What the Heart Takes (25 page)

Satisfied with her answer, Dylan rounded the corner of the lobby, pulling her along with him. “Come on,” he said in a low voice, the one that always made her knees weak. “Let’s go find our room. We’ll get our stuff inside and then grab some lunch. Or, if you’d rather, we can stay in and order room service.”

Could they stay in for the entire weekend? She loved the thought of lying in bed, wrapped in his arms, forgetting that the rest of the world existed. “Hmm,” she sighed. “Are you trying to spoil me one last time before the baby gets here?”

They came to a stop just shy of the elevator doors. His eyes darted to her stomach as the biggest smile covered his face. “I’ll always spoil you, both of you, and any other kids we have.”

She wanted to kiss him. Even wetted her lips to do so, but once the elevator doors opened, a high-pitched squeal pierced her ears.

“Oh, my God! It can’t be.”

Heaven turned in the direction of the voice and stared into a set of blue eyes, sapphire eyes she’d know in her sleep. They were a striking contrast next to the layers of platinum blonde hair surrounding an oval face.

“Chelsea?” she laughed. “What in the world are you doing in Cleveland?”

Just before her friend could answer, Kyle stepped around her, grinning at Dylan. “What’s up, buddy?”

The site of his friend made Dylan laugh. She loved the deep sound as much as she enjoyed seeing his chest shake. He reached for Kyle’s hand, but his friend pulled him into a hug. “Sure is good to see a friendly face. I’ve stared at the same people day in and day out for the last few months. We just ended a leg of our tour last night.”

“Dad’s not with you, is he?” Dylan managed to keep his voice calm, even kept his question nonchalant. Kyle knew how much he and his dad didn’t get along. Luckily, she was the only one who could sense the anxiety flooding her husband’s energy.

“Nah,” Kyle said, stepping clear of the people waiting to enter the elevator. “He made a few appearances throughout this leg, including last night in Buffalo. After the show, he flew back to L.A.”

The news had Dylan and her both sighing in relief. She released the tension in her shoulders, letting her purse slip down her arm.

Chelsea’s gasp regained her attention. When she noticed her friend’s eyes on her protrusion, she chuckled to herself. “Whoa… Oh, my God, Heaven. Look at your little pregnant belly.” Pressing her hands to Heaven’s stomach, her brow shot skyward. “I couldn’t believe it when you texted me that you were expecting. When are you due?”

“May.”

“Now I have the baby itch even more.” She winked at her husband. “Listen, are you guys heading somewhere? Kyle and I were about to grab some lunch. You guys should come with us.” She pulled away from their embrace and grabbed Heaven’s hand. “Please say you will. I miss hanging out with you.”

Meeting her husband’s eyes, she sensed he was disappointed in the fact that they weren’t getting the alone time they both wanted. Yet he enjoyed seeing their friends as much as she did. He enjoyed seeing a smile on her face even more.

He nodded his head and wrapped his arm around her again. “Give us just a few minutes to take care of our luggage and we’ll be set.”

Chelsea looked like a kid in a toy factory. She clapped her hands feverishly and did a happy dance. “Yay! You just made my day. Go check on your room and then meet us in the lobby. We have so much to catch up on.”

* * *

The ice water cooled Heaven’s lips as she placed her glass against them. She stared at the plate the waiter set in front of her, disbelieving the huge portion of fettuccine piled upon it. While the waiter asked if they needed anything else, she eyed Chelsea’s margarita, wishing she could join her friend in drinking.

After the last few days of tension, she needed a drink, as did Dylan. He looked as though he was admiring Kyle’s beer. He could have ordered one for himself, but she knew he didn’t because of her.

Without Layne around to keep an eye on things, Dylan had to be more aware of their surroundings. Yet something in the way he kept gazing over at her during his conversation with Kyle said his choice was about more than her safety. It was about satisfying a need growing in his soul, the same need that grew in hers as well. Whatever their evening entailed, he didn’t want to be inebriated.

Kyle’s laughter regained Dylan’s attention. They continued their conversation about the tour, sharing complaints on different venues where they’d performed in the past. Though Dylan never mentioned Sliders, there were times she sensed he missed performing. He had a gift with music. The song he’d written her for Valentine’s Day was proof that he hadn’t lost his touch. Still, no matter how much he enjoyed making music, she knew he didn’t regret his choice to turn his back on the industry.

