Rory blinked back tears. Michael was right. She had to trust in Ben, and in their love for each other. Her heart knew that, even when her head had resisted it all this time.
A loud crackling noise emitted from the walkie-talkie holstered on Michael’s belt. He offered the three of them a chagrined look. “Sorry, didn’t realize I had it up all the way.” Voices broke through the static, and he started to lower the volume, only to freeze suddenly, his thumb hovering on the control. “Mierda!”
Rory’s Spanish was shoddy at best, but she knew enough to intuit Michael’s response as not being good. “What is it?”
“There’s been an accident. We have a man down.”
A horrible foreboding washed over Rory. She lifted a trembling hand to her mouth. A name stood out amongst the clipped stream of chatter, and her stomach pitched. “They mentioned Ben!”
Michael listened to his radio another few seconds before cursing—this time in English. He glanced at Rory. “They’re taking him to Beaumont now.”
“Oh my God.” Certain she was on the verge of puking, she swallowed rapidly. Once she felt assured her measly breakfast wasn’t about to make a reappearance, she rushed into the kitchen and snatched her purse. Jamming the strap over her shoulder, she barreled for the exit. She made it outside to the sidewalk before Michael grabbed her by the arm. Panic making her crazy, she struggled to break his grip. “I have to go to him,” she sobbed.
“I know. But you can’t drive in this state. I’ll take you.” He led the way to a souped-up muscle car and assisted her into the passenger seat. Hands shaking, she fumbled with the safety belt, finally getting it into place as Michael slid behind the wheel.
The half hour drive to the hospital was the longest of her life. The second Michael braked in front of the main Emergency entrance she jumped out of the vehicle and dashed into the building. The waiting area was jam-packed with people, including several firefighters still in their uniforms. Recognizing Nev and Dallas despite the soot covering their faces, she hurried to their sides. She opened her mouth, trying to get the question out, but her constricted throat held the words hostage.
Nev rubbed her shoulders. “Deep breaths. They took him in a while ago.”
Her voice finally found purchase again. “Is he—?”
“Pissed as hell about falling through a roof? Judging from the level of his cursing, I’d say fuck yes.”
If Ben was swearing, that meant he was alive. The rush of relief nearly knocked her to her knees. That sensation was immediately followed by a fierce shudder racking her body.
“Ah hell, I think she’s going through shock.” Dallas’s voice sounded tinny, like it was coming to her through a long tunnel. Supportive arms encircled her before sweeping her onto a nearby sofa she swore had been occupied a second ago. Too exhausted to figure out that mystery further, she peered up at her rescuer. “Ben?” Her blurry vision cleared, revealing Michael hovering over her, his gaze worried.
“I’ll go check on him now.” Michael waved Dallas over. “Make sure she doesn’t move. I’ll talk with the nurse about having her looked at too.”
“I don’t need to be looked at. I want Ben.”
Ignoring her protests, Michael strode off down the hall. Dallas grabbed a chair and plunked his ass in front of her. She glared at him weakly. “What are you, my warden?”
“Yeah, so don’t make me get out my cuffs.”
Nev sidled up next to Dallas. “What’s this about cuffs, you pervert?”
“Your mama didn’t seem to mind me using them last night.”
She wished she had the energy to roll her eyes. Instead she listened to their good-natured and rather raunchy ribbing of each other for endless moments until a commotion down the hall drew everyone’s attention.
“I told you, I’m motherfucking fine. Now where’s Rory?”
The sound of Ben’s desperate shout jerked her head up. She leapt off the sofa, almost knocking Dallas over in the process. “Ben!”
Grunting, Dallas righted his chair. “Way to make a fella feel like chopped liver.”
Tuning out his grumbling, she pushed past the small crowd of firefighters blocking the hallway, a happy sob escaping when she spotted Ben limping toward her. Unlike the rest of his crew, he wasn’t wearing his gear and instead sported a hospital gown. Scrapes covered his arms and legs, and a nasty gash decorated his left shoulder. But at least he was alive. A fresh flood of tears water logging her eyes, she ran toward him. He caught her, hugging her tight. His fingers shaky, he buried his face in her hair. “Michael told me you almost passed out. Jesus, don’t scare me like that, Ro.”
She gave a blubbery laugh. “You fall through a roof, and I’m the one scaring the crap out of you?”
“Heard about that, I take?”
“Yes. And never do that again, okay?”
“Trust me, got no plans of a three-peat.”
She jerked her head back. “Three-peat? You mean this isn’t the first time this has happened?” Oh God, she was going to need that sofa again, real soon.
“If I tell you yes, will that lessen the odds of you agreeing to marry me?”
Swallowing hard, she stared at him. “Did you just propose?”
“You’d think I woulda did a better job of it too, seeing how that was a two-peat.” His soft, devoted gaze reeling her in, he brushed his knuckles along her cheek. “I know you want time to figure things out, baby. But the truth is I love you. So much so, I would marry you right here and now if I could. But I’m willing to wait until the weekend, if that’s what you want.”
