Heaven With You (22 page)

Less than an hour later the doorbell rang. “Wow. That was fast. Thanks for coming.”

“You said it was important,” Cora replied sweeping past me. I noticed that she was carrying two large iced coffees. “I got you a double shot.” She cast a questioning look my way. “It’s espresso, but we can make a liquor run if you need something stronger.”

“Thanks, but I’m too upset to drink.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh, hell. What’s wrong?”

“I think Hunter is sleeping with someone else.”

She handed me the coffee and I took it. “Come on,” I told her. “I made blueberry muffins. I’ll tell you what happened while we eat.”

Cora’s eyes widened.  “Whoa. Hold up. You made something?”

“I can cook, you know. I’ve never had a reason to before I moved in with Hunter. Cooking for one seems like such as waste.”

“So you actually got out a bowl, mixed stuff together and turned on the oven.”

“Isn’t that how it works?”

She shrugged. “Usually. Unless your name is Isabelle Bentley and then you buy pre-packed muffins and take them out of their wrapping for your guests.”

“I only did that once.”

“What happened between you and Hunter?”

I took a deep breath. “He got a text this morning from another woman saying she couldn’t wait to see him tonight. Then he told me he had a meeting.”

Cora and I sat down.

“Did you tell him that kind of shit is a cockblocker?”

“Well, no. I didn’t say that. If he has another woman, I doubt he’d care. He’d just get his cock rocked by her.”

Cora laughed, almost choking on her coffee. “Sorry. I’ve never heard that expression.”

“He said he had a meeting tonight.”

“You didn’t ask him about the text.”

I could tell from her tone that Cora thought that’s the first thing I should have done, and she was probably right. “I was afraid of what he would say.”

“Isabelle,” she said gently. “I’ll bet my next month’s paycheck this is all a mistake. Mr. McAllister doesn’t seem like the kind of man who’d do something like that.”

Hearing Cora refer to Hunter as ‘Mr. McAllister’ seemed strange.

“Ellie says she’s never seen him this happy. Ever.”

I glanced up. “She said that?”

“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 touch, 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.”