by Tijan
“I can’t believe he planned all this,” I muse, still looking myself over.
“Lucky bitch.” She snorts, and we both laugh.
I know I’m lucky. Each time I look at my ridiculously sexy fiancé, I remember how special what we have is. Sure, we have our ups and downs and things are never always easy, but he’s worth it all.
Kristin peeks her head in. “You guys ready? We need to get to the dock and send the limo to the park.”
I roll my eyes at the lengths he’s gone to, but he said he refuses to let one photo be leaked. Therefore, there are fake limos, and he rented out the park we went to after Steph passed away.
Kristin, Danielle, Nicole, Savannah, and I climb into the other limousine and head to the boat. The wedding is only immediate family and friends, we want to be surrounded by those we love without any fanfare.
“Are you ready?” Savannah asks as we pull up.
Our relationship has become incredibly close. She’s been there each step of the way, helping me find my footing in this crazy public life. I’m so grateful to her, and I’m excited to become sisters-in-law.
“I really am.”
“I’m so happy for you guys,” she takes my hand.
Kennedy opens the door and ushers everyone out. “Let’s go. So far, we’ve evaded any possible press, so let’s get you out to sea before that changes.” When we don’t move fast enough she claps her hands. “I’m not kidding ladies, let’s move your butts.”
We all glance at each other, and I stifle a laugh.
Once safely aboard, we head to the first level, where there’s a plush living room type area. The boat is magnificent. It has a dining area with a dance floor, a bathroom that doesn’t make me cringe, and even a few bedrooms. It’s basically a miniature cruise ship.
“Do you think he’s nervous?” I ask the girls.
“I’m sure he’s being restrained by Randy so he can’t come find you.” Savannah laughs. “Eli isn’t known for his patience.”
“No shit,” Nicole agrees. “Who the hell plans a wedding before asking the bride?”
“I think it’s romantic.” Kristin grins.
I agree with Kristin. On one hand, he’s crazy, but on the other, he’s sweet. “Well, he does leave for filming soon, so we either did it now or waited a few months.”
After a bit, Kennedy comes in and instructs us where to go. She fusses over each of my girls, getting their dresses perfect.
Nicole turns to me and pulls me close. “He’s the one, Heather. The one who deserves you.” She pulls a note from her freaking cleavage, and I know what that is. “I wanted to do this before we left, but I forgot until now. Stephanie said this was only to be given to you on your wedding day to a man who truly deserved you.”
My hand reaches out, shaking as I take the paper. “I can’t read this,” I admit.
“Do you want me to read it to you?”
“No,” I sigh. “I just mean I’m going to lose it.”
She touches my hand. “I’ll hold Kennedy back. Take your time.”
Nicole makes good on her promise, informing Kennedy that she’ll make her walk the plank if she comes in here. I sit on the chair and open the note. My sister is always with me, and today has been tough, but I pray this won’t wreck me.
Heather,
I really hope you get to read this, and for real, don’t cry!
You were meant to be loved by someone special. You have given yourself to everyone around you, and I hope you’ve found a man who will finally fill you up. I don’t remember Mom and Dad’s marriage like you do, but from what you’ve told me, I pray you’ve found that kind of love. I hope the other half of your soul is a fraction as wonderful as you are.
While I can’t be there, know that when you finally open this note, I’m smiling down on you. If it’s sunny, it’s because I’m shining. If it’s raining, it’s because I wanted to make your makeup run, because that’s what sisters do. However, if it’s a hurricane, then Daddy is probably trying to send you a message or you just have really shitty luck.
I hope you’re happy today. I want you to smile all day, even when you miss me. I’m never far from you because you’re a part of me. I love you so much. I wish I could tell you how special and beautiful you are right now, but this letter will have to do.
Last, let him know if he messes up, I probably have other ghost friends by now, and I’ll make sure he never sleeps again.
I love you.
Stephanie
P.S. You get the next letter when you either have a kid or turn fifty. Either way, I’ll be back . . .
I tuck the letter into my bouquet of flowers so she’s with me down the aisle and look out at the now coral-and-purple sky with a smile. She’s such a turd, even from the grave she still messes with me.
My sister would’ve loved this. I can imagine her giving me crap about the color dresses, the flavor of cake, and pretty much anything else she could make a fuss about. The way she would’ve gone to war with Kennedy and then with Nicole. She would’ve loved Eli. They only met a few times, and I know she’d be completely on his side. He has this way about him that she wouldn’t have been able to resist. It’s annoying how charming he is.
