Rose was pacing back and forth in the hallway. KJ came out and told her it’d only be another minute but it’d been ten. What’s taking so long? Is it worse than anyone is telling me?
Dr. Fung finally came out of the room. “He’ll be good as new in a few weeks.”
Thank God. “What was the matter? It seemed to have taken—”
Dr. Fung raised his hand and shook his head. “Don’t look at me for those types of answers. This wound should’ve been addressed hours ago, when it first happened, not after he delivered a baby.”
“What? Are you saying it had been left untreated until now?”
“Mr. Atwood confirmed Beckett had cleaned it with alcohol. I’ve given him a shot of penicillin, and he’ll need to be on antibiotics for ten days. You know where you can find the bandages. They’ll need to be changed at least once a day.”
“Thank you, Dr. Fung.”
“Let me know if you see anything that concerns you. I’ll stop by tomorrow to check on him.”
Oh, there is a lot that concerns me. Nothing that Dr. Fung can fix. Like, why the hell didn’t Doug go to the hospital right away? Or how about why not tell me you were shot instead of hearing it from my dear brother? Rose could feel her pulse begin to race. No longer worried, she was angry and about to set a few things straight with him.
She smiled at Dr. Fung before opening the exam room door to confront Doug. He was sitting up on the exam table, trying to put his shirt on. It wasn’t going to be easy as he was bandaged from his shoulder to his chest area with a sling on his left arm, which wrapped around his waist to avoid any further injury to the wound.
He must not have noticed her entering as she watched him. She couldn’t believe her eyes. Doug was trying to remove the sling. “What the hell are you doing?” Rose asked in a high-pitched voice.
Doug looked up at her. “Trying to get dressed.”
She walked over to him and adjusted the band around his waist even tighter. “Listen here, Doug Attwood. You’re under my care for the next ten days. I’m not about to let you reinjure yourself doing something as foolish as trying to put on a shirt. If you need help, you ask for it. Got it?” She was taken back by the sound of her own voice. She had never talked to anyone with such force. Maybe I never cared enough to.
Doug smiled at her, wrapped his free arm around her waist, and pulled her against him. Rose had missed everything about him, and the feel of his bare skin against her palm sent a wave of desire through her. No matter what her body wanted, she knew what was best for Doug, and sex was not it.
“I’ve missed you,” Doug said, staring into her eyes.
Don’t give in, Rose Davis. He’s lost a lot of blood. He’s been shot. He’s . . . sexy as hell and if he doesn’t stop looking at me like this I’m going to forget myself and melt into him. Rose placed both her hands on his chest, making sure to avoid his injury, and pressed back to put some distance between them.
“Doug, you should be lying down and resting.”
“I half agree with you.”
“Half?” Rose asked.
“I like the lying down part. Resting isn’t what I’m in the mood for.” Doug gave her a devilish grin and a wink.
Shot and in pain. Yet all you’re thinking about is sex? Really? Men! “Doug, if you aren’t going to take the doctor’s instructions seriously, I’m going to have KJ be your nurse. Trust me; she won’t tolerate this foolishness.”
Doug wouldn’t release his hold on her. Instead, he pulled her even closer. “Tell me that you didn’t miss me, and I’ll let you go right now.”
Rose looked directly into his eyes, summoned all her strength and said, “I didn’t mi—”
It was the furthest thing from the truth, and she couldn’t bring herself to say it. She softened her voice and stopped struggling against him. Instead, she let herself lean into him gently, making sure not to hurt him.
Knowing Doug had been shot was bad enough. She wasn’t so naïve and knew it could’ve been much worse. It could have been Beckett too. Whatever those two had been doing, she hoped it was over. It was possible they were only here so Beckett could be at the birth of his daughter. She had so many questions for Doug. None of them mattered if he wasn’t here with her. It was time to heed Sharma’s advice.
“You left so quickly. There were things I thought we should . . . things I should’ve said.”
Looking at her he replied, “I’m here now, and I don’t plan on leaving anytime soon.”
Those were words she wanted to hear. But that was only the start. Hopefully, there was more to it. Because for her, she loved him and needed to tell him. Hopefully, you feel the same way.
