She’d rather be back in bed with him.
* * *
Heaven hit the bottom step as she eyed the door, wishing Dylan would walk through it right about now. Not that he would, considering he’d only left twenty minutes ago. She stroked the soft fabric of her skirt, making sure the hem fell to a modest level. No way would she ever wear something that someone would think she’d borrowed from Faith. Those lovely short skirts that showed her personality.
Taking a deep breath, she ran through her mental checklist of things to do before Dylan returned. Or before their friends started arriving. The first item—coffee. The rich scent of freshly ground beans drifted from the kitchen. Of course. Dylan would make a pot before he left. He knew she’d need it.
As she passed the back door on her way to the pot, the willow tree caught her attention. Maybe they should stand under the tree when they made their announcement. To do so would be fitting, though no one else would understand why.
Knowing Dylan, he’d already planned on it.
She grabbed a cup from the cabinet, preparing to pour the coffee when her cell buzzed to life on the counter. So that’s where she’d left it the night before. Grabbing the slender device in her hand, she slid her finger across the screen, unlocking it. A text message from Dylan popped up.
Can’t get you off my mind. Hated leaving you like that. I swear I’ll make it up to you. Love you.
Her cheeks warmed as she dismissed the message. She had no doubt he’d keep that promise. Before her mind could run away with images of them in bed, she noticed a bunch of alerts on her phone. Several missed calls from her mother. At least ten. Her mom wouldn’t call this many times unless something was wrong. Had something happened to her dad?
No. If that were the case, her mom would have insisted on talking to her this morning. Maybe she should call.
Before she could pull up the keypad, she noticed another text message from a blocked number.
We need to talk. I have information that could save your life. You’re in danger.
Who would send such a message? Was it a joke? She checked the time the message came in. Just a little after two this morning. The same time she and Dylan returned to bed after her dizzy spell. Not that the two could be related, but what a coincidence.
Her stomach knotted as her eyes scrolled over the message once more. The words “you’re in danger’ stuck out like a neon sign. It had to be someone playing a joke. Hopefully Faith.
As her skin began crawling, her phone buzzed with another message. This one from Dylan.
Are you okay?
Great. He’d sensed her worry. Wait until he found out what caused it. He’d freak. After everything that happened with Zeke, he’d just started feeling comfortable enough in leaving her by herself. Now he’d insist on staying by her side.
Then it hit her. Zeke could have sent the message.
Of course, he’d have to know her number. Which he didn’t. Very few people did, and those people would rather walk on hot coals than give Zeke the information.
Refusing to let something this silly get in the way of their day, she sent Dylan a quick reply. I’m fine. Just a little jumpy today. Nothing to worry about. Miss you.
She barely had time to see his response of miss you, too when the doorbell rang. Who could that be? No one had pressed the buzzer on the gate to ask for entrance.
After finding the strange text message, and now an unannounced visitor, her heart began to pound a little faster. Then she forced herself to stop the crazy thoughts. No sense in setting Dylan off again when the person at the door could be Scott and Hope arriving early. Scott had the code to Dylan’s gate. He wouldn’t need to be buzzed in.
Walking back toward the hallway, her eyes darted to the door. With each step, she studied the silhouette on the other side. What she hoped would be two figures turned out to be one. A tall figure, around Dylan’s size, waiting patiently.
It could be one of two people. And she wasn’t sure she wanted to see either. Well, at least one of them wouldn’t try to attack her. Not without serious ramifications. Like losing his best friend. Her sister, too. If she still mattered to him.
Twisting the knob, she pulled the door open. Air rushed into her lungs along with a mixture of lavender, iris, and mint. The scent teased her nose, helping to alleviate some of her fears. But when caramel eyes stared back at her, her stomach knotted.
* * *
Heaven shut the door behind Layne once he walked inside. Thank goodness it hadn’t been Zeke, though she should have known better. Zeke wouldn’t be able to get past the gate. But Layne could. If Scott had the pass code, naturally Layne would.
