Coral Hearts (20 page)

It didn’t take the doctor long to pronounce her “fit as a fiddle,” but he’d also warned her to take things easy for a day or two. “If I’m fine, why do I need to take it easy?”

“Your body has used up a lot of resources and pushing your luck now would likely be too much for fate to resist.” Coral understood tempting fate better than most people, so maybe she’d just go back to her apartment and rest there for a few days before heading out. She owed Charlotte an explanation, as well. Sighing to herself, Coral relaxed back against the pillows he’d piled up against the headboard for her. Vowing to rest her eyes for just a couple of minutes before she started gathering her things and finding her car, Coral let her eyelids flutter closed.
It won’t hurt to wait until everyone clears out downstairs. No sense in doing a modified walk of shame in front of the whole damned town.

Sage sat in
his favorite wingback chair watching Coral sleep. He’d pulled the chair close to the bed when she’d started talking in her sleep, he hadn’t wanted to miss the opportunity to learn more about the woman who’d stolen his heart. The same woman he’d come much too close to losing a few hours earlier. Doc had assured him she would be fine, but Sage was sure he’d never forget how icy her skin had felt and its blue tinge had been terrifying.

He’d spent the past few hours wondering how he’d managed to fuck up so thoroughly. Hell, his own mother was so mad at him she’d refused to even look at him until his dad eventually managed to calm her down. “Don’t think this means you’re in the clear with me, son. I just don’t like seeing your mama so upset—besides, she isn’t getting first dibs on you.” The conversation with the man he admired most in the entire world had gone south from that point—rapidly. And as hard as the criticism had been to hear, Sage had known he had it all coming.

His brothers had relayed the information they’d gotten from Ronnie. Sage knew there was no way he’d ever be able to convey his gratitude to the man who’d saved her life, but it didn’t mean he wouldn’t try. Ironically it seemed her new engagement ring had probably been a huge factor in her rescue. Ronnie said a small twinkle of light at the edge of the trees caught his eye and when he turned the snowmobile in that direction, he could see her holding her hand up trying to block the snow from her face. The irony hadn’t been lost on Sage.

Listening to her restless mumblings wasn’t doing anything to ease his guilt. How she’d thought he was besotted with Mackenzie mystified him, but he damned well planned to clear things up as soon as she woke up. Kip and Brandt had filled him in on their conversation with Mackenzie and he trusted their instincts—if his brothers believed the woman might have plans to hurt Coral, then it was definitely worth investigating. Phoenix had been leaning back against the kitchen counter listening and shaking his head.

“You guys know it’s always about money with Mackenzie—we need to follow the money. She’s smart, but I’m smarter.” Phoenix had pushed away from the counter, snagged several energy drinks from the fridge, and disappeared into his computer lab.

Much to his surprise, the only person who hadn’t given him hell was Charlotte. Coral’s friend and employer had assured him the storm would blow over quickly. “She’s quite smitten with you, I don’t think she’ll be able to leave—even if she thinks she should. Our girl hasn’t ever had anybody she could trust—she needs to know her heart is safe with you.” In typical Charlotte fashion, she’d managed to reassure him and still send a camouflaged message. He’d understood and planned to use the information to his advantage.

Leaning forward with his forearms resting on his knees, Sage clasped his hands and stared at the floor. He’d been sitting for so long his muscles were rioting in protest. Exhaling a deep breath, he wondered aloud yet again at his ability to hurt the one woman he’d sell his soul to protect.

“It’s okay, Sage. I understand.”

Jumping to his feet, Sage moved to the bed, sitting close by her side and pulling her left hand into his. “Actually, I don’t think you understand at all, pet. I think we were both manipulated last night, but the blame falls squarely on my shoulders.” He shook his head and tightened his grip when she tried to pull her hand from between his. Even all these hours later her fingers were cool to the touch, but nothing like the frigid flesh he’d uncovered hours ago when he’d first laid her on the bed.

“First of all, I want to apologize for ruining what was supposed to be one of the most romantic and joyful evenings of our lives. If I live to be a hundred years old, I’ll still regret how things ended last night. My complete lack of consideration for your feelings will haunt me forever. Seeing the hurt in your eyes felt like a knife being plunged straight into my heart.” He saw her eyes fill with tears, but he wasn’t finished so he forged ahead, “I’ll have to spend the rest of my life making absolutely certain you don’t regret giving me a second chance, because there isn’t a chance in hell I’m letting you go. I know you think you’re leaving—hell, I can see it in your eyes even now. But, baby, you’re mine and I’ll tie you to the fucking bed if I have to.”

Tears streamed down her wind-burned cheeks, catching small rays of light in the dimly lit room. Sage doubted she realized how long she’d slept, and he was glad she was awake now. “Come with me, Pet. I have something I want to show you.” Wrapping her in a blanket, he picked her up and stepped close to the balcony windows. When he set her on her feet, he saw her eyes widen in surprise. “Before you make a decision about leaving, I want you take a long look at everything being laid at your feet. Look closely, my love because God has painted a personal invitation for you to stay.” He moved behind her, wrapping his arms around her and just enjoyed the feeling of her in his embrace.

Knowing his dad’s penchant for details, Sage didn’t doubt for a minute he’d deliberately positioned the master suite to offer views as any in the world. The afternoon sun was just dipping behind the mountains painting the sky in golden shades of amber and the darker hues of orange and red. Before long the colors would cool to violet before settling into a deep midnight blue bedazzled by millions of brilliant diamonds. Even as a child, Sage had known he’d never be able to leave Montana, the sky alone anchored him to the only home he’d ever known. The mountains and valleys might be a feast for the eyes, but the Montana sky fed his soul.

