Say I'm Yours

by Michaels, Corinne

  She was always sick, threw things at me, and told me I destroyed her soul at least once a day. I was never more grateful for my hovering mother. For some reason, she wasn’t mad at her. Mama came every day, cleaned the house, did some sort of exorcism on my wife, and made sure I didn’t have to arrest Grace for homicide. Although, it would’ve definitely been me she killed.

  Hannah runs out and hugs Grace. “Hi, Mama!”

  “Hi, sweet girl. I see you’ve already had dessert for the week with Daddy.”

  “Yeah.” She smiles and gives me up. “He lets me have candy when you’re gone. Says it keeps me on his side.”

  “Hannah!” I yell at my traitor child as she runs away. “I thought we had a deal.”

  “You know you’re in charge, right?” Grace asks as she leans against the doorjamb. “I mean, you’re the parent and there are no sides.”

  I never know with these women. “You say that now, but one day, she’s going to be a teenager, and I’ll be really freaking old.”

  “You’re old now.” Grace points out.

  “You’re no spring chicken, either, sweetheart.”

  I probably shouldn’t have said that.

  “That’s not going to help you win an argument.”

  “She’s just so cute. I can’t help it. It’s like lookin’ at you, I can’t say no.”

  I try to play to her sweet side.

  “You say no all the time.”

  “Not when you give me the lip,” I remind her. I’m a sucker for it.

  She walks over and does the look I referred to. Her eyes get all gooey, her bottom lip juts out a little, and she tilts her head to the side. I melt. I can’t help it. “This face?” Grace asks as she comes closer. Her hands travel up my chest and rest on my shoulders.

  I wrap my arms around her and hold her against me. “I’ll give you anything you want.”

  “You’re a mess.” Grace laughs a bit and her fake pout breaks into a smile.

  “But I’m your mess.”

  “Lucky me.”

  I kiss her lips and smile. “You had your chance to walk away, but you couldn’t resist me. I’m an irresistible man to you, Grace Hennington. You love me and wouldn’t trade me for the world.”

  Life with Grace has shown me so much about myself. I never realized that I could be this happy. I drive her nuts, and she nags me, but I wouldn’t trade a minute of it. That isn’t to say there aren’t times I enjoy escaping with my brothers for a week, but I’m always anxious to get home.

  She leans back, and her blue eyes hold mine. “Yeah, I’ve always had a soft spot for strays.”

  “This is why people warn you not to feed the animals.”

  Grace giggles and gives me a kiss. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  And I do. More than I knew was possible. When I promised Grace I would give her my heart, I did. I’ve tried to make each day with her special. I didn’t deserve another chance with her, but she gave me one. I don’t take that for granted.

  “How did I get so lucky?” she asks completely rhetorically, but I’m going to let her know anyway.

  “Well, one day, you realized how perfect I was.” She smacks my arm. The only thing that comes to mind is something my father said to me. “I don’t know the how or why, I’m just glad that it is. Because if it wasn’t, we wouldn’t be.”

  I may not be good at many things, but I try damn sure to be good at loving her.

  D ear Reader ,

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  Books by Corinne Michaels

  The Salvation Series

  Beloved

  Beholden

  Consolation

  Conviction

  Defenseless

  Standalone Novels

  Say You’ll Stay

  Say You Want Me

  Say I’m Yours

  Acknowledgments

  I swear I know I’ll forget someone, so if you’re that person . . . I’m sorry.

  To my husband and children. You’re the world to me. Thank you for loving me even when I’m mentally checked out.

  My beta readers, Katie, Melissa, Holly, Michelle, and Jenn: I love you guys. This book was not my usual process but I can’t tell you how much I relied on your support. Thank you!

  My publicist, Danielle, I love you. Thank you for dealing with my insanity and still loving me. I’m grateful for you more than you will ever know.

  My readers. There’s no way I can thank you enough. It still blows me away that you read my words. You guys are everything to me.

  My Corinne Michaels Books group on Facebook, I wake up every single day and go there first. You’re the bright spot in life. Thank you for everything.

  Bloggers: You’re the heart and soul of this industry. Thank you for choosing to read my books and fit me in your insane schedules. I appreciate it more than you know.

  Thank you to Ashley, my editor, for dealing with my crazy voice messages and making this book everything. It is truly a blessing to work with you. Sarah Hansen, from Okay Creations, for making my covers perfect. Janice, Alison, and Kara for proofreading and making sure each detail is perfect! Christine, from Type A Formatting, your support is invaluable. I truly love your beautiful heart.

  Wordcount Sprint, Kristy Bromberg, and Kristen Proby – if it were not for you, this book would still not be written. You pushed me, encouraged me, and made me get my butt in gear. Thank you from the bottom of my soul.

  My agent, Kimberly Brower, I am so happy to have you on my team. Thank you for your guidance and support.

  Squad, SOS, & Holiday Reads Authors—Thank you for your friendship, love, and the way you push me to step outside of the box. I love you guys!

  Christy Peckham, I’m running out of things to say, but the one thing that stays is: THANK YOU! I love you and even if I say I don’t, I’m lying. Well, maybe.

  Melissa Erickson, you’re amazing. I love your face.

  Milasy, my brunch bitch. Thank you for keeping my glass filled with Bloody Mary’s. I can’t tell you how much I cherish our Sunday morning ritual.

  Vi, Claire, Mandi, Amy, Kristy, Kyla, Rachel, Mia, Tijan, Alessandra, Syreeta, Meghan, Laurelin, Kristen, Kendall, Kennedy, Ava, Leylah, and Lauren—Thank you for keeping me striving to be better and loving me unconditionally.

  About the Author

  C orinne Michaels is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author. She’s an emotional, witty, sarcastic, and fun loving mom of two beautiful children. Corinne is 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.

  B oth 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 men are broken, beautiful, and will steal your heart.