Consolation (Consolation Duet #1) (32 page)

I laugh and pull him close. “Now you’re just being silly.”

“I love you.”

“I love you, more,” I say and lift up on my toes and kiss him. “Hurry back.”

He doesn’t say another word and releases me. I stand here and watch him get in his car. The sound of the engine makes me jump and I fight the tears. I won’t let him see me cry. He waves and I wave back as he drives out of sight.

I can do this. He’ll be back. I can handle it.

Days pass and I don’t hear from him. I should be in Corolla right now, but instead I’m working from home while Aarabelle is at the sitter. I hate not being able to hear his voice. The training missions were different because he would call.

Instead, now I sit and wonder. I worry that I’m going to turn on the news and see something has happened.

God, I didn’t miss this part.

I head out to the deck to get some sun. It’s still funny to me how we take this view for granted. I stare out at the horizon and get lost in my thoughts. My life is in a wonderful place. I have a beautiful daughter who makes my life worth living, a man who loves me and who I love, and a great job.

My family will be here soon and then they can all see just how great things are. Faith works in mysterious ways. A year ago, I was unwilling to think I could be here. I thought I was destined to live alone and sad.

I stand here looking out at the ocean, feeling a sense of serenity until I hear the sound of a car pulling into the driveway and I turn. The smile is instantaneous. He’s home. I need to lay eyes on him. I want to kiss him and hug him.

I rush down the driveway and see Jackson and Mark walking up first. They look at the ground and walk slowly as if they’re about to destroy my world.

No.

No.

Not again.

No.

My heart falters as they approach without looking at me. “No!” I scream out and begin to step backwards. “I can’t.” I begin to shake, but Mark moves to the side and I see Liam.

He’s okay. “Oh my God, you’re okay!” I scream and rush toward him with tears falling. “I was so scared!” I begin to run and then Liam puts his hand up to stop me.

My feet don’t move as Liam approaches, but doesn’t say a word. He just looks at me with so much pain in his eyes, I’m afraid he’s going to break.

Oh, please tell me they didn’t lose someone.

“Liam?” I ask hesitantly and take his face in my hands. “What’s wrong?” I feel his scruff against my palm and lean in to kiss him, but he jerks back slightly. I stare at him with wide eyes trying to figure out why he’s so forlorn. “Hey,” I say again. Still, he doesn’t speak.

He closes his eyes while pulling my hands from his face. My fingers fall as he steps to the side, and then I see him.

“Aaron?” my voice shakes.

My chest heaves and I stare at his dark brown eyes and long hair. My husband . . . Oh, God.

Aaron steps toward me and my heart stops beating.

“Hi, baby.”

TO BE CONTINUED . . .

(Book Two in the Consolation Duet)

on Amazon, iBooks and Kobo

Pre order Conviction from Amazon

Beloved (Book One in the Belonging Duet)

Purchase Beloved from Amazon

Not enough.

Catherine Pope has never been enough.

She repeatedly lets men in—only to be left broken.

Then Catherine met Jackson Cole.

Jackson makes her feel alive, desirable, and consumes her with a fierceness she’s never known.

But Jackson struggles with his own past. His training as a Navy SEAL never prepared him for the battle to win her heart. He’s different, honorable, and worth the chance…but he must prove it.

If she gives him what’s left of her heart—will he protect it? Will she get the one thing that has always evaded her – to finally be someone’s beloved?

Beholden (Book Two in the Belonging Duet)

Purchase Beholden from Amazon

Catherine Pope got a second chance at love, only to have it ripped away—again. She should’ve known better.

But she dared to hope.

She refuses to let fate take the reins this time. Catherine decides she’s going to fight.

Jackson Cole risked it all.

He thought this time would be different.

With his loyalties pulling him in two directions—it’s time to make a choice…his past or his future.

Will they be beholden to their fears or will they both fight against their demons and finally find the love they both long for?

Corinne Michaels is an emotional, witty, sarcastic, and fun loving mom of two beautiful children. She’s happily married to the man of her dreams and is a former Navy wife. After spending months away from her husband while he was deployed, reading and writing was her escape from the loneliness.

Both her maternal and paternal grandmothers were librarians, which only intensified her love of reading. After years of writing short stories, she couldn’t ignore the call to finish her debut novel, Beloved. Her alpha Navy SEALs are broken, beautiful, and will steal your heart.

Connect at corinnemichaels.com

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