Cory - Outdoor Alphas, #6 - E-book - ePub

Cory:My childhood was full of hardships that I wouldn't wish upon my worst enemy. Hell, we all have similar stories, but through it all we stuck together. We battled and survived; it was us against the world - The Lucky Seven. That was until one by one each of my brothers started falling in love as they found their soulmates. As they fell, all I could do was watch with envy. Honestly, I was afraid I was going to lose my brothers and all we built together.
For as long as I could remember, humor was my defense mechanism. I was a natural and the words rolled off my tongue, officially dubbing me the jokester. I embraced that part of myself but I was tired. Tired of hiding myself; tired of playing it safe. What would it be like to really be seen past the jokes and laughter? Would it be worth it to open myself up and let someone in completely? Besides my brothers, would anyone else even try? In the past I would have said no.
Not just anyone would make the effort; it wouldn't be worth it. But that was before I got my first glimpse of her. Now I know what it means to have my heart completely owned. Even if I wanted to, there is no going back. I'll share every deep dark secret of my past as long as it means keeping Cassi. Cassi:I'm at the point in my life where I honestly think having a big heart is a curse. Just paint a bullseye on my back and let the firing squad commence cause the universe hates me.
No, I'm not being dramatic - I'll explain. Not only am I obligated to spend a week on a company retreat, but I'm pretty much forced to spend time with my ex-boyfriend. Him I could ignore, like I do while working; I mean we're no longer together for a reason. It's the part where his new bimbo girlfriend, who I also work with, and has a goal of making my life hell, will also be there. Being forced to go on this work retreat is bad enough.
Being forced to go on with THEM is utter hell. I can't even enjoy the beauty of the outdoors at this resort since their only goal in life is to make me miserable. In order to keep my sanity, I dig deep for my inner strength to make my escape and climb the side of a mountain. It seems they haven't broken me enough since they stand behind me and mock me. Ignoring them, I try to let their hatred roll off my back, but there's only so much I can take before I break.
The moment I'm ready to crawl under a rock from their mocking, this Greek God of a man comes to my defense. Nobody has ever stood up for me, until Cory. He not only lays my ex out, he's there to catch me every single time I fall. Unfortunately, one of those falls might just kill us both.