Heaven With You (9 page)

I wasn’t sure about that, but Hunter seemed to believe it. “I’m sorry I snapped at you,” I told him.

“If this is going to make things awkward between us, I’ll understand if you want to forget about the matchmaking.”

“Have you suddenly decided that finding me a date is going to be bigger job than you realized?” I was only half-joking.

“Finding a man for a beautiful, fun, and desirable woman will be no job at all.”

Hunter and I had dinner together and spent the rest of the night talking and laughing. I showed him a few more magic tricks and he seemed interested. When it was time to go home, I wished our time hadn’t passed so quickly.

He walked me up to the apartment and checked all of the rooms before he left, instructing me to lock the door behind him and call if I needed anything. I didn’t want him to go, and I still wanted him to kiss me. As I closed my eyes to sleep, I realized the bargain I’d struck with Hunter might end with me having my heart completely broken.

Chapter Six

Over the next few days I reluctantly thought about which of my friends I’d set up with Hunter. Renee Tanner was a thirty-six year old nurse, a divorced, single-mom, and she was gorgeous and funny. Hunter would like her. Jealousy pumped in my veins, and I decided to stop thinking about it.

I had some time. We’d decided to go on our dates in two weeks, so I had from now until then to decide whether I was going to be selfish or do the right thing and introduce Hunter to Renee.

Hunter called and told me he was working late the rest of the week, and I thought it was sweet that he cared to let me know that.  We hadn’t seen each other since that last night at his house, and I hadn’t expected to but it was nice that he wasn’t blowing me off. At night he’d call or text me asking if I was home safely, and every time he did that I fell a little harder for him.

A part of me wanted to forget about our deal, forget about him, because I had a bad feeling that I was going to end up getting hurt. Knowing that, I could not bring myself to end things with him because the truth was even if it meant heartache I was willing to do whatever I could to make sure I spent as much time as I could with Captain Hunter McAllister.

Friday crept up on me and I tried to muster some enthusiasm about going clubbing with Amber, but I really just wanted to stay home and read the new romance novel I’d checked out from the library.

Amber picked me up in her flashy new sports car that her dad had given her for her birthday last month.  I knew I was going to end up driving that ridiculously expensive car home. Amber always had good intentions, but she rarely left a club sober enough to walk straight let alone drive.

Dressed simply in blue jeans with a black t-shirt and sandals, I looked plain beside Amber’s sexy leopard print dress and heels.  

Her gaze raked over me critically. “I’m not sure they’ll let you in dressed like that.”

I shrugged, unconcerned. “Is there a dress code?”

“Yes, it’s called S-E-X-Y. You look like you’re in high school. You’re for sure getting carded.”

“I doubt I’ll be drinking much anyway.”

“Hey, I’m driving. It’s your turn to have fun tonight. I guess it doesn’t matter what you wear when you’re as hot as you are.”

“Thanks Amber. You’re looking amazing tonight. Having second thoughts about getting back with Reed?”

She shot me a look of disbelief. “No. I was hoping you could go back and tell him of all the guys that hit on me tonight. You know, make him jealous.”

I thought about that, and it wasn’t a bad idea. Maybe Reed had gotten so accustomed to Amber being around that he’d taken her for granted. “That might work.”

Amber grinned. “We’ll see.”

The club was packed. The music was loud. The prices were outrageously expensive. I couldn’t afford a drink even if I wanted one.  Still, I managed to try to have a good time.  We danced and Amber drank. A lot.

Around ten o’clock my cell vibrated and my heart slammed against my chest.

Hunter: Are you home?

Me: I’m downtown at the new club called Smokescreen

Hunter: You driving?

Me: Amber drove but it looks like I’ll drive home

Hunter: Have you been drinking?

Me: If I say yes, will you come arrest me?

Hunter: Cute. No, but I’ll come pick you up

Me: Too bad I’m not drinking

Hunter: Let me know when you leave

Me: OK ;-)

Two hours later, I convinced Amber that we’d had enough fun for the night and I helped her to the car.  Before I drove off I sent a quick text to Hunter. He answered quickly, asking for Amber’s address, which I gave him.

