Hell On Heels Read online

  I did. If he had told me to stand on my head and yodel, I would have done that too.

  He spread the blanket on the ground and opened the cooler. It was filled with all sorts of yummy food. He laid out plates and napkins, patted the ground next to him and waited for me to join.

  Was I nuts? I was alone with a guy I barely knew in the middle of nowhere. It was an awfully pretty flower field middle of nowhere, but nowhere nonetheless. The flowers were not the prettiest thing here. . .he was, but that was beside the point. I was having insane urges to touch him and my stomach was flipping around like it was hosting an international gymnastics competition. This was a recipe for disaster.

  My body tensed and I considered running away, but I had no idea where we were. My grip was tenuous at best on all of the emotions ping ponging around inside me. Just as I was about to give into my fear and run, he started to sing one of my favorite Barry Manilow songs. . .badly.

  “Oh Dixie, well you came and you gave without taking, but I sent you away

  Oh Dixie, well you kissed me and stopped me from shaking

  And I need you today, oh Dixie…”

  “Stop,” I laughed, and dove toward him to cover his mouth with my hand. “You’re destroying Barry!”

  I tripped over the blanket and onto Hayden. I knocked him to his back and ended up right on top of him, nose to nose. Time stopped along with my breathing capabilities. My world was right and I felt happy. I was safe all tangled up in his big strong body. I knew my eyes were beginning to glitter with tears. It was so perfect that it scared the Hell out of me. Way more than Ernest Hemingway did when I was five.

  “You don’t like my singing?” he whispered, our lips almost touching.

  “Um, no. It was awful."

  His green eyes sparkled in the starlight and he took a shaky breath. Was he as affected as I was? Did he feel the same things?

  “You’ve mortally wounded me,” he teased. “My secret ambition is to be a rock star.”

  “You’re going to need to rethink that one.”

  My voice sounded wobbly to my own ears and my eyes were glued to his mouth. I carefully eased away and attempted to squash down my raging hormones. Wasn’t working.

  Disappointment flashed in his eyes. I couldn’t tell if it was because I moved or because I had insulted his singing. He didn’t try to stop my retreat, which was a relief. Kind of.

  “Are you hungry?” he asked, sitting up, seemingly unaware of my inner turmoil. He moved to the cooler.

  “Sure,” I replied as I removed imaginary lint from my jeans. I watched him through lowered lashes and picked at my manicure. I thought about sitting on my hands to keep from reaching for him, but I worried that might look weird.

  “What do you want?” He held up two sandwiches. “I’ve got turkey and gouda or ham and brie. I also have cheese and crackers, bruschetta, wine, strawberries and dark chocolate.”

  I wasn’t sure I could keep food down with the circus performing in my stomach, but I was hungry. I certainly didn’t want him to think I was one of those girls who didn’t eat. I loved to eat. “Ham, please.”

  “Coming right up,” he smiled. He made two heaping plates. I grabbed a glass of wine and my plate and dug in.

  “Mmm,” I said after taking a bite of my sandwich. “This is amazing. Where’d you get it?”

  “I made it,” he told me as he bit into his own.

  “Really?”

  “Dixie,” he laughed. “You’re going to give me a complex. First you think I’m illiterate and now you’re shocked I can make a sandwich.”

  “I’m sorry, it’s just that you’re so. . .” I stopped, unable to tell him how beautiful and amazing and smart and funny I thought he was.

  “Just because I’m Satan’s gift to women.” He grinned evilly and flexed his considerable muscles. “Doesn’t mean I’m as dumb as a box of hair,” he teased as he continued to flex and make ridiculous sound effects.

  “I don’t think you’re dumb at all,” I protested, rolling my eyes at his macho display. “You just keep surprising me.”

  “In a good way?” He tilted his head and ran his finger down my arm.

  My arm tingled with his energy. “In a very good way.”

  We ate in silence. A gentle breeze caressed my bare arms and flowers danced in the field like colorful little fairies. I was happy. I kept stealing glances at the beautiful boy who made amazing sandwiches. Every time I peeked, he was staring at me.

