Delicate Promises (Southern Bride 2)

“She’s always had mine.”

“Show her that, don’t just assume she knows it. You have a lot of ground to cover on this recon mission, dear brother. So get started.”

By the time I pulled up to Kynslee’s house, I was emotionally drained. I knew my sister was right, but I couldn’t discount the fears I’d had. No matter how many times I tried to tell myself that walking away had been the right thing to do, I knew deep in my gut it had been the biggest mistake. And it’d taken me coming home for good to realize it.

I dropped my head back against the seat of my truck and let out a groan.

I just had to make it in the military to age thirty. Then I’d be able to come home, win Kynslee’s love, get married, and we would be able to take our time starting a family. I’d be financially ready to settle down because I’d taken care of my family and could now focus on my own future.

“Fuck,” I mumbled as I dragged both hands over my face. How fucking arrogant was I? To think I could show up and she’d be ready to jump right into our promise. Right into my arms.

No, Lana was right. I needed to show Kynslee. I needed to win her love and trust back. I wouldn’t stop until I did.

A knock on the window had me screaming like a damn girl. I jerked my head to the left only to find Kynslee standing there, attempting to hide her smile.

“You scared the piss out of me,” I said as I got out. “Haven’t you ever heard of the guy coming up to the door to pick up a date?”

She shrugged. “I saw you pull up, and then you were just sitting here. I had to come find out if you were having second thoughts.”

I smiled. “Well, it would be easier if we could just plan our wedding and re-enact our honeymoon night and forget all this dating bullshit, but here I am.”

Her brow rose and anger built in those meadow green eyes. God, how I dreamed of those eyes so many nights…staring down as Kynslee rode me and brought out the most intense orgasm I’d ever had in my life. Dreams so real I swore she wasn’t a dream but a reality.

“Is that what this is all about, Miles? You want to have sex?”

I smiled again, knowing I had opened my mouth once more and said the wrong thing, but damn if it wasn’t fun watching her get pissed. It was a turn on, if I was being honest. “Are you offering?”

Her lip snarled, but I saw it for the briefest moment. She wanted me as much as I wanted her. It was there. I felt it between us.

“No!” she snapped.

I winked and replied, “Bummer.”

Her shoulders slumped. “You know what, I’m going back inside. Have a good night, Miles.”

I reached for her hand and pulled her close. Her body pressed against mine, and I swore I could feel every single nerve ending that touched her body. My dick instantly grew hard.

“I’m kidding, Kyns. Learn to take a joke.”

Her eyes looked up into mine. She seemed like she wanted to ask me something, but she pressed her lips tightly together. “Where are we going on this date?” she finally asked.

“Pick a number from ten to twenty-five.”

Kynslee’s mouth rose in a slight smile. Everyone kept telling me I didn’t know Kynslee, but I did. I knew everything about her. She loved adventures, and I was ready to take her on not one, but a lot of them.

“Okay, well twenty-four is my favorite number.”

“Twenty-four, it is.”

She let out a confused chuckle. “What does that even mean?”

With a wink, I took her hand, trying to ignore the zap of electricity that rushed up my arm. I walked her around the truck and opened the passenger door.

“Climb on in, and I’ll tell ya.”

Once we were out of her driveway and at the first intersection, I pulled out the penny.

I flipped it and caught it, placing it onto the back of my hand. “Heads. We go right.”

Kynslee’s smile was absolutely radiant at this silly date I’d planned.

Turning right, I drove down County Road 1340.

“Miles, you want to tell me what in the hell you’re doing?” Kynslee asked.

It was hard as hell to keep a straight face. “We’re on a penny date, Kyns. Haven’t you ever been on a penny date before?”

“A penny date?”

Giving her a quick glance, I laughed. “Kyns, you’ve really never been on a penny date?”

“No, Miles, I have not. Most of the guys I’ve dated tend to have more than a penny to their name.”

I laughed. “Trust me, I have more than a penny and that’s not what it means.”

She sighed. “Then please explain what a penny date is.”