by Sharon Kleve
“I’ll punch him again,” Rob promised, “if he keeps insulting Gwen.” He never broke a promise once he’d given it, and if Jeremy didn’t already know that, he’d be pleased to demonstrate.
“Don’t let him touch me!” Jeremy begged the policemen, but they nodded as though they agreed with Rob’s declaration. “I’ll be out before you know it,” he said with a lopsided, pained grin.
“Melissa has already made a statement, but she’s safe in the hospital. Count yourself lucky you didn’t break any bones,” Rob snarled, unable to believe any man could hit a woman. “I believe she has several interviews set up for high profile magazines as well as the tabloids bidding for her story. Your pathetic career is over.”
“Melissa?” Janis’s eyes danced from one man to the other but she didn’t understand any of what was happening.
“You hurt Melissa? What is wrong with you?” Gwen lifted her head and stared at Jeremy’s unrepentant face.
“She’ll be fine,” Rob smiled into Gwen’s eyes. “I think she’s enjoying the attention a little too much.”
“I should have hit her harder,” Jeremy tried to shrug off the hands on his shoulder but his only weapon now was words.
“And I should have done this,” Gwen snarled, leaving Janis’s embrace to stand in front of a surprised Jeremy. His surprise turned into shock as she raised her hand to slap with all her weight across his face. As the force of her blow forced him to step back into the policemen behind him, she reached into his jacket to retrieve a small envelope. “I believe these belong to me.”
She turned away, only to find her way blocked by a strong chest, and as she lifted her head she found her eyes locked onto Rob’s serious face. Jeremy shrieked something as he was led out of the room.
“Did he hurt you?” Rob’s fingertips touched the reddened skin of her throat, the contact so gentle she could scarcely believe he was the same man who’d punched Jeremy only moments before.
“I’ll be fine.” She nodded, and showed him the envelope that contained the negatives.
“We can burn them,” Rob promised and Gwen smiled because he never made a promise he wouldn’t keep. “Doro was upset you didn’t eat any of the cake she made for you.”
“Is there any left?” Gwen asked, surprised at Rob’s words.
“She won’t let anyone near it. I’m sure Romeo is fading away through hunger.”
“Maybe I need to save him.” Gwen grinned wider.
“It would be the kindest thing to do. I don’t know how much longer he can wait and Doro’s done nothing but talk about you.” Rob lowered his head as though about to kiss her.
“Gwen, what is going on and who is Melissa?” Janis stepped into Gwen’s peripheral vision although Gwen only had eyes for Rob.
“Melissa is Denning’s ex,” Gwen muttered while not taking her eyes off Rob’s gorgeous face.
“Shall we go home?” Rob bent low to lift Gwen into his arms before he strode toward the exit and his car that waited outside.
“You left without saying goodbye,” Gwen said as Rob dropped her gently to her feet beside his car.
“Because I intended to return.” He pulled the door open for her, and his hand brushed her hair from her face as she moved past him.
“I didn’t think I would ever see you again.” Gwen lifted a hand to his face which he lowered to place a soft kiss on her palm.
“I’m not that easy to get rid of.” Rob fastened his seat belt and turned the key in the ignition. “I got a frantic call from Melissa and had to take her to the hospital. She told me about Jeremy’s sick little plan and when I found out he planned to attend the same function as you, I couldn’t let you walk into danger.” He turned his head, and shook it ruefully. “I managed to talk my way in without a ticket but people kept taking me for a waiter. I’m sorry it took me so long to get to you. If he had ….” He let his words trail off. He didn’t know what he would have done if Jeremy hurt her.
“He didn’t.” Gwen placed her hand over his on the gear shift. “I had a brave knight to save me.”
****
“Do you mind if we leave the cake until the morning?” Rob stepped through the doorway with Gwen in his arms. She didn’t seem to mind being so close to him now.
“I’m not hungry for cake right now.” Gwen smiled naughtily, with a glow in her cheeks. “What did you do with the condoms?”
Rob laughed.
“You are a brazen hussy.” He bent his head to taste Gwen’s lips. Their first kiss wasn’t a disappointment but the evening was still young. She had many more delights to discover. He kicked open his bedroom door. There would be no sleeping on the sofa for him tonight.
“Do you want to get married?”
“To you?” Gwen’s head shot up. Was he asking her to marry him? In her current state of mind, it didn’t seem such a bad idea. He was kind and caring, had a strong loving family behind him and a lovely home to live in. Wasn’t that everything she’d ever dreamed of?
“Of course, to me. Do you have any other men who want your hand in marriage?” He laughed, and placed her on his bed. Now he had her here, he wouldn’t let her go. He was a stubborn man with passionate, possessive Italian blood. He hoped she understood that he’d claimed her and she wouldn’t get away.
“Gwen Lancaster, will you marry me?” He dropped to his knees, his eyes gazing at her face as his heart beat an unsteady tune. Gwen frowned as though she didn’t believe him, but soon her lips lifted in a warm smile and tears rushed to her eyes.
“Yes.”
Loud laughter greeted her acceptance as Doro, Bonnie and Romeo stuck their heads around the door.
“Way to go,” chuckled Romeo but he didn’t venture any further into the room, unsure of his reception. Doro didn’t have the same reservation and she rushed forward, her arms held out wide and gathered both of them into her embrace.
“My darlings,” she gushed, tears of happiness wetting both of their cheeks. “I’m so happy for you. You will make beautiful babies together.”
“Hold back on the babies for now,” Rob said. “I’ve only just got her to agree to marriage. I don’t want to scare her off with the football team of children I want.”
“I don’t think you could scare me off,” Gwen said softly as Rob gathered her into his arms in front of his family, an affirmation of how he felt about her. She hadn’t believed in love at first sight but now she couldn’t think of anything else. “You haven’t said anything about love.”
“I think I fell in love with you the moment I saw you with that ridiculous cushion in your hand,” he said, his breath warm on her cheek.
“I wanted to hit you with it,” she replied.
“But you didn’t.”
“Only because you took it off me.” She laughed. It had only been a few days but she knew Rob was the only man for her.
“I’ll have to make sure we never have anything handy enough for you to throw.” He joined in with her sweet laugh. It was a gorgeous sound and suited her pretty face.
A loud bark and a mountain of black fur knocked into his legs as the last member of the family joined in with the celebrations. Gwen giggled out loud as she bent to greet the massive Sasha.
Yes, she decided, this was what family was all about and now it was her family. A firm hand on her shoulder brought her back to her feet as a warm pair of lips touched hers.
“I will love you forever,” Rob promised as he lifted his lips from hers. Gwen smiled as she laid her head against his hard chest with his arms around her, because Roberto Denning never made a promise he didn’t keep.
The End
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