  “Do you want anything else?” Hayden asked.

  Boy, there’s a loaded question. “Um. . .no, I’m good.”

  Dots of brilliant purple light quietly filled the grass and trees and sky. Fireflies glowed purple in Hell. Some were a lighter violet and others boasted a deep indigo. The trees looked like they’d been strung with sparkling amethyst. They were my favorites. I put my hand out to catch one, but Hayden was quicker.

  “Here you go.” He delicately placed the fragile bug in my hand. “A sapphire for the Princess.”

  “Thank you, my loyal subject,” I uttered grandly, behaving like some of my older sisters who thought they were the bomb. “Hayden.” I bit my lower lip to hide my smile. “You have mustard on your mouth.”

  “No, I don’t,” he shot back in mock offense.

  “Yes, you do.”

  “Where?” he demanded.

  “On your lip,” I said, pointing to my own.

  “On your lip?”

  “No, dorko.” I laughed. “On yours.”

  “Come and show me,” he challenged. One side of his mouth lifted into the sexiest smirk ever. “I dare you.”

  “You should know better than to dare one of Satan’s daughters, pretty boy,” I informed him as I crawled across the blanket toward him. He tensed as I neared and his eyes went from emerald to red. He had never been more beautiful, mustard and all. “Should I use my finger or my tongue?” I asked silkily.

  Holy Hell, when did my inner ho-bag decide to show up? My dad would be so proud.

  “Your finger would be fine,” his voice was husky. “But your tongue would be much better.”

  “Tongue it will be.” I leaned into him, knowing my golden eyes had turned as blood red as his. The power I felt was overwhelming. I was scaring myself silly, but I had no desire to stop. I wanted to press my lips and my body to his from the very first moment I saw him. If he never called again because my inner slut had taken over my body, then his loss. Besides, I was only going to kiss him.

  I very carefully ran my tongue along his bottom lip. He inhaled sharply at the contact. His body was as tight as a coil about to spring.

  I pulled back and smiled. “Good mustard.”

  “I think you might have missed a little,” he replied in a tone that sent shivers through me.

  “You think?” I didn’t move an inch.

  “I think.” He stayed as still as I did.

  Ball was in my court. I slowly closed the slight distance between us and pressed my lips to his. It was magic. A hot spiral of something unfamiliar made my bones feel watery. I grasped his broad shoulders for balance.

  He didn’t stick his tongue down my throat or try to grab me anywhere inappropriate. His kisses were featherlight and his tongue gently traced the fullness of my bottom lip. My heart hammered furiously and I knew I was a goner. He cupped my face in his strong hands and pressed soft kisses on my lips, my nose, my cheeks and my eyes. I was dizzy and falling madly in love.

  “Dixie,” he moaned. “We have to stop.”

  “Why?” I touched my forehead to his.

  “Because I want you to fall for my intellect and charm before I let you ravish my body.”

  I giggled and brushed my fingertips along his cheekbones and jaw. “What if I only want you for your hot bod?”

  He chuckled, “I won’t be used that way. Well. . .maybe once or twice.” He grinned. “I’m looking for something lasting. I plan to make you fall head over heels, no turning back in love with me.”

  I knew h
e was joking, but I was already there.

  He kissed me once more and my toes curled. He stood and pulled me to my feet.

  “I want to make one of your dreams come true.”

  “You kind of already have,” I said, unable to tear my eyes away. I leaned into him and laid my head on his chest. I tentatively wrapped my arms around him. He was so broad my hands didn’t touch.

  “Oh Dixie, you’re killin’ me.” His voice was unsteady.

  “Really?” I was amazed I had the power to make such a strong man so vulnerable.

  “Really.” He reluctantly pulled away and held me at arms’ length.

  “I’ll race you to the pond,” he challenged.

  “What pond?” All I could see was flowers.

  “It’s two miles that way.” He pointed across the beautiful field.

  “What’s at the pond?”

  “One of your dreams,” he smiled.

  “You’re on.”

