Past Heaven (32 page)

THE LINE OF beautiful people outside the bar stretched around the block. Some of them swayed and bounced to the music that poured out of the door each time it opened. Reynolds took my hand and walked us to the bouncer, who lifted the magical velvet rope of the elite and granted us entrance.

My eyes darted all around me, taking everything in as we squeezed through the crowd of the dimly lit bar. This was Reynolds’ world, but not mine.

“What do you think?” Reynolds asked loudly in my ear as we walked to a quieter section and sat at a table for two.

“It’s fun to see, but my Friday nights are usually spent watching G-rated movies in my family room.” I smirked.

“Don’t knock those G-rated movies.” Reynolds laughed, pulling out my chair. “I’ve watched some pretty good ones with Hayden.” He smiled warmly, and my heart filled my entire chest. He was everything to me. It was hard to wrap my brain around.

“What would you like to drink?” asked a gorgeous, tall red-head with a generous rack. I looked at her perky double D’s and then down at my own chest. Welcome to Hollywood, Liz. It was clear me and my average breasts didn’t fit in. Sitting up straighter I mentally kicked myself in the ass. No more. I was sexy. Reynolds thought so and, tonight, I was choosing to believe him.

She leaned over and my jaw dropped. Her cleavage was practically in Reynolds' face. My chin lifted in indignation, as heat flushed through my body. The only breasts in Reynolds' face would be mine.

“Liz? Wine?” Reynolds never turned his head, keeping his gaze on me.

“Uh, yes, a chardonnay please.” I ordered my drink, looking up at the waitress, but she refused to look my way.

“I’ll take a vodka and soda water. Thanks.” Reynolds smiled politely at the woman. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders, and his thumb caressed my collarbone. I melted into his touch. He made me feel like the only woman in the room. At times like these, I needed that reassurance.

The music was excellent—not too hardcore rock, but enough. The songs had a catchy beat, and I caught myself relaxing and dancing in my chair. Very unlike me. Must have been the sake.

Reynolds leaned over to talk to me when I noticed a woman staring at us from the bar. She looked familiar. Was that—
Shit—
Kylie? She headed straight for us. Reynolds became rigid, and he reached over to pull my chair so close to his, I was almost in his lap.

“Why Rey Rey, are we putting on some weight? Trying to keep up with your new girlfriend here?” Kylie frowned at Reynolds and then pursed her lips in disgust when she looked at me. I couldn’t contain my scowl.
What the what?
I was the smallest I had been since high school. With the crazy running and the grief diet, as I liked to call it. Come on, now. This girl was just a bitch trying to get a rise out of me.

Reynolds sat up straighter and glared at Kylie, his eyes narrowed. “What the hell do you want?”

“I want to know what
she’s
doing here, Rey Rey.” She pointed at me, eyes wide and jaw set. “This is our place, and this is our town. Why is this middle-aged hick here?” She trembled with fury.

I was pretty pissed at being called out as middle-aged, but otherwise I almost felt sorry for her. She was a lost soul and had no idea how to handle the life surrounding her.

“That’s enough Kylie.” Reynolds’ words were clipped. “You’re acting like a fucking child. Now take your bullshit comments and leave.” Reynolds kept his voice low, but his irritation was clear.

“Aww, that’s so cute.” Kylie plastered a cheesy grin on her face. “You’re calling me a child, just because you’re the one getting old. If you need something racy to boost your stock, I can help with that, baby.” Kylie ran her fingers down Reynolds’ face before he abruptly moved away from her.

“Reynolds can get any work he wants, Kylie.” I leaned toward her, my voice loud and steady. “You’re out of your damn mind if you don’t know he’s the hottest guy in this bar. That’s why you came over here. Now why don’t you stop trying to hurt him? You’ve done enough of that already. He and I are friends. Grow up, get over it, and move on.” I spoke with confidence because I understood, while exquisite on the outside, Kylie was empty on the inside.

Kylie glared at me with pure venom. “Who the hell do you think you’re talking to?”

Reynolds pushed out his chair and stood up. Staring straight at Kylie, he said, “We’re done. No one talks to her like that.”

He pulled me up, and I turned to walk away when Kylie stuck out her leg and tripped me. I fell into Reynolds’ hard chest. I couldn’t help myself. I let my face press against his shirt and breathed in the scent of him. My hands wrapped around his back, feeling the tight muscles. He cupped his hand around my face, thumb stroking my cheek, and I watched his eyes darken. My breathing increased as we held each other’s stare. I was sure the sparks that flew between us were visible to the entire bar.

When I was calmer, I turned around and looked at Kylie. “Hoping to see me fall? Lucky for me Reynolds was here to catch me. No matter what happens, he’ll always be there for me. Kinda the opposite of what you were hoping for?” I peeked up at Reynolds. “Not the brightest one is she?” I winked, and Reynolds let out a loud laugh.

He grabbed my hand and kissed my temple. His mouth moved over to my ear. “Let’s roll,” he whispered. I looked over my shoulder as we left the club. Kylie stood at our table alone with a look of shock, watching our exit.

Eric was waiting at the curb with the door open, set for us to climb in. We buckled up, and he pulled away as we sat holding hands.

“I really am sorry about Kylie, Liz.” Reynolds rubbed his eyes. “She’s a nightmare, but you handled her. I’m impressed.”

I laughed and leaned back, watching him.

“There is one problem, Elizabeth.” Reynolds’ voice was hoarse as he dragged his fingers through his messy hair.

“What?” My voice came out breathy and sounded foreign to my ears.

