The Damaged Heroes Collection [Box Set #1: The Damaged Heroes Collection] (BookStrand Publishing Mainstream)

by James, Sandy

  “More than you could possibly know,” she answered in a reverent whisper.

  He quit scowling and started smiling. “Laurie, just listen for a minute.” Dropping back down on the sofa, he took her hands in his. She wondered why his palms were so moist. Then she realized hers were as well.

  So much for either of us being calm, cool, and collected.

  Ross gazed into her eyes as he said the things she’d been dying to hear. “I’ve never met another woman like you. You care about people. You’re smart. You’re wonderful. I feel like I’ve waited my whole life for you.”

  When Laurie started to tear up, Ross felt like someone had choked off his air. He tried to keep stammering out what he wanted to say, but he felt like he was botching the whole thing. “I’m going to be thirty-one next week. I’m not a damn kid. I know what I want, and what I want is you. I want to make a family with you. I want us to get married. Tonight.”

  Laurie’s hand brushed her injured forehead.

  Ross put his finger under her chin and made her look up at him. “Laurie, listen to me. You can’t keep thinking that those stupid stitches have ruined you.” He pushed aside the bangs she’d started to wear to better cover her forehead. “This,” he said as he let his finger trace the injury, “doesn’t change anything. You’re a beautiful woman. Inside and out. Everything about you makes me happy.”

  The tears gathering in her eyes spilled from her lashes to her cheek, Ross kissed one away. “I love you,” he said, “and the idea that someone as special as you actually loves someone like me just blows me away.”

  She started shaking her head. “But you’re—”

  “Stubborn, short tempered, anal retentive, a know-it-all, and absolutely head over heels in love with you.”

  She gave him a crooked smile. “You’re not a know-it-all.”

  “And you make me laugh.”

  Laurie’s mind was spinning in a million different directions, but none of them told her this was the wrong thing to do. “Ross, what’s your favorite movie?”

  He gawked at her like she’d just been diagnosed as terminally insane.

  “I mean it. I want to know. What’s your favorite movie?”

  “You’re going to think I’m lying,” he hedged.

  “Try me.” Laurie squeezed his hand.

  “The Phantom of the Opera. When I saw the poster in your living room, I couldn’t believe it. Is that your favorite movie or Deepika’s?”

  “Mine,” Laurie replied with an enormous smile. “It’s really your favorite movie?”

  Ross nodded. “I like that Christine is so wonderful to the poor guy. Even when she knows who the Phantom really is, even when he tried to force her to marry him, she still tries to help him. Plus, she’s willing to sacrifice herself to save the man she loves.”

  “It’s romantic.”

  “No, it’s brave,” he corrected.

  “Brave can be romantic. Okay, now it’s your turn. Ask me a question, Ross.”

  “Why?”

  “Because if we’re really thinking about getting married, we need a crash course in each other. Your turn. What do you want to know about me?”

  Ross contemplated for a moment. “How many kids do you want?”

  “Wow. You really know how to get to the heart of the matter. Fine. Three. Maybe four. The only thing I’ve ever been sure of was that I want a family. Unfortunately, being an empath kind of put the brakes on my having kids.”

  “Why?”

  She could feel herself blush as she answered. “Because I didn’t think I’d ever have sex. You know, before I met you, I didn’t even kiss a guy when he took me out. All I could pick up were his emotions, so I never knew how I felt. You’re the first guy to give me a real kiss.”

  His enormous smile told her he liked hearing that. “Like I told you, you were waiting for me.”

  “I figured when I hit thirty I’d get artificially inseminated or something,” Laurie said as she stifled a laugh.

  “What’s so funny?” He stared at her with curious eyes.

  “Deepika volunteered Andrew as the sperm donor after we watched The Big Chill.”

  He laughed and reached out to stroke her cheek. She turned her face to rest her cheek against his palm. “I’m glad you turned her down. So you want kids. So do I. Sounds like we’re compatible. Three or four, huh?”

