Page 35 of Wrecked (McIntyre Security Bodyguard #16)

Beth comes to my room to see me the next morning before she leaves for work. When she spots the fresh hickey on my arm, she grins at me.

“Stop it!” I cover the mark with my hand. “I know what you’re thinking.”

“What? I didn’t say a word!”

“You didn’t have to. It’s all over your face.” I know what she’s thinking. She’s picturing me and Cooper together . The girl reads a ton of romance books, and I know that includes plenty of gay romances. I’ve peeked over her shoulder on occasion, and some of the things I read made me blush.

I can just see the thoughts swirling in her head. “Go ahead,” I say with a sigh. “Ask.”

She tries to act nonchalant. “What are you talking about?” She says that so innocently. “Ask what?”

“You want to know about me and Cooper.”

“No, I don’t! Honestly, it’s none of my business. You don’t have to tell me anything.” Grinning, she hesitates. “Unless you want to?”

I sigh. “What do you want to know?”

“Well, I was just wondering… I mean, I assume… I mean, Cooper’s older and bigger than you. He’s a pretty dominant guy, right?”

I just stare at her. Duh.

“Right.” She’s nervous now. “Of course, he is.” All of a sudden, she’s embarrassed. Her face turns a pretty shade of pink.

I have no doubt she’s wondering who tops and who bottoms. I laugh. “Relax, Beth. It’s okay.” Before I can satisfy her curiosity, we’re both startled by a male voice coming from the open doorway.

“What’s okay?” Shane asks.

Beth jumps off the bed. “Nothing! We were just talking.” And then she races out of the room.

Shane just shakes his head at me. “Do I even want to know?”

“Nope. You don’t.”

* * *

Beth reluctantly agrees to help me practice with the crutches. When Cooper’s busy with something, and not likely to walk in on us, Beth brings the crutches to the bed and helps me stand.

I’m careful to keep my weight off my broken leg, per my doctor’s orders, but it’s still uncomfortable. Sometimes it’s downright painful. But I need to figure this out. I have plans for these crutches.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Beth asks me, as she worries over me like a mother hen.

She’s standing in front of me at the side of my bed, holding the crutches upright. I put my good foot on the floor and push myself up to a standing position. Quickly, I scramble to position the crutches under my arms. Beth does her best to hold me steady.

I take a few awkward steps from the bed toward the window. Beth’s right behind me, like a shadow, getting ready to keep me from toppling over. This time I manage to make it all the way to the window, turn, and start hobbling back to the bed. I make it just in time because we hear footsteps coming.

I climb back in bed, and Beth returns the crutches to the corner.

When Cooper enters the room, we’re both sitting on the bed acting like nothing happened. Frowning, he asks me, “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Why?”

“Your face is red. Are you in pain?”

“No.”

Beth hops up from the bed. “What he needs is ice cream,” she says, as she races off. “Be right back!”

Sure enough, Beth returns with two bowls of chocolate chip ice cream. She climbs into bed beside me, and we eat while watching TV.

Each day, Beth helps me practice a few minutes with the crutches. Slowly, I get better at using them, and my leg hurts less when I do. I think I’ll be ready for the wedding. I just hope my big plan doesn’t blow up in my face.

* * *

Finally, after what seems like forever, Beth and Shane are finished with all the wedding preparations.

It’s time! Cooper packs an overnight bag for me and one for himself.

We’ll be traveling together to the Kenilworth house for the ceremony.

Shane’s gigantic family will be there, along with a few close family friends.

Everyone’s planning to spend the night at the estate. It’ll be one long weekend celebration.

I’m packed and ready to go, just killing time in bed—my usual position—watching a Transformers movie on the TV, when there’s a knock on my door. “Come in.”

Beth walks in. “Hey.”

“Hey,” I say, trying to sound upbeat when I feel anything but. Cooper and I will be spending an entire weekend in a large house with lots of people. How’s he going to handle that? Is he going to revert to his old ways and ignore me when others are around? I don’t think I could bear that again.

She frowns. “What’s wrong?”

I shrug. “Everything.” I know I sound like a petulant brat, but I can’t help it.

She tries not to laugh. “Care to be more specific? Maybe I can help.”

I point to the crutches, which are propped against the wall. “I want to bring those to the wedding, but Cooper won’t let me.” Then I get a bright idea. “Can you sneak them into the Escalade for me?”

“Why doesn’t he want you to bring them?”

“Because he thinks I’m not ready to be upright yet. But I need those crutches, badly.”

