The following Wednesday, Beck waited for Heavenly outside the hospital cafeteria. He hadn’t stopped thinking about their bungee date, hadn’t stopped wishing he’d had the chance to kiss her. He’d been looking forward to it, counting on it. Hell, craving it.
But he would taste her lips—and the rest of her body—soon. Already, he was planning another opportunity to get her alone.
The ding of the elevator snagged his attention. As the doors parted, he turned and watched people crowd into the hallway. Heavenly wasn’t among them. Beck glanced at his watch, scowling.
“Are you lost, Dr. Beckman?” Kathryn invaded his personal space.
“Nope.”
“If you’re waiting for your usual lunch date, you should know I’d never make you wait.” She flashed him what she meant to be a sultry smile. “For anything.”
Jesus, he’d all but told her to go fuck a doorknob the night he’d nearly kissed Heavenly in front of the hospital. And still, the woman wouldn’t let up.
“You’ve made yourself clear. Thing is, I thought I had, too. I’m not interested.”
She gave him a frustrated huff. “Why are you wasting your time and energy on a girl when you could have a real woman?”
“Who’d you have in mind? You don’t mean…you, I hope.” He laughed.
“You’re only saying that because you don’t know what you’re missing. When you’re done babysitting, call me. You won’t regret it.”
Yeah, he would. He already regretted the last two minutes he’d wasted with her.
Kathryn blew him a kiss before she turned away and sauntered into the cafeteria. He felt as if he needed a second shower.
Behind him, the whoosh of the elevator doors opening again snagged his attention. He turned to find Heavenly stepping out. Head bent, she sniffled, then raised her gaze just enough to meet his. Her eyes were rimmed red, her nose a matching shade. Her cheeks were damp.
She’d been crying. What the hell?
Pushing off the wall, he ate up the distance between them and cupped her shoulder. Jesus, she was trembling. Then she blinked up at him with big tear-filled eyes. He didn’t know what had happened or who had hurt her, but obviously someone had to die.
“Talk to me. What happened?”
Heavenly scanned the cafeteria, then bowed her head and leaned into him as if needing his support. “Not here.”
Immediately, he slid an arm around her waist and led her around the corner to a small alcove near the janitor’s postage-stamp office. He maneuvered her into the corner, then positioned himself in front, blocking any passersby or nosy bitches from seeing her.
“We’re alone now. Talk to me.”
She looked up at him, looking ready to spill fresh tears. “I don’t know if I can stay here anymore. They hate me, and this is the worst thing they’ve done so far. It’s just…awful.”
They? Had Kathryn and her slut squad been up to their asshole antics?
“Who did what to you?”
“I don’t know exactly who, but I have a suspicion. I went to my locker to get my purse so I could meet you, but I found a”—she closed her eyes and shook her head—“a death threat.”
“What?” Shock doused him.
That was low, even for Kathryn.
“When I opened my locker, I f-found a Barbie doll dangling from a noose knotted around its neck. A note saying ‘Die Bitch’ hung from its leg.”
Rage flared, hot and unrelenting. It took all his self-control not to sprint into the cafeteria, slam Kathryn against the wall by her throat, and threaten her in return. If she were a man, his fist would already be planted in her face.
“Tell me you reported the incident.”
She gave him a shaky nod. “That’s why I’m late. I called Nurse Lewis. She came right away, removed the doll, and told me she would handle everything. But I can’t get that image out of my head.”
“Bridget will figure it out. Whoever did this won’t get away with it.” Beck intended to make sure of that. He scrubbed a hand through his hair and made a mental note to call the nurse administrator the second he returned to his office. “Tell me who you think planted the doll.”
“I don’t have any proof…but I have a feeling it’s Kathryn. For whatever reason, she hates me. I don’t know why. I haven’t done anything to her—”
“I have,” he cut in. “And she’s taking it out on you.”
“What?” Heavenly frowned. “Oh, she’s interested in you, and she saw us together the night after the gallery.”
Beck gave her a sharp nod. “She’s been hounding me to take her to bed. I’ve flatly refused. I’m sorry she’s making your life hell.” He gently brushed the hair from Heavenly’s face. “You said this was the worst incident so far. What else has happened?”
After a pained frown, she told him all the same pranks Bridget Lewis had apprised him of two months ago. Apparently, Kathryn had been quiet for a while. But her boss’s threats must have worn off, and he’d bet seeing him nearly kiss Heavenly had reignited Kathryn’s jealousy.
Still, Beck had to look at the silver lining. By opening up and divulging every devious trick the slut squad had pulled, Heavenly was giving him more of her trust. But he refused to tolerate Kathryn—or anyone—threatening his girl.
When Heavenly finished the litany of crap she’d endured, Beck wrapped her in his arms. “I’ll talk to Bridget. This shit will end, I promise.”
“Oh, you don’t have to worry. It’s not your problem.” She winced. “I didn’t mean to drag you into it.”
Despite the anger searing him, he managed a tender smile. “You didn’t. It will be my pleasure to deal with her, little girl. Right now, why don’t we leave and grab a quick burger? I’m not in the mood to sit in the cafeteria with the bitches of east wing.”
She laughed through her tears. “That sounds great. Thank you.”
He took her hand and led her toward the parking garage.
“That’s a terrible name for them.” Heavenly bit her lip. “But it’s true.”
He was glad he could get Heavenly away from the hospital and make her smile. She needed it. Hell, Beck wished he could erase their vindictive shit from her memory, too. The fact he couldn’t chafed.
After a lunch spent resolutely not talking about anyone or anything related to the hospital, he escorted her back to the ER. As soon as he stepped into the unit, Kathryn’s stare all but singed him. The rebel in him wanted to pull Heavenly to his chest and kiss her in front of God and the entire staff, professionalism be damned. But that would only be detrimental to Heavenly’s career and encourage more retaliation at her expense.
