I take his hand that is on my heart and move his fingers so that they brush over my nipple. I feel him begin to harden between my legs. I lean forward again getting close to his face and creating more friction between our bodies.
“You want to scream at me? Fine. Scream. You want to tell me to fuck off? Say it. Say, ‘Fuck off, Maura.’ Guess what? It doesn’t matter. I’m not going anywhere. I love you and I’m with you. I’m right here.”
“Maura.” His voice is strangled as he lets my name slip from his lips.
I seize the opportunity, not letting him say anything that might push me away. I press my lips to his, demanding them to part and let me in. At first, I sense reluctance. Then he lets me have it. His lips move angrily over mine. Putting all of his feelings into the kiss. I sense hurt and pain. I feel the stubble on his face as it bruises against mine. If he wants to give this to me I’ll welcome it. I’ll take a painful kiss. I’ll take anything he’ll give me.
His mouth finally breaks contact, leaving my lips swollen. I'm panting and hungry for more. I never knew how starved I was until his lips left mine. Now, I feel the emptiness that has surrounded me and eaten away at me. I need him.
“I’m damaged,” he says and diverts his gaze again. “My reflexes are off. I see something and I have to work so hard to tell my brain to take that something in my hands. I’m in pain. I don’t want you to see me like this.” He is vulnerable. I can see now that he is no longer angry about Dawson. This is about him not wanting to show me weakness.
“You’re not damaged. You’re wounded. You’ll heal, and I’ll be here with you. You are strong. Do you know what a miracle it is that you’re here? Thirteen percent. That was your chance, but I held on to that number, because you are strong. If any man was going to be able to come back from this, I knew it would be you. You are stronger than any man I've ever known. Don’t push me away anymore. Let me love you. I need you to be strong for me. For us.”
“I don’t want you to see me as weak,” he admits hesitantly.
“The only way I could look at you like you are weak is if you push me away again.” His hand grabs my wrist. I can see the concentration and effort he had to put into doing that.
“I won’t push you away. Gah. I’m sorry. I love you so fucking much. It kills me that you sat here and saw me like that. I hate that you saw me so weak. I hate that you had to meet my Dad for the first time, while I was like this. It kills me that you had to get a phone call, not knowing if I was going to make it. I’m sorry. I feel like I failed you.”
A tear trails down my face. I haven’t wanted to admit how afraid I was when I got the call. I've been doing everything in my power for the last month to hold it together for him. I haven’t let myself feel the weight of the situation.
“Shh, you don’t have to be strong anymore. It’s okay. You have me. I’m not going anywhere. I’m here. We’re here.” His words crumble my resolve. He just gave me permission to let it out, and I can’t help it, I fall apart. I curl into his side careful not to put weight on his chest. Although his wounds on the exterior are mostly healed, he’s still healing on the inside. I can only hope that maybe we can both be restored.
His arm curls around me and I sob on him.
“You died. I just got here. I got to tell you I loved you, and then you died. You fucking left me,” I hiccup out.
“Oh, Maura.” His voice breaks a little. I can tell that he is affected by what I went through.
“Eight minutes, Corbin. Eight minutes.”
“What’s that?” He asks trying to soothe me.
“You left me for eight fucking minutes. They had to work on you for eight minutes until they got your heart beating again.”
“I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Don’t you ever leave me again like that?” I demand. I know he couldn’t help it, I need his reassurance.
“I won’t. I’m here. I’m sorry I scared you.” He knows. My Marine knows exactly how petrified I was and he is angry at himself for getting hurt. I can see it when I look at him. He looks like he let me down.
“Did you mean to get shot?” I ask breaking out of my sob fest.
“Of course not.” He looks at me confused.
“Did you hit your head on purpose?”
“No”
“Well then, you don't beat yourself up, okay? I can’t take it. You’re strong. Let’s be each other’s strength.”
I look up at him and he leans his head towards me. This time, his kiss is soft and filled with only love. It’s tender and gentle, giving promises of a future. It’s a kiss that satisfies my hunger, telling me not to worry. He will feed me; my soul, my lust, my every need. He will give it to me, and he won’t deny me. He is mine,and I am his, and we will get through this.
Mickeyism #100
Nothing ends. It evolves, changes... grows.
Epilogue
“Are you ready?” Corbin asks me as he slings his backpack over a shoulder.
“Yeah, I am. I think we got everything. I loaded my suitcases into the Navigator this morning. Let me just do one more check in the bathroom to make sure everything is packed up.”
After a month of being stuck in the hospital, we are finally leaving. The doctors have marveled at how quickly Corbin has regained his fine motor skills. It hasn’t been a surprise to me that he’s surpassed everyone’s expectations. He is, after all, one badass Marine.
“How’s my favorite patient?” Erin blushes as she brings in a wheelchair for Corbin.