“You told Kylie we’re friends. Didn’t you?” Reynolds leaned over to me and brought his lips just inches from mine. My heart hammered inside my chest.

“Yes.” I barely spoke the word. It came out like a sigh, and I ran my tongue over my lips in anticipation.

“Do friends kiss like this?” Reynolds asked as he brought his mouth to mine. I moaned against his lips and opened up to meet his tongue. Our kiss became as wildly passionate as the first one. Desperate. Greedy.

“We’re here, Mr. Carter.” Eric’s voice was like a bucket of cold water thrown over my head. Reynolds closed his eyes and groaned.

“Come up to my room?” I leaned over and ran my fingers down his cheek. My gaze was pleading, and my breath bottled up in my chest as I waited for his answer.

He wanted to go slow, I got that. But I needed more time with him tonight.

“Let’s go.” Reynolds leapt out the door and held out his hand for me. We jogged to the elevator hand in hand. The doors closed behind us, and we faced one another, panting.

“I don’t need slow, Reyn. I just want you,” I begged, wrapping my arms around his neck and burying my face in his chest.

He grunted, his posture rigid as a board. When the elevator reached my floor, Reynolds picked me up and carried me down the hall.

“Don’t say anything else, baby, please.” Reynolds’ words were strained and he fumbled with my key card in the door. As soon as we were inside, he sat on the couch, holding me. Grabbing my hips, he pulled me so that I was straddling him. My skirt rode up higher on my thigh. I’d never felt so exhilarated in my life.

I placed both hands on his cheeks and leaned close. His ragged breathing filled my ears, and the thumping of my pulse traveled through my body. I licked his bottom lip and then his top, before sucking the bottom into my mouth and releasing it slowly. His eyes flared, and he attacked my lips with his. I wanted to tell him right then that I loved him, but I couldn’t stop kissing him.

Our tongues stroked and explored while his hands tangled in my hair. He groaned beneath me when I fisted his hair and pulled him closer. My skirt bunched up around my hips, and his erection pressed into me as I rocked against him.

“
Jesus
. Elizabeth,” Reynolds whispered against my lips as I strained to push myself down onto him harder. I couldn’t stop my hips from rolling against him. A hunger surged through me. My body shook as wave after wave of pleasure shot through me. I moaned, and we continued kissing, our tongues delving and dancing. He would stop to bite my lip or suck on my tongue. Reynolds kissed like no one I had ever known.

My body became tight as I rocked. The pressure was building and escalating as he rubbed himself right where I needed it. Right. There. Right. There. Right. “Oh, oh, oh. Yes. Reyn.” My back arched as the orgasm ripped through me. He kissed my neck, and I nuzzled against him, breathing harshly.

Reynolds pulled back, his hooded eyes watching me closely.

I moved beside him, pulling down my skirt. Heat scorched my face and my hands shook.

“You okay?” He stroked my cheek with his thumb.

“Oh…yes. It’s been so long since I’ve felt like that. Since I’ve had that… happen…I’m sorry, I couldn’t stop.” My voice was low and raspy. “I know you said we should move slowly, but…” I reached for his waistband.

Reynolds grabbed my hand and kissed it as he laughed softly. “Hell yes, but not tonight. Slowly, even if it kills me.” He clenched his jaw and ran a hand down his face. “That was the hottest fucking thing I have ever seen, watching you come like that. I want you naked so bad right now I might explode.” His gravelly voice made my body ache.

Reynolds rose to stand and walked to the door. I hugged him, feeling his erection press against me. I felt both guilt for leaving him like that and disappointment. I craved more. “You’re right. I know you are. It’s hard to say goodnight to you, too.”

Reynolds drew a ragged breath and laid his forehead against mine. “I’m happy you’re here, Elizabeth. I think we needed this time away from Baltimore and the kids. Time for only us.” He kissed my forehead, and I closed my eyes.

I ran my hands up and down his chest, unable to keep the smile off my face. “We did. I missed you, Reyn.”

Reynolds pulled me away from his embrace, staring into my eyes before he spoke. “I missed you, too. Goodnight.”

I could tell how difficult it was for Reynolds to leave tonight, but he was showing me at every step how much I could trust him. As wired as I was, I forced myself to go to bed. Tomorrow would be a big day for us, and the anticipation for what was to come with Reynolds left me shivering with excitement.

Jet lag was a bitch. I was wide awake at four in the morning, California time, and had finally drifted back to sleep when the ringing bedside phone woke me. I sat up, fumbling for the receiver. “Hello?”

“Good morning, Ms. Atwater. This is Lucy Daniels, manager at the hotel spa. I’m confirming your services for today. I have you down for a massage, salt scrub, and a mani/pedi starting at ten o’clock this morning. Does that still work?”

My internal clock was completely off from the time change. I hadn’t had any coffee yet, and I was confused. “I’m sorry, I think you have the wrong room. I never scheduled any services.” I never scheduled spa treatments for myself, aside from my first-ever bikini wax, which I had done before leaving Baltimore. I was scared out of my mind to get waxed, but after birthing three children, the pain was no big deal. The end result was also completely oh-my-god-I-had-no-freaking-idea worth it.

Laughter echoed through the phone. “I have a card here. It reads:
Liz, go for a run and then relax and enjoy yourself. Congratulations. You won the bet, remember?”

Giggling like a child, I confirmed my appointments and heard a knock on the door. I tied my robe and looked out the peep hole.
Room service?
I opened the door a crack and poked my head out. “I’m sorry, I didn’t order this.”

Smiling the man pulled out a card and read.