If I Loved You (Harper Falls Book 1)

by Mary J. Williams

  Drew moved aside so that Rose could push Jack's wheel chair towards the exit. He reached back and grasped her hand.

  "Take me home, sweetheart.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  "ARE YOU COMFORTABLE? Maybe you should be up in bed instead of down here on the couch. Are you hungry? The doctor's instructions say you should eat something when you take the pain medication, but you said you didn't need any yet. Are you going to let me keep on rambling or are you going to answer one of my questions?"

  "I was waiting for you to wind down," Jack teased.

  Other than lifting his arms to let her to remove his shirt, and stepping out of his pants as she lowered them to the floor, Rose hadn't let him move a muscle since they'd gotten to her house. Not that he had any complaints. Sitting in nothing but his underwear and having a beautiful woman fuss over him was no hardship. He enjoyed the attention and she needed an outlet for her lingering anxiety. But she'd already tucked in his blanket and fluffed his pillows half a dozen times. Enough was enough. They both needed to settle, preferably here and now and together.

  "Rose." Jack let her sit down the cup of tea he didn't want, but she'd insisted on making. "Rose, sweetheart. Sit by me." He patted the cushion next to him. "Edgar and I are getting dizzy watching you." Actually, after his initial excitement over Jack's return, Edgar had fallen asleep and was peacefully snoring in his corner.

  "I don't want to disturb your wound."

  "That's why I want you to sit on this side." He gave the seat another brief pat.

  "Okay, but only if you promise to tell me if you're in any pain."

  Rose carefully lowered herself so that she was perched on the very edge of the couch. Jack would have laughed at how silly she looked, but he didn't think Rose was currently finding much humor in the situation.

  "If I have to pull you down next to me I just might hurt myself. Now slide back and put your head right here." He indicated his right shoulder.

  She eased into his embrace inhaling the scent of antiseptic and warm man. Rose laid her hand on his chest and felt the steady beat of his heart. With a grateful sigh she fully relaxed for the first time since she'd gotten Drew's phone call. Jack lifted the blanket so that it covered them both, and before they knew it they had drifted off to sleep in each other's arms.

  Rose moaned. In her dream Jack's mouth was teasing that spot just below her ear, the one that only he could find, the one that drove her from interested to aroused in record time. She moved her head to the side so that he could have better access. And then he bit down. She'd never climaxed while dreaming, but this time she was close. Just a little harder, she urged silently, and she would topple like a row of dominoes.

  "Can I make you come just by biting your neck?"

  Rose's eyes popped open. As much as she would have loved to have him continue, now wasn't the time to find out just how talented his mouth was.

  "No, Jack."

  "No? Are you sure? Because I'm willing to wager pretty big that I can do it."

  "I'm sure you can and at some future date I'd be happy to let you show me." Rose slowly pulled back, away from temptation. "But right now you need to keep still and stop trying to seduce me."

  "Sweetheart." Jack tried to pull her back, but Rose just slapped his hand away.

  "I mean it, Jack. You are in no condition for anything as strenuous as sex. Do you want to have to tell the doctor at the emergency room that the reason your wound opened up was because you couldn't keep your you know what in your pants."

  "First of all, I don't think I'd have to say you know what in front of the doctor." Jack took advantage of her reluctance to hurt him and brought her back into his arms. "And second, you saying the word penis won't make it magically jump out of my pants."

  "I just want you to be a good boy and keep still." Being in his arms felt so good Rose didn't want to move so she snuggled closer. "If you don't I'll have to move and I don't want to do that."

  "Then I'll just sit here and let you do all the work."

  "Are you crazy?" You had to give the guy points for perseverance.

  "I'm not going to get any rest in this condition." His erection was killing him and he needed relief, immediately.

  "Then let me give you a helping hand."

  "It is crazy, Rose but right now I need to celebrate life. With you. Inside of you."

  "You can't do any moving, Jack." Rose knew this was a bad idea, but she couldn't say no to him, she didn't want to say no. She slowly eased his shorts over his hips. "Swear to me, or I'm stopping right now."