“So,” Chelsea began, drawing Heaven’s eyes across the table to the bench where she sat. “How long are you going to be in Cleveland?”

“Just a few days.” She was grateful for her friend interrupting her trip down memory lane. Her glass clinked against the table as she set it down and concentrated on Chelsea. “We’re heading back to Brightsville on Sunday to spend some time with our parents. Delia came in to see us too. We’re all staying at the house.”

“Are you going to stick around for Easter?”

Heaven steadied the pulse of her energy. She didn’t want Dylan to sense how much Chelsea’s question upset her. Would she be around to celebrate the holiday or would Nate succeed with his plan to kill her?

No sooner than the thought cascaded through her mind, Dylan shot her a set of folded brows. He must have sensed her worry, but he wouldn’t say anything in front of their friends.

Pressing her lips tighter, her cheeks heated under his scornful stare. “Yes. We plan to stick around for Easter. Hope and Scott are flying in next week.”

Dylan slipped his hand under the table, caressing her leg as he smiled. His energy settled back to a normal rhythm, yet she could still sense his worry over what she’d said. She didn’t doubt they’d discuss it later. For now, he turned back toward Kyle, who continued rambling about the technical difficulties they experienced in Lansing.

Chelsea took another big gulp of her drink, smiling behind her glass as she swallowed. “What about Faith? Is she coming in from New York?”

“She’s already at the house.”

“Really?” Chelsea’s eyes widened. She sat her glass back on the table but continued staring in Heaven’s direction. “Wow. I figured she’d stay in New York. How is she?”

Faith would be pissed if Heaven answered truthfully. She didn’t want anyone to talk about her life, especially someone who knew she had a secret relationship. Though she hadn’t confirmed her feelings with words, her actions and energy said plenty. She loved this man. Every ache of her heart proved that and more.

Heaven couldn’t betray her by giving away any details about their relationship. As far as she knew, Faith hadn’t told Brooke about it either. She couldn’t tell Chelsea.

Struggling to come up with an answer, Heaven blurted the first thing that came to mind—a long time favorite response. “Oh, you know Faith. She’s being her normal self. A bitch.”

The answer didn’t pacify her friend. She pushed her fork through her vegetables, spreading them around her plate. “Brooke said she tried to call her but couldn’t get through. She said something about her cell getting shut off or her number changing. I don’t remember which now.”

Faith
had
changed her number. Guess she’d been too caught up in her own world to bother calling her best friend with the new one. Typical Faith. No one else’s problems mattered when she was in a crisis, or any other time for that matter.

“I don’t know for sure what’s going on with my sister. We aren’t on the friendliest of terms.”

Gazing up from her plate, Chelsea showed off her pearly whites and laughed. “Were you ever?”

“Touché.” She smiled when Chelsea raised her glass. “I’ll tell you what I’ll do. When I get back to the house, I’ll tell Faith to call Brooke. It will make it easier for your sister to update her contact info. There could be a glitch with her phone. Technology is quirky like that.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right. Oh! Speaking of my sister. Guess what she texted me the other day?”

Chelsea waited until Heaven shrugged before she dug her phone from her purse. She tapped it with her finger, flicking the screen a few times until her blue eyes roamed across. “Here it is. Her text says, ‘Looks like we’ll be setting a date soon. I found a ring in his carryon. Will keep you posted.’”

Finally. Someone had good news for a change. Heaven was sick of all the drama that had taken over her life. She wanted to be normal. She wanted to celebrate things like her friend’s engagement, without having to worry about whether she’d be around to attend the wedding.

“That is awesome news, Chels. Tell Brooke congratulations. I guess it’s time for you to repay her for helping you with your wedding.”

“Ugh. I know,” Chelsea said, pretending to strangle her neck. “She’s going to be a total diva. It would be like Faith getting married and you having to help her plan it. What a nightmare.”

Heaven snorted at the thought. She could handle a nightmare, could wake from a terrible dream without any repercussions. Planning Faith’s wedding would be hell on earth.