“Text me if you find any more…surprises,” he whispered in her ear, tenderly cupping her elbow.
“I will. Thank you again for everything.”
“No thanks needed. Whenever I’m with you, the pleasure is all mine.”
With a sharp nod at the rest of the nurses, he glanced past Kathryn and pushed out the double doors.
Once in his office, Beck set up a meeting with Bridget Lewis that afternoon, who was all too eager to speak with him. Then he leaned back in his chair and tried to figure out how to keep his promise to Heavenly and stop Kathryn’s reign of terror. He had to bust that cunning whore before his girl shed another tear.
She’s not your girl yet, a voice in the back of his head poked.
No. He had to let her date that pompous prick of a PI until she could choose between them.
PI.
P. Fucking I.
“That’s it!” Beck slammed his fist on his desk.
Then he realized the implications.
Enlisting Seth’s help would be as much fun as swallowing acid. But no matter how much he hated it, she needed the prick right now. And Beck had to believe that if Seth was willing to cross the country to throw down a gauntlet, then he’d do whatever it took to help Heavenly.
Wearing a snarl, Beck snatched up his phone and forced himself to dial.
Seth answered on the first ring, not even bothering to say hello. “If you’re calling to yank my chain—”
“I’m calling for Heavenly. She needs your help.”
“What’s happened?” All hint of animosity left Seth’s voice. “Is she all right?”
“Physically, yes. But one of the nurses at work is terrorizing her, and the situation escalated to a death threat today.”
“What the fuck? I want details!” Seth’s voice assured Beck that he wouldn’t let anything happen to her, either.
After clearing his throat, Beck explained everything, from the minor pranks to today’s threat. By the time he was done, the PI was equally livid.
“You knew all this time that she was being harassed and did nothing to stop it?”
“Heavenly didn’t tell me shit herself until today, and I didn’t get involved because nothing had occurred that the hospital’s HR channels couldn’t handle. Until today.” He hated that he’d underestimated Kathryn. He hated even more how much Heavenly had suffered. “But now that Heavenly has been threatened, I suggest we step in to fix this shit.”
Seth got straight to business. “Got anything in mind?”
“Catching Kathryn red-handed. But that will require a video recording device.”
“I’ll get you one. Where do you plan to put it?”
Beck sighed and came to one conclusion. “In the nurse’s storage room. Their lockers are in there. I’m not exactly sure where to put it.”
“Every stunt this nurse has pulled happened inside Heavenly’s locker, right?”
“Yes.”
“Can you get me access without anyone in her unit finding out?”
“I think so.” He’d do whatever it took to get Bridget Lewis on board. “You’re willing to rig up a camera for me?”
“Not for you. For Heavenly.”
Beck rolled his eyes. If the prick needed to play her knight in shining armor to feel big and strong, whatever. All he wanted was to nail Heavenly’s tormenter so she could work in peace. “Fine.”
“I’ll swing by your office in a couple of hours. I need to stop at a store or two to grab a few things first.”
“Excellent. I’ll be here.”
On Saturday night, Heavenly eased onto the back patio at Raine’s house, a smile breaking across her face. She didn’t love everything about living in Los Angeles, but if she still lived in Wisconsin, she’d never be attending an outdoor party in late February. And this one, with its floating candles in the pool and the fairy lights strung through the trees, was magical. The surprise gathering to celebrate Hammer’s birthday and the thankful end of his legal troubles had dovetailed together perfectly.
Though she’d been helping Raine set up most of the day, she hadn’t been sure she’d be able to stay for the festivities. The bubbly brunette had insisted. Since Dad was feeling stable after his last lapse and her boss at Bazookas had given her tonight off to make up for Valentine’s Day, she’d agreed…but not without trepidation.
Beck and Seth would both be here. How would she juggle her time between them?
As she tried to imagine, Raine appeared in a gorgeous red dress that made her cool, pale complexion absolutely glow. By comparison, Heavenly felt dowdy in the hodgepodge dress she’d stitched together from a bolt of floral fabric she’d been saving for a rainy day, the lace she’d torn off a second-hand dress, and a pattern her mother had left behind years ago.
“I’m so excited!” Raine squealed, then clapped her hands. “And Hammer has no idea! Liam kept him busy all day, with a little help from Pike. Creating an emergency fire at his, um…office was a stroke of genius.”
Heavenly was amazed the woman had pulled off a party of this size with one of her lovers none the wiser. “He’ll be thrilled.”
Suddenly, River sidled up and raised a friendly hand to Heavenly. “Hi. Good to see you again.”
“You, too.”
Raine grinned his way. “There’s the porn star of the hour.”
“Okay, don’t remind me how low I stooped to help you, storm cloud. Every time I think of that woman, I throw up a little in my mouth.”
Heavenly frowned. If she didn’t know the whole story already, she’d be thoroughly confused. But she’d been hearing about his exploits all day.
River pulled at the back of his neck. “But just for you, I took one for the team and cozied up to Hammer’s nemesis until she admitted all her accusations were bullshit. You’re welcome.”
“Thank you.” Raine wrinkled her nose. “Now make me feel better and tell me she was a lousy lay.”
“Well, after years in Afghanistan, any sex is better than no sex, but if I had to rate her? Terrible,” he confirmed. “I don’t know how Hammer ever voluntarily fucked her.”
“Me, either.” Raine shuddered. “Watching Dean arrest her was one of the best things ever.”
“No doubt.”
“We’re never this mean,” Raine assured Heavenly, placing gentle fingers on her arm. “But this bitch deserves it for lying in an attempt to put Hammer in prison for the next few decades.”
Heavenly couldn’t disagree. “Yes, and everything ended well.”