  With her straddling him, his penis brushing her wet, slick center? He would have promised her anything.

  "Don’t make me beg, Rose."

  His fingers dug into her hips as she lowered herself inch by agonizing inch. Finally, when she had taken all he had to give she held herself completely still. Rose looked deeply in Jack's eyes willing him to see what she'd yet to say out loud. How could he not? It was all there. The way she wanted him. The way she needed him. The way she loved him.

  Rose's eyes were glowing, becoming molten amber right in front of him. But there was something more. Something was in the depths that Jack had caught a fleeting glimpse of before but had never quite been able to hold on to. This time every emotion shined bright and clear—every bit of it just for him.

  "That's right, Jack." Rose moved ever so slightly, tightening her inner muscles around his pulsing length. "Look at me. Everything I have is yours. Take it, take me."

  Jack groaned; her words having as much effect as her exquisite body. Yes, everything was his. Rose began to move in a slow, steady rhythm. It all felt so close—his release—Rose. His eyes stayed locked with hers—as clear and blue as the ocean. But his mind was becoming fuzzy and all he could think about was how perfectly she fit him. How when she moved it was like nothing he'd ever known. He was there, at the edge, and he could tell that Rose was with him. As they tumbled over together, he called out two words. Rose! Everything!

  Rose leaned her forehead against Jack's and fought back the tears. Lord, she was becoming a weepy mess. But now wasn't the time. She needed to say the words. She needed to let Jack know with more than just her body that he wasn't alone. He was her everything.

  Feeling Jack gingerly shift his body, Rose carefully eased herself away and then slid to her knees.

  "Raise your arm, love." She felt Jack stiffen. Damn it, she never should have let him seduce her. She gently lifted the bandage to peak beneath. She couldn't see any blood, so that was good. It looked like they had been lucky, but she wasn't going to chance it again.

  "Everything seems fine." She met his eyes, but the look in them made her frown. "Is something wrong? You look a little dazed. I knew making love was a bad idea. I hope you enjoyed it because that was the last time until your doctor tells us you're fit for strenuous activity. Now, let's get you up stairs and in bed for the night." She helped him to his feet. "Can you make it on your own? Jack nodded. "Good. You go ahead. I'll get Edgar settled for the night. Oh, my God. Edgar. Jack, we just made love in front of that poor, sweet puppy. I don't know whether to be embarrassed or horrified." She noticed that Jack hadn't moved. "Do you need some help after all? Let me get around to your good side and you can lean on me."

  "No," Jack shook his head. "I can make it." He started up the stairs but only got half way before he turned back. "Rose?"

  "Yes?"

  You said love three times. He looked down at her beautiful, smiling face and wanted desperately to ask her what it meant. But he couldn't do it, the words wouldn't come out.

  "I'll see you upstairs."

  "Okay. I'll only be a few minutes."

  Jack's body moved slowly, but his mind was racing. Rose never used the word love. They always had sex. But tonight she had called him love. Raise your arm, love. He'd been so stunned by her casual use of the word that she'd thought he was in pain. And on top of that she said made love. Not sex—love.

  Jack went into the bathroom. He bad
ly wanted a shower but that was out, so he ran the water until it was steaming and cleaned himself as well he could with soap and a washcloth. After brushing his teeth and giving his stiches a quick glance he climbed under the covers and waited for Rose. He'd come back from California ready to fight for her, but nothing would make him happier that to be able to skip the fighting and go straight to the loving. Did Rose love him or had it just been a few slips of the tongue because of the emotional events of the day?

  "I'm pretty sure I was worried for nothing. Unless he was faking for my benefit, I think Edgar slept right though and didn't see what we were up to on the couch." Rose bent over and kissed his cheek. "You look nice and comfy." She sat a glass of water and his pain pills next to him on the night stand. "I know you're being all he-man and insisting you don't need those, but I brought them up just in case."

  "Rose, I—."

  "Do you want a pill?"