“I don’t want to go, but I’m afraid to stay. You’re everything I’ve always dreamed of, and even though losing you now will hurt…losing you later will destroy me.” There was a part of Sage that was proud of her—damn she’d laid it right out there. He was humbled by the fact there was still a part of her that trusted him enough to let herself be vulnerable. The Dom in him surged to the surface, but this time it was all about nurturing her transparency.

“Your heart is safe with me, love. It will always be safe. I’m not saying I won’t make mistakes—because I will. But the one thing you can rely on above all else is the fact I’d never intentionally hurt you.” The most beguiling green eyes he’d ever seen searched his own dark eyes, her gaze so intent Sage knew she was trying to see into his soul. He sent up a silent prayer to whoever might be listening—
please let her see the love in my heart, the sincerity of my pledge, and depth of my soul’s desire to join with hers.

Coral looked deep
into Sage’s eyes, pleased to see nothing but sincerity. Growing up surrounded by deceit had trained her well, she’d prided herself on her uncanny ability to spot deceit in others…that is until she’d fallen in with Donny Sanders. Her ex-boyfriend hadn’t made her any promises beyond a safe place to stay, but knowing she’d misjudged his character had shaken her confidence. How could she be certain she wasn’t making the same mistake this time? How could she be sure her heart would always be safe?

During her conversation with Josie, her sweet friend had asked if she had a man in her life. When Coral hesitated, Josie had laughed. “I’ll take that as a yes…and either he is sitting nearby or you’re holding back to protect your heart.” Josie had always been intuitive and Coral hadn’t been surprised how quickly she’d read her emotions. “I promise to come see you soon, I think we could both benefit from a long overdue movie marathon and margarita night. But until then, please stop holding on to all those pesky insecurities about your parents. Take a chance, you can’t soar sitting on the ledge. Take it from a person who’s made a career of taking risks—even though some of those have been more beneficial than others.” Josie’s giggle let Coral know she’d have plenty of entertaining stories to share.

They’d made plans to call one another again soon and as strange as it might sound, it was Josie’s encouragement that made all the difference now. Typical, Josie…her ability to pre-empt fate had always amazed Coral. She took a deep breath and decided to take a leap of faith. “I love you, Sage. In a lot of ways it feels like I’ve loved you forever, even though for so long it seemed like you were only a creation of my imagination.” She shook her head when he started to speak, she needed to finish or she might never find the courage again.

“But I’m warning you, I’m stronger than I look. In just a couple of days you’ve shown me parts of myself I’d never known existed, and I won’t sell myself short again. I deserve a man whose heart belongs only to me.”

Sage nodded before he pulled her into his arms. Pressed against his chest she found comfort in the warmth of his embrace and the steady beat of his heart beneath her ear. Coral was self-aware enough to recognize her deep seeded need to feel safe. Sage had pushed her too close to the edge last night. She wanted to believe he wouldn’t hurt her, but rebuilding the tenuous trust would take time.

“I can almost feel you pulling back and it’s killing me, but I’ve got no one to blame but myself. I’ve never lied to you—and I won’t start now. I don’t know why Mackenzie was here, heaven knows she wasn’t invited, nor was she welcome. My entire family detests her—hell, Kip was almost apocalyptic and Brandt vowed to help him hide her body should she come near you again.”

She was so surprised she pulled back, blinking up at him in surprise. “Oh, pet, you have no idea how protective they’re going to be of you. They love you already, it’s nothing short of a miracle I’m still allowed in the house. I shudder to think of the digital hell Phoenix will rain down on her.” He shrugged nonchalantly before continuing, “But all things considered, she’s brought it all on herself.”

“She’s not a nice person—not at all. What did you see in her?” Coral was genuinely curious since the two of them seemed so different. She couldn’t imagine how Sage could be attracted to them both.

“No she isn’t nice, but she was very good at masking it for a long time. Honestly? I might have seen it sooner, but I was too stubborn to listen to my brothers. I was so used to being the
big brother
I’d failed to notice they’d all become my equal. Instead of listening and seeing things from their point of view I dug my heels in, refusing to concede I might have made a mistake. It wasn’t until I realized Brandt had been willing to sacrifice our relationship to save me from her that I finally came to my senses.”

Coral could tell the conversation was painful for him…but the pain didn’t stem from the fact he’d lost a woman he thought he’d loved. This was the anguish of a man who’d nearly walked away from a member of his own family because he’d refused to admit he was wrong. She couldn’t imagine how difficult it had to be for a man as successful as Sage Morgan to admit he’d made such a huge mistake in judgment. And suddenly she realized how familiar his story sounded. She’d done the same thing with Donny. She’d accepted a second date despite the fact she hadn’t really enjoyed his company in large part because one of the girls she’d worked with had warned her against him. It had been her own stubborn pride that led her into a life-threatening situation—
hell’s bells and cottontails, we have more in common than I thought
.

It was unreasonable for Coral to hold Sage to a high standard she hadn’t been able to meet herself. She’d always prided herself on not being a hypocrite, and judging him when he hadn’t judged her for her mistakes would be hypocritical to be sure. Realizing she’d made her decision, Coral wiggled out from beneath the covers to settle in his lap. “Let’s rewind to the moment when you said all those sweet things to me and slid this beautiful ring on my finger. I didn’t even get an engagement kiss.”