“When’s Dylan supposed to be back?” he questioned as she moved past him, heading toward the kitchen.
“I’d say in about thirty minutes. Probably less. He didn’t think he’d be gone for more than an hour.”
“Oh…mind if I hang out ‘til he gets here?”
Shrugging her shoulders, she gave him a quick nod. “Suit yourself. You want some coffee?”
“No, I’ve already had some, but thanks,” he answered, stopping in the archway.
“I’m surprised my sister isn’t with you.” As she waited for him to respond, she swirled the spoon inside her cup, mixing the cream and sugar until a beautiful mocha color filled it. Layne remained quiet, but she could feel his eyes on her. She shifted her focus from the cup to his face. He met her glance for a second before stepping from the archway toward the back door.
“She’s coming with Brooke and Jerry.”
“Why?”
Layne gripped the frame around the back door. “She spent the night there.”
What in the world? Why would Faith spend the night away from Layne? It didn’t make sense. Not with the way they’d been all over each other since they met.
“Is everything okay?”
When he turned from the door to face her, the look in his eyes spoke more than his words. “They went on a girl’s night out and ended up closer to Malibu than here.”
Heaven turned back to sip her coffee. Though she couldn’t prove it, she knew his answer was far from the truth. Not that he intentionally lied. After twenty-one years, she knew her sister a lot better than Layne. Faith was either up to no good or trying to hide something.
Lovely. Just lovely.
“So what’s up with this impromptu party, anyway?” Layne questioned. Judging by the sound of his voice, he no longer stood near the door. He’d moved closer. Much closer.
Her belly did a somersault. While she’d never felt threatened by Layne, something about him ate at her. She wished she could put her finger on where the feelings stemmed from. One minute he acted like he hated her, the next minute those light brown eyes devoured her. Could it be what Dylan suggested? Was Layne trying to figure her out? See if she really wanted Dylan or his money. If only they could tell Layne about their connection. Maybe he’d back off. Then again, he’d have to believe in the unbelievable.
“Why do you think something’s up?” she asked, meeting his questioning gaze. “Can’t Dylan and I enjoy a day with our friends?”
Layne’s palms shot up in front of him. “My bad. I didn’t mean anything negative by it. Just curious if we are celebrating something or getting together to bullshit.”
Had she been hateful with her response? Probably so, considering her shoulders were hunched like a cat in attack mode. Her mother taught her better than this. No matter how rude a person is or how much she didn’t like them, she should show respect. Layne hadn’t been rude. And even though she didn’t understand the vibes he emitted, she didn’t dislike him. Strange as it might be, she actually felt safe around him.
“I’m sorry,” she said, placing her cup back on the counter. “I didn’t mean to bite your head off. I didn’t get much sleep last night and I think it’s getting to me.”
For the first time since they’d met, Layne smiled at her. A genuine smile. Not that fake one he put on for other people. The one wher
e his lips nearly whitened from pressing them so tight. This smile revealed his pearly whites and a dimple that she’d never noticed before. He should smile like that more often.
“I think we got started off on the wrong foot,” he chuckled, leaning his arm against the counter. “Please don’t hold my…behavior with your sister against me. I’m really a nice guy.”
Yeah. He was a nice guy. With a sex drive just as bad as Faith’s. Whatever state their relationship was in, it wouldn’t surprise her if it blew up in their face. Hopefully, Faith’s test came back negative. Neither of them needed a child. Not at this point in their lives.
“I know my sister, Layne. She’s not innocent by any means. Whatever happens between you two is none of my business. You’re Dylan’s friend and I’d like to consider you one of mine, too.”
She watched as he extended his hand toward her. “Friends then?”
Heaven studied him before nodding. “Definitely.”
She clasped her hand over his. But only for a moment. Touching his skin reminded her of a time she grabbed the oven rack—without a mitt. She jerked her hand back, searching for scorched skin.
