Temporary Home (27 page)

Tracey kept right on rambling and Roxi gritted her teeth. Nearing the end of her patience, she gave a smile which was more of a grimace and said, “If you will excuse me, I see someone I need to say hi to.” Roxi walked away without waiting for any kind of response.

Dean was making his way slowly along the edges of the crush and she stopped by him. “Master Guns.”

“Roxi.” He released a whistle. “Look at you. That man isn’t going to know what hit him.”

She leaned in to place a kiss on his cheek and ignored his other statement. This was the time to be reinforcing her walls, for she knew he would be here. And she had to not act like a fool.

“How are you feeling?”

“Good. It did me a lot of good being here.”

She studied him and agreed. He did look really well. “Can I get you anything to drink?”

“Why are you here with me instead of out there, dancing with any number of cute men?”

She had no explanation so she shrugged. He wrapped a hand around her wrist and squeezed.

“Listen to me, Roxi. Don’t give up on him.”

“Nothing to give up on, Master Guns. He made his decision. Tracey did enough to him that no one else will have a shot at getting close. Or at least not now, not while I know him. Maybe later on in his life he’ll be willing to do so.”

“You have already gotten in close, Roxi.”

“Not really. I needed more. It’s okay, Master Guns, it wasn’t meant to be.” She ignored the shaft of pain which pierced her heart at that admission.

“I’m telling you, Roxi. You mean the world to that man.”

“I’ve seen the way he stiffens up when he feels he’s let me in too far. Besides, Laila said after Tracey he’d never let another woman in like that again. And I know that woman still affects him, I watched them together when I came here and dropped off the presents.”

“That girl doesn’t know how to mind her own business.” He shook his head. “This isn’t my place to say, all I know is I’ve never seen him so happy as when you came into his life. That boy and I have had lots of talks, Roxi. He’s my son and I know him better than anyone. Yes, he’s stubborn as all get-out, but he’s a good man. And he loves you. Don’t give up on him.”

“I can’t wait forever for him to figure out what it is that he wants, Master Guns. I just can’t.”

Although he nodded, she could see the sadness in his expression.

“I’ll get us something to drink.” Roxi waited for his nod of agreement then wove through the crowd to follow through on her word.

* * * *

As Roxi twirled around on the floor with one of the Marines, she laughed at what he said. He was a joy to be around. And he was a great dancer.

“Hey!” the shout carried over both music and conversation, gathering everyone’s attention. “It’s snowing!”

The room they were in had a large side door that someone had rolled open, allowing everyone the chance to see outside. Sure enough, large white flakes fell, fast and furious. The ground was already covered.

Laila appeared at her shoulder, in another’s arms. “We’re going to have a white Christmas after all, Roxi. Look at that.”

Stepping away from her dance partner, she linked arms with her best friend. “I think it’ll be a great Christmas this year.”

“Laila Richardson!”

They both jumped slightly and turned at the sound of her full name. Ritchie stood there in a tuxedo.

“Ritchie,” she whispered, even as Laila said it louder.

Her brother opened his arms and Laila flew into them. Without any hesitation. Roxi whistled and cheered right along with everyone else as they kissed. When they stopped, she moved up to give her brother a hug.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, doing her best to not be jealous at the look of pure contentment on both of their faces.

“It’s Christmas. We didn’t want to be away from you.”

“But, Mom and Dad? And where’s Eric?”

“At your house with your mother,” another man spoke.

She turned to find her father there. “Daddy!” She hugged him hard and blinked back tears of joy.

“Hey, baby girl. You look gorgeous. Come dance.”

She couldn’t refuse and soon she moved with her father across the floor. At the end of their dance, he stopped and frowned at something behind her. She turned to see what he was looking at and her breath caught in her throat.

From where she stood, she could see out into the large back lot of Second Chances. A solitary figure strode towards the door. The tightening in her stomach told her who it was. Ramrod straight, this person moved with coiled precision and purpose.

Sam. Dressed not in a suit or tuxedo but in his blood stripes. Snow dotted his uniform but he didn’t seem to care. He paused right before he entered the building and removed his cover.

