Falling for the Brooding Doc

by Annie Claydon

  He’d accepted what life had offered him and made the best he could of it. Now he had to go out on a limb to get what he really wanted.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  LAURIE LOOKED WONDERFUL. She was wearing a cream, silky blouse with dark trousers, and the flaming red of her hair lifted the outfit from sensible to incredibly sexy.

  She was nervous, though, Ross could see that. Even from this distance, right at the back of the auditorium, it was obvious that she was reading a prepared statement about the new initiative and she stumbled a couple of times. But Sam was magnificent. She gave Laurie an excited smile and asked the question that Ross had primed her with, the one he knew that Laurie would want to answer. Then Laurie started to loosen up a bit.

  He mentally ticked off the points she made in his head. When she missed one, Sam came to the rescue and asked an appropriate question. All the work that he and Anita had done with Sam had been worth it.

  The presentation finished to loud applause, and people began to crowd around Laurie. He should go. But Ross didn’t move from his seat, wanting to see her at the centre of everyone’s attention for just a little while longer.

  He saw Sam scanning the audience as the lights in the auditorium went up. The look on her face and the impatient movement of her hand signified that he should be down on the stage, congratulating Laurie. Ross shook his head. Now wasn’t the time.

  But Laurie had turned, looking at Sam and then following her gaze. Her head tipped up towards him and for a moment they were the only two people in the crowded space. Then that cool, emotionless look that told Ross that Laurie was struggling with her emotions as much as he was.

  He really did have to go now. He should leave her there, in the limelight, to do what she’d come here to do. Ross dragged his gaze away from the stage, looking for the nearest exit.

  * * *

  Ross was here. Laurie felt sick with excitement and then horrified that he’d got up from his seat and left the auditorium as soon as she’d seen him. It wasn’t like him to turn away from a confrontation, however awkward, and Laurie tried not to go through all the reasons why he might have done and concentrate on the conversations she was having with the people around her.

  It all took a while. There were questions, expressions of support, and a few pleas for help. The contact sheets they’d drawn up were filling fast, and that was exactly what she and Sam had hoped for. There was no way Laurie could have followed Ross, and even if she had, she didn’t know what to say to him. Tell him about the pain of being apart from him? That she loved him? Or just lie to him and tell him that she’d succeeded without him and that she didn’t need him?

  Finally, it was just her and Sam, standing on the stage together, watching the outside broadcast team pack up their equipment. Laurie hugged Sam, and they walked back to the reception area of the hotel that was hosting the conference, where Jamie was waiting with Timothy. Laurie made a smiling excuse when Jamie asked her to join them for a spot of lunch and retreated to the lift, breathing a sigh of relief as the doors closed, leaving her alone.

  She needed time to think. Ross was here and that had to mean something. Her hotel room on the fourteenth floor had the dual advantage of being somewhere to consider her next move and also somewhere that he could find her if he wanted to...

  Laurie kicked off her shoes, deciding that she wouldn’t explore the possibility that Ross would ask in Reception for her room number. He’d left the auditorium when she’d seen him, and he clearly wasn’t in any hurry to see her. She dialled room service and ordered coffee.

  ‘That was quick...’ The knock had sounded after only a couple of minutes and Laurie had pulled the door open, expecting to see the room-service waiter outside.

  Ross. Looking just as deliciously handsome as ever. More so. Laurie wasn’t a connoisseur of men in suits, but he wore his very well. Darkly immaculate and thrillingly dangerous sprang to mind.

  ‘You’re waiting for someone?’ The gesture of his hand indicated that he could go away and come back later.

  ‘No! Well, yes, but it’s only room service.’ If she had to grab him and strong-arm him into the room, she was prepared to do it.

  But that wasn’t necessary. His gaze met hers, and that gorgeous synchronicity of movement that they’d always shared kicked in. She stepped back from the door at the same moment that Ross stepped forward. Nothing else mattered now, just that they were both breathing the same air.

  ‘The presentation was great. Inspiring. You’ve worked hard.’

  Was that what he’d come to say? Laurie swallowed down her disappointment. ‘Thanks. Sam saved my life a couple of times. How long have you been here?’

  ‘I arrived late last night.’

  ‘And when were you thinking of leaving?’

  ‘Not until I’d spoken to you.’

  The whole world seemed suddenly bathed in light. And then she was in his arms. How that had happened wasn’t entirely clear to Laurie, but she didn’t care. She heard the door slam as Ross kicked it closed behind him, and snuggled into his embrace, breathing in his scent.

  ‘Laurie... I’ve missed you so much.’

  ‘Not as much as I missed you...’

  ‘You want to make a competition out of it?’ He smiled down at her and all the things that she wanted to say to him were lost in the gentle, flickering fire of his eyes.

  ‘Yes. Let’s do that.’

  He kissed her, with all the passion and longing that she felt. Brilliant happiness robbed Laurie of anything other than the thought that he was here and holding her in his arms. And when she kissed him back she felt the sweet response of his body against hers.

  Now all she could think of was the bed, and the few yards between them and it. Maybe they wouldn’t even make it. Passion was clawing at her and Ross’s kisses were driving everything else from her head. If she had only these moments with him, she would take them and deal with the consequences later.

