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

by James, Sandy

  From the increasing frequency of Laurie’s yawns, Josh figured the mother and daughter would both be heading for bed soon. He couldn’t help but picture Sarah nursing a beautiful baby of her own. His baby. A little girl with her mother’s eyes.

  Libby yawned and checked her watch. She stood up, stretched, and said, “It’s almost midnight. I need to go check my email. Then I’ll see if Dylan’s online. Goodnight, everyone.”

  Laurie opened her eyes and smiled at Libby. “’Night, Libby.”

  “Goodnight, Miss Elizabeth,” Josh added. He looked over to find Sarah lost in thought again.

  “’Night, Pop.” Libby headed up the stairs and disappeared down the second floor hall.

  Checking under the blanket, Laurie smiled. After a few minutes of adjusting her clothing, she pulled the pink covering aside to reveal a sleeping Jill. “It’s way past both our bedtimes,” she whispered. “Goodnight.”

  “’Night, Doctor Miller,” Josh quietly replied.

  “Thanks for everything, Laurie,” Sarah added.

  “You’re welcome. If you want, we can talk more tomorrow.”

  “Thanks,” Sarah said with a nod.

  Laurie headed for the stairs, carrying her slumbering daughter over her shoulder.

  Josh glanced over to where Sarah was curled up on the couch, her legs tucked under her. She stared at the big stone fireplace as if a fire burned for her to watch, as if she was hypnotized by the sight of dancing flames greedily licking some log. He got out of his chair and went to sit beside her. She smiled and turned to face him.

  “Why do you call her Doctor Miller? She’s married.”

  “She uses her maiden name professionally, but I’ve called her that since she got her PhD.” He shrugged. “I guess I still can’t get used to the idea she’s not a Miller anymore. So you talked to her? About healing?”

  “Yeah.”

  “And?”

  “Joshua, everything’s fine. Stop worrying so much.”

  Since everyone else seemed to think it was time to head to bed, Josh decided he’d follow suit, although sleep was the furthest thing from his mind. Reaching for Sarah, he grabbed her and dragged her onto his lap. She let out a surprised squeak, but quickly settled against him, pushing her arms around his neck. Josh rested his forehead against hers. “It’s time to go to bed.”

  “It is? Well, I suppose I am awfully tired.”

  “I wasn’t thinking about sleep.” Sliding one hand under her knees and the other around her waist, he stood, taking her with him. He felt like taking the stairs two at a time just to get to the bedroom faster.

  Sarah glanced back over his shoulder as he passed her room. “Joshua... That was my—”

  “I know.”

  “But shouldn’t I stay—”

  “No.” Carrying her into his room, he kicked the door shut behind them.

  “What about Libby and—”

  Josh stopped her questions with a kiss. No soft kiss either. A deep ravage of that sweet mouth of hers. He caught her accepting sigh and smiled against her lips.

  “I don’t have anything to wear to bed.”

  “Perfect.” He released her legs to let her slowly slide down the length of his body. Every inch of her excited him. Hell, he’d been hard from the second he put her on his lap. Slow probably wasn’t going to cut it this time. He pulled her shirt over her head and threw it behind him. Then he did the same with his.

  Where had she found a black lace bra? No, slow just wasn’t going to happen tonight. At least the hook gave up without a fight, freeing those perfect pink-tipped breasts.

  Josh knelt beside her and slowly dragged the gray yoga pants down her body, letting Sarah step out of them. Socks were peeled off, and his hands ran back up her legs. He savored each tremble, each tiny catch in her breath. If she liked being touched, he’d be more than happy to oblige her. She didn’t hesitate until he looped his fingers through her panties, more than ready to have them out of the way.

  “Joshua, we probably shouldn’t—”

  Like he’d give her time to finish such a ridiculous notion. The panties were banished, and he rose to grab her around the waist and set her on his bed, her legs dangling over the side.