She rolled her lips together to keep from laughing. Unable to completely hold it in, she chuckled. “Three whole days, huh? Your patience is commendable.”
“I can’t help it, Ro. I don’t want to go one more night not having you tucked safe in my arms.”
Her eyes teared up again. “I don’t either.”
A ragged breath escaped him. “Did you just say yes?”
“I believe so.”
Splaying his hand on the back of her head, he hauled her in for a fiercely tender kiss. When he pulled back, his own eyes held a suspicious mist. “I love you, Rory.”
Stroking his jaw, she returned the words that’d been locked in her heart for the last ten years. “I love you too, Ben.”
EPILOGUE
“Really, bro? You couldn’t wait until next Valentine’s Day to do the deed?”
Grinning, Ben straightened the sprig of freesia pinned to his tuxedo lapel. “Nope. Too far away.”
“But think how romantic that would have been.” Michael sighed when it became clear that Ben wasn’t about to be swayed by his suggestion. “At least time it so your first rug rat is born on Valentine’s Day. And make sure he’s Michael if a boy, and Michaela if a girl.”
“You’ll have to swing that idea past Rory. Pretty sure she gets final say.”
“She’ll agree.” Michael flashed his pearly whites. “She likes me.”
Ben gave him a warning look. “Yeah, you keep your dirty paws off my future bride, Rico Sauvé.”
“Does that extend to her cookies too?”
“Nah, I don’t mind sharing those.”
Michael cleared his throat and tugged nervously on the cuffs of his tux. “Speaking of cookies, I’ve been meaning to ask if you know what the situation is with her partner, Hailey.”
Ben choked. Shaking his head, he glanced at Michael. “Too much carbon monoxide kill of your brain cells?”
“What? She’s cute. And feisty.” Michael made a predatory growling sound and waggled his brows.
“You better invest in a protective steel cup.”
Michael only laughed at that wise bit of advice.
Poor probie. He had no damn clue of what he was getting himself into.
The familiar opening strains of the wedding march drifted from the Vegas chapel’s speaker system, and Ben tore his mind from every other thought but the beautiful vision gliding towards him. Radiating absolute joy, Ror
y joined him at the altar, her smile more dazzling than the sun. His heart filling with so much love he swore it would burst, he took her hands and looked into her eyes. She was his soul mate, his light, his future. Always.
“Are you ready to do this?” she whispered.
“Past ready.”
Her mouth twitched. “Still impatient, I see.”
“These last three days have been hell.” He offered her a pout. “Intolerably cruel of you to limit me to only three daily rounds of hot loving until the wedding night.”
“I’ll make it up to you.” She stood on tiptoe to whisper in his ear as the ceremony officiates approached. “I brought extra whipped cream.”
Giggling at his exaggerated shiver, she squeezed his hand. Feeling like the luckiest bastard on the planet, he gave her a goofy grin. “I do love my cherry pie.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
At the ripe age of seven, Jodi Redford penned her first epic, complete with stick-figure illustrations. Sadly, her drawing skills haven’t improved much, but her love of fantasy worlds never went away. These days she writes about fairies, ghosts and other supernatural creatures, only with considerably more heat.
She has won numerous contests, including The Golden Pen and Launching a Star.
When not writing or working the day job, she enjoys gardening and way too many reality-television shows.
Currently residing in Michigan with her husband and overgrown lapdog, she is a member of RWA national and Greater Detroit Romance Writers of America.
She loves to hear from readers. You can email her at [email protected] and visit her online at www.jodiredford.com.
Jodi is also on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jodi.redford.3
and Twitter https://twitter.com/jodiredford
Other books by Jodi Redford
Now Available:
Taking Liberty
Light My Fire
Vanessa Unveiled
The Naughty List
Cat Scratch Fever
Breaking Bad
Checking it Twice
That Old Black Magic
That Voodoo You Do
The Seven Year Witch
Maximum Witch
Getting Familiar with Your Demon
Thieves of Aurion
Lover Enslaved
Lover Enraptured
Coming Soon:
Triple Knockout
Other Red Hot Valentine Books
Quarterback Sneak by Desiree Holt
Stacy Halligan has spent her adult life focusing on her career, choosing men with far less care than she does her professional path. That’s probably the reason all of her relationships end in disaster. Now she’s senior editor of the magazine where she works and she was so sure this latest hunk would be the one. When he dumps her, just before Valentine’s Day, who does she complain to, as always, but her next door neighbor and friend, backup quarterback Max Sullivan. She sees Max as her best friend. Comfortable. Easy to be with.
Max doesn’t mind hanging out with Stacy but in the three years they’ve lived next door to each other he’s hoped for a lot more. Now he sees his opening. When he offers to put on a blitz leading up to Valentine’s Day to make the guy jealous, he has an ulterior motive. He wants to show her he’s the one she should pick, because he wants Stacy for himself. His campaign includes, chocolate, flowers, little gifts and hopefully, really hot sex. Because he’d been dying forever to get her into his bed and keep her there.
Will this work? He only has until Valentine’s Day to find out.
http://www.desireeholt.com/
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If You Dare by Aliyah Burke
When two people lost in their careers are thrown together, can passion kindle lost souls and ignite the flames of love?