“Doug, I—”
There was a knock on the door and it opened right away before either of them could answer. Oh, of course it’d be you.
“Here I was worried you might be dying in pain. Guess not,” Beckett said as he made his way over to Doug.
Rose tried to step away from Doug, but he held her snuggly to him.
“I’ve got the sweetest nurse anyone would ask for,” Doug said proudly.
She rolled her eyes and blushed, and she knew Doug wasn’t looking at her in any medical sense. Before she became more embarrassed, she said, “Why don’t I leave you two to talk, and I’ll check on Danielle?”
“She’s sleeping. So is the baby. That’s why I’m here. Since Doug seems to be doing fine, I thought maybe you two could watch Jamie and Bethy for us tonight? Danielle was really worried because she hasn’t left either of them overnight since they came to live with her.”
Babysitting wasn’t exactly how she’d planned on spending her night with Doug, but it might be the only way for him to actually rest. No matter how much she tried to resist him, if they were alone in the suite, she knew she couldn’t deny him. Wouldn’t. Or myself.
Without giving Doug a chance to answer, Rose said, “We’d love to.”
Beckett smiled and said, “Thanks. I better get back to her in case the baby wakes up.”
Doug let go of Rose and reached out his right hand. “Congratulation, Davis. Looks like you got yourself a beautiful baby girl.”
“Yeah. Thank God she looks like her mother.” Beckett laughed.
“Beckett, did you name her?” Rose asked.
“Yes, we did. Her name is Deborah Anne Davis, after Danielle’s twin sister,” Beckett said, his tone holding a hint of the pain Danielle must be going through. To have lost a twin so tragically, murdered . . . Such joy among what was such a horrible tragedy. I’m so happy she has you by her side. No matter how much you drive me crazy, Beckett, you’re one hell of a man and you two are good for each other.
“That’s beautiful, Beckett. I’m sure Jamie will appreciate it too. Not now, but one day when he’s old enough, and he understands how you honored the memory of his mother.”
Beckett nodded and left Doug and Rose alone.
“You really want to babysit tonight?” Doug asked with a wicked grin on his face.
“I really want you to rest and heal. And if that means we babysit for the next ten days, I will arrange it,” Rose said, standing with her hands on her hips challenging him. It might not have been the wisest choice.
Doug grabbed her, pulling so quickly she crashed into him. “Do you really think either of us can last ten days? Hell, Rose, I’m not sure I can wait another ten minutes. Being away from you was pure hell.”
She swallowed hard and waited for more. Rose needed to know how he felt. Pressed up against him, she knew he wanted her physically. His cock was hard and ready. She wouldn’t deny the fact that she wanted him too. She also wanted more, so much more.
“Then why didn’t you call me? I was here, Doug. I was waiting, and it was pure hell for me.” She couldn’t hold back. The words continued to flow from her lips without a filter. “You wanted to protect me so badly, but there was one thing you forgot to safeguard, Doug. My heart.”
Doug’s expression changed, and he looked very serious as he spoke. “I’m sorry. I knew what I did was going to hurt you. It couldn’t be helped. The choice I made was what I felt was best for us both.”
“What about me, Doug? Don’t I get an opinion on what I’m willing to accept? How would you know if I would have been willing to stand by your side while you . . . whatever it was you went through? You don’t. You took the option away from me and made my decision for me. It wasn’t fair. And I can’t live like that.”
She hadn’t realized just how much it hurt until now. That was something they could get past, but only if they talked it out and came to an understanding on what the expectations were from now on.
“I hadn’t thought about it like that.”
“I know you hadn’t. I don’t know what you were thinking.”
Doug reached up and touched her cheek. “I thought that I’d do anything, even lay down my life if needed, to make sure you weren’t hurt in any way. Thinking that I hurt you, even in the slightest, is like a knife in my chest. Rose, you have to believe me when I tell you. Not contacting wasn’t about you. It was about me. I’ve been on more missions than I can remember. I’ve never been blinded by rage. That’s how I felt, knowing someone would hurt you because of me. Distancing myself from you was all I could do, so that I could focus on what needed to be done. Just thinking of your face, angel, is enough to cause me not to think straight.”