  Laurie reluctantly pulled away from his touch and nodded. “I was an only child, and I always wished I had a brother or sister. Or both. How about you? How many munchkins do you want?”

  “Two. A boy, then a girl,” Ross answered with a smile. “Your turn.”

  She gave him an incredulous stare. “Wait a minute. You actually think you can plan your family that way?”

  “Sure. And I want to have them soon. I don’t want to be chasing my kids around with my walker,” he replied with a chuckle.

  “Only you would believe you had that much control over something like that.”

  “Your turn.”

  Laurie obliged him. “When’s your birthday? You said next week, right?”

  “March 22nd. I’m an Aries. You?”

  “June 12th. Gemini.” After a long moment of silence and an enormous sigh, Laurie finally said, “Ask me.”

  “Ask you what?”

  “You know what. Don’t tell me. Ask me.”

  He smiled; her heart melted. “Ah. Ask you. Fine.” Suddenly dropping to one knee, Ross obliged her. “Laurie Miller, will you marry me?”

  She made him wait at least the span of two heartbeats before she finally answered. “Yes, Ross. I’ll marry you.”

  In one fluid motion, he stood up and pulled her into his arms. There was nothing gentle about the kiss. His mouth was firm, demanding, possessive. The intensity stole Laurie’s breath away. His tongue swept into her mouth, setting every nerve tingling, every sense swimming. When she realized she would have a lifetime to savor those feelings and share them with him, share herself with him, it only made her want him more.

  Ross couldn’t stop himself. Now, Laurie. Now. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he lifted her off her feet. Sitting back on the sofa, he pulled her to straddle him. Holding her hips he rocked his groin up against her and thoroughly enjoyed the sweet sounds she made in the back of her throat with each motion. Part purr, part growl. Utterly feminine and enticing. He wanted to touch every inch of her, wanted to taste every secret place. He wanted to make her burn as she made him burn. Pulling his lips away to bury them against her throat, he nuzzled and kissed her long, soft neck.

  Laurie threaded her fingers through his hair and urged him closer. As his lips traced a path from her neck to her collarbone, she started to tremble.

  She deserves better. His conscience wouldn’t stop shouting at him. You owe her more. This isn’t right. You should marry her first.

  Ross wished his conscience would shut the hell up.

  Although it was the last thing in the world he wanted to do, he forced himself to stop. He raised his head, cupped her face in his palms, and gazed into her eyes. Those gorgeous blue eyes. The passion he saw reflected there was almost enough for him to suggest they get married tomorrow because he had other plans on how to occupy her right now. The fact that Laurie seductively ran her hands down his chest wasn’t giving him a whole lot of incentive to be noble. “We need to wait.”

  She looked entirely shocked at his suggestion before she shook her head and started to unbutton his shirt.

  Ross grabbed her wrists. “Seriously, Laurie. If we don’t stop now, we won’t make it out of this room tonight.”

  “Fine with me.” She leaned forward and ran her tongue around the rim of his ear. When he quivered, she giggled and did it again.

  “Come on. You’ve come this far. Don’t you want to wait until we get married?” he asked, wondering how he really wanted her to answer.

  “No,” she replied before Ross even finished the question. She pulled her wrists from his grasp. With a salacious smile, Laurie went back t
o unbuttoning his shirt as she kissed each new part of his skin that opened up to her. She rubbed her nose into the dusting of hair on his chest.

  “Laurie...”

  She didn’t stop.

  He groaned when she spread her legs a little wider and squeezed her thighs against his hips. “Ah, come on, Laurie.”

  She sighed as if entirely disappointed. And, God, that reaction pleased him. “It really means that much to you?”

  “I just want to do things right.”

  Chapter 18

  Ellie helps pass the time on the road by telling us stories about her family back in Scotland. She knows how badly T.J. and I want to be married, but he’s afraid to stop anywhere long enough to make arrangements. Ellie had a wonderful idea though.

