“Hi.”
He cleared his throat. “You’re trying to kill me, aren’t you?”
“No. I’m trying to tempt you.”
“Mission accomplished.”
Jolie grinned. “We’ve had a stressful week. I thought we needed to relax.”
“We?”
“Want to join me?”
It took Corbin a total of ten seconds to rid himself of his clothes and climb into the warm bath. Once he was settled behind her, Jolie snuggled between his legs, pressing her back to his chest as he wrapped her in his arms. With a quiet sigh, Corbin placed a kiss on her bare shoulder.
“Is this okay?” she asked softly.
“You’re naked, wet, and in my arms. Okay isn’t the word I’d use.”
“What word would you use?”
Corbin reached for the soapy loofa and trailed it down her arm.
“Incredible. Amazing.”
“Those are good words,” she whispered.
“Words are important.”
Corbin closed his eyes, overwhelmed by the realization that this was it. The perfect moment. He couldn’t have planned it better if he’d tried.
He pressed a soft kiss against her neck before whispering the most important words of his life.
“I love you, Jolie.”
She gasped softly.
“And I’m not just saying it because we’re naked. It’s very important you understand that.”
Jolie tilted her head in his direction and sweetly smiled.
“I do know that. And I love you, too.”
He leaned down, kissing her gently.
“I’ve tried to tell you all week,” he murmured against her lips.
“Why didn’t you?”
“I just . . . wanted it to be perfect.”
“It would’ve been perfect no matter when or how you told me,” she said softly. “I mean, I know you love me. I see it in your eyes every time you look at me. And what you’re doing for me and my bookstore . . . I’ve never felt more loved in my whole life.”
Suddenly, Jolie untangled herself from his arms and climbed out of the tub. Corbin didn’t even pretend not to watch as she grabbed a towel. It was impossible to keep his eyes off her. Every curve, every sliver of skin was exposed to him, causing his heart to thunder in his chest.
Then, she let her hair fall down her shoulders, and the sight of her standing there—naked and beautiful—took his breath away.
Corbin had no idea how to react.
But his body knew.
And so did his heart.
A second later, Corbin was out of the tub. After drying off, he let his towel pool at his feet before tugging her by the hand and leading her to her bedroom. Without a word, they laid down against the pillows and wrapped themselves in each other’s arms.
“Jolie,” he whispered against her lips. “Are you sure?”
“I’ve never been more sure about anything. I love you. I’ve been waiting for you my whole life, and now you’re here. And I want you. I’ve wanted you for so long that I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want you. And you want me. I know you do.”
To prove her point, Jolie slid her hand down his body, causing him to groan.
“You really are trying to kill me,” he whispered against her lips.
“I’m trying to love you. Let me?”
Corbin had never been a man of great willpower, but her soft plea, combined with the warmth of her body, crumbled what was left of his self-control.
As he covered her body with his, Corbin knew without a doubt that he loved this woman, and by some miracle, she loved him, too. He might be leaving her for three months, and he might be facing demons he hoped to never face again, but as they made love, Corbin promised himself that he’d do it. He’d face every ghost of his past if it meant that Jolie Daniels would be his future.
It was around dawn, as Jolie slept peacefully in his arms, that Corbin felt his newfound determination begin to waver, thanks to a text message from his new manager.
Just heard from the label. They want you in Los Angeles next week.
Jolie was supposed to be entering a book order, but all she could do was stare at the calendar hanging above her office desk. The date was circled in red, reminding her that in just a few days, Corbin would be headed to Los Angeles to meet with the label. After that, he’d join the tour as the opening act for some indie band neither of them had ever heard of.
Jolie’s eyes filled with tears as she stared at the date.
In a few short days, Corbin would be thousands of miles away.
She missed him already. And he wasn’t even gone yet.
When her mom passed away, Jolie had gone through the various stages of grief. She knew in her heart this was different. Nobody was dying, and Corbin would be home in three months. Still, she already felt an emptiness—a hollow place in her heart that could only be blamed on the fact that he was going away.
They both knew they shouldn’t waste their last few days together feeling sorry for themselves, but it was hard. Much harder than either of them had anticipated. Still, Jolie tried to plaster on a smile and remain optimistic, if for no other reason than for Corbin. Because no matter how much she was struggling, she knew it couldn’t compare to how much he might struggle on the road.
He’d have to fight his loneliness, and this time, he’d have to do it sober.
At least he’d have someone to hold him accountable. Karin, his manager, had become Jolie’s new best friend. She and Corbin had spent countless hours on the phone and on Skype with Karin, discussing his itinerary and his band and all the other details that go along with a tour. Karin, in her infinite wisdom, had already booked a flight for Jolie so that she could meet Corbin in St. Louis next month. The manager seemed to realize that the more Jolie was involved, the better chance Corbin would stay focused on the present and avoid the demons from his past.
Throughout the week, Corbin’s moods had varied from excitement to fear, and Jolie had done her best to ride the waves of his emotions by keeping him busy. Busy stocking bookshelves. Busy with his family.
And her personal favorite—busy in her bedroom.
