Her Accidental Engagement (Harlequin Special Edition)

by Major, Michelle

  “I loved you,” Eddie screamed.

  “It was only—” the half-dressed man began.

  “Shut up, Jon-o,” Eddie and Stacey yelled at the same time.

  Eddie slashed the air with his knife.

  Sam held his ground.

  Julia held her breath.

  “Eddie, I know what you’re feeling.” Sam’s voice was a soothing murmur.

  “You don’t know squat,” Eddie spat out, dancing back and forth on the balls of his feet. “I’m going to cut off his junk here and now.”

  “Don’t you threaten my junk,” the other man yelled back. “If you were a real man—”

  Sam’s head whipped around. “Jon Dallas, shut your mouth or I’m going to arrest you for public indecency.” He turned back to Eddie. “I do know. A few years ago I walked in on my brother and my fiancée getting busy on the kitchen table.”

  A collective gasp went up from the crowd and several heads turned toward Julia. “Not me,” she whispered impatiently. “His ex.”

  Sam’s gaze never left Eddie, so she had no idea if he realized she was there.

  Eddie’s bloodshot eyes brimmed with tears. “It gets you right here,” he said, thumping his chest with the hand not gripping the knife. “Like she reached in and cut out your heart.”

  Sam nodded. “You’re not going to make anything better with the knife. Drop it and we’ll talk about what’s next.”

  “I’m sorry, Eddie.” Stacey’s voice was so filled with anguish Julia almost felt sorry for her. Except for the small matter that she’d been caught cheating on her husband. “I made a horrible mistake. It didn’t mean anything.”

  “Hey—” Jon-o sputtered.

  “I love you, Eddie.” Stacey sobbed.

  Eddie lowered the knife but Sam didn’t relax. “Drop it and kick it to me,” he ordered. “She loves you, Eddie.”

  “I love her, too.” Eddie’s voice was miserable. “But she cheated.”

  “We didn’t even do it,” Stacey called, and Julia wished the woman understood the concept of too much information. “He was drunk. Couldn’t get it—”

  Jon-o took an angry step toward her. “Shut your fat mouth, you liar. I was the best—”

  For a second, Sam’s attention switched to Jon-o and Stacey. In that instant, Eddie launched himself forward.

  He lunged for Jon-o but Sam grabbed his arm. Julia screamed as Eddie stabbed wildly at Sam, who knocked the blade out of the man’s hand then slammed him to the ground. Pete Butler, Sam’s deputy, rushed forward and tossed Sam a pair of handcuffs before turning his attention to Jon-o, pushing him away from the action.

  Stacey melted into a puddle on the ground. “Eddie, no,” she whimpered. “Don’t put handcuffs on my husband.”

  Sam got Eddie to his feet.

  “Don’t worry, honey.” Stacey took a step forward. “I’ll bail you out. I love you so much.”

  Tears ran down Eddie’s face. “I love you, sugar-buns.”

  Stacey would have wrapped herself around her husband but Sam held up a hand. “Later, Stacey.” Jon-o disappeared into the crowd and Sam yanked Eddie toward Pete. “Put him in the holding cell overnight. He can sober up.”

  Pete pointed to Sam’s shoulder. Sam shook his head, so the deputy led Eddie toward the waiting squad car.

  “We’re done out here,” Sam announced to the crowd. “Everyone head inside. There’s a lot more money to be raised tonight.”

  After a quiet round of applause, people drifted toward the gymnasium. A couple of men approached Sam, slapping him on the back.

  “I told you he’d handle it,” Joe said proudly from Julia’s side.

  “You did.” Julia felt rooted to the spot where she stood. Her body felt as though it weighed a thousand pounds. She couldn’t explain what she’d felt when Eddie had rushed at Sam with the knife. She’d swear she’d aged ten years in those few seconds.

  “Nice going, son,” Joe called.