“Perfectly,” Raine chimed. “And we’ll have a great time celebrating Hammer’s birthday, too. I’ll enjoy ribbing him about being an old man.”
“How old?” It was a nosy question, but it hadn’t escaped Heavenly’s notice that at least a decade gaped between Hammer and Raine. They made it work. She sometimes wondered if Beck’s hesitation with her had been their age difference.
“He’s thirty-five.”
And she already knew Raine would be twenty-four in June. Heavenly herself would be twenty-three in a month…
She bit her lip. “Do you know how old Beck is?”
Raine cocked her head. “He didn’t tell you?”
“We’ve never talked about it.”
“He turned thirty-six in November.”
Older than she’d imagined, but still young enough that she didn’t care. She loved every moment she spent with the charismatic doctor.
“And in case you’re wondering, Seth will be thirty-two in July.”
Heavenly shrugged. “Age doesn’t matter. I was just curious.”
“Good.” Raine took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “If Beck is dating you, he’s decided it doesn’t matter to him, either. And Seth… Well, if you weren’t around, I suspect he’d be on a plane back to New York tomorrow. But he hasn’t mentioned leaving. In fact, when he flew in this time, he brought a couple of suitcases, like he’s intending to stay for a while.”
Heavenly put a palm over her tummy, trying to calm the rioting butterflies inside. “They’ll both be here tonight.”
“Yep. And they’ll both be on you like white on rice.” River grinned. “This is going to be interesting.”
She glanced Raine’s way, slightly panicked. “What do I do?”
“You really want my advice?”
“Think twice about listening to her,” River quipped. “She’s a shit-stirrer.”
Raine elbowed him in the gut. “I am not. I just want Heavenly to enjoy the party…and be happy.”
“Is that why you left me alone to ‘make coffee’ when Seth dropped in the other day?” Heavenly returned.
The smile on Raine’s face only widened. “It worked, didn’t it?”
Heavenly couldn’t dispute that.
“You want to drive them insane?” River asked.
Did she? On the one hand, she didn’t want strife, especially at Hammer’s party. On the other, the woman in her shivered at the thought of being sexy enough to command their focus. “Maybe. I don’t know.”
“That’s a yes,” River corrected, then looked at Raine. “She needs to show more skin.”
“Agreed.” The brunette looked her over critically. “Are you wearing any makeup?”
“Just mascara and lip gloss.” The truth was, Heavenly couldn’t afford more.
Raine glanced at her phone. “We’ve got about thirty minutes before everyone starts arriving. Can you run interference for me until then, big brother?”
A wide smile transformed River’s mouth. “You got it.”
Raine took Heavenly’s hand and tugged. “Come with me.”
Thirty minutes later, Heavenly stood in front of Raine’s full-length mirror, gaping at the changes. The expert makeup applied with a light hand made her eyes a vivid blue. Loose curls bounced in her hair. But those weren’t the only changes. She now wore a taupe-colored shift. It was simple enough—spaghetti straps that gave way to a V between her breasts, accentuated by matching satin trim that exposed a hint of cleavage. The nearly transparent fabric flowed with the curve of her waist and hips, then ended with a simple hem mid-thigh. No lace. No embellishments. Not even a bra. The garment was barely darker than her skin. Strappy sandals aside, she looked—and felt—almost naked. “Wow.”
“Oh, yeah.” Raine nodded vigorously. “Beck and Seth are going to lose their minds.”
She more than liked the sound of that, and this dress definitely made her feel like a woman. Sexual. Daring. And it was a thrill. The church frock she’d worn here would never have done that.
“And keep that dress,” Raine said. “It looks way better on you.”
“I can’t take your—”
“You’re not,” Raine assured. “I’m giving it to you for a good cause. Trust me… You’ll definitely have their attention tonight.”
“Thank you.” At least Heavenly hoped she would end up grateful.
“You’re welcome. Now, let’s find a test subject.” Raine tugged on her hand again.
“What?”
The woman didn’t answer, merely led her down the stairs to where River waited at the bottom.
He let out a long whistle. “Damn. I hope that dress absorbs drool, because they will definitely be salivating tonight.”
Heavenly felt a familiar telltale blush steal across her face.
Behind them, the front door opened, and guests started tiptoeing in quietly, careful not to alert Hammer. Raine motioned with a finger over her red lips, then pointed to the backyard. Heavenly recognized almost no one, not the older couple, nor the fifty-something man with the salt-and-pepper beard who looked like a shark in a suit. She vaguely recognized the guy with the pitch-black hair and the brow stud from her date with Beck at the gallery. He gave her a long once-over and a leering grin, not making any attempt to hide the fact he was adjusting whatever was behind his zipper.
River punched him in the arm. “Don’t be a pig, Pike. She looks pretty.”
“She looks fuckable,” the new guy corrected, then slanted a come-on her way. “So if you’d like to get fucked, I’m your guy.”
No. Not with him. Never.
Raine rolled her eyes. “She’s already got takers.”
Pike scoffed. “I’m not worried about Beck. I can run circles around him, sweet cheeks.”
“Scram.” Raine shooed him toward the back door.
Reluctantly, he went, and Heavenly blinked after him. “How do you know him?”
Suddenly, Raine wouldn’t meet her gaze. “He, um…works with Hammer. The older guy with the beard is Sterling, Macen’s lawyer, and…”
Over the next few minutes, the woman slipped into hostess mode, introducing her to whomever came through the door. Then an older, elegant woman trekked down the stairs. Heavenly knew Liam’s parents had been staying with them, and she saw the resemblance between the Irishman and his mom immediately.
“Heavenly, this is Bryn O’ Neill.”
“Hi.” She stuck her hand in their direction. “Nice to meet you.”