“God, I’m sorry. Did I shock you?” Layne asked.
She met his eyes again while rubbing her hand. “No, it felt like…I mean…it’s nothing.” Turning away, she walked over to the closet near the refrigerator, grabbing the step stool from inside.
Layne’s eyes followed her. She didn’t have to look at him to know her reaction to his handshake had bothered him. Her face heated with embarrassment. Jerking her hand back then stammering over her own words, he probably thought she’d lost her mind.
Maybe she had. You couldn’t get burned from touching someone.
“Do you need help with anything?”
“Um,” she said, setting the stool in front of the fridge. “There are bottles of tequila under the bar in the den. Would you mind grabbing them for me?”
“Yeah, I know exactly where they are. Be right back.”
Giving him a curt nod, she climbed the steps of the stool, reaching for the cabinets where Dylan stored the blender. When Layne disappeared into the hallway, her eyes shifted toward her palm. The heat she’d felt when their skin met still lingered. It didn’t hurt like an actual burn would, but the sensation left her mind spinning. What caused the heat in the first place? And why did she feel like her reaction had hurt him?
Nothing about Layne made sense. If she wasted time trying to figure him out, she’d never get anything accomplished.
Opening the cabinet, she tried pushing the incident from her thoughts. But she couldn’t. Something about Layne weighed on her like a fifty-pound weight. She took a deep breath, waiting for her hand to stop tingling. Why bother looking at it? There wouldn’t be any burn marks. She’d already checked.
When the tingle faded, a tickle replaced it. The new sensation teased her knuckles. And then again. She gazed over in time to see a large wolf spider.
“Oh my God!” She flung her hand, casting the spider back inside the cabinet. She hated those things. Would do anything to get away from one. And in the process of doing just that, she’d forgotten where she was. The top step of the stool.
Too late. She’d already taken a step back and lost her balance. Bracing herself for the fall, she hit a wall of fire instead. At least she thought she had. But when her eyes rose, she found Layne staring down at her.
Just like in her flashback.
CHAPTER 3
Layne pushed the liquor cabinet doors closed before placing the tequila on the bar top. His eyes fell to the bottle of Patron. The one Dylan kept stashed in the back. Whatever Heaven planned to do with the rest of the tequila, he didn’t care. This bottle wouldn’t be a part of those plans. Not when he wanted to enjoy its smooth taste himself. He needed something strong, something to help him forget. Everything.
For a day that started strange, each minute proved stranger. Especially the last fifteen minutes. What the hell did the rest of the day have in store? A good kick in the teeth?
His conversation with Heaven played through his mind. But the more he thought about it, the more it incited him. She jerked her hand away like he had some type of disease. Hadn’t they agreed to be friends? For Christ’s sake, he did it for Dylan.
Okay, that might be stretching the truth a little, but he didn’t want those thoughts. Which is where the Patron factored in.
Damn females. Such complex creatures. Yet he couldn’t imagine a world without them. Especially since he’d met…
A growl rumbled in his chest. He couldn’t keep doing this. Hadn’t he tortured himself enough? Of course he had, but every time he thought about it, he grew angrier. Why did he have such complicated relationships? And why couldn’t he find a nice girl like his friends had? Maybe because he always wanted what he couldn’t have. Karma truly was a bitch. And she had his name at the top of her list.
Tucking the Patron under his arm, he grabbed the other bottles from the bar top before turning toward the kitchen. He’d pass them off to Heaven then find the shot glasses. Might as well start the party now. If he got drunk quick enough, the day might turn around.
Yeah, right. Considering his company, there wasn’t enough liquor in the world. He’d be lucky to survive the day.
Stepping out of the den, he hesitated in the hallway. A silent curse passed over his lips as he eyed the door. Hopefully Dylan would get back soon. He hated the thought of reentering the tension filled room ahead. But something in his gut urged him forward. No matter how much he wanted to resist.
Then Heaven’s cry pierced his ears.