  "No, you go ahead and get ready for bed."

  Rose looked at him for a moment. Something was wrong, but she honestly had no idea what it was. When she came out several minutes later, Jack's eyes were closed, his breathing deep and even. Asleep. Rose shook her head with a smile. She'd known exactly what she was going to say. Why she loved him and how she wanted to spend the rest of her life showing him. But all that could wait until tomorrow. Jack was here and safe. Right now, that was all that mattered.

  She eased into bed trying hard not to disturb him. She adjusted the bedding, leaning over him to pull the blanket up over his shoulders. His face was inches from hers, so handsome and dear. I love you, Jack.

  Jack's eyes slowly opened. "I love you, Rose."

  Rose looked back at him, surprise written on her face. That was supposed to be her line. But it didn't matter that he had beaten her to it. Jack loved her. Now it was her turn.

  "Marry me, Jack."

  This time Jack was the surprised one. He'd hoped that she would tell him she loved him, too. He knew what a big step that was for Rose. Then his plan had been to make himself so indispensable that getting married would become a natural extension. It might have been a silly, out dated rhyme, but Jack had it in his head that "first came love, then came marriage." Rose was getting it backward."

  "Sweetheart, I know you got quite a scare today but I promise I'm not going anywhere. There's nothing I want more than to spend the rest of my life with you, but I don't want you to think you have to do this when you're not ready for."

  Rose smiled. She didn't blame him for questioning her motives; he had no way of knowing how her feelings had changed. "Do you remember the last time we talked about marriage? When I told you that there was only one reason I would ever marry you?"

  Jack tried to swallow over the lump that had formed his throat. He couldn't speak, so he just nodded.

  "I said the only reason I would ever marry you was if I loved you. I do, Jack," she kissed him gently. "I love you with everything I am."

  Jack felt as if his heart was going to fly out of his chest. He pulled her to him and kissed the tears from her cheeks. His Rose was crying. Their lips met again, sweet and loving. Taking her in his arms he held on, never wanting to let go. It was all so new that he needed a minute to let everything sink in. The lump in his throat had vanished along with all his worries and doubts. Rose loved him.

  "I have so much to tell you. Between the yogurt and the song and Louise, I don't know where to start."

  Jack listened throwing in a comment now and then.

  "Yogurt? If I'd have known it would have that kind of effect on you, I would have stocked the entire fridge with the stuff weeks ago."

  And then a few minutes later, "Damn straight I'm going with you to Paris. I trust you completely, but that Laughton guy is another matter altogether."

  And finally, when she told him about Louise showing up here at the house Jack was speechless. But not for long.

  "Tell me you hit the crazy bitch."

  "Nope." Rose snuggled closer. She felt so happy it almost didn't seem real. "But she left limping. I wish I'd had it out with her years ago."

  "You weren't ready." Jack hated that Rose had gone through the confrontation with her aunt alone, but he also knew she was stronger for it.

  "You gave me the strength, Jack." She stopped him when he would have protested. "It's true. When I first saw her I felt that terrible familiar cold start to invade my body. All I wanted to do was shut down. But then I thought of you. Knowing I was able to love you sent a deep warmth radiating through me. And then I got angry, it felt good. I had let that woman have too much power over me for too long."

  She quickly told him the rest wanting to put it all behind them so they would never have to mention that woman again. Rose hoped they'd seen the last of Louise. But even if she came back it wouldn't mean anything, not anymore. Happily, that chapter was over, once and for all.

  "You never answered my question," Rose reminded him, many kisses later.

  "Did you ask me a question?" Jack asked innocently. "I don't remember."

  Smart ass. Well, Rose decided, two could play at that game.

  "You know I think you're right. I didn't ask you anything." She started to slide out of bed. "I don't know about you, but suddenly I'm starving. Can I get you anything?"

  Rose expected Jack to stop her. Her steps slowed and she was almost out the door before Jack finally spoke up.

  "I would love a pizza. It's not too late to get one delivered from Mamma Joan's. Oh," he added enjoying Rose's obvious frustration. "And get one of their house salads, too. They make the best dressing."