  Chapter 7

  We ran through the field with wild abandon. The wind whipped through my hair and I felt free. All Demons were blessed with speed, but my speed was unusual. To the human eye, I completely disappeared. To the Demon eye, I looked like a blur.

  I was amazed and delighted Hayden could keep up with me. Then I got pissed when I discovered he was beating me. Then he vanished.

  He was sitting nonchalantly on the ground near the pond, legs crossed, hands behind his head with a big smile on his face. With both hands on my hips I slowly circled him. My eyes narrowed as he basked in his victory.

  “How did you do that?” I continued to circle him.

  “I’m fast.” He grinned.

  “No,” I corrected him. “I’m fast.”

  “But I’m faster.” He hopped up, grabbed me and swung me in a circle.

  “Put me down, you cheater,” I shrieked, trying to stifle my laughter.

  He put me down and I took in my surroundings. It was unlike anything I’d ever seen. The pond shimmered as if covered in a thin layer of diamonds. Huge weeping willow trees with giant crimson flowers adorning them blew in the breeze. Wildflowers dotted the bank, but it was the smell. I couldn’t find words to describe it. The closest words were wind, summer rain and promise, but even that didn’t do it justice.

  “What is this place?” I whispered reverently.

  “It’s my home,” he smiled and took my hand.

  “You live here?”

  “Well, not exactly here." He laughed. "I have a house about ten miles away, but this is part of my property.”

  “Do you live with your parents?” I realized I knew nothing about his family.

  “No, my dad gave up on me a long time ago and my mom is gone.”

  His matter of fact tone didn’t hide his sadness.

  “I’m so sorry,” I sputtered. “I didn’t know.”

  He squeezed my hand and pulled me into a hug. “It’s okay, Dixie. It’s been a long time. I’m good.”

  “Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

  “I have a brother, but we’re not close. I haven’t seen him in years.” He paused. “This is getting too serious. I’m starting to sound pathetic to my own ears.” He grinned. His mood abruptly changed from pensive to silly. He picked me up and carried me to the edge of the pond.

  “If you throw me in,” I threatened. “I will make your life a living Hell for all eternity.”

  His eyes twinkled with mischief. “That hadn’t occurred to me, but now that you mention it...”

  I wrapped my arms around him in a vise-like hold. If I was going in, he was coming along for the ride.

  “Dixie?”

  “Yes?” My face was buried in his neck. His scent was making my tummy tingle.

  “First of all, I would never throw you in the pond, and second, you’re cutting off my circulation.”

  “Whoops.” I grinned and eased up on my hold. “Where’s my dream,—or was that just a story you made up so you could kick my ass in the race?”

  He laughed joyously and gently pushed my hair out of my face. “No Dixie, your dream is right here. I simply have to show you.”

  “So show me.” I was getting a little nervous. I had no clue what he was going to do.

  “Can you keep a secret?” he whispered against my hair.

  Little fissions of magic whooshed through my body and I felt lightheaded. I wasn't sure if I caused it or if he did.

  “I can keep a secret,” I assured him.

  “You can’t tell anyone or question me about it.”

  What in Hades was he about to show me? “I won’t,” I said, wondering if this was such a good idea. He was making me nervous.

  “Promise?”

  “Promise,” I whispered. If he killed me, at least I’d already kissed him.

  Hayden put me down and took a few steps back. “Close your eyes, Dixie,” he instructed.

  I did.

  As soon as my lids shut, an absurd amount of magic filled the air. I’d grown up around magic and power and I knew the real deal when it happened. This was the real deal. I felt raw, alive and alarmed. What in Satan’s name was he doing to create such a strong enchantment?

  “Open your eyes.” His voice was deeper and sexier. Like that was even possible.

  I slowly opened my eyes and I gasped. This couldn’t be real. I closed my eyes and reopened them to make sure they weren’t playing tricks on me. They weren’t. My knees buckled and I sank to the ground. He was glorious—I’d never seen anything so magnificent in my life.

  “Are you trying to impress me?” I asked, awestruck.