  Josh had no intention of letting her have any time to think about what he was going to do and perhaps launch some silly protest about Libby or Laurie knowing they’d shared a room. He fell to his knees next to the bed and grabbed her thighs. Gently spreading them, he buried his lips against her core. A surprised gasp escaped her lips, and her thighs squeezed together against his ears. He pushed them a little farther apart and continued his tender assault on her senses.

  The world vanished in her mind. Sarah’s universe shrank to nothing except Joshua Miller. He was driving her insane, licking and teasing and making each nerve in her body come alive. Every muscle was taut with desire. She arched her back, offering herself to him as she threaded her fingers through his hair in a silent demand he continue the blissful torture.

  Bending her knees, her heels dug into the mattress, scooting her further up the bed. Josh followed, never stopping the insistence of his tongue. Sarah’s body writhed and arched, almost coming off the mattress as he added his hand to the sensual assault, slipping a finger inside her. “Joshua... Please. I need you.” But he gave no quarter. Her pleas only seemed to drive him on. Everything inside her suddenly shattered, setting a shower of bright lights through her mind as her body bucked beneath him.

  Quickly striping his jeans and boxers, Josh lifted her and arranged a clearly dazed Sarah on the bed so his body could cover hers. Starting with kisses on her flat belly, he worked his way up, worshiping each inch of skin with his lips and tongue. Her gorgeous innie. Each rib. Under each breast. Around the nipples until she moaned. Only then did he settle his mouth over one and gently suckle.

  Sarah never came down from the first climax before Josh set her body tensing with anticipation again. She didn’t want to reach the pinnacle a second time without him. “Please...” Josh just chuckled and shifted to her other breast. How he maintained any composure was simply beyond her. No, he could be wild too, and she decided to make him burn the same way he fired everything inside her.

  Thinking he was the one controlling their lovemaking, Sarah did something that showed him Josh was much at her mercy as she was at his. Her hand slipped between them, fluttering down his stomach until her cool fingers encircled his erection and began to stroke him.

  What remained of his tenuous control snapped. Settling himself between her thighs, Josh plunged into her. Wet. Tight. And so very hot. Between the pleasure of being inside her and the taste of her still on his lips, he almost came on the spot. A couple of deep breaths helped slow his response until Sarah wrapped her legs around his waist and started pushing her hips against him in a cadence he quickly matched. When her body began to tighten around him, he gave up his battle and let his orgasm wash over him, burying his face against her slender neck as he listened to her whispering his name over and over again.

  Long moments passed until Josh came back to the world with a gentle tap on his shoulder. He was probably crushing her. Almost too tired to hold himself up, he grabbed her and rolled until Sarah lay sprawled on top of him. He thought she was humming, but the endearing sound was so quiet, he wasn’t quite sure. That and the fact the whoosh of his own rapid heartbeat still echoed in his ears.

  A long moment passed before Sarah finally spoke. “Wow. That was... And you... Wow.”

  Josh chuckled, pleased with her addled response. He’d reduced her to monosyllabic status. “Wow, yourself. You’re a fast learner,” he said, giving her pert, freckled nose a kiss.

  Sarah’s body was still thrumming, still singing from what Josh had done to her. “Only because you’re a great teacher. With everything you’ve taught me, I’m sure my next lover will be—” Her words faded into an astonished squeal as Josh flipped to cover her body with his, bracing his elbows on each side of her head. His demeanor changed so fast
, Sarah could only gape at him. Right now he was breathing so hard, his nostrils flared. Those gorgeous eyes which were always so caring had gone hard.

  “You won’t have any other lovers. Ever.” The last word came through clenched teeth.

  She’d only been teasing, but the possessiveness of the statement sent shivers of heat racing through her. Josh was jealous. He really did care. She couldn’t help but smile. He clearly took the reaction wrong.

  “I mean it, Sarah. There won’t be others. You’re mine.”

  She loved this “Me, Tarzan; You, Jane” side of his personality.

  “Say it.” A command, and yet a plea was there in his eyes.

  “There won’t be others, Joshua.”