  She told us all about how priests were hard to come by in the Scottish Highlands, so what her ancestors would do was pledge themselves in marriage in what she called a handfast. They would bind their hands with a symbolic ribbon as they promised their lives to each other and were considered married until a priest could eventually bless their union.

  When we camped for the night, Ellie found a long vine and helped T.J. and I handfast ourselves in marriage. I know it isn’t legal, but T.J. said what really matters is what’s in our hearts. He said in his heart, I am his wife.

  I love him more than life itself. And I love the baby I feel moving inside me.

  The two were joined in hearts and hands.

  By ribbon tied ‘til one life ends.

  How could we know what fate was near

  for Ruby who was so very dear?

  The first thing Laurie did when she reluctantly pulled away from Ross was call the Bellagio’s front desk to beg for assistance in making arrangements. The concierge, Sean, knocked on the suite’s door only a few minutes later.

  Ross opened the door. Dressed in an impeccable gray suit, the concierge swept into the room like a conquering hero. Hot on his heels was an Asian woman garbed in a red linen dress, carrying a Day-Timer and a portfolio. Sean introduced the woman as one of the Bellagio’s wedding coordinators before he wished them well and left their suite.

  The woman extended her hand to Laurie and offered a more personal introduction. “I’m Angela. I’m here to help you make arrangements. If you really want to get married tonight, we’ll have to make some quick decisions. I usually like a little more lead time, but...” She sighed, looking a bit wistful. “Romance. C’est la vie.” She opened her Day-Timer. “The east chapel has an opening at ten o’clock. I assume that’s acceptable. But if you’d like the larger chapel, we can make plans for tomorrow instead. That would give you more time.”

  Ross locked eyes with Laurie. She looked utterly terrified and he hoped it wasn’t because she might be having second thoughts about marrying him. He sure as hell didn’t want her to back out. “Ten is fine,” he said in a firm, steady voice hoping it would calm her and set her at ease. An alluring smile spread across Laurie’s face and her eyes grew soft again. A feeling of rightness settled on him. I’m going to marry this woman. Tonight.

  Angela concentrated on her calendar and scribbled some notes inside. Then she put it aside and opened the big book she carried. “These are the packages we offer. The top of the line is the Cosa Bella.”

  Laurie leaned over the coffee table and flipped through the pages. “Fifteen-thousand dollars? Good God.” She glanced up at Ross with wide eyes.

  He took a couple of steps over and put a steadying hand on her shoulder. “Price doesn’t matter, Kitten. Get whatever you want. You’re only getting married once.”

  She was already shaking her head. “It’s ridiculous to spend that much on a wedding.” She flipped through a few more pages. “We don’t need all this stuff. I just want a few flowers and some nice pictures.”

  Angela reached for the book. “Not all the packages are expensive. It depends on what you’d like included. The higher ones have a lot more chapel time.”

  “We just want a simple ceremony,” Ross said.

  Angela nodded her understanding. She quickly flipped to another page. “Might I suggest the Bellagio Package? It includes the photographer, flowers, and a video of the ceremony. We’ll also have some champagne for you when you get back to the suite.”

  Laurie pulled the portfolio onto her lap and read the page. “Yeah, this one looks good. Ross?”

  “Get whatever you want, Laurie. If we walk out of the chapel married, that’s all that matters to me.”

  “I still think it’s a bit too—”

  He didn’t even let her finish. “We’ll take the Bellagio package.”

  Laurie gave him a nervous smile.

  “Okay, then,” Angela said. “We still have a lot to do. You two have to get your marriage license. We’ll send you to the Clerk’s office in a limousine. Then I assume you’ll want to do some shopping.” She glanced up from her planner. “Or do you have your attire already?”

  “Oh, my God. How are we going to do all this in five hours?” Laurie sounded entirely petrified and looked nervously at her wristwatch.

  “Might I suggest we get you shopping after you get the license?” Angela asked. “I know just where to send you.”

  Laurie swallowed hard and nodded. “I’ll take any help you can offer.”

  * * * *

  Ross and Laurie took the Bellagio limo to the County Clerk’s office to get their marriage license. They waited in the short line before filing all the proper paperwork and paying their fee.