Racing through the archway, Layne’s eyes fell on her. She teetered on the top of the stool, battling with gravity. Gravity won out. Then the three hundred dollar bottle of tequila went to the floor, as did the other bottles. Whether they broke or not, he didn’t care. But saving Heaven from hitting the ground…he cared a hell of a lot about that.
He didn’t remember leaving the archway or moving across the floor, but there he was, kneeling beside the stool. Heaven lay in his arms, her bright eyes wide, chest heaving with deep breaths, fist clenching his shirt collar. He’d never been this close to her before. Never noticed the olive flecks in her eyes or the light patch of freckles on the bridge of her nose. God, she smelled great, sweet, like walking in the woods in the spring.
A bead of sweat formed at the back of his neck. If it weren’t for the air blowing from a nearby vent, he’d swear the central air were off. The room grew hot, like a sauna. Did Heaven have a fever? Maybe that’s why she couldn’t sleep well the night before. She must be coming down with something.
No. That couldn’t be it. Not when the heat seemed to generate from him. And when his eyes found hers again, he swore he’d caught fire.
Damn it! He had to stop this. The thoughts racing through his mind would only lead him down a path of regret. And heartache. For the love of God, this was his best friend’s girl. The woman Dylan had sworn to marry.
Not only that, she was Faith’s sister. The woman in his life. At least, he thought Faith was in his life. After the last month, he didn’t know. She sure as hell didn’t want him touching her.
The state of his relationship didn’t matter. There were some lines he didn’t cross. No matter how much he might want to.
“You all right?” he asked, pushing back the thoughts begging to surface.
“Yeah,” she nodded. “I think so. It happened so fast, I didn’t realize—”
“What happened?”
He followed the length of her arm as she pointed to the cabinets above the refrigerator. “I went to get the blender out and this huge spider came out of nowhere. I hate spiders.”
Didn’t most women?
As his chest shook with laughter, Heaven’s brows knitted. “Glad you find it funny.”
“I’m sorry. It just amazes me that a woman will do everything she can to get away from a spider, even if it means falling off a stool and breaking her neck.”
She growled in complaint, but it made him laugh harder. Until she pushed away from him in an attempt to stand. He didn’t want to release her, even though he knew he should.
“Let me help you,” he said, gripping her shoulders as he pushed off the floor.
“I’m fine.” She did her best to shake him off at the same time he stepped forward. When their feet entangled it sent them both to the floor, hard.
As they lay facing the ceiling, Layne fought back the laughter rumbling in his chest. But he failed, epically.
Heaven elbowed him in the ribs. “Listen here,” she grumbled. “Just because we’re friends doesn’t mean you can laugh at me.”
“Okay, okay.” Though he found it a challenge, he managed to contain his amusement. For her sake. But God, he’d never forget this day as long as he lived. Especially when she burst into laughter. No other laugh could be so contagious.
Or heartwarming.
Pushing himself up to his feet, he offered her his hand again. “Think we can try this once more?”
“Sure,” she snickered, “as long as you promise not to push me this time.”
“Hey,” he said, pulling against her weight until she stood, “I can’t help it if you’re clumsy.”
“Hardly. You pushed me.”
Those golden eyes he wanted to forget about stared at him for what seemed like forever. He knew he should release her hands and step back. But the sound of her voice acted as a lasso around his waist. He couldn’t escape it. Or her. Then she released a sigh and her breath tickled his cheek. Damn. If only Faith could be more like her. Why couldn’t he have—?
“You can let go now,” she said as the last fragment of her smile teased the corner of her lips.
His eyes found their joined hands. The thought of letting her go make his chest tighten. “Sorry. I just wanted to make sure you had your balance.”
God, he sucked at lying. At least to her. If it were anyone else he wouldn’t bat an eye, but something about Heaven’s gaze shook him to the core. Like she could see past the mask he hid behind. Could see into his soul and call his bluff. No woman had that effect on him.