  She slipped his jacket from his shoulders, and Ross shrugged it off. Slowly, deliberately, she loosened his tie. Making him wait while the passion built between them, even more heady than it had ever been. He pulled her back against him, kissing her with a hunger that made her head spin.

  Another knock on the door, and a voice announcing that this time it really was room service, made them spring apart guiltily. Laurie opened the door, feeling in her pocket for a tip, and then grabbed the tray, dumping it onto the credenza before she turned back to face Ross.

  Gone. The moment was gone. She could see it in his face.

  ‘Second thoughts?’

  He pressed his lips together. ‘It’s not what I came for, Laurie. I came to talk.’

  ‘Okay. I’ll ask them to bring another cup...’ She made for the door, wondering if the waiter had disappeared into the lift yet, but Ross caught her arm.

  ‘I don’t need coffee. What I do need is to tell you that I love you. If you can forgive me, and love me too, then we need to sit down and work out what we’re going to do about that.’

  * * *

  There was only one cup. That didn’t matter, she was just concentrating on irrelevant details because she couldn’t get her head around the enormity of what Ross had just said. Laurie resisted the temptation to throw herself into his arms because he was right. They needed to talk about this. She poured the coffee with a shaking hand, taking a sip and then handing the cup to him.

  ‘I love you, too. I’m sorry I left without saying goodbye.’

  ‘Don’t be. I drove you away, and...it was wrong of me. I couldn’t see a way for us to be together and I thought it was for the best. I’m sorry.’ Ross took a sip of coffee and handed the cup back to her, sitting down on the bed.

  ‘Now we’ve got that over with...’ Laurie sat down next to him, her heart thumping wildly. ‘What are we going to do now?’

  Everything depended on his answer.
Laurie had thought about it and hadn’t been able to find a plan that might work. She had to trust that Ross would be able to provide the answers that she couldn’t, and suddenly that didn’t seem so impossible.

  ‘I know that I’m not a good prospect for anyone...’ He stumbled over the words, and Laurie laid her hand on his.

  ‘You just happen to be the one that I want. I’ve no desire to change that, even if I could.’

  ‘I can’t change it either. You’re the only woman I’ll ever want, and I love you with all my heart. The thought that you could love me too is what’s given me the courage to come here and ask what I shouldn’t of you...’

  ‘Ask, Ross. I want to hear it.’

  He nodded, taking the cup from her hands and laying it aside. Then he fell to one knee in front of her.

  ‘Laurie, I want to take your hopes and dreams and make them happen for you. Everything you ever wanted, or will want, because they’re more important than anything to me. Will you take mine, and hold them in trust for me?’

  She saw it. Ross’s way forward, a clear road that led to their future together. He might not be able to trust in life, but he knew that he could trust her.

  ‘Give me your dreams. I’ll take care of them and I won’t let them hurt or disappoint you again. I’ll give you mine, because I know that they’re safe in your hands.’

  ‘You’re sure?’ He blinked, as if he couldn’t quite believe what he was hearing.

  ‘Yes, I’m sure! Listen to what I’m saying to you for once, will you?’

  Ross grinned. ‘Okay. I’m listening. If I promise to always listen, always love you and try my best to make you happy, will you marry me?’

  Tears filled her eyes and Laurie made no effort to brush them away. She didn’t need to any more. Leaning forward, she flung her arms around his neck.

  ‘Yes, Ross. I’ll marry you.’

  She felt his chest heave with emotion. Gently he disentangled himself from her arms. ‘Close your eyes. I’m not letting you get away this time...’

  She squeezed her eyes shut. There was a moment’s pause and then Laurie felt him slip a ring on her finger. Then his lips were on hers as he kissed her. She kissed him back, holding onto him tightly.

  ‘You can look at it now...’ His lips brushed hers as he murmured the words.

  ‘Is it nice?’ She clasped her fingers together behind his neck. ‘Feels heavy...’

  Ross chuckled. ‘I spent a while choosing it. Nothing was going to really be good enough for you, but I got the best I could find.’

  ‘Then I love it. I’ll look at it in a minute. Right now, I can’t take my eyes off you, because it’s been far too long since I’ve seen you.’

  ‘Yeah. You’re stuck with me now, that’s not going to happen again.’

  The world had shifted, and it was a different place now. Laurie stared at him, tears running down her cheeks, and Ross gently brushed them away, before folding her in his arms.

  ‘Do you feel different?’

  ‘Yeah, I feel different.’ Ross chuckled quietly. ‘It’s everything, Laurie. Your love and mine, your dreams and mine. Nothing’s going to stop us now.’

  EPILOGUE

  Four years later

  THIS YEAR THEY’D picked Munich. The same hotel suite that Ross had booked for the World Championships three years ago. With the same hot tub to luxuriate in together, and the same stunning view over the city.

  ‘How have I been doing as caretaker?’ Ross handed Laurie a glass of champagne. It was the same question he asked every year, on the anniversary of the day they’d given their dreams to each other for safekeeping.