Turning to Amber, who was slouching in the seat looking a little pale, I frowned. “You’re not going to get sick, are you?”

“Maybe.”

I pulled a plastic sack out of my purse that I’d brought just for this reason.

“God, you’ralifesaverIsbelle.” Her words slammed drunkenly together.

Then she bent over and vomited.

The half an hour drive seemed to take three times that long, but finally we arrived at Amber’s apartment and I helped her inside. She showered and fell into her bed.

“Thanks, Isabelle. For staying.”

“No problem. You going to be okay now?”

“I don’t know. Do you really believe Reed will give me another chance?”

“I think so.” I tried to think of something to say that would make her feel better, but my mind was coming up blank. A moment later, I heard her soft snore. Pulling the covers over her, I left her apartment and locked the door with the spare key.

I didn’t think twice about heading for the parking lot because I knew even before I saw Hunter standing outside that he’d be waiting for me. He was that wonderful.

 I smiled, my gaze raking over him. He was wearing a blue dress shirt with tie, slacks and he still had on his gun, badge and holster. His short brown hair looked as if he’d raked his fingers through it, and his strong jaw was covered with sexy scruff. One word came to mind—mine.

He opened my door and I got in.

“Are you hungry?”

I would have said yes even if I’d been stuffed, but I was starving and my stomach rumbled at the thought of food. I flushed.

“I know of an all night diner. The food is good.”

“Sounds great. Are you just now leaving work?”

He nodded. “It’s been a long night. I got here as fast as I could. Did you lock your friend’s door?”

“I did.” A strange feeling prickled my nerves. “What aren’t you telling me?”

He glanced over at me as if considering how much he should tell me.

“You know something. That’s why you’ve been checking on me this week. I understand if you can’t tell me, but I know you’re not following me around for no reason.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, Isabelle. I’d be checking on you even if there weren’t a reason.”

Thinking of the strange feeling of being watched, an icy chill swept through me. “Is there a reason?”

His hot blue gaze found mine. “I can’t stop thinking about you.”

Oh God. His admission made my chest tighten. I could tell he hadn’t expected to say those words aloud, and was watching me carefully to gauge my reaction. I wasn’t sure I could speak without my voice shaking, but I tried.  “You don’t have to worry about me.  I’ve been taking care of myself and Reed since I was seven-years-old.”

I thought I saw a glint of sadness in his eyes. “I don’t doubt that you can take care of yourself, but you live in one of the most crime ridden areas of town. You should think about staying with Reed.”

“I’m not bothering my brother with this. He’s got enough on his plate now.”

“How about getting another apartment?”

“I can’t afford another apartment.” I hated admitting that to him, but I could tell he wasn’t going to let the subject drop easily.  

“Let me talk to my friend, and see if I can find you another place that you can afford.”

“Fine.”

“Until then, you can stay with me.”

My heart thumped wildly inside my chest. “I can’t stay with you.”

“Why not?”

Because I can’t stand the thought of having you so close and not be able to be with you. “I’m not your responsibility.”

He took a step and closed the distance between us. Peering down at me intently, he said quietly, “What if I want you to be?”

My breath hitched. “What are you saying, Hunter?”

He’d parked the SUV in front of a diner, and we sat in there with the tension between us filling the air.

Raking his fingers through his hair, he looked conflicted. “Every instinct I have is telling me I need to protect you.”

Disappointment crashed over me. For a moment, I’d actually thought he had another reason for wanting me with him that had nothing to do with protecting me. “I’m good,” I told him and pushed open the door.

He came around the SUV and stepped in front of me.  I’d have felt threatened by any other man, but Hunter would never hurt me, at least not physically.

“You won’t even consider staying with your brother?”

I stepped around him, but he gently grabbed my arm. “I didn’t figure you for a man that had trouble taking no for an answer.”

His brows shot up.

“I didn’t mean it like that,” I added quickly.

“You’re the most stubborn woman I’ve ever met.”

Reluctantly pulling my arm from his tender grasp, I started walking and he fell into step beside me. “You really are bossy, Hunter. I’ll keep that in mind when choosing you a date. Some women are turned on by an Alpha-male.”

He peered down at me. “Are you?”