Justin Kapp is on an Alaskan cruise when he meets a woman that gives the vacation an entirely new outlook. From the very beginning he knew she was something special. Something more.
Kathryn Maynard, a top divorce attorney in Virginia Beach, accepts a dare that puts her on an Alaskan cruise and rail package. She would rather be anywhere but here, however the arrival of an intense man, changes that. Changes her.
When reunited in Virginia and Justin wants more than she's willing to allow herself to give. After he leaves, she realizes what is the most important. Will she take the chance and dare her heart to love?
http://www.aliyah-burke.com/books/index.htm
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Redneck Romeo by Randi Alexander
When Genevieve Riley sneaks onto the O’Bannon Ranch to return a stolen heirloom, the boy she’d fallen in love with as a teenager, Nick O’Bannon, catches her before she can slip away. The problem is, he’s now a big, rugged cowboy, and those feelings from a decade ago resurface. She can’t concentrate on anything but picking up where they left off.
Nick can’t believe what his dogs cornered. Beautiful ‘Jellybean’ Riley, all grown up and sexier than sin. He never knew what tore her from his life when they were teens, just as their relationship was starting. With the heat radiating between them, he knows he can seduce her, but can he make her stay this time?
http://randialexander.com/preview/red-hot-valentine-redneck-romeo/
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Tastes Like Chocolate by Graylin Rane
Viviana's heartbreak and betrayal by her ex-fiance' is poured into her sculpting. While working on a statue of pure milk chocolate, she finds herself talking to the man emerging about her hopes, dreams, and desires. Sprinkling gold dust over his stunning finished form makes his body glitter as he comes to life taking her into his arms. Their passion ignites a side of her she'd given up on, can they survive the jealousy of her former flame to find love?
http://www.graylinfox.com/rhv-tastes-like-chocolate/
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Sweet Indulgence by Shyla Colt
This sexy short will help make your Valentine’s day sizzle.
Born on February 14th, Chastity Roberts has never taken stock in the holiday for lovers. But this year Cupid has a little something special up his sleeve. Out on the town with her best friend, she runs into the green-eyed male who keeps her panties wet and her thoughts dirty at work.
Eli Cole is a man who turns heads. But the only woman he has eyes for is Chastity. After six months of hiding his affection to allow her to settle into her new role, he’s ready to indulge in the sweetness only her body can offer.
http://www.shylacolt.com/books/
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Sweet Sizzle by Jodi Redford
Valentine’s Day—the bane of Rory Sinclair’s existence. Hard to forgive the one holiday responsible for the single most moronic decision of her life. If it was up to her, she’d skip anything to do with cupid, but with her business partner home sick with the flu, she’s stuck delivering a bunch of cookie bouquets to a local firehouse. Who knows, maybe she’ll cure her Valentine’s Day neurosis and heat up the mattress with a hunky firefighter. Her plan of donning some edible undies and getting her freak on goes up in flames though the instant she steps through the doors of Station 5 and spots Bennet Jackson—the man responsible for her decade long Valentine’s Day boycott.
No matter how hard he’s tried, Ben has never gotten over the innocent girl he foolishly let slip between his fingers. When Rory unexpectedly crashes back into his world, he figures it’s his only shot at righting the wrongs of his past and getting her back in his bed and his life. For good. Unfortunately, she has other plans. Ones that don’t include him. He’s well aware that she has every reason to despise him, but if there’s one thing he’s up for, it’s a challenge. Because there’s no way in hell he’s losing the woman of his dreams again. And this time he’s prepared to pull out every dirty, sexy, and hotter-than-sin trick to convince her to stay.
http://www.jodiredford.com/More_Books.html
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Turnaround by Cassandra Carr
Becca and James don't date. Both are in their thir
ties and neither has found anyone they feel is potential spouse material. Becca attends a "We Hate Valentine's Day" party at a local bar where James is bartending. He knows from the first day they meet that Becca is someone special, but Becca's more cautious. James sets out to prove to Becca there really are happy-ever-afters.
http://www.booksbycassandracarr.com
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The Bet by Ty Langston
Meet Chris Knight, lead singer of the international Rock Band, Knight’s Armor. He’s successful, rich and is in deeply in love with his girlfriend, Gabrielle. Gabrielle is a music columnist for Rockline Magazine. Her love of everything music pales in comparsion to the love she has for her boyfriend, Chris Knight.What happens when two people love each other so much, but decide to change the rules? The dice is cast, a bet is made, how much will things change between them? Or will it end things for good?
http://www.tylangston.com
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A Kiss From a Rose by Michel Prince
Jenna Turner wasn’t looking for anything but a quick bite to eat when she met the sexy peace officer Marcus Peterson. While Jenna has always been singularly focused on her next big promotion at work, suddenly she’s distracted by alluring texts from Marcus.
His evocative words and her naughty responses invoke emotions neither seem ready for, and luckily, neither have room in their busy lives to follow through on all their sexting.
Sweet Sizzle: A Red Hot Valentine Story Page 8