She heard what he was saying and knew it was because he cared about her. “What about the next time and the time after that? Are you asking me to accept that I’m only allowed so far into your life, and the other part is one I’m shut out of?”
“God, no, angel. There’s no part of my life I don’t want you in. That’s the problem. Before I met you, I never wanted anyone close to me. You’ve changed that. I want . . . everything with you. But, Rose, you have to understand. I’ve been alone a long time. I’m stubborn, independent, and not the easiest man to live with.”
“What are you trying to say? You don’t think this can work?” She wasn’t sure what this was. He’d never admitted how he felt, only what he was afraid of feeling. Was that the same? Could it be that Doug was incapable of saying what she needed to hear? Are the words so darn important? I can’t judge him. I haven’t told him I love him either.
“That’s not what I mean at all.”
“Then what do you mean? What’re you trying to say?”
His voice became softer than she’d ever heard it. “Something I’ve never said before. Something I should’ve told you before I left.” Stroking her cheek, he said, “I love you, Rose. More than I ever thought was humanly possible.”
Her heart fluttered with joy as he spoke the words she’d longed to hear. “I love you, too. I wanted to tell you but didn’t know how. The words are simple, and my feelings for you are anything but. Doug, if anything would’ve happened to you . . .” Tears began to roll down her cheeks. “I don’t want to think about what my life would be without you in it.”
“Angel, you don’t have to. I’m here.” Doug placed a kiss on her lips and said, “And I promise, I’ll never put you through that again. I love you, my angel.”
Rose wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him with all her might. She felt him tense up and then she remembered his injury. Pulling back slightly, she said, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“Rose, you couldn’t even if you tried. You’re the most gentle, kind, loving, and giving woman I’ve ever met. I have no idea what you want with a stubborn ass like me, but I’m going to spend the rest of my life thanking God every day that you do.”
“Is that a promise?” she asked, knowing he’d sworn never to break one to her.
“Before I met you, I wanted to spend the rest of my life alone. Now I want what Beckett and Danielle have. And I want that with you. Will you marry me?”
She loved him with every cell in her body yet she was speechless. Nodding while tears flowed once again, she hugged him. She would stand by him to the end of time. Finally, she was able to whisper, “Yes, Doug. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Although Doug had to spend the night at Beckett and Danielle’s, he was with Rose, and that was all that mattered. He didn’t sleep one wink. So much was running through his mind. She said yes to him. That was the answer he wanted. There was still much left to be said. He’d never shared with her anything that’d happened to Earl or worse, what transpired with Chester and his men. If this was going to work between them, changes would need to be made. And they started with him.
Doug had spent the last four hours on the phone with Handa. Thankfully his lawyer was able to handle some of the questions the authorities had, and he had made arrangements to have them flown out to Marpe-Agape to take their formal statements instead of having to return to the States.
Once that was taken care of, he put Handa to use once again. When he’d had Handa complete the paperwork to transfer ownership of the South America property to Trent, Handa hadn’t held back. He told Doug he’d lost his fucking mind, giving something to Trent, who could afford to pay top dollar. So when he asked him to draw up even more documents, he’d prepared for a similar reaction. Instead Handa said, “Earl would be proud of you, Doug.”
It’d been a long time since he was concerned what his father thought of him. After reading all those reports Beckett had given him about Earl, he felt as though he knew him better than he ever had. You had a shit load of money Dad, but I wouldn’t have wanted to trade places with you. You missed out on what is most valuable in life. The love of a good woman and love from your son. No matter what his past feelings were, hearing Handa’s words somehow brought Doug peace.
He knew following in his father’s footsteps wasn’t what he wanted. Doug was known as a badass in the military and someone who could reach people who were suffering emotionally. That was what he did, not what defined who he was. Unlike his father, he wanted to be known as a good husband and father.
Although he’d never taken care of children before, he knew he wanted a family. As Rose slept, Doug decided to get Jamie and Bethy ready for the day on his own. He’d rattled a checklist off in his head throughout the morning, making sure he missed nothing. When he’d asked for the third time about them brushing their teeth, Bethy rolled her eyes and said, “I can see you’re new at this babysitting stuff. Mom and Dad say if you practice really hard, you can do anything.” She’d given Doug a big hug and then had said, “Don’t worry; you’ll get better at it.”