  Once they’d met their legal obligations, the limousine shuttled the couple to the Fashion Show Mall just as Angela had suggested. They walked in the Neiman-Marcus entrance and marched straight to a directory that they studied for a few minutes.

  Ross gave her a quick kiss. “Time to split up. We’ve got three hours to get something to wear.” It bothered him that Laurie appeared to still be on the verge of an anxiety attack. “Laurie? You okay with this?”

  She nodded and seemed to rally but still continued to obsessively check her watch. “Yeah, Ross. I’m okay with this. It’s just... There’s so much stuff running through my head. I know the coordinator is taking care of the flowers and the photographer, but we haven’t even found rings yet. And I don’t have a decent dress. And I need someone to do my hair and make-up.” She looked like she might cry. “I want to be pretty for you. How am I supposed to get this all together in three hours?”

  He flashed her an enormous smile and hugged her. “You’re beautiful just the way you are. And I have faith in you. Don’t sweat the rings. I’ll take care of them. You just find a dress and meet me at the chapel at ten. Take the limo back. I’ll catch a cab. And don’t be late.”

  Laurie nodded, even though she wasn’t entirely sure she could handle the one task he’d assigned her. She watched Ross stride away and wanted desperately to call him back. He suddenly stopped, whirled around, and jogged back to her. Then he pulled her into a passionate, mind-melting kiss right there in front of everyone.

  “I’m going to marry you tonight,” he said as he finally eased away.

  If there had been any lingering fear that she wasn’t doing the right thing, it suddenly evaporated as her intuition shouted its acceptance. I love this man! She smiled as she let all she felt for Ross course through her. “Friggin’ right, you are.”

  Laurie watched him walk away again before she turned and hurried back into Neiman-Marcus to search for a proper gown, figuring it was as good a place to start as any. Plus the beautiful pink dress she’d worn the night Ross took her to the Aragon Ballroom had come from the same ritzy store.

  Finding the racks of wedding dresses, Laurie debated whether she should buy a traditional gown or something less formal. She pushed aside a note of sadness that Deepika and her mother weren’t there to help her choose. But they would surely understand and think eloping was romantic.

  Ross and I are free falling, Just the two of us.

  Remembering Ross’s penchant for designer clothing, she decided to sear
ch for something that would truly dazzle him. Then she caught a peek at some of the price tags and immediately went into sticker shock. Five figures? For a dress?

  But this is your wedding. Find something beautiful.

  The sensible part of her personality had a short battle with her romantic nature. She finally decided that, for once, she wouldn’t be frugal with her spending and was grateful she’d grabbed her gold card before they left Bolingbrook.

  Laurie was digging through the plastic covered white and ivory dresses, feeling like she might drown in frills and lace when she heard the approaching click of high heels on the tile floor. An overly thin saleslady dressed in a skin-tight black dress stared at Laurie with one of those you-couldn’t-possibly-fit-in-our-skinny-clothes looks. Laurie wanted to turn and run. She tried to work up some confidence as she continued to flip through the hanging dresses.

  “Can we help you?” the anorexic brunette asked in a voice bordering on a sneer.

  “Yeah, I need to get a dress that’ll fit without alterations. I’m getting married in a few hours.”

  With another critical look trailing from Laurie’s head to her feet, the saleslady said, “Not sure if we can help you, but we’ll try.”

  Laurie had a passing thought that only irritating people and Queen Victoria talked about themselves in plural. Then she got a read on the woman—pure contempt. It was strong enough to knock Laurie’s already faltering confidence. When Laurie self-consciously ran her fingers through her bangs, the woman must have gotten a glance at the injury because she instantly read utterly horrified. The salesgirl’s reaction was more than Laurie could bear.

  Near tears and fighting her overwhelming anxiety, she was about to tell the snooty girl where she could stick her condescension when another saleslady came up and tapped Miss Holier-than-thou on the shoulder. “Valerie, why don’t you take your break?”