What the Heart Wants

by Kelli McCracken

  No…it wasn’t the same look. If he was looking out for Dylan, then why did he look at her like she was…

  She shook off the ill feelings and focused back on Dylan. “Layne will come around once he sees that I’m devoted to you.”

  He nodded. “When is Hope coming by?”

  Heaven glanced down at her watch and noticed the time—almost noon. “She should be here soon.”

  “I need to go, too. I only have a few errands, so I’ll probably beat you home. You and Hope have fun.” He leaned in to kiss her. “I’ll see you soon.”

  ~ * ~

  Heaven gazed at Hope over the mocha latte hovering at her lips. Had she just heard her sister right? Of course, she had. This was Faith they were talking about. So why did the news pinch her heart?

  “Is she still staying at Layne’s?”

  Hope nodded as she placed her phone back on the table. “I was surprised she told me at all. I know she’s horrible at times, but she’s our sister. I worry about her.”

  “Good, God! How does she get herself in these types of messes?” Who was she kidding? Faith’s middle name should have been Disaster. Lord knows she’d caused enough. Had karma finally caught up with her? “When will she know for sure?”

  Hope shrugged. “She has an appointment today…why didn’t she just listen to me? If you’re going to screw anything and everything, do something to protect yourself. Get. On. The. Freaking. Pill. You know?”

  “Guess that stash of condoms she showed us ran out.” Heaven shuddered at the thought of Faith being a mom. Or even worse— Layne being a father. “Has she mentioned anything to Layne?”

  “No. She said he’s been acting weird, lately. Ever since our weekend at Jerry’s, he’s kinda pulled back. She made a big deal about staying in that room with him so they could get their freak on. Apparently, nothing happened.”

  How odd. That was the same night Layne had given Heaven the weird look. Could the two be…

  No. Faith was responsible for her own relationship failures. If she didn’t give it up on the first date, she would have a better chance of keeping a man. That and thawing her heart would do wonders.

  “Did you go off somewhere?” Heaven looked over at Hope. She grasped her cup between her hands and shook her head. “You’re not still waiting for Zeke to pop out, are you?”

  “No, I’m over that.”

  “I’m sorry for bringing it up, but you’ve been through so much, Hev. First Mick, now Zeke. Why do guys feel the need to stalk you?”

  Closing her eyes, Heaven took a long sip from her cup. She didn’t want to think about either man.

  “Did you ever tell Dylan about him?”

  Heaven opened her eyes and placed her cup on the table. She traced the brim of her cup, wishing she could forget about her ex.

  “I was going to at some point, but I don’t think I can now. He worries enough about Zeke. He’d never leave my side if he knew my ex stalked me, too.”

  “He did more than stalk you. Those roofies almost—”

  “Let it go, Hope. It’s in the past. I have Dylan now. He’ll keep me safe. Mick’s long gone, and if Zeke is smart, he’ll stay away from.”

  She could see Hope wanted to argue, but she pressed her lips together when Heaven’s phone rang. “Who is that?”

  Heaven stared at her phone’s touch screen. “It’s Dylan. He’s letting me know he’s home…and he misses me.”

  “Then let’s get you back home. I’m anxious to see Scott, too.”

  Heaven cleared her throat and took a breath…one of Dylan’s breaths. She loved knowing he was with her everywhere she went.

  ~ * ~

  Dylan gazed at Heaven as she stood in the archway, waving at Hope. When she shut the door and met his eyes, she flashed him the warmest smile.

  “Hey, you. I missed you.”

  “I missed you, too,” he whispered. When she was just a foot away, he reached out and gathered in his arms, crushing to his chest. The hum of their bond wrapped around him, blanketing him in warmth. He couldn’t lose this feeling, or her.

  “Are you okay?”

  The sound of her voice was soothing. He tried shaking the negative thoughts from his mind when soft, warm lips met his. Kissing her could usually shut out the world, but not today, not with the news he’d just discovered.

  He glanced at her briefly before his eyes fell to the floor. He knew she was on to him, but how could he tell her what had happened? “I feel a little dazed,” he finally replied as she laid her head on his shoulder.

  “Tell me what’s wrong. You know I can sense it.”

  “I…um,” he eased out of their embrace and walked toward the counter. He eyed the envelope at the edge. “Something came for you, today.”

  “What is it?” He waited until she was beside him to pick up the letter and hand it to her. She looked down at it and then at him. “It’s opened.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I was going through the mail so fast, I wasn’t paying attention to what was what. But when I read the letter inside…” He choked on his words.

  Heaven unfolded the paper. He watched her scan each line as he held his breath. When her mouth parted, he knew she’d read the part that had him reeling.

  “This is from the director of the All Things Art program. He wants to interview me.”

  “Does that mean they are accepting you?” His voice cracked a little. Great. This was not how the conversation was supposed to go.

  Heaven refolded the letter and slipped it back in the envelope. “If I was serious about going, I would have to do the interview first, but I would most likely be accepted since my tuition has been paid for.”