  ‘Beautifully.’ Laurie smiled up at him. ‘Each year I wonder how you’re going to surpass the last, but you always manage it.’

  ‘More stamina than you expected?’

  ‘A lot more.’ She leaned into his arms, stretching to kiss him. ‘I never thought anyone could love me so well. Or be such a great rowing coach.’

  ‘I just cheered you on. Win or lose.’

  ‘That’s what made all the difference. And you made a very good job of cheering the last time we were here.’ Ross had been hoarse for a week afterwards.

  ‘It was worth it. I’ll never forget the look on your face when you stepped up onto the podium and received your gold medal.’ He bent to kiss her. ‘Or the one when you made my dream come true and married me.’

  ‘Hey! Are you pinching my dreams, Ross? A girl’s wedding day is supposed to be her dream.’

  Ross chuckled. ‘Too bad. It was my dream as well. You can share, can’t you?’

  ‘With you? Everything.’

  That was the way things were now. The new extension to the clinic, which was going to be a training centre for young athletes and house the charity that Sam and Laurie managed together, had been Laurie’s idea, but Ross had put his heart into it as well. He’d taken care of her dreams and adopted them as his own.

  A sound came from the bedroom and Ross looked round. ‘Seems our favourite dream has woken up. I’ll go and get her.’

  Laurie never tired of watching him with their daughter. When she followed him to the doorway, she saw Ross lifting Penelope out of her cot, still wrapped in the baby quilt her grandmother had made for her. This was the best dream of all, the one in a thousand chance that had happened when they’d least expected it.

  ‘Daddy...’ Penelope knew just how to twist her father around her little finger. All it took was that one word.

  ‘Hey, there, Penelope. You want to come and see what we’re doing?’

  ‘Daddy... Want play.’

  Ross caught his breath. ‘You want to play? With your bear?’ He picked the stuffed bear up from beside the cot and Penelope pushed it away.

  ‘Want play...’

  ‘With me?’ Ross made a funny face and Penelope laughed, her small fingers reaching for him.

  ‘Did you hear that? Her first sentence. Almost...’ His voice was a little hoarse, as if he had a lump in his throat.

  ‘It sounded like a sentence to me.’ Laurie allowed herself a smile. She’d been repeating the words to Penelope for a couple of weeks now, and finally the little girl had decided to use them herself. Her timing was impeccable.

  ‘You haven’t been teaching her to say that, have you?’ Ross shot Laurie a suspicious look.

  ‘Me? Would I do such a thing?’

  He chuckled, holding out his hand to pull her close. ‘You most definitely would. And I love you for it.’

  ‘I love you, too, Ross. I have all my dreams right here.’ She snuggled against him. The warm smell of his body, along with Penelope’s gorgeous baby scent, enveloped her in a cocoon of happiness.

  He kissed her cheek, a warm reminder of what tonight would hold after Penelope was asleep again. A crazy, unlikely thought began to form...

  ‘Do you ever wonder? Whether a one in thousand chance might happen twice? We could try IVF this time...’

  Ross chuckled ‘Turning my world upside down once wasn’t enough for you? You think I can survive a second time?’

  ‘It was the first time I’ve ever seen you stunned into silence.’ Those moments, when they’d stared at the pregnancy test together, and when she’d wiped tears from his eyes with shaking fingers, had been among the best of her life. They were enough, but Laurie had learned how to want more, in the face of knowing it might never happen.

  ‘IVF’s an option. Although I much prefer the traditional way.’ A wicked grin hovered on his lips. ‘Do you reckon that’s one thousand times? Or one thousand full nights...?’

  ‘I reckon nights. Statistically it could be a lot more.’ Laurie shivered with pleasure at the thought. ‘The journey’s well worth it, even if we never get there.’

  ‘My thoughts entirely.’ He kissed her again, and she felt Penelope’s small body wriggling between them
.

  ‘Daddy want... Want to play, Daddy.’

  ‘You want to play, Penelope?’ He chuckled. ‘That’s my girl. Unless I’m very much mistaken, she’s just used an infinitive...’

  ‘In that case, we’d better go and play with her immediately.’ Laurie went to move, but Ross held her tight against him.

  ‘I want to make another bargain with you. That we never stop dreaming.’

  They’d always have more to do together, and Laurie couldn’t wait to find out what would come next for them.

  ‘It’s a deal, Ross. Always.’

  * * *

  If you enjoyed this story, check out these other great reads from Annie Claydon

  Greek Island Fling to Forever

  The Best Man and the Bridesmaid

  Healing the Vet’s Heart

  A Rival to Steal Her Heart

  All available now!

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  CHAPTER ONE

  THE FIRST CALL came thirty-seven seconds into the early shift. A welcome distraction for Annabel, who had barely felt the coffee start to work after the morning she’d already had.

  ‘Heathrow Airport, Terminal Two, fall after feeling faint. Incoming passenger from Finland, no history yet. Sixty-two-year-old male. Possible head injury from the fall.’

  ‘Let’s go.’ Annabel grinned at her driving partner, turning on the sirens and strapping into the ambulance seat. ‘I need to turn my crappy morning around. Saving a life might just do that.’