She frowns, not following. “Can’t you use the wheelchair at the house? The house is fully accessible, there’s even an elevator.”

“I want to stand up on my own power, so to speak, during the reception and ask Cooper to dance with me.”

Beth’s eyes widen. “Um, are you sure you want to do that? You’ve noticed that Cooper’s sort of tight-lipped about the two of you, right? Do you think asking him to dance in front of a room full of people is a good idea?”

“I know, but what better place for us to come out than a room filled with our friends? These are people we know and trust. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

Beth doesn’t seem to agree. “Sam…”

“I’m doing it!” I insist. “Will you help me?”

“I guess I could ask Shane to put them in the Escalade.” She still doesn’t look convinced. “Are you sure about this?”

I don’t care if this is a bad idea or not. “I’m tired of hiding us. Yes, I’m sure.”

When Beth leaves my room, she takes the crutches with her and goes in search of her husband-to-be. I know if Beth asks him to put them in the SUV, he’ll do it.

* * *

Cooper drives the four of us to Shane’s Kenilworth estate.

I’d call it more like a hotel. The place is huge!

I don’t even know how many bedrooms it has.

I’ve never been able to count them all. There are three full floors that include a guest wing; a business wing, where the security staff live, along with the occasional VIP dignitaries—CEOs, politicians, even a couple of US presidents are rumored to have stayed here at one time—and last, but not least, the lower recreational level has an Olympic-size swimming pool, a fitness center, and a movie theater.

This is how the rich and famous live. Well, Shane is definitely rich, although I wouldn’t call him famous.

Beth and I are sitting in the back seat, and Shane’s riding shotgun. We arrive at the house Saturday morning. The ceremony is at two o’clock, to be followed by a catered reception.

There’s a bit of a mad scramble as all the guests arrive.

Cooper wheels me upstairs to our room via the elevator.

Thanks to Beth, I’m sure, Cooper and I are sharing a suite, which makes me happy.

And Cooper doesn’t seem to be concerned about it, which I find promising.

Maybe this isn’t such a crazy idea after all.

Maybe he’ll dance with me at the reception.

Maybe he’ll claim me once and for all.

We settle into our room and unpack. Cooper hangs up our wedding attire in the closet to minimize wrinkles. Cooper is officiating, so he will be wearing a black suit, white dress shirt, and a black tie. He’s going to look like a freaking million dollars.

Because of my stupid cast, Cooper cut down a pair of black trousers for me. I’ll be wearing that with a white dress shirt.

The place is a madhouse now as all the guests start arriving.

In Shane’s family alone, he has six siblings, their significant others, as well as his parents.

Beth’s mother is here, as well as her brother, Tyler.

Erin, Mack, and Miguel arrive. Beth’s friend Gabrielle, too. Jamie brings his neighbor, Molly.

Cooper and I hang out in our room until it’s time to get dressed. Once we’re both ready, he wheels me downstairs to the great room, which has been decorated for the ceremony. He parks my wheelchair at the end of the first row of seats, right up front.

Pretty soon, the guests start drifting in to find their seats. Jonah Locke is providing the music. He’s seated on a stool to the side of the room playing his acoustic guitar.

The guests begin to take their seats as the music starts up. Cooper stands up front on a platform as he waits for the wedding party to join him. Looking at him takes my breath away. He’s so incredibly handsome in a black suit and tie. So commanding. I can’t believe this man is mine.

First the groom and his brothers take their places with Cooper at the front of the room. Shane looks like a million bucks in his tux as he stands up front waiting for his bride to appear. I’ve never seen him looking so happy.

The bridesmaids—Erin and Gabrielle—come in next, followed by Beth, who is escorted down the aisle by her freakishly good-looking brother, Tyler Jamison, a tall, dark, and handsome Chicago homicide detective.

Beth looks stunning in her vintage off-white silk gown covered with tiny, embroidered rosebuds.

My mind latches onto the sound of Cooper’s voice—deep and resonant.

My chest warms as I listen to him. For a moment, I indulge myself by picturing us standing at the front of a room full of our friends and family.

Maybe Shane would return the favor and officiate for us.

I imagine us sharing our vows. I imagine Cooper sliding a wedding band onto my ring finger. I would do the same for him.

And then Shane would say, “You may kiss your husband.”

The fantasy is interrupted when Cooper says to Shane, “You may kiss the bride.”

Shane cradles Beth’s face in his hands and, in front of a room filled with their families and friends, gives Beth the sweetest, most romantic kiss I’ve ever seen.

Swoon!