  “Did you receive a scholarship?”

  “Um…it’s more like a sponsorship, though I don’t know who would sponsor me.”

  He checked their connection, trying to gauge her feelings on the news, but he couldn’t get a good reading on her. The hum pulsed erratically.

  As much as the thought of letting her go knotted his gut, he loved her enough to give her everything she wanted. If this program meant that much to her, he wouldn’t make her choose.

  “I know this is your dream, Heaven. I think that…I think you should go. Don’t miss out on this opportunity because of me.”

  He waited to see if she would respond, but she didn’t.

  Christ…

  Why was he having such a hard time reading her today?

  * * *

  He meant every word of it. Heaven didn’t doubt that one bit. She could see the way he struggled with the thought of letting her go. The pull in their bond weakened. When he turned toward the counter, her heart sank. Was he going to give her up without a fight?

  She fisted her hands on her hips. “Maybe those dreams aren’t important to me, anymore.”

  “You know that’s not true, Heaven. Going through this program means a lot to you and I can’t take that away.”

  “You’re not taking anything away from me. I want to be with you, wherever you are.”

  When he tossed a gaze over his shoulder, she went to him. “I want you to be sure, Hev. This may be your last chance to do something like this.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  She wanted to sigh when he turned around and cupped her cheek, but she could sense he was trying to hold himself together. His eyes followed the trail his thumb left on her face. “Once the press confirms that we’re a couple, your life will be changed forever.”

  Why did he keep pushing her to leave? Did he not feel the way her heart was pounding in her chest? “Why would I go halfway across the world and be apart from you? I don’t think either of us could stand the separation.”

  “It would be difficult, but I would do it for you, if that’s what you wanted. I’ll wait for you. I have no other choice.” Soft lips teased the top of her hand. He held it to his lips, releasing a sigh. His breath tickled her skin. “We are destined to be together. That won’t change if you want to go into this program
.”

  She loved that he always put her first. He was willing to suffer the pain of a separation just so she could fulfill a dream. Knowing that he would make that kind of sacrifice made her feel better about her decision.

  “You would do anything for me, wouldn’t you?”

  “I would.” He put on a brave face, though his watery eyes spoke his true feelings. “I want to make you happy.”

  “You know I would do the same for you, don’t you?” She waited until he nodded before closing the gap between them. “Dylan…” He closed his eyes. She could feel their connection wavering with emotions. “Dylan, look at me.” When he finally opened his eyes, she felt like she could breathe again. Her hand pressed against his chest. The beat of his heart thumped against her palm. “Sometimes in life, we have to let go of what our minds deem important and surrender to what the heart wants. What my heart wants is you, nothing else.”

  He gathered her in his arms, holding her so close their bodies felt like one. “My heart wants you, too. It always has, Heaven. It always will.”

  God, he could melt her heart with the sweetest words or the softest touch. She inhaled his scent, allowing it to dissipate the anxiety knotting her stomach. “I’m not going, Dylan. I’m staying here with you. Don’t try to change my mind.”

  “I won’t.”

  She couldn’t decide which was sweeter; the way his eyes burned into her or the tiny curve at the corner of his mouth. Her eyes lingered on his lips. Yep. His mouth definitely had her heart soaring. The thought of his lips caressing her body…

  “Nothing else matters to me, not studying abroad, not your tours, not the paparazzi, not your quirky best friend, not even your overworked and under-loved father. Our relationship is what’s important.”

  “It’s what’s important to me as well. I don’t want to be without you, Heaven.” His soft words carried so much emotion, as did his lips when he kissed her.

  She was so caught up in the kiss; her body ached when he pulled away. But then a new sensation cascaded through their bond. One of excitement and anticipation. “You’re up to something, aren’t you?”

  “What makes you think that?”

  “I can sense that you are excited about something, and it has nothing to do with what we just discussed.”

  “Actually, it has everything to do with you staying,” He lifted her chin to look in her eyes. “I planned a surprise for you while you were gone. When the letter arrived, it threw a little kink in my plan, but you fixed that.”

  “Oh, I love surprises.”

  “I hope you like this one. Come on. I have it waiting for you outside.” She didn’t want him to release her from his embrace, but she pushed back the urge to pull him upstairs.

  Instead, she followed Dylan outside like an obedient child as he walked toward the willow tree. When they stepped under the hanging branches, he turned to look at her.

  “Do you notice anything different about this tree?”

  She scanned the area carefully, studying various spots before walking around it. Nothing looked out of place. She gave the tree one last look-over…and that’s when she noticed something tied to one of the branches. Her eyes met Dylan’s for a split second before she moved closer to the object.

  The tiny, baby blue box dangled from one of the branches.

  Her eyes darted to his. “What is this?”

  ~ * ~

  Dylan would never get tired of smelling her sweet scent, or seeing the way her hair laid partially across her face, making her look young and innocent. Golden eyes gazed through the spirals he loved running his fingers through. Everything about Heaven made his heart skip a beat.

