He gave her a rough kiss on the forehead. “Thanks, little sister.”
Before the door closed, Haven stepped inside. She took one look at her husband and clapped her hand over her mouth to keep from screaming.
Heath lay pale and still, IVs were hooked up to his left hand, while a heart monitor was clipped to his pointer finger. His normally tan face and flushed cheeks were deathly pale. Dark bruises were under his eyes, a result of impact from the air bag, she guessed.
More bruises mottled his neck. Slowly, his chest rose and fell.
Since Luke hadn’t explained the extent of his injuries, she had no idea how serious they were, but if she had to judge on looks alone—she swallowed down another lump in her throat.
Edging closer to the bed, she tried to stop her body from shaking uncontrollably, but the truth was hard to ignore.
He could have died today. He could have died thinking that she didn’t love him. Even if he’d chosen Bella over her, didn’t he deserve all the facts in order to make that choice?
His pinky finger twitched.
She rushed to the bed and grabbed his hand, crawling into bed beside him, uncaring if it was against the rules.
He could be dying for all she knew.
“I’m here. It’s me. Haven.” She kissed his bruised cheek, taking care not to press too hard. “I’m not going anywhere. So you can’t either.” Her voice broke, cracked like the rest of her, exposing her vulnerable heart. “You trusted me with so much, and I’m going to do the same. I’m going to trust you, but you have to come back to me, Heath.”
One of the monitors started beeping faster, and she panicked. She had to tell him—it was now or never.
“I have a confession to make,” she whispered in his ear. Tears fell hot and wet on their skin as she continued. “I love you. I’ve always loved you, from the very first time I saw you. But you weren’t mine and when you became Bella’s I was so jealous and guilty of having feelings for you that I didn’t know what to do, except to become a horrible person whenever you were around. Then it just became a part of my personality—I snapped at everyone, but you most of all you. And I’m so sorry.”
She was sobbing now, loudly. Her chest heaved and her body shook from the force of them. “I’m sorry for hurting you, for pushing you away, and trying to push you back to her. I want you for myself. I need you. I know you can’t hear me, but please don’t go to her. Please stay with me.”
Laying her hand over his steadily beating heart, she whispered brokenly, “Please stay.”
“Until we’re seventy,” he croaked.
Heath grimaced as Haven half-screamed into his ear and sat up. “You’re alive. Oh my God. You’re alive.” She went scarlet. “And you’re awake.”
“I am. A little worse for wear, but all in all, I’m okay.” The IVs in his arm got caught in the railing when he tried to take her in his arms. His body protested slightly. He was sore all over from the wreck. “Come here, baby, and let me hold you.”
Without any hesitation, she went willingly into his arms. “I’m so glad you’re alive.”
“But not awake?”
“Depends on how awake you were,” she said with a sniff. Her entire body trembled.
“I was slightly awake, but the drugs they’ve given me make things fuzzy,” he lied.
“Oh, well, that’s good. Do you know what happened?”
“I remember a car coming at me, but that’s about it.”
“It was Lily Sawyer’s. Luke is here. He says she’s in a coma.”
“Shit,” he muttered. “I can’t imagine what he’s going through.”
“I can.” Tears threatened to consume her again. “I thought…when I saw you…”
He threaded the fingers on his good hand into her hair. “Brave girl, make your confession to me again.”
“I’m afraid,” she said.
“You’re not afraid of anything,” he countered.
She lifted her head, her tearstained face the most beautiful sight he’d ever beheld. “I’m afraid of you never loving me like I do you.”
He smiled tenderly. “How do you know that I don’t already love you? How do you know that I don’t already love you more than you could imagine?”
“Because you love Bella.” She bit her lip.
“I loved Bella once, but I love you now.”
Her eyes rounded, the gold and blue so bright that it almost blinded him. “You love me?”
“I do. I want you. I need you. Fight for me.” Sure, he’d had women chase him, but he’d never had one fight to stay with him, at least not when things got tough or serious. “Fight for us.”
A heartbeat passed, then two, followed by a thousand more before she spoke.
“You’re not going to her,” she finally said. “I refuse to let you go.”
Hope surged, making his heart slam against his chest. “That’s it.”
“You’re mine, and I’m yours.”
