“Don’t say that, because I know that the love between you and my brother means the world. It is absolutely something to hold onto and I truly believe it will work out for you both in the end.” My arms felt heavy as I lifted them around her shoulders, to give her a tight squeeze. In just a few months the Preston’s have become more of a family to me than my own has ever been. And I was going to miss them more than I could express in words alone. The carefree attitude I acquired during my liquor binge now turned to grief, as Karly’s arms offered me the comfort I was so desperate for. Before I could even process the thought and think about what I was saying, the words came out.
“I love him, Karly. I love him so damn much but I can’t be with him. This is his home and my hell.” Karly backed away so I could see her face.
“Corey is your home, Danielle. He will always be by your side but you have to let him.” I nodded, but knew that wasn’t going to change my opinion.
“I need to use the restroom.” With a kiss on her cheek, I scurried away.
In the bathroom I soaked a towel in cold water; pressing it against my bare neck and chest to calm me down. The moment I felt fresh tears prick my eyes, I decided it was time to return to the bar. Sanders tried to sway me against taking another shot but there was no chance in that happening. Massive amounts of tequila was the only thing I needed now and I had ever intention to indulge. Before I could get the next shot to my lips, a hand locked around my wrist and yanked me backwards. The shot spilled into the spot I had been standing seconds before.
My head whipped around to see the back of Corey’s head as he hauled me out of the banquet hall. The instant we weren’t in the middle of a crowd of people, I was scooped into the warmth and strength that my body craved.
“What are you doing!!” My voice screamed out, as my body mercilessly flailed around. Whatever was happening, the last thing I could handle right now was to be alone with Corey.
“I’m done watching you try and kill yourself with tequila tonight.”
“So stop watching!”
Corey stopped walking and stared down into my face. “Don’t you get it yet, Danielle, you are all I see. Whenever you’re near I can think straight because you have taken control of me. I don’t think of all the bad and I never need to worry about tomorrow. As long as you are a part of my future, I can handle whatever comes along.”
I swallowed back my tears and the overbearing need to spill my heart.
“You’ve changed my world, Danielle Hamilton, and I’m not letting you go.”
His legs began to move again as he walked up the Inn steps and down the hall to the same room we had our quickie in months before. He pulled a key from his pants pocket and unlocked the door. We walked through and the second we were over the threshold, our lips were smashed together. The sound of him kicking the door closed registered in my brain but slowly slipped away, as I felt the delicious warmth move with me.
My feet hit the ground and straightaway our hands fumbled with clothing. Corey’s jacket, then shirt were the first to hit the room floor; followed swiftly by my dress then his pants. My hands were everywhere against his hard chest, in his soft hair; while my lips explored everything I could reach. When Corey pushed me away, I whimpered at the loss of contact but in his heavy panting, I saw the combustible passion in his eyes and knew we were nowhere near finished.
Before I could stop it, my hands latched onto either side of his face, while I looked directly into those illustrious blue eyes. “I love you, Corey.” His eyes bulged out and a sharp intake of breath slid past his swollen, luscious lips.
Corey processed my words before breaking the silence. “Say it again.” He whispered, as if breaking the silence would destroy the words hanging between us.
“I love you, so much. You’re right, I’m jealous as hell and I hate seeing you near another girl; especially when I’m the one who wants you. What kills me is I’m the