  Sam looked up and his gaze met Julia’s. He gave her a small smile and her whole body began to shake. She walked toward him and threw her arms around his neck, burying her face in his shirt collar. He smelled sweet, like leftover cotton candy, and felt so undeniably strong, she could have wept. She wouldn’t cry. She wasn’t that much of an emotional basket case, but she squeezed her eyes shut for good measure.

  She willed the trembling to stop. It started to as he rubbed his palm against her back.

  “Hey,” he said into her hair. “Not that I’m complaining about you wrapped around me, but it’s okay. It was nothing. Eddie was too drunk to do any real damage, even if he’d wanted to.”

  She didn’t know how long he held her. She was vaguely aware of people milling about, of Joe watching from nearby. Sam didn’t seem in any hurry to let her go. She needed the strength of his body around hers to reassure her that he was truly all right.

  When she was finally in control enough to open her eyes, she was shocked to see blood staining his shirt near the shoulder. “You’re hurt.” Her voice came out a croak.

  He shook his head. “The blade nicked me. It’s a scratch. I’ll stop by the hospital after we finish the paperwork to have it cleaned. Nothing more.”

  “He could have hurt you,” she whispered, unable to take her eyes off his shoulder.

  He tipped up her chin. His eyes were warm on hers, kind and understanding. “I’m okay. Nothing happened.”

  “It could have. Every day something could happen to you, Sam. Drug busts, drunken fights and who knows what else.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “I’m not. I can’t stand knowing you’re always at risk.”

  He looked over her shoulder to where Joe stood. When his eyes met hers again, they were cold and unreadable. He leaned in close to her ear. “Then it’s a good thing this is a fake engagement. I’m not giving up my life for a woman.”

  Julia felt the air rush from her lungs. “I didn’t say I wanted you to.” She grabbed on to the front of his shirt as he moved to pull away. “I know this is fake. Sue me, but I was worried. Heaven forbid someone cares about you, Sam. Expects something from you. Maybe I shouldn’t have—”

  “Forget it.” Sam kissed her cheek, but she knew it was because his father was still watching. “I have to go into the station and then to the hospital, so I’ll be a while. Take Charlie home. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

  “Don’t do this,” she whispered as he walked away, climbing into the police cruiser without looking back.

  She knew this was fake. Because she’d never be stupid enough to fall in love with a man so irritating, annoying and unwilling to have a meaningful conversation about his feelings.

  She turned to Joe. “At least he’s okay. That’s most important, right?”

  “It’s hard for him to be needed by someone,” Joe said, taking her arm and leading her back toward the high school.

  Julia snorted. “Ya think?”

  * * *

  Rotating his shoulder where the nurse had cleaned his wound, Sam stepped out of the E.R. into the darkness. His father’s car wasn’t in front, so he sat on the bench near the entrance to wait.

  He scrubbed his palms against his face, wondering how he’d made such a colossal mess of a night that had started off so well. Julia had looked beautiful, as always, and they’d had fun with Charlie at the carnival. He’d even survived his dad and her mother meeting and almost felt okay about her relationship with Ethan.

  Then he’d put his foot in his mouth in a thousand different ways when she’d been concerned about his job. Hell, he couldn’t name a cop’s wife who didn’t worry. He’d liked that she’d been worried, liked the feeling of being needed. It had also scared him and he’d pushed her away.

  Like he pushed everyone away.

  He was alone.
Again. As always.

  “Need a lift, Chief?”

  He turned to see her standing a few feet away, the light from the hospital’s entrance making her glow like an angel. Not that he knew whether angels glowed. He imagined they’d want to, if it meant they’d look like Julia Morgan.

  “My dad’s coming to get me. Where’s Charlie?”

  “He’s having a sleepover with Grandma.” She walked to the bench and sat next to him. “How’s your shoulder?”

  He shrugged, finding it difficult to concentrate with her thigh pressed against his leg. “Hurts worse after the nurse messed with it than when the knife grazed me.”

  She bit her lip when he said the word knife. “You’re lucky it wasn’t worse.”

  “I guess.”