At least she didn’t have to worry about it happening anytime soon, if ever. Faith had too many other issues to deal with. If she was a part of the unfortunate pair, there was a chance she would never get married.

* * *

The door to the hotel room clicked shut once Dylan pulled it closed. He stared at Heaven, paying extra attention to the hum of their connection. Though no negative vibes radiated from her, he sensed a certain level of distance between them.

While Chelsea and Kyle kept them occupied most of the day, he hadn’t noticed anything bothering her, not since the worry he’d felt while at lunch.

Her silence continued to stir the questions in his mind, especially when she slid the balcony door open and stepped outside. It was cold. She’d even commented about it when they first arrived back at the hotel. Why would she return to the chilly air unless it was to clear her mind?

Or did she want away from him?

He recalled the events of the day, wondering if he’d somehow missed a clue as to what upset her. He tossed the room key on the stand beside the bed and mulled over the thought while making his way to the balcony.

Heaven stood at the far end, her eyes fixed on the quarter moon above Lake Erie. It cast a faint light over the water, just enough to see a delicate ripple near the shore. A slight breeze came in from the north, blowing her hair about her shoulders. Her sweet, earthy scent lingered within it. He inhaled a breath, allowing it to clear his head so he could center himself and focus on their bond. Staring at her made it difficult to focus on anything but the need in his soul, the need to feel her skin next to his.

The cool night air swept over him the second he stepped onto the balcony. He didn’t care about the way it made his skin prickle. Wanting his wife proved his only desire. She would always be his only desire. He prayed he’d be her only one too.

Refusing to think about his conversation with his mom, he came to a stop behind Heaven, wrapping his arms just below her breasts. He eased her toward him until her back warmed his chest.

“Are you okay?”

He whispered the words in her ear, then buried his nose in her hair. The distance he’d sensed in her eased when she turned her head in his direction. Golden eyes locked with his, revealing within them a small sense of uncertainty.

“I was thinking about how crazy our lives are and how much crazier they’re going to get.”

“Don’t think about that,” he said, pressing his finger to her lips. “This weekend is about us, not the craziness surrounding our lives.”

“I know,” she mumbled behind his finger, “but—”

“No buts. We don’t know when we’ll get this type of privacy again. When’s the last time we made love without the fear of Layne hearing us?”

Unable to deny his point, she pressed her lips back together, keeping them as such when he pulled his finger away. She knew as well as he did that they hadn’t had that type of privacy since the first three days of their honeymoon.

Cupping his hand around hers, he stepped toward the sliding door, urging her to follow. She did so without reluctance. When they reached the door, he waited for her to enter first before joining her. The track squeaked when he pushed the door to a close and drew the blinds.

Once he sat on the edge of the bed, he patted a spot beside him. Heaven didn’t hesitate in the least. The mattress gave as she eased onto it, leaving little space between them. He fought against the urge to strip off her sweater and jeans. They were blocking his view of her body, but he couldn’t give in to his need just yet. There was more he needed to say to her.

“Listen to me,” he whispered, lacing his fingers with hers. “Mom made me realize some things the other day, like how unfair I’ve been to you and Layne regarding your connection.” He raised his hand when she tried to speak, motioning for her to wait. “I know it’s my issues causing the problem. I have to let go of my fears because Layne is what will keep you safe. Things are going to change when we go back. So please, Heaven, please give me one day of nothing but you. Give me one chance, one moment, to feel like we have a normal life.”

He said nothing more as he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. The first sweep made her body tense, but the second had her leaning closer. By the time he parted her mouth with his, she was all but putty in his hands.

Coming to a stand, he pulled her to her feet. He ran his hands beneath her sweater, working it up and over her head. The garment landed on the carpet not long before his shirt joined it. He circled around her, trailing his fingers across her exposed skin. One finger hooked under her bra strap, tugging it down her shoulder. When he slipped behind her to undo the hooks, she sucked in a deep breath.

A gentle tug brought the other strap down her arm, and as his fingers followed it, he pressed his lips to her shoulder. The sweet scent of her skin intoxicated him. He’d never be able to satisfy his hunger for her, would always want more of her time, of her touch, of her love.