Hell On Heels (6 page)

“I love looking at you.” His voice was smokey and my heart lurched.

“You do?” The dreaded heat began to crawl up my neck.

“I do,” he said. “You make me feel happy and strange and nervous and excited.”

My wildly beating heart was the only thing I could hear. This could go one of two ways—I could laugh and act like he made a great joke or I could be honest.

“You make me feel all those things too,” I said softly. My eyes dropped to his mouth.

“You scare the Hell out of me, Dixie, in the best way possible.”

His breath smelled delicious and it took everything I had not to slam him against the door to taste him. “You scare me too, so we’re even.”

He exhaled an overly dramatic sigh. “Well, now that we got that out of the way, we can relax and have a great time. Okay?” His eyes were full of amusement as they searched mine.

“Okay,” I agreed. “Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise.”

***

The drive took about forty-five minutes down winding roads I’d never traveled before. My voice came back with a vengeance. Thankfully it was mutual. I kept forgetting how handsome he was because he was so smart and funny. We talked about movies, books, music, school, drunk teachers and how the Underworld was the greatest place in the universe.

I told him how Ernest Hemingway scared the Hell out of me when I was five by describing bullfighting in graphic bloody detail. Of course Hemingway resided in Heaven but was quite fond of the atmosphere in Hell. Satan and Hemingway were known to go at each other with gusto and pitcher after pitcher of mojitos with the occasional Cuban cigar thrown in. Hayden sheepishly informed me that
Gone With the Wind
was one of his all time favorites, so I let him off the hook by professing my love for Barry Manilow.

We argued theology and laughed about the mortals’ obsession with Vampyres. I giggled so hard I snorted when he imitated movie scenes depicting Demons.
Rosemary’s Baby
and
The Exorcist
were the best. My snort made him laugh so hard he had to pull over. I felt my face grow hot, but my embarrassment disappeared as he swore to me it was cute and begged me to do it again. I refused, called him an asswipe and punched him in the arm, which only made him laugh harder.

Cosmo
magazine was full of it. I didn’t need to grill him about himself. I just need to be me. I only stopped breathing a couple of times when I caught him staring with something in his eyes that looked like wonder.

“We’re here,” he said, his excitement was contagious.

“Where’s here?” I peered out the window.

We were parked at the edge of a monster field of wildflowers. There was no moon, but the stars were out and bathed the scene before me with a soft glittery glow. It was exquisite.

“Is there a restaurant here?”

“I brought the restaurant with us." He gave me an irresistible grin.

“Okay.” I was confused.

“Come on.” He got out of the truck and went around to the back.

He handed me a soft blanket and pulled out a large cooler. “Follow me,” he instructed.

I did. If he had told me to stand on my head and yodel, I would have done that too.

He spread the blanket on the ground and opened the cooler. It was filled with all sorts of yummy food. He laid out plates and napkins, patted the ground next to him and waited for me to join.

Was I nuts? I was alone with a guy I barely knew in the middle of nowhere. It was an awfully pretty flower field middle of nowhere, but nowhere nonetheless. The flowers were not the prettiest thing here. . .he was, but that was beside the point. I was having insane urges to touch him and my stomach was flipping around like it was hosting an international gymnastics competition. This was a recipe for disaster.

My body tensed and I considered running away, but I had no idea where we were. My grip was tenuous at best on all of the emotions ping ponging around inside me. Just as I was about to give into my fear and run, he started to sing one of my favorite Barry Manilow songs. . .badly.

“Oh Dixie, well you came and you gave without taking, but I sent you away

Oh Dixie, well you kissed me and stopped me from shaking

And I need you today, oh Dixie…”

“Stop,” I laughed, and dove toward him to cover his mouth with my hand. “You’re destroying Barry!”

I tripped over the blanket and onto Hayden. I knocked him to his back and ended up right on top of him, nose to nose. Time stopped along with my breathing capabilities. My world was right and I felt happy. I was safe all tangled up in his big strong body. I knew my eyes were beginning to glitter with tears. It was so perfect that it scared the Hell out of me. Way more than Ernest Hemingway did when I was five.

“You don’t like my singing?” he whispered, our lips almost touching.

“Um, no. It was awful."