  “Joe’s not coming to get you.”

  “I may want to reconsider that ride.”

  “You may.”

  “Why are you here, Julia?”

  She rocked back far enough to stuff her fingers under her legs. Lucky fingers. He’d give anything to trade places with her hands.

  “Just because our engagement isn’t real doesn’t mean I can’t worry about you. I’m human. I like you. Caring about friends is what people do.”

  “We’re friends.” He tried the word out in his mind and decided he liked it. Sam didn’t have many real friends.

  “I think so.”

  He couldn’t resist asking, “With benefits?”

  She continued to stare straight ahead but one side of her mouth kicked up. “That remains to be seen. You’re not moving in the right direction with the bad ’tude earlier.”

  “Would it help if I said I was sorry?”

  “Are you?”

  With one finger, he traced a path down her arm, gently tugging on her wrist until she lifted her hand. He intertwined his fingers with hers. “Yes, I’m sorry. I’m sorry you were scared. I’m sorry I was a jerk.”

  “I know you don’t owe me anything.”

  “I do owe you. So far, I’m the only one who’s benefited from our arrangement. You wouldn’t let me go to court with you. I made an enormous mess of trying to get your mind off the case and now you’re here picking me up. What have I done to help you? Nothing.”

  “That’s not true.”

  “It is. I want to help. I’m going to the final hearing with you.”

  “I—”

  “No arguments.”

  She nodded. That was a start. “We can get people to submit affidavits on your behalf,” he continued. “Character references for you. The girls from the salon will do it. I bet Ida Garvey would, too, now that her hair isn’t bright pink. I want to hear you agree. I can help. You have to let me.”

  “My LD changes everything.” She looked at him, her eyes fierce. He knew this moment meant something big.

  “You have trouble reading,” he said slowly. “And with numbers. It caused a lot of problems but you told me you’re working with a specialist.”

  “My brain doesn’t work right.” She made the statement with conviction, as if daring him to disagree.

  “Is that the clinical diagnosis? Your brain doesn’t work right? I don’t think so, sweetie.”

  “Don’t ‘sweetie’ me. I’m stupid, and Jeff and his family know it. My brain is broken. It takes me twice as long as it should to read a simple letter. Why do you think I bring paperwork home from the salon so often? I spend all night checking and rechecking my work so I don’t make mistakes.”

  “Everyone makes mistakes.”

  “You don’t understand. But Jeff does. He knows how badly I want this to stay a secret.” She bolted up from the bench, pacing back and forth in front of him. “So much of what the attorney is talking about stems from my LD. I’ve hidden it for years and now they’re using it against me.”

  “Why keep it a secret?”

  “Because—” she dragged out the word on a ragged breath “—if the people around me knew how dumb I am, they could and would take advantage of me. In Brevia, I can hide it. If I really get into a bind, my mom or Lainey can help. I don’t want the whole town talking about it.”

  Something struck a chord deep within Sam. He knew what it was like to put on a mask so people couldn’t really see what was inside of you. He knew how it felt to be afraid you wouldn’t measure up. But his demons were more easily buried than Julia’s. The thought of how much time and energy she’d put into hiding this piece of herself made his heart ache.

  She was smart, proud and brave. She’d spent years making everyone believe she didn’t care, when the reality was that she cared more than she could admit. He could see it on her face, see the tension radiating through her body as she waited for him to judge her the way she’d been judging herself for years.

  He stood and cupped her face between his hands. “You’re not stupid.”

  She searched his eyes, as if willing the words to be true. “They’re trying to use it against me, Sam. To prove that Charlie would be better off with them. Not only are they ready to lavish him with their version of lifestyles of the rich and famous, they’re saying that if he has the same disorder...” Her voice caught and she bit her lip before continuing, “If I’ve given this to him, they have the resources to get him the best help.”

  “You are what’s best for him.” He used his thumb to wipe away a lone tear that trailed down her cheek then brought his lips to the spot, tasting the salt on her skin.