  "No problem." Rose turned away in a huff. That hadn't turned out the way she hoped.

  "And Rose?"

  What now? Bread sticks? Extra cheese?

  "Will you marry me?"

  Rose turned back, her smile beaming. Sitting next to him she took his hands, her answer simple and from the heart.

  "Yes, Jack. I will marry you."

  "Why?" He knew, but he wanted to hear it again.

  "Because I love you."

  EPILOGUE

  PARIS WITH JACK had been amazing. They had stayed a week—Jack insisted. After all, he reasoned, even though they had both been there separately, how many times do you go to Paris for the first time with the one you love? So it made sense that once she had finished her work with Sam Laughton, that they should stay a few extra days and enjoy the city.

  Rose had always scoffed at the idea that Paris was any more magical if you were in love. Well, it was. The lights seemed brighter. The food was even more amazing, and everywhere they went everything overflowed with romance. And the sex? Well, she'd never had sex in Paris before, but now that she and Jack were making love, it was better no matter where they did it.

  But fantastic as it had been, Rose was glad to be home. And home was now Jack's house, or as he kept reminding her, their house. She loved her little cottage, but it made more sense for them to live up on Crossfire Hill. Jack's family would never fit in her old place and she wanted them to visit often. And then there was Edgar. He was still growing and needed all the space he could get.

  Jack took her hand and led her up the steps to the front door. Rose stood by while he took care of disengaging the alarms. But when she would have entered Jack stopped her.

  "I know that technically we're not married yet…" he swept her up and carried her across the threshold. Laughing, Rose put her arms around his neck, her blue diamond engagement ring sparkling like Jack's eyes whenever he kissed her.

  "I'm fine with keeping the romance going. In fact, I've decided you should carry me through every doorway, no matter where we are."

  "Close your eyes."

  "Why?"

  "Because I asked you to."

  "Fair enough," Rose conceded. "But if you would just kiss me, I'd automatically close my eyes."

  "You've been known to keep your eyes open." Jack loved their verbal sparring but right now he needed her to do what he'd asked. "Promise not to peek?"

  Rose'
s lips hovered next to his. "Promise."

  Jack's kisses always made her head spin; this time was no exception. She was so lost in the feelings he aroused that she hadn't realized he'd moved from the doorway until he was sitting her down on a hard, wooden surface.

  "Eyes closed," he reminded her.

  Rose didn't have to look to know what Jack' surprise was. She'd spent too many hours sitting on benches just like this one not to recognize what it was. Unable to stay still, she bounced with excitement. Jack had bought her a piano.

  "Ready? Okay, open up."

  Rose's eyes popped open, her fingers already reaching for the keys. But what she saw made her freeze.

  "Jack," she breathed. It couldn't be. "I don't understand."

  It was his mother's piano. So beautiful and dear that Rose couldn't bring herself to touch it for fear it would melt away like in a dream.

  Jack sat beside her, pulling her close. Seeing the stunned look on her face, he explained. "The family voted, unanimously, by the way. Everyone agreed the piano belonged with the person who would appreciate it the most. They all thought it would be a nice surprise to have it waiting when we got back."

  Rose carefully ran her hand over the smooth surface. "But your mother loves it so much, she should wait and give it to Sophie or another member of the—."

  "Family?" Jack finished for her. He gently wiped away the tears that were running freely down her cheeks.

  Rose laid her head on Jack's shoulder and knew that she was home.

  TURN THE PAGE FOR AN EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW OF BOOK TWO IN THE HARPER FALL'S SAGA

  IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES

  CHAPTER ONE

  FOURTH OF JULY in Harper Falls was much like it was in cities and towns all over the United States. A large crowd gathered every year at Riverside Park for picnics and games. People came and went throughout the day, but everyone made sure they were there when the annual fireworks display was set off. Even though the bursting lights could be seen for miles around, most people preferred to pack together and watch them with their friends and neighbors.