There’s a soft knock on the door, and I open it.
“Ready?” Brody asks with a smile.
“I’m ready.” I loop my arm in his.
Brody kisses my cheek, and we start to walk. “I’m happy for you. Eli’s a good dude.”
I chuckle. “He is.”
“You doing okay after the letter?”
“I actually am. I miss her. I miss her so much, but she’s with me all the time.”
Brody stops me at the bottom of the stairs. “She would be so proud of you.”
Now the tears start to come. I look up, fanning my eyes and hoping to keep them until at least the vows. “Damn it.” I laugh. “No more talking. I’m not crying before the wedding.”
“All right, let’s focus on you not tripping.”
“Agreed.”
We make it to the upper deck, and nerves have me gripping Brody’s elbow a bit tighter. I think about how different my life is. I’m not afraid anymore, and that’s all thanks to Eli. I don’t sit and wait for the floor to drop out, I dance on it, enjoying what we do have. He’s been there each step of the way, always holding out a hand for me to hold. When he wanted to leave his show, we talked about it. He wanted me to quit my job, and we talked through my staying. I’m there by his side at his doctor appointments, but I’m not the one running it all. There may come a time when things will change for us, but that’s okay. If it does, we’ll do it together.
Kennedy makes her way over and fixes my veil. “Here we go.”
The double doors open, and I continue to cling to Brody’s arm so I don’t falter in my steps. The space is more stunning than I could have imagined. There are blue and green flowers, beautiful white chairs, and twinkling lights fill the space. It’s absolutely perfect.
The music cues, and the room no longer is what I see. The man I love more than life comes into view, and I melt. His black tuxedo frames his body, showing off his broad shoulders and trim waist. Our eyes connect, and he smiles. My chest clenches, and I fight the urge to run toward him. Suddenly, I can’t wait.
I start to move, but Brody holds me steady.
Each step I take eases the tightness around my ribs. The closer we get, the easier I can breathe.
We reach the end, and Brody places my hand in Eli’s as a tear falls. I look at my best friend who has been a brother to me. He winks and kisses my cheek. “You have a new partner now.”
Another tear drops, and I nod. “Thank you.”
“Be good to her,” Brody says as Eli shakes his hand.
“Always.”
The minister calls attention to us all, and I feel the greatest sense of calm. Here, surrounded by our family and friends, we confess our love. Eli slips a diamond eternity band on my finger, and I place a titanium ring on his. When w
e picked out our rings, Eli said my ring was to be wrapped with no break in stones. I chose one that was the strongest metal.
“Ellington and Heather have decided to write their own vows,” the minister explains. “Heather, you’re first.”
I take a deep breath and confess what’s in my heart. “I never believed in fate. My world was exactly what I made it to be. I felt that by believing there was something else controlling the things around me, it meant I wasn’t worthy of much because my life was a mess. Therefore, I controlled anything possible. And then I met you. A day that was a way for my friends to force me out of the house for a good time, became my future. I didn’t know that one instant could alter everything I ever believed in, but you did that. You showed me that it was okay to take chances. You gave me a safe haven through the storm. You give me the ability and the strength to believe in tomorrow.” A tear rolls down his face, and I swipe it away like he’s done for me so many times. I take his hand in mine and squeeze hard. I want him to know how much I believe in us. “I promise that I’ll never run from you, not even if you push me outside my comfort zone. I promise that even when our lives feel like they’re crumbling, I’ll stand beside you. I will be your strength when you need it. I promise you will never have to wonder if I love you because I’ll show you in every way. You are the other half of me. You are my belief in fate. You’re my reason for going on. You’re my salvation, and I love you so much. I give you my heart, my soul, and my life from this day forward.”
I release a shaky breath and try not to cry, but I fail. Nicole hands me a tissue, but Eli wipes it away before it falls. We smile at each other and the minister nods at him.
“Love wasn’t something I was ever looking for. I didn’t seek it out or hope it would come along, but then I found you. Through a sea of people, my eyes met yours. I suddenly didn’t know how to breathe. All I wanted to do was talk to you, touch you, know you, and I had to find a way. I had no idea that moment would flip my entire world upside down. That the words to that song would be exactly what you are, my once in a lifetime. I had no way of knowing that one night could alter every tomorrow. Knowing that you’re with me gives me all I need. Heather, I would chase you over a thousand more fences if it meant I had the next day beside you.” I giggle through the tears, and he grins. “I won’t ever give up on us. I’ll fight every darkness that threatens to blind our love. I’ll never let you feel alone because you’ll always have me. On my bad days, I promise to come to you and lean on you for support. On your bad days, I promise to be your rock. I will love you through every doubt, fear, laugh, cry, and emotion that you may have. When we’re apart, I will love you through the distance. From this day forward, I promise that you’ll be my day, night, and my tomorrow.”
