinary, special and I knew that he had to feel it too.

Sliding out of his car, I went straight into his arms.

My body molded against Hunter’s. His leg slid between mine, the feel of his slacks against my bare skin was strangely sensual. Every sense seemed to be magnified. My hands held on to the rigid muscles of his biceps and his free hand rested on the small of my back.

Clear blue eyes latched on to mine. His gaze dropped to my mouth. Suddenly, the sprinklers shot on dousing us both with cold water. I cried out and Hunter pulled me toward the house.

Laughing, we ran across the lawn, getting totally drenched and neither of us seeming to care. I stumbled. He caught me around the waist and shifted so that he broke my fall and I landed on top of him. I gasped. Sprawled across Hunter, my hands rested on his hard chest, my body pressed into his, and I lifted up to see his face.

“You okay?” he asked.

“That’s what I was going to ask you.” My voice sounded breathless.

Pushing wet strands of hair from my face, Hunter’s hand clasped my chin and his thumb brushed seductively over my lower lip. My breath hitched. My body heated. His heart pounded against his chest, or maybe that was my own.