Not just in the bedroom.
Jolie’s face flushed as she recalled what happened in her office just yesterday. They’d made love right there on her desk—fulfilling one of Corbin’s fantasies.
The day before, he’d attacked her in the stockroom—fulfilling one of hers.
But today was a bad day. The worst yet.
Unable to muster the energy to fake a smile, Jolie had buried herself in her office while a restless and anxious Corbin spent the afternoon unloading the new arrivals and stocking them on the shelves. They weren’t pointedly ignoring each other. Today was just rough, and each of them needed their space to be miserable all by themselves.
With a heavy sigh, Jolie tried to focus her attention on the computer screen. She quickly submitted her order before heading back into the store. Thankful it was nearly closing time, she glanced around the bookstore until she spotted Corbin in the music section, helping an older gentleman find banjo strings. When he was ready to pay, Jolie forced a smile and rang him up before following the man to the door and locking it behind him. Just as she turned the closed sign, she heard Corbin call her name from the back of the shop.
“Yeah?”
“Are you locking up?”
“Just did. I’m ready when you are.”
“Could you come back here?”
With a tired sigh, Jolie walked toward the back of the store. She was almost to the stockroom when Corbin’s arm suddenly wrapped around her waist. Jolie gasped when he pushed her gently against the tallest bookshelf in the very secluded history section.
“I need you,” he whispered against her lips, grasping her wrists and lifting them over her head.
She moaned softly. “Right here?”
“Right here.”
He reached for the buttons of her blouse and let it fall to the floor w
hile she unzipped his jeans. Panting wildly, Corbin pulled her skirt up around her waist and slid her panties down around her ankles.
“Hold on to me,” he said breathlessly as he lifted her off the ground.
Jolie wrapped her legs around his waist as he pressed her back against the bookshelf. With a shuddering groan, Corbin crashed his mouth to hers.
Until now, their love making had been slow, tender, and sweet.
Today was different.
It was desperate. It was wild. It was possessive.
It was exactly what they needed.
“When I’m gone,” Corbin whispered frantically against her lips. “I want you to think about this moment . . . and this shelf . . . and remember that you’re mine.”
“I’m yours.” Jolie buried her face against his neck as her back pressed solidly against the spines of the books. She didn’t care. Love and pleasure replaced any semblance of pain.
“Tell me again,” he murmured against her ear.
“I’m yours.” How could he even question it? Didn’t he know that he owned her . . . every single part of her? “I’m yours. And you’re mine.”
Corbin pressed his forehead to hers and gazed into her eyes.
“Mine,” he whispered against her mouth.
That evening, as the books tumbled off the history shelf, Jolie and Corbin fulfilled yet another of their fantasies.
Despite the temptation to keep him all to herself, Jolie knew she had to share Corbin with his family as much as possible. Luckily for her, Corbin wanted her by his side at all times. Tonight’s family dinner was no exception, and after they helped clear the table, everyone headed to the living room for yet another movie night with the twins. It might seem boring and mundane to some, but Jolie knew they were making memories, and hopefully, those memories would keep Corbin sane—and sober—during his time away from home.
“And you promise to call,” Faith said.
She and her sister were on the couch, with Corbin sandwiched between them. Ben and Kellie sat in the love seat across the room, while Maggie, Samuel, and Jolie stood beside the fireplace.
“I promise,” he said.
“And you’ll sing to us?” Hope asked.
“Anything you want.”
“Even Part of Your World?”
“Even . . . that.”
“Play it now!” Faith squealed, rushing out of the room.
Everyone laughed, and within seconds, the little girl returned with his guitar.
“Your fault,” Jolie mouthed to Corbin.
Just a few nights ago, he’d made the mistake of playing the Disney song for the twins. Now, it was the most requested song in the house. There was just something about a grown man singing, ‘You want thingamabobs? I’ve got twenty’ that never failed to bring a smile to everyone’s faces.
With a grin, Corbin discreetly rolled his eyes and started to play.
“This is your doing, you know.”
Jolie glanced at Corbin’s mom and smiled.
“Mine?”
“Yours. Five years ago, my son wouldn’t have been caught dead playing a Disney song for his nieces. You have no idea how much you’ve changed him.”
Jolie didn’t know if that was totally true. Corbin had come home determined to reconnect with his family, and he’d done that. Now he was leaving them again.
“Do you hate me?” she whispered, tears threatening to spill down her cheeks.
“What? Why would you ask that?”
“Because he’s leaving. And that’s my fault.”
Maggie wrapped a reassuring arm around her shoulder. “Corbin’s decision was his own. He’s not leaving because of you. He’s leaving for you and your future together. Are we scared? Absolutely. You have no idea how much I’ve prayed. I’m choosing to trust, Jolie. Trust God. Trust Corbin. Trust his manager. Trust that you and our family are a reason for him to come home . . . and to come home sober. I’m choosing to have faith. I’m choosing to dry my eyes and fake a smile, because that’s what I want him to remember when he’s out there. He’ll be home in three months. We can do this. You can do this. I have faith in you, too.”