“Hell yes, I’m yours. My past didn’t stand a chance against you.” He cupped the back of her head and brought her mouth to his. “I love my wife. I adore my wife.”
“I love my husband,” she said breathlessly. “I adore my husband.”
“And I want babies right away,” he said.
“And I want babies—you do?” A look of shock passed over her face. “Are you sure because I can wait. I can totally wait.”
He nodded, then grimaced and hissed in pain. His neck hurt like hell. “Near death experiences have a funny way of showing you what you want.”
“The only reason you want me is because you almost died?”
“No, almost dying reminded me of all the reasons I needed to live.” He had to make her understand that the wreck didn’t make him suddenly love her. “I already loved you. Your bullshit order about going to Bella—was just that. Bullshit. The only reason I left was because I was pissed and needed time to cool off, but I was coming right back to you, to tell you how much I loved you.”
She melted against him, then got a mischievously seductive look on her face. “Does the hospital have a policy about what we do in here because I was thinking… if you’re up to it, that is…” She drew a circle on his chest. “Maybe we could get started on that babies right now thing.”
His eyes widened and his body got all hard. He didn’t give a damn about policies. The sheet tented from his erection. “Pretty sure I’m up to it.”
“But your injuries,” she said, kissing the side of his neck.
“I look way worse than I feel. The doctor said the light injuries I sustained made me a soon-to-be walking miracle.” He cupped her breast. “I’m thinking that if I’m cleared to walk, then I’m sure as hell cleared to make love to my wife.”
She laughed, and he captured her mouth, taking the sound of her love and joy into his soul.
“We really need to let your parents know that you’re okay,” she said, a few heated moments later.
“They’ve already figured it out.”
“Oh God. They saw us?”
He cupped the side of her face. “We’re married—there is absolutely no shame in getting caught with your own wife, Haven.”
“Mrs. Haven Ambrose,” she said.
“Damn straight.” Then he covered her mouth with his once more.
Epilogue
‡
Three years later
Haven sat on the back porch of Chesson House, watching as father and son played catch. Every so often, Heath would look up at her, checking to see if she was okay.
Smiling, she stroked the cat that sat on top of her very pregnant belly. “Gotham still needs me, don’t you?” she said.
The cat purred in reply, arching against her hand.
A strong kick from her belly, however, sent the cat tumbling. Gotham landed on her feet, giving her a die-now-human look. “Sorry, it wasn’t me.”
“Last time, buddy, then we have to go cook for Momma.” Heath threw the ball to Carson. Already a natural, her baby boy
caught the ball easily.
Heath praised him, and then they walked her way. “Ready to eat?” He leaned over and kissed her, then kissed her stomach. “My baby okay in there?”
“He’s fine, just like his brother and daddy.”
Carson copied Heath, then pressed his ear against her tummy. “Hewwwo in there.”
Laughing, Haven brushed his silky hair back. “Your brother says hello back.”
“And the momma, is she okay?” Heath asked, helping her to her feet.
Pretty soon, she’d be even more outmanned—or womanned—but she didn’t mind one bit. The men in her life—grown and little—doted on her, treated her with respect, and loved her like no other.
“She is wonderful.”
Heath smiled, framing her face in his hands. “She certainly is. I can’t take my eyes off you, Haven.”
“You got a crush on me, huh?”
“Always you.” He kissed her gently. “Only you.”
*
Thank you for reading Haven and Heath’s story. Please consider leaving a review to let others know what you thought. And don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter so you’ll stay up to date on all my releases!
Keep reading for a sneak peek at The Forgotten Bride, coming May 19th you can preorder it now or add it to your TBR at Goodreads!
The Forgotten Bride
Coming May 19th
Sexy former reality television star Luke Ambrose has finally returned to make a home in Holland Springs again—this time as the newest doctor for the town’s local clinic. However, he has no intentions of reopening old wounds by getting anywhere near his ex. Only, fate has other plans…
After slipping into a coma due to a freak car accident, Lily Sawyer finally wakes up in the hospital, unable to remember how she got there. But what she does know—she’s a dance teacher and she’s married to her high school sweetheart, Luke. Only, she can’t figure out why he’s so distant.
Unable to abandon Lily in a time of crisis for the second time, Luke pretends to be the husband she needs until reality replaces fantasy, and neither of them can deny the passion that threatens to consume them.