She stared, unable to move. His chest was full of ribbons and medals. Roxi barely noticed when Laila came and led her father away. Bit by bit, the room fell quieter until the music which played overshadowed what little din there remained from people.

His gaze locked on hers and her heart paused before thundering twice as hard. He came towards her, only he didn’t make it. Tracey stepped into his path. When he lowered his head and stopped, her heart shattered. That was it. No more. She couldn’t take it any longer. Whirling around, she slipped away into the crowd and made her way to the door.

Chapter Twelve

The blonde woman wearing a slinky dress was the last person he wanted before him. Sam wasn’t happy.

“Whatever it is, Tracey, it can wait,” he bit off.

“Sam, don’t you remember this dress? How much fun you had removing it that first night?”

“I don’t. Get out of my way.”

She placed her hand on his arm, nails digging in. “Come on, Sam.”

He scanned the group and swore when Roxi was no longer visible. “Let go and step out of my way, Corporal.”

She stiffened but did as he’d ordered. The second she did, he forgot about her. One thing and one thing only on his mind. Roxanne ‘Roxi’ Mammon.

“Marines!” he bellowed out.

“Yes, sir, Gunnery Sergeant!” came the hollered answer as one, easily identifiable over the noise the music had been making.

He moved deeper into the room. Talking again fell to a minimum and even the music had been turned down. His sharp gaze spotted his target on the other side of the room. She was trying to leave but thankfully his Marines had remembered what he’d asked of them. She was faced with Brent and he knew the man wouldn’t let her go.

He almost grinned when she whirled around, frustration on her face. But it didn’t come to fruition for he recognised the sadness there. She faltered the instant she spotted him. Not for long, but he noticed it.

Sam moved towards her, walking slow, taking his time and enjoying how beautiful she looked. He stopped with three feet or so between them.

“Hello, Roxi,” he said.

Her gaze travelled up and down his uniform. “Sam.” She couldn’t hide the appreciation.

“Leaving already?”

Her brown eyes narrowed. “You know damn well I can’t. Not until you call off your Marines.”

“Will you stay and hear me out?”

She frowned and he shook his head.

“Then they remain.”

“Not really fair to them, is it. I mean, this is a party…they should be able to party.”

“They don’t mind. It’s for a good reason.”

“And what’s that? Making sure one person doesn’t leave?”

“No. Making sure the woman I love doesn’t leave before I get the chance to tell her.”

The hope flashed in her eyes before she could mask it. “I think you already passed Tracey.” Her tone was cold and clipped.

“Really?” he replied drolly. “You think I’d go through all of this for Tracey?” He stepped closer and dragged a knuckle down her cheek. “For her?”

“How the hell would I know? You don’t let me in, and from what she’s told me, you love that dress she’s in. Had a
great
time that first night she wore it.”

“Did you know your eyes sparkle when you’re mad?” He tried to keep his mind on the matter at hand. “Are you jealous, Roxi?”

“No.” The word was gritted out.

He arched a brow. “Really? Are you sure?”

“No.”

Sam stepped closer yet. “Listen to me and listen well, Roxi. You have no reason to be jealous of her. She’s my past. I’m looking at my future.”

She shook her head and it was like she stood there, driving a knife into his chest, over and over. “I can’t, Sam.”

“Can’t what?”
I will not panic and I will
not
run.

“Can’t deal with the zero letting me in. Physical is great and wonderful, but I need the emotional connection more than just rare glimpses.”

“I know. I haven’t let you in, Roxi. And that wasn’t you, it was me. I wasn’t able to reconcile my past and I almost ruined our future. I’m sorry. Give me another chance and you’ll see I can do this.” He eliminated the final step separating them. “I want to do this. I want it all with you.”

She worried her lower lip between her teeth and he cupped her chin. “Listen to me, Roxi. You asked me what it was I wanted for Christmas. Do you remember what I said?”

She nodded.

“What did I say?” He saw her hesitation in airing his wishes to the public listening in. “Tell them, I don’t care. What did I say?”

“You wanted a home.”

