Page 25 of Save Me

Chapter 12

Eric opened the door,expecting the burger he had ordered, only to find the love of his life standing there with her arms crossed. He didn’t need to be told she was furious.

“Andie! I went to Juliet’s place, but you weren’t there. I really need your new phone number,” he said hurriedly, reaching out for her.

She held up a hand and walked inside, ignoring his question.

“What are you doing?”

Andie had walked over to his medkit and was rummaging through it.

“Do you need a band-aid?” he joked, wondering what she was looking for a split second before remembering what he kept in the inside pocket.

“Wait!” he called out to stop her, but it was too late.

Andie turned, with the picture of her he kept in the bag in her hand. She showed it to him and her face tightened. “What the hell, Eric? Why is this in here?”

“Because I love you,” he reminded her gently.

Shaking her head, Andie looked at the ceiling as if she was trying to stop herself from swearing. “If that was true you should have come home sooner!” she yelled before her face crumpled.

Tears welled up in her eyes and he rushed over and pulled her into his arms. “Don’t cry,” he crooned.

“This isn’t how this was supposed to go. I’m supposed to be kicking your ass.” She sniffled, trying to push him away.

Eric swore, but he didn’t let go. Instead, he tightened his grip. “And I deserve that. I should have told you the whole truth, but I was ashamed of myself. But I’m here now and I’m going to make this up to you, even if it takes me years.”

Andie hiccuped and stopped fighting him. She rested her head against his chest. “I…I should have answered your texts and calls back then.”

“You didn’t have a good reason to,” he admitted, fitting her under his chin and holding her closer. “I should have left you with more. It’s just I was afraid you weren’t as serious about me as I was about you.”

An unexpected kick to shin made him wince. “You are an idiot.”

“Not anymore,” he said, wincing. Moving his hands to the side of her head, he pulled her in close to press a determined kiss to her luscious mouth.

She didn’t return the kiss at first, but eventually his persistence paid off. Her lips softened under his and parted when he pressed his tongue against them.

The kiss that followed started as an ember, a slow burn that grew all-consuming. Heat rushed through him and for a moment he contemplated dragging her to the king-sized bed, but it wasn’t going to be enough.

The little gasp of disappointment she gave when he leaned back was music to his ears. “I think we should get married. Now, tonight!”

Andie blinked and shook her head. “What?” Her voice was dazed.

He plunged his hands into her hair and pressed his forehead against hers. “For once in our lives let’s take advantage of the fact we are in Vegas. Let’s get married right now.”

She laughed and shook her head again. “That’s crazy.”

“That’s what this town is for,” he pointed out, pressing her tighter against him. “Be young and crazy for once. Marry me tonight.”

Frowning she looked down at her clothes. “No. I can’t. I came here after sitting in the police station for hours.”

He grinned. “I have a solution. The concierge here is amazing. He can get anything in under an hour. Meanwhile, you can jump in the shower.”

Letting go for a moment, Eric reached for the phone. “Hi, this is Dr. Tam in room seven. Can I get a wedding dress delivered to my room ASAP?” He broke off. “What’s your size baby? An eight?”

“Yes,” she said, her eyes wide.

“Eight it is. Yes, great idea, thank you. No, a sapphire solitaire I think. Yes, at least four karats.” He hung up the phone. “Done!”