“Ah, so you’re Heavenly. Lovely to meet you, too.” Liam’s mother shook her hand, her gentle Irish lilt soft in the air, then turned to Raine with a smile. “No wonder Kenneth and Seth are tied up in knots.”
“Oh, I don’t think—”
“Of course they are, dear. You’ll need to make the choice sooner than you’re prepared for…and it won’t be precisely as you imagined.”
River leaned in. “Bryn always talks in riddles. You get used to it, and I’m told it will make sense…eventually.”
“It will,” Raine assured. “Liam’s mom is psychic.”
Were they serious? They must be. No one was laughing.
Bryn wagged a finger at River. “Don’t think your time isn’t coming. ’Twould be best if you made friends with Pike now.”
River scowled. “That asshole? I’d rather dig my way to China with a toothpick.”
“Men. Always so determined to do everything the hard way.” Bryn tsked, then turned back to Heavenly. “Dear, you needn’t be worried. Everything will come out in the wash, even the bits you’d rather not air. But so many around you care deeply. Don’t be afraid to take help when you need it. And one more thing…”
Heavenly breathed, almost worried what the older woman would say next.
“Follow your heart. If you do, you’ll be happier than you can possibly imagine.” Then Bryn patted her shoulder and moved on.
Heavenly turned to Raine, who was obviously trying hard not to burst out laughing. “She really does mean what she says…if you can figure it out. Remind me one day to tell you how she and I first met. By comparison, your introduction is way less embarrassing.”
“Okay.” Heavenly wondered if she had suddenly fallen into an alternate dimension. “Um, I think I need some wine.”
“Come with me. Beck and Seth should both be here any minute.”
As if on cue, Beck strolled through the door, a bag of ice in each hand and a wide smile on his face. The moment he caught sight of her, his jaw dropped and the ice slid from his suddenly slack grip. “Holy shit.”
“See?” Raine giggled in her ear.
Heavenly couldn’t take her eyes off Beck, either. He was dressed in charcoal slacks and a crisp white shirt, rolled up at the sleeves to expose strong, hair-dusted forearms. He looked so big, so virile, so male. When their eyes met, her heart raced. A wave of heat tingled through her body, and he made her think thoughts totally worthy of her blush.
She sighed. “Hi.”
A gawking Pike strolled up to Beck. “Looks like you dropped something besides your man card. Having trouble holding on to the ice because your arthritis flared up, gramps?”
Just like that, the moment was broken. Beck turned to the interloper with a scathing glare. “Why don’t you fuck off?”
“And miss seeing you looking like a pussy-whipped bitch? Nah.” He picked up the bags of ice and slung them over his shoulders, then sauntered past Heavenly with a wink.
Beck leveled a killing stare at his back. “It will be hard to eat without teeth if you don’t shut up.”
Pike laughed all the way into the kitchen. Beck followed, grabbing the bags of ice from his hands and pouring one into an elegant bucket on the island.
Raine directed him to take the other outside, then swept everyone toward the patio. “Liam will be leading Hammer out here in less than five minutes. I need everyone in place.” She checked her phone. “Seth will be here in less than two minutes. Good.”
Heavenly was amazed to watch the woman sprint across the back patio in stilettos yet still look graceful.
“Shall we?” River gestured her outside.
“Sure. I didn’t get a chance to ask if there was anything else I could do to help. Your sister just…started helping me.”
“She wants you to enjoy the party. And okay, she wants to mess with Beck and Seth. Which gives me an idea.” He held out his hand with a grin. “Follow me.”
Heavenly had no idea what he was up to. “What do you have in mind?”
“All bears need a little baiting once in a while.”
“Oh, I’m not sure that’s a good idea…”
But River wasn’t listening. He’d already grabbed her hand and was tugging her out of the house and down the patio steps. He paused to put a glass of wine in her free hand.
The revving of an engine on the far side of the yard had heads turning. Heavenly swiveled to see Raine holding the wide back gate open and someone driving a sleek gray sports car inside. She couldn’t figure out why, but as soon as the engine fell silent and the headlights dimmed, Seth stepped from the car—and she stopped caring why he’d parked on the grass. Instead, she stared. Even from a distance, the wave of attraction nearly pulled her under.
“They’re coming,” someone hissed across the patio. “Hurry!”
“Shit!” Raine dashed for the back door, Seth right behind her. They crowded onto the patio with everyone else just in time for Liam and Duncan to lead Hammer outside so everyone could yell, “Surprise!”
Cheering and laughter ensued.
“Happy birthday!” Raine shouted as she made another trek down to the car and tossed a big red bow over the hood.
The car was a gift? Heavenly couldn’t imagine having the money to buy any vehicle that ran, much less enough to give someone the gift of a German precision driving machine.
How charmed their lives would seem…if she didn’t know how much struggle and agony they’d all been through.
After the group lifted a glass to Hammer, the party began in earnest. Beck and Seth both made a beeline toward her, but River was closer. He took her hand again and dragged her toward a pair of guys at the base of the patio, laughing and chasing back brews.
Heavenly cast a frown his way. “I recognize Pike.” And she didn’t like him so far. “Who’s the other man?”
He shrugged. “Does it matter? They’ll appreciate the view and ogle you enough to drive Beck and Seth insane. Play along.”
“But I—”
“Hey, Pike. Dean, this is Heavenly. Sweetheart, this is Officer Gorman of the LAPD.”
“Just Dean.” The cop’s smile was full of instant charm as he moved closer. “You’re Heavenly, huh? It fits. Great to meet you. You’re not here with this jerk, are you?” He thumbed River’s way.
“Oh, I’m just a friend of Raine’s and—”
“She’s here with me.” Seth suddenly sidled up to her and slipped his arm around her waist. “Hi, angel. You look…amazing.”