  The automatic doors slid open and a hospital worker pushed a wheelchair into the night.

  “Let’s get out of here,” Sam whispered.

  Julia nodded, and he cradled her against him as they walked to her car.

  “Let me drive,” he said when she reached into her purse for the keys.

  “You’re the injured one.” But when he took the keys from her hand, she didn’t argue.

  The streets were quiet. Julia didn’t speak, but she held on to the hand he placed in her lap. He could imagine the thoughts running through her mind as she realized the secret she’d held close for so long was about to become public. She was wrung out emotionally, and he hated seeing it. All he wanted was to make her feel better, if only for a few moments.

  He pulled into his driveway and turned off the ignition.

  “I should go home,” she said, releasing his fingers. “You need to rest.”

  Rest was the last thing on Sam’s mind. He might not be a master with words but he knew he wasn’t going to let her go tonight. If he couldn’t tell her how amazing she was and have her believe it, he could damn well show her.

  He came around to open her car door and draw her out, lacing his fingers with hers once again.

  “I need to go,” she repeated, her voice small.

  Without a word, he led her up onto the porch and unlocked his front door. He turned and pulled her to him, slanting his mouth over hers. For a moment she froze, then she melted against him, the spark between them flaring into an incendiary fire.

  He kissed her jaw and the creamy skin of her throat, whispering, “Stay with me.”

  She nodded as he nipped at her earlobe and, not letting her go, reached back to push open the door and drag them both through. He kicked it shut and tugged on the hem of her T-shirt.

  “This. Off. Now.”

  “Bossy,” she said breathlessly. Through his desire, he heard the confidence return to her tone and was so glad for it, he could have laughed out loud.

  Just as suddenly, he couldn’t make a sound as she pulled the soft cotton over her head and was left bathed in moonlight wearing only a lacy black bra and jeans slung low on her hips.

  Sweet mercy.

  He knew she was beautiful, but he’d been with beautiful women before. Watching her watch him, though, her eyes smoky and wanting, was almost his undoing.


  He flicked one thin strap off her shoulder, then the other, not quite exposing her completely but giving him a view of more creamy flesh. He traced the line of fabric across the tops of her breasts and his body grew heavy at her intake of breath.

  She wrapped her hand around his finger and lifted it to her mouth, kissing the tip softly. “You, now,” she commanded, her voice husky.

  Sam was happy to comply, and he threw his shirt onto the nearby couch. She stepped forward and, in one fluid motion, reached behind her to unhook her bra. It fell to the floor between them. Then she pressed herself against his chest and trailed her lips over his wounded shoulder.

  “If it matters,” he said, his voice hoarse, “that’s not the part that hurts.”

  He felt her smile against him. “We’ll get to that. All in good time, Chief. All in good time.”

  From Sam’s point of view, that time was now. He bent his head and took her mouth, kissing her as he reached between them to unfasten her jeans. He dropped to his knees in front of her, kissing the curve of her belly. She smelled like sin and sunshine, and the mix made him dizzy with need.

  “I want you, Julia Morgan.” He lifted his head so he could look into her eyes. “I want you,” he repeated. “All of you. Just the way you are.”

  Her lips parted, and he saw trust and vulnerability flash in her eyes. He wanted that, wanted all of this. For the first time in his life, he wanted to be a man someone could depend on for the long haul.

  He wanted to be a real hero.

  “I’m going to take care of you,” he whispered.

  She smiled at him and shimmied her hips so that her jeans slipped off them.

  “What are you waiting for?” she asked, and he straightened, capturing her mouth again.

  Sam broke the kiss long enough to lead her the few steps to the couch. He stripped off his jeans then eased his body over hers, relishing the feel of skin on skin. She fit perfectly under him, as he’d guessed she would.

  He savored every touch, taking the time to explore her body with his fingers and mouth. Her answering passion filled him with a desire he’d never imagined before tonight. He finally made her his, entering her with an exquisite slowness before his need for her took over and they moved together in a perfect rhythm.