by K. C. Lynn
Laughter tumbles from me and it elicits a chuckle of his own. I lock my arms around his neck, bringing him down until his lips are a breath from mine. “It was all you. It’s always been you…”
His mouth descends for another toe-curling kiss, a kiss I am lucky enough to have for the rest of my days on this earth.
Once again, we lose ourselves in each other, our bodies loving one another the way our hearts do, and I know I will never have enough. He’s my past, present, and future. Nothing or no one will ever compare to what we share, and I will cherish this love with him always.
Later that night, I wake up cold and alone. For a few heart-stopping seconds I fear it was all a dream, but then I hear the melody. Soft and sure, drifting into the room and wrapping around me like a peaceful blanket.
Looking at the clock, I see it’s two in the morning. I slide from bed and curl the sheet around me before stepping out of the room. I find him sitting on the couch with his guitar, his fingers strumming my song. The tune beckons me, reeling me in like a magnetic current.
His eyes find mine in the dark, and there’s no denying the grief embedded there.
“Couldn’t sleep?” I ask quietly.
He shakes his head.
“Do you want to be alone?”
“Never.” He stretches out his hand to me, welcoming my presence.
Smiling, I accept it and let him pull me down on his lap. My bare bottom slides against his rough jeans as I straddle him, his guitar resting between us.
His fingers begin to dance along the guitar, the beautiful melody of my favorite song filling the space between us. Our gazes never waver when he begins singing my song to me. The deep, smooth baritone of his voice whispers over every bare inch of my skin and kisses my soul.
Once we get to the chorus he pauses but his fingers continue their magic. “Sing with me, baby.”
I join in, my voice never comparing to his but it doesn’t matter, not when singing these words.
She’s my anchor, my light
My salvation in the night
My angel, my peace
The best part of me
For the rest of the night, until the sun rose, we made love and sang the song that was not only branded on my skin but also in my heart forever. It was then I knew this is how we would get through the dark nights together, by loving one another unconditionally.
By being each other’s salvation.
EPILOGUE
Christopher
My brother,
If you’re reading this letter then it means my fight has ended. If I know you, and I do, you’re likely blaming yourself. Stop that shit. Sometimes, no matter how hard the good guys fight, evil wins, but it doesn’t mean they’ve won the war.
You are the closest thing to a brother I have. Knowing you and fighting alongside of you has been an honor and definitely the best part of my career. Continue to live for me. Continue the fight. Whether it’s against our enemies or for the happiness you seem to refuse yourself.
Find that girl of yours and live your life to the fullest. If you don’t, I will be forced to haunt your ass from the grave.
Look after my family and never stop being my brother. Wear my tags and know I’m with you every step of the way.
Until we meet again, brother.
Billy
It took six months but I finally read his letter. Maybe I waited so long because I knew once I did it would be the final good-bye, something I wasn’t ready for. Now I stare down at his grave, the headstone blurring before me. My eyes and throat burn like a motherfucker. I haven’t been here since the day of his funeral, and even then I really don’t remember much of it.
Alissa and I just left Gina’s. We celebrated Christin’s second birthday today, a piece of Billy that will live on forever. We try to visit at least once a month, sometimes more.
Every time I drove by the cemetery, I intended to stop and pay my final respects, but I was never able to do it…until now. It’s time. He deserves it and so do I.
Gina seems to be better each time we visit; today she glowed of happiness as she watched her daughter blow out her birthday candles. But I know that loss will always be with her, just as it will me.
The fierce ache in my chest eases when delicate fingers wrap around my hand, a touch that holds the power to heal even the most painful wounds. “He’s with you, you know,” Alissa whispers, staring up at me. “Always.”
Unable to speak, I pull her back against my chest, soaking in the solitude she brings me. My hands move over her stomach that’s slightly rounded with our baby. Something we weren’t expecting nor prepared for. But it doesn’t matter. It’s still the best surprise we’ve ever gotten.