Heavenly met his infectious grin. Gosh, every time she got near the man, her heart thrummed and fluttered. And when he focused all his male attention on her, she felt so very female. The attraction scared her senseless, but that didn’t stop her from wanting more.
“You wish,” Beck said as he eased up on her other side and tossed his arm around her shoulders. “She’s here with me.”
The instant Beck touched her, another sizzle slammed through her body. Beside him, she felt delicate and precious and utterly protected. He wore a mysterious aura of power she didn’t comprehend. And, like Seth, he made her embarrassingly glad she was a woman.
Her face flamed. She’d gone almost twenty-three years without sex, and suddenly she could hardly think of anything else.
“Funny…” River shrugged. “Raine told me she invited Heavenly, who came here alone.” He turned to Dean. “She was one of the nurse volunteers in the ER the day they brought my sister in after she offed my shithole of a father.”
“I was there that day, too,” Dean said, nodding. “I’m sorry we didn’t meet then. You’re studying to become a nurse?”
She did her best to focus on the conversation, not the pair of men flanking her. “I’m in my first year, but yes.”
“Tell me about your classes.”
Heavenly did, acutely aware that she had five pairs of eyes on her. Dean listened intently. Beck looked indulgent, while Seth seemed proud. River was too busy watching their reactions to notice that Pike looked at her as if he’d like to strip her down in the middle of the party and have at her.
She backed away from his dark stare, situating herself more solidly between Beck and Seth. As the conversation turned, they all seemed interested in her recent instruction on trauma.
“Well, I’m not really sure…” She winced, remembering a recent lab. “I’m just a volunteer. I made the mistake of asking about his scar—”
“Well, shit. Who hasn’t got scars?” Pike leered at her, twitching the metal stud in his brow.
“I got shot once.” Dean lifted his shirt a bit higher than necessary. She got an eyeful of wide, muscled chest and his ridged abdomen, along with the circular scar in the shape of a bullet hole between his ribs.
“Put that shit away.” Beck rolled his eyes.
“Oh, that’s nothing.” River tugged up his shirt to reveal a whole collection of muscles—and scars that made her gasp. “I’ve been tagged and have so many holes and repairs from back-to-back tours…”
He clearly had. The chance to study a body with so many assorted injuries excited her. She peered closer. “Oh.”
“Stand down, soldier boy,” Beck growled.
“She doesn’t need to see your”—Seth waved at his abs—“stuff.”
River and Dean shared a glance, then cracked up.
“Just making conversation.” River winked.
Or so he claimed. He’d accused his sister of stirring the pot, but River seemed awfully pleased with his mischief.
“How about you fuck off, too?” Beck suggested.
Heavenly blinked. She probably shouldn’t like how possessive he sounded…but she did.
Suddenly, Liam was behind her, fresh drink in each hand. When she turned to him, he held one out to her, which was lovely. She’d lost her other somewhere along the way.
“You all right?” he asked, leading her a few steps from the group.
“Um, yes. Fine. Thank you. Your home is really lovely. I appreciate you inviting me.”
Liam studied her, and she couldn’t escape the feeling he saw straight through her. That he knew her secrets. Her heart stuttered.
That must be her nerves talking. Everyone saw what they expected to see—a young nursing student, busy juggling studies, volunteering, and work. Right? Her problems were hers to bear alone, and none of these people, even the perceptive Irishman, had any reason to suspect otherwise.
She hoped.
Finally, he nodded. “It’s our pleasure. We’re glad you could join us.”
Heavenly was relieved when Beck sidled over and took her hand, tenderly folding her against his side as he thanked Liam, who moved on to circulate around the growing party.
“Stay close to me,” Beck murmured in her ear, then glared Seth’s way. “Lots of riffraff here tonight.”
Across the yard, a band filed out onto the patio. As they set up, someone shouted that it was time to get this party started. Then tunes filled the air.
The moment the upbeat notes lit up the crowd, Seth grabbed her hand and tugged her away from Beck. “Let’s dance.”
She’d love to and she’d always wanted to, but… “I don’t know how.”
He frowned as if that didn’t compute. “Not much to it, angel.”
“Everyone will be watching.”
“I’ll guide you. Just take my hand.”
Anticipation tugged her one way, anxiety the other. But how could she live life if she never tried?
Heavenly smiled Seth’s way and nodded. When he wrapped his arm around her waist, the jolt of his touch reverberated through her. But she didn’t have time to dwell on her spontaneous reaction to him. Seth twirled her under his arm, curled a hand around her waist, and led her through a familiar song about a girl asking a guy to call her maybe. They danced through the next catchy song about everyone getting together for a good time. Soon, she was laughing—and probably stumbling more than dancing, but gosh, she was having a blast.
As soon as the up-tempo tune ended, a Jason Mraz ballad sounded through the speakers and covered the patio. Some left the floor. Seth merely pulled her closer and pressed himself against her.
“Have you been thinking about our conversation the other day?”
“Almost nonstop,” she admitted.
“I’ve been waiting for you to call.”
And she’d thought every day about picking up the phone. “I waitressed and studied most of the weekend with an…outing on Sunday.”
His clenched jaw said he guessed she’d been with Beck and he wasn’t pleased. “Glad you got a day off.”
Even when she’d unwittingly upset him, he was kind. “This week, the hospital has been busy and school has been tough. Now…we’re here.”
“And now, you’re mine.”
They moved together to the music. The burn of his fingers seared her everywhere his hands touched, yet she felt ethereal as he led her across the dance floor so effortlessly she would have sworn she floated. Everyone else faded into the background until she saw only Seth, until she got lost in his eyes. Just him and this moment that belonged to only them existed.
She wasn’t even aware when they left the dance floor. One moment they were swaying together under the lights. The next he backed her against the wall and closed in, pressing palms flat on either side of her, his mouth mere inches away.
