Always a Warrior(84)

“I love you,” he stated firmly. “Nothing and no one will ever change that. We get married as planned.



Laurie linked her hands behind his neck, her fingers tangled in his hair, and leaned into him until her breasts rested on his chest.



“Whatever you say,” she murmured huskily. “I love you.”



* * * *



Their wedding did go as planned. Marjorie, true to her word, did not attend. Disappointed that her mother did not care enough to join her on the most important day of her life, Laurie ignored negative feelings and celebrated her love. From the kitchen window over the sink, she watched the guests mingle as she sipped burgundy. The guests had split into two distinct groups.

Damien’s family chatted on one side of the lawn in a close-knit group. A few assorted friends, Laurie’s and Damien’s, joked and talked together around the make-shift bar that contained wine, champagne, and a beer keg as well as various party trays and buffet-style dishes of food.



In a dreamy memory of vows exchanged, a local justice of the peace had performed the ceremony. As her gaze scanned the yard, Laurie involuntarily compared the two groups of people that celebrated her union   with Damien.



Booted feet clomped across the porch, drawing her gaze to the open door. Justin Carpenter, Damien’s best friend and best man, came into the kitchen carrying a large plastic cup of beer. Possessing an infectious sense of humor that put a constant sparkle in his green eyes, he grinned. Laurie liked him immediately.



“Deserted by the groom already?” he teased as he planted a quick brotherly kiss on her cheek.



Damien walked in at that moment and gave Justin a mock frown. But his eyes held a teasing gleam as he slid his arm around Laurie.



“Get your own woman, Justin,” he ordered lightly. “This one’s mine.”



“You’re a lucky man.” Justin smiled.



But Laurie detected wistful longing in his eyes. Was he lonely beneath that laid-back bachelor image? As Justin returned to the back yard, she pushed him from her mind. Damien nuzzled the back of her neck and heat spread through her. She turned in his arms and gave him a sultry smile.



“Do you think anyone will notice if we sneak upstairs for a while?” At the resulting flare of passion in his eyes, she wrapped her arms around him.

ALWAYS A WARRIOR Patricia Bruening

122



“We’ll lock the door,” he said huskily and, walking backward, tugged her out of the kitchen.