We had to push up the wedding, which isn’t a huge deal since I didn’t want to wait long anyways. I hated that Billy couldn’t be there standing next to me like I did him, but Cade filled that role and he filled it well. I couldn’t have asked for a better man to stand next to me.
Alissa started her first year of medical school and still plans to work toward her degree. But after this semester she will take some time off and go back once she is able to. My job at the elementary school is flexible with my schedule and we have family that is excited to help any way they can, especially my sisters.
No matter what, we’ll make it work.
Finding out it’s a boy made it even better. It gives me another way to keep Billy in my life. It’s only fair that I name my child after him since he named his after me. It’s ironic when I think about it, and a part of me wonders if the fucker had a hand in it. It’d be just like him, he never had a problem interfering in my life.
Alissa shivers in my arms, a chill racking her body from the slight breeze that kicks up. Hugging her closer, I lean down next to her ear. “You ready to go?”
“Only if you are. If not, I’m good. I’ll stay here as long as you want.”
She would. She’d stand here all night if that’s what I wanted.
After pressing a kiss on her temple, I dig my keys out of my pocket and hand them to her. “Go on to the truck. I’ll be there in a minute.”
She turns in my arms, looking up at me with those unique pale eyes that will forever own me. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah. I’m ready. I just want a minute.”
“Okay.” Before leaving, she fists my shirt and pulls me down for a kiss, one that penetrates the darkest parts of me, where all the bad hides. She’s good at that, loving not only the best of me but my demons, too. “Take your time,” she whispers. “I’ll wait for you.”
Her parting words bring me the courage I need to do this last good-bye. Once she’s out of sight, I kneel down, placing my hand on the headstone and stare hard at the words before me.
Billy Manuel Garcia.
Husband.
Father.
Hero.
No one really knows just how much that last word represents him. No one but me. The tags I wear around my neck grow heavy with the reminder of what he sacrificed.
Swallowing hard, I reach into my pocket and pull out the ones I haven’t worn in a really long time. “I’ll keep yours if you keep mine.” The words are rough, working their way past the knot in my throat.
I tie the chain around the cross that’s cemented on top of the headstone, making sure it’s secure. Warmth tracks down my face as I rest my forehead on the cold concrete, brushing my lips across the smooth surface.
“Until we meet again, brother.”
Pushing to my feet, I start back to my truck, each step bringing me to the life I will live for Billy. To the woman I will love and fight for with every breath I take, knowing no matter what I face she will be there, waiting for me, her light guiding me during my darkest hours.
The End
Please turn the page for the cover and blurb for my upcoming book, Cockloft. A steamy, romantic comedy set to release Summer 2017. You can also check my website www.authorkclynn.com for exclusive scenes and find out what’s in store for future book
s.
Coming Summer 2017
Synopsis
Cockloft: A firefighter term used as a structural space above ceiling and below rafters, often connecting adjacent occupancies and permitting fire to spread laterally, often unseen.
Gabriel Martinez is the most arrogant and infuriating man I’ve ever met. He has a knee-weakening smirk that makes me want to kiss—no—slap it off his rude, sexy face. Judging by his ego, you’d think the hose in his pants is as big as the one on his fire truck. Not that I know anything about that nor do I want to. Nope, not at all. He’s already been forgotten like last season’s Michael Kors.
CeCe Kensington is as pretentious and spoiled as they come. The ridiculous purses she shoulders around are as big as her attitude. And don’t get me started on her mile-long legs or full, glossy lips that are meant to be wrapped around a guy’s… If she only knew the dirty things I think about doing to that sassy mouth of hers, she’d be hightailing it back to her side of town.
*
When the beautiful boutique owner and sexy firefighter meet in the most unlikely situation, their two worlds collide, creating an explosion of misperceptions and combustible heat, trapping them in a fire they never saw coming.
Acknowledgements
My acknowledgements have been kept generic as my book count has increased since the people in my life know how much they mean to me. However, this book calls for separate shout-outs because these people were the biggest supporters when it came to writing the most difficult story of my life.