“Christ, I can’t stand it anymore. I have to kiss you, angel. You going to let me?”
She didn’t have to think. Couldn’t, really, except about how badly she wanted him to and had since he’d appeared in Raine’s living room last week. “Yes.”
Heavenly barely had time to worry that she didn’t know the first thing about kissing before he cupped her nape, cradled her jaw in his wide hands, and swooped down to capture her mouth.
Somehow, the kiss was soft—his lips, his touch—but his invasion was breath-stealingly direct. He didn’t bother flirting or teasing. He took. He conquered, doing it so gently and skillfully she surrendered without a second thought and opened willingly when he nudged her lips apart.
He pressed in, sinking deep. His demand filled her head. If he hadn’t pinned her to the wall with his sinewy body, she would have crumpled to her knees before him. Oh, my goodness…
Because she couldn’t stand not to, Heavenly clutched his shoulders and gasped. He swallowed the sound and moaned in turn. His fingers tightened, burning her through the thin fabric of her dress. He shuddered. The intimacy of his lips sliding against hers, of their audible breaths melding, made her head go hazy with pleasure. Hot need rolled like a thick drug through every artery and vein.
Then Heavenly felt the urgent press of his tongue as it stroked, hot and thick, into her mouth. It felt like he was stealing into her soul, too. And still she couldn’t stop him. She didn’t want to. Each new sweep of his lips promised her the kind of ecstasy she’d only imagined—until now. She just wanted to stay suspended in this moment forever, where her troubles melted away, where she felt beautiful, where he shook her very existence.
Between one kiss and the next, she inhaled him and pressed against his body restlessly, needing more. She wrapped her leg around one of his thighs until no space remained between them and whimpered.
“Oh, angel…” He ground himself against her.
His name rose on her lips, but Heavenly swallowed it when his kiss had her drowning in sensation once more.
Seth’s touch skated down her body, then finally trailed down the small of her back. As he caressed his way even farther south, he enveloped nearly all of her derrière in one big hand. That shock was still rolling though her system when he growled, dragged her closer, and fit his edges against her curves. She felt overwhelmed, overpowered, overjoyed as he devoured her mouth with an urgency that was like catching fire. Something equally explosive rose within her.
A split second later, he cupped her ass with both hands and tore his lips from hers to nuzzle her neck. The heady, dizzying, wild sensation was undoing her… Then he hoisted her against his body, notching his erection—definitely not an involuntary male response—onto her weeping sex, where she ached most.
Heavenly curled her arms and legs around him, pressing closer as she labored for breath. “Seth… Please.”
Suddenly, he groaned, then ripped himself away and set her on her feet, gripping the wall with taut fingers and breathing hard. His face was twisted with agony and self-restraint. “If I don’t let you go now, I will stop caring about anything except getting inside you.”
His words detonated a bomb of need between her legs. “Oh.”
Then he fisted her hair, his stare penetrating. “I want that. I want you. So bad you have no idea, but not against a goddamn wall with everyone around.”
The night came rushing back to her. The lights, the music, the people. Suddenly, she was aware of them once more. She and Seth had never been alone. Anyone could have seen them…
“That was hot,” Pike quipped as he stood a few feet away, clapping for their performance. “Don’t stop on my account.”
River stood nearby, watching. He said nothing. He didn’t have to. That hint of a grin said it all.
Embarrassment washed over her. She was so grateful when Seth tucked her behind him, blocking her from Pike’s view. As he faced the jerk, she gripped his arms, laid her hot cheek on his back, and absorbed his strength.
“Why don’t you get fucked?” Seth snarled.
“There’s no one else interesting here, and you two were putting on a hell of a show. You know I like to watch…”
Ugh, why wouldn’t Pike just go away? He seemed like the kind of bully who enjoyed her discomfort.
Heavenly opened her eyes to give the butthead a piece of her mind. Instead, she found Beck mere feet away, his stare glued to her. Their gazes tangled, then locked. His expression had gone dark and ferocious.
She didn’t have to ask; he’d seen everything.
Heavenly closed her eyes. Would the earth please open up and swallow her whole? What had possessed her to lose her head so utterly in front of him? Yes, Seth had kissed her. Well, it had been way more than a kiss. He’d taken her, body and soul, without removing a stitch of her clothes.
But Beck… What was he thinking now? That she didn’t care enough about him to not shove her attraction for Seth in his face? He’d promised her he wouldn’t interfere while she made her choice…but she hadn’t shown him the courtesy of keeping her feelings for another man to herself. Seth had even asked her if he could kiss her and she hadn’t hesitated. She’d just said yes and fallen into his arms.
Was Beck angry? Did he hate her now? Probably.
Tears stung her eyes. How could she have been so thoughtless?
She sent him a look of apology, then squeezed Seth’s shoulders. “It’s okay. You don’t have to protect me. I think I’ll just go.”
He turned to her, grabbing her hands in his. “No, not like this. You didn’t do anything wrong, angel.”
How did she make him understand so he didn’t think she regretted their kiss? “I wish we’d had less of an audience.”
Seth rolled his eyes. “Pike should have been named prick. Ignore him.”
“I gathered, but…” She risked a glance over her shoulder. Beck still stared. “He’s not the only one.”
Seth’s gaze followed hers and cursed. “I see. Come inside with me. We’ll talk—alone—for a minute or two. If you still want to go home after that, I’ll take you.”
It wouldn’t be fair to kiss him and run away, and in all honesty, she didn’t want to let him go tonight. Her head might be telling her that she’d done something cringe-worthy. Her body panted that she should forget everyone and throw herself in Seth’s arms.
Well, everyone except Beck. She already knew forgetting him was impossible.
“All right,” she murmured.
Soon, she’d talk to Beck and make it clear that she hadn’t meant to hurt him, that her feelings for Seth had nothing to do with her feelings for him and that…she was utterly confused.