But when Lily begins to regain her memory, will she leave him once again, or give their love the second chance it deserves?
Luke sat by the hospital bed, counting off the seconds as he stared at the woman lying in it. Her auburn hair was splayed against her pillow, but it wasn’t tangled. He’d taken the time to brush it out.
It had been two weeks since the accident that had caused Lily to slip into a coma. Two weeks since he’d moved from his vigil at her side. He refused to leave her.
His partner at the clinic was understanding and had hired some extra help. Honestly, the woman had no other choice. The clinic could rot for all he cared.
He caressed the porcelain skin of her face, wishing for more signs of life beyond the ride and fall of her chest.
Once more, he lowered his head into his hands and began to pray. He heard movement and glanced up.
Lily’s lashes began to flutter. He leaned forward, holding his breath.
“C’mon, baby. Wake up for me. You can do it,” he finally said when her movements grew more consistent.
Slowly, her eyes opened all the way, and then closed again. He jumped up from his chair, pressing the nurse’s station button by the bed.
“Lily,” he shouted.
Her lashes trembled, then her eyes opened again, their chocolate depths seemingly taking everything in.
Whisking out his penlight, he checked her pupils, noting with a sigh that they dilated normally.
She batted his hand away, surprisingly easily for a woman who’d barely moved over the past two weeks without help. “Stop it, Luke.”
Nurses and the doctor on call came rushing in, checking her stats and the monitors hooked up to her.
Luke fell to his knees in gratitude, grabbing her hand and kissing the knuckles. No matter how she felt about him, about their failed marriage, or how he failed her… he wanted to weep with joy that she’d come through this okay.
“Hi Lily, I’m Doctor Height. Can you tell me what you remember?”
She glanced at Luke, confusion growing in her eyes. “I’m not sure exactly.”
“It’s okay, honey, just tell him the first thing that comes to mind. You have a concussion, and we want to make sure you’re all right.”
Confusion gave way to relief as she said, “I was cooking breakfast for Luke before he had to leave for rounds.”
Everyone in the room glanced at him, while he couldn’t stop staring at his ex-wife.
“That’s good, Lily. You know who Dr. Ambrose is, then.”
“Why wouldn’t I know my husband?” She turned to him. “We’re practically newlyweds.”
Books by Marquita Valentine
Brides of Holland Springs Series
The Billionaire Bride
The Temporary Bride
The Forgotten Bride
The Christmas Bride (December 1st, 2015)
Lawson Brothers Series
Love So Hot
Love So True
Love So Irresistible
Love So Tempting (August 18th, 2015)
Seducing the Billionaire Series
Seducing the Billionaire’s Wife
Seducing the Billionaire’s Secretary (September, 2015)
Seducing the Billionaire’s Brother (September, 2015)
Holland Springs Series
Drive Me Crazy
Driving to You
Twice Tempted
Third Time’s a Charm
His Christmas Wish
Just Desserts
Not Over You
Be Mine
Boys of the South Series
Live For You
Only For You
True for You
All For You
Wish For You
Burn For You
Melt for You
Take the Fall Series
Take the Fall (July 21st, 2015)
When We Fall (November, 2015)
After We Fall (March 2016)
Acknowledgements
There are so many people I would like to thank for helping me with The Temporary Bride. Thank you to Autumn Hull and Cynthia Shepp for their amazing attention to detail and suggestions.
Big hugs to my readers—you make what I do each and every day worthwhile.
And last but never least, I want to thank my family for supporting me. I love y’all so much.
About the Author
Marquita Valentine is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Holland Springs, Seducing the Billionaire, The Lawson Brothers, and Boys of the South Series.
Since first taking the plunge in July of 2012 to self-publish, Marquita Valentine has sold over a quarter of a million books around the world. She’s appeared on the Top 100 Bestselling Ebooks Lists on iBooks, Amazon Kindle, and Barnes&Noble. She’s been called “one of the best new voices in romance” (Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews) and her books have been accused of being “a sexy, fun, and slightly addicting contemporary read” (The Book Queen).
When she’s not writing sexy heroes who adore their sassy heroines, she enjoys shopping, reading, and spending time with her family and friends. Married to her high school sweetheart, Marquita lives in a seriously small town in the south with her husband, two kids, and a dog.
www.marquitavalentine.com
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