Rob, your support never ceases to amaze me. No one on this earth loves me more than you. I put so much time and energy into a story and you are always left dealing with everything, including my overwhelming up and down emotions. Instead of being frustrated, you love me even harder. Thank you for being the best husband and father our kids could ask for.
My family, especially my mom and mother-in-law, thank you for your support. My journey wouldn’t be what it is without you guys.
Megan, you have been with me since the very beginning. I feel like this is not just my journey but our journey. I’ve learned so much from you and have grown because of you. I don’t thank you enough for everything you do for me. You never get upset when I constantly change my mind and give you back work that you’ve already done. Your patience and overwhelming support means more to me than you will ever know and the same goes with your friendship. Thank you for not only being a great editor but an amazing friend.
Keshia, you are the bestest friend I have ever had. Thank you so much for always following me on my most difficult journeys and never leaving my side. You listen to me cry, rage, and break over and over. Instead of getting frustrated and leaving me, you become an even greater friend and follow me into those emotions. I’ve not only learned how to be an amazing writer from you but also a better person. You are what true friendships are made from.
Kim, we may have only known each other for a few years but I feel like I’ve known you a lifetime. Some of the most incredible memories of my life have been shared with you. Thank you for being one of my best friends. Through the good and the bad. Love ya.
Jodi, I don’t think there are strong enough words to describe just what your friendship means to me. I now consider you one of my closest friends and it’s not because of your talented teasers, trailers, or the endless amount of hours you spend helping me in this book world. Though, that means more to me than you will ever know. But it’s because you have one of the most precious hearts I’ve ever come across and your friendship knows no bounds. I promise to always cherish this friendship and you. Thank you for being my friend. 2018 will be our year and it can’t come soon enough. Love you, my sweet British.
My betas, Sian, Alycia, Andrea, Candace, Nineveh, Jessica, Natasha, Andrea. You will never know how much your support means to me. I love that you all are a part of my journey. Thank you for always giving me the truth and never steering me wrong. Most importantly, thank you for your friendships.
Anna, you are one of my absolute favorite people in this indie world. I love how close we’ve become and enjoy our very long conversations when it comes to this book life. You mean a lot to me, and I cherish our friendship. Thank you for being you.
My proofreaders. Kim, Meg, Nancy, and now Chris. Thank you for your sharp eyes and having my back to make this the best book it can be. Your support means a lot to me.
To all of my Ladies of Honor, YOU GALS ARE LIFE. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for coming along this journey with me, for loving and supporting not just me but my family, too. I cherish the time we spend together and consider you all much more than readers, I consider you friends. Thank you for being the most amazing group an author can ask for.
Kari, Wander, Andrey, Jenny, Tiffany and Zack, thank you so much for making this the best cover yet. I love you all.
Alissa, thank you so much for all the work you put in for me when it comes to my release blitzes. I appreciate your hard work and am glad you are a part of my journey.
And last, but certainly not least, bloggers, this is for you,
B~ Believe in us
L~ Lift us
O~ Open their hearts to us
G~ Go above and beyond
G~ Give us strength
E~ Encourage us
R~ Review and recommend us
S~ Spread the love
To all the bloggers who love and support. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Author Bio
K.C. Lynn is a small town girl living in Western Canada. She grew up in a family of four children—two sisters and a brother. Her mother was the lady who baked homemade goods for everyone on the street and her father was a respected man who worked in the RCMP. He’s since retired and now works for the criminal justice system. This being one of the things that inspires K.C. to write romantic suspense about the trials and triumphs of our heroes.
K.C. married her high school sweetheart and they started a big family of their own—two adorable girls and a set of handsome twin boys. They still reside in the same small town but K.C.’s heart has always longed for the south, where everyone says ‘y’all’ and eats biscuits and gravy for breakfast.
It was her love for romance books that gave K.C. the courage to sit down and write her own novel. It was then a beautiful world opened up and she found what she was meant to do…write.
When K.C.’s not spending time with her beautiful family she can be found in her writing cave, living in the fabulous minds of her characters and their stories.