As Jolie wiped her eyes, she gazed at Corbin’s family. Her family. Yes, he was leaving, but families separated every day. Many send their sons and daughters off to war, never knowing when or if they’ll ever see them again.
Compared to that, this was nothing.
Maggie was right. They could do this.
They would.
Time has a funny way of flying when you don’t want it to.
Jolie didn’t want it to.
Still, it happened, and before they could blink, it was Corbin’s last night in Riverview.
Jolie sat on her bed, watching as he tossed a few of his T-shirts into his duffel.
“I still say you should take my suitcase. You look like a hobo with that bag.”
Corbin laughed. “This duffel bag and I have been through a lot together. Besides, I don’t need much. Guitar. Cell phone. Laptop. A few shirts and jeans. Karin will take care of the rest.”
Satisfied he had everything he needed, Corbin placed his belongings next to the door before finally climbing into bed.
“That’s the most you’ve said to me all night,” Corbin said softly, pulling her into his arms. “You’ve been so quiet.”
“You, too.”
He nodded and pressed a kiss to her forehead. It was late, and they both needed to sleep, but neither of them could bring themselves to close their eyes. The record label had offered to send a car to take him to the airport, but Jolie had insisted on driving him herself. It was a four-hour drive to Nashville, and in her mind, that was four more hours she could spend with him.
“As much as I want you all to myself, I still wish you’d let your dad ride with us. I don’t like the idea of you driving back all by yourself.”
“I’m a big girl, Corbin.”
“I know.”
Truthfully, Jolie dreaded the drive back, too. But she didn’t want her dad to see her break down. And she would break down. She thought it was best not to have witnesses.
“Jolie, I need to tell you something. I’ve opened an account down at the bank. Karin says the advance from the record label will be deposited tomorrow afternoon. Your name’s on the account, too.”
Jolie opened her mouth to protest, but he silenced her with a kiss.
“Don’t argue. When you get back from Nashville, I want you to go straight to the bank, find your loan officer, and have them make the transfer. It should be more than enough to cover the back payments and enough to keep you afloat until we can totally pay it off. Do it as soon as you get home. Promise me.”
“I promise,” she said softly.
“Good.” Corbin pulled her close and gazed at her with his deep brown eyes. “Do you know how much I love you?”
“I do. I love you, too. And St. Louis is just a month away. Time will fly. You’ll see. And you’ll be home before we know it.”
Corbin nuzzled her nose with his. “I want to thank you.”
“Thank me? For what?”
“For not begging me to stay.”
Tears filled her eyes. “I’ve wanted to . . . so many times.”
“And I’ve wanted you to. So, thank you. Thank you for not making this harder than it already is.” Corbin laughed lightly. “Who would’ve thought that I’d ever choose home over the road? But I will. Every single time. As long as you’re here waiting for me.”
Jolie snuggled closer. “Are you scared?”
“Terrified. I don’t want to disappoint you.”
“You could never.”
“Oh, I could, Jolie. I really could. And I wish I could promise that I won’t, but that’s not how addiction works. I want a drink every single day. Booze flows freely out on the road. I just have to be mindful of the situations I put myself in. I have to stay focused on us. I have to stay focused on you. So, expect lots of texts and video chats and any other technological advancement t
hat will keep you as close to me as possible, because I’ll need it, Jolie. I’ll need you.”
Not trusting herself to speak, she simply kissed him. She didn’t want to cry. There would be plenty of time for tears later. In the morning, Jolie would be putting her whole heart on that plane, and she didn’t know how she was going to survive it.
But for tonight, she wanted to love him.
She wanted him to love her.
“I know we need to sleep,” she whispered, “but we have a few more hours. I want to give you a reason to come home.”
Jolie rolled over on top of him, causing him to groan and reach for her hips. They both sighed softly as she slid her body against his.
“You already have, Jolie,” he murmured softly in the darkness. “You’re the very best reason to come home.”
The drive to Nashville was gloomy, which perfectly matched the somber mood inside the car.
After breakfast with his family—which was filled with hugs and tears and laughter—Jolie and Corbin hit the interstate. They held hands the entire trip, but neither of them talked much. They’d said everything they needed to say.
Once they were inside the airport, Corbin headed to the ticket counter while Jolie scanned the monitors. His flight to Los Angeles was departing on time.
“They made me check my duffel bag,” Corbin said. “But I can keep my guitar.”
Jolie smiled. “I’m glad. Your flight’s leaving on schedule.”
He nodded and pulled her by the hand over to a seating area. He still had to go through the security gate, but they had a little time. The two of them sat down next to a large window. Jolie wondered if she’d be able to watch his flight take off from there.
“I have something for you,” Corbin said, reaching into his pocket.
Her eyes widened as he pulled out a small jewelry box.
Corbin chuckled.
“It’s not a ring, sweetheart. I wouldn’t propose to you in the middle of a busy airport.”
Jolie’s first thought was why not? But then she reminded herself that they weren’t ready for rings. Not yet. They had to survive this separation before they could even start to think about the rest of their lives.
“Open it,” he said softly.
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