“I’m not getting in that thing.”
“You know it’s hospital policy.There is nothing I can do.”
“Sorry Erin, but it ain't happening.”
I know Corbin. This last month being stuck in the hospital with no real privacy has given us the opportunity to not only forgive each other, but get to know each other even better, and I know he’s not leaving in a wheelchair.
“Now, Corbin,” Erin tries to scold Corbin. Ha! Good luck with that one, honey. She is fighting a losing battle.
“Erin, unless you want him to blow a gasket, I think we better figure out a way to bend the rules on this one,” I look at her sympathetically, trying to relay that he is going to do whatever he wants, so she might as well just figure it out.
“Okay, let me see what I can do,” she gives in as she walks out of the room.
“Go easy on her. She’s just doing her job,” I smile at Corbin.
“I’m walking out of here.”
“Well then, let’s go. What are they going to do?” He grabs my hand and we walk out of the room he has called home for way too long. His head is held high and we give a smile to Erin as we stride past her.
Walking outside, the sunshine assaults us. Christmas is just two days away, but we are lucky. Today is warmer than usual. I had Dad pull the Navigator to the front of the hospital, where my boys are waiting for us in their heavy leathers. We got a local chapter to help out. This is my surprise for Corbin. A true biker send off.
“What is all this?”
I smirk at Corbin, handing him the keys.
“You deserve a proper send off.” Bikers support the military and despite it being near freezing temperatures, dozens of my brothers showed up. It was a favor they were glad to accept. Corbin turns the key on the Navigator and all of the bikes start their engine in quick succession. The sound is loud, like fireworks, ricocheting off of buildings.
Cars pull off the road getting out of our way. My dad and Dray lead the bikes. I couldn’t be more proud of my family than I am right now.
“Wow, this is really something.”
“It is. Isn’t it?”
The men follow us until we reach the check-in for Quantico. All of the bikes blare their horns and rev their throttles, making the sound of their pipes play a melody that only a biker can sing.
“Finally alone.”
Corbin’s lip descend upon me as soon as we enter his home. Well, I guess, I mean my home for the time being at least u
ntil we find the perfect place off base for the two of us. The hours spent in the hospital room gave us plenty of time to decide what we were going to do next.
“You ever think about school?”
“What? Like college?” I ask, like it’s the most absurd thing he could have asked.
“Yes, like college. You’re young, why not?”
“I wasn’t exactly a perfect scholar.”
“Well, what if you did something you enjoy? Like culinary school?” I pause when he suggests this. Culinary school? Me? I've never thought about more education or doing anything un-club related.
“I actually love that idea,” I kiss him in appreciation. Loud groans, from Willy the legless man sharing the room with us break our kiss.
“Will you two knock it off?”
We haven’t had any privacy since he moved into the room. Unfortunately, private rooms are far and few between.
“Yes, alone,” I mumble in between kisses.
“I’ve missed you so much,” he rushes out as he kisses along my neck.
“Missed me? You’ve been with me for a whole month,” I joke, but my body is just as desperate for him.
“Shh, Maura. I need your perfect body so bad. I need to taste you.”
He pulls my shirt over my head and sucks my taut nipple into his mouth, effectively silencing me. I groan, clutching his shirt, almost animalistically. I pull his shirt up over his head, needing to feel my breasts against him. Corbin kneels in front of me kissing my stomach as he lowers. His pulls off my jeans taking his time to kiss my hips. Looking up at me between kisses, his words melt my soul.
“We’ve had a tough start, but you’ve had a tough start too. Things haven’t been easy for you. If they were, you would’ve trusted me more. Things will be easier though. I promise to have your back like your brothers have had yours. I love you. I love your smile, your sense of humor, your beauty and your fierceness. I love that you’re here in our home. You are my future. I’m with you. I trust you and I’m so in love with you.” His hands roam up and down my legs, gliding over my body, but his eyes remain focused on mine. “I never want you to doubt me again. I never want to feel the pain of being without you. You’re it for me, Maura.”
I can’t take it. I need to be on his level. I fall to my knees in front of him so that we are eye to eye and cup his face in my hands.
“I'm so in love with you. I don’t think I was really living before you. I think I was existing, but it’s so different. Your love has helped me see that I can be so much more than who I was. You make me a better woman. Because of you, I've been able to see so many truths about myself. I love your strength and courage,” I pause and smile at him before continuing. “I love your body.” I kiss along his chest and look up again. “But mostly, I love how you save me. I was alone in more ways than I ever knew and the day you showed up next door rocked my entire world. I want forever with you. I love you, completely.” Our mouths collide and our bodies unite.
No truer words could have been said, because the day I met Corbin, I was wrecked, he stole my heart and soul and made it so I would only love him, and I couldn’t be happier.
Mickeyism 101
A drink concludes a story…….