  She was curious about the box and its contents. Their connection pulsed vividly with excitement. He untied the box from the branches and placed it in her hand. “Open it,” he urged her.

  He loved the way she did that sexy little brow pop, and the way those lips puckered to one side. But the way her eyes lit up when the lid came off the box…that was priceless.

  “Oh, my God!” she gasped.

  He laughed to himself as she stared at the box, lips parted, nothing more than a gasp leaving her mouth. When he noticed her eyes watering, he grabbed her hands and went down on one knee.

  “I know it’s only been a short time since we first met, but we both know why that doesn’t matter. As sure as my life’s breath saved you all those years ago, my heart, my body, and my soul will always be yours.” He took the ring from the box and slipped it over her finger. “Heaven Lewis, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  Tears pooled in her eyes when she gazed at the ring. It felt like an eternity before she turned her golden gaze back to him.

  “Yes, Dylan…the answer is yes.”

  He was off his knee in less than a heartbeat. He wrapped his arms around her, crushing her against him. “I love you, Heaven.”

  “I love you, too.”

  He couldn’t stop watching her. The way she played with the ring, twirling it around her finger. If it weren’t for the fact that she’d want her family there, he’d marry her today. But this was her wedding to plan whatever way she wanted.

  The warmth of her body spread over him. He held her so close to his chest he could feel her heartbeat pulsing over his body.

  Time stood still, just as it had all those years ago when he had entered the world and she had almost left it. The journey they had begun had come full circle. But just as a circle never ended, neither would the way he felt about her. He would love her until his last breath. Even longer. They were soulmates, after all.

  * * *

  The newspaper had lost its crisp whiteness a few months ago. Most of the ink had blurred from the fingerprint smudges. Wrinkles formed from the amount of times it had been folded, reopened, and refolded. But the words were not what mattered. It was the photo dead in the center. The photo of Heaven Lewis and him…the one that stood in the way of claiming Heaven’s heart.

  Laughter rumbled through his chest.

  His finger traced the outline of her body. How he wanted to touch her, ached to feel her skin under his palm. She would be his. There was no doubt in his mind. God forgive him, but he’d do anything to make sure it happened.

  If he’d been a man before, she wouldn’t have slipped through his fingers. But he wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.

  He and Heaven would share a life together. She wouldn’t be able to deny what was between them. He couldn’t. Since the first day he had met her, he had wanted her.

  And he’d get what he wanted soon.

  Until then, he would wait.

  ~The End~

  * * * * *

  AFTERWORD

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for reading my paranormal romance, What the Heart Wants. Let me say, that writing this book has been an adventure. A very long adventure, but one I wouldn’t trade for anything. I hope you enjoyed Heaven and Dylan’s story. While they revel in their happiness, you already know that the story doesn’t end here. I’m currently working on Book 2 in the Soulmate Series, which will be out in 2012. I hope you will come back and find out what’s next for Dylan and Heaven.

  If you enjoyed What the Heart Wants, I hope you will leave an honest review on Smashwords.com or Amazon.com. If you’re on Twitter, Facebook, or Goodreads, give me a shout out and let me know how much you enjoyed the story.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  When Kelli McCracken’s not writing, looking for duct tape for her inner critic’s mouth, or begging her characters to let her sleep, you can usually find her hanging out on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, or her Blog.

  She is a board member with the Indie Book Collection (IBC), Twitter Stream Supervisor for all the IBC’s branch streams, and heads up the IBC’s ParaYourNormal (PYN) branch.

  PYN is a book reviewer of paranormal and urban fantasy books. Kelli and her team interview authors on the PYN blog. She is also the host of the PYN Blog Talk Radio show, where author interviews come off the page,
live over internet radio. You can catch the show on Wednesdays at 3:30pm PST.

  ~~~

  ACKNOWLEGMENTS

  Many people are behind the scenes of a book’s production. I didn’t realize how many until I took my career seriously. I was lucky enough to find a great group of people who have not only believed in me as author, but who have stuck by me on this journey and helped me survive it.

  My husband and kids, for putting up with me when there were days I couldn’t move from the computer, for living in a crazy house with a crazy woman who talks (and argues) with characters, for being patient with me when laundry wasn’t finished and dinner was a little late, and simply for being the amazing, loving people you are.

  Carolyn, my wonderful mentor who has taught me so much about writing. Her wise words have helped me over many hurdles. We don’t write perfectly in the beginning. We improve of craft through rewrites and editing. We have to embrace the red. And Carolyn….I’m not worried.

  Rachel, the social media guru who helped me to learn Twitter when I wanted to run away from it screaming. For all her encouragement during my rewrites and for writing such funny things for me to read when I just wanted to cry.

  Mimi, my editor, who took on this project with its tight deadline and who muddled through all my typos, grammar issues and run-on sentences in record time. You’re such a smart lady and I value all of your input and help.

  Amber, my adoptive career coach who has listened to me vent about the whole writing process and who shared so many of her ups and downs with me. She inspires me in writing and in life. You will never know how much you’ve helped me. You deserve an award, woman.