I swallowed, hard. “Are you asking because you’re thinking of prospective dates for me?

 “No.”

“Why then?”

“You already know the answer to that, but I’ll tell you anyway. I’m curious about you Isabelle. Just because I don’t think we should be more than friends doesn’t make me any less interested.”

“You’re interested in me?”

“I thought it was obvious.”

“It’s not. Hmm. You just don’t want to date me. Do you want to have sex with me?”

“What the hell kind of question is that?”

Interestingly, Hunter McAllister seemed uncomfortable. “An honest one. I want to know. You don’t have to worry about hurting my feelings.”

“I doubt there’s a straight man alive that wouldn’t want to have sex with you, Isabelle.”

“Is that a ‘yes’, Hunter?”

“Of course it’s a yes.”

“What if we just had sex then. No strings attached.”

He scowled. “That’s the last kind of relationship you need.”

We walked inside the quiet diner.

“You don’t get to decide what I need.”

“I’m not trying to boss you around, Isabelle. I just think you should be someone’s wife, not hook up.”

I’d like to be his hook up. My naughty brain conjured up an image of myself with Hunter that fired my blood. “That’s sweet. But if I don’t get over my sexual hang-ups, I’ll never be either.” I glanced away. “I just thought that, since I’m attracted to you, you could teach me how to enjoy sex.”

Behind me someone cleared a throat. I spun around and saw a pretty blonde waitress around fortyish smiling wickedly at us. I prayed for the floor to open up and swallow me whole.

“You two need a room or table?” she asked cheekily.

“Table for two, Andrea” Hunter replied smoothly.

She smiled and showed us to a booth, handing us both menus. “What’ll you have to drink, sweetie?”

I wasn’t sure how much money I had and looking now would be too obvious. “Water, please.”

“Usual, Hunter?”

“Yeah, thanks.”

“I’ll give you a minute to look over the menu.” She cast a sly look over her shoulder. “You should show the girl how to enjoy sex, Hunter. Lord knows you’re good enough at it.”

My jaw dropped.

Hunter had the grace to blush.

“You’ve had sex with the waitress?”

“Not since I was fifteen. Andrea and I have been friends since we were kids.”

“Oh. She’s your
friend
.”

He looked at me blankly for a second then shook his head, as if suddenly realizing what I meant. “No. We’re friends period and have been for twenty-five years. She’s married and has four kids.”

“Wow. Even at fifteen you made an impression on her.” I was burning with jealously and hoping he wouldn’t notice.

“She’s joking. I doubt she even remembers it, and I doubt I’d want her to. I knew nothing about pleasing women back then.”

“I’ll bet you know a lot now.”

“In bed, maybe. Out of it, I still have no clue what women really want.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “They want your attention. Listen while they talk, pretend you’re interested, remember birthdays and anniversaries, and don’t stare at another woman while the one you’re with is watching.”

“Is that what you want?”

“Absolutely.”

He grinned. “Got any more advice for me?”

“I’ll get back with you.”

My eyes skated over the menu, trying to find something that I could afford and still have enough left over for a tip.

“So you two are still here,” Andrea said smiling. “Ya’ll gonna just eye-fuck each other or do you plan on ordering?”

My head snapped up to find her slipping me a knowing smile. Hunter seemed unfazed by her comment.

He nodded at me, and I told him to go ahead.

“I’ll have a cheeseburger with fries. How’s the family, Andrea?”

“Good. Marty got that promotion I was telling you about. Savannah lost her first tooth and Tom passed his driving test.”

His smile caused my stomach to flutter. “Tell them congratulations for me.”

 “Will do.” Andrea turned to me. “What’ll you have sweetie?”

“I’ll take the oatmeal, thanks.”

She grimaced. “You won’t be thanking me when you taste it. It’s left over from this morning.”

“Oh.” I flipped the menu back open and scanned the prices for something else that I could afford.

“She’ll have a cheeseburger and fries,” Hunter told Andrea.

Frowning, I shook my head. “No, I’m not that hungry.” At that moment my stomach let out a growl loud enough to proclaim me a liar.

Hunter and Andrea shared a look before she scribbled something down and walked away.