Don't Promise (Don't 3)

I grabbed a towel and wrapped Grayson in it before draining the water from the tub. He giggled. He was feeling better out of the cold snow clothes.

“When do you leave?” he asked.

“The twenty-sixth. We fly out bright and early the day after Christmas.”

“It’s only one mission. How long are you gone?”

“Five days,” I answered.

Ryan followed me into the bedroom. Grayson’s suitcase was on a trunk at the end of the bed. I looked for a long sleeve shirt and a pair of pants for him.

“You’ve got to do it.”

“What?” I thought he’d support my decision. If nothing else, he’d want me to protect his sister.

“She can stay here with my parents. And Grayson. She’ll be fine. She has us, Cole. She always has. You’ll never forgive yourself if you don’t go to Kabatur. I know you. You’re still a Marine.”

He walked out of the room and left me with Grayson. Nothing was going the way I thought it would.

15

Kaitlyn

Cole and I were headed to Wonderland Lights.

Spending the evening with Aiden wasn’t at the top of his priority list, but at least he was giving it a try.

“And why is it we are going on a double date? I’d be fine hanging out at the house with your parents if you wanted girls’ night with Mary Ellen. Ryan wants to go watch the game downtown.”

Ok, maybe he wasn’t completely open to the experience.

I pointed to our exit. “Turn there.” I could see a line of cars from the highway. “Because it’s Christmas and Christmas is about friends and family. Mary Ellen’s my friend and Aiden is your—”

“Don’t say it. Don’t even try that, Kaitlyn. Aiden and I are business partners.” Cole slowed the car behind the lane in front of us.

“Sorry. I just want you to have family. I’m not trying to put you two together. If it wasn’t my only chance to s

ee Mary Ellen while I’m home I wouldn’t have suggested it.”

His hand clutched mine against my leg. “I know you’re trying to help.” He turned toward me. “But you’ve got to let Aiden and me figure this out. Right now we are business partners.”

“That’s something.” I smiled. I pulled out my phone to text Mary Ellen and let her know we were somewhere in this pack of cars.

“Have you ever been here before?” Cole asked.

“No, but I always wanted to go. They have hayrides that take you through the lights and there’s hot chocolate. I love hot chocolate.”

“Then I will make sure you get all the hot chocolate you want.” He leaned across the console and brushed his lips against mine.

I sighed as I felt the possessive kiss spread warmth throughout my limbs. I leaned into him, eager to taste more of his lips. A car honked behind us.

“I better watch the line.” Cole straightened his shoulders and focused on the steering wheel.

I giggled. I could tell the kiss had him breathing heavier too.

My phone buzzed. “It’s Mary Ellen. She said they are waiting for us outside the ticket booth.”

“Great,” Cole muttered.