He’d controlled his laughter, but he knew he had a lot to learn. When Beckett came to take them to see the new addition, he found himself telling Beckett he and Rose would watch them again overnight. Instead of a smart-ass remark, Beckett smiled and thanked him.
With everyone out of the bungalow, he finally had some time alone with Rose. Things needed to be discussed which required privacy.
Doug picked up his iPad and went into the bedroom where Rose still lay sleeping. He hated to wake her, but he felt like a little kid and couldn’t wait a second longer.
Brushing the strands of hair that’d fallen across her face, he said, “Wake up, angel. I have a surprise for you.”
He watched her lovely body stretch out, and a purr escaped her lips. He reminded himself this wasn’t their suite. No matter how much he wanted her right now, it’d have to wait.
“What time is it?” Rose asked with her eyes still closed.
Doug sat on the bed and said, “Time for you to get up so we can talk.”
She peered at him, her eyes barely a sliver. “I thought the kids would want to sleep late, like me.”
Doug gave her a playful tap on the ass and asked, “Don’t you want to see your surprise?”
He burst out laughing because she sprung up off the bed. “Wait. What surprise?”
He was tempted to give her the iPad and show her right away, but he needed to slow down. There was a reason for everything he’d done last night, and he needed to explain that to her first.
“I want to talk to you about my father.”
The smile on her face faded. Not out of disappointment, but understanding. “I’m here for you, Doug, anytime you need to talk, you know that.”
“Good, because I need to right now. I didn’t honestly know my father. I don’t like most of what I’ve learned. The way he treated business and life wasn’t with the same values I have. Coming out on top is not my first priority.”
“I know that. It’s one of the things I love about you,” Rose said, touching his hand.
“We spoke about dreams of the future. You’re my future, Rose. Your joys are mine, your heartaches are mine, and now your dreams are also mine. There is nothing I don’t want to share with you.”
“I feel the same way, Doug.”
“Good. I hope you’ll understand when I tell you this. I’m the sole beneficiary for all that my father had. It has made me a very rich man. I don’t want it. None of it.”
He watched her closely for her reaction. Most people would’ve jumped and said, “I’ll take it.” Not his angel. She did exactly what she’d told him she’d do. Stand by me.
“Then don’t take it.”
Doug wanted to pull her into his arms and hold her forever. If he ever doubted this could work, she showed him right there that it could. “I had asked you once before what would you do if you had the money and resources to do anything you wanted. Do you remember that?”
Rose nodded.
“Now you do.”
“What are you saying?”
He pulled out a paper from his pocket and handed it to her. She didn’t even open it. “Doug, what’s going on?”
“Neither of us value money for anything more than the comforts we need in life. But we both want to do more with our lives. Let’s make your dream a reality. We have the money and the resources. I had my lawyer draw up the documents. Even found a place large enough to make it all happen.”
She opened the letter and read it. “You really mean this, don’t you? Everything your father left you is going to start this non-profit foundation for our troops. You’re really going to do this.” Tears fell from her eyes, and he was amazed. What have I ever done to deserve this woman? This selfless, beautiful, incredible woman.
Doug shook his head. “You’re the Rose this billionaire needs. If I’ve learned anything, I’ve learned that you and I are better together. And the only way I can imagine this is with you by my side. So, what do you say? Are you willing to spend the rest of your life not just with me, but with all those who need us?”
Her eyes welled up, and he watched the tears flow again. “Doug, I said it before; I’ll stand by you always. Thank you. Thank you for not only wanting to share my dream but making it better than I thought possible.”
He pulled her into his arms. “I love you, angel.”
“I love you, too.”
When Doug had learned of the inheritance, it’d felt like a rope around his neck, one that’d pull him into the fiery pit. If it hadn’t been for Rose, he never would’ve seen anything but the ugly side of it. He might be worth billions, but she was worth more than all the money in the world. She was his angel, and he’d spend the rest of his life adoring her.
The End
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