His green eyes sparkled in the starlight and he took a shaky breath. Was he as affected as I was? Did he feel the same things?

“You’ve mortally wounded me,” he teased. “My secret ambition is to be a rock star.”

“You’re going to need to rethink that one.”

My voice sounded wobbly to my own ears and my eyes were glued to his mouth. I carefully eased away and attempted to squash down my raging hormones. Wasn’t working.

Disappointment flashed in his eyes. I couldn’t tell if it was because I moved or because I had insulted his singing. He didn’t try to stop my retreat, which was a relief. Kind of.

“Are you hungry?” he asked, sitting up, seemingly unaware of my inner turmoil. He moved to the cooler.

“Sure,” I replied as I removed imaginary lint from my jeans. I watched him through lowered lashes and picked at my manicure. I thought about sitting on my hands to keep from reaching for him, but I worried that might look weird.

“What do you want?” He held up two sandwiches. “I’ve got turkey and gouda or ham and brie. I also have cheese and crackers, bruschetta, wine, strawberries and dark chocolate.”

I wasn’t sure I could keep food down with the circus performing in my stomach, but I was hungry. I certainly didn’t want him to think I was one of those girls who didn’t eat. I loved to eat. “Ham, please.”

“Coming right up,” he smiled. He made two heaping plates. I grabbed a glass of wine and my plate and dug in.

“Mmm,” I said after taking a bite of my sandwich. “This is amazing. Where’d you get it?”

“I made it,” he told me as he bit into his own.

“Really?”

“Dixie,” he laughed. “You’re going to give me a complex. First you think I’m illiterate and now you’re shocked I can make a sandwich.”

“I’m sorry, it’s just that you’re so. . .” I stopped, unable to tell him how beautiful and amazing and smart and funny I thought he was.

“Just because I’m Satan’s gift to women.” He grinned evilly and flexed his considerable muscles. “Doesn’t mean I’m as dumb as a box of hair,” he teased as he continued to flex and make ridiculous sound effects.

“I don’t think you’re dumb at all,” I protested, rolling my eyes at his macho display. “You just keep surprising me.”

“In a good way?” He tilted his head and ran his finger down my arm.

My arm tingled with his energy. “In a very good way.”

We ate in silence. A gentle breeze caressed my bare arms and flowers danced in the field like colorful little fairies. I was happy. I kept stealing glances at the beautiful boy who made amazing sandwiches. Every time I peeked, he was staring at me.

“Do you want anything else?” Hayden asked.

Boy, there’s a loaded question. “Um. . .no, I’m good.”

Dots of brilliant purple light quietly filled the grass and trees and sky. Fireflies glowed purple in Hell. Some were a lighter violet and others boasted a deep indigo. The trees looked like they’d been strung with sparkling amethyst. They were my favorites. I put my hand out to catch one, but Hayden was quicker.

“Here you go.” He delicately placed the fragile bug in my hand. “A sapphire for the Princess.”

“Thank you, my loyal subject,” I uttered grandly, behaving like some of my older sisters who thought they were the bomb. “Hayden.” I bit my lower lip to hide my smile. “You have mustard on your mouth.”

“No, I don’t,” he shot back in mock offense.

“Yes, you do.”

“Where?” he demanded.

“On your lip,” I said, pointing to my own.

“On your lip?”

“No, dorko.” I laughed. “On yours.”

“Come and show me,” he challenged. One side of his mouth lifted into the sexiest smirk ever. “I dare you.”

“You should know better than to dare one of Satan’s daughters, pretty boy,” I informed him as I crawled across the blanket toward him. He tensed as I neared and his eyes went from emerald to red. He had never been more beautiful, mustard and all. “Should I use my finger or my tongue?” I asked silkily.

Holy Hell, when did my inner ho-bag decide to show up? My dad would be so proud.

“Your finger would be fine,” his voice was husky. “But your tongue would be much better.”

“Tongue it will be.” I leaned into him, knowing my golden eyes had turned as blood red as his. The power I felt was overwhelming. I was scaring myself silly, but I had no desire to stop. I wanted to press my lips and my body to his from the very first moment I saw him. If he never called again because my inner slut had taken over my body, then his loss. Besides, I was only going to kiss him.