  “Damn right.” He kissed her long and hard. “Damn right.”

  “I love you.” The words slipped out before she could stop them.

  His responding grin made her heart melt like butter in a hot frying pan. “I love you too.” Shifting to his side, Josh propped himself up on an elbow as one hand rested on her belly. “So you and Laurie talked things out?”

  Sarah nodded and laid her hand over his, interlacing their fingers. Then with her other hand, she tugged the sheet over them both, still not used to being naked in front of him. Enough moonlight bathed the room to make her self-conscious. He had the nerve to smirk at her.

  “I’m going to set some limits,” she finally announced.

  “I don’t want you healing anymore. Period.”

  “I know what you want. But I can’t ignore this...gift. I can’t just walk away knowing people need me.” How could she make him understand? “I’m not going to see more than one client a week.” When he opened his mouth to argue, Sarah shook her head. “Just listen. Please?”

  Although Josh gathered his brows together and frowned, he gave her a curt nod. Then he planted a quick kiss on her lips.

  “Just one a week. And mostly children. I know Hannah was taking advantage of me. I won’t let that happen anymore.”

  “You’re going back to Indianapolis?”

  “I assumed...”

  Sarah loved his responding chuckle. Deep and baritone, it settled on her heart like a loving caress. “Why, Miss Reid. Don’t you know what they say happens when you assume?”

  Assume or hope? Either way she was making an ass of herself. She let the comment hang. “I don’t think Hannah and Doug are going to take it well that I only want to see one a week. They’ll both have to get jobs, and I should too. The trust fund is almost gone.”

  “I know how to solve your little problem with your sister and her waste of a husband.”

  “Oh? Well, then enlighten me. How can you solve my little problem with my sister and her waste of a husband?”

  Josh flashed her a handsome smile full of mischief. “By not having you go back to Indianapolis.”

  “And where would I go?”

  “Naperville.”

  “Naperville? Why in the world would I go to Naperville? I don’t even know where it is.”

  “Because that’s where I live. And it’s in Illinois. I want you to come home with me, Sarah. I want us to get married.”

  Surely she’d heard him wrong. Josh couldn’t possibly be saying what she thought he was saying. They hadn’t known each other for very long at all. How could he even think of marrying someone like her—someone who had no idea what kind of future lay before her? The only ridiculous thing that would tumble from her mouth was, “Are you kidding me?”

  Boy, those blue eyes of his could shoot daggers when they wanted to. Right now they were aimed right at her. “I’m not kidding, Sarah. Not in the least.”

  “Why would you want to marry me? We hardly know each other.”

  “Gee, let me see.” Josh lifted the sheet to stare at her naked body. She grabbed the cover and draped it back over her body. “Seems like we’re in bed together. Naked. In the Miller family, that’s plenty of reason to get married.”

  “But—”

  Josh silenced her with a quick kiss. “Think about it, honey. Neither of us is the type of person to sleep around.”

  “Yeah, but—”

  “And we’re not kids. I’m going to be thirty-eight soon. I know my own mind.”

  “But—”

  “No. No ‘but.’ I love you, Sarah. You love me. What do you have waiting for you in Indianapolis?”

  Nothing! she wanted to shout. I have nothing! Except the people who needed her to heal them. What kind of life would that offer to Josh and Libby? What kind of burden would she become to them? What would happen to Hannah if Sarah didn’t keep a roof over her head?

  Josh knew that look and wasn’t about to let her backslide into some ridiculous feeling of obligation to people she didn’t even know and to family who clearly didn’t give a damn about her. Sarah’s only obligation—for once in her life—needed to be to herself. “You can’t save everyone.” She frowned at him. God, but she was a stubborn woman. He chose another tack he hoped might sway her. “You know, you might be pregnant.”

  Sarah’s eyes were wide enough, he wondered if they hurt. “Pregnant? Oh, my God. I didn’t even... I didn’t think about... We didn’t use any birth control.”

  He gave her a self-satisfied grin. “You didn’t have time to think.”