Acknowledgments
Thank you, thank you, thank you to Dawn Robinson and Nicole Reid you have helped me in so many ways. Without the two of you I’m sure I would have given up, but your constant encouragement and support has helped me more than you could know. Thank you, Husband for listening to me talk about this even though it’s not your thing, you have been more supportive than I would have ever imagined. Thank you Jessica and Shana, because you are both sprinkled throughout this book. Thank you Carla for taking my pirdy pic. Thank you, CA Borgford, you helped me fall in love with Wreck You again and stopped me from making a huge mistake. Thank you Mary. Thank you Hang Le for the beautiful cover. Thank you to all of the bloggers, authors and readers who have supported me. Thank you to the following blogs for participating in my tour/blitz: G Book Diva, Short and Sassy Book Blurbs, The Unofficial book fan club, Ramblings of a Book Lunatic, Blushing Diva's, Book Happiness, Eskimo Princess Book Reviews, Dr. Ashley Hampton, Book Happiness, Book Babes Unite, Halos and Horns, I Heart Books, Lisa's Book Reviews, Turning Pages, Share My Destiny, Flirty and Dirty, My Favorite Things, True Story Book Blog, Author Sandra Love, Books Unhinged Book Blog, The Lovely Pages Review, Lustful Literature, Sassy Sext Addiction Book Lovers, Winding Stairs Book Blog, Summers Book Blog, Book Lovers and Body Art, Love Between The Sheets, and Book Babblin. Lastly, thank you Melissa and Katie my beautiful sisters.
Cheers
SNEAK PEAK
Fight You
by Abby McCarthy
Prologue
Dear Ari,
I love you, hold on to that okay? I am sorry that I have to go. If I am going to keep you safe, this is something that I need to do. Please don’t be mad at me. I know you saw what Rich did to me. Don’t worry I will come back for you before he ever lays a finger on you. I promise. Pinky swear. Keep your head down at dinner and don’t make eye contact with him. You know he only gets more angry if he sees you watching him. Remember Tuesdays he gets drunk with his poker buddies, it’s your best chance to shower and have a few minutes of privacy, but make sure he is good and gone, and make sure you are asleep and the bathroom is cleaned up before he gets home. I’m so sorry to leave you , but I have gone over this a million times. I think if I stay I’ll stop existing and then I won’t be able to save you. I will be thinking about you always. I know you are going to be lonely and scared, but just know I am thinking of you and I am doing my best to come back for you.
I love you,
Aubriella
p.s.
Make sure you hide this note in the seam of the mattress where I showed you and then make sure he never finds it. Promise??
I tuck the note under Ari’s pillow, close to her fingers, being careful not to touch her. I don’t want to wake her, if she sees me I’m not sure that I’ll be able to walk away. I know it will be hard for her without me, but it’s the only thing I know I can do to save us; to save her. Ari means everything to me.
I grab my torn duct-taped backpack that I’ve carefully packed and throw it over my shoulder. I don’t have much and what I do have holds little value. My tennis shoes are worn with holes in the soles and my black hoodie is stained but it’s the warmest thing I own.
I step on my tippy toes, wincing at the pain from the stretch and reach into the crack of the cinder block basement walls, finding my hidden stash. One hundred thirty two dollars and sixteen cents is what I have managed to skim from that sick bastard’s pockets when he was passed out drunk. I would have liked to save more money but after last night’s torture I know that I can’t wait any longer, not if I’m going to live to get Ari out.
I check the time, noticing that I have a few hours to get out of here before Rich is back. I look at Ari one more time. “Please God, if there’s a chance you’re real, take care of her. I love you, Ari.” I whisper and then quietly move through the house.
I take a deep breath as fear ripples through my body. This room; Rich’s room, is the only way out. It’s been the place haunting my nightmares for the last five years. I’m not allowed in here on my own, but I know that it’s the only way I’m going to survive. My hand reaches out to turn the knob and I squeeze my eyes shut, picturing Ari’s beautiful face. Making sure that Ari never has to go through what I’ve been through gives me the strength to open my eyes and face my fear. I know on the other side of this door is the only window that opens. It’s my escape and turning this knob is the only thing standing in my way.
About this author
I am a reader and a lover of words. I am a blogger turned author releasing my first novel in May 2014. I am a mother of three, a wife and a dog person. I have always wrote, sometimes poetry, sometimes just to vent about failed relationships, however in parenthood I have found my voice to help keep my sanity. Words have flowed
from me, to review and with the support of amazing friends in the Indie community I have decided to pursue my dream of writing! I love to write and read romance, because isn't that something we all yearn for? Whether it be flowers and hand holding or just the right tug on your hair. Isn't that what life is about? The human connection?
Connect with me,
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Abbymccarthyauthor
Twitter: @abbyemccarthy
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20883069-wreck-you
Wreck You Page 20