I very carefully ran my tongue along his bottom lip. He inhaled sharply at the contact. His body was as tight as a coil about to spring.

I pulled back and smiled. “Good mustard.”

“I think you might have missed a little,” he replied in a tone that sent shivers through me.

“You think?” I didn’t move an inch.

“I think.” He stayed as still as I did.

Ball was in my court. I slowly closed the slight distance between us and pressed my lips to his. It was magic. A hot spiral of something unfamiliar made my bones feel watery. I grasped his broad shoulders for balance.

He didn’t stick his tongue down my throat or try to grab me anywhere inappropriate. His kisses were featherlight and his tongue gently traced the fullness of my bottom lip. My heart hammered furiously and I knew I was a goner. He cupped my face in his strong hands and pressed soft kisses on my lips, my nose, my cheeks and my eyes. I was dizzy and falling madly in love.

“Dixie,” he moaned. “We have to stop.”

“Why?” I touched my forehead to his.

“Because I want you to fall for my intellect and charm before I let you ravish my body.”

I giggled and brushed my fingertips along his cheekbones and jaw. “What if I only want you for your hot bod?”

He chuckled, “I won’t be used that way. Well. . .maybe once or twice.” He grinned. “I’m looking for something lasting. I plan to make you fall head over heels, no turning back in love with me.”

I knew he was joking, but I was already there.

He kissed me once more and my toes curled. He stood and pulled me to my feet.

“I want to make one of your dreams come true.”

“You kind of already have,” I said, unable to tear my eyes away. I leaned into him and laid my head on his chest. I tentatively wrapped my arms around him. He was so broad my hands didn’t touch.

“Oh Dixie, you’re killin’ me.” His voice was unsteady.

“Really?” I was amazed I had the power to make such a strong man so vulnerable.

“Really.” He reluctantly pulled away and held me at arms’ length.

“I’ll race you to the pond,” he challenged.

“What pond?” All I could see was flowers.

“It’s two miles that way.” He pointed across the beautiful field.

“What’s at the pond?”

“One of your dreams,” he smiled.

“You’re on.”

Chapter 7

We ran through the field with wild abandon. The wind whipped through my hair and I felt free. All Demons were blessed with speed, but my speed was unusual. To the human eye, I completely disappeared. To the Demon eye, I looked like a blur.

I was amazed and delighted Hayden could keep up with me. Then I got pissed when I discovered he was beating me. Then he vanished.

He was sitting nonchalantly on the ground near the pond, legs crossed, hands behind his head with a big smile on his face. With both hands on my hips I slowly circled him. My eyes narrowed as he basked in his victory.

“How did you do that?” I continued to circle him.

“I’m fast.” He grinned.

“No,” I corrected him. “I’m fast.”

“But I’m faster.” He hopped up, grabbed me and swung me in a circle.

“Put me down, you cheater,” I shrieked, trying to stifle my laughter.

He put me down and I took in my surroundings. It was unlike anything I’d ever seen. The pond shimmered as if covered in a thin layer of diamonds. Huge weeping willow trees with giant crimson flowers adorning them blew in the breeze. Wildflowers dotted the bank, but it was the smell. I couldn’t find words to describe it. The closest words were wind, summer rain and promise, but even that didn’t do it justice.

“What is this place?” I whispered reverently.

“It’s my home,” he smiled and took my hand.

“You live here?”

“Well, not exactly here." He laughed. "I have a house about ten miles away, but this is part of my property.”

“Do you live with your parents?” I realized I knew nothing about his family.

“No, my dad gave up on me a long time ago and my mom is gone.”

His matter of fact tone didn’t hide his sadness.

“I’m so sorry,” I sputtered. “I didn’t know.”

He squeezed my hand and pulled me into a hug. “It’s okay, Dixie. It’s been a long time. I’m good.”

“Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

“I have a brother, but we’re not close. I haven’t seen him in years.” He paused. “This is getting too serious. I’m starting to sound pathetic to my own ears.” He grinned. His mood abruptly changed from pensive to silly. He picked me up and carried me to the edge of the pond.

“If you throw me in,” I threatened. “I will make your life a living Hell for all eternity.”

His eyes twinkled with mischief. “That hadn’t occurred to me, but now that you mention it...”