  “I was too... I just wanted to...” Her face flushed red enough it had to feel like it was on fire. “Well, you didn’t think about it either.”

  He didn’t bother to correct her. “It’s alright.”

  “No. It’s not. If I’m... We should have...” The woman was monosyllabic again.

  “Would it be that terrible, Sarah?” Her frightened gaze found his. “Wouldn’t you like to have a baby with me? To make us a family?”

  A baby. Sarah scarcely braved to think. He wanted to know if she wanted a baby. Lord, she felt like an idiot. Why hadn’t she even thought about birth control? That answer was simple. Because Josh pickled her brain every time he touched her. That was why.

  A baby. Sarah thought about Jill and how each of the little girl’s smiles touched her heart. She thought about how holding Jill had felt so right. And she thought about wishing for something she’d never dared hope for before.

  Joshua’s baby. A family. They could make a family.

  Sarah finally nodded, not trusting herself to speak with the lump rising in her throat, threatening to choke off her air.

  “Marry me, Sarah. Come back with me to my home. Come back with me and Libby. Be my wife.”

  She answered the only way she could. Throwing the sheet from their bodies, she reached up behind his head and pulled him down to her, saying yes with a kiss.

  Chapter 17

  Although she’d driven by it several times in the past, Sarah hadn’t imagined how busy the small Rockport Airport would be. Josh had landed the plane and was finishing whatever it was he had to do to leave it parked there for a day or two before they headed to Chicago. Heaven knew she didn’t know what needed to be done with an airplane. Sarah and Libby carried their luggage through the small terminal, heading toward where Libby said they’d left Josh’s rental car. She didn’t even want to think about how much it would cost to have left the car there for over a week.

  Sarah still felt guilty taking home the clothes Josh bought for her in Montana. She’d argued with him, saying they should leave them at the Circle M, teasing him that other hostages might need them one day. Josh had just kissed her and told her they were engagement gifts, so Sarah took them with her—along with the small rolling suitcase he’d brought back for her the last time he’d gone into River Bend.

  Laurie and Jill had left the day before. The gratitude she felt for Josh’s cousin was overwhelming. Laurie had helped Sarah in more ways than the counselor would ever know.

  For the first time, Sarah felt in control of her gift, not a victim of it. Nor would she be a victim of Hannah and Doug’s greed any longer. Sarah would set her own schedule. She would heal only a few people a month, although she would still fee
l sad she couldn’t heal more. But if she overused her gift, she’d put her own health in jeopardy. Her own life mattered now. If not to Sarah, then to Joshua and Libby.

  No. I matter to me, too.

  Sarah smiled at people who passed her as she and Libby waited at the front door for Josh. The day was full of sunshine that streamed in the windows, dancing across the tile as each person who walked by interrupted the rays. Happy and content, it took Sarah a moment to notice exactly what was missing.

  Not a single person who passed her had an aura.

  That’s odd. She’d grown used to a good third of the people she saw having an aura, even if only a small one that showed they probably had something like a head cold. But not one person passing her had an aura. Not a single one.

  Sarah’s thoughts started to spin as she realized she hadn’t seen any auras the last time she’d gone into River Bend with Josh and Libby. Why hadn’t she noticed?

  Because I was too happy. Because I was thinking about being with Joshua, not about sick people.

  Before she could ponder too hard about the peculiarity, Josh came striding across the foyer. Taking her hand in his, he grabbed the handle of her suitcase and dragged it behind them on their way to the parking lot.

  Turning to say something to Libby, Sarah was surprised to find the usually relaxed girl nibbling on her bottom lip. Then she realized how uncharacteristically quiet Libby had been the whole trip back. “Something wrong, Miss Elizabeth?” Sarah asked.

  “Um... I... Um... No.” Sarah caught a mumbled, “At least I hope not,” and wondered what was making her so nervous.

  Josh gave Sarah a sidelong glance. “You okay?”

  She nodded, but held tight to that comforting hand. “Hannah’s going to be furious.”