Chapter Twenty-Six #2
“Be right back,” he whispered and pressed another kiss to her lips. She watched him get up and walk away with hungry eyes. She would never get enough of him. Never.
He returned with a warm washcloth. After gently cleaning between her legs, he got rid of it and grabbed the pillows off the couch.
Building a comfy pile, he leaned back, pulled her into his arms and drew a soft throw blanket over their naked bodies.
She burrowed against him, and they stared at the crackling fire, as though needing time to process what just happened.
“I was so broken before you,” he finally whispered. “No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get my shit together.”
Her heart leapt, and she knew he was going to confide in her about his past. About what had hurt him so badly and saddled him with crushing guilt and nightmares. Other than his love, the realization that he trusted her—completely—was possibly the greatest gift she’d ever received.
“You can tell me anything, Corey.” She covered his hand with hers.
“I know.” He released a soft sigh. “I don’t have any family—except for the Motley Crew.
My parents had me when they were older and I’m an only child.
Mom died of cancer and Dad passed away not long after.
I’d just turned eighteen and decided to join the Navy.
Our neighbor was a crusty, old former SEAL full of stories, and I wanted to see the world like he had. ”
“Fuck cancer.” She tilted her head back so she could see his face. “Your parents must’ve been wonderful. They certainly did an amazing job raising you.”
“Yeah, I miss them. They were a little old-fashioned, but very wise and taught me to always treat others with kindness.”
“I miss my parents, too. Sometimes, I still expect my mom to call. I miss her voice. Dad’s, too.”
Corey pressed his lips to her hair. “We have a lot in common.”
She nodded. “Did you like the Navy?”
“I loved it. The constant challenges pushed me in ways I’d never been pushed before, and I thrived in the water. I also met Murph and we were inseparable. We eventually wound up on the same team—Red Squadron. I thought I could handle any op that came my way, but I was wrong.”
Wrapping her fingers around his large hand, she lifted it up and pressed it against her heart. “What happened?” she asked quietly.
“We were on a mission in Kabul. An American hostage had been seen in a local hospital there and our job was to get her out and bring her home. And I fucked up. Fucked up so goddamn badly that we not only lost the hostage—Cassidy—but we also lost two guys on my team, including my commander.”
“Oh, Corey, I’m so sorry.”
“I was second-in-command,” he explained, his voice taking on a haunted tone, “so when the shit hit the fan and Lone Star went down, I was in charge. The hospital came under attack and rockets blew part of it away, cutting off our planned escape route. I made the call to use the southwest exit.”
His head dropped forward and she squeezed his hand.
“Cassidy was clinging to me.” He pulled in a harsh breath. “She was blonde and had blue eyes…like you. I had to carry her because she had a broken ankle. She was so scared and I— I promised to get her out safely. I lied. We walked straight into a trap.”
The raw pain that flashed over his face made her heart break. “You couldn’t have known.”
“Every other possible exit wasn’t an option after the rockets hit and tangoes were closing in fast. The place was collapsing around us. I knew snipers’ nests were out there, but I risked it anyway.”
“It sounds like you didn’t have a choice.”
“Looking back, we could’ve waited a little longer before stepping outside.”
“No, you said it was too dangerous. Your gut told you to get out, didn’t it?”
“My gut was wrong,” he said simply.
“No, it wasn’t. Because you’re still alive.”
“We stepped outside,” he continued hollowly, “and even though it’s been twenty years, I can still remember the moment when the sniper’s bullet hit her head…like a melon dropped on the pavement…it just exploded…all over me.”
“ Jesus. ” She turned and wrapped her arms around him. “That’s so awful.”
“I failed her and my brothers. It’s why I stopped making promises…until you.” He pulled in a shaky breath, sweeping her hair back over her shoulders. “Against my better judgment, I promised to protect you.”
“And you did. I’m safe, thanks to you and your friends.”
“When Julia called and told us Joel had kidnapped you—” A shiver racked through his big body. “I was terrified I’d lost you.”
“I’m right here, Corey, and I’m not going anywhere.” She cupped his face, forcing him to look at her. “You proposed, remember? You’re stuck with me, baby.”
He let out a choked laugh. “Thank God.”
She looked deeply into his crystal blue eyes and, in that moment, she saw the shadows lift. Pulling his face down, she kissed him with all the love in her heart. When they finally came up for air, she whispered, “You made me realize something.”
“What?”
“Life doesn’t wait for us to be ready. It throws stuff our way—good and bad.
But I don’t think the storms are meant to punish us.
I think their job is to shape us. To carve out room for greater compassion, for growth.
I think we need to trust the process, even when it feels unbearable.
Maybe our experiences will help us become better people. ”
“That’s a very wise view, my love. I know it led you to me, and I will be forever grateful for the day you found me face down in the snow.”
A half sob half laugh escaped her throat as she pushed up, tightening her hold around his neck. “I love you, Corydon Emerson. Every single beautiful and broken piece.”
“You’re my everything, Sera Darling.”
“The stars in your sky?” she asked teasingly, remembering Ellie’s words.
“My whole damn universe,” he corrected before kissing her into sweet oblivion.