  “Maybe,” he replied. “Is it working?”

  “And then some.”

  His eyes were closed and his arms were outstretched, reaching to the sky. His shirt was gone and his body seemed to glow, but that wasn't what astonished me.

  He had wings.

  Huge, breathtaking golden blond wings that matched his hair. They shimmered like spun gold in the starlight and blew gently in the breeze.

  I stood up on wobbly legs and approached him. His eyes stayed closed, but a smile touched his lips. I circled him again, but this time in shock and reverence.

  I felt small and inconsequential compared to the beautiful creature that stood before me. Magic hung thick in the air. I walked slowly around him to really see his wings.

  “You can touch me, Dixie,” he coaxed. His voice was richer and more seductive. My already weak knees weakened some more. He sounded older and wiser, but I knew he was still Hayden.

  I reached out and stroked his wings. He sighed in contentment. They were soft. Softer than cashmere, softer than puppy fur, softer than anything I’d ever touched. I ran my hands through them as tears poured down my cheeks.

  “Why are you crying?” Hayden turned his body, his face full of concern.

  “You’re so beautiful,” I murmured, stepping back from him. The very air around him was electric. How could someone like him possibly want someone like me?

  “Don’t back away from me, Dixie,” his voice was soft. “Not now. Not like this.” He held his arms out to me.

  I didn’t hesitate or even think. I ran right into his arms, the only place I ever wanted to be again. The tension left his body as he wrapped his arms and wings around me.

  “Would you like to fly with me?” he asked, still holding me tight.

  “More than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life,” I whispered.

  ***

  Not in my wildest dreams could I have imagined what it really felt like to fly.

  I laid on his back, my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. I nestled between his downy wings. My heart beat so loudly I was sure he could hear it.

  “Are you okay?” he asked. I heard the smile in his voice.

  “I don’t know,” I admitted.

  “We’re not even in the air yet.” He laughed.

  “I know.” I was grateful he couldn’t see the blush that had covered my whole face. “It’s just that. . .um, I’m n
ot sure what I’ll dream about anymore.”

  “You’ll dream about me, Dixie,” he said so quietly I wasn’t positive I heard him correctly.

  His wings expanded with a whoosh. They had to be six feet of gleaming gold on either side. His skin felt hot to my touch and the feeling of anticipation skittered down my spine like little mice. He took several running steps toward the pond and we were airborne.

  I shrieked with delight as we glided low over the water and I felt his body shake with laughter.

  “Go higher,” I urged, locking my knees around him tighter. His feathers tickled my nose so I raised my head. The view was tremendous.

  We soared up like a roller coaster and my tummy dropped. I squealed in sheer terror and joy. The wind roared through my hair and his wings. The ground below looked like a fairy tale, moving and sparkling in the starlight.

  The beat of his wings was reminiscent of a calming metronome. I let one of my hands loose and ran it through his hair.

  “None of that, Little Missy. I’ll lose my concentration.”

  “Sorry.” I giggled and wrapped myself back around his neck.

  The peace and happiness I felt was new to me. I was meant to fly. In my heart I’d always known. I just never knew it would take a beautiful boy with golden wings and green eyes to get me there.

  We soared so high the stars were our traffic. Wanting desperately to touch one, I reached out. Although I knew they were millions of miles away, I swear I felt their heat. He rolled and dipped, flying at extreme heights and almost touching the ground. I held on for dear life. Even though I knew a fall wouldn’t kill me unless I got decapitated on the way down, I didn’t want to let go of him. I loved the way his body felt under mine. It was sinful.

  We flew for hours. I was positive I’d have no voice tomorrow for all the screaming and laughing I did. The terrain below began to look familiar. We were at my house. He landed smoothly in my front yard. I hopped off, ran around to his front and threw myself into his arms.

  “That was the most amazing thing I’ve ever done,” I babbled. “It was beautiful and you’re beautiful and I. . .” I stopped abruptly. Hell’s Bells, I was about to tell him I loved him.

  “You what?” Hayden bent down so we were nose to nose.