“Let’s go.” Seth tucked her under his arm and headed toward the house—until Beck stepped directly in their path.
Her gaze skittered up to him again, face flaming, eyes filled with another silent apology as they approached.
“Hold up a second.” Beck glared at Seth, teeth gritted.
At her side, Seth tensed. “Make it quick.”
Heavenly held her breath. Were they going to exchange words? Barbs? Punches? Tonight was supposed to be a celebration, not a brawl… “Don’t be angry. Please. I—”
“I’m not, little girl.” Beck took her hand. “Don’t you beat yourself up. I told you last weekend that I’d give you the time and space to make your choice. You haven’t done anything wrong. We’ll talk more if you need to. All right?”
She let out a huge breath of relief she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. Her heart lightened. A thousand things she wanted to say flitted through her head, but not here. Not in front of Seth. They had each promised to allow her to keep her romances with them separate, and she had to honor her part of the bargain until she made her decision. Saying more now would be compounding her error with another mistake.
“Thank you.” She squeezed his hand. He could probably read every one of her feelings. For once, that didn’t make her uncomfortable.
“I’m here if you need me,” Beck assured, then stepped out of her path.
Heavenly felt his eyes on her every step of the way until Seth ushered her into a study and shut the door firmly behind them.
From paradise to clusterfuck in two-point-two seconds.
As Seth led Heavenly away from the shit show and into Hammer’s study, he shut the door and tried to put a lid on his worries. He’d left her once for a misunderstanding. He wasn’t about to make the same mistake twice. But damn if her crushing guilt about Beck seeing their kiss wasn’t like a knife to the chest.
She sat on the far edge of the sofa, head bowed, hands folded in her lap. He knew her laugh, her smile, her smell, her kiss. But he had no idea what she was thinking right now and that was fucking him up. “Heavenly, look at me.”
For a long moment, she hesitated, and he wondered if she’d comply or just bolt out the door. He waited, breath held, until her gaze finally climbed up to his. She bit her lip, looking so unsure and nervous it tore at him. Goddamn it. He’d been a cop. He’d learned how to interrogate early and from the best. Getting inside her head shouldn’t be much different—if he could keep his own in check.
“Good.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Talk to me, angel. Tell me how you feel.”
A furrow appeared between her brows. “Confused. Overwhelmed. I don’t…” She shook her head as tears pooled in her eyes again. “I don’t know how to answer you.”
“You don’t know how you feel?”
She shook her head. “I’m just not sure how to explain. I’ve never had anyone to talk to about my feelings. Sorry if I’m not doing it right. I’m learning as I go.”
“Never?” No parents? No giggling girlfriends? He already knew she’d never had a boyfriend, which still shocked the hell out of him. She lived in a new city and hadn’t made many friends…
Her words hit him with a TKO of reality. He’d never been involved with a woman who had so little experience, not only in bed but in life. Emotionally, Heavenly wasn’t a woman yet. She didn’t know how to please—or even understand—herself, much less a man. She knew nothing about the subtleties of relationships or communication. On some level, he’d understood that, but tonight… Huge wake-up call. He didn’t need to simply calm her now; he needed to understand her. Coax her into opening up. If he didn’t do that, if he didn’t take control and assure her he was committed to whatever they could have, it might be over—not because she didn’t want it. Because she had no idea how to work with him to make that a reality.
“No,” she breathed. “So when you want me to tell you how I feel, I don’t know if you want to hear how the kiss affected me…or all the stuff after. Do you need to hear how I felt when you touched me or should I explain why I’m embarrassed? I really don’t get what you want.”
“Let’s separate what happened outside into two categories. We’ll work backward. You’re embarrassed. Because a few people saw me kiss you? Or simply because Beck saw?”
That had her looking down again. “Mostly because Beck saw. Pike is annoying—”
“I’ll deal with him.”
“But I never want to hurt anyone, especially someone who’s been as wonderful to me as Beck. I also don’t want you to think I regret kissing you. I wish the time and place had been different.” Surprisingly, she lifted her chin and locked stares with him. “But you gave me a first kiss that surpassed anything I’d imagined.”
He cupped her crown and tangled his fingers in her hair, tugging just enough to ensure she kept eye contact. “Did Beck’s reassurance make you feel better?”
“Somewhat.” She sighed. “I know that can’t have been easy for him. I wish I’d known something better to say.”
Beck had looked as if he’d rather chew glass than swallow down his own jealousy so soon after watching someone else kiss the hell out of Heavenly. But he actually respected the doctor for putting her well-being above his own. In Beck’s shoes, he would have tried to do the same.
“It’s entirely possible I’ll have to see him kiss you someday. Will I like it? No. But we’re big boys. We’ll deal with our feelings. They aren’t your responsibility. Don’t guilt yourself over them.”
As much as it sucked, he’d spoken the truth. Until she made up her mind, he and Beck would simply have to deal. But her reaction to the doctor made it blatantly clear she carried a torch for him. The kiss proved to Seth that she definitely had feelings for him, too. Where the fuck did that leave them?
What would it take for her to finally make a choice?
“So you understand Beck will handle his own feelings?”
She nodded.
“You understand River’s opinion doesn’t matter? And Pike can pound sand?”
A little smile crept across her face. “I hope he does.”
“Your responsibility going forward is to focus on your feelings about you and me and to share them with me. I need you to do that.”
“Okay.” She nodded softly. “I will.”
“Good.” He nodded. “Now that we’ve talked about what happened afterward, let’s talk about the kiss itself. You said you don’t regret it.”
“Not for an instant.” A pretty pink blush flared across her cheeks. “I loved it.”
He couldn’t keep the satisfied male grin off his face as he sat beside her and scooped her into his lap. “I have to tell you, that was the best first kiss ever.”