He nodded. “Yes. But more than that, I wanted the home that you’d already given to me. From the moment I arrived here and you took me in, Roxi, you gave me the home I’d wanted all my life. You are my home. I love you, Roxi.”

Her eyes shone like diamonds with her unshed tears. He drew her in close and put his forehead to hers.

“Sam,” she whispered.

“Yes, Roxi?”

“I love you, too.”

His sigh of relief was swallowed up by the kiss they shared. He groaned in delight as her taste seeped back onto his tongue, filling him with its heady flavour. The clearing of a throat had him reluctantly ending the kiss.

“It’ll work,” he vowed softly.

She reached up and brushed her fingers along his cheek. “I want you to meet my parents.” Roxi peered around him and waved at someone. “Daddy, I want you to meet Sam.”

“I’ve already met him”—Sam paused and amended—“met them.”

Her gaze was wondrous as she glanced back up at him. “Already met them? When did you meet them?”

“I had to get in contact with them,” Sam admitted.

He scanned the room and caught the gazes of each of the Marines by doors. They gave him a nod and stepped away, assured they didn’t need to keep one Roxi Mammon in the room any longer. She seemed willing and content to be there.

“Laila?”

He nodded. “Yes, she gave me their number.”

“Why?”

“You love Christmas, Roxi. That much is obvious. I wanted to give you the best one I could. Besides. I needed to ask your father’s permission.”

“For?”

He released her, moved back a single step, and dropped to one knee as he pulled a box out of his pocket. “To marry his daughter.” Sam looked up at the vision in red and silver before him. He knew in his gut this was the right thing for him to do. There would never be another woman who was better for him than Roxi. No one who would give him more support, love him better, or make his life worth living even more.

“Sam,” she said, capturing her lower lip between her teeth and reaching a shaky hand out to the box he offered.

The ring was platinum with a hand-crafted, sweeping design. There were two round diamonds set within the head and pavé diamonds along the ring. He’d also purchased the wedding band that went with it. Inscribed on the inside were two words which meant the world to him and he knew she’d understand the significance of them.
Semper Fidelis
. Always Faithful. For that was what he would be for her.

“Will you marry me, Roxi?”

The first tear leaked over and he had to force himself to remain where he was instead of standing so he could wipe away her tears. Her fingertips grazed along his.

“Yes.”

His own hand shook a bit as he removed the ring from the box and slid it on her finger. Then he stood and gathered her close for a kiss, their hands linked between them.

“I love you,” he murmured when he ended the kiss. “And you’re killing me in that dress.”

“Come dance with me.”

He couldn’t refuse her. So despite his own misgivings about his ability to dance, he followed her and began dancing with everyone else. During a break, he stood near Dean and enjoyed some drink.

“I’m proud of you, son.” Dean laid a hand on his arm.

“Thank you, sir.”

He couldn’t begin to explain how Dean’s words made him feel. Having this man proud of him was ultimate and meant everything to him. He never wanted to disappoint him. Raising his gaze, he found Roxi across the room. She stood with Laila and they were staring at her ring. His stomach flipped a few times when she lifted her head and looked at him.

Even though a room separated them, he could feel her gaze like a caress. It warmed him from the inside out. He hadn’t a clue how it would all work out, but he knew it would. He knew he’d found more than a temporary home. One with the woman in the sexy-as-hell dress, who had been a Marine herself, and knew just what he needed in his life.

At the end of the party, she gave her keys to her dad to drive home, and Sam led the way to his truck. Laila and Ritchie were taking Dean back. The snow continued to fall and they walked slowly, his coat over her shoulders to keep her warm.

“What about tonight?” he asked after they were in the truck.

“What about it?” She buckled her belt.

“Your parents are at your house, as well as Eric and Ritchie.”

“I’ll remake the bed in the guest room. Mom and Dad can have that room and Ritchie and Eric can crash on the couches.”

“And I’m with you?” He lifted her hand and kissed the tip of each finger.

“Better believe it, Marine.”

He got them on their way and took his time, driving carefully on the snowy roads. Back at her house, he helped her make the bed and soon after everyone settled in for the rest of Christmas Eve night. He leaned against the door and watched her in that intoxicating dress as she made her way towards the bed.