Tears of happiness fall down my cheek, and all I want to do is kiss him. Eli slips the eternity band on my finger, and then he steps closer and brings his hands up to cup my face. Before the minister is finished declaring us man and wife, Eli’s lips are on mine, sealing all our promises until the end of time.
Bonus Scene
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Books by Corinne Michaels
The Salvation Series
Beloved
Beholden
Consolation
Conviction
Defenseless
Evermore: A 1001 Dark Night Novella Indefinite
Infinite
Return to Me Series
Say You'll Stay
Say You Want Me
Say I'm Yours
Say You Won't Let Go
Second Time Around Series
We Own Tonight
One Last Time
Not Until You
If I Only Knew
The Arrowood Brothers
Come Back for Me
Fight for Me (Coming 5/19/20)
The One for Me (Coming 8/18/20)
Lie for Me (Coming 12/8/20)
Co-Write with Melanie Harlow
Hold You Close
Imperfect Match
Standalone Novels
All I Ask
For more information click here!
Acknowledgments
I keep joking that I’ll just write a blanket thank you, but then I remember how nuts I am when I’m working on a book. If you deal with me during this process, you deserve so much more than what’s back here.
To my husband and children. I don’t know how you deal with me, but I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you. I love you all with my whole heart.
My beta readers, Katie, Melissa, Michelle, Clarissa, and Shera: Thank you so much for your support and love during this book. I had so much fun going through this journey. You keep me laughing when I feel like punching myself in the face.
My assistants Melissa and Christy: You guys are my heart. No matter how insane I am, you keep me around.
My publicist, Danielle, thank you for dealing with my rambling messages and still somehow making sense of what I mean. 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.
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.
Ashley, my editor, for always pushing me to write outside of my comfort zone. It’s truly a blessing to work with you and I love our crazy process. Sommer Stein, from Perfect Pear Creative, for being my friend and creating the most amazing cover ever. Janice 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 hearts.
Bait, Stabby, and Corinne Michaels Books – I love you more than you’ll ever know.
My agent, Kimberly Brower, I am so happy to have you on my team. Thank you for your guidance and support.
Melissa Erickson, you’re amazing. I love your face.
Vi, Claire, Mandi, Amy, Kristy, Penelope, 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
New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Corinne Michaels is the author of nine romance novels. 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. She enjoys putting her characters through intense heartbreak and finding a way to heal them through their struggles. Her stories are chock full of emotion, humor, and unrelenting love.
Irresistible Attraction
Irresistible Attraction
By: Willow Winters
A Single Glance
A Single Glance
Book 1
I saw her from across the bar.
My bar. My city. Everything in that world belonged to me.
She stood out from the crowd, looking like she was searching for someone to blame for her pain.
That night, I felt the depths of my mistakes and the scars the
y left behind. With a single glance, I knew her touch would take it all away and I craved that more than anything.
I knew she would be a tempting, beautiful mistake.
One I would make again and again... even if it cost me everything.
Dedication
Dedicated to both TJ and Gem. In no particular order.
Your love for my books and these characters knows no bounds. You have no idea how happy it makes me to hear you guys fighting over who licked Jase first. I love you both… and I’m staying out of this one!
MUAH!
Prologue
Bethany
I’ve learned to love the cold. To love the heat that comes after. To love his touch. Whatever bit of it he’ll give me.
Only when we’re in this room though. Outside of it, he’s still my enemy. And I’ll never forget that. But when I’m tied down and waiting for him to use me as he wishes… I live for these moments.
The edge of the knife drags down my body, the blade running along my bare skin and taking the peach fuzz from every inch of me. It doesn’t cause pain, but it leaves a sensitive trail that awakens every nerve ending it passes. Making me feel alive, so desperate and so conscious of how good it feels to long for something.
The knife travels down my collarbone carefully, meticulously, leaving a chill in the air that dares me to shiver as the sharp knife glides lower, down to the small mounds of my breasts. It’s so cold when he’s not hovering over me. The icy bite of the air alone has never brought pleasure, but knowing what’s to come, the draft is nearly an aphrodisiac.