Surprise transformed her face. “Really?”
Did she think all first kisses were hot enough to set the house on fire? Maybe. It wasn’t as if she had anything to measure it against… “Really. Maybe you felt how hard I was for you?”
The pink on her face turned utterly red. “It was…um, difficult to miss.”
He laughed. “Definitely hard, all right.”
Heavenly pressed her lips together. “Sometimes I don’t know whether you mean to embarrass me or just tease me.”
“Never embarrass you. But tease you… Yeah, I’m guilty. I love to see you blush.” He skimmed his lips over the shell of her ear. “You’re beautiful, and I enjoy getting to you. When I’m with you, I feel more alive than I have in years.”
She blinked at him. “I haven’t done anything.”
“You’ve been yourself. That’s all I need.”
Seth cupped her jaw, swept his thumb across her cheek, then leaned in. She met him halfway, eyes closed, breath held, lips soft. Christ, she was picture-perfect innocence, so sweet and trusting. He couldn’t help himself.
He took her mouth tenderly, opening her, feeling her responses unfurl like petals in the sun. When he sank past her lips, he heard the soft rush of breath as she sighed across his tongue. Passion flared. Unlike last time, he braced for the heady need, holding himself back so she had time to examine the heat, taste the fire, explore the sensations of his lips savoring hers. He reveled in her tightening fingers, her catches of breath. Fuck, if he let it, this kiss could blaze into a full-on inferno.
Seth stopped it while he still could and eased back. She sat looking flushed everywhere—cheeks, lips, upper swells of her chest—almost as if she’d melted in his arms. He ached to dive in again. But he’d given Heavenly enough to process tonight. Her responses to him had proven his doubts this past week had been pointless, so the next step between them belonged to him—and it was a big one.
Because after tonight, he had no doubts at all. Heavenly might be confused about choosing between him and Beck at the moment…but with a little patience and persuasion, he could make her his. The doctor was nothing more than a bump in the road.
“You still want to go home?”
She nodded. “Is that all right? I have to wait tables tomorrow and I still have a paper to finish.”
He held in a curse. “Sure. How about you let me drive you home?”
“Stay. I can take the bus.”
In other words, no. Seth clenched his jaw but didn’t push her anymore tonight. “At least let me put you in a car. I’ll pay for it. But I need to know you’ll get home safely.”
She hesitated. “All right. Thanks.”
It didn’t take long to call her a taxi and let the guy swipe his card. As he opened the door for her, she paused, turning to face him. “I’ll talk to you soon.”
He nodded. “I have to fly back to New York, clear up a few things.”
Heavenly looked distinctly unhappy. “Again?”
“I won’t be gone long, angel. Believe me, nothing is going to keep me away from you.”
That made her smile. He left her with a soft kiss, then shut the door, tapped on the cabbie’s roof, and watched her speed into the night.
The minute she’d disappeared from sight, Seth turned back to the party with one thing on his mind.
He tore inside the house, barreling out to the back patio, then spotted Beck and River giving Pike a snarling dressing down.
“Stand aside,” he demanded of the duo holding Shadows’ dungeon monitor upright. “This asswipe is mine.”
As both men dropped their hold, Pike rolled his eyes. Seth shoved him against the same wall he’d devoured Heavenly against a mere twenty minutes ago. The blood roared in his brain.
Then he settled nose-to-nose with Pike. “You crossed a line. Do not ever speak to her again. Don’t even look at her. If she happens to cross you in the street, you turn and run the other way. Got it?”
Pike’s cocky bravado ensured the guy wasn’t smart enough to shut his pie hole. “What if I don’t? What the fuck are you going to do about it?”
Seth was done talking. He drew back his fist and threw all his weight into the cross punch. It landed straight across the man’s jaw. Pike’s head snapped back with the impact. His teeth knocked together with an audible crack. Seth saw the exact moment the blood flow to the main artery in Pike’s head stuttered. Seconds later, the man crumpled, sliding down the wall, temporarily unconscious.
“Fuck,” he heard someone mutter. “One punch. Did you see that? Remind me not to piss him off.”
Point made, Seth turned and headed back the way he’d come. He was done here. He had every intention of wishing Hammer a happy birthday, then heading back to Shadows for some R and R. Unfortunately, Liam stepped in his path, halting him mid-stride.
“Wait,” the Irishman called. Seth wasn’t in any mood to linger or discuss tonight’s events, but his friend’s next words froze him in place. “Can you come here, Beck? This concerns you, too.”
Seth tamped down his impatience as the doctor drew up alongside him. They exchanged a wary glance.
“What’s up?” Beck asked.
“I’ve something to say, and I need you to listen. No butting in before I’m done, mind.”
Seth nodded. He owed one of his oldest and dearest friends a little patience after punching a guy out cold in his backyard. “I didn’t come to cause trouble.”
“I don’t give a shit about Pike,” Liam assured. “It’s Heavenly I want to talk to you about. For one so innocent, your lass is a complicated contradiction, layers upon layers. Take heed and peel her open fast. If you don’t, the looming darkness shrouding her—and getting closer by the day—may tear her away for good.”
“Huh? What’s that mean?” Beck asked.
Liam shrugged. “The message is for you two to figure out. I just convey what I know.”
Seth cocked his head. “Are you channeling your mom?”
Liam flushed a dull red. “She rubs off a bit on me, is all.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” In Seth’s estimation, if he was half as intuitive as his mother, Liam’s warning bore heeding.
“What the hell does that mean?” Beck tossed his hands in the air.
Seth didn’t fill the idiot in, just walked away. Message received. He had to earn Heavenly’s trust or he might lose her forever. No way would he let that happen. He would damn well save her from whatever trials lay ahead and make her his for good.